"I am not looking forward to N.E.W.T.s next year," I sighed as I gazed out the window.
"No one ever does," agreed Gabriel.
"Not unless you are Hugo," corrected Lucia.
"Ah yes the ever studious brother," I rolled my eyes.
Not that I had anything against studying, but when it's the only thing you do it's time for a straightening of priorities.
"Not everyone can be a party animal like you," Scorpius relayed.
"Oh please. Look who is calling the cauldron black," I retorted.
"Oh no my scarlet haired vixen. I party properly and not like a lunatic foaming from the mouth," jeered Scorpius.
"He does have a point," nodded Gabriel.
"Last year you were swinging from the chandelier in the common room during the O.W.L.s are over celebration," Lucia brought up.
"Yes. She sure acted like a crazy out of control orangutan and looked like one too," Scorpius smiled.
"I'm not an animal," I responded as I smacked the back of Scorpius' head, "I just like to have adventures."
"So we've noticed," Lucia concluded as she clicked her tongue and turned a page in the Quibbler.
"It seems our group gets smaller every year. First Jade and now Jasper," Scorpius stated matter of factly.
"Pretty soon we'll be on our way out the door," Gabriel said resolutely.
"Too true," Lucia nodded.
"But in the meantime let's have a little fun," I smirked.
"What kind of fun?" wondered Gabriel.
"Do you even have to ask?" Lucia rolled her eyes.
"Obviously the you could get expelled from Hogwarts kind," Scorpius chuckled.
"Oh I think Headmaster Strumpet needs an update to his look," I grinned wickedly.
"He really needs to be wearing the latest fashion," Lucia agreed.
"You get worse every year," grumbled Gabriel.
All of us laughed as the train came to a stop.
It was the same old same old. Here are the new students blah blah blah. Finally the headmaster stopped his babbling so we could finally head to our rooms.
As I lay in bed I started formulating a plan for future hijinx. We had lost a few members of the double M group due to graduation, but we had also added some. Jade's sister, Amber a first year at the time, joined the year Jade was graduating. Gabriel had a joined our second year. Our fifth year a couple of first years, Abel and Cain Hammersmith AKA the prankster twins, joined our merry crew. Hugo, my brother, was a silent member as he preferred to spend his time with the anime reenactment group. He had been thoroughly ticked off about my interference and stated he would only go on an adventure once a school year. What a stick in the mud. Though he did help us with research in creating a new Marauder's Map so we could return the original and leave the new and improved version for future members of the double M group.
Five weeks later, I was on the precipice of dreamland when I heard tapping at our window.
"Stop that racket," mumbled a half-asleep Lucia.
"I'm coming," I muttered as I stumbled to the window and opened it.
In flew a familiar looking owl with a Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes emblem attached to a package.
I began to rip open the package.
"What did you get this year for your birthday?" Lucia mumbled as she sat up.
"A couple of girly things from Aunt Angelina and a bag of tricks from Uncle George," I answered as I inspected the tricks.
"I know you are more interested in the tricks, but what are these girly things of which you speak?" wondered Lucia.
"War paint and such," I offhandedly replied.
"Let me doll you up tomorrow," Lucia begged.
"No way. Me and makeup have an agreement that we stay away from each other," I fibbed.
"One must become a lady sometime," Lucia pointed out.
"Makeup does not make a lady," I responded.
"True, but it helps one to look like a lady," Lucia reminded.
"Are you saying I look like a man?" I sputtered.
"No. I just implied it," Lucia chuckled.
"Fine, but don't go overboard. I still want to be recognized and I'm only letting you do this once," I conceded.
"You'll definitely be the talk of Hogwarts when I'm done with you," Lucia smiled.
"I like to be the talk of Hogwarts but for other reasons," I alluded.
"Yes, but it's time to stop hiding behind those pranks," mentioned Lucia.
"Whatever you say mother," I said as I slid back into bed.
"It was about time dear that you realized mother knows best," Lucia chuckled.
I grunted and soon slipped into sleep.
In the morning I was greeted with cards, chocolate frogs, and presents from family and friends.
I begrudgingly sat as Lucia worked her magic.
"Okay. You can look now," Lucia announced.
I admit it. I looked damn right sexy. Although I didn't see myself doing this every day, I may actually use makeup on purpose on occasion.
"I look gorgeous," I grinned.
"Yep, but I haven't put on your lipstick," Lucia stated as she handed it to me.
Just as I was about to put on the lipstick, there was a knock at the door and in popped Amelia Baboot.
"Happy Birthday!" Amelia shouted.
"Thanks," I replied.
"Come on you slowpokes or we'll miss out on the crepes this morning," Amelia announced.
"We're headed down now," Lucia said as she headed out.
"I'm right behind you," I stated as I put the lipstick in my robe pocket.
We were lucky to enter the dining hall when we did because we got the last of the crepes and eating oatmeal for your birthday breakfast would be the pits.
Scorpius pretended to choke on his pumpkin juice as we sat down and then said, "Do my eyes deceive me or has hell frozen over?"
"Your eyes are working just fine. It's your brain that we are worried about," I shot back.
"I just didn't expect a clown to come down for breakfast. I know the other houses think we're a joke but there is no need to perpetuate that stereotype," Scorpius stated faking surprise.
"I was just imitating you the biggest joke in Slytherin," I slyly responded.
Everyone laughed and we continued to finish our breakfast in what little peace Scorpius gave us.
"By the way happy birthday," Gabriel smiled.
"Thanks," I grinned back.
"I was wondering why you looked so old," Scorpius winked.
"Ha ha. Always the comedian," I pointed out.
I quickly finished the rest of my food and headed down the hallway before class started. I paused in front of a mirror hanging in the deserted hallway near the library to apply the dark red lipstick my Aunt Angelina gave me. I popped my lips and turned around and found Jasper.
"What are you doing here?" I screamed as I gave him a hug.
"I had to stop by and wish you a happy birthday," Jasper as he handed me a present.
"Oh you shouldn't have," I blushed.
I ripped open the package and discovered a box of animated fake cockroaches.
"This will be great to let loose in the dining hall later. Thank you so much!" I laughed.
"Well I have to head back. Have a great day," Jasper responded as he patted me on the head.
"Yeah you don't want to be late for your first day at the ministry internship," I said and waved good bye as he headed toward the headmaster's office.
"What did he want?" glared Scorpius as he watched Jasper's figure disappear down the hall.
"Just to wish me a happy birthday and where did you pop up from?" I wondered.
"I forgot to give you this," Scorpius mumbled as he handed me a card.
As soon as I reached for the card I felt a magnetic force pull Scorpius' and my lips together.
When we were finally able to pull apart I stood there with my mouth wide open and Scorpius had turned a lovely shade of magenta and then mumbled something about leaving something in his room.
I was so shocked that I completely forgot about class altogether and went back to my room and sat on my bed in a trance.