Chapter Twenty-Three – An Added Gift
Aldwyn flinches. He couldn't help it. Draco is standing in front of him, and his parents, godparents, and Bill and Charlie wouldn't have tapped him on the shoulder like that. Silently praying to Merlin and Morgana that whoever is standing behind him, close enough to touch him, hadn't noticed his small involuntary action, nor his state of almost hyperventilation. Taking a deep, stabilizing breath, Aldwyn attempts to soothe his rapidly beating heart before he squares his shoulders and turns around.
He freezes in surprise at the sight before him. A boy is standing in front of him now. He is tall, two or three inches taller than Aldwyn and he is thin, not worryingly so, Aldwyn could see the slight definition of muscles under the other's robes and wonders if he plays quidditch as well. He finds himself relaxing slightly when the boy offers him a small sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck as if apologising for startling him. Aldwyn inwardly cringes, so he had noticed him flinching then. He returns the gestures when the other takes a step back as if he were already aware of Aldwyn's aversion to people he doesn't know standing so close. It endears him to the boy a little.
"Good afternoon, Heir Prince-Slytherin. It is nice to finally put a face to the name. Draco has spoken of nothing but you throughout the entire holidays and I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance." The boy's voice is smooth Aldwyn notices first, like freshly woven silk. Its softness has the remaining tension bleeding from Aldwyn's shoulders as he inclines his head in acknowledgment falling back, almost subconsciously, on the advice his father had given to him.
He shakes the other's hand when it is stretched out toward him cautiously, his cheeks flaring hotly when his knuckles are brushed by the boy's lips, and he just knows that his father and papa are watching him with smirks stretching across their faces. They would no doubt tease him later. Aldwyn eyes the boy in front of him, willing his blush to dissipate as he tries to spot whether he is being genuine or not. His own smile widens a little when he spies a spark of sincerity lurking deep within dark chocolate eyes gazing at him with just as much intensity.
"Thank you…?"
"Zabini, Blaise Zabini, Heir to the Noble House of Zabini."
"Thank you, Heir Zabini. The pleasure is all mine, truly. I am glad to have finally met you also. I have, like yourself, heard much about yourself during these past few weeks of summer from Draco. You are a very close friend of his?"
And he honestly had. Blaise Zabini was one of the few Slytherin children who Draco had outright called a friend, many of the others had been referred to as mere acquaintances or schoolmates, those who just so happened to be sorted into the same Hogwarts House. The Zabini Heir bows formally, winking flirtatiously at the younger boy before placing another swift kiss on Aldwyn's knuckles which he has yet to release. Blaise smirks, eyes sparkling playfully as the blush dusting Aldwyn's cheeks intensifies.
"Please call me Blaise, I have a feeling that we are going to become very close friends."
Tentatively, as if fearing a violent rejection (he knew just how much Slytherins tended to avoid such gestures), Aldwyn steps closer to the taller boy and wraps his arms around Blaise's shoulders, burying his face in his own arms as his small friend trembles slightly with the overload of emotions. Never had anyone, besides Draco, wished to be his friend before, not without demanding something in return. He glances up across the garden and sends a smile towards his parents showing them that he was okay; expression widening when they relax a little, turning to speak to a rugged man with long messy hair.
"Thank you, Blaise."
Blaise, though deeply surprised at finding himself suddenly wrapped in an embrace; hadn't thought the Heir to both the Prince and Slytherin families would be so open to physical affection. Then again, he had seen the boy being smothered in hugs by his parents and the Malfoys, along with the two oldest Weasley brothers. Wrapping his arms around Aldwyn's waist, Blaise smoothes a hand down his spine trying to alleviate the boy's emotional state. He didn't wish to be blamed for sending the Slytherin Heir into a state of distress, nor did he wish to face the wrath of Lord Slytherin.
"Shhh. It is going to be alright, Heir Prince-Slytherin. I apologise if anything I have said or if any of my actions have made you feel uncomfortable. I am always being told that I have a tendency to act before I think, not very Slytherin when you think about it."
Aldwyn chuckles against Blaise's shoulder, shaking his head to disperse those claims. Nothing the other had done had made him feel uncomfortable, or distressed in the slightest, he was just overwhelmed. He really should have better control over his emotions already.
