Well, it's my 18th birthday, and although I was able to do magic at 17, I'm finally a legal adult! I'm really happy, and cannot wait to spend the day with my friends. For the last two years, there's always been a celebration for me, of some sort, the first a little get together, and second, was just after the World Cup, where we spent it at the burrow.
This year, I get to spend it with Lee. I felt bad two years ago, when I turned 16, poor Lee didn't get to celebrate his birthday, because he wanted to make it all about me. But this year, I'm adamant, it's both of our time to shine.
For the first time in what seems like years, I wake up to an empty bed. No Fred laid over my chest, no warm spot at the side of me, no ginger hair in my eyes, no soft snoring. It's too quiet. I never thought that being without him would have this effect on me. I felt sad without it, lonely, one things for certain- I didn't like it.
I yawned, stretching out my arms above my head, before getting out of bed. As it was a Saturday, I decided to change into some casual clothing and apply some light makeup. I pulled my hair into two tight french braids and finished my daily routine. I picked up the clothes that Fred had left on the bathroom side, and placed them in the washing basket for the elves.
A tiny tapping could be heard from the window, where I recognised the Weasleys owl Errol trying to crash into it. I opened the window for the bird to fly in, which it did- not so smoothly as I had hoped. Attached to its leg was a small round parcel wrapped in red paper, my name written on a gift tag.
I untied the parcel from its leg, and took the letter from its mouth.
Setting the box aside, I tore into the letter.
——————————-
Happy Birthday my dear!
I can't believe your 18 already.
It seems like just yesterday you came to the burrow for the first time.
I hope you like the gift. It's only something small dear, but I thought it might come in handy. Don't let Ron get the cake.
I hope you have a lovely evening, and the twins behave themselves. Who knows what kind of trouble they'll be getting into.
Can't wait to see you for Christmas.
Lots of love,
Arthur and Molly (or mum.)
Xxxxxx
—————————-
I smile brightly as I read through the letter. They really are my family. I take the box and place it on my knee, gently removing the ribbon and wrapping paper.
Two smaller gifts fall out, one is wrapped in a paper bag, the other is a small cupcake in a plastic tub. One candle sits on the vanilla cake, the numbers 18 written in red icing.
I take the paper bag, carefully unwrapping it, and smile widely as I see the red material. I pull out a red hat, which has obviously been made by Molly. I place it on straight away, quickly snapping a photo with my muggle camera. I write a quick thank you note, and place the picture inside, sending it to the burrow.
"Morning Birthday girl." I turn around to see Fred leaning against the door frame, already fully dressed. I think this is the first time I've seen him dressed before me.
"Morning." I reply cheerfully, and he comes over to peck my lips, "look what Mum made me."
I gesture towards the hat, and his smile widens at the word 'mum'
"It suits you." He said, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, as we stand looking in the mirror. "Anyway, you and Lee are having a birthday party tonight, and we're going to get absolutely shit faced. And then, you've got a meeting with Dumbledore at 5, I've been told to tell you. But for now, I was hoping that we could go out."
I smile, "that sounds perfect." I turn around and peck his lips, grabbing his hand and leading him out the door.
"I wonder what Dumbledore wants." I say, more thinking to myself aloud.
"I'm not sure. One of the prefects just told me to tell you." He shrugged.
I merely nodded, and greeted my friends with a smile as we entered the common room.
I got many 'happy birthdays' and wishes for me to have a good day. We soon made our way down to breakfast, the twins making sure that everyone knew it was our birthday.
"Are they always like this?" I whispered to Lee, as the twins rushed off ahead.
Lee nodded, "our seconds year, they charmed every portrait to sing happy birthday as I walked past."
I groaned in annoyance, not wanting to gain more attention to myself than I already had.
We reached the hall in record time, me and Lee trying to speed away from the twins. However, when we reached the grand oak doors of the hall, Freddie grabbed my hand, George grabbed Lee's arm. I could see the faint blush outline on Lee's face at the sudden contact, and smirked as we made eye contact. I sent him a wink before seeing what all the fuss was about. The doors opened, to reveal a big poster of one of my quidditch matches, and a picture of Lee eating a chicken wing. Fred and George ran over to the table, after receiving glares from both myself and Lee. I could have died of embarrassment as everyone looked towards me.
