Disclaimer: It is safe to say I am not J.K. Rowling; therefore, I do not claim to own anything you recognize.

Title: Birthdays and Bashes

Time: February 2022

Dee Collins

At lunchtime on Dee's birthday, the seventh of February, she could be found in the kitchens eating with her brother. Lee had brought with him a plainly wrapped but large present that he set on the table in front of her. Smiling, she pushed it to the side to make room to eat, deciding to open it when they were finished.

"You're sixteen now," Lee pointed out in between chews. "Feel any different?" Dee shrugged in reply. "Do you have any plans for the rest of the day, then?" he continued.

"Rose mentioned something about hanging out in the Room of Requirement later tonight," said Dee. "Al will probably be there, too. Josie needed help with a charms essay, and I've got to return James' textbook eventually, but that's about it."

Lee abruptly stopped chewing when she mentioned James, and Dee tried not to sigh. "Why would you have Potter's textbook?" he asked with a small frown.

"He's helping me with Defense. We've been through this already, Lee."

He nodded, but his swallow looked almost painful. "Right."

She didn't know what to say to that. She very much enjoyed her strengthening friendship with James, and she loved her brother to pieces, but they simply couldn't get along. They didn't even try to. She understood that House and Quidditch rivalries were considerable barriers and she knew they were both incredibly stubborn, but sometimes it bothered her that two people she had grown to care so much about couldn't stand each other.

But it was her birthday and Dee was determined to make it a good one, so she pushed those thoughts to the side. She'd visit them another day.

They ate in silence for another few moments until Lee asked, "Have you opened any of your presents yet?"

Dee shook her head. "Didn't have time this morning. I was up late doing an essay for Westcott on Vanishing Spells and overslept. I'll get to them before dinner, though."

"School going well, then?" asked Lee.

"Yeah, all things considered," she shrugged. "I mean, it's O.W.L. year, so it's not easy."

Lee nodded in sympathy, but then smiled assuredly. "You're a sodding genius, though. You'll get all O's, I reckon." Her face heated at the unexpected praise. "I'm serious," he said. "You could be anything you wanted."

Cheeks still burning, Dee ducked her head and smiled down at her plate. Dee knew how to tell the difference between Lee's shallow flatteries and when he truly meant a compliment, and she was never good with accepting them when they were real.

"Actually, on that note, I want you to open this." She looked up to see Lee holding her present. "It kind of has to do with school and jobs and stuff."

She grinned and tore at the wrapping paper, revealing a stack of books. The first in the stack was a Potions book, the second for Healing, the third a Muggle fiction novel, and the last for Defense. She traced her fingers down the spines, gazing at the covers. They were beautiful, titles written in script with rich colors, which Dee could appreciate. She loved a good, striking book cover.

Lee cleared his throat to explain. "Potions is kind of our thing, so I figured we could brew some together, even after I've left Hogwarts. The book's full of useful, everyday ones—like for when you've got a hangover or a cold. And I've always thought you'd make a smashing Healer." His grin shifted to a slight smirk. "And I know too well how much you love Muggle fiction. The bird at the shop recommended that one. It's a series, so if you like it, I can order the others." He hesitated then, and Dee wondered what he had to say about the book with defensive spells. "I know you've been studying with Potter. I figured you could use some proper spells, besides what they've got in the school textbooks."

Dee's smile spread of its own accord until her cheeks hurt. "Merlin, Lee," she gushed, overwhelmed, "this is bloody fantastic! Thank you so much." She clutched the Potions book to her chest, wide-eyed and extremely grateful for her brilliant brother. She wasted no time in opening it to pick out a potion to brew, either recreationally with Lee or for her lessons with James.

Dee discovered the Room of Requirement the same way she did the kitchens. Lee, who had already been at Hogwarts for two years when Dee got there, had shown her all that he knew about the castle. Al, Rose, and James were sufficiently disheartened when they discovered she already knew the location of both, because they couldn't surprise her with them.