"It wasn't anything you said or did, Blaise. Well not in a bad way anyhow. I just… Draco was my first and only friend. No one has ever wanted to be friends with someone like me before and I am unused to people wishing to spend time with me. I was not expecting someone else to want to befriend me. I apologise." Clinging to Blaise when he feels the arms around his waist tightening at his confession, he feels his smile stretching. He loves the warmth surging through his veins when Blaise simply responds by kissing the top of his head.
"I can't think of anyone who would be stupid enough not to wish to become friends with you, Heir Prince-Slytherin. You seem like an amazing person to me, and I have only heard the stories spouted off by Draco. Though I must say that his stories do not give you justice."
Aldwyn chuckles, drawing away from Blaise. He could only imagine what Draco had said to the other. He was really curious about how Draco had painted his image if even Blaise, who had only just met him could conclude that the stories were somewhat sugar-coated and 'didn't do him justice'. Pulling his handkerchief out of his pocket, Aldwyn wipes away the rest of his tears.
"Please, call me Aldwyn. I abhor the bridge which is created between us with the use of surnames. Besides, we can't be friends if you are still referring to me as Heir Prince-Slytherin, it is a bit of a mouthful. I look forward to getting to know you more Blaise."
"As do I… Aldwyn."
With quiet sniggers, the pair descends into conversation just as Draco notices the lack of warmth surrounding his hand. He realises that he must have released Aldwyn's hand when one of his friends had jumped on him. Worry begins to form in the pit of his stomach, and he quickly glances over his shoulder, ignoring his friends' conversation. His mind conjures up an image of Aldwyn curled between his parents, tears in his eyes but thankfully he spots his friend standing not too far away. He breathes a sigh of relief seeing Aldwyn snickering with Blaise Zabini.
The image of the pair causes an unusual emotion to flare up in Draco's chest, especially when he sees Blaise moving to grip Aldwyn's hand in his own. An overbearing need to protect his godbrother from the overly flirtatious Zabini Heir is pushed away when he sees the bright smile adorning Aldwyn's features. He is happy that Aldwyn is finally becoming more confident in himself, and actually allowing himself to make new friends. He does vow to keep a close eye on their developing friendship, however, seen as Blaise, despite being only twelve years old, was a huge flirt and he didn't want Aldwyn to get hurt.
Waiting for a natural lull in their conversation, Draco slowly slips his hand into Aldwyn's, not wishing to startle the other. Besides, he knew neither Blaise nor Aldwyn would appreciate it if he broke their hands apart, despite his urge to do so. Draco gestures for Aldwyn to stand by his side, dragging Blaise with him as his eyes cast fleetingly over the conversing Slytherin students worrying his lip. Clearing his throat, Draco gains the attention of his classmates before he indicates to the boy standing sandwiched between himself and Blaise. He squeezes Aldwyn's hand.
"Friends, colleagues and… others."
The group of young Slytherins giggle quietly as Draco sneers over at Crabbe and Goyle, who glance at each other before raising their eyebrows in question, confusion shaping their features. Aldwyn had heard his father complaining about their fathers' incompetence before and rumour had it that their sons were not much brighter.
"I would like to formally introduce you all to my godbrother, Aldwyn Salazar Prince-Slytherin. Heir to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Prince and the Ancient and Most Prestigious House of Slytherin. The son of Marvolo Slytherin and Severus Prince."
Aldwyn shrinks back a half step, wishing he could duck behind Draco when several sets of inquisitive eyes turn to stare at him. Subconsciously, he tightens his hands around Draco's and Blaise's, drawing in a deep breath to steel his nerves. Closing his eyes for a second, Aldwyn draws on every single lesson he had been taught by his family. Meeting their gazes with one of his own, Aldwyn smirks, relaxing his shoulders as he draws himself up. He would not act like a frightened child in front of his father's followers, future or otherwise.
"I didn't know Professor Snape had a son, and with the Dark Lord, no less. Did you, Daph?" A girl with short, almost black hair mutters, eyeing him up and down before her gaze flickers over his shoulders, clearly toward his parents. His smirk doesn't waver.
