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|| GRADUATION || CHAPTER 28
time skip
THE GRAND HALL BUZZED WITH excitement, the golden banners shimmering as sunlight streamed through the enchanted ceiling. Students, adorned in their finest robes, whispered amongst themselves, some holding back tears, others barely able to contain their excitement.
Nyx stood in front of the mirror in her dormitory, smoothing down the black robe over her elegant dress. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the sash around her shoulders—deep emerald, the color of Slytherin.
A soft knock at the door made her turn. Tom leaned against the frame, already dressed, looking effortlessly composed as always. His gaze softened when it landed on her.
"Are you ready, darling?"
She exhaled deeply, nodding. "I suppose so."
A smirk tugged at his lips as he stepped closer, his fingers gently tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "You're not nervous, are you?"
She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course not. It's just—a lot."
He hummed in agreement. "Come, they're waiting."
As they stepped into the Great Hall together, all eyes turned to them. Their group of friends stood by the side, each of them looking both excited and sentimental. Abraxas, who had barely stopped talking about his upcoming tryouts, grinned at them.
"Took you long enough.", he teased.
Damien elbowed him. "Let them have their moment."
The ceremony began soon after. The headmaster stood at the front, his voice carrying through the hall as he gave the usual speech about endings and new beginnings.
Nyx barely listened. Her mind wandered through the years—every late-night adventure, every whispered conversation in the common room, every stolen moment with Tom. This place had been her home, her battlefield, her sanctuary.
Then, her name was called.
She walked up, head held high, taking the diploma with steady hands. Applause erupted around her, but her eyes sought only one person—Tom, watching her with quiet pride.
One by one, her friends followed, each receiving their own share of cheers. When Tom's name was announced, the room seemed to still for a moment, an unspoken reverence settling over the crowd. He accepted his diploma with an air of quiet triumph, his eyes briefly flickering toward Nyx, before he descended the steps.
As the ceremony concluded, the hall erupted into celebration. People hugged, laughed, and wiped at teary eyes. Nyx found herself pulled into a tight embrace by Nicholas, who muttered something about how they would never find another friend like her.
