Chapter Twenty
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters nor the scenery which you could recognise, the only thing I take credit for is the plot.
Pairings: Severus/Marvolo.
Warnings: Dark Harry, Dumbledore, Hermione, and Weasley bashing (excluding Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George).
Word Count: 5,698
Date Written: 12/03/2021
Aldwyn flinches, he couldn't help it. Draco was standing in front of him and his parents, godparents, Bill and Charlie wouldn't tap him on the shoulder like that. He silently prays to Merlin and Morgana that whoever is standing behind him, close enough to touch him, hadn't noticed the involuntary action, nor his state of almost hyperventilation. Taking a deep, stabilising breathe, Aldwyn attempts to regulate his breathing as he squares his shoulders and turns on his heels.
He freezes in surprise at the sight before him. A boy is standing in front of him now. He is tall, two or three inches taller than Aldwyn and he is thin, not worryingly so, Aldwyn could see the slight definition of muscles under the other's robes and wondered if the boy played Quidditch. He finds himself relaxing slightly when the boy offers him a small, sheepish smile as if apologising for startling him and Aldwyn inwardly cringes, he had noticed him flinching then. He returns the gesture when the other takes a small step backward, as if already aware of Aldwyn's aversion to people he isn't comfortable with, standing so close, it endears him to the boy a little.
"Good afternoon, Heir Prince-Slytherin. It is nice to finally put a face to the name. Draco has spoken of nothing but you throughout the summer and I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance."
The boy's voice is smooth Aldwyn notices first, like freshly woven silk and its softness has the remaining tension releasing from Aldwyn's shoulders as he slowly bows his head in acknowledgment falling back, almost subconsciously, on the advice his Father had given to him. He shakes the other's hand when it is offered cautiously, cheeks flaring hotly when his knuckles are brushed by the boy's lips. Aldwyn eyes the boy in front of him, willing his blush to dissipate as he tries to spot whether he is being genuine or not. His own smile widens a little when he spies to spark of sincerity lurking deep within the dark chocolate eyes gazing at him just as intensely.
"Thank you…"
"Zabini, Blaise Zabini, Heir to the Noble House of Zabini."
"Thank you, Heir Zabini. The pleasure is all mine, truly. I am glad to finally meet you also, I have, like yourself, heard much about yourself during these few weeks of summer from Draco."
And he honestly had, Blaise Zabini was one of the few Slytherin's who Draco had outright called a friend, many of the others had been referred to as mere acquaintances or schoolmates simply in the same Hogwarts House, despite their family connections. The Zabini Heir bows formally, winking flirtatiously at the younger boy before placing another swift kiss to the back of Aldwyn's knuckles which is still being held gently within his own. Blaise smirks, eyes sparkling playfully as the blush dusting Aldwyn's cheeks intensifies.
"Please call me Blaise, I have a feeling that we are going to become very close friends."
Tentatively as if fearing rejection, Aldwyn steps closer to the taller boy, wrapping his arms around Blaise's neck and burying his face in his neck as his small frame trembles slightly with the overload of emotions he can feel building in his chest. Never had anyone, besides Draco, wished to be his friend before, not without demanding something in return.
"Thank you, Blaise."
Blaise, though deeply surprised by the extremely emotional preteen, instantly wraps his arms around Aldwyn's small waist, holding the fragile boy close as he smooths a hand down Aldwyn's back hoping to alleviate some of the boy's emotional state before it is called to someone's attention. He didn't want to be blamed for sending the Slytherin Heir into some state of distress, nor did he wish to face the wrath of Lord Slytherin.
"Shhh. It is going to be okay, Heir Prince-Slytherin. I apologise if I have said or done anything which has made you feel uncomfortable. I am always being told that I tend to act before I think, not very Slytherin when you think about it."
Aldwyn chuckles against Blaise' shoulder, shaking his head in denial of the other being in any way at fault for his emotional display. He should have better control over his emotions already.
