Chapter 21: Ash's Birthday Eve.

A.N. I'm so sorry I haven't written in a month, it's been Christmas and my birthday and I have had no time at all because of the things I've been doing. Yes, I admit at times I have been free, but sometimes I can't really be bothered to go on my laptop, but now I'm back, schools started and I'm once again free in the evenings, that's if I don't have any homework! Oh and a quick reminder saying Ash has braces, I've been wanting to say that for a while but I completely forgot! Oh and remember, the words in the brackets are the words that that person is thinking, its something new I've thought of because then it will be easier for me to tell you what the person is thinking and I think it would be better for you too because as well as the person talking, you will also know what the person is thinking as well! Oh and the next chapter will be all about Ash and her birthday!

Ash woke up the next morning, feeling very tired. No one was around her; it seemed as if everyone had left to breakfast without her! They had never done that. She quickly got in her robes and fixed her hair and teeth and then went down to the Great Hall where she saw all her friends on the Gryffindor table, nearly finishing their breakfast.

'Hey guys!' Ash said as she reached the table

No one said anything; they just carried on talking to each other, as if they were ignoring Ash.

'Is anyone else helping today with the Yule Ball preparations?' Said Ash as she sat down, putting toast on her plate.

No one replied again, what was happening? Ash looked around and all she could see was Aleksandar staring at her, she smiled and waved and then he did the same back. Seemed like the only person who actually cared about Ash right now was Aleksandar. Ash then looked back at her friends who were just silent and then she stood up and then went to the space next to Aleksandar. When Ash went, all of them gave a sigh, James having the loudest sigh.

'James, what is the matter?' Whispered Rhea

'Aleksandar, that's what the matter is' James whispered back

'What's wrong with him?' Whispered Fi

'He's taking Ash away from me!' Whispered James

'How is he taking Ash away from you, she isn't that close to you!' Said Claire

'You don't know…' Whispered James looking at Ash and Aleksandar laughing together

'Then tell us if we don't know! We promise we won't tell Ash or anyone' Said Zee and Rachel

'Did Ash ever tell you how she escaped from Locomotor Mortis?' Whispered James

'Yeah, of course she told us! That hooded person, with that ash coloured wand with lines saved her!' Whispered Rose looking around

James slowly took his wand out and then put it on the table in the middle and gave a little smile. Everyone then suddenly gasped and then Ash turned to look at them, they quickly acted casual as if nothing had happened and as if they didn't know anything.

'SO YOUR ALSO THE SAME PERSON WHO GAVE ASH THE BRACELET IN YEAR 1?' Whispered Rhea

'Yes, of course I am! I've also got something for her… For her birthday tomorrow… Something big' Whispered James

'Great, but lower your voice a little! Ash might hear and even worse, Chloe A' Said Rhea looking around the great hall, even though everyone know that Chloe A never came to breakfast or lunch.

'I swear there's something dodgy about Chloe A…' Said Fi

'I think we already know that Fi! First weird markings on her book in potions and now, trapping Ash in a corridor?' Said Hugo

'There's something she's hiding from everyone, I bet even she's hiding it from Lea' Said Albus

'Luckily, she isn't here so we can talk about her all we want here!' Said Lia

While they were all discussing about the 'mysterious' Chloe, Ash and Aleksandar were talking, and yes of course, James was taking A LOT of notice of both of them laughing and smiling.

'So, why are you here with me?' Said Aleksandar

'I'm here because… Well because no one is taking notice of me. I mean its my birthday tomorrow and their acting very strangely' Replied Ash

'Trust me Ash' Aleksandar then slowly put his hand on Ash's hand 'By the time you have got over them and got some true friends, they will be running back to you' Whispered Aleksandar

'Are you sure? I mean they were the closest friends I ever had… And I don't think anyone else can be as close as them'

'If Hogwarts was my school, I would personally treat you like a princess. But when I go, everything will be alright, believe me' Whispered Aleksandar

Ash blushed and then looked at her hand which was covered by Aleksandar, she slowly moved his hand off and then put her hands on her lap where she kept them there.

'Sorry Aleksandar, I've got to go, I need to go help for the Yule Ball' Said Ash as she stood up.

'Okay… But I want to ask you something Ash…' Said Aleksandar looking at James who acted casual, as if he hadn't heard anything just then,

'And what do you want to ask me?' Said Ash turning around at Aleksandar and smiling….

