"Happy birthday, dear Alex! Happy birthday to you!" Everyone sang as the now one year old Alex looked around confused at all the guests in their home.
With the war looming outside the door, it seemed futile to celebrate a birthday party but everyone insisted, so there they were, celebrating in Sirius and Alliana's home. That way, they could all be in the same place and still be safe from the terror that lurked outside the doors.
Lily snapped pictures of everyone while Alliana cradled her godson, who was barely a month and a half old, sleeping soundly in his godmother's arms. Sirius walked in from the kitchen with the boys trailing behind as they brought in Alex's birthday cake. Alex's young mind was quite oblivious to what was going on, but it made her clap happily to see all the familiar faces.
Sirius placed the cake in front of her and she looked around confused at everyone as she wasn't sure what to do. She looked to her dad for confirmation, who gave her a brief nod, causing her to cautiously stick her hand into the cake and then stuff it in her mouth, the sweetness engulfing her senses. She quickly began to eat more, even taking to shoving her entire face into the cake, causing everyone to laugh.
"You can wrestle her into the bath tonight, just so you know," Alliana pointedly told Sirius as they smiled down at their daughter.
Sirius shrugged, placing an arm around Alliana. "I guess I deserve that."
A few hours later, Harry laid on the floor, wide awake from his nap and looking at the loud toys laying around him. Alex waddled around, tripping occasionally as she was still figuring out the whole walking thing. The adults watched fondly as Alex sat next to Harry and began playing with him after Alliana strictly told her daughter to play nice and use soft hands.
"How can something so innocent occur in such dark times?" Lily asked as she watched the two children interacting. Sirius was sitting on the ground right in front of the two children, making silly faces at the two of them, causing them to fall into a fit of giggles.
"All that matters is getting through it, love," James told her as he placed protective arm around his wife. "Don't dwell on the bad and think of the good that we do have."
"He's right," Remus stated with a nod. "We have so much to be happy about and it's right here in front of us." He gestured to the two children sitting on the floor, playing with the toys.
Alliana smiled as she watched Sirius playfully throw Alex into the air as she laughed before he set her down. Then they all watched as Alex waddled over and lovingly placed a soft kiss on Harry's forehead, causing them all the 'awww' at the moment.
"Maybe they'll end up being together when they're older," Alliana joked.
"Oh no!" Sirius exclaimed, "Not if Harry is anything like his father."
"Says you!" James exclaimed. "Who's to say your daughter will be innocent?"
His comment caused everyone to laugh and the two children to look up curiously at what all the adults laughed about. They couldn't help but laugh along, even if they didn't know what was going on.
They were just happy everyone else was happy.
☽
Alex slowly opened her eyes, a smile on her face over the pleasant dream or memory she had that night. Slowly, she sat up and stretched her arms out above her head before beginning to get ready with the other girls in her dorm for the day.
She smiled to herself remembering that it was her birthday. She was finally fourteen, which meant only three more years until she was seventeen. The thought made her smile as she pictured what it would be like but also thought that it meant she would be close to leaving school. The conversation she had with Cedric a few weeks prior came to mind about what she would do when she left school. But she wasn't sure what exactly that was yet.
"Good morning, Alex," Hermione spoke as she made her way into the bathroom. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks, 'Mione," she told her.
Getting ready for the day, she opted to let her hair stay down and in their natural waves. Yes, they still had school and it would most likely be a hassle as she was in classes but she wanted to look nice on that day. She just happened to look nice when her hair was down, or so she'd been told.
After getting into her uniform and grabbing her things for the day, she walked down the stairs with Hermione, who lingered back a second to cover her ears as Alex walked into the common room. Before she could walk towards the portrait to head for breakfast a loud pop sounded, causing her to scream before confetti rained down on her.
"Happy birthday, Alex!" The Weasley twins yelled in unity.
She looked up at them, a smile on her face as the confetti settled around her and in her hair. "I should have known," she sighed heavily.
"Just trying to keep you on your toes, love," Fred told her with a wink.
Alex shook her head before heading out of the common room to get some breakfast, all while shaking the confetti off her robes and hair. Upon entering the Great Hall, she claimed a spot at the table, awaiting any mail for the day. Just as she was serving herself more breakfast, another loud pop sound went off, causing her to scream once again as more confetti rained down on her.
Again.
Slowly, she turned her head to see Ron and Harry standing there, holding the used poppers with smiles on their faces before sitting down next to her.
