🥀 Roses and Novels | Hogwarts Legacy Fanfic | Sebastian, Ominis and Evander

🥀 - chapter 46 -🌹

(Helena perspective)

I was picked up at Gaunt Manor in a carriage. When I stepped inside, I was greeted with cheers and hugs from all my girls, Imelda, Natty, Poppy, and Anne. They each gave me a kiss on the cheek and shouted,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

I laughed and hugged them all back. It felt good to be surrounded by them.

We had the day planned out. First, a little snack under the big tree in Hogsmeade, and later, we'd head to the Three Broomsticks to party. It was officially girls' night, no boys allowed.
"Unless they're cute," Anne added with a smirk.

I'd brought my strawberry pie along and handed out slices as we flew toward Hogsmeade. It was my first time baking anything, so I wasn't sure if it was delicious or a disaster.

They each took a small bite, and their faces lit up.
"This is actually really tasty, Helena," Poppy said, smiling.
"Girl, you can bake!" Natty added in surprise.

I grinned and tried a bite myself.
Oh, Merlin... it was so good. Sure, I'd had a little help from Flood and the kitchen staff, but I did most of the work.

"I know who's baking my birthday cake next year," Imelda said, her mouth still full.
We all laughed. It was so good to be with them.

Under the big tree, we shared plates of pasta with cheese and glasses of chilled white wine. Then came the gifts.

From Imelda, I got a cute pair of earrings.
From Poppy, a fantastic book about magical creatures.
Natty gave me a beautiful black top.
And Anne handed me an elegant hairpin.

I pulled them all into a big hug, giving each of them three kisses on the cheek.
"Thank you, ladies. This means the world to me," I said, wiping away a tear.

"Don't cry," Anne snapped. "If you cry, I'm going to cry, and I'm not about to ruin my makeup."

We burst into laughter again.
"Let's get drunk!" Imelda called out, and we all linked arms and walked through the village, ready for the night.

The Three Broomsticks was packed. People filled the bar, the music was loud, and the lights flashed in bright pulses. The room had transformed into a full nightclub. Groups laughed, danced, and shouted across tables. It was alive.

We found a round table in the corner, and Sirona came to take our order.

"Good evening, ladies. Drinks on the house," she said warmly.

Anne blinked in surprise.
"That's so sweet! You don't even know us. Why?"

Sirona smiled.
"A friend of Helena is a friend of mine."

A moment later, we each had a tall mug of butterbeer in hand.

"Cheers!" we all shouted in unison, clinking our mugs and taking big sips.

One by one, we shared stories from the first week of vacation.

Imelda told us about her wild week with Amit in India.
Anne talked about spending time with Sebastian in London.
Poppy and Natty confessed they ditched their original plans and decided to travel together instead. I talked about my week with Garreth and a few fun adventures with Professor Weasley.

When the drinks ran low, Poppy, Natty, and Imelda went to get another round. Anne stayed behind and pulled me closer by the arm.

"And?" she said with a grin.

"What?" I replied, already smiling.

"Did you kiss him?"

I blinked at her.
"Ominis?"