Y35 Graduation Ceremony: Guests

[Augustus Westwick]

The graduation ceremony was a little different than what Augustus had imagined. It was very fancy, and a little intimidating. Almost everyone here was older, and Augustus felt very small. He sat between a few strangers, staring at everyone around him. He glanced at his cousins, who were sitting together. He then listened two the speeches, fidgeting with his sleeves a little. The older students always intimidated him, so he didn't know them very well. After the two speeches, it was time for everyone to graduate. Augustus felt a pang of sadness as Edmund and Theodore went up to get their diploma. He would miss them, even if he hadn't really talked to them much this year. He clapped timidly for them, smiling a little. He thought was proud too, even if he was also sad.

 

[Emma van Houten]

Emma sat next to Lars, with Iris on his other side. She was excited about today's event, though she was sad too. Emma would really miss Fleur, but at least there was this cool ceremony they could all attend today. She had been told to behave, so she tried to be as quiet as possible, even as she was pretty excited. The headmistress gave a speech, and then the head boy and girl did as well. She was a little bored during the speeches. She then perked up again when it was time for the students to get their diploma. When it was Fleur's turn, she couldn't contain herself anymore. "WOO! GO FLEUR!" She said, clapping happily. She ignored Iris' look. If she couldn't cheer now, when could she?

 

[Iris van Houten]

The ceremony today was making Iris more sad than she wanted to admit. She was trying to hide it, because she knew it was difficult enough for Fleur, and because she knew Lars was sad as well, and Emma would be soon enough. She was happy enough now, but Iris knew her twin well enough to know the reality of Fleur leaving Hogwarts would sink in soon. Iris kept a smile on her face, clapping for all the speeches and clapping louder for Fleur when she got her diploma. She glanced at Emma as she shouted, but was honestly glad she had managed to restrain herself so long. She couldn't wait until the ceremony was over so she could give Fleur a hug.

 

[Phoebe Holland]

While the year had flown by, it was also strange to be back at Hogwarts. Phoebe no longer felt like she belonged here, even if she missed it sometimes. She had gone to say hi to Alice and Diana, but took a seat closer to where Charlie was sitting. She was glad her girlfriend was graduating, as she had missed Charlie a ton over the last year. Phoebe had saved up a lot while working as an Unspeakable, and she couldn't wait to move in with Charlie. She hoped the Gryffindor would be open to that too, though she wouldn't rush anything either. Phoebe cheered loudly when it was Charlie's turn to receive the diploma, grinning widely as she clapped.

 

[Professor Matt Alcott-Ward]

Matt was sitting next to Kahurangi at the ceremony, glad that at least this time it wouldn't be an emotional affair for him. Last year April had graduated, and the year before that October. While Matt cared about all the kids graduating this year, he at least was pretty positive that he wouldn't start crying at the ceremony today. Matt listened to the speeches, and then clapped for each graduate who took the stage. He was proud of each of them, but a little sad for them too. It seemed to him like they were younger every year when they graduated, though he also knew by now that they were stronger than he perhaps gave them credit for. They would all be alright in the end.

 

[Matthew Harper]

Charlotte's invitation had surprised him, but the fact that she had invited their father too didn't. So Matthew had been sure to come a little early, taking a seat as far in the back as possible in an attempt to stay away from the man he never wanted to see again. As he waited for the ceremony to start, his focus was soon drawn to Jason. He had forgotten the other man would be here, but he now remembered he had a sister in Charlotte's year. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, and he tried to catch his eye. But before he could, his attention was drawn by Headmistress Alicastell. Much like when he was a student here, Matthew immediately felt intimidated by her. He listened quietly as the head students gave their speeches, though he couldn't help wondering what sort of speech Charlotte would have given if she had gotten the chance. While he was sad for her for not being picked, he also thought he could understand why. He knew the head boy was her boyfriend though, and tried to get a measure of the guy. He couldn't really make a lot out of his speech, but hoped that he could talk to him later. Unfortunately, if his father tried to approach him, Matthew might have to leave a bit earlier than he wanted. He clapped loudly for Charlotte when it was her turn, grinning proudly at her.

