A crooked smile, filled with genuine contentment and a touch of arrogance, spread across Aurelian's face as he walked through the doors, which closed behind him with a soft click, finally emerging from his N.E.W.T.s.
To be honest with himself, they hadn't been that difficult. The questions on magical theory and the applications of the most complex and advanced enchantments were child's play for someone with his level of knowledge and skill.
With a sigh of relief, Aurelian slumped down, sitting on the floor and leaning his back against the hallway wall, right in front of the main door. He was going to wait for Hestia and Flora. From what he'd managed to catch out of the corner of his eye before turning in his own exams, his fiancées weren't having the slightest trouble with the tests either, but, true to form, they were working through everything with great care and impeccable perfectionism. He was sure it wouldn't be long before they came out.
A few seconds later, Aurelian looked up when he heard the creak of the door opening. He expected to see two heads of dark hair, but instead, he was met with two unmistakable heads of red hair.
Fred and George Weasley walked out of the classroom with their ties undone and their hair tousled. Seeing the Slytherin Lord sitting on the floor, the Gryffindor twins flashed him a broad smile, and without a moment's hesitation, they plopped down on the floor beside him.
"How did it go?" Aurelian asked casually, stretching his legs a little.
Fred shrugged and let out a relaxed laugh.
"Who knows. At this point, the result doesn't matter as much as the journey we took to get here, don't you think?"
George nodded enthusiastically, agreeing with his brother as he loosened his robes even further.
"Exactly. Besides, life is too short and too much fun to stress out over the results of a few simple written exams."
Aurelian laughed along with them, enjoying the lightheartedness and pragmatism that characterized the Weasleys.
"You have an excellent point. Changing the subject to more… productive matters, I wanted to let you know that in exactly three months, the space on Diagon Alley will be completely ready for the two of you to move in and remodel however you like for your joke shop."
Fred and George's eyes lit up immediately at the mention of "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes" but they quickly shifted their expressions to one of feigned sternness. Both raised their hands and shook their index fingers back and forth in front of Aurelian's face.
Immediately afterward, the red-haired twins stretched out their arms, grabbed him by the shoulders, and spoke at exactly the same time.
"Oh, no, no, no. You have to work at the shop too, kid. The three of us are partners in this."
Aurelian shook his head, genuinely amused by the audacity of the two lions.
"All right, all right," he assured them with a condescending smile. "I give you my word that I'll help with whatever you need when the time comes."
Satisfied with the promise, Fred and George let go of him, jumped to their feet, and brushed the dust off their robes.
"See you later, our great and mighty lord!" Fred said, taking his leave with an exaggerated bow.
"Don't take over the world without us, partner!" George added, winking at him.
Aurelian watched them walk away down the hallway, disappearing into the crowd of students with a sincere smile on his face. He liked those two. They were excellent company—and an excellent investment.
He was still lost in his thoughts when he sensed two familiar presences materializing subtly behind him.
Icy breath scented with vanilla brushed against his left ear.
"Who were you talking to, my love?" Hestia whispered, her voice carrying a sweet yet dangerously possessive tone.
At the same time, rose-scented breath brushed against his right ear.
"And why are you so happy?" Flora asked in a whisper, narrowing her eyes toward the empty hallway.
Aurelian didn't flinch. She turned her head slightly and replied calmly.
"It was just Fred and George Weasley. We were talking about exams and business."
Hestia and Flora frowned in unison, their gazes hardening.
"Damn traitors… who do they think they are?" Hestia muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.
"Nosy owls… I hope they drown in their own experiments," Flora hissed, muttering a couple of dark curses aimed at the Gryffindor twins for daring to hog her fiancé's attention and smiles.
Aurelian let out a soft chuckle, stepped back a little from the wall, and stood up, offering them his hands to help them up—though they didn't need it.
"Leave the Weasleys alone already. Better yet, tell me—how did your N.E.W.T.s go?" he asked, focusing all his attention on them.
Hestia rolled her eyes in boredom and brushed a speck of lint off her skirt.
"That was way too easy. A real insult to our intelligence."
Flora nodded, looking slightly disappointed.
"Honestly, I was expecting something much more complex. I feel like we didn't even have to try."
Aurelian smiled at the Carrow sisters' typical arrogance. Then he took both their hands in his and placed a gentle kiss on the knuckles of each.
He looked into their eyes, making the entire world around them disappear.
"So, my lovely darlings… What do you want to do now that the exams are finally over and we're free?"
The slight annoyance they'd felt toward the Weasleys evaporated instantly. At the gentle touch of his lips and the hypnotic gaze of his dark eyes, Hestia and Flora felt the heat rise to their cheeks. They blushed quickly, looking down for a fraction of a second before looking back at him with adoration.
"We want to go to Black Lake," Hestia whispered, squeezing his hand.
"To our favorite spot, far away from everyone else," Flora added with a shy smile.
Aurelian didn't hesitate. He intertwined his fingers with theirs, tightening his grip, and began walking down the hallway toward the castle grounds.