"It wasn't anything you said or did, Blaise. Well not in a bad way anyhow. I just… Draco was my first and only friend, no one had wanted to be friends with someone like me before and I am unused to people wishing to spend time with me. I was not expecting others to want to befriend me. I apologise."
Clinging to Blaise when he feels the arm around his waist tightening at his confession, he smiles against his shoulder, loving the ecstatic feeling growing in his chest when Blaise simply responds by kissing the top of his head.
"I can't think of anyone who wouldn't wish to become friends with you, Heir Prince-Slytherin. You seem like a pretty brilliant person to me."
Aldwyn chuckles once again, pulling away from Blaise, he cocks his head to the side in question wondering how Blaise had come to his conclusions so soon, they had only just met each other. He wipes his eyes on the handkerchief he always keeps on his person before smiling at his friend.
"Please, call me Aldwyn. I abhor the bridge which is created with the use of surnames, besides we can't well be friends if you are still referring to me as Heir Prince-Slytherin, it is a bit of a mouthful. I look forward to getting to know you more Blaise."
"As do I… Aldwyn."
They descend into the conversation then, just as Draco notices the lack of warmth surrounding his hand and realises that he must have released Aldwyn when one of his friends jumped on him. Worry beings to bubble in the pit of his stomach and he quickly turns to glance over his shoulder wondering where Aldwyn is and if he had relapsed or not. His concern settles when he spots Aldwyn standing a few steps away, in front of Blaise Zabini, both snickering softly as they are locked in a conversation of their own.
The image makes an unusual emotion flare up inside Draco's chest, especially when he catches sight of Aldwyn's hand in Blaise'; an overbearing need to protect his Godbrother from the overly flirtatious Zabini Heir is pushed away when he sees the bright smile adorning Aldwyn's face. He is happy that Aldwyn is finally becoming more confident in himself. Though he vows to keep an eye on the developing friendship between Blaise and Aldwyn, seen as the Zabini Heir, despite being only twelve years old, is a huge flirt and he doesn't want Aldwyn getting hurt.
Waiting for a natural lull in the conversation, Draco carefully slips his hand into Aldwyn's free one, knowing that neither of the others would appreciate it if he broke their hands apart. He directs his friend to stand by his side, dragging Blaise to take a position on Aldwyn's other side. Draco Clears his throat, gaining the attention of his friends as he indicates to the smaller boy standing protectively between himself and Blaise.
"Friends, colleagues, and…others."
The group of young Slytherin's giggle quietly as Draco subtly sneers over at Crabbe and Goyal who look back at the blond with confusion shaping their features. Aldwyn had heard his Father talking about their Father's before and apparently, they weren't much brighter.
"I would like to formally introduce you all to Aldwyn Salazar Prince-Slytherin. Heir to the Ancient and Most Prestigious House of Slytherin and the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prince. The son of Marvolo Slytherin and Severus Prince."
Aldwyn wishes to duck behind Draco as several sets of curious eyes lock onto him, taking him in and he subconsciously squeezes the hands wrapped around his own at the intensity of the situation. He doesn't like being stared at, never had and he squashes the urge to fidget on the spot.
"Oh, just look how cute he is, Daph. Though, now that you mention it Draco, he does look remarkably like Professor Snape, doesn't he?"
Aldwyn looks at the small girl curiously. Yes, he had technically met them all prior to this, but that had been when he had been Harry Potter, Gryffindor's Golden Boy, and the Saviour of the Wizarding World. Here he was someone completely different, someone, he liked to think he was always supposed to be. Here he was just a twelve-year-old kid wishing to make some new friends as well as some close confidants while he was in school and away from his Father. Even though Bill, Charlie, and his Papa were going to be there. He is surprised when someone cuffs Pansy around the back of the head.
"Hush, Pansy. You are going to scare him away if you keep staring at him like your Transfigurations homework and treating him like a simpleton. Besides, I think you mean Professor Prince now."
