Defend

Chapter Thirty-Four Umbridge Still Could Have Ruined My Birthday

 "Eliza, guess what tomorrow is!"

"Mmm, I would say March twelfth, but I think this year's a leap year."

Ginny hits me playfully. "Eliza! You're such a dimwit! It's your birthday! And a leap year wouldn't affect that." She looks at me funny.

I laugh. "I know! I'm so excited."

"What do you think Draco's going to do?"

"I don't know, same thing as normal, 'hi' 'bye'. Although, it's the one year anniversary of that ring. Should I wear it to honour that and see if he notices?"

She nods vigorously. "You should."

I'm apprehensive. "I'll do it, if you think it's a good idea."

We separate paths and I head to the library, quickly checking out every book on disillusionment charms I can find before rushing back to my dorm and practising.

~~~~

I wake up and almost scream of terror.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"DAPHNE! You scared the living daylights out of me!" I laugh.

"Happy birthday!" she says again, handing me an emerald coloured wrapped parcel.

"You shouldn't have," I insist, crawling out from beneath the covers.

"Open it!" she urges.

"I am!" It's a Honeydukes coupon. I can't wait to use it. "Oo! Thank you!"

"Of course. I got you the coupon instead of the sweets themselves because I didn't want to get you something you didn't like."

I smile and wrap her into a hug from her thoughtfulness.

~~~~

After I collect my presents, including a fake pygmy puff that blew up in my face, getting smoke all over my birthday hair, from George and Fred. (Not funny, actually yes it was), it's a pretty boring day from then on out. Although they did send another owl saying the actual pygmy puff should be delivered by tomorrow.

I see Harry stressing in potions and I lean over to him. "You know what my birthday wish is?"

He puts down the half-blood prince's textbook. "What?"

"For you to stop stressing over Draco's every move!"

"Oh really?"

"So I can get my birthday wish, today I'm going to follow him. I've been practising disillusionment charms."

"Oh. Well, good luck. Tell me if you find anything."

"Thank you. And I will."

~~~~

I sit in the common room, waiting for Draco to leave. Finally he gets up and leaves, and I silently follow him. He meets up with two girls (??) and they walk to the Room of Requirement. The girls step back, and I know I have to work quickly. I cast the disillusionment charm on myself and point my wand at the girls that stepped back.

"Bombarda," I whisper.

A small explosion appears at their feet, causing Draco to turn around to see what it was.

In the split second he's turned around I jump and do a somersault into the Room of Requirement. A crash into a pile of things that can only be described as 'stuff'. A chair falls on my head and it takes everything I have not to scream while tears spring to my eyes.