Thank you for coming back to read chapter 2! I hope you enjoy it
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As she said she would Louise made her way to the great hall for dinner. Clara was surprised but happy to see her best friend and quickly cleared a place for her on the bench. "I thought you said I wouldn't see you until tomorrow?" she questioned happily. "I hadn't planned on coming, but then I heard Snape was announcing Ariana had been born" Louise smirked. "Oh God, Severus Snape delivery news with emotional value, however will he cope" Clara quipped a smirk spreading across her face as well. The two girls laughed until the Headmaster's solemn voice commanded silence from the room. When the space was completely quiet he began. "I have an announcement to make," he said coldly and immediately, everyone sat up. "Early this morning Professor McGonagall gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Ariana". The great hall collectively gasped in delight then erupted in cheers and claps of joy and Louise received many hugs and congratulations to be passed on to her aunt. Instead of stopping it straight off as everyone had expected him to, Snape let the school have their moment but did eventually raise his hands for quiet. "Now, let the feast begin". He went to sit back down at the center of the table as the food appeared in front of his students. "Cheerful as always," Clara said taking a piece of beef from the plate in the middle of the table "at least the rest of the school is happy for her" Charlie piped up from across from her. He and Louise were now going out, he'd sent her a box of chocolates on Valentine's and it had gone on from there. Their relationship harbored quite a bit of teasing from her friend and family quarters but she was happy and in times like these, happiness was a rarity to be cherished. She ate her meal and after taking a few more well wishes went back to her aunt and cousin.
She found the two of them on the couch, Minerva doting over her little girl as she cooed contentedly in her arms. Louise smiled to herself and taking her camera out of the bag she'd packed said "smile" and Minerva chuckled, turning and raising her elbows up slightly so Ariana faced the camera. Louise waited for a moment until the camera magically developed the photograph and as she took the picture in her hand watched her aunt's smiling face look from her baby to the camera. "Perfect," she said softly gazing down at the touching photo then up at her aunt. Minerva smiled back and Louise magically duplicated the photo, fashioning them frames from a piece of paper and an old quill she found in her bag and placed one on an empty spot on the bookshelf and the other safely back in her bag. "I'm going to put her to bed," Minerva said quietly getting up. Ariana had already started to doze off and her aunt carried her gently to the bedroom. Louise waited for her and when she came out of the room and closed the door silently behind her she gave her a questioning look and received a nod which confirmed that the little girl was indeed asleep. Louise whispered whether her aunt would like tea or not and when she said she did, moved as quietly as she could to the kettle, charming it silent. Minerva walked slowly over to the bookshelf and took the photograph from it. She ran her fingers tenderly over its golden edges, smiling to herself and then placed it back on the shelf. Louise came quietly up behind her and handed her aunt some tea. "Thank you for that," Minerva said as she took the cup from her niece. "Of course" Louise replied putting a hand on her arm "Now, finish that and off to bed with you. I'll stay in your room tonight for moral support". "You don't have to do that" Minerva said, turning to her. "I want to," the girl said kindly and it was now Minerva's turn to place a hand on her arm. They both admired the photo for a little while and when she was finished, Louise took her aunt's cup and brought it over to the sink. "What would I do without you" Minerva whispered after her as she went to her room to get ready for bed.
At around 11 o'clock Louise rolled over in her makeshift bed on the floor and sat up as tiny cries came from the far corner of the room. She got up and made her way to the cot and found her aunt already picking up Ariana and shushing her as she sat on the bed. Louise was gazing down at the little girl but darted her head politely away when Minerva began to undo with her nightgown. "It's alright," Minerva chuckled as she watched the girl turn her head "we're all girls together aren't we?". Louise turned back around asking, "would you like me to get you anything?". Minerva settled the baby before answering "just some water please". Louise nodded and went to get the water. She returned a minute or so later and seeing her aunt wasn't finished placed the water on her bedside table. "How often does she wake up?" she asked sitting down on the bed again. "Every few hours or so. You're sure you don't want to sleep in the other room? For something so tiny she eats rather a lot" Minerva chuckled. "I'm sure" the younger witch replied, "it's only one night, I'll live". Minerva saw Ariana was drifting back off to sleep again and looking toward her niece asked "would you put her down?". Louise of course accepted and allowed her aunt to place the sleepy girl into her arms. She fussed a little bit at the sensation of being moved but soon settled down again and Louise watched her beautiful blue eyes close. When she was sure she was asleep, Louise lowered her gently into her cot. Minerva took the glass of water from the bedside table and drank some of it before lying back down again. "See you soon" she quietly joked and Louise tiptoed back to her bed to take what little broken sleep she could get.
Thank you for reading this chapter! As always if you would mind reviewing my writing it would mean a lot to me. Stay safe everyone, I'll see you soon!