Harry, Hermione and Susan were at Hagrid's until nearly dinner time.
Susan created a makeshift birthday card using colored pencils and card stock. She drew a picture of herself, Lilah and Hermione wearing party hats, all holding a big birthday cake with 12 candles.
Hermione was busy braiding the friendship bracelet using the 5 different colored pieces of yarn. She was able to find some small clasps to attach to each end.
Harry helped Hagrid with the cake. It was a single layer chocolate cake. With Harry's help, it was a bit less lumpy than the one he got for his own birthday. However, the three friends had to leave for the Great Hall for dinner. Before he left, Harry wrote out "Happy Birthday Lilah" for Hagrid to copy with green icing when the time came.
Back at the great hall, Harry and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table and Susan joined Lilah and the other Hufflepuffs.
"I hope Lilah doesn't suspect anything," Harry whispered to Hermione.
"She's a sharp little witch, I wouldn't put it past her," replied Hermione softly.
Harry glanced at Hermione nervously. "Is her bracelet secure?"
Hermione patted her bag. "It isn't going anywhere, Harry," she squeaked.
"I hope so. I'm going to look for Percy," Harry replied.
He looked up and down the table to find a red-haired student with a Prefect badge. Ahh, I think I found him, thought Harry after scanning for several seconds.
He got up and approached Percy. "Excuse me, Percy," Harry said.
"One moment, Potter," replied Percy, even though Harry didn't think Percy was doing anything particularly important at the time.
A minute later, Percy finally re-engaged Harry. "Ah yes, what can I do for you?"
"I have a friend who has a birthday tomorrow. I was wanting to try the conjuration spell Orchideous but that is a rather advanced spell... I was wondering if you had a few minutes this evening to maybe give me some pointers? I understand if you're busy, but I want to do something special for her, you know?"
Percy nodded in understanding. "I see. Is it Miss Granger's birthday? I seem to recall that she had a birthday this month, but I wasn't sure which day."
Harry shook his head 'no'. "It's Miss Darling, she's at the Hufflepuff table. Miss Granger has hers later this month."
"Interesting, Mister Potter... I should have a few minutes this evening to give some tips. Perhaps we can practice in the Gryffindor common room at say, eight thirty?" asked Percy.
"That would be brilliant," answered Harry. "Thank you for your help."
"You're welcome," said Percy.
Later that evening, Harry and Hermione were in the Gryffindor common room going over schoolwork together. Harry impressed Hermione with his dedication to studying, but he didn't quite have her stamina.
"My brain's fried, Hermione. Do you mind if we take a short break?"
Hermione sighed, as she was clearly in her element, but she turned and smiled sweetly at Harry. "That's fine, Harry, but as long as it's short."
Harry smiled. "Thank you. I really need just a few minutes to catch my breath."
Hermione giggled. "I suppose I might need a few too."
Harry looked at Hermione. "Thank you for reaching out to me the other night, during the Sorting Ceremony. You saved the day. You truly are a good friend." He gently wrapped his arms around her in a warm hug.
Hermione blushed. "You're the first real friend I've ever had, Harry. Until I met you, all my friends were characters in adventure novels, or forced companions for birthday parties."
Harry shook his head in disbelief. "I don't understand... you're unbelievably sweet and bubbly. I would have imagined that you had lots of friends."
Hermione shrugged. "I've always been the resident bookworm, the insufferable bossy know-it-all. I really don't mean to be, but you know what they say about first impressions." She beamed at Harry. "Thank you for looking deeper, Harry. You are a truly special friend. You're going to be a great wizard one day. I know it." She threw her arms around Harry in a wild hug.
It was at that moment when Percy walked into the common room. Hermione quickly scooted over a smidge so as not to give Percy the notion that any funny business was going on between them.
"Ready to practice the Orchideous spell, Potter?" he called out.
"Ready, Percy," answered Harry.
Percy brought out his wand to demonstrate. "It's up and then loop, counter-clockwise, like so." "And you say Orchideous". It may take you a few tries, but you should be able to get it." Percy then conjured a bouquet with ease.
"Now, so we don't leave a mess in the common room, simply use Reparifarge to undo it, like this." And he demonstrated the untransfiguration spell with equal ease.
He smiled at Harry. "Why don't you give it a go and see what happens?"
Harry tried his hand at Orchideous but couldn't quite get the hang of it.
Percy chuckled. "It's okay, Harry. Just keep practicing. I promise you'll get it soon enough. I must go for now, but I do wish you success. Have a good evening."
Harry smiled. "Thank you, Percy. I know I'll get it."
Harry continued to swirl his wand like Percy instructed.
Hermione giggled. "Harry, relax. You're doing it correctly, from what I gather, but I also think you're going a bit fast. Try slowing it down some."
Harry nodded. He took Hermione's advice and slowed his wand movements slightly, and also said Orchideous more clearly and deliberately. That was it! A beautiful bouquet of flowers appeared on the table in front of him.
"Great job, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed. Now, try doing the counter - remember, take your time and say it clearly. 'Reparifarge'."
Harry again took his friend's advice and just like that, the bouquet disappeared without a trace.
Harry smiled at Hermione. "I don't know what I'd do without you. Oh, did you have any luck with that beautification charm you told me about?"
