Y49 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 2065.

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 2065. 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 Hugo Stark-West and June Davenport to take the podium." With that, Matt finished, stepping to the side to allow the two head students to take the stage

 

[Hugo Stark-West]

Hugo had never expected to be here. when he had first started at the school he had looked up to the head students Indera and Jordan. Even once he had recieved his prefect badge and attended his first graduation with Emmanuel and Marnie giving the speeches he had not even considered that he would one day be up on the stage. But somehow last winter her had received a letter explaining he was to be the next head boy, and the thought of standing on the stage today had terrified him. he wasn't the most talkative in the best of times. so what was he goign to say today? but somehting had changed over the year. lot had changed. Somehow, he was a whole other person than he had been in September. Yes, he was nervous, but he wasn't terrified. When Professor Alcott-Ward introduced them, he stepped forward as his name had been called first. he could see his mum and mama sitting with the family, Teddy with the prefects, his friends in the front row. "Good afternoon. Ladies and gentlemen, Family, Friends, professors and prefects and most importantly the Hogwarts New Zealand class of 2065" he started looking down at his prompt cards. he was about to open his mouth again when June started to talk. He opened his mouth and looked at her he was going to say something. it was clear he wasnt done. he had hardly started. and then he decided not to make a scene and just stepped aside and let her talk trying to make it seem like this was planned. And he would continue his speech after.

 

[June Davenport]

June had been picturing this moment in her mind for a very long time. She was always well prepared for anything what was important to her. And so for today too, she had worked on her speech almost right away when she heard she was chosen to become headgirl at the beginning of this year. She could even write her speech before she even got the badge, so sure she had been that she would have gotten this role. It had not been an suprise for her, and she figured most of the people in this school knew that too. Perhaps even when she set foot at this place for the first time, people had to have seen she was destined to be succesfull. June at least knew herself, and let an trace of confidence everywhere she set foot. Not everyone could deal with that, but that was their own failing. June would enjoy watching from up stage to the others, reminding them how they all would wish to be her but couldn't. But really, she was prepared for all this. It was all she knew, or mostly cared about. June never knew something else than to follow this path, the path her parents had been wanting for her here on Hogwarts. Some would swallow under the pressure, her sisters had been. But she was different, she was not an failure. And so she had become the biggest project of her parents, who saw potential in her. And June had done anything they asked of her, become top point earner more than once, achieve the highest grades possible, became prefect, become an president of an club, be the model student in the eyes of professors and obviously now achieved the badge of headgirl. Anything else besides that was just for June's own pride in which she participated. Some things unexpected like finding Fraser an quidditch captain, and prefect, and his loyalty and love he gave her. But June had let that happen, it wasn't on the script her parents had for her.

The blonde wasn't nervous, she enjoyed the spotlight. But in a way it was confrontational that the two people who raised her, teached and prepared her for all they wanted for her and themselves weren't here. The chairs would be empty, she wouldn't spot those faces. It wasn't normal if an azkaban prisoner would be here, dementors flying at the ceiling at the great hall to make sure he would not escape. And her mother couldn't be resurrected from the death. At least her father knew of her achievements through letters she send and hopefully were to be read. And that hurted. It was more difficult than June wanted to show, and made her even more angry at the people who she blamed for breaking her family apart. One would sit in this room too. But this was her moment to shine, and no one would ruin that for her. And she had enough training the past years to hide her emotions and act nicely. The people who were responsible still would have what was coming for them. And June had put a lot of effort this year to make sure, her plan and last goal from her and her father would be achieved. At least her sister Camille and her adoptive father Misha who also had been her professor here, were the ones supporting her today.

