James returned from their dormitory, the Scrabble box clattering as he leapt down the stairs, something else was clutched in his grip and when he settled down next to Lily, he handed her his Quidditch jumper, Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Little shit." He mumbled into Bexley's ear. The group formed a circle on the floor, Bexley laid on her front and propped her head up with her hands, Sirius radiating as he watched his Quidditch jumper swallow her up.
"Go on then Pads, let's see how much information you actually retain," James smirked as he rested his head on top of Lily's.
"That was cold Potter. I will place the letter 'I' to make the word 'I'." Sirius grinned.
"Sirius I don't think-" Lily began.
"And I will place the letter 'N' to make 'IN'." James's face-matching Sirius's, Lily and Bexley stared at each other incredulously.
"I'll put a 'B', 'BIN'," Peter spoke proudly.
"Merlin help us." Remus rubbed his forehead. Lily sat up straight and leaned over, placing her letters down, Bexley's lips curling at the expression on James.
"I will add onto your 'BIN' to make 'BINOMIAL'." Sirius looked from the board and to Lily a few times before flipping the board, sending the little letters flying. Everyone broke out in raucous laughter, clutching their sides as Sirius raged on, he leaned against the sofa, his arms tight across his chest as the hilarity continued.
"Oh Sirius, you tried." Bexley sat up and kissed his temple as her body vibrated with merriment.
"Bloody Evans," Sirius grumbled, Bexley smirked as she stood up, scouring the room for the Scrabble pieces, Lily aiding her.
"Well, that was fun," Lily whispered as the girls crawled under tables and chairs.
"Damn Evans, you look good in that position," James spoke from his spot in front of the fire.
"Godric give me strength," Lily uttered as Bexley nudged her playfully, feeling a pair of eyes on her, probably thinking the same.
***
"MORNING BIRTHDAY GIRL!" Lily pounced on Bexley's bed, her arms flung around her sleeping friend.
"MERLIN LILY!" Bexley's eyes opened wide and she took a few deep breaths. "I thought I was being attacked!" she slowly sat up, adjusting to the daylight.
"Happy birthday!" Lily scuttled off to her bed and retrieved two parcels from under it. They were wrapped in shimmery parchment, red ribbons decorating them.
"Lily, I said-"
"Do be quiet Morgan. Oh and here!" Lily passed Bexley a large cup of coffee, whipped cream and sprinkles melting down the sides of the cup.
"You do spoil me." Bexley sipped the drink, wiping away the foam moustache. Lily sat on the edge of the bed and watched, buzzing with anticipation.
"Open this one first." Lily indicated to the smaller of the parcels. Carefully, Bexley unwrapped the gift, which she knew would annoy Lily, in her lap tumbled a silver box, as she opened it, confetti shot out at her. Brushing it aside, on a velvet pillow lay a pair of earrings with tiny broomsticks. Immediately Bexley put them in her ears, she stood from her bed looking at them in the mirror, her finger traced over them, tiny sparks erupted from the tip of the brooms.
"I love them! Lily how did you-"
"You know I can't reveal my secrets. Now your birthday one!" Lily dragged Bexley back to the bed and shoved the parcel in her lap. Pulling back the paper, revealed a maroon leather-bound book, but when opening it, Bexley realised it was more than a book. It was a photo album. Their faces smiled up at her, pictures dating back to when they were little first years, pictures with their friends and somehow Lily had managed to get one of her and Rowena. Bexley's fingers caressed the pictures, one of herself and Remus made her heart skip.
"But how-"
"A magician never reveals their secrets!" Bexley smirked as she continued looking through the photos, her eyes began to well as pictures of herself and Sirius emerged, ones that Bexley didn't even know Lily had taken, the last page became decorated with her tears. The Marauders faces all grinning at each other before smiling up at Bexley.
"Lily, it's spectacular." Bexley pulled Lily into a tight embrace, her tears wetting Lily's pyjama top. After clearing up the paper and dressing, they headed down to breakfast, various people approaching her to say happy birthday. As they pushed open the door to the Great Hall, confetti erupted above her head, the Marauder's each holding their wands up.
"Happy Birthday!" They greeted her with smiles and hugs, they weren't alone. The Quidditch team were there too and mingled in the middle, Frank and Alice looking rather squished.
"We didn't know what to get you." They approached as the team threw confetti at each other. They handed her a rectangular parcel, concealed inside a book about the history of Quidditch.
"It's perfect, thank you." Bexley hugged them and was ushered to the benches for breakfast. Gryffindors from different directions tapping her on the shoulder to wish her happy birthday.
"Happy birthday Bexley," Pandora announced from behind her, Xenophelius at her side.
"Thank you, guys." Suddenly, Pandora was placing a chain around her neck, an opal dangling from the end.
"Your birth crystal! Also good to keep away the trolls." Pandora beamed as she skipped back to the Ravenclaw table, Xenophelius in tow. Bexley called her thanks to them before turning to breakfast.
"Happy birthday Morgan." Sirius finally appeared at her side, his hand on the small of her back he pressed his lips to hers, his kiss was excited and alive.
"Some of us are trying to eat." James interrupted, they pulled apart, Sirius's hand still resting on her. "Here you go, Bex." James skidded a roughly wrapped parcel to her.
"Thank you, James." She slipped on a pair of shiny new Quidditch gloves. "I needed a new pair." James winked at her, Lily giving him an approving smile.
"I can change it if you don't like it." Peter had gotten her a large black quill, it wrote without needing an inkpot.
"It's amazing Peter," His expression eased at Bexley's acceptance of the gift. Remus handed her a square package, her heart practically leapt out of her chest when she saw a first edition of 'The Tales of Beedle the Bard' staring up at her.
"We used to be read this when we were little. How did you manage to get a first copy?" Bexley looked up at him.
"Don't you dare tell her Remus! She'll look at the price and probably pay you back for it." Lily intermitted.
"I wouldn't! I'm just curious." Bexley admired her gifts as everyone dug into breakfast, she rested her head on Sirius as she read the Quidditch book Frank and Alice had gotten her.
"Are you happy?" Sirius asked as he watched her read.
"I don't think this day could get any better." Bexley smiled up at him.
"It might do." Sirius slipped her a roll of parchment, she unwrapped it under the table, Sirius's writing scrawled a riddle, at 10 pm she was to meet him at the place where he's closest to himself.
As lessons proceeded, Bexley's mind wondered and whirred, trying to calculate what he meant. Sirius was no help, he kept looking at her mysteriously and just winking at her when she asked for help. It was 9 pm in the common room when it finally clicked.
"The stars!" She lept up, startling some first years. "Sorry. Astronomy is very important to me." She brushed it off and sunk back into her seat. Don't tell me he's going to give me an Astronomy lesson, Bexley sighed. The tower! At half-past, she collected her things and placed them in the dormitory.
"Have a lovely evening," Lily spoke knowingly, her eyes practically smiling at her. Bexley kissed Lily's cheek before sneaking out of the common room, any teachers she met she told them she was just on her prefect duties. At the bottom of the steps to the Astronomy tower, Bexley looked around, double-checking she was alone. I'm going to look like a right prat if I'm wrong she muttered to herself as she climbed the steps.
"You took your time." Sirius stood before her, his first few shirt buttons undone, his hands in his pockets. The sky night was his stage, and boy was he going to perform for Bexley.
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Hey all I hope you're well! This chapter was just sort of a filler, the scrabble was inspired by a Pinterest post I saw and I literally fell in love with it. I hope yall are well and safe. ❤️ See you soon, school has started for me so pray for me :)
M🥰