"Is this just going to be an all-day thing?" She laughed.
"Most likely," Ron responded, laughing as well. "Happy birthday, by the way."
"Yeah, happy birthday," Harry added, nudging her.
"Thank you, boys," she said.
Hermione came rushing in to grab breakfast with them when the post began to come through the windows. Alex watched as the owls flew by before several came flying at her, dropping a few small packages, as well as letters right in front of her.
Sorting through, she recognized names from several people who lived in Hogsmeade that she spent time with before starting at Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley had even sent her a box of her favorite cookies and a new hat that she knitted. Then one letter attached to a small box caught her attention, which she opened quickly:
'Dear Alex,
I know it's been a few years since we've spoken and I don't know if you'll even remember me, but I certainly hope you do. I helped take care of you from the time you were two until you and your mother left. If you don't remember, my name is Velkan Crane. I even included a picture of the two of us from a few years ago.
I'm writing to you because I was informed about your upcoming birthday by a disclosed source. I just wanted to wish you a very big happy birthday from all of us here at the dragon sanctuary. Hopefully, this letter finds you in time, and if not, please forgive me! I can't believe you're fourteen years old already! Where did the seven-year-old girl who wasn't afraid to face a maturing dragon go?
If you feel comfortable with it, perhaps we can meet again in person, but only if you are comfortable with the idea. The last thing I want to do is make you uncomfortable.
I'd love to hear back from you soon! I hope you have a good birthday and like the present we made you. May it bring back memories from a happier time.
Velkan.'
Alex smiled, looking over all the other signatures on the card, remembering several names but there were also new ones. Then she looked at the photo. She was much younger in it and was laughing as she was on the shoulders of an older male. He had brown eyes and brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and was laughing along with the younger girl.
Ripping open the package, she found a scrapbook with pictures of Alex as a toddler growing up. There were multiple pictures of her being with the other men and women, who worked at the sanctuary. Her mum was in several of them, all smiles and laughing as she held her daughter in her arms. There was also a maroon knitted sweater that had a golden dragon's face on it, which made her smile.
"Miss Selwyn," a voice behind her spoke, causing her to look up and see Professor Snape standing there, "a word, please."
She stood up and followed him over to the entrance hall where he produced a poorly wrapped present for her. "I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday," he told her, his tone the same monotonous tone it always was.
"Thank you, Severus," she replied as she took the present.
"Have a pleasant day and I will see you in potions later," he told her.
"Wait!" She exclaimed, grabbing his arm. "Would it be too much to ask if you gave Malfoy and his friend's detention as another birthday present to me?" She then put on her best innocent smile, which didn't amuse Severus, as he gave her a sharp look. "Only a joke, professor," she laughed, "no need to get your wand in a knot."
He didn't bother waiting for her to say anything else as he turned on his heel, stalking down the corridor, his black cloak flowing behind him. "Severus Snape, always your go-to for dramatic exits," she told herself with a laugh.
"I reckon you're right," a voice spoke beside her, causing her to jump and turn to see Fred standing there, smiling down at her.
"Am I wrong though?" She joked. "It's like he could teach a class on dramatic exits on top of potions."
Fred laughed at that comment before looking at her. "You wore your hair down today," he pointed out, causing her to nod.
"Do I look ridiculous?"
"No," he told her, "you look pretty."
The blush that formed on her face was instant, Fred was sure to have seen it. However, the moment was ruined as a loud pop sounded behind the two of them, cussing Alex to scream again as more confetti rained down, George standing there with a smirk.
"Are you boys trying to give me a heart attack on my birthday?!"
☽
The entire day, Alex was on edge because every time she rounded a corner, there was usually a new Gryffindor standing there, popping more confetti on her. Her heart wouldn't stop pounding as more people told her happy birthday because it usually meant someone was close by with a confetti popper. She found out that Fred and George had got them and handed them out to every person who knew Alex with instructions to pop them at her if they saw her throughout the day.
She was walking into classes covered in confetti the entire day.
Finally, she managed to find a quiet corner of the library after dinner to work on some homework without fear of confetti raining down on her. While she wanted to be annoyed, she was actually happy that the twins had put in that much effort to make it a good birthday for her. It was definitely one she would remember for a very long time.
Writing down some notes for her Transfiguration essay, the sound of someone approaching caused her to look up and see a familiar face. Cedric smiled as he looked at her for a second.