Rose had met Dee at the entrance to the Ravenclaw Common Room with the plan to study in the Room of Requirement. Dee had already opened the rest of her presents before dinner and had nothing else planned for the day, so she agreed, and together they set off for the seventh floor. Rose chatted idly about what her family had gotten up to in the past weekend, before changing the subject to Valentine's Day and the upcoming Hogsmeade trip.

"Have you thought of anyone you'd like to go with?" Rose asked.

Dee's thoughts flashed to a certain James Potter before she shook her head. That would be ridiculous. They were doing so well as friends, despite her brother, and though she found him attractive, she enjoyed what she had. It wouldn't do to risk it on such a little crush. "No," she replied to Rose. "I figured I'd spend the day with you and Al, like I've been doing."

"Actually…" Rose said, trailing off as she glanced at Dee. "Al has a date."

"Who?" she asked, curiosity piqued. Al hadn't mentioned wanting to ask anyone. This was Valentine's Day, for Merlin's sake, which meant he had to like the girl a considerable amount, so Dee found it odd that he hadn't mentioned it.

Rose must've known what she was thinking, because she waved her hand and said, "Don't worry—I only found out because Lucy overheard a group of girls talking about it in her common room. He's going with Eleanor Banks."

"Eleanor Banks, the Hufflepuff Seeker?" She recognized the name of the blonde in their year.

Rose nodded. "Who knew?" she said after a while, and Dee agreed. "Anyways, I guess that means he'll be too busy for us this weekend."

"You're not going with anyone?" Dee asked.

Rose shrugged. "Don't feel like it. Too much pressure to celebrate Valentine's on the first date, I think." A grin spread across her face. "Besides, I couldn't very well leave you to fend for yourself!"

She linked her arm through Dee's, and they reached the entrance to the Room of Requirement. Rose's grin widened as the door appeared and she tugged Dee inside.

The first thing she noticed was a banner. Then she saw a small group of people standing around. They turned to her as she stopped in the doorway, and all of a sudden, a loud chorus of, "Happy birthday, Dee!" broke out.

She blinked, shocked, before turning to Rose and saying, "You and I have very different ideas of studying."

Rose laughed, tugging her into the room. There was a small table against the back wall with drinks and plates of food, and couches and chairs were grouped in the middle.

Her roommates waved and beamed at her from where they sat. Dee had seen them only minutes before, when she left her dorm to meet Rose. They must have left just after she did, though how they arrived earlier was beyond her.

Al walked up then. "Happy birthday, again," he said.

"Thanks, Al," she replied. She looked at him and Rose, asking, "How long did it take to organize this?"

"It wasn't hard. Once James pitched the idea, we told people to keep their night free. After that, it was just a matter of enlisting the house-elves," replied Albus.

"Wait—this was James' idea?"

He nodded.

"Is he here, then?" asked Dee, looking around the room for the bloke in question.

With a jolt of surprise, and then affection for her friends, she spotted her brother near the back chatting with Dom Weasley. She knew not everyone liked Lee, James especially, and the fact that they invited him because he mattered to her really meant a lot.

She continued her search, but didn't catch sight of him. She saw the Scamander twins, a few more Weasley cousins, and Alfie Bell, but there was no James. Frowning slightly, she turned back to Rose and Al. They were discussing the people in attendance.

"You made sure to keep Corner away, right?" Rose was asking.

Al rolled his eyes. "Of course I did," he replied. "I'm not an idiot. Mind you, it was hard. He kept asking if we were doing anything for her. Wanted to know what was going on, and all. As if I'd tell him," he scoffed.

"Benjamin Corner?" Dee inquired, alarmed.

Rose nodded. "I told you he's interested again, remember? It's disturbing, the way he's pursuing you. He's a bloody stalker."

Dee, who hadn't noticed any unnerving behavior from Corner—she'd hardly noticed him at all lately, if she was honest—didn't know what to think. She had fancied Benjamin once upon a time, but that was definitely over now, and to hear he was interested again was unwelcome information.

