The next morning, Titan came down to the common room to find Fred, George, Lee, Alicia, Angelina, and Katie all waiting for her. When her feet touched the floor, they erupted into a raucous applause, scaring several bleary eyed first years.
Titan looked around at them all, utterly confused, "What the hell are you lot doing?"
"Titan, what's today?" Fred asked, a smile playing on his lips.
Titan thought hard for a moment, "Monday?" she shrugged.
Fred sighed in an overly exasperated manner, "It's November the second! What is the most important thing on November the second?"
Titan's face distorted in disgust, "Oh, that."
Fred walked to her and put an arm around her, "Come on, baby! It's your birthday, you could at least smile."
Titan grimaced before she sighed in resignation, "Fine, but if you sing, I'll curse you into eternity."
Lee grinned, "Whoa, you hear that, Fred? She skipped 'hexing'!" he mock sniffed, "Our little girl is all grown up," he added as he handed a package to Titan, "Happy Birthday, Titan."
Titan smiled at the gifts lying on her bed that she had received. There was a rather large amount of candy and joke shop paraphernalia from Lee, what suspiciously looked like a love potion from Katie, a set of eagle feather quills from Alicia, a pet rock from Angelina which was attached to an IOU, and a sweater and some pies from Mr. And Mrs. Weasley. But the best one of all was what Fred and George had gotten her. The stone pensive sat on her nightstand, and she planned on using it tonight.
Just as Titan and her escort had settled themselves at the table for breakfast, an enormous shadow passed over them. Titan looked up, "Good morning, Hagrid," she smiled at the giant warmly.
Hagrid beamed right back at her, "An' a Happy Bir'day to ye, Titan!" he set something on the table in front of her, "Tha's from me an' Fang. And the skrewts, o' course!"
Titan gingerly opened the slightly smushed box to find a likewise smushed cake inside, "Wow Hagrid! Did you make this all by yourself?" when he nodded proudly, she looked down at it, "But, how long ago? It looks moldy..."
"Tha's not mold!" he chuckled loudly, "Tha's th' icin'! My specialty!" he patted her head in what he assumed was a gentle manner(Titan's neck and head screamed in protest), "Well, I got ter go an' talk ter, Professor Sprout abou' them plants fer the creatures. I'll see you lot later."
As Titan dipped her finger into the frosting, Angelina gasped, "Are you sure it's safe to eat it?"
She popped her icing covered finger into her mouth and scrunched up her face for a moment, beofre giving them all a thumbs up, "Tastes like cake. We're good, dig in!"
Titan had just taken an actual bite of cake when a voice behind her sounded, "Excuse me?" she quickly swallowed and turned to see who was speaking to her. A male Durmstrang student had perched himself next to her on the bench, his dark shoulder length hair was pulled into a tail, but his bangs fell into his eyes. Titan smiled at him, "Yes?"
He smiled back at her, leaning towards her, "I vos vondering, if I heard that Professor correctly. Is today your birthday?"
Titan nodded, intrigued. What did it matter to him? "Yes, it is."
"Ah, vell then, that settles it," he pulled a quill out of his bag and transfigured it into a white rose with silver tips. He took her hand as he handed the rose to her, "A beautiful rose, for the beautiful birthday mistress," he bowed over her hand and kissed it before he clicked his heels in salute to her, and left.
Angelina looked from Titan to the retreating back of the foreigner, to Fred, then back to Titan, "Looks like Fred's got some competition, and you've got a secret admirer."
Titan looked back at Angelina, a slight blush apparent on her cheeks, "I do not. Besides, he came over, it's hardly a secret now, is it?"
Angelina shook her head, "Of course it is. You don't know his name do you?"
Titan didn't have to answer as the morning post came and a large brown owl landed in front of her, a rather bulky letter clutched in it's beak. Titan's eyes widened in shock, this bird was Achilles, the owl that Flora had given her when she'd been suspended. Gingerly, she took the letter from the owl, ruffling a few of his feathers affectionately before tucking the letter into her bag. She'd read it later when there weren't so many prying eyes.
The rest of the day passed without much more commotion,unless of course, one would count Dumbledore cornering Titan at lunch to give her a pair of bright purple thick woolen socks.
Harry plopped himself down next to Titan at dinner, a permanent frown plastered on his face as he dug into his chops. Titan sat and watched him for a couple of moments before she poked him with the dangerous end of her fork.
Harry started and almost fell to the floor, "What the hell was that for?"
Titan shrugged, "I was just trying to get your attention. What's the matter, you look like someone just ate your cat," she smiled at him gently, "In front of you."
Harry shook his head and managed a weak smile, "I'm just getting hassled a lot lately about this whole Tournament thing. I didn't put my name in that goblet!"
Titan nodded her head reassuringly, "I know you didn't. You'd have to be a nutter to want to enter this competition at only fourteen."
Harry slammed his fist on the table, "See! You believe me! You, who I haven't known that long, believe me. But Ron doesn't."
Titan patted his head reassuringly, "It's okay. He'll come around, trust me, they always do. Just holod your head high, Harry, and try your best to ignore them and their badges."
Harry nodded, "I'll try my best, Titan.," she began to rise from the table and he almost panicked, "Where are you going?"
She smiled as she picked up her bag, "To bed. I have a letter to respond to, and then I need to sleep. Good night, Harry."
Once safely inside the common room and alone, Titan sprawled herself out into a chair in front of the fire, she quickly rummaged in her bag for the letter and pulled it out, shredding the envelope. There were three pieces of parchment, all letters from her house mates. As she opened the first one to read it, a braided leather necklace fell into her lap. It was adorned with a silver pendant in the shape of a dog print. She flattened the letter to read it.
Titan,
I found this at the house in Godric's Hollow, it undoubtedly belonged to your father. I've repaired it in hopes that you will wear it to honor him. Happy sixteenth!
Your friend,
Wormtail
'Friend'?! What the hell was that snivelling bastard on about? Titan crumpled the letter and threw it into the fire. She fastened the leather about her neck. It fit a bit snug, like a choker, but it would loosen up slightly with constant wear. She unfolded the second letter and smoothed it out.
Dear Little One,
I guess I shouldn't call you that anymore, should I? I wanted to save my present to you until next year, but decided against it. This ring belonged to my son before he died and I've decided to bestow it upon you. Enjoy the day, dear.
Happy birthday,
Flora
Titan untied the ring from the string that secured it to the paper and slipped it on her right ring finger. Much to her surprise it fit very well, and didn't fly off when she waved her arms wildly. She opened the last letter and her heart sank.
Titan,
I need you to keep me informed of how the Tournament is going. Keep an eye on Karakoff and Moody. Report to me if their behavior changes in any way.
Master
Titan sighed as she tossed the master's letter into the fire. She had known better than to expect a 'Happy Birthday' from him. As she walked up the stairs to bed, a thought struck her. The master had planted Moody at Hogwarts. It was the Quirrell situation all over again. Titan only hoped that this time she didn't have to sneak around because she was out of the loop. And she really had no heart to attack Professor Snape again.