Hermione shook her head sadly. "Maybe I was biting off more than I can chew, but I'll ask Professor Flitwick after class tomorrow and see if he can give me some advice. I like to think I'm a talented witch but I maybe I'm just not ready for this one."
Harry placed his hand on her shoulder. "You are a talented witch, Hermione. Without question. Even if you don't get it down by tomorrow afternoon, I still think you're amazing."
He hesitated for a moment, and gave her a serious expression. "Did anyone ever tell you that you're pretty?"
Hermione shook her head 'no'. "Not from anyone other than my mum and daddy."
Harry grinned. "Well, I think you're pretty, Hermione."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry and squeezed him tightly, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "Thank you, Harry," she said with a slight sniffle. "You're the best friend I could ever ask for."
The next morning, Harry and Hermione went to the Hufflepuff table to wish Lilah a happy birthday. Susan joined Harry and Hermione in singing Happy Birthday to Lilah.
Susan gave Lilah the card that she made, and Hermione clasped the homemade friendship bracelet on Lilah's wrist.
Then Harry confidently waved his wand: Orchideous! And a beautiful bouquet of purple orchids appeared.
Lilah beamed at her friends. "I... I don't know what to say... thank you... so much." A tear of joy rolled down her cheek.
She embraced each of her friends in turn. "This truly is a terrific birthday. I couldn't ask for three better friends."
Lilah then looked at Harry. "Harry, mind if we talk during our shared free period this morning?" She lowered her voice to just above a whisper. "Alone, that is?"
Harry shrugged. "Sure, Lilah, what do you want to talk about?"
Lilah grinned. "Anything and everything, really."
A couple of hours later, Lilah and Harry met outside the castle under the shade of a particularly large oak tree.
Lilah gently took Harry's hand and looked him in his emerald green eyes. She gave him a reassuring smile.
"Harry, when I first met you on the train, I knew you were special. Not because I read about you in some textbook or bought into some legend, but because I've never really met anyone like you. You're kind, you're gentle, and you're smart..."
Her voice trailed off a bit. Harry could sense that she was going somewhere with this, but he wasn't exactly sure where.
Lilah gave Harry's hand a very gentle squeeze. She remembered the advice Professor McGonagall gave her. Just chip away, get him to open up little by little. Probe gently.
"First of all, thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful," she grinned.
Harry smiled coyly. "You're welcome. Pretty flowers for an even prettier girl."
Lilah blushed. She then looked at Harry with a serious expression.
"Harry, I still don't know much about you. You're supposed to be a half-blood wizard by heritage, right?"
"That's right. My father was pureblood and my mother was Muggle-born," replied Harry.
Lilah nodded. "And as I've told you, I'm Muggle-born as well. Now you were effecively raised as Muggle-born, is that correct?"
"Yes, I lived with my aunt and uncle and cousin in Surrey. None of them were magical," Harry answered.
"And were they good to you?" Lilah asked, even though she already knew the answer.
"They were okay, I guess," Harry responded. It wasn't a real lie, but he wasn't entirely truthful either.
Lilah gently squeezed Harry's hand again. "It's okay, Harry. If you still don't feel comfortable telling me your story, I understand. But I'm your friend... truth be told, I've become quite fond of you over the short time we've been friends." She smiled sweetly.
Harry returned the smile. "And I have grown fond of you as well, Lilah." He then felt a lump in his throat. Maybe sharing a little bit might relieve some of the burden he carried.
"Actually, Lilah, they weren't that great to me. They aren't very kind people, unlike you, or Hermione for that matter. I felt like... a burden to them sometimes," he admitted.
Lilah's warm smile only grew. "You needn't tell me any more today, if you wish. If you want to tell me more another time, you know where to find me. And you can also tell Hermione if I'm not around, or if you simply feel more comfortable talking to her. She has become very fond of you as well. She truly cares for you just as much as I do."
Harry embraced Lilah. "She is a very special witch, but you're my first real friend. I'll always remember that."
Harry looked at Lilah. "May I ask you a question?"
"Of course, Harry," replied Lilah. "What's on your mind?"
Harry grinned. "Do you remember meeting your first real friend?"
Lilah beamed. "I was six years old and I had just started primary school. I met a little bushy red-haired girl named Dawn. She had the cutest little giggle." Lilah paused to reminisce. "We played house and pretended we were princesses and watched cartoons... such sweet, innocent memories."
"Do you still keep in touch with her?" Harry asked.
Lilah smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not, Harry. She and her family moved to Australia a couple of years later. We both cried our eyes out when she broke the news to me. She was a treasure for sure."
"Do you think she might have been wizarding material?" Harry asked.
"I don't rightly know, Harry," replied Lilah. "It's possible, but from what I gather there is a separate school for Aussie wizards and witches. I'd love to know if she qualified."
"Perhaps you can ask your head-of-house," Harry suggested. "I can owl mine for you too, to cover all bases."
"You'd do that for me, Harry?" Lilah asked, her silvery-grey eyes sparkling.
"Without question," Harry replied confidently.
"It's just about time for lunch," said Lilah. Ready to go to the Great Hall?
A/N: Although she didn't start acting professionally until her mid teens, I could totally see Margot Robbie being Lilah if she were ever adapted to film. She's in the same age group as DR/RG/EW , etc.
Leave a review or private message if you want to see more a story arc with Lilah and Dawn... should she reconnect with an Aussie witch? Or should we just leave things as-is?