"You've got something in your hair," he told her, reaching over and pulling a pierce of confetti from it.
Alex shrugged. "Yes, the Weasley twins took it upon themselves to make sure that any Gryffindor who knows me popped confetti at me today at least once," she told him.
"Why?" He asked, sitting down next to her.
"It's my birthday."
"What?!" He exclaimed, but immediately quieted down when Madam Pince sent him a sharp glance for his outburst. "Happy birthday," he whispered.
"Thanks," she whispered back before quickly looking around. "You're not gonna shoot a confetti popper at me, are you?"
Cedric laughed but shook his head. "No, I believe I was excluded from that list since I'm not in Gryffindor, so you don't have to worry about me doing that, promise."
"Good, I have enough confetti in my hair to celebrate the new year, it seems," she joked as she ran her fingers through her hair, confetti falling on the table, which caused Cedric to smile.
"Is it alright if join you for your homework session?" He asked. "I need to finish this potions homework or Snape will have my head."
"By all means," she told him with a laugh.
The two of them fell silent as they began to work on their separate homework assignments. Alex glanced over to see Cedric's confused face as he looked between the essay and his textbook that was open.
"Everything okay?" She asked.
Cedric could only shake his head with a laugh. "Believe it or not, I'm bloody rubbish when it comes to Potions."
"Really?" She asked, abandoning her homework to turn towards him.
"Yeah," he laughed. "Because while the textbook says one thing, Snape says something entirely different, which makes it difficult."
"Believe me, I know," she told him with an eye roll. "And I'm the same way when it comes to Transfiguration."
Cedric looked up at her homework before looking at her. "Well, I have an idea then," he told her. "How good are you at Potions?"
"I'm one of the only Gryffindors whose potion Professor Snape can't ever insult if that tells you anything," she told him.
"It does actually," he said. "And I'd like to think I'm pretty good when it comes to Transfiguration, so how about a trade?" Alex stayed silent but raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue. "I will tutor you in Transfiguration if you will help me with Potions."
Alex smiled. "I think you've got yourself a deal, Diggory," she told him, extending her hand.
"Perfect, and maybe we can exchange quidditch secrets while we're at it-" Alex nudged him, causing him to laugh "-I'm joking!"
The two then began to look over each others coursework to get an idea of what the other needed help with. They then set up times to study, which would have to fall on Sunday mornings because of the upcoming quidditch season practices. Alex knew with it being Wood's last year, he'd be pushing for extra practices to ensure they won the cup.
"There's something I've always wondered and you're the only one who can answer it," Cedric spoke, causing Alex to look up from her work.
"Yes?"
"Does Snape shower?"
Alex snorted loudly, earning a glare from Madam Pince, causing the young girl to quickly apologize. "How long have you thought about that question?" She asked softly.
"Since second year," he admitted.
She bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud before leaning in close to Cedric's ear. "I will say this," she began, "keep wondering because I don't know the answer myself."
They both nearly burst out laughing again.
Fred walked down the corridor, trying to find Alex as he figured it had been awhile since she had confetti exploded on her. Some of the younger Gryffindors informed him that they saw her heading for the library.
He entered, fully intending to shoot his last popper at her before the surprise in the common room that night. Walking around the shelves, he spotted her sitting at one of the tables in the back by herself.
Slowly, he went to walk over until Cedric Diggory came around the corner, holding a book in his arms. Fred's eyes widened when he claimed the spot next to Alex, opening the book and pointing something out in a chapter of it for her. Alex smiled gratefully at Cedric before he said something and they both laughed.
An unfamiliar knot formed in Fred's stomach as he watched the interaction between the two of them. He didn't know why he felt that way. Alex was perfectly fine to hang out with whoever she pleased. But seeing Cedric pull a few more pieces of confetti from her hair caused the knot to worsen, it felt like.
"Did you find her?" A voice asked from behind Fred, causing him to jump.
He turned to see George standing there, holding his popper ready. Fred nodded, gesturing to where she was sitting, laughing with Cedric.
"Oh perfect!" George whispered. "We'll get her and Diggory in one go, c'mon!"
While Fred hesitated, George maneuvered around to get the pair from one side of the aisle and gestured for his twin to get the other side. Fred finally broke out of his thoughts before doing as George gestured.