A blonde-haired girl standing beside the girl she had called Pansy, and slapped, who lightly hits the girl in return making Aldwyn flinch back involuntarily. He stares when the girl turns a charming smile on him in the next instance.
"It is a pleasure to meet your Heir Prince-Slytherin. I'm Daphne Greengrass and this rude girl is Pansy Parkinson."
"I am not rude!"
Aldwyn nods in acknowledgment towards the two girls who begin to lightly bicker back and forth, and he forces a small smile at their interactions. Honestly, he hadn't expected Slytherin students to act in such a manner.
"Heir Prince-Slytherin, it is such a pleasure to meet you in person. I am sure if Draco were to mention just how brilliant you are once more without introducing us then I would have lost my patience. I am Theodore Nott but please call me Theo. I abhor Theodore."
The sandy blond boy who had initially jumped on Draco steps forward, a thick tomb clasped tightly under his arm as he offers a short nod towards Aldwyn who is quick to return the gesture.
"I'm Tracy Davies. Nice to meet you, Heir Prince-Slytherin."
A girl with bright red hair pushes past a still bickering Greengrass and Parkinson, flicking her hair over her shoulder before fluttering her eyelashes so fast that Aldwyn wonders if a bug had just flown into her eye or not. He notices but doesn't comment on, the lack of title she offers and assumes that she is a half-blood, though clearly one who adheres to Pureblood etiquette and traditions if she is friends with Draco.
"Millicent Bulstrode."
A girl with dark, wavy brown hair stands off to the side, arms crossed over her chest as she looks down her nose at Aldwyn making his shift uncomfortably on the spot unnerved by the intensity of the stare and he can't help but wonder if the girl hated him already. He shuffles closer to Blaise and Draco not wishing to get on the wrong side of the non-feminine Heiress.
As soon as everyone had introduced themselves, bar Crabbe and Goyal who was still looking vaguely confused over Draco's previous comment, Draco grins at his friends before pulling a packet of cards from the inside pocket of his robes. Aldwyn stares at them in confusion, wondering when Draco had slipped them in there before he shrugs it off. The other children cheer before dropping to sit in a circle on the floor in, what Aldwyn is shocked to label as, a very undignified, very anti-pureblood manner. He quickly follows suit, however, when they turn to stare up at him questioningly; gracefully settling himself on the floor, he reluctantly releases Draco's hand when he begins to shuffle the cards, dealing them between them all.
"Alright Aldwyn, we are going to play Exploding Snaps. The rules are pretty simple to follow. We each have to take turns putting the card on the top of our pile down in a pile in the middle of the circle. You are not allowed to look at your own cards, however. If two consecutive cards are the same, then you have to shout 'Snap' and the cards will explode. Whoever is the last person to shout, the cards will appear in their pile."
Aldwyn nods his head already having a sinking feeling that he is going to lose horribly seen as he never liked speaking in front of anyone he wasn't all that comfortable around. He doesn't know how he is going to shout anything out. He settles back watching as cards are thrown to each player until none were left.
"To win, all you have to do is avoid being burnt by the explosions and be the first to get rid of all of the cards in your hand. Are you ready?"
Aldwyn looks from Draco to Blaise and back again before he reluctantly nods his head. He wishes that, for once, he would be able to voice his own opinions and say that he would actually prefer to sit this one out and just watch. Just until he gets to know the other children enough to feel comfortable.
The games don't go as horrible as Aldwyn first thought, to help him out in the beginning, Blaise would squeeze his hand when there was a pair and much to his relief, he didn't actually have to shout out loud. The game would recognise if one simply said, or in his case mumbled, the word snap, and therefore he didn't lose every single game. Though he did lose his fair few. He had even won one much to his delight.
After a few games of Exploding Snaps, the other children unanimously voted that it was time to move on to a more active game; a five aside game of Quidditch which got Aldwyn more excited than anyone had seen him all day. They decided on girls versus boys. Laughing quietly at the arguing which had occurred between the others as they tried to figure out who would be on whose team before Tracy pointed out that there was an equal number of girls to boys who wanted to play.
