The inevitables

7 am: I met James in the common room. His hair was a mess and he walked slow, but at least he remembered his glasses this year. I didn’t look much better and he did, I didn’t tie back my hair so it was standing up everywhere. We may have to rethink this early morning idea.

“Happy Birthday James!” I yawned and tried to smile at the same time, it was hard and it hurt my throat.

“Happy Birthday Hazel!” James rubbed his eyes and smiled. He fiddled a small box in his hands. I could tell he was nervous about giving it to me. I handed him the wrapped gift I had for him and he handed me the small box.

“Ready?” I asked and he nodded. We each tore open the presents. I had gotten James a broom cleaning kit along with a customizable burner if he wanted to sign his name or ad patterns. He probably wouldn’t draw on the broom, but I thought it would be funny. My small box had a red beaded bracelet in it with black string. I couldn’t tell if it was made or bought, but I think it was bought. I have no doubt in James’s crafting skills, but this looked a little too good to be made by him.

“Thank you!” I put the bracelet on. I didn’t care what the gift was, all gifts were special when it came from special people.

“Now we have matching ones.” James explained and showed me his own wrist where the same bracelet rested. I smiled wider, I loved the idea that we had the same bracelet. We’d been in separate groups all of Hogwarts, but this was our thing. James will always be, my first best mate.

“I love it!” I hugged him. “We’re thirteen!”

“Happy birthday twins!” Sirius called from the staircase. He then shot a confetti cannon probably waking everyone up again. James went over to his friend to hug him. “I’m not too early am I? I didn’t want to intrude the tradition.” Sirius teased us.

“Sirius wouldn’t know about good family traditions.” James nudged Sirius who pretended to be hurt.

“We have loads of good… we have loads of traditions!” Sirius laughed. He handed James a package then waved another. “Here heppy!” He threw the second package at me.

“Heppy?” James asked opening his gift.

“Sirius was on a nickname kick.” I shrugged and Sirius agreed. I opened my gift to find a small book all in French. The opening title was Le Livre des Contes or The Book of Stories.

“That book of genius is in a language only we understand.” Sirius grinned. I had no idea why he was so excited about a storybook, but he was a mysterious boy. I opened the first chapter to see it all about poltergeists.

“Is this..?” I started.

“Beauxbatons.” Sirius confirmed. I flipped through more of the book, it was the French view of Hogwarts. Spoiler alert: they hated Hogwarts. The entire book was just all of the things wrong with the school. There also seemed to be Hogwarts secrets mixed in. I had no idea how they found these things out but it was so interesting.

“How..?”

“Found in the our library, figured you’d like it.” Sirius shrugged, I went over and hugged him.

“Thank you! Thank you!”

“Woah woah..” James pulled us apart. “That went on too long if you ask me.” Sirius rolled his eyes and I scoffed.

“Come upstairs, I have the best party planned for you!” Sirius smirked like he was possessed by an evil. James looked back at me unsure, I knew he didn’t want to leave me.

“Go ahead, I’ll see you later.” I smiled.

“She’s got a party of her own anyways.” Lily surprised us all standing on our dormitories stairs. Lily smiled at me.

“Evans!” James and Sirius gasped.

“How long were you there?” James asked.

“Don’t worry Potter I’m not here for you.” She smiled like adults smiled at little kids, “weren’t you boys going to your party upstairs? Don’t forget the silencing charm.”

“Ha ha smarty pants.” Sirius pulled James upstairs and Lily and I laughed.

****

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” My friends screamed when Lily and I walked in the room. The radio was playing and the whole room was decorated. I couldn’t believe they did all of this just for me. The four of us wrapped our arms around each other in one big hug.

“So, how does thirteen feel?” Marlene asked when we all broke apart. Her birthday wasn’t until august.

“Feels like… nothing. I still feel twelve.” I smiled.

“Wait a few months and twelve is out the door.” Mary joked.

We spent hours dancing and talking. Marlene had ransacked the kitchens so we ate breakfast in our room. Mary didn’t even talk about boys the entire time. We complained about classwork and joked about pranks and classmates. We gossiped and laughed and sang and gossiped some more. I don’t remember the last time we all just sat and didn’t have to worry about doing schoolwork.

“Ok gifts!” Lily announced, she was bouncing I’d never seen her more excited.

“Ok.” I smiled. Marlene handed my gift: a portrait of all of us at Remus’s birthday watching the fireworks explode. I had no idea Marlene could draw this well. Everything was perfect about the painting.

“This is..”

“Not great I know but I only had like two weeks.” Marlene defended.

“It’s perfect! Marlene this is absolutely amazing! Since when could you do this?”

“Not sure like a week ago.” Marlene shrugged, “I used to paint with my dad.”

“It’s bloody brilliant.” I smiled.

“Marls you have to paint for me!” Mary gasped. “This is insane!” Lily agreed and I got up and hung the portrait by my bed.

“It’s no big deal!” Marlene blushed, “let’s move on.” We all got the hint and Mary gave me her gift. I opened the package and received a tshirt with a lion on it and heart sunglasses. I hugged Mary.

“Now I have a reason to go to quidditch games!” I laughed and Marlene jokingly hit me.

“Ok, my gift is a tad different.” Lily warned me, “I already spoke to my parents and yours to it’s all up to you and you won’t hurt my feelings if you say no.”

“You’re frightening me Lil.” My smile wavered.

“How would you like to stay over at my house the first weeks of summer break.” Lily looked at me nervously. My heart lit up.

“In the muggle world!”

“Yeah!” Lily laughed.

“Holy Godrick Gryffindor yes! The muggle world seems so cool! Your parents are fine with it?!” I was so excited. First of all, I get to spend more time with Lily outside of Hogwarts. Also the muggle world! I had never even met a muggle this would be awesome.

“Yeah, they liked the idea of me spending more time with someone that’s not Severus.” Lily looked confused at the idea that Severus wasn’t liked by her parents.

“Anyways, Lily only lives a tube ride away from us so we can all see each other!” Mary smiled.

“What’s a tube?” I asked.

“Oh boy, you need to get in the muggle world asap.” Marlene teased. I couldn’t wait until summer, it is going to be the greatest thing ever!