Y46 Graduation Ceremony: Guests

[Professor Matt Alcott-Ward]

Out of Character:

Here is the area for invited guests, staff, professors and prefects to post while at the graduation. Please be reminded that you are also invited to start separate RPs that take place after the graduation ceremony has concluded.

 

[Emmanuel Okoye]

Emmanuel Okoye was very sad that Aine and others in her year would be graduating. He had really come to get to know and appreciate the year above him. He was glad that as a prefect, he was allowed to go to the graduations of others. He took a seat amongst other prefects and was looking up at the head master as things got started. Emmanuel smiled at the speeches given, thinking both were very in keeping with who each of them was. Emmanuel stood up to applaud them both when they were finished, thinking that both deserved a standing ovation, even if he was the only one to do so. Emmanuel cheered for all of the graduating students, standing up to applaud for the ones he knew best.

 

[Savannah Walters]

Somewhat surprisingly, Savannah didn't think that going to the graduation ceremony of other students was that much a waste of her time. Instead she was quite happy for it. She was keen to see the graduating class, and keen to see what was said at these things. It was one thing to read about it and another to really see it. The ravenclaw prefect listened along to what was said, but she thought it still a little cliched. But, then again, Savannah was sure it was easier to give a speech of cliches than it was to be truly original. The teen politely applauded for the graduating students, rolling her eyes at the pregnant one.

 

[Branson Archer]

Being back at Hogwarts was odd, but there was no way he would miss his sisters' graduation. It helped too that he'd been away for a bit, spending time with his girlfriend rather than with his parents. he was in the loop (knowing about the baby) but hadn't spoken or seen his sister since finding out. Branson was excited to be an uncle, he had enjoyed being a cousin to Uncle Ty's kids, and this would be no different. He didn't know the students speaking, at least, he couldn't remember them well, but applauded, they spoke well. Branson cheered loudly as his sister's crossed the stage, very proud of them both for graduating.

 

[Professor Minnie Calida]

Professor Minnie Calida didn't need to come to graduations, but knowing that at her own, she hadn't had anyone to applaud for her, she knew it was right to come along, to applaud loudly for each student, in case they had no one else. She took a spot and listened as the head master and the head students spoke. She didn't know either of them, the proxy of her role meaning that she wasn't that aware of who the older students were. But they spoke nicely. it was sweet. She didn't know any of the graduating students but applauded loudly for all of them.

 

[Stefan Archer]

Stefan Archer felt odd. It had been years, decades since his own graduation, and it was odd that now his youngest girls, his baby girls were graduates themselves. Odder still that he was about to be a grandfather. He had been worried for Rosie when she'd told him, but knew he'd support her no matter what. She was his baby, and even with her own baby, that wouldn't change anything. Did he wish she had waited fractionally longer, sure, but it didn't matter now. He sat down in the great hall with his son and listened to the speeches given. He was proud of all his children, it was hard to not be when they were all such wonderful people. He applauded and cheered for his girls as they crossed the stage, happy they were almost able to do it together. It felt crazy that he had come so far, that his family had come so far and would continue in the next generation - if he was still at hogwarts for his grandchild's first graduation he knew that would be the sign to retire.

 

[Cyndi Kingsley]

Professor Kingsley sat at what would be the final graduation she would attend as the Gryffindor Head of House. She was grateful for her time and eager to applaud and congratulate the members of Gryffindor House as well as the other students. Clapping as each speech came to a close, the woman was happy she'd chosen to attend. It was a joy for her to watch the faces of each student, the excitement of youth and what hope they had for the future written on their faces and how they carried themselves.

 

[Sky Eriksen]

It had been a year since Sky had been sitting in this hall on the day of her own graduation. it had been a bitter sweet day for her leaving the school, and everyone in it behind and entering the adult world. She had grown a lot over the last year working hard, working at the lolly shop, and also taking some music lessons and any other job she could get her hands on, baby sitting? sure. waitressing? absolutely,
but this year she was back a bouquet of Lillies in one hand and the final bag of sweets from honey dukes. she had been sending a small bag to her girlfriend practically every week this year but today Ngawaiata was graduating. and soon they would be off on an adventure. she found herself a seat among parents and siblings, professors and prefects and she saw the graduates come in and waved as she saw ngawaiata. and some of her other friends. soon the ceremony had begone and she listeened to Aines speech chuckling at the jokes and then at Mondays nodding along to his points. then it was time for the graduates to graduate. She clapped each of them but especially her friends. and when Ngawaiata Martin was called she cheered. All too soon, but not soon enough the ceremony was over. she got up and made her way through the crowd congratulating people as she passed them as she went to find and celebrate with her girlfriend.

 

[Isaiah Thompson]

Isaiah would be lying if he said he wasn't excited to go and see his siblings graduate, yet he couldn't help but to shake the odd feeling that being back at school gave him. He had always wanted nothing more than to get out of there and now here he was back in the great hall, voluntarily. Still, as he sat down a small wave of nostalgia washed over him. Sitting there next to Chloë almost made him feel like he was fourteen again, especially when he also noticed Bran a few rows down. Focussing his gaze on the stage Zay zoned out a little during the speeches but made sure to clap when the graduates were called forward, channeling his teenage self and whooping obnoxiously loud when his brother and sister walked the stage. He could hardly wait to see what was next for them.

