Hey!

So, normally I talk a whole bunch up here... But since this is the FINAL CHAPTER of Ew, I think I'm gonna save everything for the AN at the end.

Read and enjoy.

Disclaimer: If I was J.K. Rowling, everyone would live Happily Ever After.

...

One of the things I loved about my separate suite was the window in the bathroom. Every morning, as I showered, the window let the sunlight in, so I was bathing in golden light. It was the most calming and serene part of my day. I always shut the water off with a smile.

I wrapped a towel around myself and tugged at my hair contentedly. The months between March and June had given ample time for my hair to grow to just below my shoulder blades. I lightly fluffed my already-drying golden curls. I felt good. I felt great. Which was to be expected. I was graduating today.

The door clicked open and Sirius sauntered in, grinning. "Morning, love."

I snorted. "How about knocking? What if I wasn't decent?"

He pressed his lips against my cheek. "Wouldn't be anything I haven't seen before."

I gave a mock-gasp. "Shhh! Someone could hear!"

His lips smiled against my hair. "Yes, because I'm sure they haven't inferred anything thus far. Seeing as I haven't slept in my own dorm more than once a week since March."

I shivered as he pressed butterfly kisses down my neck. "Still. Hands off. I have to get ready. I want to be looking my best."

"You always look your best," he murmured, circling his thumbs against my hips through the towel fabric.

"Flattery will get you no where." Reluctantly, I disentangled myself from him. "Be good, and let me get ready. There'll be plenty of time for this later."

He groaned, but backed away as ordered. "No there won't. Because you're moving in with Rayne, Lily and Kristy for the summer. And I'm staying with James, Remus and Peter. All together, this equals absolutely no privacy."

I trotted into the other room and pulled on my bra and knickers. "It's only for three months," I called over my shoulder, "And I'll have my own room. It'll be fine."

His brow furrowed as he struggled to do up the buttons of his graduation uniform. "I'm going to miss living in the same room as you."

"Me too." I walked over and buttoned his shirt for him. "But don't even try to tell me you aren't going to have a kick hanging out at the Marauder pad."

"Maybe a little." He smirked. "Just you wait. In a few nights, you'll be missing my gorgeousness."

I rolled my eyes. "We're going to see each other all the time. I'm not going to be missing anything."

"Sure you aren't." He kissed me quickly on the lips. "I'm going to finish getting ready in my dorm. I'll see you down there."

"Yeah, see you."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

...

"-taught us so much, not only about magic, but about life. I'll never forget Hogwarts and I hope, one day, that I can live up to the lessons I've learned here. Thank you." Lily finished up her valedictorian speech with a sheepish smile and a blush. The crowd clapped enthusiastically as she descended from the stage to reclaim her seat next to me.

Dumbledore strode regally from his seat on the side of the stage. "Next, we will have the Speaker of the Class, elected by the students to close today's ceremony. Please welcome... Aria Colette!"

Our whole class went wild, cheering as I made my way to the stage. I smiled and waved as I took my place, dead center, in front of all of Hogwarts and the graduating students' families. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my shiny robe and tried to ignore the twinges of stage fright.

"Hey there." I tucked a loose strand of hair back behind my ear. "I fancy you lot probably know who I am. I'm afraid I haven't exactly been a wallflower."

Someone in the crowd muttered, "You can say that again." I grinned.

"I'm sorry to say I don't really know what I'm doing up here. When I found out a few days ago, I was convinced it was a huge prank by one of my more mischievous friends. Poor Remus was attacked in my attempt to find out what was going on. When I figured out it was legit, I immediately asked my friend Lily Evans what I was supposed to talk about. Her reply, verbatim, was... 'You have to talk about how much you've learned from Hogwarts'." I stood still for a second, letting the audience absorb my words. "Well then. I immediately went back to my room and wrote an Official List of What Hogwarts Has Taught Me. And, if you will let me, I'd like to read it to you."

I cleared my throat. "One: Hogwarts has taught me that a lion's greatest enemy is a snake. Which is frankly ridiculous, because when in the wild would the two ever encounter each other, or be that threatened by the other? But, more importantly, it's taught me that, like all great enemies, they only hate each other because they cannot understand each other."

"Two: Teachers are, in fact, people. It actually is really painful for them to fail a student. And did you know that Professor McGonagall is a secret chocoholic and that it takes her thirteen minutes and fifty-four seconds to get her hair up into that distinctive bun? Who knew?"

"Three: Boys are strange and persistent creatures. There is something in their brain that does not allow for the word 'no'. When they make a promise, they'll hold onto it like a dog holds onto a bone. Therefore, a promise from a boy is one of the most valuable things you can receive."

"Four: Girls are complicated. One day, you're BFFs, and the next you're at each other's throats. They take everything the wrong way and they're crazy as hell. But, when you get right down to it, whether it's making voodoo dolls or having sob fests in the Common Room, if you win a girl's loyalty, she'll stick by you 'til the end."

"Five: Shit happens. People will be crazy and the universe is most likely out to get you. But you can't let that break you down and destroy you. You have to pick up the pieces and do the best that you can. Even though one of your best bud's boyfriend's left her for you, or your friend killed herself, or your psycho mom abducted you and tortured you. We can't dwell on the bad and the awful. It'll only take us down too. You've got to hold onto to your knowledge of who you are. That knowledge is more powerful than anything in the world." The crowd was deathly silent. "No one's problems are bigger or more important than anyone else's. It sucks to not get the guy you like, even though you've been stalking him for years, or score badly on the Transfig test, or get beat up by your parents. What matters is that we take whatever troubles we get saddled with and move on. And that's the most important thing Hogwarts taught me. You have to make your own happy ending. It's not going to come to you."

"So, as we go out into the world, there are a few basic things I hope we can remember. Don't judge a book by its cover, or its House. Life isn't a fairy tale, so don't dream it away. Love sucks, but living without it is worse. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And finally... Be brave, my little marshmallows. Go forth with pride. Thank you."

I inclined my head, and, for a second, there was no sound. Then there was a thundering applause that deafened me as I strode confidently down the aisle to my seat. My fellow year-mates clapped me on the back as I walked, goofy grins on their faces. For once, my urge to flinch was firmly in control. I was in control.

Dumbledore rose with a benevolent smile. "Wizarding World, please welcome the class of 1978!"

As one, we threw our hats into the air and welcomed the new phase of our lives.

I looked around at all of my friends and I knew I wouldn't be going into it alone.

...

So, nearly two years later...

I gotta admit, it's kind of scary to think that Ew is officially done... I've loved every minute of writing Aria's voice and I hope you liked reading it nearly as much. Thanks to all of you who have been with me since the beginning, as well as those of you who have joined in more recently. It's been a complete treat hearing what you have to say and talking with you. I'm not sure I would've been able to stick with it without your support. So thanks so much!

I know everyone was kind of expecting that I'd end with something awful and tragic (AKA: James's and Lily's death, Sirius's 'betrayal', etc.), but I rather think we've had enough angst. Feel free to decide for yourself what you think happens to Aria after this, but I'm content to leave it here.

Anyone who has any remaining questions, feel free to leave a review and I'll answer as best I can.

Thanks so much, again!

Love you all!