It’s tradition that Head Students address the student body of Hogwarts in a last letter before graduating. Despite my repeated inquiries of how I can stay for another year, it seems I’m not getting around that, so I’m going to join that tradition. That’s what you get for not letting me stay here.
I’m actually not sure what to say to all of you, I haven’t said in the last seven years already. It’s difficult to put wise words into a letter when one isn’t as wise as people may think. When I came to Hogwarts I was a whole different person than I am now. It may come as a surprise to you to hear that I was quiet and shy, withdrawn even for my first two years, oh and tiny. It took other people for me to learn who I am, accept myself the way I am and start coming out of my shell so I can grow to the loud, proud massive dork I am today. The height came by itself, sorry to say, no magic tricks involved.
While you don’t have to become loud like me, though it is a lot of fun, I hope that you will too find people around you that will help you to find out who you are and become your best possible self. Someone you can accept and be proud of. Someone who learns from their own mistakes and others’, is not /too/ proud to accept help and can admit when they were wrong. Be kind but take no shit, be open, help each other. We’re all going through stuff, no exception. Many of us know that despite this castle being filled with people it can feel like you are an island, but let me assure you, you are not on your own. You just have to allow people in. Let them build a hut on that island or something. You know what I mean.
Treasure your time here. I kept saying ‘there is always next year’ and at some point, there isn’t. Take your chances, don’t delay the things you want to do while you are in the castle. You don’t want to sit there during your graduation feast and wish you had done so many more things and regret all the chances you had. Okay? Okay! But as a very wise person told me: It’s not the end. No one’s dying and we’ve got our whole bloody lives ahead of us.
Thank you to Juliette who saw a lot more in me than I did – I see it now! Thank you to Headmaster Crozier and Deputy Headmaster Fetherstonhaugh for the chance to see that I’m capable of more than I thought, while allowing me to be Head Student. Thank you Octavia for the time we got to work together, we were pretty great! Still are, just saying. Thank you House Gryffindor who has been a fantastic home and always will be. Thanks to the Living Impaired around the castle for the friendship in times when I felt like hiding in the dark of the walls. And none of you will be surprised if I thank my girlfriend Riven for -among many other things- helping me see who I am and what I can do with your support and with those kicks in the butt when I needed them.
Thank you all for these last seven years. No matter if you were professor, staff or student, friend or foe, there is something I took with me from all of you. Lessons learned, connections made, memories saved on my internal hard drive and in pictures. I will take them with me into the next adventure.
I will never forget this time I was allowed to spend here and the people I met. And I will miss these halls and you guys. Well, until I see you in Hogsmeade or anywhere in the outside world. And I’ll listen for the roars, lions, stay wicked!
Well I talked enough, for now. We know I won’t shut up for long, but for now, thank you and I’m proud of you, yes you! I never know how to end stuff like that, comes with liking to talk,innit? So… Here’s to you, to your house and to Hogwarts!