 

[Chloe Thompson]

Chloë knew this would probably be the last time she was back at Hogwarts in a while. A long, long time probably. It was fun to be back though, even if it was just for such a short amount of time. What was strange was seeing so many familiar faces amongst the school's staff though. She grinned widely when she noticed Noel, whose switch towards a professor career hadn't been a huge surprise to her. It fitted him, she knew it would. Just like it did Minnie and Adorah. Chloë made sure to acknowledge anyone she knew with a friendly smile or a wave before sitting down with her family, nudging Isaiah before turning her attention towards the headmaster. Knowing what it was like to be up on that stage, although the circumstances back at her own graduation had been very different, she made sure to pay attention to the speeches and clap politely once they were done. She continued applauding as the graduates took the stage and clapped a little louder when her cousins went up to get their diploma's. Only time could tell when the next generation of Thompson's would walk that stage. If any.

 

[Professor Yvonne Dubois]

Yvonne always got a little sentimental when graduation rolled around and this year was no exception. She took her seat with the rest of the staff and took a moment to enjoy a the sense of satisfaction that came from looking at all the seventh years. They had worked hard and she was proud of them. She also felt a little bit of pride when the head people gave their speeches since both had been enrolled in her class. She listened as Aine spoke first and had to smile as the girl spoke. Monday was up next and she narrowed her eyes as he spoke about his fellow head person at the beginning of his speech. When it came to doing readings in back at the shop, especially with the muggles, so much of her job came down to reading people. She hadn't use that skill as much lately but she was feeling it perk up as she watched both of them closely. Once the names started to be called she clapped for all her students and even those who hadn't taken her class. She felt herself let go of a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding as the ceremony came to an end. Another year down and another class set off into the world. Time to take a break before it all started again.

 

[Avery Fox]

Avery had done lots of stupid things in his life but this had to be up their. Margo's last letter had lodged it's way into the back of his mind and he couldn't stop thinking about what she had said. She was right, he wasn't there for her. He had failed her over and over. But it had all been for a good reason, hadn't it? Avery had never felt doubt in his mission like this. That had been the one thing he could always hold on to, now it started to crumble if he gripped it too hard.

He arrived moments before the ceremony started and kept to the back. The far back. Avery took a seat and hoped he wouldn't be spotted by his sister, or his family that was likely here somewhere. Margo could think he let her down again but he had to show up. To prove at least to himself he wasn't so awful of a brother that he would miss his baby sister's graduation. He didn't listen to the speeches at all, he was far too distracted and paranoid. Then it was time for the graduates to walk. He knew he wouldn't have to wait long. When he heard her name he held his breath as she stood up and walked to the front. It was a moment before could see her face, and when he did he couldn't breath. She was shorter than most of her classmates, her hair was long and a few shades lighter than his, and she was beautiful. She looked like their mother, and all at once it was too much. If he had been farther up in the crowd his sudden departure might have caused a scene but in the moment he only had to deal with a few dirty looks and he stormed out.

 

[Stefan Bianchi]

If there was one way to feel old, it was to have his youngest child, his son, graduating from school. Stefan had a commanding air about him, walking into the castle in his expensive italian tailored suit, his expensive watch, and his general vibe just being rich, and took an open seat in the front. He sat with the poise and grace of a gentleman, and the unspoken entitlement of a very rich man used to getting his way. He didn't try to be stand-offish, it was just his way, lost in thought and vaguely unapproachable as he watched the children. He forced himself to pay attention as Vals' friends spoke- Aine, and Monday. Stefan couldn't recall having actually met them, there were so many people in and out of his life even on the daily, but he had certainly heard a great deal about them.

He clapped politely for both of their speeches, and a bit louder- losing a hint of his composure- as his son walked across the stage. It was an odd sense of pride. He knew Val hadn't gotten the best grades later in his schooling, but he understood that his son was still an intelligent man, just going through a phase. He stood as the rest of the crowd did, adjusting his suit jacket. Well, this had been fun. He should go check on his son, see how Val was doing.

 

[Xinyi Huang]

Xinyi felt like a nervous mess. He'd managed to get a three bedroom flat, and he'd been doing his best to prepare, having worked his way up to a manager at a local greenhouse and getting a good pay going, selling a few art commissions on the side to help. Still, he wasn't sure that there was any way he could be really, really prepared for what was going on. He felt so young, as he sat among all the older adults in the crowd. He bit his lip, running his hand through his hair. He caught Rosie's eye and gave her a shy smile, blushing and feeling his heart jump in his chest. He took a deep breath, clapping in all the appropriate places. He was so lost in his head, he barely heard what was being said, keepig his eyes on Rosie almost exclusively, not noticing if Aurora or Soren tried for his attention at all. He just hoped he was doing the right thing.