When the headmaster spoke June looked in her tiny mirror once more to make sure she was perfect to go. And as she and Hugo got called onto the stage she put on her big smile and walked confidently and gave the headmaster an friendly smile. She and Hugo hadn't been deciding who was to go first. But June figured it was obvious that she would start, she was always first. She looked into the crowd, trying to spot some different faces. She sighted and make sure she had her speech with her in case she would forget, but June could memorize it by now. She didn't even paid attention to Hugo who was starting. She wanted Fraser up here with her, she still thought he deserved it more. Hugo could try all he want but he was not starting this speech. June didn't want to cause an scene so she did it in a way like this was rehearsed. As Hugo finished his sentence and watched at his cards it was the right moment, with an louder confident voice. But not too loud she spoke. " Hello to everyone indeed. And thank you headmaster. Welcome to this special day for all of us." Making sure she took the stage, and looked around. " Thank you for coming to my graduation everyone you wouldn't have too. But I feel special." June joked and her face lightened up and she smiled bright. She actually was not joking, but they wouldn't need to know that. They should know by now that June was special and deserved the attention for all her hard work. June than looked more seriously and continued. " My name is June Davenport, for those who don't know yet. And I'm the headgirl of this year." If Hugo had some strenght inside him he would cut her off, but she was certain he wouldn't he wouldn't dare to interrupt her. " I am very honered to speak in front of you all today." June paused shortly. " This day an door closes, as it is the end to our story at Hogwarts as students. But on the other hand another door will open again, to an new adventure or story we can write for ourselves." June laid her eyes on the graduate students in front. " Some perhaps can't wait to start this new chapter, and some will think back at how much this castle and the people inside of it has brought them and will miss that. And to be honest, I will miss it too, it were incredible years.'' June paused and smiled. ''Remember when we walked this halls for the first time, we were eleven. Away from home, but found a second one here at Hogwarts. With professors teaching us about how to perform magic, defend against it and way more." June didn't cared if some were grumpy about this place, she wasn't. " For me the classes and knowledge we learned from there were very important. Because of the fact that I followed every single lesson Hogwarts had to offer, I had an big palette to experiance different subjects and to see where my interest was the most. I didn't want to miss out on anything, and I'm gratefull I made that choice. I can say that I experianced all that Hogwarts had to offer completly. And I want to thank the professors for their lessons and sharing their knowledge."

June knew the headmaster and her head of house once said her that clubs and social activities were important as well, and firstly June didn't agreed and had all her focus on her study. But now she understood it an bit more, because she would fall in an a empty hole after Hogwarts otherwise, with no one but herself and Misha. But she had Fraser who made her life an little more fun in a unexpected way. She hated Quidditch, didn't understood it but he made it more fun because she would cheer him on. So in that way he let her see differently to some things, and usually June never changed her mind. " Hogwarts offered us more than lessons and knowledge, and I learned that too, in this last years. It can bring unexpected things at your path, or people." June looked over to her boyfriend Fraser and gave him an big smile. " For example friendships, or more than that. " She paused and kept looking at Fraser. Wondering how her future would look like, perhaps with him. " Here we grew out from children, to teenagers, and now are on the path to become adults. So I think it's fair to say, that we will never forget this period of our life, and take this experiances with us to our new chapter. My academic goals I wanted to achieve in these seven years all happend. I became top point earner for Slytherin and the whole school more than once, got the highest grades at all subjects and followed every class, became prefect and president of the Student Defence Association and last but not least Headgirl. “ June just wanted to sum up all the stuff she achieved, but it was also very special. Because deep down she hoped there was an way her parents would get this somewhere. That she didn't fail, she did it. But they weren't here to celebrate with her. And now she had to set her own path, by herself for her own future. Which was an little bit scary. '' I want to thank a few persons in special who supported me to achieve my goals. Firstly Misha, Professor Haden, secondly Professor Castillo and thirdly Professor Alcott-Warden. You all gave me your support and some opportunities, thank you for believing in me and making my dreams come true. I will not forget. '' June tried to spot the three professors and gave them and quick smile.'' And lastly, a word of advice from me which helped me to get where I come, and I want to thank my parents Bryant and Agnes.. for learning me that is to work hard for the goals you want to achieve. If you believe you can do it and are prepared to put everything aside for it. You will achieve it. Nothing will just come to you, by thinking of it. You have to act, so if you have an dream you know what to do. And I hope you will all go for that dream you have, or find your dream in the new chapter after Hogwarts.'' June folded her hands together, she didn't even had to peek once at her speech. She was born to do this. '' Thank you. And goodbye Hogwarts'' June smiled and waited for the big applause she certainly would get. There was so much more she could say, she could talk for hours. But this was all she wanted to say now. She felt a lump in her throat, from speaking but also an bit of emotion which she quickly swallowed. And smiled bright at the crowd. And than looked at Hugo with an look like, now you have to go. Good luck. And set an step back, she had to give him his moment too unfortunally.

