The Graduation of Sasporilla Bucket
A Harry Potter UNIVERSE/ Sasporilla Bucket Fan Fiction
by Darren Kelly
The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmead station at precisely nine thirty am on Sunday morning. Having made it's customary journey to London, returning the students home for summer holidays, it had made a return journey with friends and family that would be in attendance of the seventh years graduation ceremonies.
Karry and Zac met Karrys parents at the station. Karry held her new born son, tightly swaddled, in her arms.
"Karry!" Mrs.Curtiss yelled and rushed over to see her first grand child.
"Hello Mum." Karry smiled.
"Oh look at him." Mrs.Curtiss beamed with excitement. "He's beautiful Karoline! Good job!"
Mr.Curtiss walked up and put the bags down beside them. He had a quick look at the baby and shook Zac's hand.
"Hello son-in-law." Andrew Curtiss said stiffly.
"Hello daddy-in-law." Zac said stiffly back.
The pair burst into laughter like silly first years.
"Good to see you Zac you old sod!" Mr.Curtiss said mussing Zac's hair. "And there's my baby girl!"
Mr.Curtiss kissed Karry on the cheek.
"Hello dad." Karry smiled.
"Look at you!" Mr.Curtiss said. "Not yet graduated and already a married woman with a baby of your own."
"Yes almost all in the correct order." Mrs.Curtiss laughed.
"Mother!?!" Karry said surprised.
"Oops we've reached the 'MOTHER' point already." Mr.Curtiss said picking up the bags, Zac insistently taking them off his father-in-laws hands. "Right, time to get up to these bags up to the house ya?"
A coach awaited the friends and family of the seventh year students who were graduating this year.
Fifth year students, who elected not to return after having successfully passing their O.W.L.'s received diplomas by owl post. Those who chose to complete all seven years and successfully completed their N.E.W.T's were honoured with a graduation ceremony. The coaches whisked the special guests away to Hogwarts.
Sasporilla Bucket had joined the graduation committee. She was set up organizer and logistics coordinator. A fancy term for party planner without a doubt but a job she took very seriously.
Hagrid moved and stacked tables and stacked them against the back walls of the great hall. Professor Flitwick levitated decorative banners with Hogwarts heraldry onto walls and hanging from the ceiling.
House elves setup five rows of comfortable chairs for the friends and families of the graduates. A row of chairs were set up for the twenty four graduates themselves.
Professor Sprout and Head Girl Blossom Kowalski brought some lovely Singing ferns and Jollup rainbow bushes with glowberrys on to add some life and colour to the event.
Sasporilla had to smile as she watched Professor Sprout very discreetly straighten herself up before she approached Hagrid.
"Excuse me Hagrid?" Professor Sprout said tapping him on the lower back.
Hagrid turned with a bright excited smile. "Yes? Ah professor Sprout! Fine day fer a graduation!"
"Oh yes indeed." Professor Sprout beamed. "Rubeus I was wondering if you had time this evening to help me repot my mandrakes?" Professor Sprout asked with coy hope.
"If it's flesh eaten slugs, er repottin' mandrakes, I'm yer man professor." Hagrid smiled.
"You two are so cute together!" Sasporilla said as she passed. "I think you make a great couple. By the way Karry and I figured out your code in third year. Repotting mandrakes... priceless."
Hagrid and Professor Sprout stood there flushed, mouths hanging agape. They looked at the young pink haired witch in shock.
"We didn't think anyone knew?" Professor Sprout said.
"Well technically only me and Karry know." Sasporilla said. "Don't think she ever even mentioned it to Zac. No ones business really not even ours. Just happy to see you've found love in each others arms."
Headmistress McGonnagal walked in a clasped her hands in delight. A broad smile beamed across her face.
"You've all done a beautiful job!" The headmistress smiled. "People will be arriving soon. Miss Bucket, Miss Kowalski, you'd best go get ready!"
The Coaches pulled up to the front of the school and were met by the head mistress and staff. Friends and family were lead into the great hall and seated. The Curtiss' arrived just after the others but were sat in saved seats down front, with Zac's guardian Cabbie Patel. Mrs.Curtiss rocked her grandson peacefully to sleep.
