A/N: I'm sorry I didn't post this yesterday, but I had a final to study for that I was really stress about so I didn't really get to write. Anyways, here's another chapter. Enjoy :))

Chapter 137: Gift

"Wakey wakey, rise..."

"... and shine. It's ya birthdaaaay. "

"Merlin boys, please, why can't you, just once, actually let me SLEEP on my birthday. Come on... " I mumbled, stuffing my face deeper in my pillow.

"Oh, but you're turning 16 today. It'd be... "

"... such a shame to waste it by getting the... "

"... required 8 hours of sleep. We only stay here today after all... "

"... and we assumed that you'd actually like to spend some time with... "

"... your two favorite readheads. "

I figured since I was already awake, and, knowing them, wasn't going to have the chance to go back to sleep, I could tease them a little at least. So I got up from where I was laying, finally finding a reason to get up, and with the most confused look I could muster, I asked them :

"Wait, who said you were my favorite readheads? "

"Who else would it be? Surely not... "

"... itsy bitsy Ronniekins, or ole'... "

"... stuck up Percival. "

"Oh, but you're forgetting the fun brothers : Charlie, the mighty dragon tamer and what about Bill? The curse breaker, the one getting married to a Veela descendant. And your dear sister Ginny, who's almost as good, if not actually as good a Seeker as Krum. "

"... Tsk, tsk, how rude of you to... "

"... disregard two of your best friends. We... "

"... suppose you don't want our gift then. "

"Oh no, don't go there. I'm always, and I repeat, always open for gifts. Every week, 20/7, you know that. Now, tell me what you've got. "

What followed was straight out of a movie : I blinked and the room had been enlarged; I was sitting on a throne, facing a stage that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. The smirks on their faces said it all: the actual gift was just a part of what they had prepared ; first, they had a show. After singing a few silly songs about our friendship and our years together, and dancing like a couple of lunatics, they got rid of the stage and throne, leaving me sitting on the bed again, all of a sudden . Having not expected that, I hit my head against the lower side of the one above, but it was okay.

"Now that you have witnessed our... "

"... incredible talents, we believe that it... "

"...is finally time for you to receive your gift."

George pulled a little rectangle shaped box out of his pocket.

"You know how you always have to..."

"...use spells and long sleeved blouses to hide your soul mate marks? We've solved the problem. The only thing is, it..."

"...can't hide the Dark Mark as well, but, frankly, we started working on this a long time ago. Still,... "

"...we hope that you will like it. "

He handed me the box and when I opened it, I saw an ouroborous shaped pedant on a silver chain inside. And it was very beautiful, although...

"Why is it transparent? "

"And here's where our work comes in. It... "

"...is charmed in such a way that when you put it on, the marks on your hands dissappear and colour the snake instead. Kind... "

"...of like that mood ring that you have, but it enables you to wear short..."

"...sleeves as well. At least it was supposed to until... " he gestured towards my right hand.

"It's fine guys, really. I love it. Someday, maybe I'll actually be able to use it like you intended. Thanks. " I hugged them both tight.

"Is Harry awake yet? "

"He was the first one to..."

"...wake up actually. You know him."

"Right. Well, then we shall celebrate. "

The day was as good as we could've expected it to be, given that we were in the verge of war and the only people in the house were us(the kids), Sirius, Mr and Mrs Weasley. Both of us received gifts and letters and had a really good time at the not-party, talking with everyone about our eventual career paths and whatnot. It was pretty nice. Draco, as per usual, refused to give me our gift in front of everyone, or even give me hints as to what it was. He waited until I just couldn't anymore. Why was he so secretive about it? So, somewhere around eleven in the evening, I took his hand and dragged him all the way up to his room and closed the door.

"Ok, there isn't anyone other than us here. So spill it. You know I love gifts. Why didn't you want to give it to me? Was Harry making you nervous? Because you certainly are. "

"Of course not, it's just...I'm afraid that you won't like it. " he was very determinately looking at his feet. I lifted his chin up.

"Babe, it's from you. I'm sure I'll love it. Besides, you know what they say: it's the intention that matters. "

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. " he mumbled.

"It's going to be fine, okay? I promise. It's just a gift after all, not a death sentence. "

"If you say so...here. Happy birthday babe" he handed me a square velvet, draped in red velvet. In the cushion inside was stuck a black silver ring with a delicate diamond on top. I looked at him in shock. If he would've done that a few years before, I wouldn't have known what it meant. But now I did.

"Dray... " his face dropped the moment his name left my mouth

"It was a mistake, wasn't it? Why did I think - "

"It wasn't a mistake. Unless you don't want this. "

"Of course I do. Sel, you've always seen and brought the best in me, even when I was the biggest prick in the world, and, using your friends' marvelous words, with an icicle up my ass. And you always called me out for being an idiot when it was the case . You've been there for me before and after the Dark Mark, even though because of me you got it as well. You're funny and kind and smart and even if it's probably the biggest cliché ever, we're soulmates. I love you, and even if I'm not sure of a lot of things, even small ones, I am absolutely sure that if we manage to get through this war, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. "

"You've been there for me as well Dray, through every dumb thing I've made, or bad decision, to pull me to the surface whenever the memories or nightmares became too much. I love you. " And with that I slid the ring on my finger and kissed my boyfriend.

"At first I wanted to use the family ring, but it has that horrible motto inside of it: Sanctimonia Vincet Semper(purity will always conquer )"

"Well, you made a great choice. I love it. "

And with that mine and my brother's 16th birthday was done. There was, however, one minor detail that neither me or Draco considered :we had to tell the others at some point, preferably before they noticed themselves and jumped to conclusions like a group of kangaroos.