Happy Birthday!
You couldn't tell that Cyrus and Luna Lovegood have been reunited for only a week, with how close they've become. Thick as thieves. Whispering to themselves, putting Remus and Xenophilius a little on edge. What are they whispering about? What are they plotting and scheming.
Cyrus woke up on July 31st, having forgotten what day it is, and the fact that he never really celebrates his birthday, became confused when he saw the other three smiling brightly in the lounge room. "Happy birthday Cyrus." Luna says, hugging him. The information sinks into his early morning brain. How could he have forgotten?
"Oh yes! Happy birthday Luna! He hugs back, briefly noticing the pile of presents on the coffee table. As usual, Luna and Cyrus sit next to each other. "Happy birthday." She says again, handing him a perfectly wrapped present. It's a small box wrapped in dark purple wrapping paper.
Unwrapping the paper, it's a small black box. Opening it, he finds a set of silver snakes. There was a paper at the bottom, he took them out to read it:
Cyrus,
all you need to do is whisper Exciton and they shall awake. Just put it past to your ear, it will curl around, so don't worry about your ears not being pierced
These snakes are charmed with Notice-me-not, repelling, and protective charms. Once on, no one but those aware of the the earrings will be able to see them. Even those won't be able to hear what the snakes say. That charm is for the two people only.
The repelling charm is based on one that keeps muggles from seeing or coming near wizarding places. Dad and Femus have tweaked it enough that it will keep muggles and wizards alike from noticing or picking up the serpents. That way if you leave one sitting out somewhere, no one will be able to steal them it will leave anyone who tries sick to their stomach and possible a headache.
Because of their size, the protective charms aren't much but if there is a spell, potion, or person with ill intentions is wearing them, they'll hear up. If it's dangerous enough, their fangs will bite you, not enough to hurt, just enough to grab your attention.
Happy Birthday!
His face lights up. Doing as the paper says, he whispers Excito then puts the snake up to his ear. He feels it curl around, going still. He hands one to Luna. She whispers to it, let's lets it settle around her ear. She whispers 'hello' to it. Cyrus jumps, then smiles. Holy crap this thing is cool. Cyrus whispers a 'hello' back.
"Okay okay okay, what are they?" Remus is the one to ask, while Xenophilius looks intrigued. "They're snakes that wrap around you're ear. A pair, so if you whisper to it, the other can hear it." Cyrus explains, grinning. "Merl in help us." Remus says lightheartedly.
Cyrus dashes put, co,I got back with two boxes in his hands, setting the larger one on the ground for now. "I got you something too. I asked dad to take me out the other day. She takes it off of him. The wrapping his dark ble with gold ribbon tied in a bow up at the top.
She finds two necklaces inside. "Connection necklaces. If you're sad, in trouble, or even happy, I'll feel it and vice versa." He hands her the second gift, with flowery paper.
She pulls out a pair of shoes that go up to her mid-calf. With flowers of flowers with different shapes and sizes. They were different coloured, the left a blue while the right a pink. The right had colours of blues, yellows, purples and whites. While the left had purples, yellows, pinks and white. The laces being the opposite colour of the shoe.
She stares at him. "These are-I love them." Is the only thing she's able to say, practically speechless. She puts them off to the side as she sees their father taking out a gift each from the pile on the table.
Cyrus unwraps his, a leather-bound photo album. Shakily, he opens it. The first photo has two toddlers, being held by a smiling couple. A younger version of Xebophilius, and a young woman with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She must be his mother, Pandora Lovegood.
Slowly flipping through the book, he wants to cry. He holds back, not wanting to be the reason to bring down the mood. Luna wraps an arm around him, silently comforting him. He sets it back on the table, not wanting to accidentally damage it.
Xenophilius hands them several more preasants, which include a few books, a satchel, the softest blanket he's ever felt, a silver bracelet that had little gold Suns going around it, along with some hair products and wizard makeup, which appeared to be clear. Apparently, it matches your skin tone exactly, covering up anything.
Remus had given them a small spy glass each, explaining that they'd be able to whatever they needed perfectly clear, no matter the weather, or if it's day or night. Their shared present was a telescope from both adults.
Their birthday had been pretty damn great so far, involving long hugs from Cyrus towards his family. Happy to be celebrating and not cooped up in his 'bedroom'.
Putting their presents away, they had breakfast. Which had been chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes with ice cream, a pitcher of grape juice in the middle of the table.
