It was 23 July and it was my birthday today. My parents had decided this would be a good opportunity for me to socialize with people of our class so they threw a party. They had taken care of the guest list for me, inviting some of their business partners as well as other wealthy and high class families. I had been allowed to pick some guests myself despite their averseness. Draco and Daphne had already been invited so I didn't need to worry about them and, although my parents weren't happy about it, I invited Fred, George, and Hermione. Unfortunately none of them could make it as they were all out of the country on vacation.
Hermione had gone with her parents to France for the holiday. She sounded like she was enjoying herself last time we spoke and apologized for not being able to come. Still, she sent me a parcel for my birthday. It had been a potions book she had found that she thought I would enjoy. I did. Fred and George had gone to Egypt with their family thanks to a contest they won. The annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw had been awarded to their family and they used the money for a family vacation. They apologized for not being able to come either but wished me a happy thirteenth birthday. It wouldn't be as fun without them.
Since this was meant to be a "classy" party I had to dress up. I found it annoying having to do things this way but seeing as it was my "special day" everyone had to wear dress robes, including me. And seeing as it was one of the rare occasions where I would allow it, my mother picked out my clothes. She had chosen one that wasn't very extravagant and I was thankful for that. It was simple silver with an uneven hemline that reached my knees. If she could, my mom would dress me up like I was a doll. She sure had tried enough times. I never really liked dressing up though and it was one of the many reasons why we weren't very close. There were a few other Slytherin that came to my party besides Daphne and Draco. Along had come Pansy and Millicent as well as Draco's roommates at Hogwarts; Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. None of them talked much for some reason.
"Oh don't you look lovely!" my mum exclaimed as I walked on the stone steps to our garden in the back. She rushed over to me and began fixing my already unnaturally straight hair. She'd been doing this for the past few hours and I was sure that she'd keep at it for a few more. "You look like a little porcelain doll! Or at least you would if you'd stop making that face."
"Fine" I sighed and gave her one of my best fake smiles. She returned the smile and happily walked over to my father who was talking to Mr. and Mrs. Harris. I walked around taking in the gaudy decorations knowing that if my parents had let me plan my own party none of this would be here. The garden was beautiful enough on its own without the need of all these flashy adornments. I sighed again and took a seat next to the circular pond at the far corner of our garden. I liked it here; it was the most relaxing part of our whole house. It looked like a giant, but very organized, puddle. A perfect example of the way modest things could be beautiful.
"Hey birthday girl" Draco said strutting over to me. "You look nice…"
"Thank you," I said raising my hand so he would help me stand up. Draco pulled me up and into a hug. I giggled and hugged him back. "You look very handsome yourself. Did your mum pick this out?"
"Are you saying I can't pick out my own clothes?" he asked in foul tone. I smiled and poked his forehead with my finger. Draco never did like it when people underestimated him
"Stop being so defensive! Besides this is a party right? Or at least it's supposed to be" I mumbled the later looking around at the crowd of people my parents had gathered. It even looked boring. Nobody here looked like they were the kind of person who even knew how to be happy.
"Yeah," Draco said, looking around the garden just as I was. "Well I could give you your present now…" He laughed as my face lit up. Draco always got me the best presents. Unlike my parents, he actually bought things that he knew I would enjoy. Whether it was cheaply handmade or the most expensive he could find I always loved it.
"Go get it then!" I said excitedly. He laughed again
"Wait here, I'll be right back." With that he was off. It wasn't long after he left that I heard footsteps and expecting Draco I turned smiling. It faded when I saw who it really was.
"Well if it isn't the special birthday girl." In front of me stood Pansy, annoying as ever. I had specifically told my parents not to invite her but they ignored me. Apparently it would have been "rude" not to invite her family and even more so if we didn't invite just her. The truth was they didn't want to look bad, seeing as her family was one of the few purebloods left. I honestly didn't care; I hated her regardless of her blood status.
"Lovely to see you too" I smiled, imitating my mother's warm tone. "I do hope you're enjoying yourself." My attitude caught her off guard and she was unsure of how to react. Usually I fought with her if not I ignored her. But I had promised my parents I wouldn't fight and I'd behave in a kindly manner. I would be nice, just like I always pretended to be.
"Do you think I'm going to fall for that?" she snapped stepping closer to me. I smiled, she didn't. "You're always pretending to be such a goody two-shoes! You're not and we both know that. I wonder how people would react if they knew the real you?"
"Whatever do you mean?" I asked still smiling but more alert. If she tried pulling something nasty, at my own birthday party, there's no way I was going to forgive her.
