love, theo | theodore nott

graduation

Aurora has dreaded this day for some time.

She got anxious everytime she thought about graduation, because she was afraid to finally face the real world. She didn't know if Theo was still going to be in her life. It'd be hard to see him. She didn't know if she was good enough for auror academy, no matter how many times her dad told her how amazing she was, and that it was going to be a piece of cake for her.

She wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to leave this place. Wasn't ready to pack up and never come back again. The idea didn't sit right with her.

But here she was, holding her brother's arm, huddled up in a circle with her family.

There were Lily, James, Remus, Peter, and Sirius. Hugging them, telling them how proud they were.

"You survived," laughed Sirius. He then pointed to Harry. "I honestly thought you couldn't do it."

Harry protested. "Why?"

Peter shrugged and laughed along. "Because you are just such a big mama's boy. We honestly thought you'd cry and run back home." He ruffled Harry's hair. "But no, you did good."

"And what about my goddaughter?" Remus proudly said, slinging an arm around Aurora as he gave her head a kiss. "This one got voted as favorite student."

Sirius smiled as he crept up beside her. "I remember when I was favorite student," he boasted. "James was furious."

James rolled his eyes, and pulled his daughter away from them, holding her in his arms. "I know. Now my daughter gets to avenge me."

Lily laughed. She took Harry's hand and Aurora's. "Well, I just know that I am proud of my twins."

"I love you guys," Aurora cooed, hugging her parents.

"You guys are annoying sometimes," joined Harry. "But I do love you."

"Uh oh," Sirius announced, as the three remaning members of the group approach them, "Group hug alert."

This was Aurora's safe space. Their family. She felt warm in their arms, she felt happy, she felt lucky. Lucky to have all these people in her life, celebrating such a special day.

But then she let her eyes wander, and she spotted him. The one person she wished could join this embrace. The one person she knew would need it.

Theo saw her as well, and gave her a little salute. She smiled, seeing a woman beside him who she thought to be his mother. But his father was no where to be seen.

Aurora now frowned. She felt guilty, felt bad because there she was, with her three father figures huddled up, meanwhile, Theo didn't even have one to attend his graduation.

She was a master at coming up with excuses at this point. Aurora broke free from them, and said, "Oh shit, I have to return a book to the library. I'll see you guys inside?"

She had to come to Theo, hug him, congratulate him, kiss him, tell him that he was loved. That she loved him.

"Okay," Lily nodded. "Don't take long."

She walked towards Theo and brushed past him.

"Hi," she whispered as she did, not stopping her walk. Theo followed after her soon after.

"Hi," he replied. "Supply closet?"

"You know it."

Aurora walked in first, and Theo shut the door behind her. He smiled, looking at her in awe. She was so so beautiful.

He offered his hand for her to shake. "Congratulations, Miss Potter."

She took it, laughing. "And congratulations to you too, Mr. Nott."