Y46 Graduation Ceremony: Graduates

Status
Not open for further replies.

Professor Matt Alcott-Ward

Somehow in charge | Laid back | Friendly
 
Messages
871
OOC First Name
Daphne
Blood Status
Mixed Blood
Relationship Status
Married
Sexual Orientation
Bi (Kyle)
Age
3/2007 (55)
Matt stood at the end of the hall and watched as graduates, guests, staff members, and prefects entered and settled into their seats. The long house tables had been removed from the hall, leaving enough room for many rows of chairs for everyone in attendance. The decorations for the four houses were gone as well, replaced by simple banners with the Hogwarts symbol on them. The graduates were no longer a part of their house, they stood together as the graduating class of 2062.

After waiting for everyone to sit down, Matt made his way across the stage to take his position at the podium. It was one of the first times he had to do this, and he hoped his nerves weren't showing. There was something different about addressing parents and other guests along with the usual students. He hoped this would all go smoothly. "Welcome everyone to the graduation ceremony of twenty-sixty-two. I would like to thank you all for joining us in this celebration of all the bright young witches and wizards who will be receiving their diplomas today. Seventh years, you should all be proud of what you have achieved." He said with a smile. "Your lives are just beginning, you are the future of wizardkind. I think I speak for all of the staff when I say that our future is a bright one." He said, pausing for a moment. "With that, I'd like to call upon our head students Monday Weeks and Aine Thompson take the podium." With that, Matt finished, stepping to the side to allow the two head students to take the stage
 
So, here she was. After seven years, Aine was about to leave Hogwarts New Zealand one final time, return home and concoct some story about how she spent her high school years as part of a cult and didn't feel comfortable talking about it in order to try and justify her right to exist in the muggle world. For some reason, the school hadn't booted her out - indeed, they'd continually shown her faith. The badge that still felt oddly weighty on her chest and the fact that she was standing up to speak showed that, and she fully expected to completely shatter that faith in one final spectacle.

At least, that's the story she'd told herself. But in all honesty she didn't necessarily believe it. True, she didn't think she was qualified to speak. She didn't think her own experiences were ones that were relevant to the whole year level, always having felt a little different from everyone. She was here, though, and she would just have to show faith in herself like the staff had shown in her. It had taken eighteen years of her life, but maybe, just maybe, Aine could actually believe that she was actually worth it.

"Good evening Professors, staff, honoured guests, and of course the class of 2062," Aine started, looking around at the room with a nervous smile. "Wow. Who would have thought it, huh? Not me. And I mean, two muggleborn head people? Salazar Slytherin must be rolling around in his grave." Her right leg trembled a little behind the podium, and she looked down at her palm cards, shook her head, and shoved them straight in her pocket. She wasn't going to need them. Whatever she'd written sounded insincere, and now she'd just have to tick off the last thing on her list of fears to confront this year. Speak from the heart and be honest.

"When I first came to Hogwarts, I thought it was a mistake. There was no way someone like me could be a witch, right? I was just some nobody from country Australia. My life was never meant to be exciting. And I came here with a whole bunch of expectations on my shoulders about how I'd find ways to connect the muggle and magical worlds when I really didn't understand either. Or even myself." Aine gave another slight smile. "Not that I was willing to admit that."

"I've learned a lot in my time here, more than I expected to. We've all learned things we can use in our everyday life. We've all learned things we might never use ever again - frogs of the world, I expect you're safe from being turned into grasshoppers."
She paused, hoping people might give her comments some laughs. Not that being a stand up comedian was in her future. "The rats are on thin ice though."

"Importantly, I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I kept thinking I had worked it all out, that I was so smart and so much more wise and mature than everyone else with a deeper inner life and so on, and at thirteen, fourteen, I knew all the secrets of the universe."
She winced. "At eighteen, I can tell you I didn't know a thing. But that brings me to the - alleged - wisdom I have to share with you all tonight. And that's that our lives are only just beginning."

