Chapter 15: Birthday Surprises

Brixton rubbed her eyes as she woke up and squinted at the offending light that was shining through Luna's bedroom window. She had been enjoying her time at Luna's house, but she detested her friend's preference for bare windows to blinds or curtains. Brixton stared up at the ceiling witch had moving paintings of herself, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Neville with a woven chain that said the word "friends" over and over in golden ink. She watched as the paintings waved down at her and smiled fondly at Luna's creative use of paint and magic.

The room was small, but cozy with a double bed covered in a patchwork quilt, a small closet, and an old white desk that Brixton knew had belonged to Luna's mother. She rolled over to see that Luna was already awake and reading a fresh copy of the Quibbler at her desk. She smiled as she looked at Luna's ink stained fingers. She knew that her friend could rarely wait for the ink to dry before reading what her father had edited. She sat up and stretched. She said to Luna, "Good morning. How long have you been up?"

Luna turned to smile at Brixton and said, "Oh, not very long. I tried to be quiet. I thought you should get to sleep in if you wanted. Happy Birthday!"

"Thank you, Luna. That was very thoughtful of you," she replied. Brixton knew that it couldn't be too late in the morning since the sun had woken her up. She was still thankful that Luna knew she was the exact opposite of her and not a morning person at all.

"You're welcome," was Luna's airy reply. She stood up from the table and wiped her hands off on her pajamas. "We should get dressed. Hermione and I have a surprise for you."

"Aww, you guys didn't have to do anything special," she said as she gracelessly tumbled out of the bed and nearly tripped over her trunk.

"Of course we did!" exclaimed Luna enthusiastically. "Now, get dressed and grab your coat. Hermione is waiting at the Weasley's house. It's not a very long walk."

After getting dressed in a black wool dress, purple fleece leggings, black boots, and grabbing her coat she turned to see Luna and couldn't help but smile. Luna was wearing a bright orange coat with a fuzzy lime green collar. It was truly something that only her dear friend would have picked out and she loved her for it.

The two young women headed downstairs and said their goodbyes to Luna's father. It wasn't long before they were on their way to the burrow. It was only about a thirty minute walk away, and while Brixton was not a morning person, she did look forward to stretching her legs and seeing everyone.

"So, what's the surprise?" Brixton asked.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you, now would it?" Luna laughed.

"Fine, I guess you are right," she replied.

Luna smiled over at Brixton and said, "So, since we have a moment where no one else can hear, tell me what's been going on with you and Professor Snape lately. You said that the two of you had agreed to keep things professional, but you haven't said much since then."

Brixton blushed and said, "Uh, I don't know really. It's pretty weird actually. We both know that we have feelings for each other, but he wants to keep things professional for the obvious reasons. That is understandable, of course, but I feel like there is more to it. From the things he has said it almost seems like he feels like it would be a betrayal to Harry's mom to get involved with anyone else. Which just doesn't seem logical and the man is painfully logical most of the time. It is very frustrating at times."

"Hmm, maybe that is because matters of the heart aren't logical," she replied.

"Well, that's true I guess. I don't have much experience with love, dating, or anything like that. My ridiculous heart decides to get me into this whole thing with one of the most difficult men I have ever met. That's even putting aside him being a professor and all that. He's just so stubborn and his view of himself is just so distorted. When he's not being all self-loathing he's really pleasant to be around though. We have been working together really well and it's been quite enjoyable. He even told me he would miss me over the holiday," Brixton smiled thinking about it.

"I honestly can't imagine what you are going through. It must be hard to have such feelings about someone you can't just date like any other person," Luna suddenly stopped and bent down towards the ground and placed her hand on her knees while she swung her head back and forth slowly as though looking for something.

"What are you doing, Luna?" asked Brixton.

"I thought I saw a Blibbering Humdinger! What an odd time of day for it to be out and about, though. How curious…" Luna trailed off as she continued looking into the grassy field.

Brixton cleared her throat and said, "As you were saying about me being unable to date, I can't imagine what a date with Severus would even be like. Our most intimate moments have been when one or both of us are distracted with brewing or some other task. He doesn't seem to favor straightforward conversation or anything remotely social. Come to think of it, I can't imagine him joining the lot of us for lunch or anything as average as that. Fraternizing with students would probably be the last thing on his list of enjoyable things to do. I don't know if you have noticed, but he hasn't even been taking his meals in the Great Hall. He just seems to want to disappear."