 

[Hugo Stark-West]

hugo listened to junes speech. it was good. and there were soem things that she talked about that he wished he had touched on in his. but it was too late now to change it. he wasnt going to add ad-libbing to the day any more than he had to.
Once June was finished, he looked at her with a glare in his eyes for a second before he stepped back up. "Thank you, June. Ladies and gentlemen, Family, Friends, professors and prefects and most importantly the Hogwarts New Zealand class of 2065. he restarted. Looking at the audience. hoping that the mis-start wouldn't throw him off, he had been nervous before. It was a testament to how much he had grown this year that that hiccough hadn't thrown him off entirely. He was surprised, he was feeling pretty confident. "I was thinking of what to right for my speech. Something I was terrified of ever since getting the badge at the start of the year. But recently someone gave me some advice. Write about what you know. So if anyone who knows me is aware I am never far away from a book," he said, holding up the notebook he had written his speech in as evidence. "Life is a lot like a book. It can be broken down into parts, chapters, phases, pages, paragraphs, years and minutes. All of these elements are separate but come together to form a complete story of our life." he began looking at the hall, trying to spot his mums and see how his mum and mama would react to such a speech "Each section is a new start, a chance to take the story in a different direction. So far we have been through 'Part One: Childhood', in which one finds a home and family learns about the world and 'Part Two: hogwarts' in which one learns magic and makes friends and starts to find their place."he paused looking at the front way and smiling at oz and rhion as he mentioned friends and finding a place "Today, we get to turn over the page and start on 'Part Three: Adulthood'. This is the part where the story gets exciting. After all, the first two parts are setting the scene, the background, and developing the main character." he turned the page in the book and looked out at the back of the hall where the guests and professors were sitting. "There has been a lot of input and support from other people our parents and families" he gestured to the people at the back. "Some of whom are here today to celebrate. Some may not have got tickets and others may no longer be in our lives." he said thinking of Violet who he couldnt get a ticket for. and his birth family who he had not seen sinch he was a child. who he never thought about andwas glad he was away from. but who had still made an impact on his life, even if not in the same way as Legh and Steph. "some will be in the plot for longer and others were only part of this chapter. but they have all have shaped part of the story of our lifes so far and we thank them for it." he said hoping that his was enough of a thanks to the families and professors and staff who had put so much effort into guiding them through school.
he looked back to his classmates. "But now we are ready for the real story, where the plot really takes off. Part three, the next chapter the sequel. The part where you take control of the plot and take it in the direction you want." he said stressing the you on you want. "there are more ways to write your story than there are books on the shelf in the library. And believe me, i have shelved enough of them to know there are a lot. Maybe today is the start of an adventure, travelling around the world, maybe its a romance where you and your highschool sweetheart and live happliy ever after." he said glancing at teddy as he said that. They hadn't been together for forever to even be a topic of conversation, for them at the moment time stopped at nect year. But he had seen enough moves and read enough books where this was a plot. "Or maybe there is drama or a tragedy involved. and a plot twist you never saw coming. he looked at his mums when he said drama before looking back at Teddy. one of the biggst and best plot twists he had had in a long while. one that he loved but had not seem coming. "maybe it isnt a novel at all, maybe its poetry, not a huge plot but a unique outlook and way of walking through the world with wonder. Whatever direction the story of your life takes you remember if you dont like the way its going you can turn to a new page at any time. your story doesnt have to be the same or even similar to any other story written before, its yours. And if you have writer's block, it is okay to ask for help or collaborate, some of the most fun stories are collaberations." he took a deep breath, he was almost there. he had done it "So go ahead and write your story, no one else has to read or understand it, just make it a good one for you." he said looking at the room as a whole before glancing at june then at professor Alcott-Ward before stepping back his speech over and he was lookign forward to sitting down as the adrenaline that had stopped him being nervous hit him like a wave and made him feel like his knees were about to give out.

