AN: Ok sorry about that my cowriter had to confiscate my password because I was failing Latin, but I got it back. I also wanted to let you all know that we are working on a five act play inspired by Mourning Routines which will take the same title.

Chapter 2- POV Jo

I feel kinda bad- I'm totally more excited then I could ever feel bad- but yeah, still feeling bad. It took all of three days after the sorting ceremony for me to get George to crack. A birthday party. A surprise birthday party. I really wish he didn't tell me. I'm not the best at acting surprised, and from what George has told me, Cas's put a lot into this. I'll do my best...

George is pulling me along, even though he's already told me where he's taking me. I hold my free hand over my eye- if I don't see it right away maybe I'll look more surprised. This is what I know: Cas's been planning this party since before the train ride here, so basically almost a month. It's not going to have many people, since Cas doesn't know many of my friends and George let me decide who he'd invite from Gryffindor. I didn't pick too many. So basically my guest list- a handful of potential Quidditch players from my various classes, Cas and the twins, and Tonks. It's not much, but it's all I really want. I mean, there's no one else I'd have invited. Cas decided to have the party in our little meeting room from last year. I like that.

George tugs me along, and we're there. I keep my eyes shut tight, I guess out of excitement. I'm grinning and trying not to laugh. The one big surprise George kept secret is what everyone got me as presents, and obviously that's what I'm most excited for. By now I know if Cas went this far to throw me a party, she must have something good for me. George and Fred, I don't really know. Fred will have asked George and Cas. George...I've thought about it and I think he'll have gotten me something to do with Quidditch.

George gets himself behind me and puts his hands over mine, which are over my eyes. Then we awkwardly waddle into the room until he tells me to stop. He takes his hands down and tells me to do the same. I open my eyes and see everyone I knew would be there. They shout 'surprise' and I beam, turn red, and start laughing near-hysterically. Cas runs up and hugs me, a rare display of affection for her. She's really proud of herself- thinks she really had me fooled. I'm glad. Everyone else runs up, we hug and high five and secret hand-shake and I'm still pretty red but the laughing is mostly done.

Cas is absolutely beaming as she pulls out a cake that says "Happy Birthday Jolene" and everyone gathers around while she lights candles. She stops herself and waves her hands around, stopping people from singing. She turns to me, all wide eyes and eagerness. I start laughing again just because I've never seen her like this. She asks me if I want cake or presents first, and I lose it and just grab her up in another hug. She lets out a high pitched giggle, and I hear the twins laughing somewhere behind us. I'm beaming again as I say we can have cake first, then presents. Cas happily obliges.

We sing (actually everyone but me sings, while I awkwardly avoid eye contact with everyone) and Cas cuts the cake, she cuts a piece right out of the middle and levitates it out for me- she knows I hate the side pieces with a lot of icing. I taste it, and it's awesome. This whole party is so perfect.

Once everyone gets their cake, Cas yells out that it's time for presents. First the Gryffindor athletic kids- I get a lot of candy mostly, a few packs of Quidditch trading cards. Then Tonks comes over. I give her another hug- we had barely gotten to speak at the start of the party. She looks pretty- she has deep purple hair and a couple of piercings and she looks older than she is, but still young. She lets me go from my hug and ruffles my hair. I can tell she's going to give a little speech. I like that.

"Jolene and Cassidy. Cas and Jo- I've known them forever...well, a lot longer than most. My favorite girls, these two. My little twi-"

"Twinkleshine!" I interject. I had to finish it. It's been so long. I look at Cas. She's wide eyed. No emotion, just wide, blank eyes. I nudge her.

"Right, Twinkle? Little Twinkleshine Walker. Hahaha."

Suddenly there's emotion in her eyes. Just for a second. People who didn't know her would see embarrassment. Maybe fear or nerves. But I know better. It's rage. Pure, concentrated rage. And she's looking at me. If I was red before, now I'm pretty sure I'm white.

But then it's gone. She cracks a smile, and laughs along to her nickname. She's still eyeing me. Tonks is confused, so she cuts her speech short and hands me a gift. It's a wizards chess set in Gryffindor's colors. A real nice set. I smile up at her and hug her again.