"Alright go get dressed so we can head over to Diagonal Alley!" Xenophilius called out, smiling.
Coming out a moment later, Cyrus had chosen to leave his hair out, wearing the bracelet their father had gifted him. While Luna chose to wear the shoes Cyrus had brought her, along with a bracelet similar to her brothers, only hers was gold with little silver moons. Along with the snake earrings and necklaces.
"Ready?" They nodded, soon apparat ping to Diagonal Alley. Once again, Cyrus needed to be steadied, so he wouldn't fall.
"Where to first?" Xenophilius asks. "Don't forget accrue needs some new clothes." Re,us points out. "Right, off we go!"
It was at least forty minutes before they left the shop, getting pants, shorts, shirts, robes, school robes, and whatever else he had needed, including two pairs of of shoes. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a dark blue dress with silvery constellations.
Boys can't wear dresses! Petunias sharp voice came through, scolding him.
He had been eight. He was shopping with Petunia and Dudley. 'Harry' had spotted a simple black dress, asking if he could have it. She denied him immediately. "you should be thankful I didn't tell your uncle." She said, forcing him in the little cupboard.
She was right, boys aren't supposed to wear dresses, makeup, jewellery, or anything feminine, Vernon had belt it into him after all.
Remus, being observant, had noticed. He bought it, planning on giving it to him when they got home, along with a few skirts, just in case.
Next was Flourish and Blotts, grabbing themselves several more books to read during the break, along with their schoolbooks (though that's a little less interesting), anything else they'd need for school some sweet shop that had so many kinds that Cyrus almost became overwhelmed with all the different options.
Followed by a jewellery store, where Remus noticed the way Cyrus was looking at a pair of sail we earrings that looked like feathers.
Xenophilius was the one to walk over to the front counter. “Excuse me.” “Yes, how may I help you, finding everything okay?” Remus had swiped the feather earrings. He saw a broach that looked like a lizard, with all sorts of colourful gems, thinking it’d be perfect for Luna.
“I was wondering, do you do ear piercings?”
“That’ll be 20 galleons please. Do you need a bag” He handed the money over. “No thank you.”
“Yes! I do. Who’s the lucky person?”
“Cyrus!” Xeonphilius called out. He came over immediately. “Yes dad?” He still gets happy that he actually gets to say that. “Would you like your ears pierced?” “Uhm well, I mean-” Earrings are for girls, Petunias voice comes in.
”it’ll only be a pinch love, don’t worry.” The woman says warmly, red lips curling into a gentle smile. He nods. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Awesome, I’m just going to need your guardian to sign some world, as you’re not of age yet, before we get started. It should only take a sec.” Xenophilius takes the forms, signing them quickly.
“Great! Hop up on the seat here and pin your lovely hair back for me.” Luna hands him a hair tie.
“I’m going to mark where the pin is going to go through, don’t worry, it’s just a pinch.” Remus stands closer to him, holding his hand just in case.
“Take a deep breath and close your eyes if you need to.” He closes his eyes, squeezing tighter when he feels the needle go through his ear. “Ah good boy. I’m going to do the other ear now.”
Just like that, it was done. She hands him a mirror. “Take a look! I think they suit you quite well!” Two black studded gems rest in his slightly throbbing ears.
she has a bottle of something in her hand. “You’re going to need to apply this to your ears three times a day, so they don’t get infected. I’m going to do it now, okay?” The liquid is cold and stings a little against his freshly pierced ears. “That’ll just be 10 galleons please.” Xenophilius gived her the money.
“Enjoy the rest of your day!”
“You too!” Luna and Cyrus say in unison.
They went to a little store filled with all sorts of cool knickknacks. Afterwards the hairdressers. They could tell that they took good care of their hair, and gushed over how pretty it is.
The twins were given a bunch of products, which includes shampoos and conditioners that that can make your hair straight, long, curly, wavy, longer, and so on. Asking them to come back soon.
Finally, all shopped out, the four went for ice cream, everyone clearly happy (and a little tired). Having taken shopped til you dropped just about literally.
They had one last place to stop at, Remus and Xenophilius steered the tired twins over to Ollivanders.