 

[Professor Matt Alcott-Ward]

Matt winced as he saw how June cut off Hugo. It briefly made him wonder if he had made the right choice for Head Girl, especially as she just went on without giving the boy as much as a glance. Her speech was good, but long, and Matt also wasn't sure how he felt about being thanked like that. He was glad June had had a good experience at Hogwarts, but he didn't think he had contributed to it especially. Maybe she just meant the Head Girl badge? He was glad Hugo didn't seem too startled by the shaky start and did well on his speech too. Both of them were well thought out, and Matt applauded when they had finished. "Thank you both." He said kindly, before turning his attention to the other graduates. "To the class of 2065, 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.

 

[Oswald Brambleheart]

Oz felt like he'd blinked and school was over. He wasn't really sure what he was supposed to do now, further wandlore study he supposed. He was sure he'd work it out, in the interim he was looking forward to spending time with his grandparents and just being away from the school. Not that school had been bad by any means. It had been fine, nothing incredible, nothing terrible.

He'd made friends, he reminded himself as he looked at Hugo about to give his speech. Oz flashed him a small thumbs-up and a smile, which quickly faded as June stepped in to make it all about herself, rudely interrupting Hugo's speech. Oz wasn't sure she was capable of thinking of anyone else but herself, but this was a new low. Without even thinking about it, he booed quite noticeably at what he assumed was her attempt at a joke. Inevitably, a teacher looked in his direction with a frown, and Oz didn't keep it going for long considering he did want to actually graduate, but he certainly didn't regret making his displeasure known.

Oz tuned back in to listen to Hugo's speech, which was very nice, and then headed up to the stage to collect his diploma when he was called. It was fairly early, given his surname, and he was sure that he would get odd looks from the family members and invited guests due to his nature, but he didn't really care to hide it so much anymore. He didn't take pains to hide his ears, and when he picked up his diploma he turned to the crowd to see his grandfather clapping enthusiastically, a tear welling up in the old goblin's eye. Oz thought he was being a bit dramatic, it wasn't that big of a deal, but he supposed it kind of was, all things considered. There weren't too many people like him around, and his father and grandfather hadn't been afforded the traditional human magical education. Being some sort of statement person didn't really sit well with him, though, and he was quite happy to work out of the spotlight. Backstage, as it were, as he stepped off the stage and prepared to leave the castle for one last time.

 

[Tempest Vero]

Tempest had been looking forward to graduation. After focusing hard on her NEWTs and doing well on most of them, she was ready to be done with school - even though she had plenty more to do. The idea that she would go into some sort of law was not something her mother was pleased with, but her mother didn't seem quite pleased with anything Tempest or Enzo did. However, after encouragement from Enzo, Tempest knew that her path forward had to be her own, and while it was going to be challenging, both personally and academically, she was looking forward to the day she would get to help people at a larger scale.

She sat quietly, ready to listen to the head people's speeches when June quickly interrupted Hugo; Tempest couldn't help but snicker. She was over June and her antics. It seemed like her longtime roommate was going to continue her "me, me, me" behavior all the way until the end. It wasn't like there weren't a lot of them here today looking to celebrate this moment. She stopped listening to June and looked out at the crowd, watching her mother and Enzo trying to keep Sade occupied with a snack. Effie sat in her dress, quietly observing the girl on the stage before making eye contact with her Tempest. Tempest gave her little sister a smile, knowing that there was still discussion being had about whether she would attend Hogwarts or not in a year or so's time. Tempest hoped she would. The girl had ambition, and it needed to be put to good use somewhere. Tempest reluctantly clapped for June's speech and then focused on Hugo's, enjoying his parallels to books much more than whatever June yapped on about.