Sassy and Blossom joined the other graduates in the seats off to the side. All graduates wore their house robes and those ghastly pointed caps with no brim. Karry had always referred to them as the dunce caps and was happy they were only brought out at special occasions.
"Where the hell have you been?" Karry laughed.
"Easy mum!" Sassy smiled, "Little ears learn everything from you, so watch the potty mouth!"
"You are a brat!" Karry said.
"Just like my best friend." Sassy laughed. "Bloss and I were on the organization committee. So we were working setting all of this up! We only finished ten minutes ago."
With wave of professor Flitwick's wand, a fine quartet of self playing stringed instruments began to play. Headmistress McGonnagal stepped up to the podium and gently cleared her throat, to get everyone's attention. "Welcome everyone to the Seventh year graduation ceremonies."
The crowd responded with bright smiles and polite applause.
"I have watched these children grow," the headmistress continued, "from novice first years into the brilliant and capable wizards and witches that sit before us today. Each one of them filled with great potential and who from we expect to see great things."
The crowd applauded politely. Sasporilla looked past Karry into the audience. She saw Karrys parents and several faces she recognized but the one person she didn't see, was her Uncle Nick. Something big must have come up for him to be this late.
"As is customary before we hear from our guest commencement speaker, the class valedictorian will say a few words." The headmistress lead the applause as Blossom Kowalski stood and smiled as she approached the podium.
Blossom placed her notes on the podium and smiled with bright, beaming enthusiasm.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, parents and professors, fellow graduates and esteemed guests.
The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. Never have I learned any greater lesson at Hogwarts than that. It has been my terror and my pleasure to stand shoulder to shoulder with these wonderful friends and class mates who taught me as much in the face of adversity as our professors did in the class room.
I am reminded of something Professor Snape hissed at me angrily after my first potion failed explosively.
If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."
When you are free from self-doubt, you fail better, because you don’t have your defenses up, you can accept the criticism. You don’t become so preoccupied with that failure that you forget how to learn from it, you forget how to grow. When you believe in yourself, you succeed better. Hours spent questioning, doubting, fearing, can be given over to working, exploring, living. Make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make good magic. Make light. Make Art.
Err in the direction of kindness. Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial. That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality — your soul, if you will — is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.
Fear is going to be a player in our lives, but we get to decide how much. We can spend our whole lives imagining ghosts, worrying about our pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what’s happening here, and the decisions we make in this moment, which are based in either love or fear.
So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it.
Every story you've ever connected with, every leader you've ever admired, every puny little thing that you've ever accomplished is the result of taking action. You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life.
It doesn't matter that your dream came true if you spent your whole life sleeping. So get out there and go for it, but don't be caught waiting. It's great to plan for your future. Just don't live there, because really nothing ever happens in the future. Whatever happens, happens now, so live your life where the action is — now.
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, right here, right now, in this single, solitary, monumental moment in your life– is to decide, without apology, to commit to the journey, and not to the outcome.
For this is not the end of our journey but the first stop on a long path ahead. Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else's path. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Go forth and live, love and make this world a better place tomorrow than it was for you today."
Everyone applauded wildly for Blossom as she returned to her seat smiling.
"Thank you for those inspired words miss Kowalski." Headmistress McGonagall smiled proudly. "Now I would like to thank our Ms.Bucket for arranging this years special guest commencement speaker. Please welcome, artist, producer, impresario and music sensation.... Myron Wagtail."
Myron stepped up to the podium straightening his suit jacket and pulling out the reading glasses he was becoming more and more dependant on. Myron looked over at Sasporilla and smiled.
"If everybody followed their first dreams in life, the world would be ruled by quidditch champions and princesses. I believe that there is a way to have a very, very satisfying, enriching and creative life, but it depends on what criteria you use to look at that. But I would say that if you're being creative, with happiness, satisfaction, all that—you're succeeding. Very few plans work out exactly the way you expect them to. Life, for the most part, is just one, big improvisation.
It was so important for me to lose everything because I found what the most important thing is. The most important thing is to be true to yourself.