Aldwyn returns her gaze, eyeing the family crest on her cloak, and nods inwardly. He thought he recognised her from somewhere. This was the girl he always saw clinging to Draco's arm and sticking to his side like glue throughout the entire year, last year. He always found her actions curious as it didn't seem like the correct pureblood etiquette, he witnessed the other girls employing.
He raises an eyebrow; it was interesting for him to be introduced to this group once again and who knew just how different their attitudes would be with a quick adoption ritual and change of name. They had all met him before, of course they had, but that had been when he was Harry Potter, Gryffindor's Golden boy, and the Saviour of the Wizarding World. His other eyebrow climbs to meet the other when another girl steps forward and cuffs the girl around the back of the head.
"Hush, Pansy, of course, I didn't know ProfessorPrinceand the Dark Lord had a son together, if you hadn't noticed our Lord has been missing for ten years. Now, you are going to scare him off if you keep staring at him like your Transfigurations homework." This girl curtsies to Aldwyn, smiling even when the girl she had called 'Pansy' smacks her arm. Aldwyn inclines his head, a smirk still dancing across his features.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Heir Prince-Slytherin. Draco has told us so much about you. I'm Daphne Greengrass and this rude girl here is Pansy Parkinson."
"I am not rude!"
Aldwyn bows in acknowledgment of the two girls biting his lip to prevent himself from chuckling when they begin to bicker back and forth. He smiles a little; he had never expected Slytherin students to act in such a manner, even if they were only twelve.
"Heir Prince-Slytherin, it is such a pleasure to meet you in person. I am sure that if Draco were to mention just how 'brilliant, smart, and talented' you are once more without introducing us then I would have lost my patience. I am Theodore Nott but please call me Theo." A sandy blond boy, the one who had initially jumped on Draco, steps forward with a thick tomb clasped tightly under his arm. He offers a short nod to Aldwyn who is quick to return the gesture, eyes flickering down to glance at the title of the book and his eyes light up in recognition.
"It that'An Introductory Guide to Ancient Runes.'?"
Theo looks down at the book in his hand, nodding his head, his smile widens a little, "Yes, it is. I take it you have read it before?"
"Yes, my father wished for me to advance my studies and so hired a private tutor to assist me. I am reading up on both Ancient Runes and Arithmancy."
"I am envious, Heir Prince-Slytherin. My father refuses to allow me to begin studying Runes until my third year, he believes it ismuchtoo advanced for me currently. Who is your tutor, I have never heard of an Ancient Runes tutor who offers sessions during the summer?"
"Well, I suppose it would be more accurate to call him a close family friend. Bill Weasley and Charlie Weasley were asked to tutor me so I could catch up to my future classmates and therefore allow me to settle in easier when I transfer to Hogwarts this September. If you would like, I could recommend some books for you to read on both subjects?"
"You have Weasleys as tutors?" Pansy questions, incredulity dripping from her tone, and she is once again slapped on the back of her head.
"Of course, he does, you twit. You saw him and Draco conversing with the two redheads just a couple of minutes ago. Who else would they be besides Weasleys with that hair?" Blaise argues, rolling his eyes at the girl.
"What does it matter if they are Weasleys? If they are living in the Dark Lord's family home, then they must haveseen the lightso to speak. Besides, I don't think the Dark Lord would allow just anyone to interact with his son like that, Pans."
"Daphne is correct. Thank you, Heir Prince-Slytherin. I would be happy to accept any recommendations you are willing to offer. You do not happen to have any study notes on the subjects?" Theo questions, eyes alight as a shy smile tugs at his lips.
"I believe I have them somewhere. I could find them out for you if you would like and if there is anything you are unsure of, then I would be happy to offer my assistance?" Aldwyn offers, holding a hand out for Theo to shake. He didn't know why he had been so worried, these children were, although a little rough, a good laugh to be around.
"I would appreciate that, thank you Heir Prince-Slytherin." Theo shakes his hand.
"Please, call me Aldwyn."