When it was finally her turn to cross the stage, the Slytherin took her time, walking up and taking her diploma, shaking everyone's hand, and then walking back to her seat. She didn't need to make a big fuss of things to enjoy the moment, and that's what it was in some way, her own little moment in a big day. She went back to her seat, smiling at Lucy along the way.

 

[Hinata Edogawa]

Graduation was... weird.

She never thought that she would actually manage to get here. And perhaps the only thing that was weird was that Mikael was not here.

She didn't even know that he wouldn't be here until today. She'd known that the... incident... months ago had cost him his prefect badge and points. He never mentioned that he wasn't even allowed to be in the graduation ceremony. Did he think it wasn't important enough to mention? She would have kept him company if she'd known. And then, of course, Horror was missing too. If she had to guess, both Horror and Mikael were staying in their dorms and sleeping. She would forever maintain that the two of them had a weird friendship that neither of them would really admit to.

Hina was distracted throughout the Ceremony, not really listening to either of the speeches—the absences around her more pronounced and deserving of her attention, really, as she gave @Bailey Walden-Cade a look and a small smile. Getting her diploma across the stage was a quick affair; she kept her head down and barely looked at the Headmaster or anyone else—there were too many people. Hopefully, Mikael and Horror make an appearance after the Ceremony, so they could at least all celebrate together finishing Hogwarts.​

 

[Fraser Fergusson]

Fraser was so ready to be a graduate, to be a professional quidditch player and just live his dream. He had a lot to be happy and thankful for, since both his parents and Zerrin were able to attend his graduation. He could spot them in amongst the crowd of parents in the hall. He glanced towards the front and cheered loudly as June and Hugo were welcomed. He couldn't help the little smirk and smile as June interrupted Hugo, he loved her, all parts of her, even when others probably hated it. He kept his gaze on her, smiling when she looked at him. Fraser cheered exceedingly loudly for her, and more respectfully for Hugo. Then they were cross the stage. Fraser got his diploma from the headmaster, thanking him for everything and then seeking out to be with his girlfriend or family. He had graduated, he had done it.

 

[Santiago Torres]

There was a time when Santiago fully did not believe this day would come. When he had been sent off to New Zealand he was convinced he would get to go home or get kicked out long before he'd ever have a chance to graduate. But the years passed and his parents proved to be more stubborn than he was. And now it was over and Santiago hardly felt like he was ready. He was finally starting to not hate this school and now it was time to leave. He wouldn't miss the dorms, or the lessons, or the food. But it shocked him to his very core that there would be things he would miss. He would miss quidditch, the few friends he had made, and most of all Friday. Part of him wondered if he could convince her to miss the train when September rolled around again. With a sigh he shrugged off those thoughts as the head master began the ceremony. Those were problems for a future version of himself. For now he just needed to survive the day.

Santiago clapped politely as Hugo stepped up first. He didn't know the other boy well but he seemed nice enough. He easily preferred him over June but that wasn't hard. He couldn't hide his displeasure as she cut off the head boy to give her speech first instead. He heard someone in the crowd boo and he quickly joined in. He stopped listening almost immediately as he started to scan the crowd for his family. They weren't hard to find and he gave them a small wave, feeling embarrassed. As Hugo spoke next, Santiago couldn't help a small voice of shame creep into the back of his head. His whole family had shown up, all his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He hardly felt worth all the effort. Even as the first grandkid to graduate, it wasn't like he had any really accomplishments. Back to back quidditch cups weren't bad but it wasn't like he could take them home with him. All of Hugo's talk of books had sent his head spinning as they moved on to the actual diploma part.