So how do you know what is the right path to choose to get the result that you desire? And the honest answer is this: You won't. Knowing who you are will help you when it's time to fight. Fight for the job you want, fight for the people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world you want to live in. It will help when people say that's impossible or you can't do that. If you take the unexpected opportunities when they come up, if you know yourself, and if you fight for what you believe in, I can promise that you will live a life that is rich with meaning.
It doesn't matter how far you might rise. At some point you are bound to stumble because if you're constantly doing what we do, raising the bar. If you're constantly pushing yourself higher, higher the law of averages not to mention the Myth of Icarus predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do I want you to know this, remember this: there is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.
What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded… Sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.
I did a lot of silly, unconventional, spontaneous, and seemingly irrational things, and guess what? With the exception of the FEATHERED COLLARED jacket, it was the most satisfying and fascinating year of my professional life.
This is your time and it feels normal to you but really there is no normal. There's only change, and resistance to it and then more change.
Don't let complexity stop you. Be activists. Take on the big inequities. It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.
As I get older, the only thing that speeds up is time. But as much as it's true that time is a thief, time also leaves something in exchange. With time comes experience - and however uncertain you may be about the rest of the world, at least about your own work you will be sure.
Try to treat everyone as you wish to be treated. Walk down crowded streets with a smile on your face. Be thankful you get to walk so close to Muggles. It's a privilege. Don't let your fellow humans be alien to you, and as you get older and perhaps a little less open than you are now, don't assume that exclusive always and everywhere means better. It may only mean lonelier. There will always be people hard selling you the life of the few: the private schools, private plans, private islands, private life. They are trying to convince you that hell is other people. Don't believe it. We are far more frequently each other's shelter and correction, the antidote to solipsism, and so many windows on this world.
If you are one of those lucky people who are exceptionally good at an endeavor you’re passionate about, if you possess tireless ambition and keen direction, congratulations! You will go far and do well. Your successes will come early and rapidly.
If you are not one of those lucky people — if you are bewildered and confused and clinging tenaciously to some course you love — be patient. Work hard. Hold your dream tightly to you and do everything you can to realize it, within reason. Take a step that will lead you toward the realization of your dream, and then take another, and another, and another.
When you are deciding on next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or a career. Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill."
The crowd gave Myron's speech a standing ovation. He bowed and waved theatrically an returned to his seat. The headmistress stood and waved her wand. Silver bats appeared and flew around the great hall in celebratory loops. They passed over the crowd and each grabbed a scroll from the pile and flew up to form a swirling circle above the stage.
"Now ladies and gentlemen may we present this years graduating class." Professor McGonagall smiled. "Sasporilla Bucket."
Sassy stood and stepped up onto the stage. A silver bat swooped down and placed a scroll in her hand then flew up and landed on the tip of her hat. The headmistress pointed her wand at the silver bat and cast "Commencement!" The silver bat burst into a shower of silver dust that rained down over Sasporilla. The Hufflepuff badge converted back to a Hogwarts one. The yellow trim returned to its original black. Blossoms heart sank as she looked on. To no longer be a Hufflepuff! That was her nightmare.
"Poor Sasporilla." Blossom whispered to herself.
"Your house does not define you." Minerva McGonnagal smiled. "Now reveal to us all your true colours!"
The silver dust began to shine. First as specs of bright white light, then in rainbow colours. Sassy's robes swirled and fluttered as they black blossomed into purple with pink accents. The thin pointy hat became longer with a slight flop to its point. A large crisp brim sprouted around the now purple witches hat with a pink band.
Happiness bubbled up deep from within her and turned to pleased and amused laughter as she spun around and left the stage.
"Karoline Curtiss." The headmistress called.
Karry Curtiss found her robes changed to Green with Gold filigree. Zac's changed to the same. Blossom, whose entire world revolved around being Hufflepuff, was visibly heart broken as all shred of Hufflepuff markings left her robes. Her face brightened when her robes became bright yellow with black argyle diamonds on the sleeves and trim. Her hat a tight crisp black witches hat with black and yellow argyle band. Truly the most Hufflepuff of coloured robes for the most Hufflepuff of former Hufflepuffs. She joined her other colourful graduates on the other side of the stage.