"Hi. I'm Tracy Davies. Nice to meet you, Heir Prince-Slytherin." A girl with dulled auburn red hair pushes her way past Daphne and Pansy, a wide smile blossoming across her lips as she bounces on the balls of her feet. He suppresses a snicker when she almost trips over her feet curtsying to him. He bows in return.
"Millicent Bulstrode." A sour voice cuts in, drawing Aldwyn's attention to a girl with dark, wavy brown hair standing off to the side, her arms folded across her chest. She looks down her nose at him, a sneer crossing her features and Aldwyn can feel his insides twisting, his hands tighten again around Draco's and Blaise's, the two boys following his gaze and sigh.
"Don't worry, Aldwyn Millicent is harmless really. She is all bark and no bite."
"Yea just ignore her, Aldwyn. Despite her being the oldest child to the Bulstrode family, there is a rumour flying that her parents are thinking of naming her younger sister the Heiress." Draco whispers into his ear, nodding to Blaise. They would keep an eye on Millicent for the next few weeks; they had a feeling that she would either become vindictive toward Aldwyn because he is the Heir to two prominent houses, or she will try to convince her parents to draw up a betrothal contract.
As soon as everyone had finished introducing themselves, Crabbe and Goyle merely offered a nod of greeting from their stance at the back of the group; Draco grins and claps his hands together before he pulls a pack of cards from inside his robes. Aldwyn stares at the little deck, eyebrows furrowing. He wonders when Draco had had the time to slip them in before he shrugs. The other children cheer and drop to form a circle on the floor in what Aldwyn is shocked to label as a very undignified, very anti-pureblood manner. Though he is quick to follow suit when they all turn to stare up at him. Gracefully settling himself down on the ground, Aldwyn folds his hands in his lap waiting for Draco to shuffle the cards and deal them out.
"Alright Aldwyn, we are going to be playing Exploding Snaps. The rules are pretty simple to follow. We each take turns putting the card on top of our own piles down in a pile in the middle of the circle. You are not allowed to look at your own cards, until they have been placed down, however. If two consecutive cards are the same, then you have to shout 'Snap' and the cards will explode. Whoever is the first person to shout out, then the cards will appear in their pile."
Aldwyn nods his understanding, picking up his own pile of cards. He has a sinking feeling that he is going to lose horribly as he was never very good at group games. Though, he had never really played any real group games before; the most he could compare it to would be playing a game of chess with his papa against his father. Or Quidditch but both of those were vastly different from what he was doing now.
"To win, all you have to do is avoid being burnt by the explosions and be the last person to lose all of their cards."
"If you run out of cards, you are not out of the game. If you see a 'Snap' you are still able to call it out and if you are the first, then you can re-enter and keep putting your cards down. The person who manages to collect all the cards at the end, or whoever has the most cards left is the winner." Theo picks up from Draco and Blaise, smiling over at Aldwyn when he sees the other fiddling with his card pile.
"Alright. Are you ready, Aldwyn?"
Looking from Theo to Blaise and then toward Draco, Aldwyn nods his head. Keeping his eyes trained on the middle deck, Aldwyn watches as card after card is put down, his reactions a little slower during the first game as he wanted to get a feel for the gameplay.
Overall, the games don't go as horribly wrong as he had first thought, to help him out in the beginning, Blaise would nudge his leg with his knee when there was a pair, and much to his relief, he didn't actually have to shout out loud for the deck to recognise him. He sometimes lost all his cards and sometimes he regained more if he spotted the pair before the others and soon enough, he was laughing and shouting along with the rest of the children. So engrossed that he doesn't see the relief spreading across his parents' expressions, nor the way his father pulls his papa against his side as they stand content to simply watch him.
It didn't take long before the other children voted unanimously that they were getting bored of Exploding Snaps and suggested they play a more active game instead. A five aside game of Quidditch increased Aldwyn's excitement, his eyes brighter than anyone had seen them that day. To save them from arguments, he suggested girls versus boys, laughing when the bickering simmered down as they relented to his offer. Tracy shot him a thumbs up, still bouncing on her toes and Aldwyn ponders where all her energy came from.