Doing a silent countdown, they both jumped towards Alex and Cedric, pulling the poppers. Not expecting it, both Alex and Cedric screamed out of surprise.
"FRED AND GEORGE!" She yelled, but both of them were laughing loudly until the sound of Madam Pince's heels began to make their way to where they were.
"Alex, quickly go!" Cedric exclaimed as they grabbed their books, the four of them running out of the library in the opposite direction that Madam Pince was coming at them from.
They made it out of the library, the twins still laughing while Alex and Cedric stopped by a pillar just outside, both panting from the sudden running.
"You gits!" Alex exclaimed breathlessly, whacking at the twins.
"We're terribly sorry, Alexandria," George told her.
"Just couldn't resist using our last poppers in the most inconvenient place on you, even if it ruined your study date," Fred added, glancing at Cedric from the side.
She shook her head before turning to Cedric, who was shaking his head out to be rid of the confetti in it. "I'm so sorry," she gushed.
Cedric waved his hand in reassurance. "Don't worry about it," he laughed. "I should probably head back to my common room because I have prefect rounds tonight."
"Alright, I'll see you Sunday morning?" She asked.
He nodded. "I'll meet you at breakfast, okay?" She nodded before he turned to head for his own common room. "Bye, Alex."
"Bye, Cedric."
She then turned to where Free and George were still standing there, arms crossed over their chests. "You really are trading quidditch secrets, aren't you?" George gasped dramatically.
Alex rolled her eyes. "No, he's offered to tutor me in Transfiguration and I'm helping him in Potions," she told them before walking towards the common room, the twins hot on her tail since it was dark outside now.
"And there's no hanky panky involved?" Fred called to her.
"I'm only fourteen, Fred," she called back. "And even if there was, I wouldn't be telling you that."
☽
"Alexandria, come back here right this second!" Fred called, feigning a disciplinary tone.
She stopped for a second before turning to look at the twins as they followed her up the stairs. "No."
Then she made a run for it.
The painting of the Fat Lady came into view and Alex made a beeline for it as she could hear the twins calling after her as she ran.
The Fat Lady looked at her as she approached. "Fortuna Major," she told her quickly with a laugh, the portrait door swinging open and allowing Alex to run in. The common room was dark when she entered confusing her before all the lights turned on.
"SURPRISE!"
Alex stopped dead in her tracks, stunned to silence as she looked around at all her friends in Gryffindor decked out in their pajamas. The common room was decorated with birthday banners hanging on the walls, confetti falling down on an endless loop, music playing, and poppers going off in Alex's face, as if she didn't have enough of it that day already. She couldn't help but stare in shock as the twins came up behind her.
"Happy birthday, Alex!" They told her in unison.
Alex's stuttering was cut off by the trio walking forward, offering hugs to her. She then turned to the twins. "I thought the poppers throughout was enough," she told them.
"Oh no," George told her.
"You enjoyed that party so much last year, we had to do the same thing this year," Fred added.
"I'm also assuming you guys got into contact with Velkan and the others from the dragon sanctuary?" Alex continued, causing Fred to wink at her.
"Just a little letter to Charlie, asking if anyone at the sanctuary knew you and giving instruction of what to do with your approaching birthday," he told her.
"Now go get changed into your pajamas so we can get this party started!" George impatiently told her. "Percy strictly told us that we would be shut down at midnight and we do still have classes tomorrow."
Alex quickly ran up to her dorm and changed into some comfy pajamas before joining the party. They spent the rest of the night dancing, laughing, playing games, opening presents, eating cake that the house elves brought them, and temporarily forgetting about the Sirius Black situation.
Much later into the evening, Alex sat on the couch as the festivities died down. People bid her good night before disappearing up the stairs to their own dorms to get some sleep. Alex watched as they went before Fred and George plopped down beside her.
"Well?" Fred asked as they awaited for what Alex had to say about the party.
She smiled before nodding. "I had a lot of fun," she told them. "Thank you for throwing this pajama party and making it only with people I actually talk to."
"Sorry we didn't invite Diggory," Fred spoke, his jaw unintentionally clenching. "We would have snuck him in if we knew."
Alex looked at him. "Cedric and I barely started talking this year," she told him. "I don't know if we're quite close enough for us to sneak him into our common room yet."
"But you guys are buddies now," George pointed out.
Alex shrugged. "He's good company."
"And what are we?" George asked, feigning a hurt expression.
