Birthday Traditions

(Neville)

By McFlyFan101

Every family has a tradition for birthdays, whether it's going out for a family meal, or just staying home to be together. Whatever it is, birthdays are meant to be fun, aren't they?

He never cared much for his birthday, he wasn't like the other kids who counted down the days and started planning a party months before. All his birthday did was remind him of the truth, the horrible truth he'd rather forget. The day seemed to drag on, but all he wanted to do was lie down and sleep until it was over. July 30th. Just another date.

1988 His 8th birthday

Like every year he got up and went downstairs. A small pile of cards and presents were waiting for him on the table. He picked one card up and opened it; To Neville Happy Birthday from Gran. He pushed the other presents aside and sat down at the table.

"Happy birthday, now eat up because we've got to go!" His grandmother instructed, placing a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him. He ate in silence and went back upstairs to get dressed. His grandmother was already waiting for him at the door when he came down.

"Hurry up boy, or we'll be late," she sighed pushing him along in front of her. Obediently he let himself be guided into the garden and took his gran's hand and shut his eyes tight.

When he opened his eyes again he saw an all too familiar sight. St Mungo's Hospital. He stumbled slightly as his gran pushed him towards the entrance. Together they walked to the entrance desk.

"Hello welcome to St Mungo's, how can we help you today?" The witch at the desk smiled.

"Neville and Augusta here to see Frank and Alice Longbottom." Augusta replied not returning the smile. She grabbed hold of his hand again and marched him down the corridors.

He loved his parents of course but he still wished he was somewhere else. They didn't even know who he was. He didn't know what his father thought but to his mum he was simply 'someone she liked'. That's not how a mother is meant to think about her son.

They entered a familiar part of the hospital and stopped beside a door. 'Closed ward' the door read. Neville took a deep breath and pushed the door open. A healer walked silently towards them. "Hello again. No change I'm afraid. Oh and happy birthday." He smiled ruffling Neville's hair. Neville smiled before he was once again pushed forward by his grandmother. Silently he made his way to the two beds at the end of the ward. The curtain had been pushed back and he could see his parents sitting up in the beds.

"Hi Mum. Hi Dad."

Alice looked up at him, and smiled vaguely handing him Drooble's best blowing gum wrapper.

"Thanks, Mum."

For once in his life he'd like to have a normal birthday. One which he didn't spend in a hospital, but one where he could have fun and laugh with his parents and friends. One where he could open his presents curled up on a sofa with his mother's arm around him and his father smiling broadly taking pictures of his son being happy. But this was how he'd always spend it. Talking softly to his parents as they lay in a hospital bed. Wondering who he was and why he visited so much.

Damn traditions.