Chapter 1: Happy Birthday
Draco and Blaise were the only two people left in the Sytherin common room. However, this wasn't uncommon as it was past midnight. They sat across from each other on the window seat of the only window in the common room. Being in the dungeons doesn't leave much room, or even need, for windows. Neither could do anything but stare at the unopened letter sitting between them. On it was written 'Draco, Blaise, and M' with their address written below it and 'URGENT' stamped beside it.
They both knew the M after their names meant it had something to do with Miriam. It was her and Blaise's birthday today, since 12:17 am, and it was now 12:39, so it wasn't surprising that they'd get a letter regarding her, but they were still afraid to open it.
Finally, Blaise picked it up and looked at his best friend since birth. Draco's eyes never left the letter. "We have to open it before we drive ourselves insane." Blaise whispered. All Draco could do was gulp and nod. Blaise broke the green wax seal of the envelope and took out the letter. He looked at Draco, who was staring back at him, in hesitation. Then he opened the letter and whispered just loud enough for Draco to hear.
"Happy birthday, dear boy." It was his mother's hand writing, "Your present was sent but it will be there a little later as it had to be sent in secret. Unfortunately, I cannot spend any more time on the trivialities of your birthday (however I don't find it trivial, but I know you do)." Then It changed to his father's writing, which he mentioned Draco. "Happy birthday my son. I know this has always been a difficult time for you, but I promise things will get better soon. Your sister will be brought home this summer as she is now seventeen and it is safe for her to return. But don't forget, you've known her all along, and you will have regrets when she comes home. Draco, as you being my son's best friend, help him through this hard time. He needs you terribly now. Help him watch the girls in your school as one of them is your childhood friend. Now I believe your father has something to say so I'll hand the quill to him."
The handwriting changed again, "Draco, keep your guard up. The Dark Lord is watching all the time and there are spies of his all throughout your house. Don't let them see the real you. I know I've said this many times before, but I need to say it again for my health. I also believe that he's getting wind of our disloyalty. Blaise, this means you need to be careful too. Happy birthday and we're all excited for the two of you to come home." Then the writing changed one more time to Draco's mother's writing, "I love you, Draco, and happy birthday Blaise."
They stared at each other after Blaise finished reading the letter. "All things we already knew!" Draco yelled quietly as he stood up and began pacing the room.
"Draco, calm down. Getting upset won't get us anywhere. We just have to keep doing everything we've been doing. Keeping an eye on all the girls in this school." Blaise replied.
"But what if something happens to one of them because we weren't watching carefully enough and she turns out to be Miriam?" Draco sat down on the seat again and dropped his face into his hands. He knew they'd been over this a million times, but he couldn't help but worry incessantly. It was just his way.
Blaise sighed and rested his hand on Draco's shoulder, "I know. I'm worried too. However, there's nothing we can do but wait." Draco nodded sadly, "Now we should probably get to bed before we kill ourselves by staying awake too long." They stood and moved silently and sadly down the stairs to the boys dorms. When they reached their beds, Draco mumbled a soft 'happy birthday', and then closed his eyes to sleep. Blaise whispered "Thanks" then passed out completely.
"Harry! Ron! Don't make me come up there and pour water on you! We're going to miss breakfast if you don't wake up right now!!" Hermione yelled up the stairs to the boys' dorm rooms. Ginny stood behind her giggling because she knew they wouldn't miss breakfast for another hour. But this was the only way to ever wake them up. Those boys loved their food.
A crash was heard from upstairs and Hermione had to giggle as well. It meant that Ron was up. Then mumbling was heard meaning Harry was up too. It was the same every day, but they never learned her trick.
Thumping…
Thumping…
More thumping…
And then Ron tripped and fell flat on his face at the bottom of the stairs. Hermione and Ginny burst out into fits of laughter while Harry stepped slowly over Ron, "Ron, try to be more careful next time."
"The two of you never learn!" Ginny said between laughs. She followed Hermione out through the portrait hole with the boys following behind her, Ron grumbling, and Harry chuckling at Ron's soon to be bruised face.
They sat down at the Gryffindor table girls across from the boys. Lavender scooted closer to Ron to cling to his arm and mumble 'sweet nothings' in his ear. Hermione gagged and forced herself to look away as Ron smiled. "So what are we doing for your birthday today, Hermione?" Ginny asked to distract her from Ron.
Hermione's eyes went wide, as well as Harry's. Ron wasn't paying attention or his would've too. "I completely forgot today was my birthday. I've been too busy studying. So just forget about it, we don't have to do anything." Hermione then stuffed a piece of bacon in her mouth. Harry sighed in relief as he had forgotten her birthday also.
"Well fine. But I still got u a present." Ginny smiled as she handed over a heavy box that was wrapped in red paper with a gold ribbon tied around it. Hermione already knew what it was. They all always got her books. She just didn't know what book it was. So with a giant smile, she tore the paper off and squealed in joy as she read the title. Advanced Potions for Gifted Students. The book she'd been trying to get since third year, but never had the money. She officially thought Ginny was the greatest friend to ever walk the earth.
"Crap." Harry mumbled to himself. Today was the perfect day to try out his Skiving Snack Boxes the Weasley twins had given him. "Uhm, you'll get your present from me and Ron later. After dinner, like always." Because they were boys and always forgot her birthday. The professors had come to expect them to be mysteriously sick every year on April fifth. Hermione smiled and hugged Ginny before going back to her breakfast.
"You know what I've always wanted?" Hermione asked.
"What?" Harry replied as he bit into his toast.
"A broomstick, to learn on." Ron pulled away from Lavender to stare at her like she was crazy. Ginny choked on her pumpkin juice, and Harry actually fell out of his chair.
"You're kidding, right!?" Ron yelled. The whole of the Great Hall had fallen silent to watch the scene.
Hermione burst out into fresh laughter, "Of course I am! HA! You should've seen your faces! Ha-ha!!"
Harry sat back in his chair and glared at her, "That wasn't funny 'Mione. You scared us. We know you would die on a broomstick."
Hermione laughed again and grabbed her book bag. "Yes well, it was funny anyway. But now it's time for class. Try not to be late again." Then she strode out of the Great Hall with a smile on her face and her head held high.