After informing Draco that he was going to fetch some brooms for them all, the Blond not knowing where his Father had the house elves build their new Quidditch shed just yet, he quickly runs off towards the large wooden outhouse, standing just off from the Quidditch pitch. Opening the heavy doors, Aldwyn draws in a deep breath at the rows upon rows of broomsticks, various models hanging along the walls.
Steeping into the dark room, Aldwyn looks around for his Nimbus 2000, frowning when he doesn't spot it at first. That is until he comes across a large white cloth, his name elegantly written across a folded piece of parchment stuck to the fabric. Taking the note, Aldwyn unfolds the parchment grinning from ear-to-ear as he reads the familiar scrawl of his Father's writing.
Dear Aldwyn,
Happy birthday, Snakelet. I was walking around Diagon Ally looking for the perfect present for you a few days ago when I recalled the many conversations you have conducted with Draconis, and your Papa and I, and just about anyone who will listen about Quidditch. I remember you mentioning how you played Seeker for the Gryffindor team, the youngest Seeker in the century. I, therefore, conspired with Lucius and decided to buy these for yourself and your friends as you deserve to have the best birthday possible.
With all my love,
Your Father.
A shaking hand places the note in an empty pocket of his robes while the other takes a firm grip on the fabric and pulls the material away from whatever his Father, and Lucius Malfoy, had hidden underneath. Aldwyn's breath catches in his throat and his eyes widen as he takes in the appearance of 11 brand new Nimbus 2001 broomsticks, the latest models on the market. Upon closer inspection, Aldwyn finds one which has his name engraved along the handle in silver, another with Draco's.
Quickly taking his old wand out of his pocket, Aldwyn shrinks the multiple brooms, dropping them all but his own and Draco's into his robe pocket before he runs out of the shed, making his way back towards the group of Slytherin's who appear to have finally sorted out the teams. Blaise is the first to notice his approaching form and sends him a large smile, waving him closer as he slows to a brisk walk, cheeks flushed and breathing erratic. He rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment for having taken so long.
"Hey, Aldwyn. What took you so long?"
Blaise questions softly, once again taking Aldwyn's free hand as soon as he is close enough, his other being held firmly behind his back as he is pulled towards the group finally grabbing their attention.
"Well, I went to the broom shed to find my broom and get some for the rest of you to use but found something there that mine and Draco's Father had apparently conspired to buy for us for our birthdays."
He answers quietly, fiddling with the broomsticks he is still trying to hide behind his back.
"Well, what did you find?"
Draco demands impatiently, his small hands gripping his hips as he stares hard at his friend, his eyebrows furrowing in an effort to keep himself from jumping on Aldwyn to find out what he is hiding. Despite how desperately he wished to know what had caused Aldwyn to take as long as he had in collecting their brooms and what his Father had 'conspired' with Marvolo about. He calms himself further when he notices the small flinch Aldwyn attempts to hold back at his tone.
Without saying a word, Aldwyn pulls the two brooms out from behind his back, releasing Blaise' hand in order to check the handles and hand the appropriate broom to Draco, ensuring that the one left in his hands did have his own name carved into the handle. Immediately the other children gather around the brooms, inspecting the sleek, black paint jobs, each other them gasping at the newest and best broom on the current market.
"Our Fathers bought us a Nimbus 2001 each? No wonder Father was so against buying one for me for my own birthday. Then again, he wouldn't have known not to get me one in June. Do you think your Father convinced my Father to allow me to have one?"
Draco ponders as he brushes his fingers lightly against the polished wood almost as if he were in a trance fingering the engraving of his name as well. Aldwyn shrugs his shoulders in answer.
"I am unsure, Draco but I do believe it is a good thing that my Father bought enough for us all to play with… it wouldn't have been fair otherwise…"
Aldwyn smirks smugly at the questioning glances he is shot as he pulls something out of his pocket. Placing them on the floor in the middle of the group, Aldwyn pulls his wand back out of its holster on his arm and whispers a quiet Engorgio returning the brooms to their original sizes earning more gasps of awe from the Slytherins.
