In Another Life

year 3- Birthdays and Mayhem

For the next two weeks, I worked tirelessly to plan the perfect party. I sent out invitations and decorated the Room of Requirements with all of Cassilynn's favorite things. The Room of Requirements was decked out in Halloween decorations, a Halloween themed Birthday banner, and various other party decorations that fit the Halloween theme. The tables were full of all her favourite foods, desserts and beverages. I had even swollowed my pride as well as stuffed down my dislike for Lucius and Roanna and had invited them. The guest list was mostly Slytherins, but there was three Gryffindors that were going to be in attendance. Cedric Diggory was even invited and he had said he would try to come. I even managed to get some Butterbeer from Hogsmeade delivered an hour before the party is to start.

Finally, the night of her birthday came around. Cassilynn was pleasantly surprised when I told her we were going to skip dinner and have a private celebration instead. She was ecstatic when she saw all her friends and family gathered in the Room of Requirements, waiting to celebrate with her. Her smile was so big, and tears started to give her eyes a glassy sheen in the fire light.

The evening was filled with laughter, magic, some dancing, and most importantly, love. As the clock struck ten, marking the hour that she was born, Cassilynn blew out the candles on her birthday cake with a huge smile on her face. We all sang a version of the Happy Birthday song and Cassi shed even more happy tears. 

"Thank you, Ally. This is the best birthday I've ever had," she whispered to me, tears shimmering in her eyes.

I smiled back, knowing I had accomplished my goal. I may not have been able to repay Cassilynn for her amazing party, but I had definitely given her a birthday to remember. And it was all thanks to my quick thinking and our father's help. Well, I also couldn't have done it without Oliver's help.

As we clinked our Butterbeer bottles in a toast, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my family and friends. And most of all, for Cassilynn. She had always been there for me and now, I was able to return the favour. However, at some point in the night dad had disappeared from the room. I looked around curiously for him, but I didn't raise alarm because I didn't want to sour the last few remaining hours of Cassilynn's birthday. Dad had gotten us permission from Dumbledore to stay up until midnight, as long as Dad promised that any student from other houses had a escort to their common rooms.

"Ally, have you seen dad? I was really hoping to have a parent at one of my birthday parties for once in my life."

"I don't know where he went. He was just here, I swear."

The door to the room suddenly bangs open and everyone turns to look. Standing there with his usual emotionless face, but there was fear in his eyes as he scanned the room, and they relaxed a bit when his eyes landed on me. He scanned the room again and his eyes landed on Harry. Harry noticed and walked over to me, and Cassilynn as Dad started walking towards us. I felt nerves swell up inside me, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around my stomach. Once dad was close enough, he started to talk.

"Sirius Black has tried to enter Gryffindor Tower. Dumbledore wants all students to quickly and quietly make their way to the Great Hall. Allyson, you're going to stay with me. You're in no condition to be sleeping on the floor."

"If it's alright with you, dad, I would prefer to be treated the same as everyone else. I'm still able to get on and off the floor, so I will sleep in the Great Hall with everyone else. I'll have Harry, Cassi and Draco, not to mention all my other friends there if I need anything."

"If you insist, but I want you to sleep on extra blankets and pillows."

"Fine." I grumbled.

The adults that were at the party started to use the fireplace to floo out of Hogwarts. The students started to line up at the door for Dad to lead us all to the Great Hall. In the Great Hall students from every house were already inside. Small clusters of students scattered around, sitting in huddles talking to each other without a care in the world. It wasn't like a mass murderer was somewhere within the walls of the school, or even in Gryffindor Tower. Maybe harry was right, and I was wrong. Maybe Sirius Black is really after Harry and maybe even me. Sirius Black has no way of knowing that I was in a different dorm than Harry. All he probably knows is that I'm a Gryffindor.