As the last student was unsorted and saw the results of the commencement spell the Headmistress turned to the students and applauded them. Myron was the first to jump to his feet and whistle and hoot. Leading the crowd in a raucous standing ovation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Wizards, witches, family and friends," headmistress McGonagall smiled, "I proudly present to all of you and the world, this years Hogwarts graduating class!"
The graduates pulled off their hats and through them into the air. Colourful light beamed from inside each one filling the great hall with rainbows.
Family's and friends gathered for photos as Hagrid and Professor Flitwick made an early attack on the buffet.
"I swear the little one can eat more than the big one can!" Drooble grumbled at them as he brought out more jumbo shrimp.
"Yer house elves make the bes' jumbo shrimp in all th' world Drooble!" Hagrid smiled.
"And how dare you call me the little one!" Professor Flitwick said. "I'm a full inch and a half taller than you!"
"Oh Drooble meant no offence." Drooble smiled. "Shorty."
All three laughed heartily as a small elf walked by carrying a small box, roughly wrapped in an old Daily Prophet and tied with twine.
"Greeble?!" Sassy smiled as the house elf approached her.
"Yes!" Greeble smiled brightly. "It makes Greebles heart sing that you remember me?"
"Well of course I do." Sasporilla said hugging the elf.
"Greeble brings you a gift." Greeble smiled handing her the box. "All elves decided it was best gift for Sasporilla Bucket."
"Thank you Greeble." Sasporilla said starting to pull at the twine.
"No, no, no!" Greeble protested. "Miss Sasporilla must not open it now. She must wait until the days end when she has forgotten it."
"I see." Sasporilla said slipping into her robes inner pocket. "Your wish is my command Greeble."
"Oooooooo." Greebles ears straightened. "Thank you Miss Sasporilla. Thank you!"
Greeble ran off, disappearing between the legs of the crowd.
"Sasporilla!" Karry called getting her attention. "Come join us!"
Karry was standing with Zac and her parents. Mr.Curtis had his camera and had been keen to take as many photos as he could. He loved magical photos! How they captured more than just the still image.
Sasporilla stepped up beside Karry.
"Dad want's to get a photo of all three of us together." Karry smiled.
"Ok arms around each other and smile!" Mr.Curtiss said.
The bright flash blinded them for a few seconds. They didn't see Nick Owlmore walk into the hall. He was clearly battered and bloody. His clothes were tattered and torn. The crowd gasped and went silent. Sasporilla turned to see the crowd part as Nick walked up to her trying to smile through broken and missing teeth. "I made it."
"Uncle Nick, what happened?" Sassy asked concerned.
"You should see the other guy." Nick said as he collapsed into his god daughters arms.
Nick was rushed to St.Mungos. The Curtiss' stayed over in Hogsmead. Blossom returned home on the Hogwarts express with her family. Sasporilla had a car all to her self.
They were somewhere just outside of Manchester when Sasporilla remembered the gift the house elves had given her. She reached into the pocket inside robe and pulled out the roughly wrapped box.
"I'd forgotten all about you." Sasporilla said as she unwrapped the package.
The box itself was probably once just part of a packing crate produce had come in. The elves had tried there best to make a container that was presentable enough to hold what ever was contained within. Sassy pulled off the top of the box. Inside were some slightly browned leaves of cabbage. She lifted the leaves from the box feeling something contained within the folds. As she pulled the leaves apart she found card which sat on something wrapped in tissue paper.
Sasporilla read the card. "A challenge for your future deserved by no one greater."
Now Sasporilla was intrigued. This was clearly not a trinket of endearment from the elves but something they believed precious. As she unfolded the tissue she was first presented with a necklace. It's chain was obviousy very old as it highly detailed silver and very tarnished. So much so that Sasporilla couldn't imagine a team of house elves being able to polish it within a year. On the end of the chain was a red eight sided stone mounted in a tarnished silver setting.
"How lovely." Sasporilla said, and continues to unwrap the tissue.
Inside was a wand, broken into four pieces. Sasporilla knew this wand. It had belonged to Albus Dumbledore. It was the elder wand.
*Many of the speeches were inspired by famous commencement speeches throughout history.
