Unofficial Portkey Archive

Chapter 50- Good Riddance

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life
So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time

Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth, it was worth all the while
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life.
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

"This year has been the oddest year of my life," Lily spoke in a finalized tone. Her red curls were hanging around her face and her eyes were studying the eggs on her plate.

Her stomach was shot all to hell, a mix of anxiety and fear circling through it. It had been hard to wake up that morning. Lily knew it was her last day, last moment, inside of her dorm. There would be no sleeping in her bed anymore, no midnight walks with James, no Quidditch matches, no patrols. Everything was coming to an end.

"Lily, how can you possibly think that this year was odd? I mean sure, you gave in to James Potter this year, you were made Head Girl, we all had some unpleasant encounters with Voldemort, and I've gone a little off the wall," Sirius mentioned. A dawning expression danced across his face and he realized she was right. "Never mind, it has been an odd year."

"Would you all lighten up?" James asked. "There is so much more that we can do once we've left. Imagine it, we'll all have jobs. Marriage, kids, responsibility. What could be better than that?"

A dawning look danced across his face as well. "Never mind, That does sound a bit scary."

"You think kids and marriage is scary? Prongs, Sirius is going to be an adult," Remus reminded his friend. "There will be no leash, no restraint."

"What in the name of Merlin is that supposed to mean?" Sirius demanded, scrunching up his brow is defense.

"It means that the wizarding world has no idea how much trouble they're going to have once you graduate," Lily mumbled, a smile forming on her lips. James rubbed her shoulders and laughed as well.

"See? It's not so bad," James assured her. "We'll all be perfectly capable once we leave here. There will be more adventures, more laughs, more sadness. Nothing is perfect and I can guarantee that our lives will never be just that. I wasn't meant to have an easy road ahead. Yet, I can look forward to it."

"How?" Lily asked. "How can you possibly find something to look forward to? I'm scared, James. Hogwarts is my home."

"Mine as well," he stated. "We need to find a new home. There is a reason we only attend here for seven years. We need to learn on our own."

"You're right," Lily agreed. "I need to grow up."

"When you manage to do that, let me know your secret. I've been trying to for seven years," Sirius remarked. "No one ever grows up completely. Look at our man Dumbledore. He still has a soft spot for sweets and pranks. You never lose that side of yourself. You just need to embrace the fact that you've got to move on. You don't need to completely grow up. Life would be too incredibly boring if everyone did that."

"For once," Remus shakily divulged. "Sirius is right."

"For once? Dear Moony, you've got it all wrong. I've always been right," Sirius insisted.

"I hope you're right about what you just said," James exclaimed. "The world will seem a lot less harsh and a lot more comfortable if everyone has a hidden child within themselves."

"As long as we stick together, we should all be fine," Lily encouraged the rest, her eyes welling with slow, defined tears.

.X.

"As Headmaster, during all my years at Hogwarts, never has a group of students had to endure the torments this class has. Due to a rising dark threat outside of the school, there have been several unnecessary deaths as well as dangerous encounters. I wouldn't have been surprised if those students completely gave up and disregarded all that this school stands for. Yet, with this group of students, I have seen the utmost respect and loyalty to the school. At hand, there is a group of the finest witches and wizards the magical world will ever see. Talent, maturity, loyalty, and compassion. Those are four words I have chosen to describe this graduating class. I do believe that my colleague, Professor McGonagall, has some words she would wish to share."

Dumbledore was standing on a podium, located outside on the grounds. The evergreen grass was fresh and alive. The sky was a delicate shade of blue with very few clouds. The intense heat of summer was stifled by the slightest presence of a slow, cool wind. The seventh years at Hogwarts were sitting in chairs, surrounded not only by their peers, but by parents as well.

"Never in my career of teaching have I had such a personal relationship with my students," Professor McGonagall started. She pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose quickly, her eyes shining with tears. "I grew attached to these students and I will miss them. I am quite confident that they will make me, as well as the rest of the world, proud."

She stepped down, smiling at the group of Marauders, and took her seat next to Dumbledore. He stood up, a long list in his hands, and started calling the names of students. As he reached Sirius' name, a soft smile grew on his face. Unlike the other students who had shaken the man's hand, Sirius wrapped him in a giant bear hug. When he received his diploma, he shook his hand in the air and smiled. A genuine, real smile was appearing on Sirius' face for the first time since Addison's death. Several girls from the SBFC fainted at the sight of him receiving his diploma.

Lily was the next to be called out of the five of them and she walked proudly up to the podium. She had done it, she had proven her sister wrong. She was not a freak. She was something much more. She was a certified witch. To some people, this may not be the biggest achievement. To Lily, it meant the world.

James whistled as she received her diploma, hugging Dumbledore as well.