“Ah hello there, didn’t think I’d be seeing any of you so soon.” Mr Ollivander says. “How has your wand been Mr Potter?” Cyrus was shocked for a moment. “He needs a new one.” Xenophilius answers. “His old one doesn’t suit him as much as it used to.”
clicking his tongue, he searches through the boxes, pulling out a few. “Here you are Mr Potter-or is it Lovegood now?” Cyrus smiles at the man. “It’s Lovegood sir.” He says quietly.
Cyrus holds his hand over the box, the wand inside shakes aggressively. “Oh not that one, try this one.” The same thing happens.
Several more wands go by, and Cyrus was starting to want to give up. Tired, he just wants to go home. “Ah, no matter, I’m not giving up just yet!” How does the man still have enthusiasm?
clicking his tongue again, he grabs out a stool to reach the top shelf. “Have a go at this one.” Sighing, Cyrus opens the box, waving the wand around, accidentally starting a big fire. Remus quickly puts it out with his own.
Instead of being annoyed, Mr Ollivabder appears to be ecstatic. “Wonderful! Eleven and a half inches, acacia wood, fang of a horned viper. Excellent. It’s a shame about your old wand, but this will work much better for you. Thirty galleons please. Cyrus gives him the money.
Leaving the store and very shopped out, they were about to apparate, when they saw a pet shop. Luna and Cyrus walked towards it. Looking around, they saw all types of animals, from cats to bats, dogs to frogs, toads, owls rats and lizards.
Making their way towards the back of the shop, something almost pulling them. They come across a glass enclosure. Peering closer, they find snakes. Two of them.
They were white, with spots of black running down their back, both with hoods.
Now who might you two be?
A speaker! How exciting. Please take us with you. We’re miserable here. They beg. Aren’t they gorgeous Cyrus? Luna coos, trying to look closer. Cyrus shouldn’t have been shocked that she can speak the language of the snakes.
Another speaker? Please take us they plead. “What breed are you? You look like cobras.”
“Yes, that is correct, we are cobras.” The left one says, both looking quite proud.
“Do you have names?”
“No, but if you take us us, you can gives us names.” The right one speaks. “I’ll be right back.” Queue Cyrus dashing towards the counter. “Excuse me, how much for the snakes in the back?”
The man stops what he’s doing, and pales. “Twenty galleons.” He says quickl, a little two quickly. He ran out of the store, Remus and Xenophilius are where they had left him.
“Dad! Dad! Dad! I need twenty galleons, please?” Cyrus hurriedly asks, with big pleading eyes. They gave him a suspicious look.
Xenophilius really should’ve asked what the money was for, because when his children came out with two identical snakes around their necks, he almost fainted.
“Kids, I better not see either snake near me when I’m sleeping or in general. If I do, so help me I will scream louder than a banshee.” Remus warns, joking a little. “Yes sir.” They say, mock saluting.
Officially done with their shopping, they apparate home.
”That was not fun.” The snake around Cyrus’s neck comments. He nods in agreement.
The Lovegood twins collapse on the couch, feeling happy and content. The adults let them rest for an hour, u til it’s time for late afternoon tea.
Entering the kitchen, they see a cake with the letter Happy birthday written, surrounded by a few packets of sweets, dip and crisps, with a bottle of fizzy drink.
thirteen candles are lit. Xenophilius and Remus sing the happy birthday song, a little out of key, having a feeling they did it on purpose.
Blowing the candles out together, Cyrus let’s Luna cut the first piece giving it over to him. In return, he gives her the piece he had just cut, thinking that it’d be fair.
Cyrus didn’t think it could get any better, and yet it did.
They had a simple roast that night, along with their favourite desserts and some ice cream.
Remus approaches them with several wrapped presents. He hands a cloth feeling one, and a small box each. Cyrus opened the box first, finding the feather earrings he’d been looking at hours ago.
Luna had gotten a lizard broach, that he had helped put on. Cyrus opened the other one, letting out a gasp when he realised that it was the dress he’d been staring at while they were clothes shopping, along with three different skirts.
“I think you’d look good wearing them.” Luna encouraged. Cyrus hugged him again, tears spilling out. Remus doesn’t seems to mind, he only smiles gently.“Happy birthday my cubs.” Bringing Luna in for the hug too.
Cyrus had a great sleep that night, snuggling up with the soft blanket he had been gifted.
He took a look at the photos of his family before closing his eyes, wondering what his mother had been like, wondering what it would have been like to be raised by the Lovegoods instead of the Dursleys, a hell of a lot better, that’s for sure.