Karry and Zac met Karrys parents at the station. Karry held her new born son, tightly swaddled, in her arms.
"Karry!" Mrs.Curtiss yelled and rushed over to see her first grand child.
"Hello Mum." Karry smiled.
"Oh look at him." Mrs.Curtiss beamed with excitement. "He's beautiful Karoline! Good job!"
Mr.Curtiss walked up and put the bags down beside them. He had a quick look at the baby and shook Zac's hand.
"Hello son-in-law." Andrew Curtiss said stiffly.
"Hello daddy-in-law." Zac said stiffly back.
The pair burst into laughter like silly first years.
"Good to see you Zac you old sod!" Mr.Curtiss said mussing Zac's hair. "And there's my baby girl!"
Mr.Curtiss kissed Karry on the cheek.
"Hello dad." Karry smiled.
"Look at you!" Mr.Curtiss said. "Not yet graduated and already a married woman with a baby of your own."
"Yes almost all in the correct order." Mrs.Curtiss laughed.
"Mother!?!" Karry said surprised.
"Oops we've reached the 'MOTHER' point already." Mr.Curtiss said picking up the bags, Zac insistently taking them off his father-in-laws hands. "Right, time to get up to these bags up to the house ya?"
A coach awaited the friends and family of the seventh year students who were graduating this year.
Fifth year students, who elected not to return after having successfully passing their O.W.L.'s received diplomas by owl post. Those who chose to complete all seven years and successfully completed their N.E.W.T's were honoured with a graduation ceremony. The coaches whisked the special guests away to Hogwarts.
Sasporilla Bucket had joined the graduation committee. She was set up organizer and logistics coordinator. A fancy term for party planner without a doubt but a job she took very seriously.
Hagrid moved and stacked tables and stacked them against the back walls of the great hall. Professor Flitwick levitated decorative banners with Hogwarts heraldry onto walls and hanging from the ceiling.
House elves setup five rows of comfortable chairs for the friends and families of the graduates. A row of chairs were set up for the twenty four graduates themselves.
Professor Sprout and Head Girl Blossom Kowalski brought some lovely Singing ferns and Jollup rainbow bushes with glowberrys on to add some life and colour to the event.
Sasporilla had to smile as she watched Professor Sprout very discreetly straighten herself up before she approached Hagrid.
"Excuse me Hagrid?" Professor Sprout said tapping him on the lower back.
Hagrid turned with a bright excited smile. "Yes? Ah professor Sprout! Fine day fer a graduation!"
"Oh yes indeed." Professor Sprout beamed. "Rubeus I was wondering if you had time this evening to help me repot my mandrakes?" Professor Sprout asked with coy hope.
"If it's flesh eaten slugs, er repottin' mandrakes, I'm yer man professor." Hagrid smiled.
"You two are so cute together!" Sasporilla said as she passed. "I think you make a great couple. By the way Karry and I figured out your code in third year. Repotting mandrakes... priceless."
Hagrid and Professor Sprout stood there flushed, mouths hanging agape. They looked at the young pink haired witch in shock.
"We didn't think anyone knew?" Professor Sprout said.
"Well technically only me and Karry know." Sasporilla said. "Don't think she ever even mentioned it to Zac. No ones business really not even ours. Just happy to see you've found love in each others arms."
Headmistress McGonnagal walked in a clasped her hands in delight. A broad smile beamed across her face.
"You've all done a beautiful job!" The headmistress smiled. "People will be arriving soon. Miss Bucket, Miss Kowalski, you'd best go get ready!"
The Coaches pulled up to the front of the school and were met by the head mistress and staff. Friends and family were lead into the great hall and seated. The Curtiss' arrived just after the others but were sat in saved seats down front, with Zac's guardian Cabbie Patel. Mrs.Curtiss rocked her grandson peacefully to sleep.
Sassy and Blossom joined the other graduates in the seats off to the side. All graduates wore their house robes and those ghastly pointed caps with no brim. Karry had always referred to them as the dunce caps and was happy they were only brought out at special occasions.
"Where the hell have you been?" Karry laughed.
"Easy mum!" Sassy smiled, "Little ears learn everything from you, so watch the potty mouth!"
"You are a brat!" Karry said.