"I'd love to, my loves. With pleasure."
The Great Hall looked unrecognizable that morning. The four tables had completely disappeared, revealing the stone floor. In their place, all the seventh-year students stood in formation in front of a large platform where the professors and the headmaster awaited them.
The atmosphere was charged with a range of emotions, from melancholy to relief to deep joy. That day, at last, they would receive the diplomas officially certifying them as fully qualified wizards and witches after completing their seven years of magical education at Hogwarts.
Albus Dumbledore stepped forward to the edge of the platform. With his ceremonial robes fluttering gently and a smile that seemed to encompass every young person present, the headmaster opened his arms to begin his farewell speech.
"My dear students," Albus began, his voice resonating warmly beneath the enchanted ceiling, which today displayed a perfectly clear blue sky. "Today marks the end of a long journey and the beginning of an even greater adventure. I sincerely hope you will remember your seven years in this castle with immense fondness. I hope you've learned a great deal, had even more fun, and above all, found lifelong friends in these hallways. The world out there awaits you."
All the students burst into applause, letting the headmaster's words sink deep into their hearts.
The diploma ceremony began. The house heads called their respective students up one by one.
When it was his turn, Aurelian Gaunt gracefully ascended the steps to the stage. He walked along the row of teachers, shaking each one's hand respectfully.
He stopped in front of Professor Flitwick.
"Thank you so much for always helping and guiding me with such patience, Professor," Aurelian said sincerely.
The diminutive Ravenclaw Head of House smiled at him proudly, shaking his hand warmly.
"I expect great things from you, Mr. Gaunt—far more than you've already achieved, which is no small feat."
When he reached Professor Snape, Aurelian couldn't help but thank him with a smile. Snape, true to form, rolled his eyes heavily, but the corners of his lips turned up in a slight, almost imperceptible smile of acknowledgment toward the best student Slytherin had ever had in all his years as Head of House.
The most emotional and surprising moment came when he stood before Argus Filch. The former caretaker, now a proud professor, smiled so broadly at him that the wrinkles on his face were fully etched. Forgetting all protocol, Argus broke ranks, stepped forward, and enveloped Aurelian in a strong, rough hug.
"Thanks for everything, boy, " Argus whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "For helping me complete the Arcane Patterns, for restoring my dignity… for everything. I'm going to miss having you around."
Aurelian, surprised but moved, returned the hug firmly.
"If you ever get bored of teaching at Hogwarts, Argus, know that you're always welcome to come back and work with me at the company. The doors are always open."
Filch let out a hoarse chuckle, pulling away and patting him on the shoulder.
"I'll think about it later, lad. But for now… I have to admit, I'm really enjoying this teaching business."
Just then, Aurelian felt a pair of piercing stares, digging right into the back of his neck. Hestia and Flora, from their spot in the crowd of students, were glaring at him for hugging someone other than them.
Knowing it was best not to push his luck, Aurelian hurried on with his greetings. He thanked Professor McGonagall with a slight nod and shook hands with Professor Slughorn, who couldn't stop flattering him.
Finally, he reached the end of the platform, where Headmaster Dumbledore was waiting for him with his diploma rolled up. Their eyes met. They exchanged a firm, heartfelt handshake.
"My sincerest congratulations, Aurelian," Albus said, handing him the parchment.
"Thank you very much, Headmaster," Aurelian replied with a polite smile, taking the certificate that marked his freedom.
Aurelian stepped down from the stage and moved to the side to watch the rest of the ceremony. He clapped enthusiastically when his friends were called up; he smiled at the sight of Fred and George Weasley performing an exaggerated bow that made McGonagall sigh; and he clapped loudly when Cedric Diggory stepped down with his usual bright smile.
Then it was the twins' turn.
Hestia and Flora Carrow stepped onto the platform at the same time, looking as beautiful as ever. They curtsied to most of the teachers. However, as they passed in front of Professor McGonagall, they both paused a fraction of a second longer to give her an icy stare, filled with resentment over that week's punishment. The deputy headmistress, undeterred, simply smiled kindly at them—which only irritated the girls even more.
But the worst was yet to come.
When they stood before Dumbledore, Hestia and Flora's masks of politeness fell away completely. They glared at him, making it clear they hadn't forgotten what he'd done to them. As soon as the headmaster handed them their diplomas, they snatched them roughly from his hands and walked right past him, leaving without uttering a single word of greeting, thanks, or farewell.
Dumbledore stood with his hands in the air for a moment. He let his arms drop, closed his eyes, and simply sighed heavily, shaking his head at the Carrow sisters' resentment.
Aurelian, watching the scene from below, let out a silent laugh as the twins ran toward him to throw their arms around him, proudly showing off their diplomas.
Surrounded by the two witches who loved him madly and holding the piece of parchment that validated his education, Aurelian looked up at the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall. He gazed at the blue sky and felt the immensity of the universe opening up before him.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply. His life at Hogwarts was officially over.
The game was just beginning.
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