Lia, Zee, Rhea, Rose, Claire, James, Hugo and Albus all went to Professor McGonagall so then they could be led to get the decorations and other different things.

#In a small room, getting the decorations sorted, as everyone left the Great Hall so they could start the preparations, with McGonagall and also Ash was here as well, she came a little later than everyone else though, because she was asked something, something very hard to reply to…#

'Now everyone, once everyone has left the Great Hall, I would like you to start decorating with the tinsel and also, I would like you to decorate the Christmas Tree, that would be very helpful, I will inform you as soon as the Hall is ready, while that stay here and I will be back soon' Said McGonagall

Everyone in the room were now left alone, Ash was looking around to see all her 'so-called friends' were ignoring her just like they did.

'James, will you please help me get these decorations down, I'm too short to reach the shelf' Said Claire

'Sure!' Said James, picking Claire up and then putting her on his shoulder, where she grabbed the decorations and then made James fall, making that moment where a girl lies on a boy by accident, they quickly got up and then started laughing. Ash looked away in pain and jealousy.

'WHAT IS JAMES DOING? And why in the world is Claire flirting with James, JAMES!' Ash said in her head.

James looked at Ash's face and straight away, he could see there was jealousy in her eyes. He smiled and then winked at Claire, this was all a part of a plan, a plan called 'PLAN ASH'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE'

It then became evening and all the help for the Yule Ball was done and now everyone were in their common rooms, waiting until it became night so then they could finally go to sleep after a hard day, getting things done and homework done so then they wont have anything after and before the Yule Ball. It then quickly became night and it was time for everyone to sleep. Ash was still on the sofa when everyone was going upstairs, and while everyone was going up, James saw her, by herself, he couldn't just leave her by herself, so he went up to her…

'Hey Ash, what's wrong? You should be happy its your birthday tomorrow!' Said James

'At least someone remembered it was my birthday tomorrow!' Said Ash, looking at James

'What do you mean? Everyone remembers your birthday!'

'Well, it didn't seem like it this breakfast!'

'I'm sorry, well I didn't mean to do what I did then, I guess I just had a lot of things on my mind … I didn't know what I was actually doing at that time'

'Well you didn't seem like you cared, until I went to Aleksandar…'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean I saw you look at us when we were laughing and I saw your face when he put his hand on mine, and I saw your small smile when I moved his hand off…'

'Oh… Okay… Ummm… I'm sorry about that, like I said I had a lot on my mind and you see I don't know what faces I make at times… (God I must sound so stupid in front of her)'

'Its fine, anyway, I guess I'll go to bed now, my birthday tomorrow and I'm not expecting anything big tomorrow… Night James…' Said Ash as she stood up and started to walk off

'Night Ash' Said James as he quickly caught hold of Ash's hand. James then stood up and got close to Ash and Ash looked at James and they got closer and closer but then Ash quickly let go, and then ran upstairs, looking back smiling. James looked back at where Ash just ran to and he smiled and then walked up to the boys dormitory when Sid came rushing down, making him push past his best friend and then finally landing on the sofa, out of breath.

'What's the matter Sid?' Said James returning back to where he was sitting before.

'Nothing… I just… I just needed to talk to Ash!' Said Sid, heavily breathing

'Why did you need to talk to Ash?'

'I… I just thought she would help me choose a present for Rhea for Christmas, because she's her best friend and I think she will know…'

'Get something that Rhea can keep forever… I guess that's what I would give to someone I really like the most!'

'Okay… But that's a lot to think about then…'

'There'll be loads of things in Hogsmeade, go there and I'm sure you will find something for her!'

'Okay, I'll go tomorrow then…'

'No… Not tomorrow, it's Ash's Birthday tomorrow and I want all her friends to be there with her for the day, the whole day we all ignored her… I couldn't stand it, I mean watching her go sad, watching her being teased… It's not nice'

'James, we're on about me and Rhea here, not you or Ash…'

'I know, I'm just saying… Please stay…'

'Okay mate I'll stay, anyways c'mon lets go to bed now, it's late and we have to wake up early tomorrow don't we?'

'Yeah okay, c'mon…' Said James

James and Sid then went up to the Boys Dorm and went to sleep, well Sid did. James was thinking whether Ash would like his present or not…