"Just like my best friend." Sassy laughed. "Bloss and I were on the organization committee. So we were working setting all of this up! We only finished ten minutes ago."
With wave of professor Flitwick's wand, a fine quartet of self playing stringed instruments began to play. Headmistress McGonnagal stepped up to the podium and gently cleared her throat, to get everyone's attention. "Welcome everyone to the Seventh year graduation ceremonies."
The crowd responded with bright smiles and polite applause.
"I have watched these children grow," the headmistress continued, "from novice first years into the brilliant and capable wizards and witches that sit before us today. Each one of them filled with great potential and who from we expect to see great things."
The crowd applauded politely. Sasporilla looked past Karry into the audience. She saw Karrys parents and several faces she recognized but the one person she didn't see, was her Uncle Nick. Something big must have come up for him to be this late.
"As is customary before we hear from our guest commencement speaker, the class valedictorian will say a few words." The headmistress lead the applause as Blossom Kowalski stood and smiled as she approached the podium.
Blossom placed her notes on the podium and smiled with bright, beaming enthusiasm.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, parents and professors, fellow graduates and esteemed guests.
The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. Never have I learned any greater lesson at Hogwarts than that. It has been my terror and my pleasure to stand shoulder to shoulder with these wonderful friends and class mates who taught me as much in the face of adversity as our professors did in the class room.
I am reminded of something Professor Snape hissed at me angrily after my first potion failed explosively.
If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."
When you are free from self-doubt, you fail better, because you don’t have your defenses up, you can accept the criticism. You don’t become so preoccupied with that failure that you forget how to learn from it, you forget how to grow. When you believe in yourself, you succeed better. Hours spent questioning, doubting, fearing, can be given over to working, exploring, living. Make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make good magic. Make light. Make Art.
Err in the direction of kindness. Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial. That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality — your soul, if you will — is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.
Fear is going to be a player in our lives, but we get to decide how much. We can spend our whole lives imagining ghosts, worrying about our pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what’s happening here, and the decisions we make in this moment, which are based in either love or fear.
So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it.
Every story you've ever connected with, every leader you've ever admired, every puny little thing that you've ever accomplished is the result of taking action. You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life.
It doesn't matter that your dream came true if you spent your whole life sleeping. So get out there and go for it, but don't be caught waiting. It's great to plan for your future. Just don't live there, because really nothing ever happens in the future. Whatever happens, happens now, so live your life where the action is — now.
One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, right here, right now, in this single, solitary, monumental moment in your life– is to decide, without apology, to commit to the journey, and not to the outcome.
For this is not the end of our journey but the first stop on a long path ahead. Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else's path. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Go forth and live, love and make this world a better place tomorrow than it was for you today."
Everyone applauded wildly for Blossom as she returned to her seat smiling.
"Thank you for those inspired words miss Kowalski." Headmistress McGonagall smiled proudly. "Now I would like to thank our Ms.Bucket for arranging this years special guest commencement speaker. Please welcome, artist, producer, impresario and music sensation.... Myron Wagtail."
Myron stepped up to the podium straightening his suit jacket and pulling out the reading glasses he was becoming more and more dependant on. Myron looked over at Sasporilla and smiled.
"If everybody followed their first dreams in life, the world would be ruled by quidditch champions and princesses. I believe that there is a way to have a very, very satisfying, enriching and creative life, but it depends on what criteria you use to look at that. But I would say that if you're being creative, with happiness, satisfaction, all that—you're succeeding. Very few plans work out exactly the way you expect them to. Life, for the most part, is just one, big improvisation.
It was so important for me to lose everything because I found what the most important thing is. The most important thing is to be true to yourself.
So how do you know what is the right path to choose to get the result that you desire? And the honest answer is this: You won't. Knowing who you are will help you when it's time to fight. Fight for the job you want, fight for the people who mean the most to you and fight for the kind of world you want to live in. It will help when people say that's impossible or you can't do that. If you take the unexpected opportunities when they come up, if you know yourself, and if you fight for what you believe in, I can promise that you will live a life that is rich with meaning.