"I thought I'd done something wrong with my life by not knowing what I wanted to do when I graduated, that if I didn't nail the OWLs or the NEWTs my life would be over, that if I hadn't found the love of my life by the time I was sixteen I would be an old maid and I'd be a lost cause, because that's what I thought it meant to be in this magical community."
Aine pointedly didn't look at a couple of students in the crowd at that comment. "But that's really not the case. There's no one right or wrong way to live your life, and we don't have to just be constrained by tradition or doing what our forebears did. Take it from me, an outsider," she laughed.

"We're barely even considered adults at this point. We might not love the hands we've been dealt, and I don't doubt that everyone here will have their own battles to fight and learning experiences to go through over the coming years, coming decades even. But I believe everyone here will be able to face them. We were all sent here for a reason, even if we didn't always believe it. We've all got the ability to do amazing things."
Aine knew she probably ought to wrap it up, in her vague moment of being aware of where she was. She was just letting the words happen, for the most part. "We can take the foundations of what we've gained here wherever the future may take us. Whether that's the spells we've learned, or the friendships we've made. Or maybe that eleven year old with the weight of the world on her shoulders finally learned she was worth something after all, and that's the knowledge she'll take with her beyond the castle walls."

Aine was getting overwhelmed, much to her embarrassment, and definitely knew she had to wrap it up. Her voice was getting a little shaky. "Anyway. My point is that I want us all to go out there and live. Travel the world, take up a new hobby, fall in and out of love. Learn another language, learn a new sport, learn how to bring magic and technology closer. Or maybe just get a good night's sleep for the first time in seven years! Find out who you are. Live your lives, because they really are only just beginning. Believe it or not, you really don't need to have everything together at the ripe old age of eighteen. I certainly don't" She let out a long breath she barely knew she was holding, realizing her legs were still shaking behind the podium. She'd just completely lost the sense of it. "Here's to the class of 2062. The world is our oyster, and we can serve it up however we want. Thank you." With that, she somehow managed to get back to her seat for Monday to add his thoughts. She had no idea what she said, but she didn't think it had been an unmitigated disaster. Not perfect, but it was done.
 
Monday Weeks could hardly believe that they were all here. Graduation. After so long, it was finally here. And Monday honestly did not want it to be so soon, but at the same time, he wanted to be done with this place. He was tired all of the time, but now he was actually balancing everything out. And Aine Thompson helped a lot with his stress levels. They helped each other out, actually. He no longer felt like such a failure either. He smiled as he watched the Head Girl make her way to the front, and start talking. The little quip about Salazar Slytherin rolling in his grave made him snicker. Aine continued to speak, which he listened intensely. She did make him smile more often than not. He honestly could not think of a better speech, but he was heavily biased for his peer. Once she was done, it was his turn. He went up to the front, and glanced back at Aine. Just looking at her gave him the courage to speak to others. Public speaking made him nervous, who knew.

"I hope everyone enjoyed Aine's speech. She really knew how to word things, and relate to others in ways that she might not even know herself. Anyway, now that's out of the way, I guess it is my turn to talk about the last seven years." Monday shoved his hands into his pockets, as he looked over the professors, students, and family. "I honestly never thought that I would be standing here, speaking to all of you because I can think of several other students here that would be more worthy. I am just an academic student. I never thought of myself as a leader, and somehow, the school did not burn down under my watch. I think it was a miracle." Monday would never speak down about Aine. She helped him so much that he felt that he owed her everything. Although, he felt that she might have done that herself quite well. The head people would make jokes at their own expense, wouldn't they? "I transferred here at the beginning of my third year, and just dove into every single subject because, like Aine, I have a muggle background, and I did not want to be shocked by the magical world when I leave here. Turns out, academics can only get you so far. You can't know everything when you leave here. It is impossible, no matter how much you read and write essays. I know that we have learned the foundation of magic, and now we get to go out and do something with it. Or nothing if you want to head to the muggle world. I suggest, if you want to do that, better brush up on your mathematics. Arithmancy only teaches you how to add. Nothing else."