Shouting over to Draco that he was going to fetch some brooms for them all, he waves away both Draco and Blaise's offer to help him as they didn't know where his father had the house elves build their new Quidditch shed. Running off towards the wooden outhouse standing just off the Quidditch pitch, Aldwyn pulls the heavy door ajar and steps in. His eyes widen when he sees rows upon rows of broomsticks, various models hanging along the walls and resting in their racks.
Stepping into the dark room, Aldwyn blinks when torches spring to life around the room, lighting up the inside enough for him to see clearly. Checking for his Nimbus 2000, Aldwyn frowns when he doesn't see it anywhere. That is until his eyes are drawn to a large white cloth, his name elegantly scrawled across a folded piece of parchment resting on top. Taking the note, Aldwyn unfolds it a grin stretching from ear to ear as he reads the familiar scrawl of his father's writing.
Dear Aldwyn,
Happy birthday, Snakelet. I was walking around Diagon Ally looking for the perfect present for you a few days ago when I recalled the many conversations you have conducted with Draconis, and your papa and I, or just about anyone who would listen about Quidditch. I remembered how you had played Seeker for the Gryffindor team, the youngest Seeker in the century. I, therefore, conspired with Lucius and decided to buy these for yourself and your friends as you deserve to have the best birthday possible.
With all my love,
Your Father.
A quivering hand places the note in a pocket on the inside of his robes while the other takes a firm grip on the fabric. Tugging the material away from whatever his father and Lucius had hidden beneath, Aldwyn's breath catches. His eyes widen, sparkling with glee when he takes in the appearance of 11 brand new Nimbus 2001 broomsticks, the latest model on the market. Upon closer inspection, Aldwyn finds two designed slightly different than the others which were done in a dark grey almost black, and gold serial numbers engraved on the handles. The two he spotted were varnished in the darkest black he had ever seen, polished to perfection with his name carved into the handle in silver, the other with Draco's.
Quickly taking his wand out of his pocket, Aldwyn shrinks the multiple brooms, and he drops all but his own and Draco's into an outer robe pocket before he turns to run out of the shed. Making his way through the gardens toward the Slytherins who appeared to have split into their teams and were waiting for him to arrive. Blaise is the first to notice his approach, waving him over with a large smile as Aldwyn slows to a brisk walk. His cheeks flushed and his breathing slightly laboured, Aldwyn rubs the back of his neck.
"Hey Aldwyn. What took you so long?" Blaise questions quietly, as soon as Aldwyn has re-joined them his hands hidden behind his back. The others turn to him as well.
"Well, I went to the broom shed to find my broom and get enough for the rest of you to use but I ended up finding something there that my father and Uncle Lucius had apparently conspired to buy us for our birthdays." He answers tightening his grip on the brooms still hidden from sight.
"What? What did you find?" Draco almost demands, hands gripping his hips as he tries not to bounce on the balls of his feet. His eyes light up with anticipation and he has to stop himself from pouncing on Aldwyn when the other merely smirks at him.
Without saying a word, Aldwyn raises an eyebrow and slowly; excruciatingly slowly brings his hands to his front holding the gifts out. He quickly checks the handles and offers the appropriate broom to Draco, ensuring that the one he was still holding did, in fact, have his own name carved into the handle. Immediately the other children gather around the brooms, inspecting the sleek, black paint jobs each of the hovering their hands over them in fear of breaking them.
"Our fathers bought us a Nimbus 2001 each?" Draco's voice is breathy, "No wonder Father was so against buying one for me for my own birthday. Then again, he wouldn't have known not to get me one in June. Do you think Uncle Marvolo managed to convince my father to allow me to have one?" Draco ponders aloud as he brushes his fingers against the polished wood as if he were in a trance like he couldn't believe his own eyes. He fingers the engraving of his name.
"I am not too sure, Draco but I do believe it is a good thing our fathers bought enough for us all to play with…" Aldwyn shrugs his shoulders, smirking at the questioning expressions shot his way. He slips his hand into his pocket and pulls out a handful of small objects, placing them on the floor, "it wouldn't have been fair otherwise."
Dropping his wand from its holster, Aldwyn whispers a quietEngorgioin order to return the brooms to their original size earning more gasps of awe to escape his new friends.
"This must have cost your fathers a small fortune!"
"Oh, my Merlin! These are so cool!"