"This must have cost your Father a small fortune!"
"Oh, my Merlin. These are so cool!"
"I can't believe this!"
Aldwyn blushes under the continued shock, surprise, and appreciation leaking through the undertones of his soon-to-be classmates' comments. He squeezes the hand, which is quick to wrap around his own as if sensing his overwhelming emotions, and feels himself calming minutely. Leaning slightly into Blaise who, in return offers a reassuring smile in hopes of keeping the younger boy from going into another panic attack as he had earlier. Neither of them notices the jealous look passing over Draco's features for the briefest of seconds.
"Alright! How about we get this game started then?"
Loud cheers follow Blaise' statement and the rest of the children scramble to claim one of the brand-new brooms, eager to test them out. They are quick to mount their brooms and push off from the ground, zooming into the air with whoops of joy and excited squeals at the speed at which they fly upwards.
An hour soon passes and Aldwyn, flushed from the exercise and flying around his full-sized pitch after the snitch, barely catches the faint sound of his Father calling for him. Slowing down to hover in the air, Aldwyn motions for his new friends, indicating that it was time to land and head back towards their parents. They follow behind with small grumbles of protest, none of them willing to part with the delightfully speedy brooms nor their Quidditch game so soon. As they each touch down, they grip their brooms tightly in small fists, grins never once wavering as they race off towards the center of the garden towards the gazebo. Each making their way to their parents in order to relay tales of their game.
"I take it that you found yours and Draco's other present, Snakelet. How do you like them?"
Marvolo bends down to scoop his jittery, flushed, and utterly wind-swept Son up into his arms, hugging the giggling child to his chest, brushing strands of hair that had escaped his hair tie away from his sweaty forehead, and place a kiss to the exposed skin. He is pleased to see his young Son so relaxed in the company of so many; the happiest he had seen Aldwyn in such large company. He feels immense pride filling his chest at just how far Aldwyn had come in such a short amount of time.
"Yes, thank you, Father. They are absolutely brilliant! I can't wait to try out for the Quidditch team when I go back to Hogwarts!"
Small arms wrap around Marvolo's shoulders in a tight hug and Marvolo has to catch his Son's new broom, resting it against one of the tables when Aldwyn releases it in his excitement. Small giggles continue to escape his Son and Marvolo cannot help but chuckle in response. Aldwyn shifts in his Father's arms when he spots Severus making his way through the crowd towards, them. Wiggling in silent demand, Aldwyn waits for his Father to place him back on his feet before he is running off once more, laughing as he is swung up into another embrace.
"Papa!"
"Why hello, my excitable little snake. How are you enjoying your party so far?"
Aldwyn rests his head against Severus' shoulder, feeling his adrenaline calming down as he breathes in the soothing scent of potions ingredient he is coming to associate with his Papa. Neither of them notices, nor pays much heed to the startled looks of his new friends at witnessing Severus Prince, notorious dungeon bat and genuine disliker of children cuddling a small child. Maybe they hadn't believed Draco when he had told them that Severus was his Papa.
"It has been amazing, Papa! We played Exploding Snaps, which I wasn't very good at, I got burnt a little on my fingers and then we played Quidditch and my team won! I caught the Snitch! I also made a new friend, his name is Blaise and he is really nice."
Aldwyn's head shoots up, nearly colliding with Severus', so he can look into his Papa's face, his eyes sparkling with glee, his expression one of pure elation which Severus cannot help but laugh at a little. He cuddles Aldwyn closer.
"I am pleased to hear so, Aldwyn. I am glad you have had fun so far. Now, the reason your Father and I called you down is because we were wondering whether you would prefer to open the presents from your friends now or if you would like to have the cake first?"
Pondering his options for a few seconds, Aldwyn cocks his head to the side, eyebrows furrowing in deep thought before he smiles.