With his last name Santiago had plenty of time to dwell on things. So what if his current book, or life, or whatever, had been underwhelming? He barely counted as an adult, he still had his whole life ahead of him. Not that he had any idea as to what he wanted to do with it. But he'd at least have the freedom and time to figure it out. When he was finally called he stood up stiffly after sitting for so long and gave the headmaster's hand a shake before facing the crowd and finding his family again. He waved again and reluctantly returned their smiles.

 

[Bailey Walden-Cade]

Bailey couldn’t believe that Mikael had got himself kicked out of Graduation. The snake incident was all over the school, and while Mikael refused to admit his motives, she knew he wasn’t as innocent as he would have her believe. She thought his absence from graduation was a step too far; he had already been stripped of his prefect badge and docked points. It wasn’t like the girl had died or anything; she was fine, if maybe emotionally scared.

As @Hinata Edogawa walked across the stage and gave Bailey a small smile, Bailey returned it by whooping her support. When it was her turn, she made quick work of collecting her diploma and winked toward her girlfriend before hopping off stage to find her parents in the crowd.

 

[Holden Marshall]

School was over. It still felt beyond surreal to Holden, that he would never have to set foot in this building again. Seven years of hating his classes, hating his classmates, and finding just about anything he could do to avoid having to deal with any of them, and it was all over. Just like that. It was only as NEWTs had begun to hit that the reality of the situation really started dawning on Holden. Sure, he had hated school, but it was over, and... and now what? He had a whole adult life ahead of him, and very, very little to show for his youth.

It turned his stomach a little to think about, so Holden set the whole thing aside and tried to just focus on graduation itself. It took everything in him not to boo when June cut Hugo off - he didn't really know either of them, but cutting right in on a guy's moment felt painfully rude. And not the cool kind of rude. He didn't quite care enough to call out though, especially with his family here. Eric had become a killjoy ever since starting to work at Hogwarts, Penny definitely wasn't any cooler about things, and Connor... well, Connor had stopped finding every excuse he could to hate Holden, he was pretty sure, but that definitely didn't mean his more volatile older brother was Holden's biggest fan.

At any rate, the speeches were over and he sat back, zoning out entirely until the list of names got to the M-s. F*ck. This was really happening. Holden pulled himself together and shoved his hands in his pockets, refusing to let the strain show on his face as he mounted the stage. The beginning of his life as a burnout, with barely anything to show for his education and not a single future plan in sight. He felt strangely detached from himself as he accepted his diploma and shook Professor Alcott-Ward's hand, and that was that. Holden was an adult, and he had no idea what that meant.

 

[Hugo Stark-West]

Hugo stepped off the stage, relieved that the speech was over. he didnt have to worry about that any more. And he felt that he had done okay with it, especially with the interruption. he gave Oz a nod and smile and whispered a "thanks" as he walked past. He was pretty sure his friend had been the one who had started the booing for June. He would have to thank him later, but unfortunately, Brambleheart and Stark-West were at very different ends of the alphabet, so they weren't near enough to talk. he could feel himself starting to shake slightly as he sat in his chair the adrenaline from before corsing through his body lleaving him shaking. through his body leaving him
As the graduates were called up, clapped for each of them, cheering loudest when it was Oz's turn to cross the stage, he clapped and as he was his best friend, he knew how much graduating meant to him. he cheered for fraiser even though the had not really spoken much in recent years he still thought of him as a friend even if it was a bit of a distance one. he also cheered for rion his other close friend who he knew hadnt had an easy time at school and who he was also super proud of. then it was Eliza and then him. before today it had been a lon time since the headmaster had called his name to step onto the stagen and here among his classmates felt a lot more like sorting than being called up to speak just a few minutes ago. he really did feel like a different person than then, he took his diploma and shook the headmasters hand pausing for a moment for the photo. before finishing crossing the stage. pleased with himself for what he had achieved but also so glad to be getting off the stage and sitting down until the ceremony was over and he could find his teddy or his mums for support, and a much-needed hug