"I can't believe this!"
"You can't be serious!"
"Are we really allowed to use these?"
Aldwyn can feel his cheeks lighting up with the continued shock, surprise, and appreciation leaking through the undertones of the other children's comments. He squeezes the hand which he feels quickly wrapping around his own, as if sensing his overwhelming emotions, and he can feel himself calming. Leaning against Blaise's side in thanks, a smile breaks through when Blaise glances down at him with a reassuring smile in hopes of keeping him from going into another near panic attack as he had earlier.
"Alright! How about we get this game started then?" Draco shouts causing the children to break out into loud cheers. Each of them scrambling to claim one of the brand-new brooms eager to test them. They are quick to mount the brooms, pushing off from the ground and whooping in joy as they zoom off. Excited at seeing the speed of the Nimbus 2001, Aldwyn drops Blaise's hand and shoots off into the air, corkscrewing upwards.
An hour soon passes and Aldwyn, flushed from the exercise and flying around his full-sized pitch after Draco's practice snitch barely catches the faint sound of his father calling for him. Pulling up to hover in the air, Aldwyn motions to his new friends indicating that it was time to land and head back to their parents. They swoop down, following Aldwyn with small grumbles of protest, none of them wished to be parted with the delightfully speedy brooms, nor their Quidditch games so soon.
As they touch down, the children place the brooms back on the floor out of the way, grins never leaving their faces as they race toward their parents in order to relay the tales of their games. Aldwyn follows suit, gripping his own broom in his fist, he runs over to Marvolo.
"I take it that you found yours and Draco's other presents, Snakelet. How do you like them?" Marvolo bends down to scoop up his jittery, flushed, and utterly wind-swept son into his arms. He hugs Aldwyn close, brushing strands of escaped hair out of his face before dropping a kiss on his sweaty forehead, he chuckles. He is pleased to see his son so relaxed and happy in the company of so many; it was the happiest he had seen Aldwyn in such large company before.
"Yes, thank you, Father. They are absolutely brilliant! I can't wait to try out for the Quidditch team when I go to Hogwarts this year!"
Small arms wrap around Marvolo's shoulders in a tight embrace and Marvolo has to catch his son's new broom, resting it against the table when Aldwyn releases it in his excitement. Small giggles continue to escape his son and Marvolo cannot help but chuckle along running a hand through the tangled locks. Shifting in his father's arms Aldwyn's smile widens when he spies Severus making his way through the crowd toward them. Wiggling in silent demand, Aldwyn drops a kiss on his father's cheeks and waits for his feet to touch the floor before he is running off. Laughing when he is swung up into another embrace.
"Papa!"
"Why hello my excitable little snake. How are you enjoying your party so far?"
Aldwyn grins, resting his head against Severus's shoulder he feels his adrenaline beginning to calm down as he breathes in the soothing scent of potions ingredients he is coming to associate with his papa. Neither of them notices, nor really pays attention to the startled looks of Aldwyn's new friends as they witness Severus Prince, notorious dungeon bat and genuine disliker of children, cuddling a child.
"It has been amazing, Papa! We played exploding Snaps, which I wasn't very good at, I got burnt a little on my fingers and then we played Quidditch, and my team won! I caught the Snitch! I also made a new friend; his name is Blaise, and he is really nice." Aldwyn's head shoots up, nearly colliding with Severus's, so he can look into his papa's face. His eyes are sparkling with glee, expressions one of such pure elation that Severus cannot help but laugh a little. He draws Aldwyn closer.
"I am pleased to hear so, Aldwyn. I am glad you have had so much fun so far today. Now, the reason your father and I called you down is because we were wondering whether you would prefer to open the presents from your friends now or if you would like to have some cake first?"
Pondering his options for a second, Aldwyn cocks his head to the side, eyebrows furrowing in deep thought before he smiles, "May we do the presents first? I think I may start feeling a little queasy if I try to eat something so sweet after flying around so much."
"Of course, we may, Snakelet. Whatever you wish."