Luna finally turned back to her friend and stood up. She said, "Perhaps you can draw him out of his shell. As I said, matters of the heart are not logical so it seems possible that over time you might be able to get him used to doing things he would normally avoid. Although, I cannot imagine Professor Snape wanting to spend his holidays with all of us."

"Even for you that's a stretch, huh?" laughed Brixton. After some thought she added, "You know, I have to admit that I really don't care about what is 'normal' as far as dating goes. I'm just happy to spend an evening brewing and talking with him. Now, I would never let any man separate me from my friends, but I don't necessarily need all of the usual things I see girls our age wanting. I'm not interested in superficial dating rituals and I think that our connection is far deeper than that. Even though he is pushing me away and trying to keep it professional, I can still sense that."

Luna just nodded understandingly and continued walking along the thin dirt road that lead to the Burrow. Eventually the tall crooked home with several chimneys came into view. Brixton smiled seeing that the home had been restored to its original state after being burned down by the Death Eaters. Magic truly was a wondrous thing, she thought to herself. She had only been to the Burrow once before and she felt as though Molly Weasley was going to adopt her on the spot. She remembered it being a warm and welcoming home, a very stark contrast to her own childhood home.

Brixton followed her friend in through the kitchen door and was welcomed with a loud cheer of "Happy Birthday!" Looking around, she could see that everyone was gathered around the long kitchen table and that in addition to the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were also there. The kitchen table was set and all over the table was a large assortment of breakfast foods, including a tower of pancakes so high that it could only be standing with the help of a spell.

"Thank you, everyone," Brixton said shyly. Such a big deal had never been made about her or her birthday so she was taken by surprise.

Before she could say anything else Molly pulled her into a tight motherly hug, saying, "We are so happy to have you, love. Now, you are nothing but skin and bones and you must eat right away." As she said this, she guided Brixton into a chair next to Hermione and across from Ron, Harry, and Ginny. Luna took the seat on the other side of Brixton.

Ron leaned over the table and smiled at Brixton and said, "It's about time you got here. Mum's been cooking all morning and wouldn't let us have a bite."

Molly gently smacked Ron in the back of the head and said, "Oh, hush. Everything has been kept under the Stasis charm and it didn't hurt you any to practice some patience."

Over the course of breakfast Brixton was thoroughly interrogated by Arthur about the function of several Muggle inventions. He practically beamed as he told her about his latest tampering with a muggle radio to play any song on demand just by naming the song and tapping it twice.

When the meal was finished Molly waved her wand and the table was cleared in an instant. All of the dishes made their way over to the sink in a gigantic pile. The sink turned itself on and a brush began scrubbing the plates on its own. She smiled at the group gathered around the table and said, "Now, it is time for presents!" she rushed over to the living room and came back in a flash, saying, "Me first." She passed Brixton a package that was wrapped in silver paper.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," she said as she carefully ripped into the package. Inside was a knit sweater that was dark blue with a large silver "B" on the front of it.

"You're welcome, dear. I hope that you will be spending more of your holidays here. I know you don't really have a home to go to and I want you to know that you are always welcome. Everyone has their own sweater, usually in Gryffindor colors, which I insist they wear for Christmas. I wanted you to have your own so that you would know you are a part of the family," Molly smiled.

"Wow," Brixton said, very moved, "I don't know what to say. Thank you." Molly grinned back at her.

"Okay, my turn. You have to read it out loud," said Hermione. She handed Brixton a plain looking brown envelope. Brixton opened it and found a letter. She began to read:

"Dear Brixton Winchester,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are having a happy birthday. You may already know, but Professor Snape has said that your apprenticeship with him is going wonderfully. As such, you have been highly recommended to take over as Potions Mistress at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Traditionally, there would be a formal application and interview process. However, your friends wanted to surprise you for your birthday and my mind has already been made up anyway. You may consider this letter as your official welcome as the Potions Mistress for the next school year. The only thing required of you is to do well on your N.E.W.T examinations. However, due to your grades I do not anticipate you doing poorly. Congratulations and thank you for your hard work.

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall"

Brixton dropped the letter and covered her face with her hands. She let out a squeal of sheer joy and turned to her friends. "I got the job!" she exclaimed excitedly.