When the name James Potter should have been called, it wasn't. James grew worried as all his friends had received their diplomas. At last, he was the only one still seated. Lily was looking at him nervously.

Had he failed? Was he being held back another year? What had happened?

Dumbledore smiled at James, holding one last diploma in his hand.

"This last one is for James Potter. Mr. Potter was Head Boy, Quidditch Captain, and a notorious trouble maker to say the least. It is my proud duty to inform everyone that he achieved the highest marks in the seventh year class."

He was truly stunned at this. He couldn't even remember doing homework. Wait, yes he did. He had done his homework with Lily. She was the reason he had reformed this year. She was the reason he had actually found true happiness. He was no longer waiting. He had reached his goal, achieved something he had wanted since the fourth year. Lily Evans was the love of his life and in return, she was in love as well. It was more than he could ask for. Now, with this honor, it was all too much.

James searched the crowd and saw the Evans' clapping their hands proudly for him. He was appreciative that they would do such a thing. Yet, in this moment of triumph, he missed his parents. He wished they could have seen him graduate.

He had Lily now. She was there for him. She was proud. As he walked up to the podium, he saw her smile and her eyes. She was glowing. She wasn't upset, she wasn't angry, she wasn't scared. She was happy.

As Dumbledore held out his hand for James to receive his diploma, James felt tears slide down his face. Something about Dumbledore's hand made everything so final. It was if they wouldn't see each other much anymore. James looked up to Dumbledore so much, he had always placed the man on high esteem. Now, parentless and graduating from Hogwarts, James looked at Dumbledore differently. It was as if the man knew James would turn out exactly the way he was. James rarely cried, the last time being when his parents had died. Now, tears of joy slid down his face. He brushed them off and tightened Dumbledore into a hug. Then, as he turned to the podium to say goodbye to the school he loved, he raised his diploma proudly. He knew everyone wished for him to make a speech. In tradition, James couldn't refuse the opportunity.

"Hi," he began nervously, smiling sheepishly at all the parents in the audience. The students marched off the stage and resumed to sit in their seats. James lightened up as he saw the familiar faces of Sirius, Remus, Peter, and Lily.

"A lot of people doubted I would make it here. I must say that for a short time, I, myself, doubted whether I would reach graduation. I've gotten in more trouble than I can recall and expulsion wasn't too far off my record. Yet, I've always loved the thrill of danger. The rush, the intense feeling of power. When mentioned, my name usually brought up other subjects. Quidditch, pranks, Transfiguration, Marauders, arrogance, and Lily Evans."

Lily turned a shade of pink and smiled at James.

"It felt as if all those things made up my life. I was no one without the mention of those words. This year, I've learned that only one of those things will matter in the long run. Lily Evans is the love of my life. She taught me so much by simply refusing a date. It took me so long to break through that barrier and teach her to trust me. I wanted her to know I was serious. She taught me how to be myself around people. That is more important than anything I've ever learned here."

"Now, when I said she was the only one that mattered in the long run, I was excluding three amazing friends I've grown to love and trust. The word Marauders was dubbed upon us as we were the prime causers of mayhem in Hogwarts. I must say that a few of those gray hairs on Professor McGonagall's head were placed there due to me. The thing is, being a Marauder isn't the most important thing in our friendship. Remaining friends, staying friends, is what is really important. I could care less if I ever play another prank on anyone again."

Sirius gasped in the audience. Everyone turned to him, but James chuckled.

"That doesn't mean I won't, Padfoot," James assured him. A look of relief filled the eyes of Sirius Black. "Hogwarts has given me more than I feel I've given back. I have friends, knowledge, and Lily. I must say, I didn't get to be top of my class by myself. It was with help of those friends that I managed to succeed. They're who I am."

With that, James took his hat off of his head in tradition, and threw it in the air. The remaining students did so as well. With a flurry of hats thrown into the air, James dashed off the stage to meet Lily. She was there, smiling, holding his hat in her hand.

"Do I get to keep it?" she whispered to him.

"Forever," he replied back, kissing her lips softly.

"You weren't the only one shocked by where you stood," Lily explained. "Seven years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed I'd be here with you."

"It was that ol' Potter's charm you fell for," James assured her. "It can't be stopped."

"That must have been it," she laughed.

"So, the story's over?" Sirius asked from behind them. "Our tale has been told?"

"No, Padfoot," James replied, putting his arm around Lily. "It's only just begun."

A/N: So, that is the end of my tale. Potter's Charm is officially COMPLETED! The name of the prequel will be, "No Rain". The Lily/James tale with a lot of Sirius in as well. "No Rain" will be about the Marauders, as well as Lily, Addy, Maimee, and Mac. I have plans, oh yes, I've been plotting. So, I would appreciate tons and tons of reviews! I love you all!

Secret Lily, originator of the SBFC.