Chapter 4 : Four Birthdays
If you check out the story Magical Origins by Dante 2K-25 you will get an idea for where this story headed. Look for it in my favorites!
"Happy birthday to you; Happy birthday to you; Happy birthday dear Marco; Happy birthday to you."
The chorus of voices rang out, celebrating the eighth birthday of Marco Banks. Several dozen of his friends and family members stood around him as he blew out the candles.
His heart was filled with joy.
"Now can I have some cake?"
"Absolutely," his mother exclaimed. "We are all standing here while you are starving from lack of cake."
A massive slice of German chocolate cake, slathered with coconut pecan frosting, was put on a plate before Marco.
He dug in with a will, as everyone else received their own slices and conversations were put on hold.
As the plates were cleared away, his aunt enquired, "Where did you get this cake? It is most delicious."
"Marco made it," his mother replied proudly.
"There is no way a seven-year-old could have made that cake."
"I did. Anyway, I made it while I was eight."
"Oh, I can tell how much of a difference that one day made in your baking abilities," his aunt said sarcastically.
"Auntie!"
"Presents time!" His mother called out quickly. "Let's see what you got, Marco."
His presents were opened in short order. Books, some baking tools, some other tools and toys and stuff.
Eventually, there was just one present left.
It was the largest one..
Marco was excited.
"Let's see what this one is! I saved it for last on purpose."
"Who is this from?" His mother wanted to know.
Nobody answered.
"There is no label, either!" Marco exclaimed.
"Alright, I guess the gift giver wants to remain anonymous," his mother said. "Go ahead and open it up."
Marco tore into the wrapping paper...
To find something very interesting.
"Portable Greenhouse," he read off the label. "Grow your own plants."
"This will be different."
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Lily woke up.
That was normal. What was not normal was that she was a year older than when she had fallen asleep.
She was now an eight-year-old.
She climbed off of her cot in the room she shared with six other girls of varying ages.
She had a wary relationship with them. Sometimes things would happen around her- unexplainable things. They had been enough to mostly discourage bullies, but it had just exacerbated the actions of the adults.
She shivered.
But enough of that - today was supposed to be a happy day - at least as happy as her days ever got.
As the other girls were waking up, she hurried into the communal girls bathroom. There was a large shower that multiple girls would share, and a row of about five toilets.
She was not the first girl in the shower though. That honor belonged to her only friend, who was four years older than her.
She had been friends with Nikki for a long time. Nikki had been her protector since before she could protect herself. The unfortunate thing was, Nikki went away during the school year to a special boarding school that her parents had registered her for before they died.
She was taking advantage of the fact that Nikki was currently here.
"Mornin, and Happy Birthday, Lily."
As she stripped down and began scrubbing herself, she and Nikki conversed pleasantly - at least until Patricia came in.
Patricia was her enemy, and almost the only person who continued to bully her.
Somehow, when Patricia came past, Lily slipped and fell.
This is what life in the orphanage was like - on the good days. Even birthdays. Other days...
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
"It's my birthday!" Harry cried as he leaped out of bed. "I'm eight now!"
His large four poster bed quivered at this. He rushed into the bathroom to look at his reflection.
"Yes!"
Quickly, he dressed and hurried downstairs. "Happy birthday, Harry!" His father cried joyfully when he saw him.
"Today is a big day, so eat a big breakfast. You will need to be ready for what will happen."
Harry gobbled down five pancakes and seven sausages.
"All set?" James asked.
"Yes!"
They Floo'ed to the venue - the venue for his birthday party.
It was all set up and ready. The house elves were preparing the food.
The guests started arriving.
The birthday of the Boy-Who-Lived was a big deal.
The Weasleys...
The Blacks...
The Bones...
And many others..
"Birthday Party time!"
There was just one special present of interest.
"Dueling?"
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Samantha looked wistfully at the single present she had received. Mrs. Eldredge had come through for her when nobody else had.
She knew it was a book.
What she did not know was that what was written in the book would change her life forever.
The cover was nondescript. When she opened it up, there was a note from Mrs. Eldredge inside.
My dear Samantha,
Something has come to my attention that you ought to know. As you know, I am abnormally old. What you did not know was that I am not just some freak of nature - at least not in that way.
You see, my dear, magic exists.
Samantha looked up, stunned. What!
However, I am what is called a Squib in the Wizarding world. This means I have no magic. Since I will not be able to personally instruct you, I was not planning on informing you of that fact until you were a little older. However, something extremely important has come to my attention. It is vital that you learn about this as soon as possible, so I have arranged for you to meet me tomorrow.
Someone will arrive and pick you up.
Speak of this to no one.
Oh, and have a happy birthday, my dear.
Lovingly,
Mrs. Eldredge
What will happen?
What vital information does Mrs. Eldredge need to tell Samantha?
This story is just writing itself. Please write me a review!