"You boys are my comic relief," she told them as she stood up. "You're there for when I need a laugh, not to study."
The twins shook their heads before following her action of standing up to head to their dorms for the night.
"Well, thank you once again for making this birthday one that I certainly won't forget anytime soon," she told them both as she gave George a hug. He bid her good night before disappearing up the stairs to his dorm, leaving Alex and Fred alone.
"You really had fun?" Fred asked.
"Yes!" Alex exclaimed with a laugh. "Seriously, I had the best time ever."
Fred smiled. "Well, then I do declare I have succeeded," he told her.
"Hear, hear!" She joked before wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug.
They stood there for a second with smiles etched on their faces, enjoying the feeling of being in the other's arms. Slowly, they pulled apart without completely pulling from each other's arms. Fred gazed down at Alex and they stood there, alone in the dimly lit common room as everyone had gone to bed by that point.
As Fred examined Alex's features in the fading light of the Gryffindor fire, he couldn't help but admire how her blues eyes were glowing as they gazed up at him; her light pink lips were looking a little plump, and slightly opened; and her black hair fell over her shoulders in their natural waves.
He decided to take a chance and leaned in towards Alex, causing her eyes to widen. Panic surged through her and she turned her head at the last second, Fred's lips coming in contact with her cheek and the corner of her mouth.
He pulled away, confusion on his face as Alex looked at him, shock clearly written across her own face as he had partially kissed her. They both were stunned to silence before Alex quickly leaned up, placing a kiss on Fred's cheek.
"Good night, Fred," she told him before bolting up the stairs to her dorm, her heart rate way too high for a teenaged girl.
Fred watched as she went and lightly touched his cheek where she had kissed, unable to ignore the tingling sensation it had left, along with the slight tingling in his lips where he had partially kissed her. While he felt slightly disheartened that she had rejected his attempt at a kiss, he was glad that she had returned the favor and in a way, it was her way of letting him know that she was just shy of kissing.
Unbeknownst to him, Alex stood in the dark of her dorm room, unable to contain the stupid grin that had planted itself on her face.
He almost kissed me! He almost kissed me! I mean, he kissed the corner of my lips, so that doesn't count, but still! FRED WEASLEY ALMOST KISSED ME! She thought to herself as she took a seat on her bed, lightly touching where he had kissed her.
But what did it mean? Did he have feelings for her? Or was it just a heat of the moment type situation? If so, she wouldn't be able to face him anytime soon.
A light tapping broke her out of her thoughts, causing her to turn and see an owl flying outside of her window, holding a long bundle. Quietly, she opened the window and the owl flew in, dropping the package onto her bed.
She walked up and quickly ripped the parcel, only for her to gasp at what lay before her. She had only seen it on display during the summer but never did she think that she would actually own one herself.
A Firebolt.
She picked it up slowly, examining it to make sure that it was actually real and not just a trick of the light or her mind. She quickly pinched her arm and it hurt, which meant she really wasn't dreaming. Her fingers ran down the smooth wood before she felt a piece of parchment attached to the handle. She unfolded it while grabbing her wand.
"Lumos," she mumbled.
The light of her wand made it possible for her to read what was written to her. The handwriting looked familiar but she couldn't pinpoint where she had seen it before. She read:
'Dear Alex,
Happy Birthday. We hope you like your present.
Love, Padfoot and Tally.'
Alex slumped back in confusion as she read the letter over and over, having no clue as to who Padfoot or Tally was. She looked at the Firebolt one last time before taking it and sliding it under her bed, so as to not raise suspicion of why she had a second broom when she had a perfectly good and working Comet 260. Severus would certainly get after her if he thought she bought something that expensive.
As she lay in bed falling asleep, she couldn't help but wonder who Padfoot or Tally was, if the name sounded even the slightest bit familiar, and why they had sent her such an expensive gift.
Perhaps it was all of her old friends at the Dragon Sanctuary that had gathered money together to get her something nice to make up for missing her previous birthdays. Maybe some of the professors decided to do it. A million questions ran through her head but all she could do was close her eyes and dream of flying at one hundred and fifty miles into the sky on her brand new Firebolt.
☽
Hey... look at me, being good and updating.. slightly different than when I first posted it. Also, Cedric and Alex are spending more time together.. what's in the future for this odd dup??
What did y'all think??
Don't forget to vote and comment!
Love you guys!
-Squid☽