Abraxas joined me for my run the next morning and was happily surprised to see me in a much better mood. We jogged further than usual, at such a slow speed we could easily hold a conversation.
"What time shall we go to Hogsmeade on Saturday?" he asked.
"I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at half past ten," I responded, raising my eyebrows to question his agreement.
"Half ten it is then," he replied with a grin. "I've decided on the best restaurant to take you to, Hogsmeade's best I'd say."
"It's only a small village, so I wouldn't expect there to be much choice," I said appraisingly.
"It attracts a lot of tourists, there are only a few along the high street but those lanes leading off it are just teaming with odd little shops and charming places to eat or get a drink. Only those who lack imagination or sophistication go to the Three Broomsticks," he scoffed.
"I suppose you're more of a Hogs Head man yourself," I joked.
He turned to me and fixed me with a pointed look.
"And what do you know of the Hogs Head, darling?" His voice was suddenly stiffer.
"Even in Ravenclaw you hear rumours of the dodgy dealings in that pub," I replied, still smiling as if I had noticed nothing strange going on. "If I were in the mood for an assassin, drugs or moonshine I might pay it a visit."
His face relaxed into a smile.
"You say that, but the Three Broomsticks has its dodgy dealings too," Abraxas said. "At least Aberforth makes all the customers leave at closing time."
I shuddered at his insinuation.
"Not for lack of trying. It's not his fault he sleeps alone. "
Saturday came as an overcast, blustery day. Abraxas of course, was completely averse to ruining his spotless leather shoes with the muddy walk down to the village, so a carriage was waiting for us at the school gates. I vaguely wondered who else could see the hauntingly beautiful beasts of burden which pulled them.
"So where are we going first?" I asked as we strolled arm in arm along the bustling high street.
"First we'll go for a cup of tea," he said, taking on his role as tour guide. "Then we shall browse some shops, stop for a quick butterbeer, and then take a gentle wander up to view the shrieking shack before dinner."
We took tea in a quaint little teashop hidden down a backstreet; at a table with a beautiful view of the mountains which towered so imposingly in this part of the world.
"Have you ever been up there?" I asked; I longed to explore the wildness just out of reach. I wondered how many people had actually ventured up into those peaks, not many I would guess, despite them being so close to Hogsmeade.
"Of course not," he scoffed. "Do I look like I climb mountains?" I smiled and changed the subject.
"Do you have a pet, Poppy?" he asked as we peeked in the window of the pet shop.
"No," I replied. "Well, not a Hogwarts. At Black manor, there is a cat. My grandfather bought him for the first birthday I spent with him. But he's more of a pet to the elves now, they just loved him and my affection was never quite as… fervent as theirs. He's too old to move to school, and thanks to the elves that dote on him so, he would never adjust to life as a pauper in Hogwarts."
Abraxas chuckled, a shook his head.
"What did you name him?" he asked, he sounded genuinely interested in my cat's name.
"Prospero," I supplied. Abraxas looked thoughtful, I looked away.
"Fitting, he was a sorcerer after all," he said. "You are a Shakespeare fan then?"
"It's Shakespeare Abraxas, everyone is a fan."
Next we went to Honeydukes and he treated me to a box of my favourite, Sugar Quills- along with an acid pop, to play a trick on Raimond. I then helped him pick out a new tie from the robes shop across the cobbled street, to wear at the next Slytherin party. Zonko's, of course everyone had to visit and I couldn't help but be intrigued as my companion discreetly ordered three dozen boxes of fireworks to be sent on to him.
The Three Broomsticks, was of course heaving on a Saturday when the students were allowed to leave the school. But one winning smile and few compliments from Abraxas and Madame Penelope had found us a table and brought us two warm, foaming flagons of Butterbeer. I was interested to hear that the heavily pregnant landlady was to call her child Jason if a boy and Rosemerta if a girl. But the landlady expected her child to be female, she could just feel it apparently.
Interesting, I had always wondered the age of the barmaid I saw on my very first visit to Hogsmeade.
We then visited the Shrieking Shack, which Abraxas had warned me was anticlimactic, but it was the thing to do when visiting the village.
"Apparently some of your ancestors lived there," he mentioned as we approached. I regarded the deteriorating house and gave a shrug. I could imagine it had all the grandeur the Black family would insist upon, at one stage in its long history.
"They'd probably be both our ancestors," I said wryly.
We had dinner in a small, exclusive restaurant in the heart of the village. The food was delicious and I doubted I had ever had a piece of fish so succulent- though I would never dare tell the Black elves such. Thankfully our topics of conversation had not dwindled over the hours and we were still laughing heartily all the way to dessert. After we had discussed swimming the length of the lake for the final time, Abraxas as promised, took care of the bill and a carriage picked us up.
"You know we are later than curfew," I pointed out. "How did you get a carriage to come and pick us up?"
"Slughorn," he admitted with a smirk. "I told him I was taking a breathtakingly beautiful young lady out for dinner and he was more than willing to oblige in giving me a little help."
"I doubt he knew that was me," I laughed.
