Harry spotted the stunning spell as it shot out from the wand just visible at the edge of an old wooden door to his left; he rolled to the ground to avoid being hit and called out, "Expelliarmus!"

The assailant's wand flew up, arcing high above the young wizard who was already looking ahead for the next challenge.

From his vantage point, Severus and Dumbledore watched Harry make his way through the gantlet. Surmounting one challenge after another, their protégé had dodged spell fire, avoided booby traps and defeated a string of simulated Death Eaters.

It had taken nearly forty minutes for the teen to finally reach the end of the gage, his training final. He'd had to use both defensive and offensive magic to complete his task, casting charms, spells, jinxes and hexes - sometimes simultaneously, erecting temporary wards, employing strategy and tactics, and yes - even some hand to hand combat.

Exhausted, winded and bleeding from a cut on his right cheek, Harry waited for the next opponent to appear. But instead of some hooded adversary jumping out with a wand pointed directly at him, he heard his Professor call out, "Congratulation, Mr. Potter. You passed."

.

Harry whirled and looked up to see the two wizards descend from a nearby balcony. "Passed?" he managed between gulps of breath. That's it?

As they approached, Severus noticed the cut on the teen's flushed cheek. "Episky," he said and ran his thumb lightly over the now healed wound to wipe away the trickle of blood. "You passed with an Outstanding," he clarified.

Harry, who was breathing hard, nodded in acknowledgement.

"Well done my boy," praised Dumbledore.

"Thank you Sir."

 "You should be very proud of what you accomplished tonight."

"I owe it to both of you," Harry managed between pants as he beamed with pride over his accomplishment. "You've both taught me ... so much."

After Harry had caught his breath, the three wizards strolled slowly back through the gauntlet and discussed some of the finer points of his now completed final.

"That will be all for tonight," said Dumbledore when they reached the entrance to the Room of Requirement.

All the buildings, the defeated foes, overturned crates and debris vanished, leaving in its stead an empty cavernous room.

"Are you prepared for tomorrow's event?" asked the old wizard.

The teen's exuberant expression fell from his face at the mention of the graduation ceremony and his impending speech. "I ... uh ..."

"It's a fine speech Harry," Severus said as he laid his hand on the teen's shoulder.

"I guess I'm just nervous."

"You'll do fine my boy," Dumbledore assured.

"I hope so," Harry said as he tried to stifle an unexpected yawn.

"Tomorrow's a big day; perhaps we should call it a night," suggested Severus.

~~~~~SH~~~~~

Harry had barely entered the common room he was immediately surrounded by his dorm mates.

"Where have you been?" asked Ron.

"We've been waiting for hours," exclaimed Seamus.

"What took you so long?" insisted Dean.

"What are you on about?" Harry returned. "You know I had my final tonight."

"How did it go?"

"Really well. I ..."

"Wait," interrupted Ron. "You can tell us later."

"Why not now?"

"Cause' we've come up with a great plan to celebrate our graduation."

"A plan?" asked Harry, his interest peeked.

"Yeah," confirmed Ron. "It's brilliant. Now, hear me out."

The tall red-head rested his arm on Harry's shoulder. "We get our brooms, go up to the Astronomy tower and fly to the Hog's Head for a farewell drink - just us guys. Isn't that a great idea?"

Harry's stunned expression told him differently. "We can't do that ... We'd be breaking so many rules, and I'm not supposed to leave the castle - remember?"

"Come on Harry," pleaded Seamus. "We might never be together again and besides, you just said you aced your final. All that stuff you've learned - you can handle anything."

He had passed with an Outstanding and felt confident in his ability to defend himself. "Well ..."

"That's the spirit!" extolled Dean.

"Wait a minute, what about Neville?"

"He wasn't keen about flying so far; he went to bed instead."

Harry started to second guess his decision.

"Come on," implored Ron. "You gotta come."

"I suppose ... if we make it a quick one. But no one can get plastered, got it? And no one ..."

"Harry!" Ron interrupted. "Will you stop being so blinkered? We'll behave. Come on, let's just get going."

"Oh ... all right. Hold up while I get my broom."

Ron pulled the Firebolt out from behind the couch. "We're one up on you mate."

The four soon-to-be graduates headed up to the top of the tower and made their way to The Hog's Head. By the time they entered the pub, all four were laughing and gallivanting so much that none of them noticed the shadowy figure spying on them from a nearby dark alley.

~~~~~SH~~~~~

"Come on guys. I need to get back and go to bed - so do you."

Unlike Harry, who was still nursing his first drink, the other three had downed at least two each.

"No way! We're just getting started. Come on, drink up." Ron turned back to the bar, "My friend here needs another drink!" he finished with a hiccup.

"Ron, I'm not having another drink and neither are you. Come on, you promised one hour and it's been one hour. I don't know about you but I'm leaving right now."

"Well you go ahead and leave, Mr. Head Boy."

Harry hadn't expected the sarcastic retort and he just stood there with a stunned expression.

"Oh, bugger it," Seamus said in a disappointing tone. "Can't you just finish you drink?"

"He's right," added Dean. "We haven't said ‘Hi' yet to the two lovelies sitting in the back. See them? The ones with the big knockers."

Harry had had enough. "That's it - I'm leaving and so should you. You'll be sick if you drink anymore."

No one made any attempt to stand and so with a harrumph, Harry grabbed his broom and headed out the door.

As he swung his leg over his Firebolt the same individual whom had spied them earlier was hiding around the side of the building, lying in wait for their regress.

He raised his wand and cast a stunning spell that hit the unsuspecting teen squarely between his shoulders.

The Death Eater stepped forward and caught Harry as he collapsed backwards. Then in a heartbeat, he turned and Disapparated with his captive in tow.

~~~~~SH~~~~~