Monday loved math himself, but he was not about to admit that currently. Or how he thought that the astronomy here was nothing short of hysterical. "So, I don't want to talk for too long. I want to think the professors for their hard work and dedication. My friends, my family, everyone's support for assisting not just me, but all of us to be here, graduating from Hogwarts New Zealand. We all have our challenges now, and in the future. I hope that the relationships that we have made here to be long lasting, and that we can grow to be a better person than we were yesterday. And, if there are any sixth years out there that might be the next head person, don't stress too much over this speech. I rewrote it several times, and decided to just wing it. Anyway, see you guys out in the real world!" Monday hoped that it would be all right, and at least he did not swear. That was progress.
 
Matt listened proudly to the two speeches, glad they weren't too critical. Well, Monday's was a bit critical of himself. Mat still thought he was a perfectly fine choice for head boy. He stepped forward with a smile. "Thank you both." He said kindly, before turning his attention to the other graduates. "To the class of Twenty-sixty two, I wish you all the luck in the future. I know you will all be amazing. Once I call your name, come up to the stage to receive your diploma.” He took the group of graduates in for a moment, then smiled and read the first name on his list.
 
Aurora had always known her own graduation was coming, and knew that this would be the next step on the journey she wanted to make. To be a healer, to be like uncle Ty, but it felt surreal it was actually happening. It felt additionally surreal that she'd be graduating and then be an aunt within a few months, but she was also very very eager for it. Hogwarts had been amazing for her, had given her all the opportunities she could've wanted but it was also going to be nice to be out in the real world, to be in amongst the other people in the world and be working. She couldn't wait for that to be the case.

Aurora applauded loudly as the head boy and girl went onto the stage. The two speeches were wonderful, both heartfelt and funny too. She found herself, smiling at each of them, and found it interesting that both seemed to think that they weren't worthy of the positions when Aurora knew there was no one she could've imagined speaking to them at that point. She applauded loudly for them both and felt so overjoyed that they had been the ones to lead them. Then the names began being called, and it was little surprise to Aurora Archer that she was one of the first.

Aurora walked the stage proudly, head held high, knowing that she had managed it, that she was on her way to being a healer, that she would start being able to help people properly. She shook the head master's hand and then walked off the stage, lingering a little to wait for her sister who would be just after her.
 
Rosie Archer was glad that graduation was finally here. The semester had been one of the busiest she had ever experienced, between Accio and then her NEWTs, as well as the fact that now being five months pregnant, everything was just a bit of a struggle. Slowly getting worse and worse. The morning sickness hadn't really faded yet, she still felt and was sick most mornings. But she'd be able to graduate and she'd be able to spend time with Xinyi and just..that would be nice. This wasn't really how she had pictured her graduation going, but she certainly didn't mind.

Rosie cheered for the head students, and felt herself well up at what they said. Her emotions were very much all over the place, and it was a wonder she hadn't started crying near immediately when things had gotten started. Her hands rested on her bump, feeling as the baby kicked and when it moved. She loved them so much already. Rosie glanced into the crowd and easily found Xinyi in amongst it, and she smiled warmly to him. But the speeches were finishing, and the names were being called.

Rosie applauded for her sister, watching proudly as she crossed the stage. Then it was Rosie's turn. She walked across the stage and shook the head master's hand, thanking him profusely in the few seconds she had for everything that Hogwarts had given her. Then she joined her sister at the end of the stage and they went to their seat together, ready to celebrate everyone else in their year too.
 
Isadora couldn't believe the day had come, she was graduating today. Honestly, she hated it. Isadora's future was full of uncertainties. She knew her parents were disappointed in her, she suspected they were hoping to marry her off to someone so she wouldn't be their problem anymore, she had no idea where her sister was and she didn't know what she wanted to do. She didn't want to leave this place, Hogwarts had become her home. She had felt like crying for most of the day and now at the ceremony, she couldn't help the tears. She kept wiping them away, but she knew her eyes were red and puffy. She knew she must look silly, weeping like this, but she didn't care. She wasn't ready to leave, but she had to.

Unlike her classmates, there was no one for her here, no one to watch this moment. She was going to be all alone in the world after this. She glanced at Margo and Cameron, wishing she could ask them to stay with her forever. She didn't say it, but she hoped they would anyway. Things with Cameron were weird, but he was hers, her friend, things would go back to normal and they would be friends forever, right? She reached over for Margo's hand, which felt safer than Cameron's. She barely listened to the speeches, though she was sure they were both very good and intelligent.