"He's coming round to you," he defended. "You wounded his pride by being placed in Ravenclaw, but he never misses a chance to covet a Black, and you are smart and attractive to boot and he always likes to make sure the successful ones are connected to him in some way. I am sure you can expect an invitation to the Slug Club by the end of the year, at least."
I wasn't sure I'd say yes even if he did.
We arrived back at the castle and Abraxas, who had been the perfect gentleman all day, walked me to Ravenclaw tower.
"Thank you for a wonderful day Abraxas," I said, with a genuine smile. "I really have enjoyed myself immensely." And it was the truth; it was nice to spend the day with someone who made me laugh so much which pomp and suggestive comments.
"It was my pleasure," he replied. "You can't have had nearly the fun that I did, so thank you for accompanying me. But may I ask you one thing?"
"I am listening."
"Surely, after being such an excellent and professional tour guide all day, I deserve a tip," he said with a flirtatious smile.
"I know you don't want my money, Abraxas," I said, amused.
"Of course not," he denied. "I want only one tiny thing in repayment."
"I'm waiting."
"A kiss."
"How about I give you ten galleons and be done with the whole matter," I proposed with a smile.
"I'm sorry, you should have read the contract before agreeing to the terms of the tour," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "When you accepted my invitation to Hogsmeade you agreed to one kiss at the end of the evening, you should always read the small print. It's just good business practice."
"Well fine, I guess you're right," I sighed, quickly swooping in and placing a firm kiss on his cheek, leaving a faint red smudge on his pale skin.
"A mere cheek?" he proclaimed.
"You should have been more specific in the small print, it's just good business practice," I quipped, winking audaciously, before closing the door of the tower on him.
Sunday the 15th of September; otherwise known as my birthday.
After I awoke that morning, I was in the Great Hall before I remembered. And after all, why should I have remembered, it held no real significance for me, for it was not the day I was actually born.
I was given a glaring reminder when I was jumped upon by my family, who ordered me to meet them in the Black common room after breakfast. I agreed and went to sit at the Ravenclaw table.
"What was all that about?" Lizzie asked as she passed the bacon to Casper.
"Oh, just birthday rubbish," I sighed, reaching for a sugar to go on my porridge.
"Birthday?" Lizzie repeated in surprise.
"Poppy, why didn't you tell us?" Casper demanded.
"I've only known you for a fortnight," I defended. They sighed in acceptance, still annoyed at my secrecy. "I didn't think it was… polite… or important."
Abraxas on the other hand, knew it was my birthday and was keen to let everyone know he was good enough friends with me, that I should expect a lavish gift.
Just as I was about to leave the hall, he approached me, holding something large, with a cloth draped over the top and a large bow on the top.
"Happy birthday darling," he announced, giving me a hearty kiss on each cheek. "Orion told me the big secret," he said smugly. "I got you this."
I gently removed the cloth to uncover a large solid silver cage, with two tiny bundles of fluff huddled asleep in the centre, laid snuggled into an emerald green cushion and each other was a small tawny owl and black and white kitten.
"They were unlikely friends in the shop," he explained with a fond smile at them. "I supposed they reminded me of a Slytherin and a Ravenclaw becoming friends, and I know that without Prospero you're in need of a pet… or two."
"Abraxas," I exclaimed, not being able to tear my eyes away from them. Usually I was not an overly emotional person when it came to animals, but when I saw those two and I felt something within my magic tug, and instantly knew that Abraxas could not have chosen a better present.
"Does that mean you like them? Or that you are going kill me for getting you a present which leaves fur everywhere?" he prompted, laughing uneasily.
"Abraxas thank you so much, they are wonderful," I gushed, pulling him into a tight embrace which he could not return, as his arms were full. I gave him a grateful kiss on the cheek and eagerly took the cage from him.
"Apollo and Artemis," I declared without a moment's hesitation. "I'm going to go and get them settled into the tower before I meet my family."
"Wait for it," Raimond said, just joining us. "You'll need these." He handed me a bag. "Shrunken," he said when he noticed me looking at it curiously. "Everything you need. We picked Apollo and Artemis together, for the record." He shot a glare at Malfoy.
"Thank you Raimond," I said, in turn embracing him and giving him a kiss on the cheek. "This is so thoughtful of you both; I don't know what to say."
I had met with my family and looked appropriately grateful as they sang over lit candles, and everyone tucked into a piece of moist chocolate cake.
After I had received an assortment of books, sweets, jewellery, quills, clothes and other trinkets –surprising similar to present hauls from the future- I went back to Ravenclaw tower. After a long, bubble bath, I lit the fire and snuggled down into the comfiest chair, with a large mug of hot chocolate- which Cassiopeia had bribed the elves into refilling, without me remembering until I had been sipping gradually for seven chapters. Dressed in my most comfortable clothes, hair chaotically voluminous and beautifully soft, Artemis sleeping contentedly in my lap I continued my book on the mind arts until I ate the plate of dinner that mysteriously appeared on my table, and got a good, early night's sleep.
Why would anyone want anything else on their birthday?