Chapter 1

Graduation

The four sat near the lake, underneath the shade of the beech tree and for the first time in their lives… they were quiet. Sirius leaned against the trunk, crossing his arms and looking around boredly. James lay on his back while playing with the Snitch he had swiped earlier that day. Peter was staring into space with his mouth hanging open a bit. And Remus, as usual, had a book open, but he had his eyes on the same page for the longest time.

"Sad, much?" Sirius sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

James stopped playing with the Snitch and looked up, "A bit, yeah." He groaned as he sat up straight. "No more pranks. No more detention. No more tormenting Snivellus… no more classes with Lily…"

Remus shut his book, "Honestly, James. Knowing you, you'd probably go and see her everyday."

"But no more Hogwarts…" James's voice trailed off. "It won't be the same, you know?"

"Cheer up, mate!" Sirius lunged forward and pinned his friend down. "You've still got us!"

"Hey, hey watch it!" James frowned as the Snitch slipped out of his fingers. He gave Sirius a mock-angry look and pushed him off. "Aren't I fortunate to have you—"

"You should be!" Sirius laughed and playfully ruffled his hair.

James sighed and allowed Sirius to mess up his already unruly hair as he watched the Snitch freely zoom around. "Everything's gonna change. Don't you think? Do you reckon we'll change as well?"

"Us? Change?" Sirius gave James a scandalized look. "And where'd you get a stupid idea like that?"

Remus gently thumped James on the head with his book, "You're just having pre-graduation jitters. So please don't get any silly thoughts about us… changing."

Peter stood up quickly and muttered something about having to go to the library as he scurried away.

"What's his problem?" Sirius watched Peter's retreating back.

Remus shrugged, "He's been like that for a while."

"Ah, forget that. Lighten up, Prongs," Sirius grinned and slapped him on the back. "I hate to break it to you but we're not that easy to get rid of." He let out a short bark-like laugh. "We're all stuck together for eternity."

"I shudder at the thought," James smiled. He reached out and put his arms around both his friends and hugged them close. "Together for eternity, huh? That doesn't sound so bad."

"It's a lifelong party," Sirius, too, put his arms around James and Remus.

Remus completed the circle as he also held both of them close, "And that's a promise."

James let out a chuckle, "Do you swear?"

The three looked at each other and smiled softly as they said in unison:

"We solemnly swear."