There was a chorus of congratulations and everyone said they had expected as much. Ginny said, "C'mon mum, get her real present now."

At that, Molly pulled out a small bag from her apron and slid it across the table to Brixton. There was a clinking sound as the bag settled in front of her. She opened it and peered inside. There was an assortment of metal coins that Brixton recognized as wizard currency, but she was unsure how much it amounted to. Most of her belongings had been paid for by the school since she was considered an orphan so she was unfamiliar with anything outside of Muggle money. "I don't understand," she said.

Hermione spoke up, smiling, "We all pitched in, including Neville. He is spending the holiday with his Nan and visiting his parents, but he wanted to wish you a happy birthday too. We wanted you to be able to go shopping for several sets of proper robes since you are going to be teaching. You won't very well be able to wear your student robes, obviously."

"Wow, this must be a lot of money if it will buy all of that," Brixton said with wide eyes. She knew that the Weasleys did not have a lot of money.

"Oh, don't worry about that," said George. "I pitched in quite a lot because the shop is doing so well. It's not every day that someone so young becomes a professor. I certainly wasn't cut out for it, myself."

Brixton glanced over at Harry who just smiled back at her. She suspected he had put in a considerable amount himself. "Well, thank you everyone. This is far too kind of you all and I really appreciate it."

Arthur chimed in, "Oh, it's not over yet! Molly is taking you girls shopping so you can get what you need to start teaching. This really is such an achievement that you should be very proud of."

"Yeah," said Ron, "Snape doesn't like anyone. The fact that he hasn't written you off with the rest of us 'dunderheads' is saying something." This caused quite the laughter from everyone at the table.

Everyone began excusing themselves from the table. Molly excused herself to her bedroom to get ready to go shopping. Arthur and George headed outside in a heavy discussion about Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Luna, Hermione, and Ginny went into the living room to have a seat. As Brixton made her way to follow them, Harry caught her by the arm. "Do you have a minute?" he asked.

"Of course, Harry. What is going on?" she questioned.

"I finally got to speak to Snape. I wanted to thank you. He mentioned that you have been encouraging him to talk to me," he said.

"Oh, Harry! That's wonderful! How did it go?" she asked.

Harry smiled, "Very well. I was finally able to thank him for everything he has done for me over the years and apologize for being so suspicious and stubborn."

"I don't think he could really blame you for that," said Brixton.

"No, but looking back it was so obvious. The signs were all there that he was helping me, but I chose to pass judgement," Harry replied.

She laughed and said, "Well he made it really easy to assume he had sinister motives didn't he?"

Suddenly a black-banded owl swooped into the kitchen and landed on the countertop. Turning towards it, Brixton saw that it had a black box and matching black envelope tied to it. She went over and patted it on the head. Harry grabbed some leftover bacon and fed it to the owl who cooed appreciatively as Brixton untied the letter and package.

When she flipped the envelope over she saw her name in a thin spiky script. "It's for me," she said to Harry.

"I see that. It's from Snape," he replied, "I recognize his handwriting from when I had his old Potions textbook."

"That man has almost spooky timing," she laughed and opened the letter. It read:

"Brixton Winchester,

Congratulations on your official acceptance as the new Potions Mistress for next school year. I hope that you like your gift. I thought that it was very fitting for a Ravenclaw professor. Happy Birthday.

Severus Snape"

She folded the letter up and put it back in the envelope. She turned to Harry and asked, "Could you find me some parchment and an envelope? I would like to send a quick thank you letter back with his owl."

"Of course," said Harry and he went into the living room.

Brixton opened the box and found two beautiful black quills that she could only assume had come from a raven. There were two objects wrapped in paper. After unraveling them, Brixton found two small glass pots with lids each containing ink. One pot was full of black ink and the other red. For grading she thought to herself.

When Harry returned she wrote her note and sent the black owl on its way. As she joined her friends and got ready to leave for Diagon Alley, Brixton's heart was thumping hard in her chest as her mind was on her professor who had not forgotten her birthday.

Author's Note: So, I wrote, and rewrote, and finally totally scrapped a whole chapter with the conversation between Severus and Harry. I just couldn't get it right and find that in general I'm not very good at writing Harry. I decided that at least for the sake of this story it would be best for the conversation to be mostly a mystery. Anyway, thank you for reading and your continued support of this story. Reviews make me type faster.