A/N: Happy 15th Birthday, Dorcas!

January 21, 1975

"Happy Birthday, Dorcas!"

Dorcas Meadowes awoke to the weight of three teenage girls jumping on her bed, and their delighted, high-pitched squeals. Three blurry faces bounced around her as she squinted at them, and she groggily reached over to find her square glasses. Once she could finally see, she beamed up at her best friends.

"Thanks, girls," she said happily, sitting up in her bed. Her hazel eyes flicked over to the clock beside her bed and she chuckled at the time. "I'm surprised you managed to get out of bed this early, Marley," she giggled.

Marlene swished her long, blonde hair over one shoulder and shrugged nonchalantly. "It was no big deal," she insisted.

Beside her, Mary burst into giggles, her cheeks blushing brighter than usual. "Sure, sure, Marley. Lily had to drag you out by your feet."

"I got up eventually!" Marlene remarked, indignantly - pouting and crossing her arms.

Lily scooted over beside Dorcas and rolled her eyes at her friends. "That's enough guys, it's Dorcas' birthday!" She retrieved a small parcel wrapped in purple paper and placed it in Dorcas' lap. "Happy Birthday!"

Dorcas smiled at her and gave Lily a quick hug. "Thanks, Lily." She early began to unwrap the gift and gasped when she noticed it was a new book.

"Great Expectations!" she cried, beaming at Lily and looking extremely pleased. "Wherever did you get it?"

"I'm Muggle born, Dorc, remember? I bought it at a bookstore when I went home for Christmas."

Dorcas gave her another hug. "Thank you so much, Lily," she said again.

The rest of the morning was spent lazily in bed. Dorcas received wonderful gifts from Marlene and Mary; a box of treacle fudge and a handsome, dragon-leather bound diary. By the time they finally rolled out of their beds and changed out of their pyjamas to head down to the Great Hall, all four of them were complaining of grumbling bellies and appetites the size of a hippogriff's.

The Great Hall was bustling with students, but the fifth years managed to squeeze themselves between two seventh year girls and a group of second year boys. Dorcas was showered with birthday greetings and well wishes from the entire Gryffindor table, and she was a little embarrassed about the attention. News of her birthday had even travelled across Houses, and Alice Longbottom hurriedly bounded over to give her an enthusiastic hug as soon as she had seen them.

By the entrance to the Great Hall, four boys were gathered in a huddle. The tallest, with silky dark hair and the dangerous smirk was continuously shoving his gangly, sandy haired friend in the shoulder. Next to him, the bespeckled boy with the messy hair and charismatic smile was egging the poor, reluctant boy on with taunts and teases. The shorter, chubby blonde boy with red cheeks was watching eagerly beside them.

"Come on, Moony," Sirius Black said. "Go and say 'Happy Birthday'."

Remus Lupin shook his head stubbornly and pulled his cardigan self-consciously around his shoulders. "No, Sirius, "he replied.

"It's just Dorcas, Moony," James Potter encouraged. "No one ever notices her. She'll love it."

"I notice her," Remus said timidly.

Sirius pulled his friend up to his height by the collar of his shirt. "Remus, you are a Marauder. Since when are the Marauders afraid of girls?"

"When they're pretty?" Remus suggested weakly.

"Never!" Sirius roared. "Now, are you a Gryffindor or not?"

With a glare at his two friends, Remus trudged down the Great Hall. Even though he was moving his feet, he felt as though his destination was getting further away. His stomach was gurgling uncomfortably. Finally, he approached Dorcas. She was sipping her pumpkin juice and didn't even notice him.

"Remus!" Lily cried in surprise.

He smiled at her and summoned as much courage as he could muster. "Hi, Lily."

Dorcas turned around and gave him a shy smile.

"Hi, Dorcas," he muttered. "Happy Birthday."

She beamed, the smile brightening up her hazel eyes underneath the square glasses she wore.

"Thank you, Remus," she said brightly. A delicate pink colour decorated her cheeks.

Giving her a broad smile, he strode back down the corridor to his friends, holding his head high and his chest out. The satisfied look on his face was noticeable from miles away.

Back at the Gryffindor table, Lily and Mary were gushing over what had just transpired. Marlene assumed her usual bored expression, yet her eyes lingered upon the retreating figure of Sirius as he and the rest of the Marauders headed back to the Common Room. Dorcas was too amazed to even speak.

"He likes you, Dorc," Mary gushed excitedly, clapping her hands together. Lily nodded eagerly in agreement.

"Maybe," was all that Dorcas said. It was definitely one of her better birthdays.

A/N: Dorcas may not be a very well known character, but I certainly love her. I believe that Remus had a little relationship with Dorcas while at Hogwarts. Please read and review! xx