It doesn't matter how far you might rise. At some point you are bound to stumble because if you're constantly doing what we do, raising the bar. If you're constantly pushing yourself higher, higher the law of averages not to mention the Myth of Icarus predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do I want you to know this, remember this: there is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.
What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded… Sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.
I did a lot of silly, unconventional, spontaneous, and seemingly irrational things, and guess what? With the exception of the FEATHERED COLLARED jacket, it was the most satisfying and fascinating year of my professional life.
This is your time and it feels normal to you but really there is no normal. There's only change, and resistance to it and then more change.
Don't let complexity stop you. Be activists. Take on the big inequities. It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.
As I get older, the only thing that speeds up is time. But as much as it's true that time is a thief, time also leaves something in exchange. With time comes experience - and however uncertain you may be about the rest of the world, at least about your own work you will be sure.
Try to treat everyone as you wish to be treated. Walk down crowded streets with a smile on your face. Be thankful you get to walk so close to Muggles. It's a privilege. Don't let your fellow humans be alien to you, and as you get older and perhaps a little less open than you are now, don't assume that exclusive always and everywhere means better. It may only mean lonelier. There will always be people hard selling you the life of the few: the private schools, private plans, private islands, private life. They are trying to convince you that hell is other people. Don't believe it. We are far more frequently each other's shelter and correction, the antidote to solipsism, and so many windows on this world.
If you are one of those lucky people who are exceptionally good at an endeavor you’re passionate about, if you possess tireless ambition and keen direction, congratulations! You will go far and do well. Your successes will come early and rapidly.
If you are not one of those lucky people — if you are bewildered and confused and clinging tenaciously to some course you love — be patient. Work hard. Hold your dream tightly to you and do everything you can to realize it, within reason. Take a step that will lead you toward the realization of your dream, and then take another, and another, and another.
When you are deciding on next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or a career. Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history. Your very existence is wrapped up in the things you are here to fulfill."
The crowd gave Myron's speech a standing ovation. He bowed and waved theatrically an returned to his seat. The headmistress stood and waved her wand. Silver bats appeared and flew around the great hall in celebratory loops. They passed over the crowd and each grabbed a scroll from the pile and flew up to form a swirling circle above the stage.
"Now ladies and gentlemen may we present this years graduating class." Professor McGonagall smiled. "Sasporilla Bucket."
Sassy stood and stepped up onto the stage. A silver bat swooped down and placed a scroll in her hand then flew up and landed on the tip of her hat. The headmistress pointed her wand at the silver bat and cast "Commencement!" The silver bat burst into a shower of silver dust that rained down over Sasporilla. The Hufflepuff badge converted back to a Hogwarts one. The yellow trim returned to its original black. Blossoms heart sank as she looked on. To no longer be a Hufflepuff! That was her nightmare.
"Poor Sasporilla." Blossom whispered to herself.
"Your house does not define you." Minerva McGonnagal smiled. "Now reveal to us all your true colours!"
The silver dust began to shine. First as specs of bright white light, then in rainbow colours. Sassy's robes swirled and fluttered as they black blossomed into purple with pink accents. The thin pointy hat became longer with a slight flop to its point. A large crisp brim sprouted around the now purple witches hat with a pink band.
Happiness bubbled up deep from within her and turned to pleased and amused laughter as she spun around and left the stage.
"Karoline Curtiss." The headmistress called.
Karry Curtiss found her robes changed to Green with Gold filigree. Zac's changed to the same. Blossom, whose entire world revolved around being Hufflepuff, was visibly heart broken as all shred of Hufflepuff markings left her robes. Her face brightened when her robes became bright yellow with black argyle diamonds on the sleeves and trim. Her hat a tight crisp black witches hat with black and yellow argyle band. Truly the most Hufflepuff of coloured robes for the most Hufflepuff of former Hufflepuffs. She joined her other colourful graduates on the other side of the stage.
As the last student was unsorted and saw the results of the commencement spell the Headmistress turned to the students and applauded them. Myron was the first to jump to his feet and whistle and hoot. Leading the crowd in a raucous standing ovation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Wizards, witches, family and friends," headmistress McGonagall smiled, "I proudly present to all of you and the world, this years Hogwarts graduating class!"