"I'm gonna fucking kill them." I whispered in Lee's ear.
"Not if I kill them first." He replied, "we are so getting them back for this."
"Agreed." We shook hands firmly, and I began to think about the different pranks we could play on the twins. I sat at the side of Fred with a huff, which he laughed loudly at, swinging an arm around my waist. I loaded my plate with bacon and egg, pouring myself a glass of orange juice.
The atmosphere was peaceful. Despite the obvious stares I often got, nothing was out of the ordinary. However, soon, everything was disrupted when an owl I didn't expect to see flee into the hall, a big red letter in its mouth.
I couldn't believe that my dad had been the one to send me the letter. No matter about the letter, it was a howler, and looked like it was ready to explode. The groups eyes darted to the red envelope i was now clutching. Fred sent me a sympathetic smile, yet curiosity detected in his eyes. I was dreading opening it, and with every second I could feel my breathing becoming more and more rapid.
"Y/N. Your going to have to open it." Neville advises from a few seats down, "trust me, it just gets worse if you don't."
I smiled appreciatively at the boy, and slowly took the wax seal of the letters. It instantly came to life, a big part of plump lips forming in front of me.
"Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
It's me your dear dadfoot.
And your uncle moon too."
My dads voice rang through the hall, everyone sending me questioning stares. I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment, as my group of friends sniggered.
"I hope you have an excellent day my dear.
And remember to show everyone who's boss."
Padfoot please don't encourage that. Don't worry Y/N people love you." Uncle Moonys voice chimed from the distance.
"You better be taking care of my little girl, Weasley. And don't forget what we talked about, before you left." My dad ignored Remus, his words sending Fred into a blush almost as bad as mine.
"Padfoot come on, leave the poor boy alone. It's not like he's a dog and tries to shag your leg.
Unlike some people." I felt myself laugh at his words, and could practically see my uncles face of sarcasm.
There was a gasp, and a sudden crack, signifying that there had been a slap involved.
"That was one time Moony! It was my natural Snuffle instincts kicking in." My dads voice spoke out.
There was a laugh, followed by my Uncle, "Anyway Y/N. Ignore him. We both hope you have a lovely day. And stay safe. Love you lots."
"She loves me more." Dad scoffed.
I could practically see Uncle Moony's eye roll to the comment, and before I knew it, the howler had shredded.
I didn't know what to say. Everyone was looking at me from some angle or another. Their faces full of both amusement, yet confusion. I buried my head in my hands. I can tell that they weren't lying about being the Marauders, if it's possible, they embarrassed me more than Fred and George. I can only imagine what it would have been like if uncle James were still here.
————————-
Before long, I was walking hand in hand with Fred, down the schools passageways. I had no idea where we were going. Not at all.
The passage was unfamiliar. I definitely hadn't used this one before, but Fred seemed to know where he was going.
Before long we care to a small trapped door on the ground. Any light had been lost, and if I hadn't had trusted Fred so much, I'd had assumed that he was planning my murder. Spiders were all over the floor, and I had to dodge them as I tried to walk. Luckily, spiders hadn't really ever bothered me, as long as they stayed away from me at least.
Fred opened the hatch with quite a force needed to pry it open. A faint glow of yellow could be seen from below, other than that, the darkness consumed it. I was about to jump in, yet Freds arm tugged me back, stopping me from going any further.
He detached our hands and whispered, "wait here for a second for me, love. I'll come and get you."
I shot him a confused look, but nodded anyway, watching as he jumped into the flooring with a large bang coming from the inside. I listened as his footsteps faded, and he disappeared from view. I couldn't help but be alert, looking around and waiting for someone to show up and make me jump at any second. But the corridor was empty. The tunnel deserted, and no sounds present at all.
I thanked the lord when Fred returned only minutes later. His footsteps could be heard getting louder, and before long two hands came out of the latch, as he raised his body to sit on it.
"Ready?" He asked, to which I gave a small nod, not quite sure on what I was agreeing to. Fred gave a small laugh before disappearing back into the hole. I couldn't see him, yet as I sat down on the edge, his two hands found my thighs, gripping tightly as he gently lowered me down into the darkness.
