Y48 Graduation Ceremony: Graduates

[Professor Matt Alcott-Ward]

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 2064.

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-four. 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 Zerrin Fergusson and Anisha Khatri take the podium." With that, Matt finished, stepping to the side to allow the two head students to take the stage

 

[Zerrin Fergusson]

Zerrin was weirdly not as nervous as he thought he'd be. He'd spet so long worrying about it all, he supposed now he was just out of nerves to have. He'd written and rewritten his speech a thousand times, lost way too much sleep over it, but he thought he was finally content with what he'd written. He was wearing his best- his formal family tartan, his hair carefully styled. He was sure he looked a lot more grown up than he really felt, but some magic was just there instead of needing to be cast.

Deciding to just focus on his parents and Fraser instead of worrying about the crowd (and half wishing he'd been able to invite Eloi) Zerrin got up and moved to the podium. He and Anisha had agreed he'd speak first. He gave his best winning smile, and having memorized his speech in advance, he just began speaking.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Zerrin Fergusson, and I want to thank you all for having me. Let's start with the easy things: thank you to the staff of the school for all they've done to support and guide us through our years here, thank you to the prefects for all the hard work they've put in. And thank you to the families that supported us while we were away from home." Zerrin took a breath, his heart skipping a bit as he moved on to the more personal things.

"I've thought a lot about this speech- about all the things you're supposed to say, all the things you're supposed to get across. It's hard to figure out the perfect thing to do. And that's when it hit me- we don't have to do the perfect thing. We don't need to be perfect to succeed, to be happy."

He ran a hand through his hair- a habit he'd never managed to kick. "We just need to do our best- find what it is that makes you happy. We're always changing, always growing. Who you are in seventh year won't be who you were in first. You do your best in school, in life, and somehow things have a way of working out. Maybe not the way you wanted it to, the way you planned it, but thats the beauty of life. No matter what happens, it keeps going. We keep going. We're strong, resilient, and I couldn't be prouder of the people I know here, the people I've grown up with."

Zerrins eyes met Frasers and his smile grew a little wider. "Some of the best people I've ever known walk these halls. And its not because of who their family is, or the clubs they're in, it's because they're amazing all on their own. They've messed up, done some dumb things, but that's life. I've certainly done a few dumb things in my time. But I'm still here. We're still here."

He took a breath. "No matter what comes next, I have faith. We've got this. We've made it seven years here, with all it's ups and downs, all the tests and events and drama that come with being kids. We're still standing. Whatever happens, we'll make it through. Here's to the next stage in life- no matter where it takes us."

Zerrin smiled as he finished his speech, glad it had gone well. "That's enough rambling for me. Let me step back for our better Head- and thanks, Anisha, for keeping me sane this year," He gave a nod and a little wave as he left the podium, winking at Anisha with an easy grin as he moved back to his seat.

 

[Anisha Khatri]

Anisha hadn't expected to feel this nervous, but she was. As she tried to still her shaking hands, she silently cursed herself for wanting this position that badly. In her imagination, she had always given the most brilliant speech the whole crowd had ever heard. But in reality, she knew her speech was just... passable. Maybe it was good, but definitely not brilliant. She was glad they had both decided Zerrin could go first, thoguh she had trouble focusing on his words as she tried to go over her own speech in her mind.

Way too quickly, it was her turn to speak. She took a deep breath, shot Zerrin a quick smile, then stepped forward. She had her thoughts all written out neatly on flash cards, but she wasn't sure if she could use them without dropping them. She had her speech memorized too, for the most part. Anisha paused for a moment, then began.

"Thank you Zerrin, and hello everyone. My name is Anisha Khatri and I'm proud to be able to speak to you all as the head girl of this year. Much like Zerrin, I also would like to start with thanking our professors and the other staff here at school for guiding us, helping us, and now letting us go. We wouldn't be the witches and wizards we are now without your guidance." She said, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the staff section of the audience.

"I've learned a lot over the past years at Hogwarts. Plenty of spells, potions, and history facts. But I've learned other things as well." She said, taking breath. "I've learned that having the drive to be the best is good- until you let it take over. I've learned that it's okay to step back sometimes, to admit you can't do something or that, God forbid, you need help with something. I've learned that it's alright to lean on other people, and let other people lean on you." She said with a smile as she started gaining steam. Her nerves seemed to slowly fade away.

"I've learned that life is not a competition, and that you can't be the best at everything. This is what I want to impart to the class of 2064. Strive for greatness, but accept your limitations. It's okay if you can't do everything on your own. I know that we will all accomplish so much in the years after graduating, but I also know we can accomplish even more if we combine our strengths and work together." She said, no longer glancing down at the cards. She had the gist of it. "I'm proud of all of us. Here's to our bright future." She said, gesturing forward with her hands before stepping back. Her speech had been shorter than Zerrin's, but she had said what she had wanted to say. She sought out her sister in the crowd, hoping to see at least a glimmer of approval in her face.

