Love The Heartless

Chapter Twenty

May 12, 1971

"Happy birthday!" Aurora smiled at Andromeda, as the young witch walked into the transfiguration classroom.
"Thanks, Mum. Are you ready?"
"I am. How are you feeling?" Aurora moved, waving her wand and packing up the last few items in the classroom.

"Tired. Growing a child is exhausting." 

Andromeda was currently sixteen weeks and was slowly starting to show. She had elected to keep her pregnancy a secret until after graduation. 
"I'll look into some potions that we can give you to help." Aurora dusted off Andromeda's dress robes and gently squeezed her daughter's shoulders.

"I'm proud of you, you know?" She asked quietly.
"Thank you, Mum. I wouldn't be here without you." Andromeda sniffled softly.
"Now, let's get you going, yeah? Minerva would kill me if her favorite student was late for graduation."

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"Good morning parents, guardians, friends, and family. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the graduation of the class of 1971." Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the grounds, as the crowd clapped politely.
"This ceremony marks the end of their Hogwarts career, something that started seven years ago as they boarded the Hogwarts Express. I will call each student alphabetically, and they may receive their diplomas from Professor McGonagall."

Aurora clapped politely from her seat on the stage, as Dumbledore made his way through the list. Her Professor position had been extended to the next year, and she was happy to be welcomed back.

"Black, Andromeda," Dumbledore called out.

Aurora stood, ignoring the looks of some of her fellow professors as she clapped and cheered loudly. 
Aurora felt herself being pushed forward gently and turned to see Carina smiling softly at her.

"Go give your kid her diploma." The witch whispered.

Aurora turned and saw Minerva holding out Andromeda's diploma to her.
"Thank you," Aurora whispered to the older witch, as she took the diploma.

Andromeda's face broke out into a grin as she realized what was happening.
"I'm proud of you, kid. So proud." Aurora held out the diploma for her daughter to take.
Andromeda ignored the diploma, throwing herself into Aurora with a hug.

"I love you, Mum."
"I love you most, kid." Aurora chuckled as she patted her back.

Aurora made her way back to her seat, as Andromeda worked her way through the crowd.

"Did you plan that?" She asked Carina.
"I just suggested it to McGonagall." She shrugged.
Aurora smiled and took Carina's hand. "Thank you."
"Anytime, love. You'll be handing Ted his too."

Aurora locked eyes with her fellow Professor, someone she had grown close to the past few months. Someone she had spilled her secrets to. Someone who she had growing feelings for.
"Carina-"

"Tonks, Ted!"
"Go on. We'll talk later." Carina whispered, nudging Aurora.

Aurora stood, clapping and cheering as loud as she had for Andromeda, gently taking the diploma from Minerva.

"I'm proud of you, son. You've grown into an amazing man this past year." Aurora pulled the boy into a tight hug.
"Thank you, for everything." 

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Aurora stood to the side in her apartment, as the graduation party went on. She had invited their friends and family, and a few Professors, to celebrate the two graduates.
"Knut for your thoughts?"

Aurora smiled softly as Carina walked up, butterbeer in hand.
"Just thinking how proud I am of them. They've both been through so much, especially the past year."
"They're brilliant. They'll be amazing parents, too."