Love The Heartless

Chapter Twenty-Three

October 15, 1971

"Professor, are we going to learn about dark creatures this term?" Lily Evans asked.
"We will learn the basics on how to defend yourself against certain creatures later in this year."

"Shouldn't we be learning how to kill beasts instead of defending ourselves against them?" Jackson, a Slytherin sneered.
"Mr. Jackson, this is 'defense against the dark arts'. Not 'dark arts'. And besides, you do not need to resort to murder to defend yourself against certain creatures."
"Forgive me, Professor," Snape drawled. "But it almost sounds like you do not believe that certain dark creatures are dangerous."

"You are forgiven. Let me make one thing clear," Aurora leaned against her desk, crossing her arms in front of her. "Certain 'creatures' cannot control what they are. Werewolves, for example. They are a perfectly normal person most of the month, outside of the full moon."

"A werewolf would rip you limb from limb if you came across it!" A Slytherin called from the back of the room.
"A werewolf is a person who has had the misfortune of being attacked by another werewolf, turning them. Not everyone who turns into a werewolf is bad. Just like there are bad wizards, there are good werewolves." Aurora quirked an eyebrow up at her class.

"You're bloody crazy!" Jackson stood. "You're trying to tell me that you believe werewolves deserve the same rights as purebloods?"
"I am, Jackson. I believe in equality for all. Now, sit down." Aurora snarled. "Twenty points from Slytherin for disrupting my class and for disrespecting your Professor."

The door to the defense classroom burst open, and Minerva swept her way into the class.
"Professor Nott, I have been sent to tell you that you're needed at Saint Mungo's."
"Is it-" Aurora's heart stopped.
"Yes, the baby is on its way. Go, take as long as you need. Headmaster and I will take over your classes."

"Accio bag!" Aurora called, as her bag came flying from under her desk, and into her hands.
"I want two rolls of parchment written on how to identify werewolves, how to defend yourself against them, and why they deserve basic human rights," Aurora called as she ran up the stairs, and into her quarters.
She grabbed a pinch of floo powder, throwing it into the flames.
"Saint Mungo's!"

------------

"Where is Andromeda Tonks' room please?" Aurora breathed out as she ran to the front desk.
"Family only." The witch replied without looking up.

"I am family. I am her Mother. Now, tell me where my daughter is." Aurora snarled.
"I will contact her husband, and ask him to confirm. Please wait here." The witch rolled her eyes as she left the front desk.

"Stupid witch," Aurora muttered. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, attempting to calm herself. Aurora furrowed her brow as she felt the sudden need to move forward.
The necklace.

"'Dromeda, you brilliant girl. The necklace." Aurora smiled as she let her feelings guide her through the hospital. The pulling feeling stopped once she was standing in front of a room.

"'Dromeda? Ted?" Aurora called out, not wanting to walk in on a stranger's room.
"Thank Merlin you're here." Ted panted out as he yanked the door open.

"Mum!" Andromeda held her hand out and Aurora rushed over.
"How are you feeling, kiddo?" Aurora squeezed her daughter's hand tightly.
"It bloody hurts." The younger witch whined.

"They said she's almost ready to push," Ted said from his spot on the other side of Andromeda.
"Do you want me to stay?" Aurora grabbed a rag, gently wiping the sweat from her daughter's forehead.
"I'll bloody kick your arse if you leave." Andromeda snarled.

"Alright, Mrs. Tonks! You should be ready to push now. Are you ready?" A healer walked into the room, donned in gloves and a mask.
"I'm scared," Andromeda admitted with a quiet voice.

"You're doing brilliantly, darling," Ted whispered, as he kissed her hand. "You're being so strong, and brave. You can do this."
"Alright, Mrs. Tonks, give me a big push!"

-------------

"She's brilliant," Aurora whispered in awe, as she held the tiny bundle in her arms.
"Just like her Mother." Ted smiled lovingly down at his wife, who was exhausted from her labor.

"And her Father." Andromeda poked him gently.
"You both did amazing. She's gorgeous. And look at that hair." Aurora gently brushed the newborn's hair with her hand, which was the same color as her own mousy brown hair.
"Quite right. You both did well." Carina said quietly as she walked into the room, a small bouquet of flowers in her hand.

"Hello, little love." Carina cooed to the baby when she got close enough. "You look just like your Mum, don't yo- bloody hell!"
Aurora gasped as the tiny bundle's hair changed into the same pink color that Carina currently was sporting.

"Did she just-" Andromeda sat up quickly.
"I think you have a metamorphmagus on your hands, you two!" Aurora beamed proudly.
"That's quite rare. I've only met one other besides myself." Carina set the flowers down, examining the newborn closely.

"Leave it to my 'Dromeda to give birth to an extraordinary child." Ted circled the bed, gazing down at his daughter.
"I think there was a metamorphmagus on the Black side of the family, years ago. But it must have been centuries since one had been born into the family." Andromeda pondered.
"Regardless, she's bloody brilliant. Have you two decided on a name?" Aurora gently passed Ted the baby.

"Nymphadora Alessia Tonks."
"Really?" Aurora sniffled quietly.
"Really. And we'd like you to be her Godmother." Ted nodded happily.
"Of course! I'm far too young and cool to be called Grandmother." Aurora chuckled as she quickly hugged her daughter and son-in-law.

"Oi, you lot! Get together while I take a picture of you four!" Carina bounced happily on the balls of her feet as she grabbed a camera from her bag.

October 18th, 1971

"Welcome back, Professor!" Lily Evans called happily while walking into the defense classroom.
"Thank you, Miss Evans."
"How is your daughter? Are she and the baby alright?" 
"They're both perfectly healthy. Would you like to see a photograph?" Aurora had been bursting at the seams to show off any and all photos of the newest addition to the family.

"Professor! Is my cousin alright? What about the baby?" Sirius Black shouted, running into the classroom, and almost knocking a desk over.
"They're both perfect, Mr. Black. I was about to show Miss Evans some photos if you'd like to see them." Aurora handed Lily the small stack of photos Carina had developed the night before.

"Aw! Look at how cute!" Lily squealed, shoving the picture in Sirius' face.
"It's a baby." He said matter-of-factly, "They all look the same."

"Not this one. My god-grandchild is extraordinary!" Aurora grinned, showing the children the framed photo that showed Nymphadora being held by Carina, with Aurora's arms around Carina's waist. Nymphadora was changing her hair from Aurora's brown to Carina's pink.
"She's a metamorphmagus! That's rare." Lily gasped.

"What's that?" James asked, coming up behind the two students.
"A metamorphmagus, is someone who can take a wide variety of forms, changing gender and age, potentially looking like anyone at all, or even just changing a part of their appearance, such as the color of their hair or shape of their noses," Lily explained.
"Five points to Gryffindor, Miss Evans." Aurora was impressed with the first-year's knowledge.

"Wicked." James grinned at the redhead.

"Who's that?" Sirius pointed to Carina.
"She's my... friend. She's also metamorphmagus." Aurora put the photos back on her desk, keeping the framed photos out, as the rest of the class filed in.

"Alright, class! Put your books away. Today, we're heading outside to learn the verdimillious charm, and how it can be used offensively in duels."