"May we do the presents first? I think I may start to feel a little queasy if I try to eat something so sweet after flying around so much."
"Of course, we may, Snakelet. Whatever you wish."
Aldwyn happily sinks into Severus' embrace, having no desire to be put down just yet despite the fact that he is surrounded by so many people not that his Papa seemed all that bothered either as he is carried over towards the large circular, a mahogany table filled with an array of presents, many of which he is happy to see are wrapped in Slytherin green and silver. Emerald eyes sparkle as they flicker from package to package as he feels himself being settled gently onto the floor before he seats himself cross-legged. Waiting patiently for all his friends to join him with their parents, ignoring the questioning glances passing from himself to his Papa as they settle on the floor around him. His Father hands him the first gift.
30minutes later, Aldwyn had managed to make his way through all of the gifts he had been given, tearing up a little at the thought of these people buying things for him, despite never having met him in person before. He had received all sorts of wonderful presents from the children he was on his way to counting as real friends.
Pansy had bought him a fine set of silver cufflinks decorated with snakes with rubies encrusted into their eyes, sparkling whenever the light hits at the right angle. He giggled when he first saw them, showing his Father who appreciated the irony of such a gift as well. Daphne had bought him a few of every sweet available in Honeydukes, Tracy chipping in to help split the cost of such a bundle. He had been made to promise his parents that he wouldn't gorge himself on them and informed his Papa that he would limit himself to a few every two or so days. Much to the man's approval. Millicent had gifted him a few bits and pieces for Phanex, who would be pleased with the available treats and brand-new owl perch for him to make use of now. Aldwyn made a note to show Phanex when he saw him next, he was sure the owl was sleeping in his bedroom somewhere. He was especially pleased when he had received a book about ancient runes from Theo, one which he was happy to note that he hadn't read yet; maybe Bill could help him understand some of the more complex aspects later. He smiled when he opens a book on potions from Blaise, weaseling a promise from his Papa to practice some of them before he went back to school, and possibly during the school year if he managed to keep on top of his school work. He nods in thanks to Crabbe and Goyle who had banded together and bought him a new Defensive Magic book.
He calls Geeney to put his presents away in his bedroom and is about to push himself from the floor when a voice calls out to him again, two figures casually pushing through the crowd of Death Eaters to get to him. He smiles up at Bill and Charlie, sniggering inwardly at the looks of abject horror on the faces of the Slytherins who hadn't noticed the pair before.
"Wait, Aldwyn."
Turning to glance up at Bill and Charlie who make their way over to him with packages in their hands, they rub the backs of their necks offering his sheepish smiles drawing a giggle from Aldwyn at how much they looked alike. He ignores the whispers going on around them.
"We kinda forgot to put our presents for you on the table. So, here you go."
Bill hands a smallish, messily wrapped present to Aldwyn, crouching down behind the small boy as he takes it in his own hands, leaning his head back against Bill's knees to thank the tall ginger before he returns his gaze to the parcel. Carefully peeling the wrapping paper from the objects inside, Aldwyn stares wide-eyed at the small Egyptian talisman sitting on top of a book on Curse-breaking and warding. He remembered talking to Bill for hours about his job as a curse-breaker for Gringotts and finding his work to be completely fascinating. Picking up the wooden carving, Aldwyn strokes a finger down it, awed by the detail he could see in the beautiful sphinx creature.
"It took me a while to get it right, but I managed to finish it in time. It is the first talisman I have been able to carve and ward with all the right protection charms wand spells without having it blow up in my face."
Aldwyn hooks the talisman around his neck, smiling when it rests just below his Father's locket and sighing in contentment when he feels Bill's magic mixing with his Father's the layered charms soothing and caressing his skin before it settles around him like a thin blanket. He turns around, throwing his arms around Bill and knocking the older wizard back onto his bottom, burrowing into the warmth that is Bill Weasley.
"Thank you, Bill. This is absolutely brilliant. I love it."
"No worries, Parum Anguis. Happy birthday."