 

[John Harper]

John was proud of his daughter. Charlotte was the only child he had that hadn't disappointed him, and he couldn't believe that it was time for her to graduate. John had been surprised to be invited alone, without his wife. With the tensions running high between them, he didn't mind it so much, but he didn't get it until he saw Matthew hiding in the back of the audience. Interesting, he hadn't known Charlotte was still in contact with her brother. John hadn't seen Matthew in years, though he had kept an eye on him. He'd heard that the boy had gone to a muggle university, which was really pathetic. A good confundus charm could have him walking out of a place like that with a diploma within a week, but instead he chose to live like a muggle. It really was disgraceful, which was why it was slightly concerning that Charlotte had invited him. But he decided to focus on his daughter now. He listened with feigned interest to the speeches being made, though he couldn't help but think Charlotte would have made a far better head girl. This one was way too sentimental, which John suspected was just to gather sympathy. He clapped for every student receiving their diploma, but a little louder for his Charlotte. He was proud of her, and could not wait to work together with her. She was his true heir, and he would make sure she would follow his footsteps and make him proud, unlike Matthew.

 

[Analei Westwick]

Analei felt nervous to attend the Graduation Ceremony. Of course she had automatically been invited as a Prefect, but she was mainly there for Edmund. She didn't know a lot of the graduating class, but of course recognized their faces. It took a minute for Analei to find Edmund's face, but once she did, she didn't want to stop looking at him. Her last year was going to be a very long year without him. The Ceremony began, and Analei tried to focus, taking mental notes on what she should say when she was Head Girl, giving her own speech. The thought both terrified and excited her. She had worked so hard during her school years, and though there were other top contenders, she didn't think there anyone was going to best her when it came to becoming Head Girl. Simon's speech was short and sweet. Analei still cringed when she thought about how she acted towards him, and how he had towards her, and although she was long over him, she was grateful that his speech wasn't too long. Leda was up soon afterwards, and Analei was a bit thrown by her honesty, but as she continued, it made more sense. It was a really moving speech, and Analei loved the sentiment behind it but was shocked when the Head Girl jumped off the stage. While she had enjoyed the Head Girl's speech, she had ended it with such unprofessional-ism. Thankfully, it didn't put a halt on the ceremony too much as the Headmistress continued. Edmund caught her eye, and she grinned at him, giving him a small thumbs up. Her mind was instantly brought back to the reason she was there, and she felt herself starting to get teary. It took awhile, but it was finally, and terribly, Edmund's turn to get his diploma. Analei clapped and cheered loudly for him as he made his way across the stage. She felt her eyes brimming with tears, but she didn't mind it too much - at least she wasn't crying like a baby like some were. After Edmund, it was Theodore, who Analei clapped for as well. Not as much cheering, but if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Edmund, she knew Theodore was going to have to be a part of it too. She just hoped that after a year away, Edmund would still want to spend the rest of his life with her, too. The thought hadn't occurred to her before. But she knew it for real, now. She definitely wanted to spend forever with him.

 

[Professor Angel Castillo]

Angel admittedly hadn't paid as much attention during previous graduations as he should have. The whole ceremony felt like a lot of talking and waiting with no real payoff in the past, but this year felt a little different. It was still strange to think he'd been teaching here for three years, and not only that, but managed to ferry one group of students from 5th year all the way to now, their graduation. While Angel wasn't about to get misty eyed over anyone, nor was he going to miss most of his students, there were a few that he was surprised to find he was actually going to miss having around asking questions and answering papers he had to mark. Angel did his level best to keep all his clapping non-committal though as the ceremony went on. Couldn't have anyone think he was picking favorites.

 

[Madlyn Ateara]

They were all present for Chante's big day. All eight of them at least. Grandma Iris didn't really like to travel out of the states and her sisters were very busy with their lives as per usual. They did sent their love and presents of course. Mandela an a apron, Jackie a bakers hat. Grandma Iris made Chante a crossbody bag and the ceremonial dress she was wearing today underneath. It was nice and all, Madlyn wished they had come rather than send gifts. Everyone else came. It was Jax and baby Ivy first real outing together with the whole family. Jax sat on Chay's lap, their son was growing at a much faster rate than Chante did as a toddler. The difference between the two has been amazing to watch. It made her a bit teary eyed though, realizing that Chante 'Chanty in Jax's voice', was no longer a child. Her baby girl was all grown up and ready to take on the world. Madlyn smiles meeting her husband's gaze, she leans in gently gracing him with a cheek kiss. "We did good, I think," she mused and smiles over at Briar and Dederick. "Right, we did good?," she nodded, "And you did good too, Willow is next," Madlyn winks playfully to her niece. In the moment she was content with her family, her immediate family and those in spirit. Madlyn clapped for her daughter as she cross the stage looking comfortable as ever in her own skin. It was a proud moment for the professor who once cross that very same stage herself with the love of her life. Now here they were witnessing the result of their love do the same.

