A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 43

Part 2:

Chapter 43 –

June 24th, 1978

Lia fidgeted in her seat, her hands twisting with eachother. She couldn't believe that this day had finally came, after seven long years. She had been through heartbreak, but it had taught her to never underestimate herself. She had studied her arse off for her classes, and in the end, she passed every single one with an O. She had made friendships to last her a lifetime, ones that were now seen as family. She had fallen in love, the boy being the definition of her future. And finally, she had lost people along the way, but she knew that they would be by her side for forever.

"Emilia Potter," Dumbledore called from the stage, his voice beckoning her to walk across it.

She nervously glanced at her brother who smiled at her in return, motioning for her to move. Nodding her head, she turned back around to face the stage, her eyes set on the professor in front of her. Her legs were shaky as she walked towards him, pushing her hand in front of her to shake his own and grab her diploma.

"Congratulations, Ms. Potter," Dumbledore murmured to her, a small smile on his face, "Hogwarts is proud to have you as a graduate from it."

Lia smiled at him before moving on to the other professors, hugging professor Niffler a little longer before moving on to Professor McGonagall, the women's frail arms wrapping her into a tight hug. Lia melted into it, her eyes closing as she enjoyed the embrace of the women who was a mother figure to her over the years. McGonagall was a tough cookie, but she held a kindness to her that matched no other and the way she treated Lia and her friends, was different than any other professor had treated them.

She didn't treat them like children, she always treated them like the potential within them shone.

"We will be lucky to have you teach here in a few years Ms. Potter," McGonagall whispered in her ear before pulling away. Lia smiled at her as she placed a piece of hair behind her ear, nodding her head before looking towards the crowd.

The hoots and hollers of her friends and brother had her heart filling with love, grateful to each and every one of them for helping her every step along the way. She missed the faces in the crowd that should have been there today, the faces of her parents. They always wanted the best for her and James. Wanted them to get everything that they wanted in life and more. She wished that they could be there today to see this, could see her graduate from Hogwarts, but she knew that they would always be with her in spirit.

"YES! THAT'S MY GIRL!" Sirius hollered from the crowd, "BEST DUELLER OF HER AGE!"

Lia blushed as she was ripped from her thoughts at Sirius' words, her head shaking at the grin on her boyfriend's face. Her blush deepened as she noticed the sign in his hand, her eyes widening in embarrassment when she read,

'Professor Potter, punish me please!'

A shocked gasp ripped from her throat, and she glanced nervously towards an unimpressed McGonagall, the older women's lips pursed.

"Good luck with him Ms. Potter," McGonagall noted, her wand flipping towards Sirius. A giggle left Lia's lips as the sign Sirius was holding wrapped around his head like a hat, the boy frantically trying to get it off his head.

Turning to the professor to say thank you, she waved her off with final words, "he's your problem now!"

Lia giggled as she left the stage, but Professor McGonagall was right. Sirius was all her problem now and as much as the thought excited her, it also made her want to smack herself across the face.

Her mind raced with ideas of how to tame some of his childish antics as she walked back to her seat, looking up to see her brother walking across the stage and stealing the mic from Dumbledore to announce his undying love for Lily. She turned to see the glare on her friend's face, but a blush was there to give away how much she now liked the attention he gave her. Ever since her parents' funeral, her and James had been inseparable, all of them had been.