Aldwyn happily sinks further into Severus's embrace. He had absolutely no desire to be put down just yet despite the fact that he was surrounded by so many people, not that his papa seemed to mind all that much as he is carried over toward the large circular table filled to the rafters with an array of presents. Emerald eyes shine as they flicker from one package to the next. Feeling himself being settled gently on the floor, he seats himself, crossing his legs while he waits for his friends to join him. He ignores the questioning glances passing from him to his papa as the other children settle on the floor around him. His father hands him his first gift.
30 minutes later and Aldwyn managed to make his way through all of the gifts he had been given, offering a heartfelt thank you to each child and their parents for even thinking of giving him a present when they didn't even know him. He loved every single one of them.
Pansy had bought him a fine set of silver cufflinks decorated with snakes; their eyes encrusted with small rubies which sparkled whenever the light hit them. He giggles when he first unveils them, showing his father who appreciates the irony of such a gift. As well. Daphne had bought him a few of every sweet available in Honeydukes, Tracy chipping in to help split the cost of such a bundle.
"When Draco told us that you hadn't tried a lot of our wizarding sweets, I just couldn't believe it. But then again, knowing that you grew up in Albania I shouldn't have been that surprised, they probably have different sweets over there." Tracy had commented, her tone scandalised as if she truly thought he had been wronged.
Thanking the two girls, Aldwyn makes a quick promise to his parents that he wouldn't gorge himself on them and informed his papa that he would limit himself to a few every two or so days. Much to the man's approval. Millicent had gifted him a few treats, toys, and other bits and pieces for Phanex, who would be pleased with the new treats and brand-new owl perch for him to use. He would show Phanex the next time he saw him; he was sure that the small owl was asleep in his bedroom somewhere.
He was especially pleased when he received a book about Ancient Runes from Theo. Apparently, the boy had questioned Draco about his likes and interests in order to get him something he knew the other would like. Thanking the boy, Aldwyn notes to ask Bill for help if he came across anything he didn't understand. His smile widens when he opens a book on potions from Blaise, weaseling a promise out of his papa to practice some of the more basic ones before he goes back to school, and possibly during the school year if he managed to keep on top of his schoolwork. Nodding in thanks to Crabbe and Goyle when he unwraps a brand-new Defensive Magic book which they had banded together to buy.
Aldwyn glances at his small pile of presents and smiles. He calls Geeney, asking if she would mind putting his gifts away in his room which she happily agrees to, and is about to push himself up from the floor when a voice calls out to him.
"Wait, Aldwyn."
He glances up to see two figures casually pushing through the crowd of Death Eaters and sympathisers to get to him. Smiling up at Bill and Charlie, Aldwyn giggles when he sees the abject horror on the faces of those who hadn't noticed the arrival of the Weasley brothers before.
"We kinda forgot to put our presents for you on the table. So, here you are."
Bill hands a smallish, messily wrapped present to Aldwyn, crouching down behind the small boy as he takes it in his own hands and leaning his head back against Bill's knees to thank the older brother before he returns his gaze to the parcel. Carefully peeling the wrapping paper from the objects inside, Aldwyn stares wide-eyed at the small Egyptian talisman sitting on top of a book on curse-breaking and warding. He remembers talking to Bill for hours about his job as a curse-breaker for Gringotts and finding his work completely fascinating. Picking up the wooden carving, Aldwyn strokes a finger down it, awed by the detail he could see in the beautiful sphinx.
"It took me a while to get it right, but I actually managed to finish it in time. It is the first talisman I have been able to carve and ward with all the right protection charms and ward spells without having it blow up in my face."
Aldwyn hooks the talisman around his neck, smile warming when it rests just below his father's locket, he sighs in contentment, slumping against Bill's legs when he feels Bill's magic mixing with his father's and papa's. The layered charms soothing and caressing his skin before they settle back down. Turning around, Aldwyn throws his arms around Bill, knocking the older wizard back onto his bottom, he burrows into the other's chest.
"Thank you, Bill. This is absolutely brilliant. I love it."
"No worries, Parum Anguis. Happy birthday."
Settling back against Bill's chest, not feeling inclined to move off his lap, Aldwyn looks towards Charlie who drops himself onto the floor next to his brother, a slightly neater wrapped box held in his own hands. He offers the present with a roguish smile.
"Here. Happy birthday, Aldwyn."