She only let go of Margo's hand when it was her friend's turn to get her diploma. Isadora clapped so hard it hurt her hands. Then, before she knew it, it was her turn. As if in a daze, she headed to the podium and received the piece of paper that she hated right now. She headed back to her seat, clapping just a hard for Cameron when it was his turn. When the ceremony was over, she would have to look for a quiet corner, she needed a good cry without anyone watching her.
 
Demetrius had obviously known graduation was going to happen. Everyone knew that's what happened when you finished schooling. But he didn't anticipate the swirling mix of emotions that inhabited his chest. On one hand, he felt oddly proud of himself. He'd made it this far when he kind of doubted he ever would. But he also felt a little hollow, stinged with regrets. Demetrius didn't think he really made the most out of Hogwarts, and as many good memories, there were bad ones too.

He tried to settle this chaotic blend of feelings as he listened to the speeches. He clapped hard for Aine, and then for Monday, proud of both of them for what they'd both accomplished. They were great speeches in his opinion, though as another muggleborn, Demetrius might have been slightly biased. They just resonated with him. He hoped he'd keep in touch with Monday and Aine, a little worried that once they graduated everyone he knew would just forget about him. Demetrius shook off that feeling. Now wasn't the time.

Demetrius clapped for his friends when it was their turn to get their certificate, having to wait a while since he was right at the end of the alphabet. He felt awkward, suddenly the whole room's attention on him as his named was called out. It felt trivial - a piece of parchment to signify seven years of his life. But he also felt overcome with emotion. This was it. If Demetrius was honest with himself, he wouldn't have minded crying. But he didn't do tears, least of all in front of others, so he kept a stiff upper lip, pushing down the magnitude of everything until it was small - so small, and so far away, yet pushing constantly for his attention.
 
The day of Abigail graduating was here. She had finally made it here, after seven years of being at Hogwarts, she was going to be graduating. Abigail felt like she had grown as a person since she started Hogwarts. Abby had mixed emotions today. While she was happy that she was finally going to graduation and honestly wasn't going to be missing this place, she knew she was definitely going to miss the friends that she had made here. She didn't have many friends at Hogwarts, but she was definitely going to miss her friends either way. Abby hoped that maybe she could see them from time to time, but who knew what the future had in store for everyone.

Abby sat in her seat as she awaited for the graduation to start. The girl sat there patiently, as she fiddled with her sleeve a little from nervousness. She listened carefully to what the headpeople had to say and agreed with a lot of what they said. Abby understood where they came from about the muggle world and such as she too had also grown up with the muggle world before she came here. Abby still also wasn't particularly sure what she wanted to do once she graduated from Hogwarts, but she did somewhat have the idea of art of some kind.

Abigail clapped along with everyone else as both speeches had come to an end and it was their turn to walk across the stage to get their diploma. The moment was finally here. They all were actually going to graduate from Hogwarts. Abigail was further down the list so it was a bit of a while until it was officially her turn to walk across the stage. She cheered for everyone and cheered even louder for her friends and dormmates. She was going to miss them. It was finally Abigail's turn to walk across the stage. Abby nervously made her way up to the podium to receive her diploma before quickly heading back to her seat.
 
Kiara could hardly believe graduation was actually here. In her own mind, she was far from done with learning. Not just the usual stuff like how to brew potions or cast spells but learning about herself as well. She had only started that journey in her last few years at the school and could barely remember anything about the first ones. But perhaps that didn't matter now anyways. Perhaps what mattered was how she would move on from here, something she had a few ideas about. She nervously grabbed onto Valerius' hand as Aine and Monday gave their speeches, only letting go when it was time to applaud for both of them. Part of her wanted to take a hold of it again afterwards, but with his surname beginning with a 'B' she knew it'd be only a moment before he'd get called up to receive his diploma. Kiara clapped loudly for him, as she did the rest of her friends, but felt her nerves grow as the headmaster moved down the alphabet. When her name was finally called she made her way up to the stage and smiled brightly as she received her diploma, although she was more than happy to go and sit down again. Being in the centre of attention had never much been for her.
 