 

[Chayton Ateara]

It had been a long time since chayton had last been in the school he had come close a couple of years ago where he had met his wife at the gate for a date night. The time before that he was with the graduates. He remembered the day well. after one year at the school he had been sitting there waiting to cross the stage his girlfriend beside him. That was the day that he had decided that he would one day marry her. It had taken him longer than he had tough. But here he was sitting next to his wife with their son on his lap watching their daughter graduate. He was so proud of her. she had grown up from such a small thing that he could hold in one hand to the beautiful young lady on the stage. He changed position of his son before he put his arm around his wife shoulders and held her to him. Glad that they were at the back and not blocking anyone else view.
The ceremony was nice. Then head boys speech was short and the head girl seemed to have a deeper meaninf behind her words. Then the names were called. He clapped as his daughter walked across the stage dressed in traditional clothing under her robes. As she passed the stage he used his free hand to wipe his eyes. He wasn’t crying, okay maybe just a couple of tears. ”Well done Love.” he whispered kissing his wife lightly on the top of the head. ”It is a shame iris couldn’t make it. But I am sure she and Jackson would be so proud of Chante too if they were here” he said. He know how much Madlyn loved her dad. How his loss had effected her. But he also knew that his spirit was still keeping watch over them. And that there would be no way he wasn’t proud of chante or of them.
Once the Ceremony was over he scooped their son up into his arms and went to find his daughter. Even though his son was large for his age and clearly was going to take after his parents he was still only one and would get lost. Once his daughter had extracted herself from the crush of classmates he held her close. ”We are so proud of you little heart. Not just now but weHave been every day. And we always will be” he said.

 

[Willow Cullen]

this would not be the first graduation ceremony that Willow Cullen attended. as a prefect, she had attended last year. the difference was that this year she knew a lot more of the graduates. two of her closest friends would be leaving the school today and while the Gryffindor felt proud of their achievements but a selfish part of her wished that they weren't leaving. she entered the great hall and greeted her aunt uncle and parents giving them each a hug especially little Jackson. she then took her seat with the other prefects ready for when the ceremony started. She looked around as the headmistress introduced the head students who among them would be standing on the stage this time next year. would it be her? there was a chance. it could be maze or Analei or Saphire. how about head boy, Zenon? the head boys speech was short. nothing overly exciting but Leda's, well she couldn't help but pay attention to it. there was one part when she spoke about a grudge was that about her. they had certainly not been friends for a while but in the last semester they had both swallowed their pride and actually talked to each other as friends and to be honest they had more in common than they had thought. She then watched as she got of the stage to give Zenon a hug.
then it was time for each of the students to cross the stage she clapped politely for each of them giving an extra big clap for Chante Leda, fleur. once the ceremony was over she went to congratulate each o the graduates before following Chante to their family.

 

[Maise Verdereau]

Maise was excited for her brother for finally graduating. She'd done so not long before and she'd been waiting for him as well. She didn't spend near enough time with the family she didn't know she was from and she knew she should, but she was definitely happy to be here for Neven. She'd been so excited when Neven had invited her to his graduation as she hadn't had as much contact with him as she would have liked, but she hoped that now with him being out of school, they could take some time to get to know each other and she could get to know the rest of her family. Finding out she'd been adopted had been so confusing for her, so all of this was pretty crazy. "Woo, Neven!" She cheered as he finally took his diploma and graduated. After all, he was an adult now, and wasn't that all anyone wanted for their siblings? To survive school? She had lost a lot in her life, friends, family, but she never wanted to lose another person again. Not if she could avoid it. "I'm so proud of you, brother!"​