 

[Professor Matt Alcott-Ward]

Matt listened proudly to the two speeches, both were pleasant and positive, which wasn't always the case. Matt appreciated them both. He applauded politely, then stepped forward with a smile. "Thank you both." He said kindly, before turning his attention to the other graduates. "To the class of 2064, 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.

 

[Elio Boneheart]

Elio couldn’t believe that he was actually graduating. When he’d walked in the doors of the Great Hall after his transfer he’d genuinely thought he would hate it. The circumstances of his transfer weren’t ideal and he’d been homeschooled for the whole time prior to that he wasn’t sure he even really knew how to deal with people on the same level. He’d been expecting to work for grades to become a healer to appease his mother and he hadn’t really expected to make friends right out the gate and yet he had, many more than he would have thought. Many more than he really would have wanted to make either, which didn’t really make much sense with him. He wasn’t used to having to make friends on his own, homeschooled kids did tend to gravitate to each other without necessarily a need to do so.

But here he was at the graduation ceremony and he didn’t quite know how he felt about that. Still, at least he was graduating, he did feel good about that. He was glad he'd managed to leave a parting gift, not a speech like the head people, but something that would live on. A reminder of who they all are and what they meant to each other. He watched the speeches with interest, wondering what Zerrin and Anisha would say. He had a begrudging respect for Anisha, he admired what she'd tried to do with her time at school. Zerrin he probably didn't know from a bar of soap, but that was just him. That wasn't to say Zerrin didn't get out much, he just didn't get out much around Elio. He applauded when the speeches finished even though that meant the end of Graduation was one step closer and he really wasn't ready for that.

Then he heard his name, one of the first of course, that was what happened when your last name was the second letter of the alphabet, there weren't many people with a name before yours, maybe one or two if you were lucky. He looked out at the sea of faces as he headed up to the podium, Mikael, Bailey, Hina, Teddy, Cass, Terror (who he'd lost to in the final duel,) Leah, so many people he'd interacted with lately that he would miss a lot when he left. Bailey and Teddy, Mikael for sure, he gave a small wave to the crowd in general before turning his attention back to the Headmaster and receiving his diploma. Be cool Elio, be cool, he told himself as he clutched it in his hand and headed down the other side of the stairs, and then continued out and into the Hall. That was it. His Hogwarts days were now, officially, behind him.​

 

[Conan Burke]

Conan couldn't believe that he was graduating. Time indeed wizzed by quite quickly, and now he was here. He had vaguely remembered coming to his older siblings' graduations when they graduated here, though he was the one graduating this time and they were the ones watching him afar. Though Conan couldn't stop thinking about the thought of leaving their youngest sibling, Fiona, behind. But she knew she would do just fine without them.

Conan sat with the rest of the graduating class, still in shock that he was actually graduating. He listened to the speeches of the head people. Though if he was being honest, he was only partly listening to the speeches, zoning in and out throughout. However, he clapped when everyone else was clapping, so he hoped that made it look like he was in fact listening to the speeches.

It wasn't long before names were being called, and they were walking across the stage. He clapped and cheered all his friends and those he knew, while also politely clapping for everyone else. It was then his name was called and he gulped out of nervousness, swiping his sweaty palm across the side of his leg. Conan promptly made his way up, smiling at the headmaster and giving him a quick thanks and shaking his hand, before making his way across the stage. He did it.

 

[Cassius Styx]

Cassius Styx never had a shortage of relatives to invite, but since they had a limited number in the country, and to choose from, Cass sent out an invitation to his mother (because he knew that he would never hear the end of it) and his girlfriend. He was sure that his father would understand why. This was the only time Aubrie would ever see HNZ unless she transferred in her final year. Cass could remember every single bit of his seven years here. The good and the bad. He was a great student, but had his shortcomings. Aka, everything that had to do with Gregory Friend.

Maybe Cass should have asked him to come. No, that would have been too awkward. Cass just hoped that he was getting the help he needed for sign language since Cass was not there to teach him. He was not there to teach his little sister either. Oh well. He waited until his name was called before he went to the front to take his diploma from the Headmaster. He stepped off of the platform and waited until the rest were done - and then went to find Aubrie first, before his mother. Was that a mistake?