Margo had been mentally preparing for this day for weeks. She knew it was supposed to be a celebration but there was also a deep sadness in her chest and she was too scared too look. Graduation was supposed be an end but also the beginning of the rest of her life. Michael not graduating with her and the rest of her friends was the first thing to put a damper on her day. It would only be a year until he could join her but she knew she'd feel stuck and lost the entire time. She didn't want to be the kind of girl who was lost without her boyfriend and she knew she'd be fine. She'd have her life but she'd miss him. There was no denying that.

Then there were her friends. Margo felt Isadora reach out and grab her hand, without hesitation she took it and gave it a squeeze. In an instant she felt tears well up in her eyes but she managed to blink them away before anyone could notice. She knew that she had been through way to much with Cameron and Isadora to shake them off now, not that she would ever want to. But they'd be apart. Going separate ways, at least for a while. She didn't have a lot of family and they were family to her. With that though she spared a glance over her shoulder and felt a sense of relief when she spotted her grandmother and her aunt in the crowd. Against her better judgement she looked through the rest of the guests to see if Avery had decided to show up. Would she even recognize him if he did? The one thing she didn't want to catalogue in her list of sorrows was the fact that her parents weren't here. It was the most obvious one of all. They had been dead for over ten years and the harder she tried to slam the door shut on those thoughts, the harder the memories of them kicked it open. For a moment she let herself imagine that they were proud of her and what she had accomplished. Not head girl, but prefect, all E's on her NEWT's, co-editor of the paper, and vice president of a club wasn't bad either.

By now the speeches were going and Margo had wanted to clap for Aine but she was still holding Isadora's hand. All she could do was listen and look up at the enchanted ceiling and blink as she willed the lump in her throat to go away. She could not go out as the girl who cried getting her diploma. Once Monday was done she focused on her breathing and slowly calmed down. She didn't want to be sad anymore. This was a celebration and she wanted to celebrate. Aine and Monday were right about one thing, this was just a fraction of their lives and the future would be hard but she'd get through that too. As names were called she smiled at the Archer twins and tried not to stare at Rosie, or Valerius who followed soon after. Then it was her turn and she had to let go of Isadora's hand which left her feeling a little exposed as she walked up to the front of the hall to shake the headmaster's hand. It was all over in a matter of seconds. The rest of the ceremony flew by too but she made sure to cheer for her friends, standing up and waving to them so they knew she loved them.
 
Graduation. Valerius was ready enough, he supposed. He wasn't really wanting to leave, because outside of the school was his fathers company, his responsibilities, work that he couldn't just walk away from. He took a deep breath through the nose, rubbing his thumb idly against the side of Kiara's hand and listening to Aine and Monday as they spoke. He knew he hadn't been the best friend in the world- often times he'd felt a bit like a third wheel in the group, but he'd never let it stop him from being with them, knowing it was likely mostly in his head. Neither of them were the type to not tell him to sod off, really. Aine especially. He smiled softly, clapping along for his closest friends and feeling a sense of dread. He wasn't sure how their friendships would last over the next few years- he had a feeling Aine was going to be a wild card and trying to guess what she'd planned next- or hadn't planned- was like trying to catch the wind.

He didn't have time to dwell on anymore thoughts- Bianchi was higher up on the list and demanded his attention. He stood, sauntering across the stage and taking his diploma. He acted the perfect gentleman, tilting his head in respect as he took the scroll before walking back to his seat. He stole Kiara's hand again, bringing it up and kissing the back of it, smiling impishly at her. He knew his future was planned out for him, but hopefully he could still figure out some way to keep from being trapped in his role.
 
Soren was so ready for this. He had plans, schooling to get to. And now a new niece/nephew to absolutely spoil. First, though, he needed to get through his graduation. He hummed, taking his seat with the others, sitting by Aurora and trying to steal her hand even as his eyes searched for his siblings. He gave Rosie an easy smile, looking to Monday and Aine as they started speaking. He listened easily, inwardly rolling his eyes at some of the comments. He hopped up when it was his turn to walk, as Slate and Sadie had already walked. He gave a dramatic bow before stealing his diploma and heading back to his seat. He lounged in his seat again, waiting for everyone else to finish up so he could go snag Xinyi in the crowd.
 
