Hogwarts Legacy : A Sixth Year Continuation

Chapter Thirty : Rebirth Day

I awoke late again on that sleepy Sunday morning.  Only interrupting my slumber briefly at seven o'clock when the sun had begun to rise over the highlands to perform my incantation ahead of my transformation. The last few days had trickled past at a painful pace. Sebastian hadn't sat with us since Luka had returned, and his smile hadn't been seen since either. I couldn't enter a classroom or the Great Hall without feeling Rossi boring his brain against mine, trying to smash down the walls. It hadn't worked as of yet, but I worried that with enough time, he'd figure out a way to see what I was thinking.
The beam of the October sun was glaring into my still bleary eyes. I flicked my cheek with my tongue, forgetting the mandrake leaf was now in the phial along with my hair and dew drops from the thestral enclosure. It had been moved courtesy of Deek to a dark corner of the room. It was going to be tonight. I had checked the forecast in the astronomy tower last night. The full moon was due today, the twenty-first of October. My birthday.

The dormitory was empty, as I dragged myself sleepily to the bottom of my bed and I was shocked to see small pile of beautifully wrapped gifts nestled on the floor. I had gone without them last year, my only gift's had ever been from Mammy my whole life, and she could never afford too much. Instead we would decorate the house, make cakes and play in the garden.

I flicked my wand toward the presents, resting them on my bed, crossing my legs in front of them.

The first was a small brown parcel, with a note attached that said;

Happy Birthday Kitty!
I hope you like your gift, I know how much you miss school during the summer.
See you soon!,
Old Mr Brooke x

My eyes glistened as I opened the little parcel. A tiny snow globe of Hogwarts, enchanted so that the snow fell consistently, owls could be seen leaving the owlery. The lights within the castle flickered and shadowy figures could be seen passing the window.

The next parcel was from Natty, her and Poppy had managed to convince Deek to secretly leave them for me, so as not to give our game away prematurely.

It was a book on adjusting to life as an animagus, hints and tips for a smooth transition. Along with a little red threaded bracelet with a Gryffindor lion embroidered into it, her note had read; to remind you, you're brave, strong, fierce.

Poppy's gift was the one that had tipped me over the edge. A little hamper from Honeydukes, tucked into the box was one of her drawings. A beautiful portrait of the three of us, enchanted to show us laughing with each other. I sobbed as I read the note that followed;

You're never alone, you have us. Always.
Have a beautiful day, my love.

There were only two parcels left. I assumed one would be from Ominis, since he had told me he would be giving me a present. I opened the smaller of the two gifts, wrapped in grubby brown paper. It was home-made fudge, the note simply read; from Deek.
I grinned wiping the remaining tears from my eyes as I popped a cube of fudge into my mouth grabbing the last gift from Omi.

Except it wasn't from Ominis. As I pulled the gift toward me I read the tag attached to the gold paper.

It's your birthday.
This is for you – I think it will help.
From, S. Sallow.

I stared in shock a the note. The writing had been dug through the parchment that holes were left where his quill had punctured it across certain words. What was going to help? Help with what?

I tore open the gold paper to reveal a small blue book, turning it over I read the title and dropped it in horror.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard."