MOONSTRUCK ... r.lupin

chapter twenty-four

His speech is long and wearisome, like always, and by the end of it, all of them are starting to itch in their chairs. It's been almost an hour of just him talking about their achievements as a year group. Nate stopped listening. Actually, at one point, he's sure his head started to droop, eyes flickering shut and drool starting to pool at the side of his mouth. Luckily, Amalthea had his back and she'd elbow him every time, like an alarm clock that never quite knows when to stop.

Once he finally sits down, it is time for their year heads to make similar speeches, but with more personal anecdotes, understanding their students just a little bit better. None of them are too long-winded, but they feel more homey, like you're sitting in front of the fireplace watching the snow stick to the window, a book in your lap and a cup of tea in your hand. It feels like being seen. Like all these seven years haven't been for nothing.

Nate feels a little less sick.

Slughorn is the last to sit down. It's starting to get warm in here. The situation is returning to Nate, the fact that there's going to be one more speech before he walks out of those doors forever. No matter what his dream is, he might never return, he might never get to see these stone walls ever again.

Merlin, he didn't think it would be this hard.

James and Lily stand at the same time. Lily, in a chiffon, empire-waist red dress, sorts out her notes on the lectern. According to Remus, she'd been working on her speech all week. James had forgotten all about it until last night, and thus, in the morning had decided to wing it, much to no one's surprise. He doesn't look at all bothered, instead focused on fixing the sleeves of his white shirt, tucked expertly into red suit trousers. He's got a red rose poking out of the pocket of his shirt. Lily has a similar flower pinned to the thick straps of her dress.

She clears her throat and starts talking. She talks about their trials and tribulations as a year group. About the war awaiting them. About how close they've all become as they sit in the kitchens and the library and the astronomy tower and actually talk to each other about the things they care about. Her speech has the desired effect and by the end of it, almost all of them are starting to tear up. Nate, without realising, is actually crying, soft tears rolling over his cheeks.

Poppy leans over and hands him a tissue she'd forced Michael to hide in his trouser pockets.

Lily wipes away a tear and steps back to let her boyfriend do his own talking. He clears his throat once, winks at Sirius who throws him a thumbs-up in return, and smirks. Nate's stomach churns. He's got a bad feeling about this.

"Peace and love, my friends. Peace and love!"

Then, before anyone can stop him, he turns and takes a hold of his girlfriend's waist. He bends her backwards. Her foot kicks up as she tries to find some balance, notes flying in the air, hands grappling for a hold of his shoulders. When their lips lock in the middle, cheers burst from the students, all of them jumping to their feet to roar their appreciation for the Head Boy and Girl who have been so unapologetically in love since they started this year together.

Nate wishes Remus would kiss him like that.

Lily is bright red when James allows her to come up for air. They're ushered off stage by Nate's mum, her ears tinted pink at the obvious display of affection, but she's laughing anyway, as if this is what she wanted the whole time. James swings his arm over Lily's shoulder and leads her over to their friends, who crowd around them and bash their arms and laugh in their faces.

Nate can't stop laughing too, drunk on their happiness, unafraid to walk out of those doors.

Their parents all clap as they walk the length of the hall, hands clasped, laughing, smiling, feet moving fast to get them out of the oak doors. Amalthea tugs Nate along with her, almost running. Nate's holding onto Michael. Michael onto Poppy. They don't let go until they all tumble out of the doors of the school, into the fresh air, feeling the hot sun on their faces. Their hair is falling out of its once perfect placement, long locks tumbling over shoulders and shorter strands falling into eyes. Their feet sweat in their pinched shoes. The sun is making their dresses feel too heavy and their suits too tight. But, they stand there, and they look back to see all the younger students waving from the windows, and it doesn't feel so scary after all.