Evie felt a little numb as graduation neared, and before she knew it she was seated in the graduation ceremony, sat alone and feeling out of place. She'd invited her parents, but a scan of the crowd had confirmed they hadn't gotten the time off to come. She bit back a sigh, twisting her hands in her lap. The whole thing seemed to drag on and on. She swallowed hard, hating how long she had to wait for her name to be called. Why did she have to be something silly, like Moss? Why couldn't she be something more elegant? Not that she could think of any good names in the moment, feeling like there were eyes drillling holes through her. She took a deep breath, standing and smoothing out her robes as her name was finally, finally called. She kept her head back, acting more confident than she felt, giving a warm smile and accepting her diploma with what she hoped was grace, finding her next place with as much dignity as she could muster.
 
Graduation had come around a lot sooner than Valentina could ever have imagined and before she knew it she found herself in the Great hall waiting to receive her diploma. She sat through the speeches from the Headmaster and head students, none of them said anything particularly interesting and Valentina was glad when they finished and they could get things started. Valentina was eager to leave, she didn't fully know what she was going to do once she left school but she was still eager to leave, she had been done with Hogwarts for a long time. She sat and watched her classmates as they went up and collected their diplomas, moving through the students in alphabetical order until it was her turn and she went up to collect it.
 
Aine listened to Monday's speech, looking at her shoes when she was mentioned and wanting very much to just have it over with now. The adrenaline from getting through the speech - even if she barely registered anything she said - pooled in a sick feeling in her stomach, and she half felt that if she stood up again she'd fall right to the floor. But her name was called and so she had to force herself up again, somehow putting one foot in front of the other and making it to shake the headmaster's hand. She felt like she should apologise to him one final time, but suspected if she opened her mouth she may well just throw up and as such decided against it. She hadn't brought anyone along, what with her family being muggles and all. Violet and Noah had both offered, but Aine had decided against inviting anyone, figuring they could all wait until she got her bachelor's degree, hopefully, and then celebrate with her then.

At the very least, now nobody could easily pry into her thoughts and therefore couldn't see her intrusive desire to yell 'so long, suckers' at the top of her voice. That was an achievement.

But that was that, with a handshake, a goodbye and a good luck, she was done. Untethered, free (for the next short while before she threw herself back into study in order to weasel her way into university), and surprised at how far she'd come. She sat back down, almost tempted to laugh in bewilderment that this was all actually real and almost over, and beyond the intrusive desires to do something horrifically inappropriate, one question turned itself over and over in her mind. So, now what?
 
Finished. Finished, finished, finished. School was finally finished, and Ngawaiata could hardly wait to be out the door.

Her toe tapped slightly with impatience as she did her best to actually pay attention to Aine's speech. It was a very nice speech, and Ngawaiata wished she had more patience to actually pay attention to it; although they had never been close she had always respected Aine, and it was nice hearing what she had to say. But Sky was here, and as soon as this was over and done with Ngawaiata would be free to leave, go and start her life with her girlfriend and never have to think about this stupid place again. She was almost relieved when Monday took the stand and she didn't have to pretend to pay attention anymore, tuning out what were thankfully the last words she would ever have to listen to from him as she looked around to spot where Sky was sitting. Her family were here as well and she was looking forward to seeing them, of course, but it was hard to focus on anything or anyone else after a full year away from her girlfriend.

Finally the speeches were done, and Ngawaiata moved from being frustrated having to hear people go on and on about the future to being frustrated at how far down the alphabet her name was. She watched her classmates take the stage one by one, doing her best to be a good sport and clap when her friends got their diplomas, but all she could really think about was her own upcoming turn. Finally, finally her name was called, and she practically leaped from her seat, hurrying to the stage. She had been waiting for the moment for so long and it turned to a blur all at once - diploma in one hand, headmaster's hand in the other, and it was all done. She returned to her seat a graduate at last, and finally there was nothing left to be done but enjoy her future. She was free.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top