The graduates pulled off their hats and through them into the air. Colourful light beamed from inside each one filling the great hall with rainbows.
Family's and friends gathered for photos as Hagrid and Professor Flitwick made an early attack on the buffet.
"I swear the little one can eat more than the big one can!" Drooble grumbled at them as he brought out more jumbo shrimp.
"Yer house elves make the bes' jumbo shrimp in all th' world Drooble!" Hagrid smiled.
"And how dare you call me the little one!" Professor Flitwick said. "I'm a full inch and a half taller than you!"
"Oh Drooble meant no offence." Drooble smiled. "Shorty."
All three laughed heartily as a small elf walked by carrying a small box, roughly wrapped in an old Daily Prophet and tied with twine.
"Greeble?!" Sassy smiled as the house elf approached her.
"Yes!" Greeble smiled brightly. "It makes Greebles heart sing that you remember me?"
"Well of course I do." Sasporilla said hugging the elf.
"Greeble brings you a gift." Greeble smiled handing her the box. "All elves decided it was best gift for Sasporilla Bucket."
"Thank you Greeble." Sasporilla said starting to pull at the twine.
"No, no, no!" Greeble protested. "Miss Sasporilla must not open it now. She must wait until the days end when she has forgotten it."
"I see." Sasporilla said slipping into her robes inner pocket. "Your wish is my command Greeble."
"Oooooooo." Greebles ears straightened. "Thank you Miss Sasporilla. Thank you!"
Greeble ran off, disappearing between the legs of the crowd.
"Sasporilla!" Karry called getting her attention. "Come join us!"
Karry was standing with Zac and her parents. Mr.Curtis had his camera and had been keen to take as many photos as he could. He loved magical photos! How they captured more than just the still image.
Sasporilla stepped up beside Karry.
"Dad want's to get a photo of all three of us together." Karry smiled.
"Ok arms around each other and smile!" Mr.Curtiss said.
The bright flash blinded them for a few seconds. They didn't see Nick Owlmore walk into the hall. He was clearly battered and bloody. His clothes were tattered and torn. The crowd gasped and went silent. Sasporilla turned to see the crowd part as Nick walked up to her trying to smile through broken and missing teeth. "I made it."
"Uncle Nick, what happened?" Sassy asked concerned.
"You should see the other guy." Nick said as he collapsed into his god daughters arms.
Nick was rushed to St.Mungos. The Curtiss' stayed over in Hogsmead. Blossom returned home on the Hogwarts express with her family. Sasporilla had a car all to her self.
They were somewhere just outside of Manchester when Sasporilla remembered the gift the house elves had given her. She reached into the pocket inside robe and pulled out the roughly wrapped box.
"I'd forgotten all about you." Sasporilla said as she unwrapped the package.
The box itself was probably once just part of a packing crate produce had come in. The elves had tried there best to make a container that was presentable enough to hold what ever was contained within. Sassy pulled off the top of the box. Inside were some slightly browned leaves of cabbage. She lifted the leaves from the box feeling something contained within the folds. As she pulled the leaves apart she found card which sat on something wrapped in tissue paper.
Sasporilla read the card. "A challenge for your future deserved by no one greater."
Now Sasporilla was intrigued. This was clearly not a trinket of endearment from the elves but something they believed precious. As she unfolded the tissue she was first presented with a necklace. It's chain was obviousy very old as it highly detailed silver and very tarnished. So much so that Sasporilla couldn't imagine a team of house elves being able to polish it within a year. On the end of the chain was a red eight sided stone mounted in a tarnished silver setting.
"How lovely." Sasporilla said, and continues to unwrap the tissue.
Inside was a wand, broken into four pieces. Sasporilla knew this wand. It had belonged to Albus Dumbledore. It was the elder wand.
*Many of the speeches were inspired by famous commencement speeches throughout history.
PLEASE REMEMBER
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, research which charities J.K.Rowling donates to, then donate to them as such.
I am in no way affiliated with Warner Bros. or with J.K.Rowling. My work is purely that of fan fiction & do not ask for, nor accept money, gifts or other compensation for my work. If you really feel you must do something, research which charities J.K.Rowling donates to, then donate to them as such.