Taking the package carefully, Aldwyn slowly peels back the paper feeling slightly unnerved when he sees whatever it is shifting. Casting a glance over at Charlie, Aldwyn rolls his eyes when the man merely nods toward the present. Opening the gift completely, Aldwyn gasps in delight when a small dragon figurine stretches itself out from its curled-up position on a piece of fabric. Picking up the small figure, Aldwyn giggles when it begins to climb up his arm, sniffing and licking him as it moves.
"This is a Common Welsh Green, one of the more docile breeds of Dragon. It acts just like the real thing but doesn't need food or water or anything like that to survive. My mother gave it to me when I was a young wizard and I thought that you would like to have it now."
Aldwyn nods, Charlie had told him a lot about his Dragons, especially the ones he had been in charge of at the Reserve, and the Welsh Green was one of his favourites. He watches the little creature in fascination as it climbs across his shoulder before losing its footing and slides down his chest into his waiting hands. It curls up and blows smoke rings into Aldwyn's face drawing a giggle from the child. Turning toward Charlie, Aldwyn pulls him into an awkward one-armed hug seen as he was still seated in Bill's lap and holding his tiny dragon.
"Thank you, Charlie. He is just so cute. I think I will call him Carolus."
"Why Carolus?" Charlie questions. He knows Aldwyn didn't name anything without some deep meaning behind it and he is curious to know the reason behind naming the tiny dragon toy as such.
"It is the Latin form of Charles which is where the name Charlie originated from. I think it is a very fitting name for such an adorable dragon." Aldwyn answers simply, too busy watching Carolus the Welsh Green curling up and going to sleep to notice the faint flush dusting Charlie's cheeks.
"There is one more present for you in the package, Aldwyn." Charlie reminds Aldwyn when he realises that the young boy is too fascinated watching the small, sleepy figurine in his hands. He watches as Aldwyn places Carolus into his lap gently, not wishing to wake him up before he glances at the folded piece of fabric again. He tilts his head. Lifting the present out of the paper, Aldwyn is surprised to see a finely crafted Dragonhide jacket unfolding, his name stitched into the fabric on the left-hand side.
"Wow. Charlie this is so cool. Where did you get it from?" Turning to gaze up at the Dragon Tamer, Aldwyn is shocked to find a deep blush spreading across his cheeks and up to his ears, his gaze skirting away from Aldwyn's. Charlie can feel his embarrassment rising when everyone attending the party turns to gaze down at him.
"I didn't buy it anywhere. I made it…."
"Really? That is amazing, you are really talented! I can wear this when I don't have to wear my cloaks and robes!"
Charlie breathes a sigh of relief at Aldwyn's clear admiration of his gifts. He had been incredibly nervous when he had decided to give Aldwyn such personal and handcrafted presents as those ones, but even despite all his work at the Dragon Reserve, he didn't make as much money as he would have liked and therefore couldn't spend a lot of money on his gifts. He had relaxed a little when Bill had also given Aldwyn a handmade gift.
All of the presents are now opened and taken to his room by a delighted Geeney who once again promises that she has organised them all into their rightful places and that she will find a comfortable little pillow for Carolus to sleep on. Aldwyn and Draco are quickly dragged by their friends over to the large birthday cake, excited to get some sugar into their systems after their exhausting round of games. Grinning at the burning candles, Aldwyn watches as his father spells the flowers to play a soft tune that he doesn't recognise.
Assuming that the wizarding world must have their own rendition of a birthday song instead of the typical muggle one he is used to hearing, Aldwyn closes his eyes and listens to the melody. He is proven correct when his papa counts down and many of their guests begin to sing.
The whole ordeal is rather overwhelming for the young wizard who has never received any form of birthday celebration before, not from anyone. Nor could he remember ever being surrounded by so much love and affection as he could feel cloaking him at that moment. He tries to prevent himself from breaking down into happy sobs but when a few tears trickle down his cheeks he slips his hand into Draco's. Together, they lean forward and blow out their candles.
He makes a simple wish. Wiping the tears from his eyes, he wishes that his family and his new friends would never leave him alone again. That he could always be surrounded by such care and love as he is right now.