Probably.​

 

[Terror Zhefarovich]

There was no question why Terror Zhefarovich only invited his mother and his girlfriend to his graduation. His father was expelled from school. He was likely not allowed to watch his children graduate. Terror did not want to ask about it. He was the first son to graduate, and then Horror. Ravage and Discordia had a while to go. Terror listened to the speeches, and fought the urge to yawn at them. Who could tolerate being here every year to listen to this? He started to see his peers go up to collect their diplomas. Since his last name was Zhefarovich, he knew that he would be a while.

Terror looked over the crowd to see his mother. He gave her a wave. He hoped that she was not disappointed that he was not Head Boy. She might have just been grateful that he graduated, unlike his dear old man. He soon heard his name and went up to the front to collect his diploma. After that, he went out to see his mother, and then introduce her to his girlfriend, Sophie. This was going to be fun - considering who her mother was.​

 

[Anisha Khatri]

Anisha was a bit surprised to notice her hands were trembling as she waited for her name to be called. Maybe giving the speech had been scarier than she had thought in the moment. Still. She did it, and she had survived it. All things considered, she thought she had done pretty well, she wondered if Indi had been proud.

She had a seat next to Raafe and reached for his hand as she watched the first of her classmates get on the stage to accept their diplomas. It was surreal, this being the final moment at Hogwarts. At least she had always had her cousin with her. But like with almost everything, it was Anisha's turn to go first. Her name was called and she let go of Raafe's hand, gave him a quick smile, then headed over to receive her diploma. She knew he'd behind her, which was a comforting thought.

Once she had the paper and had returned to her seat, she was finally able to relax a little. She clapped and cheered for her classmates. It was a bittersweet moment, but she chose to focus on the positive. She was going to do great things after today, she just knew it.

 

[Ezra Ito]

Sitting here among the graduates honestly felt like it was some sort of error. Surely, Ezra wasn't actually done with Hogwarts yet? Surely they didn't expect him to actually be an adult after this? He didn't feel remotely ready to graduate, and he honestly wasn't sure what he was going to do after this. He only felt himself grow more uneasy as he listened to the Head Boy and Head Girl speeches. Who would've known his roommate could give such a good speech in front of everyone? Ezra probably would've just stood there and said something like 'guh', before falling off the stage or something. Oh Merlin, what he if he fell off the stage when he got his diploma? Ezra looked around the room and relaxed a little as he spotted his sister and aunt in the audience. He would be fine, he told himself. All he had to do was step on, get the diploma and get off again. He didn't have to say anything or do anything special. And after that... he would be done.

It took a pretty short time until his name was called. Ezra made his way to the stage nervously, almost like he was in a daze. He mumbled some sort of thanks to the Headmaster as he took the diploma, then managed not to fall off the stage as he walked back to his seat. He gripped the paper tightly, then sat again as he watched the rest of the ceremony. It still didn't feel right, but he also felt a sense of accomplishment. He might not have done anything great with his time here, but he had graduated. He briefly thought of Gregory, hoping his former roommate was at some other graduation ceremony somewhere. Somehow, he doubted it, which made him sad.

 

[Leah Thorne]

Leah had been dreading this moment more than anything, even her NEWTs, because this was it. This was the end of what felt like the only thing that kept her together the past seven years. A sanctuary of sorts, even with it's students and professors she couldn't stand. She had been fighting of the sense of impending doom that had been following her around all year but now it finally crashed around her as she took her seat. She sniffed to fight back any tears that threatened to fall and tried to maintain her composure with little success. Seeing Anisha on stage to give her head girl speech didn't help. Leah wanted to glance over her shoulder to see her family but didn't want to see if her parents were bickering yet so she kept her head forward. She was sad to leave to leave Hogwarts for countless reasons, but leaving her cousins especially stung. She wanted to be there for them and guide them even if she knew they were doing fine on their own. Cyrus was on the qudditch team and Ruth even had a dueling title, both things she had never earned herself. Still, they were barely more than toddlers in her head.

She looked up as the speeches began and clapped for Zerrin but was a little louder when it was Anisha's turn. Leah braced herself as the names were called, she'd have some time to wait with her surname. Again the urge to cry washed over her. Rationally she knew this wasn't really the end. No one was dying. But her grief for the time she had here was very real. She'd miss the castle, and seeing her friends every day even if she was excited for the future. She took a deep breath as her name was called and focusing on putting one foot in front of the other was enough to keep her calm for now. She smiled wide as she took her diploma and shook the headmaster's hand. She even spared a glance into the crowd and found her family, peaceful for now. She took her seat and tried be excited, and proud of her self for doing so well on her NEWTs. She had a plan for her future and an Auror application already filled out in her trunk, not that her parents knew yet. But that would give plenty to fight about later. The thought of finally standing up to them and making her own choices made her smile genuinely for maybe the first time all day.