Corrupted Souls | remus lupin

hogwarts class of 1978

"I am a muggleborn witch." Lily Evans stated, staring out at the sea of students and parents before her. "It is no secret and I have no shame about it. Despite my background, I am speaking to you all today as the top of our graduating class, proving that anyone can excel under the right conditions. Hogwarts has taught us well, and because of that we can leave these grounds with confidence and the knowledge that we'll all accomplish great things.

Some people in this crowd want me dead -"

Well that certainly took a turn, Neoma thought. 

Slughorn started to move toward the stage to stop Lily from speaking, but Dumbledore raised a hand. He kept a careful eye on the crowd, but let the girl continue, watching her proudly.

"-And I am sad to think that when we leave this castle, I might be hunted down for something that I have no control over. Because of recent regulations, my parents - many people's parents - could not attend today.

This being said, I will still forever cherish the time I have spent at Hogwarts with both friends and professors, who have turned me into the person I am today. I know that each and every person in this crowd loves this school, too. We all have made such beautiful memories here. I hope that when we leave today, we leave as better people, changed by the home we've shared over these past seven years.

Thank you."

Lily dropped her Sonorus charm, smiling modestly at the applause she received before shuffling back to her assigned seat.

"Thank you, Miss Evans, for that lovely speech." Dumbledore stepped back onto stage. "We are in dark times, indeed. I can only hope that the bonds you have built at Hogwarts will carry on throughout your lives; where there is love, there is hope." He glanced sideways toward the awaiting Heads of Houses.

"I will now invite Professor Filius Flitwick of Ravenclaw to please come up and address his students."

Flitwick went on to congratulate his class and hand out their diplomas. Neoma clapped politely for them all, picking up the pace a bit as Alder and Glinda walked across the stage.

McGonagall went next.

"I am so, so very proud of everything you have accomplished these past seven years," she beamed, addressing her house. "Never have I seen such well-rounded talent from a group of students. Not only are you all unbelievably bright, but you are true Gryffindors, going above and beyond to embody what it means to be courageous in the face of adversity. The friendships I have watched bloom over these past seven years are strong, and I will be forever changed by them."

Each and every one of The Maruaders got a little teary-eyed at her short speech.

"And now I will call up our first Gryffindor graduate of 1978 ... Mr. Sirius Black!"

The Marauders all howled from their place in the Gryffindor line. The girls cheered, and the Potters were beside themselves as they watched Sirius walk up to the stage for his diploma.

Neoma clapped. Blood-traitor or not, Sirius was still a Black. She figured it wouldn't be so strange if she cheered him on.

Lily was the next person (of importance to Neoma) to be called up. Her friends, along with the parents of her friends, all stood to clap proudly. 

Neoma wanted to join them, but knew that she probably shouldn't. She was surrounded by her old friends and by their death eater parents, and the muggleborn girl had just called out half of the Slytherin house with her graduating speech.

Some more Gryffindors were called up, and then Alice, who Neoma clapped enthusiastically for. After a slew of other names, Neoma's back straightened once she noticed that Remus was next in line.

Remus had been - very obviously - avoiding her. She only assumed that he learned the truth from Sirius, and that was as far as she'd let her brain wander. She didn't want to imagine how much the boy pitied her now.

Unfortunately for Neoma, she had developed a very, very soft spot for Remus. The moment the name "Remus Lupin" fell from McGonagall's lips, Neoma couldn't help but stand and clap, earning a bunch of nasty looks from those around her.

Lyall Lupin stood to cheer on his son, his heart aching at the idea of his wife missing this monumental moment. He felt such respect and love for Remus, who had taught him to confront his prejudices - to realize that the world is not so black and white.

And now his son was graduating Hogwarts - despite his condition - with a whole group of friends that supported him. The scene brought tears to the man's eyes.

Remus's grin stretched wider than it ever had before as he accepted his diploma. He took a brief glance around the crowd, noticing the singular Slytherin student standing for him, and made sure to lock eyes with her before moving off the stage to sit.

Marlene and Dorcas went directly after Remus. Neoma happily cheered them on, especially when Marlene pulled Dorcas into a big, obvious kiss as soon as she walked off stage.

Once the shock factor wore off, Neoma realized it was actually painfully obvious that Marlene and Dorcas were more than friends. She felt borderline stupid that she hadn't picked up on it.

Lily felt one-thousand times more idiotic, but Alice just smiled knowingly. She had always been perceptive. 

Peter was called right before James. Who Neoma assumed to be Mrs. Pettigrew started weeping loudly, crying about how proud of her "Petey" she was.

"Mr. James Potter."

More hollering ensued from The Marauders cheer squad. James pulled McGonagall into a big hug, much to her surprise, and blew a large kiss to Lily and his family before sauntering off stage.

The rest of the Gryffindors were called up, one by one. Neoma ignored the rest, glancing over her shoulder to see if she could catch a glimpse of her father. From this angle, she couldn't.

Slytherin was next. Neoma was sandwiched between - lucky her - Lucius Malfoy and Axel Pucey. Their green graduation caps - pointy with silver stars - sat upon their ugly heads.

She wouldn't let them ruin this for her, though. As Slughorn started to call names, Neoma held her head high, starting right at the back of Lucius's ugly skull.

As Narcissa crossed the stage, Neoma couldn't help but clap sadly. This could very well be the last time the girls would see each other on semi-civil terms.

Lucius Malfoy was next. Neoma sighed with relief as his cologne-soaked body walked away from her. She took a large step forward, trying to get as much distance between her and Axel as possible.

"Miss Neoma Nott."

Neoma was incredibly nervous, but her feet moved forward regardless. She shook Slughorn's hand, scanning the crowd.

From here, she could see her dad. He stood tall and proud, which made her eyes water. She would remember that look on his face forever - an expression of true happiness.

All Slytherin students and parents clapped modestly, likely due to the fact that Neoma was still a Nott and her father was very much present. Neoma met Narcissa's gaze, who offered her a small, sad smile.

Remus, like Neoma, was on his feet quickly. He craned his neck to the right to catch a glimpse of her dad, who was staring at his daughter like she was the sun. Remus turned back to the stage, cupping his hands around his mouth to yell 'Go Neems!'.

Peter, James, and Lily - still not clued in on Neoma's past - simply clapped from their seats. Alice, Dorcas, Marlene, and Sirius decided to stand with Remus.

The ceremony continued with the rest of the Slytherins, and then with Hufflepuff. Finally, each and every student had a diploma in their hands. Dumbledore made his way back onto the stage.

"And with that, I am very pleased to release the next generation of witches and wizards into the world. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the Hogwarts Class of 1978!"