Still don't own HP, will keep you posted

(Set in 2020, three years after DH epilogue)

"Oh god, Dad! What were you thinking? Announcing my birthday to the entire class? This has to be one of the most embarrassing things you've ever done!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't know it was such a big deal" The herbology professor told the young girl in front of him, as he straightened out his notes for the sixth year class he had coming in after lunch. "I thought your classmates would like the opportunity to wish you well."

"My 'classmates' wouldn't care less about my birthday if I told them it was today while standing on my head on the dining table" She mumbled. Lara Longbottom was far from outgoing, but to say no one cared it was her birthday was a bit of a stretch. Her father, Professor Longbottom was in fact one of the coolest teachers at Hogwarts, and she had met a lot of friends because of him. He was always showing his classes his old D.A. coins, and telling stories of his old friends. For example, a few weeks ago he shared that Hermione Weasley, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, accidentally turned herself into a cat in her second year! Very few of his students believed him, though.

But no matter how cool your father is, the last place you want him is at school with you. And the fact that he had done all this amazing stuff at school just made shy Lara seem all the more pathetic, or at least, it did in her opinion. Today, he had decided to share with the class that it was in fact September 3rd, his daughter's birthday. The class reacted to this mostly with polite smiles or 'happy birthday, Lara's', but what horrified Lara was the number of times since then she'd heard 'Professor Longbottom has a daughter? Lara, you say? Well, I've never heard of a Lara before…'

There was really only one person she wanted to hear 'happy birthday' from today, and now she'd never know if he'd actually remember it, or if he'd just heard it in the hallways.

"I don't know, girls. I mean, the Hogsmeade weekend is a long way away yet. Can I let you know in a week or two?" James let out a sigh. In truth, he didn't want to go to Hogsmeade with either of the two girls standing before him. Sure, they were alright, but truth be told, he could probably do a lot better, as they were a bit lacking the brains department. He'd much rather just meet up with his friends and Al at the three broomsticks in Hogsmeade, or something. He mussed up his sleek black hair in annoyance at the thought of having to turn down all of these invitations in a polite but very clear way (he wasn't the best at this, as he had inherited his Uncles tact – or lack thereof)

James Potter was quite possibly the most eligible boy in his year, if not the school. He was the eldest son of Harry Potter and gorgeous to boot. He was funny, but not quite as smart as his younger brother Al. The two of them had a running gag that James could tell which of the two of them a bird would go for within thirty seconds of meeting her. He would walk right up to her and say the cheesiest line he could come up with (generally stolen from his Uncles Ron and George) and if she smiled or laughed, she was his; if the girl rolled her eyes and walked away, she was Al's. The plan was that Al would be sitting right near by and look up for the large book he'd been reading to apologize for his older brother's behavior. He'd tell her that someone so lovely shouldn't have to put up with guys like him, then quickly turn back to his book. Every single time, they would end up walking over to talk to the sly younger Potter brother, unaware that they had just been played. James found this quite hilarious, and Albus liked to think of it as more of a social experiment, so he could feel less guilty.

James was on his way to lunch in the Great Hall when he saw a wave of long red hair streak by him alarmingly quickly.

"Where's fire, Lil?"

"How many times have I told you not to call me that!" his younger sister barked at him. Sighing, she said much more calmly "I'm trying to get away from all the third year boys" she admitted "I've found three separate notes in my books just this week, two Gryffindors and a Ravenclaw. It's like they've all forgotten that second years can't even go to Hogsmeade!" She looked quite miserable, and James noted it must be very difficult for her to try and hide in a crowd, what with her bright red hair.

"Don't worry about it Lil, Al and I'll get it sorted" he said, quite determined. He didn't like the attention his sister got from all the males in Hogwarts, though most have them had come to know that you don't mess with Lily Potter unless you want to be seriously injured by her older brothers. James handed Lily his fathers old map that they had only just figured out how to use last year with the help of Ron.

"Use this to find a good hiding spot, I'll go get Al and don't worry, they won't be bothering you anymore"

"Wait James! That's not what I meant!" Lily protested, her voice becoming quieter as he turned and walked down the hallway "You don't have to-" and her voice was swallowed by the crowd.

James took the stairs up two flights to the Gryffindor common room, where he knew Al would be. The fat lady looked at him expectantly.

"Veritaserum"

And the door swung open.

"Al, I've been informed certain third years need reminding on common curtsey and how to treat a lady. Namely, our sister." He said, raising his eyebrows.

Albus smiled wryly. "Then I guess we'll just have to teach them, won't we?"

Both of the missed the shy, brown-haired girl watching them longingly as the walked past her in the halls.

Oh, well. So much for a happy birthday.