A/N - Like I said, you've already read this, uploading this is for my benefit as it helps me to keep my chapters in order!

CHAPTER TWO: Birthday. Ugh.

I'd nearly forgotten it was my birthday when I woke up the next day. My eyes opened to rounds of 'happy birthday'. Presents were layed on my bed, as I heard people mention the chance of a party. "Party?" I asked. "I really don't want one, please guys, Hogsmeade will make today good, that's all I need, a day will my friends." Sighs and mutters drifted around the room. 'Party pooper', 'told you so', 'scared of getting into trouble', you name it. I really wasn't scared, it just wasn't practical. I was only turning 16, I wasn't even old enough to drink. Nor was anyone else for that matter. Harper Longbottom, my best-friend outside of my family, spoke.
"Come on Rosie! You'll never get this chance again."

I felt defeated as I said, "where would we have it?" That was it. Oops. I should have just kept quiet. Now they were all talking about who to invite, who not to invite, what to do, what to drink. I wasn't a big drinker, I mean, I wasn't a prude either, but to people I seemed it. I didn't want any part of it, I would just go along with it all, try to stay sober, and pretend I was having fun.

Hogsmeade was what I'd been looking forward to for weeks.
In October it wasn't too busy, nobody had a reason to be there, unless you were a local. Shops closed early too, seen as it was a Sunday. Trees' leaves were losing colour, and some were even beginning to fall. Sun was scattered as it passed through the trees, creating strange patterns on the cobbled street. My favourite part of the village was the houses. Wooden structures, all decorated with flowers in the garden. It was beautiful. Going in a group was fun too. Albus, myself, James, Lily, and then the usual crew, which consisted mostly of the quidditch team (minus Hugo), which unfortunately included Malfoy. He'd given me a sarcastic happy birthday wish this morning. I'd acted as if I hadn't heard and carried my conversation on. Albus' favourite part was the sweet shop. Every time we visited, he stocked up on sweets and candy. Usually, it was enough so that he couldn't carry anything else. We all told him it wasn't healthy, but the boy just doesn't put weight on. He could eat his weights worth of lard (which, admittedly, wouldn't be an awful lot), and remain as skinny as he had started. Albus' dark hair and green eyes made it blatantly obvious that he was Uncle Harry's son. Although, he didn't resemble him quite as much as James. James was a trouble maker, plain and simple. You'd see him and think he was a 'player'. He was really popular, and quite handsome, but he'd had the same girlfriend, Laura Finnigan, since second year. This was James' last year, but they had said they would stay together; they really loved each other.

Laura had tagged along, as we walked from the castle to Hogsmeade. Leaves lined the path, as autumn's constant reminders struck again. I preceded hot weather to cold, and autumn just meant it was getting colder. Clumsy should be my middle name, because as soon as the temperature starts to decline, so does my sense of balance; I slip on everything and anything, even air. Tonight hung in they air for me, it was all I could think about. Parties and I didn't mix. At all. I hated them with a fiery passion. The music was always too loud, the food was always stale, there was always underage drinking and the party always lasted long after it was dead.
Someone nearly tackled me from behind.

"Rosie!" I snapped around, half irritated, half worried. Violet Thomas, one half of the Gryffindor beater's pairing, stood behind me, her smile ear to ear. "Happy Birthday!" If I'm honest, she irritated me a little, I liked her, and she was a friend, but she was too dramatic, and way too loud. She often gets headaches, and if you knew her, you'd understand why. I swore she was never quiet, ever. If there was silence, she'd fill it, rather easily too.
"Thank you!" I grinned, she looked incredibly happy for me, which is part of her personality.
"So, your party," I stopped myself from rolling my eyes and instead nodded, with my lips straight, "I get that you openly invited everyone, but is it okay if I come?" I'd love to have said no, just to see her face. I wonder if she'd still be smiling then. Hell, she'd still be smiling if someone had killed her cat and used its blood to write 'no' on her dormitory door. I went for the more humane option, or course, as I looked at her and replied,
"Sure! You'll have to ask Lily where it's happening, I have no idea yet," she ran at me. I braced myself for a hug that suffocated me. She then left me, skipping to catch up with Lily, who walked with some girls from her year, in front.

I turned to Albus who walked beside me, opening my mouth to speak. He cut me off, laughing.
"I know," he laughed, "personal space invader that wears her heart on her sleeve, and has no fear? But that's all just a fake cover-up, because of the fact that she's an obsessive, controlling bitch?" I stared at him with my mouth open. "You'll catch bugs Rose," he laughed again, grinning at my astonishment.
"How the hell?" I laughed. He shrugged. "Is it really that obvious?" Albus shook his head.
"Nah, I just have an amazing talent when it comes to reading people," he smiled his smile.
"Read me," I told him.

"Er, the truth? You won't hurt me?" I laughed, and promised. "Fine. You're a genius, that goes without saying. You like people to think that you're a good girl, no alcohol, no boys," he looked at me, "no late night parties," he smirked. I kept quiet and let him carry on. "But," his tone changed, "you secretly want people to think you're a rule breaker, like James. Well not him specifically," He'd seen me roll my eyes, "But somewhere along the line, you're going to do something against your rep, something that contradicts what people think about you, and you'll become like your mum." I hated that he said it all with a straight face, he knew me way too well. However, I liked the fact he'd compared me to my mum. Subconsciously, I think I aspired to be like she was. Clever, popular and beautiful. But she was also a rule breaker, and she helped saved wizards and witches everywhere. She isn't exactly a bad role model. Al looked at me. "I'm good, huh?" he was grinning.
"You're so far off the mark Al," I lied. He laughed as we entered the three broomsticks.

James led Albus, Harper and I to a table. After a while, people joined our table in 'birthday drinks' including Harper's boyfriend Dean, and Scorpius Malfoy. I had scowled at Albus when he invited him to sit with us. Once everyone had decided they were a little bored, we decided to head back to the castle.