Wherever I was, it was narrow. The walls close together, and the tunnel seemed to be never ending. I followed Fred, and the dim light could be seen to be brightening with every step I took. Fred led the way, watching that I didn't fall, and turning around to check on me every couple of seconds. Each time I rolled my eyes, making him laugh as we could now see each others faces. Suddenly, he came to an abrupt stop, leading to me walking straight into his back. He turned around giving me a sheepish grin, before standing to my side. I watched as he moved, my eyes following him, and have him a questioning stare. He simply noticed this, and began to look ahead, forcing me to do the same.
I was shocked with the sight I saw. What had once been the run down place of the shrieking shack, was now a beautiful cozy room. It must have taken him ages. Candles scattered the room, whilst a large red couch sat in the centre- I had no idea how he managed to get that. Little fairy lights hung from the ceiling, and the wooden floor had been fixed and polished. Not a spider, or single bit of dirt was in sight. A large picnic basket was placed in front of the couch, on a small wooden coffee table. It held upon it a picture of me and Fred smiling widely. I remember the photo being taken on the astronomy tower, the day when we confessed our love for each other. The day in which, after previously avoiding each other and having different dates to the ball, we finally got a grip and sorted our lives out. The start of everything. It was perfect. I couldn't have asked for anything else.
I turned to look at my truly perfect boyfriend, to find that he was already looking at me. I took his hand, pulling him to face me, and placing a kiss on his lips.
"Do you like it?" He mumbled against me.
"I love it Freddie. Thank you."
—————————-
It was probably the most perfect day I had ever had. Spending time with Fred, in a place we couldn't be disrupted . And not to mention that he really had done all of that- for me.
After many attempts of catching food out mouths, and enjoying the food that the elves had cooked specially for us, we decided that it was best we headed back. I had to get to the meeting with Dumbledore, and then, there was the party to attend. I had to turn up after all. I couldn't let Lee have all the fun.
I parted ways with Fred on my way to Dumbledores office, after making him promise to take me back to the shack. He of course agreed, and so as I walked, I found myself with an even bigger smile on my face, that what I possibly ever had done.
"Sherbet lemon." I said as I reached the door, the gargoyle creating a passage for me to enter the office. As the door swung open, I walked over to Forks, petting the bird as I waited the arrival of the headmaster.
"Ah, Y/N how lovely to see you." The voice of Dumbledore cooed, as he entered the room. He took a seat at the desks, gesturing for me to take the other. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you Professor." I said politely, really I only wanted for him to explain what he wanted so I could get going.
"Now, I'm not going to keep you here long, as I know your eager to see your friends. But it's come to my attention that both you and Harry are having changes to your emotions, and rather bad dreams." He said. I stared at the man, not expecting this.
"How did you know?" I asked. The only way he could would be if Harry said something, which I don't think he would.
"I'm a very wise man Y/N." He said, causing me to laugh.
"Anyway, what I would like to mention is that, for some reason, we don't know why, but Voldemort is interested in you. After the accidents that happened when you were a baby, he wants you. For what reason we don't know, and may never know. But what we do know, is that we need to keep you safe." Dumblefore spoke with a sympathetic smile, causing me to gulp.
"You see." He continued, "we believe, that Voldemort is trying to enter your mind, through legilimency. You may of heard of it. It is where a person with exceptional Wizarding skills can look into another's mind, and in down cases, twist memory's and emotions to make you feel however they want you to. Now, there are some methods, such as Occlumency. This is how we stop him from getting in your mind. Professor Snape has volunteered to teach you, being exceptionally gifted at the subject himself."
I stared blankly as I took in the headmasters words, "so your telling me. That for some reason, Voldemort wants to get into my head, and basically control me. And we have no idea why."
Dumbledore smiles lightly, "I'm sorry Y/N. But that's all we know. It's believed that due to the experiment that happened when you were a baby, that there was some sort of connection created when he transferred some power over to you. The only thing is, we don't know what that power is."
I couldn't say anything. I didn't know what to say. What do you say in a situation like that? It it's my birthday, I was not going to let it be affected. Just one day away from reality, that's all I need. Only one day.
"————-
Hey everyone!!!!
Hope you like this chapter, and I apologise for the howler from Sirius and Moony, why I said that, I don't know 😂
But anyway, this is birthday Pt.1, so there will be another part for the evening of Y/N and Lee's birthday.
Thanks for reading!!