"I thought I could teach you, or you could play with Cas- I mean, Twinkle- sometime." She smiles, and I try to avoid looking at Cas, but I'm too tempted. She's still just smiling, but it looks menacing now. She winks at me. I'm scared. She steps up- she wants to give the next present. I'm no longer sure she has something good for me.

"Well, Jo. Happy birthday. I worked hard to get this- l spent a lot of time tracking it down. All for you. All from me, Twinkleshine." She draws out the last part. She reaches into a bag she had at her feet and stands up. I can't see what's in her hand as she reaches out, a closed fist. Everyone's really tight packed around her, trying to see what she has. She turns her fist palm down, and drops what she's holding.

Black. Everything's black. A familiar kind of black. No one can see, but I'm smiling. I take a few steps back and look at a big black hazy shape in the middle of my party. There are lots of shouts coming from inside the darkness. Cas and the twins make their way around the outside, grinning. She's carrying the bag that was at her feet. She pulls out a box and opens it- it's full of black rocks.

"Peruvian instant darkness powder. You're welcome." Cas is smirking. I take the box gently.

"But..how?"

"That'd be me." Tonks emerges from the dark. "Geez, Cas, you coulda warned me you were gonna give a demonstration." I look from one to the other. Then to the twins. Then to the slowing disappearing black smoke. I can slowly see the shapes of my confused party guests becoming clearer. Most are waving their arms around trying to see. It's funny to watch.

"I still don't get how." Tonks winks and tells me Cas can explain later. Cas looks at the twins and gives a little nod. They leave the room, and Cas tells me they're getting my last presents. Two more.

"You'll love them," she assures me. I might not trust her, but I trust the twins. She covers my eyes.

I hear people shuffle into the room- the twins. Cas snickers and I stiffen. Then I hear George from a little in front of me:

"This is from me and Fred. But also, like, from Cas too a little. She gave us the idea. But we did the getting it and all. Sorta. You can open your eyes." Cas takes her hands away and I open my eyes.

I wish I hadn't. I really, really wish I hadn't.

It's Oliver Wood. The Quidditch player. The one Cas knows I have a crush on. The one I spoke to on the train last Christmas. An event I told Cas about. In confidence. Not to be repeated or used in any way.

"Hey girlie. Long time no see." He winks and smiles at me. My face feels like like its on fire. I swear my entire body is the color of...well it's gotta be as red as a body can get. Especially my face. He laughs and hold out a gift.

"Part one." Is all he says. I unwrap it. It's a famed picture of him. And autographed framed pictue of him. I don't know what to say. I swear I'm sweating. I'm also vaguely aware that I'm giggling. I really hope that's just in my head. Fred pipes up, "Part one's from me!"

"Part two's from me!" George says enthusiastically. I look at Wood. He's not holding any other bags or boxes. I don't know what to say, and I'm biting my tongue now to make sure I'm not laughing moronically.

"Th-thanks. Thanks!" I finally get it out.

"Part two, girlie." He opens his arms. I look at Cas. She mouths the word "hug" and I nearly burst out laughing. George gives me a nudge and then I'm in Wood's arms. He hugs me tight, and after a second I hug him back instead of just standing limply. He lets me loose and kisses my cheek. My red, red cheek.

"Happy birthday, Jo. Hope to see you at tryouts!"

"What?" I ask. I'm genuinely confused.

"Quidditch tryouts! You said you were interested, didn't you? You and your ferret friends, 'scept Cas, ain't that right?" He looks at Cas and she sticks her tongue out at him playfully. They know each other? I am so lost...

"I thought we had to wait till third year?" He laughs at that.

"Who told you that? Not true, girlie. You and Weasley are more than welcome at tryouts. I'm expecting you both. You to...Fred? You'll should try out to Slytherins team. Maybe if you get on it won't be a total blowout when we play them." He winks, walks off, and grabs a piece of cake.

The twins, Cas, and the other second years swarm me. We discuss tryouts and other stuff. I talk with Angelina Johnson, who wants to be a chaser. She, George, and I decide to do it- and Fred says he'll definitely try out for Slytherin. Cas doesn't do any talking. Then the conversation turns to Wood and the...gift. Cas smirks at me. It was obviously all her idea, and she's happy with herself. I'd like to be angry- show the rage she showed...

...but I liked it.