"What if everyone at this party saw how foul you really are? If they knew you like I knew you would they be saying such good things to your parents?"
"Now, I know you're smarter than to do something like that" I warned her in the friendliest tone I could manage. She smiled cruelly and I stood up, still smiling.
"I bet Draco wouldn't even speak to you if he knew this side of you" she sneered. I paused. Then I laughed. This time it was genuine and I couldn't help myself. "What's so funny?!"
"Yeah, what is so funny?" Draco asked next to us, in his hands my birthday present.
"Draco, hi!" she said quickly running her hand through her hair trying to tidy it up. "You look really nice today"
"Thanks," he said curtly and looked to see me stifling laughs. She really hadn't realized that Draco knew that side of me more than even my own parents? He was probably the one person I could be completely myself around without fear of judgment or rejection. Obviously she still didn't think things through, or maybe she had just been hoping she'd be right. "So why are you laughing?"
"I was just laughing at Pansy. Oops, I'm sorry; I meant laughing at what she said. She had just told me the funniest joke. Would you like to hear it Draco?" I asked teasingly and batted my eyelashes at Pansy. She glared in response.
"That's okay; it probably wouldn't have been as funny to me. Here, take your present" he said and pushed the neatly wrapped box towards me. I smiled at the box and took it from him
"Pansy, dear, why don't you go get some food" I said trying to think of a nice way to tell her to leave. She ignored it. "Wouldn't you like some Russian Tea Cookies? They're delicious." She ignored me again
"Just go" Draco sighed knowing that I wouldn't open my gift until she left and she wouldn't leave until he made her. She looked bothered that he took my side so easily but left. This was already a great present. Draco saw my face and smiled. "Why didn't you just tell her to leave yourself?"
"Mum and Papa said I couldn't be mean." I quickly sank down on the grass and began unwrapping my gift, excited for what I would get this time. Inside the box was a piece of fabric, neatly folded. I reached for it and was surprised at how sleek it felt. Draco sat in front of me as I took the beautiful scarf out. It was fine knit and my favorite color, forest green. "It's so soft!"
He didn't say anything but instead continued to look down at my gift. Inside the box, underneath where the scarf had been, there was a flat square jewelry box.
"What's this?" Draco shrugged and gave me a small smile. I set my scarf on my lap and reached for it with curiosity clear on my face. Inside the box was an antique looking necklace. It had a thin, metal chain holding a tear shaped gem. It was a flaming red. "Oh Deedee, this is beautiful"
"You like it then?" he asked looking hopeful. "It's a ruby, your birthstone"
"I love it. Help me put it on?" He looked surprised by my request but took my new necklace from my hands as I turned around. I held up my hair and he draped the chain around my neck, seeming a little hesitant.
"You know," Draco said when finished, "rubies are the symbols of beauty and nobility…" I smiled and he looked down to the box he had given me. "It suits you…"
"Are you saying you think I'm beautiful Draco?" I teased, wrapping my new scarf around my neck, knowing what his reaction would be
"No!" he yelled briskly standing up. I stood up too and gave him a hug before he could leave. Even in the dim light I could tell he was beginning to blush. Draco would always behave this way around me but lately he had started doing it more than he used to. I still didn't understand why he only did this with me. Maybe it was because we were such close friends.
"Thank you" I said. Draco sighed and hugged me back. He rested his head on my shoulder. We were close to the same height now but I knew it wouldn't last. My brother had grown more in one year than I had thought possible and went as far as growing taller than our father. For now I might as well enjoy not having to look too high up at Draco. I felt him laugh and pull away enough so he could see my face. "What?"
"Can you ever go one day where your mind doesn't go up to the clouds?" he laughed. I made a face at him and he surprised me by giving me a kiss on the forehead. I heard an aggravated sound and looked over to see Pansy stomping off to the other side of the garden. This was the best present ever
Soon we separated and I went over to socialize with some of the other guests. Since most of them were my parents' friends I had to be on my best behavior. I did talk to Daphne for a little while but it wasn't long before I was pulled aside to talk to someone else. I highly doubted that most of the people here had actually come for me. When it was time to open my presents that became more apparent. Draco had given me his wonderful present already and Daphne had gotten me a 1000 piece puzzle "for those days when you need a distraction". Besides theirs, every other present was just a generic item that most girls would've liked. Of course I smiled politely and pretended to be exited but I wasn't. Eventually I said my goodbyes to everyone and thanked them for coming. My face hurt from smiling