The Entire History of You

Chapter One

"Another round of Butterbeer for the birthday girl— on me!" Garreth calls over to Sirona from their spot tucked safely into the corner, the rouge creeping unto her cheeks giving way to the warmth of his words as she leans further into his side.

Even if only a short time has passed since they had graduated a few months back, she has longed for stolen moments like this; all of her friends together again, embracing the bonds that would forever remain unbroken by their histories, allowing themselves to forget— for just a short while— that this would be their last official year they would share as a class.

And as she turns to watch those that she has called her family for so long, she feels that same familiarity— that love and appreciation for everyone who has worked so hard to make this birthday so special— creeping into the very tips of her being, leaving her feeling warm, safe.

"Alright, alright! Time to go around the table to give Athena your affirmations!" Poppy, always so loud and full of life, clings to her side. She scoots into the chair to her right, stealing her hands that had once been hidden away beneath the table into her own lap. "I'll go first."

Quickly, the room that had once been so full of mirth and voices alike grows still, quiet, as everyone gathers back to the large table they had reserved in the back of the Three Broomsticks. Natty slides in across from Poppy, taking her spot next to Amit. Garreth, to her left, offers her a smile that she feels hit the depths of her belly, molting it into a tenderness that she knows she will later blame on the charmed Butterbeer.

"So, Athena," Poppy starts, giving both of her hands a squeeze, watching as she struggles to contain the grin that splits her cheeks in two. "I don't even know where to start, but perhaps I can start with how much I love you. I have watched you grow into the most fiery, beautiful, brilliant witch over the last few years, and I... I am so lucky to be able to call you my friend— my sister."

"Poppy..." At a loss for words, all she is left to do is shake her head in disbelief, returning the squeeze of Poppy's hands before the sound of Natty's voice takes the place of her resounding thoughts.

"Poppy is right. You are a brilliant witch— and you are kind, and courageous— even if you are perhaps a bit too prideful for your own good," she laughs, the slide off comment rolling off of her tongue with an ease that makes her insides warm. "But, you never stop going after the things that you want, and I look up to you in that way," she tells her. "My dear friend— you are truly one of a kind."

By the time she even has time to realize it, Athena's cheeks have grown painfully hot, wet, and she catches herself rolling her eyes to try and mask the intense emotions, quick to wipe away those tears that must snuck passed her defenses. "Damn you— damn you both," she breathes, voice catching somewhere between a laugh and a cry.

And without hesitation, Natty stands from her spot across the table and crosses the spans between them to collect her into her arms, both her and Poppy's encasing her into an embrace that she hadn't known she'd even needed. These people right here, right now, have known of the struggles she has fought to overcome within these last few years, and it forces her to tighten her grip even further at the realization that she has finally, finally found her family.

"Alright, alright— you weren't supposed to make the birthday girl cry." Garreth's voice hits her ears, just as Natty pulls away to return to her seat. He reaches up, using the pads of both of his thumbs to swipe beneath her eyes to dry her cheeks— a gesture that she knows does not go unnoticed to the rest of their friends.

"Besides, if that head of yours gets any bigger, it might just explode," he jests, pulling his hands away just as Sirona steps over to drop off a new tray of Butterbeer.