 

[Michael Watson]

Michael was nervous watching the graduation ceremony. A little emotional. Well, a lot, but he didn't want that to be too obvious, since after all it wasn't about him. He listened politely to the speeches, a little sad to see Monday go but pleased he was looking a lot better than he had earlier in the semester. Mostly, though, he was all emotional about Margo. He wondered if her brother had shown up, but didn't want to pry too much - that was between her and him, and he wasn't going to try and involve himself beyond being emotional support. He was so proud of her, so happy for her graduating. Selfishly, he wished she wasn't so they had more reason to stay together for one more year, but he couldn't really hold her back. He still had one year to go, and while he hoped they might be able to make it work, realistically he knew that wouldn't necessarily be possible. It was a bittersweet feeling, really. Of course, he'd try his best to make it work, he really wanted to, but some things were possibly insurmountable, and he couldn't be so selfish as to hold Margo back from stepping into the next stage of her life. (Telling himself that and feeling happy about it were separate things entirely, but such was life). He clapped and cheered as she crossed the stage, clapped for the others as they went, and tried to put worries aside for the moment so they could focus on the celebration rather than the 'what's next?'.

 

[Professor Kahurangi Josephs]

It should have been no surprise that over the last few years graduations had been affecting Kahurangi more and more. Having a daughter of her own was a constant reminder that this day wasn't all that far off, in the grand scheme of things. And now ever since Manaia, she had begun watching the slow parade of her own whānau to cross that stage and enter their adult lives. Like her older cousin, Kahurangi had no doubt that Ngawaiata would do just fine in the world on her own, but it didn't make it any less melancholy an event.

She knew it shouldn't be, really - Ngawaiata had made it clear that she was looking forward to graduating, and glancing over during the speeches, Kahurangi could see her niece shifting restlessly in her seat. Being away from her girlfriend had been hard on Ngawaiata, and Kahurangi was glad the wait was almost over for the two of them. She tried to set thoughts of her niece's personal life aside as the speeches began, applauding politely for Aine and Monday in turn. She glanced over at Manaia and Rāwhiti to make sure they weren't fidgeting or being distracting, but both boys seemed reasonably focused on the event. (As much as could be expected, anyway.) She applauded politely through the parade of students, a little louder for each Ravenclaw who crossed the stage, but her attention didn't properly perk up until Ngawaiata's name was called. She gave a small cheer, quickly drowned out by her nephews as Ngawaiata crossed the stage and shook Matt's hand, doing her best to bite back tears. She would miss seeing Ngawaiata around the school, but she was glad to see the young woman off to start her adult life.

 

[Manaia Te Rangi]

How had Hogwarts gotten so much smaller in the two years since Manaia had set foot here? Hogwarts had felt so vast in his mind from the moment he set foot in the castle; a city contained in a single building, that had become his whole life over the course of seven years. Friendships and heartbreaks living side by side woven into the stones of the building came rushing back as he took his seat in the Great Hall with his brother and whaea, doing his best not to be overwhelmed by it all. He was here to support Ngawaiata, not get lost in his own daydreams.

It was easier to focus as the ceremony began, doing his best to pay attention to the head people. Did he recognise either of them? The girl looked familiar, but Manaia's social circle had been so insular and focused on his own year that he didn't think he would know anyone still at the school other than his cousin. He applauded politely though, not wanting to just sit around zoning out while others were having what were undoubtedly some of the most important moments of their lives. Finally the moment he had been waiting for though, and Manaia didn't hesitate to jump to his feet alongside his brother, cheering and stamping in support as Ngawaiata crossed the stage. He knew his quiet cousin would be loathing the attention, but he wasn't going to let such an important day go unmarked. She was finally free from school, and he knew the first thing he'd be doing once this was all over was taking her out for a drink.

 

[Raawhiti Te Rangi]

Despite being nothing alike, Rāwhiti had always considered Ngawaiata the cousin he was closest with. Te Rēweti was difficult to connect with at the best of times, and Hinemoa and Hinewhaitiri were great fun to play with, but they were kids. He couldn't talk to them about anything real. Ngawaiata was different though - although she didn't always have a ton to say in response, she would always listen to whatever was bothering him, any time he needed an ear. When his parents separated and Manaia had been away at school, Ngawaiata was the person who had been there for him and Marama.

So Rāwhiti couldn't help being just a little bit crushed by her departure. He was happy for her finally getting to be with Sky of course - he had seen her devastated more than enough this year to know how important that was to her - but he would miss her; miss always having a member of his whānau to go to with his woes, who would listen without judging. He did his best to push down the sorrow as the speeches began, listening and clapping politely. His attention drifted as the other graduates began to cross the stage, eyes flicking to his older brother from time to time. It was strange seeing Manaia back at school, as if he was a ghost almost. It felt as though he had been gone forever and been here yesterday all at once. He was pulled out of his reverie by Ngawaiata's name, rocketing to his feet at once with a loud cheer. He chanted and stomped out Tika Tonu as his cousin got to her feet and took the stage, heart bursting with pride as Ngawaiata accepted her diploma. As much as he would miss her, it was a gift seeing his cousin finish her time at school and move forwards in life.