autumn | severus snape

sixty

The Hogwarts Grounds were alive with celebration, the warm air filled with the sounds of laughter and the chatter of students and their families. Bright banners in House colors fluttered in the breeze, and tables laden with refreshments stood under the shade of tall trees.

Ophelia stood near one of the tables, her graduation robes swaying slightly as she laughed at something Alya had said. For the first time in a long time, her laughter was free, unburdened by the weight of death and destruction. She looked vibrant, her smile wide and her eyes bright, a glimmer of the person she had been before the darkness of the past year.

"I still can't believe we made it," Ophelia said, shaking her head in mock disbelief. "I was sure Professor McGonagall would find some excuse to keep us here forever."

"Oh, please," Alya teased, nudging her friend with her elbow. "If anyone was going to get held back, it was you. You basically skipped every class."

"In my defense, I had other things on my mind," Ophelia shot back, grinning.

"Delisle!"

She turned at the sound of Draco's voice, watching as he approached her with his usual confident stride. He was dressed impeccably, as always, though there was a casual air about him that was rare to see.

"Malfoy," Ophelia said with a smirk. "Come to bask in my success?"

Draco chuckled, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "Something like that," he said. "Congratulations, Ophelia. You've earned it."

"Thank you," she said, her tone softening slightly. "It means a lot."

Draco glanced around, his gaze lingering on the celebrations before he turned back to her. "I figured this was the perfect time to share some news of my own," he said, a hint of mischief in his tone.

"Oh?" Ophelia raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"McGonagall offered me a long term position," he announced, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts."

"Long term?" Alya interjected, her eyebrows shooting up. "You're never going to leave this place, are you, Malfoy?"

Draco shrugged, his smirk widening. "What can I say? They know talent when they see it."

Ophelia laughed, shaking her head. "Good for you, Draco," she said sincerely. "You'll be great."

"Of course I will," he said with mock arrogance, though his smile betrayed his genuine excitement. "And it means I can keep an eye on Ana."

Ophelia smiled. "I know she will appreciate having you around, and it'll make me feel better as well."

"Oh, I see my parents, I'll be back," Alya said and disappeared into the crowd.

Before the conversation could continue, Professor McGonagall approached, her expression softened with pride.

"Miss Delisle," McGonagall said, her sharp eyes warm as they met Ophelia's. "I wanted to extend my congratulations. You've shown remarkable resilience and strength, both as a student and as a person. Hogwarts is better for having had you here."

Ophelia's throat tightened at the Headmistress's words, but she managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot coming from you."

As McGonagall moved on, Professor Sprout appeared next, her round face glowing with pride.

"Ophelia," Sprout said, her voice warm and brimming with affection. "I've watched you grow so much during your time here, and I can't begin to tell you how proud I am. You've faced challenges most people couldn't even imagine, and you've come out stronger for it."