LION'S MANE:
I doodled on the corner of the Potion's essay I was supposed to be writing, and glanced up at my friends. Nobody remembered…I sighed and slid my parchment, quill and ink pot back in my bag. I hadn't expected mother and father to remember-I scoffed. Of course, they don't care. My brother, too, would have been unexpected to speak to me, let alone tell me Happy Birthday. But-I thought they would remember, at least. Idiots. My throat felt dry and my eyes felt hot.
"Shit." I swiped my sleeve across my face and grabbed my bag, trying to head upstairs without being noticed. I couldn't let them see me cry. "I'd never live it down.
"Oi! Em, where you going?" I paused, cringing. I quickly took a deep breath, composing my face.
I turned, then stepped back. I hadn't realized he'd climbed up behind me. Our noses practically touched.
"Were you trying to scare me, Georgey?" I smirked.
He rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have called out your name if I had been. You aren't going to bed so soon, are you?"
I hesitated, feeling my lip tremble, and quickly cleared my throat, turning to ascend the stairs. "I'm pretty tired tonight. I'll see you lot in the morning."
"Nonsense," he said, grabbing me by the hand and practically dragging me back toward the landing. "Come on, I want to show you something."
"Eh?" I frowned. "It's way past curfew, George."
He laughed, glancing back at me. "So, what? When has that ever stopped us?"
He led me down the corridor, ducking behind walls every few feet to keep a look out for teachers. He refused to release my hand the entire way.
"No way. You'll just turn around and go back. I'm bored, and Fred's busy with Angelina, so…" He grinned and made a sweeping gesture toward a statue. I cocked a hip.
"Really? It's late, you know."
"That's when the party really starts," he said, tapping his wand against the hump of the one-eyed witch statue. "Stop being a killjoy."
"Georgggeeee," I groaned. Still, I let him lift me onto the statue and slipped into the secret passage.
He was beside me in a second, taking my hand again and leading me forward. I bit my lip, annoyed that he was dragging me out of bed after having completely forgotten about my birthday.
"Hold on," he whispered, peeking open the trap door. "Okay, come on."
Again, he dragged me out into the cellar of Honeydukes, then quickly up the stairs, where we joined the crowd of last minute shoppers. George didn't even stop to look at the candy, only headed for the door.
"Okay, where are we going, now?" My breath puffed in the winter air. "I'm in my pajamas and it's freezing out here."
"You sure are complaining a lot," he said with a teasing grin. "We're almost there, so shut it."
"But I'm cold."
He slowed his pace and pulled me into his side, draping an arm across my shoulders. "This'll have to do for now."
I scoffed, but snuggled into him. As annoyed as I was, his body heat was delicious in the frigid night air.
Finally, he led me toward the front doors of the Three Broomsticks. I groaned. "I'm not dressed for this, George-Look at me."
He snorted. "You look good no matter what you wear. Now, stop yapping."
Inside, we cut directly through the crowd, heading for a door that led to a private lounge. I arched a brow as we slipped through the door and froze, my jaw dropping.
The room was large and well-lit, the sofas pushed back to make room for a round table decorated with a stunning tablecloth and centerpiece of Tiger lilies. Behind the table was a changing screen.
"Go change," he said, pushing me toward the screen. "I'll be waiting for you."
"What is this?" I stared up at him, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. "Did you do all this?"
"It's your birthday surprise," he said, grinning cheekily. "It took forever to set up, so I haven't had the time to say anything. I hope you like it."
I turned away from him as tears spilled down my cheeks. "It's really sweet of you-"
His hand touched my shoulder. "Go change. We've got things to do."
I nodded without looking at him, and headed to the screen. Again, my jaw dropped. A slinky, gold dress hung on a wardrobe. I touched the sheer, sexy material, wondering briefly if George had really picked it out. With a sigh, I quickly stripped and pulled the dress on. With my wand, it didn't take long before my makeup was done and my hair was curled, and I slipped into the matching shoes.
"Hurry up, Em," George called, his voice filled with delight. "I want to-Holy shit."
He stared at me as I stepped out from behind the screen, and I smirked. "Like what you see, Weasley?"
He laughed. "Man, I'd heard from the other blokes you were hot, but I never really saw it-" He winked and offered me his arm.
"Since we've had dinner," he said. "I've had dessert and drinks sent up." He pulled out my chair and held my hand until I was seated.
"Such a gentleman," I teased.
He snickered. "I do try. Here," he slid me a small, black box with a large, red bow. "Happy birthday, Emily."
I snapped the box open to see a small, simple necklace. "George-"
He shrugged and pulled the cork out of a bottle, filling two wine glasses. "It may not be as fine as what you're used to, but I think it suits you pretty well." He lifted his, and I followed suit. "You're my best friend Em, and I'm sorry that I take you for granted. I hope this'll convince you to keep putting up with me."
I chuckled. "Well, at least for another year." We exchanged grins and drank the toast.
I reached behind me, unclasping the necklace I usually wore, a diamond bar on a fine, white gold chain, and set it aside. Then, I handed him the box and turned my back, lifting my hair.
He paused. "You sure you want to change it? I mean, yours is really something-"
"This one means nothing to me," I said. "Just another piece in a collection. But this one, I touched his hand that held the box, "means a hell of a lot to me. Some idiot gave it to me on my birthday."
He laughed and helped clasp the new piece around my neck. Before he could draw back, I grabbed his hands and looked back at him, pressing his fingers to my lips. He swallowed audibly.
"So, let's," he cleared his throat and pulled his hands back, grazing them across my bare shoulders. "Let's have some birthday cake."
He lifted the lid on one of the plates to show a large slice of a beautiful silver and gold cake with a single candle in it. He waved his wand, lighting the flame, and the lights went out around us.
"Happy birthday, make a wish." His voice was throaty as he watched me. There was something in his eyes, almost hungry.
I wish this night would never end! Holding his gaze, I blew out the candle. The lights came back up.
"What'd you wish for?" he asked, spearing a small piece of cake on his fork.
"I'll never tell," I said. He held his fork up to my lips, and I met his eye, biting into the cake. My eyes widened. "Wow! This is delicious! Where'd you get it?"
He smiled. "A little bakery around the corner. You really like it?"
"George." His eyes were intense when he looked at me. I stood, my hands trembling, and strode around the table. "Thank you." I kissed his cheek and pulled back, stopped by that look in his eyes.
I lowered myself onto his lap and cupped his cheek. We stared at one another for a moment, something building in the air. Then, he leaned forward and kissed me. His lips were gentle against mine, seeking, feeling out what I wanted. He pulled back, tucking my hair behind my ear and grasping my chin gently with his thumb and forefinger.
I pulled him back to my lips by the front of his shirt, kissing him with much more conviction and passion. His tongue stroked mine and I lost myself in him, needing nothing but to feel and taste the man in front of me.
"I love you," he muttered between kisses.
I smiled into his mouth. "And how do you know that?"
His expression was suddenly serious, and he slowed down the pace, kissing me gently, slowly. "Because I can't breathe when you're with me," he said, "and I can't breathe when you're not. I'm utterly hopeless without you-W-wait! Don't cry."
"You're such a dork," I said, laughing and patting at my eyes. "But you're my dork, and I love you, too."