"Anyways," Rose said, swiftly changing topics, "it looks like everyone's here. James said he'd be in last, just to make sure the coast was clear."

Sure enough, James was walking towards them, having just entered the room. His face broke out in a smile as he bounded over, stuffing his wand and a piece of folded parchment into his pocket. "Dee!" he shouted, pulling her into a quick hug and ruffling her hair. "Happy birthday!" He grinned down at her, and Dee couldn't stop from returning a smile of her own just as wide.

Everyone had come over to greet her then, and the next thing she noticed was Lee's disapproving gaze directed towards James. Her face fell and she stepped away to appease her brother, but she kept their conversation going. "I heard this was your idea?"

James seemed to flounder for a response for a second. "I—yeah, I guess, I mean—we were eating lunch, remember? Collins came in a said something about your birthday. So I told Al and Rose. Figured they'd want to do something."

"In any case, it was sweet of you. Thanks," said Dee.

James rubbed the back of his neck, not meeting her eye for a second, but replied, "It's no big deal."

James Potter

He didn't get to speak to Dee for hours after the party began—if you could call it a party. He'd taken part in Quidditch victory parties in the Gryffindor Common Room that were much more frenzied and chaotic. But despite how much he enjoyed those, this one was pleasant in its own way. Rose was right to keep it small. It suited Dee, which was the whole point if James really thought about it.

He had gotten her a present, but hadn't had a chance to give it to her. He didn't want to do it earlier in the day, but he hadn't been able to get her alone since he'd entered the Room of Requirement. And he wanted to give it to her without an audience—it would mean more that way. Not to mention he wouldn't appreciate her brother breathing down his neck.

He looked around again, spotting Collins back against the wall with Dom. James made a mental note to have a talk with her before the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend, for he knew what Collins likely had in mind, but took advantage of the fact that Dee's brother was otherwise occupied. He found her talking to another Ravenclaw, Alfie Bell, who James hardly knew. He didn't want to be rude and end their conversation because Dee seemed to be enjoying herself, but if he was honest, James thought she'd enjoy his company more. It was a little selfish, but he was giving her a gift, so that balanced the seflishness out nicely.

He walked up behind her and Bell stopped talking when he noticed James standing there. "Er…," he said, causing Dee to turn around to see what he was looking at.

Her face lit up with a smile and James felt a sort of satisfaction. She was happy to see him, and not annoyed that he interrupted her conversation. He lifted the package in his hand and her smile widened, yet somehow grew more affectionate at the same time, as she took notice of the present.

"Oh, you didn't have to, James," she said softly, shaking her head. He forced the minimally wrapped package in her hands. As she took it from him, he nodded at Bell, who tactfully let them be and headed towards a drink table.

"Take it," he replied. "It's not much, mind, but it's for you."

She smiled up at him again and tore at the paper. He watched her, awaiting a reaction.

He had given her two books—one on Patronuses, and the second on Defense in general. He figured the subject had become their thing, something they shared. He didn't want to stop spending time with her once she accomplished the Patronus Charm, which he had no doubt she'd do. James said as much, and Dee's grin in response was practically glowing.

"You know what's funny?" she said after another moment.

"What?"

"You and Lee are so alike." He immediately grimaced and she laughed. "I'm serious! He got me books as well, and for basically the same reasons."

He highly doubted they had the same reasons in mind, because Collins was her brother and James was not. They had completely different intentions, but she didn't need to know that just yet.

"Honestly, James," she was saying, "he's not so bad. The two of you care about the same things, and if it weren't for the bloody house rivalries, I expect you could have been great friends."

James scoffed but didn't say anything. Collins was her brother, after all, and he didn't want to offend her. It was still highly unlikely that he and Collins would ever bond over anything—save Dee, but he wasn't planning on talking about her with her brother. That would be the equivalent of asking to be attacked with a good twenty hexes.

A/N: More coming soon! Haven't read through the whole story in a while, so this may seem disjointed, but I've thought of a new way to organize the chapters to where you can tell when they take place in relation to the others. Thanks for reading!