Settling back against Bill's chest, Aldwyn looks towards Charlie who settles down on the floor next to his brother, a slightly neater wrapped box held in his own hands. He offers the present with a roguish smile.
"Here, happy birthday, Aldwyn."
Taking the package carefully, Aldwyn slowly peels back the paper slightly unnerved when he sees whatever is inside shifting a little. Casting a glance up at Charlie, Aldwyn relaxes a little when the man merely nods towards the present. Opening to gift completely, Aldwyn gasps in delight when a small dragon figurine stretching itself out from its previously curled up position on a piece of fabric. Picking up the small figure, Aldwyn giggles when it begins to climb up his arm, breathing tiny amounts of fire as it goes.
"This is a Welsh Green, one of the more docile breeds. It acts just like the real thing but doesn't need food or water or anything like that to survive. My Mother gave it to me when I was a young wizard and I thought that you would like to have it now."
Aldwyn watches in fascination as the tiny dragon climbs across his arm before losing its footing and sliding down his chest and into his waiting hands. It curls up, blowing smoke rings into his face making him giggle lightly, turning to face Charlie, Aldwyn pulls the older wizard into an awkward, one-armed hug seen as he is still sitting in Bill's lap.
"Thank you, Charlie. He is just so cute. I think I will call him Carolus."
"Why Carolus?"
Charlie questions, Aldwyn didn't name anything without there being a reason behind it and he is curious as to know the reason behind such a name for the tiny dragon toy.
"It is the Latin form of Charles, which is where the name Charlie originated from. I think it is very fitting for such a dragon."
Aldwyn answers simply, too busy watching his little dragon curling up and going to sleep to notice to faint flush of red dusting Charlie's cheeks.
"There is one more thing in the package, Aldwyn."
Charlie reminds Aldwyn when he realises that the young boy is too fascinated with the small, sleepy figurine in his hands. He watches as Aldwyn places Carolus into his lap gently, not wanting to wake him up before looking at the folded piece of fabric again, head tilted curiously. Lifting the present out of the paper, Aldwyn is surprised to see a finely crafted Dragonhide jacket unfolding, his name stitched into the fabric on the left-hand side.
"Wow. Charlie this is so cool. Where did you get it from?"
Turning to gaze up at the Dragon tamer, Aldwyn is shocked to find a deep flush spreading across his cheeks as he turns his gaze away from Aldwyn's eyes. Charlie can feel his embarrassment rising as everyone turns to stare at him.
"I didn't buy it anywhere, I made it…"
"Really? That is amazing, you are really talented! I can wear this when I don't have to wear my robes and cloaks!"
Charlie breathes a sigh of relief at Aldwyn's clear admiration of his gifts, he had been incredibly nervous at giving the child such a personal and handcrafted gift as those ones, but even despite his work at the Dragon reserve, he didn't make as much money as he would have liked and couldn't spend a lot of money on his presents. He had relaxed a little when Bill had also given Aldwyn a handmade gift.
With all of the presents now opened and taken to his room by a delighted Geeney who once again promised to put them all away in their rightful places and to find a comfortable little pillow for Carolus to sleep on. Aldwyn is quickly dragged up by his friends who were excited to get some sugar in their systems as they usher him and Draco towards their large birthday cake. He grins at the brightly burning candles, the flowers being spelled to play a soft tune that Aldwyn doesn't recognise. Assuming that the wizarding world had their own rendition of a birthday song instead of the typical muggle one; he is proven correct when his Father counts down and many of the guests begin to sing.
The whole ordeal is rather overwhelming for the young wizard who had never received so much from anyone before, nor been surrounded by so much love and affection as he is right at that moment. He tries valiantly to prevent himself from breaking down into happy sobs when a few tears trickle down his cheeks as he leans forward to blow out the candles with Draco. He makes a simple wish, wiping his tears from his eyes; wishing that his family, his new friends would never leave him alone ever again. That he could always be surrounded by such care and love as he is now.