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"Surprise!"
The party guests shouted when Melinda came into view. She gawked at the group, bewildered by the surprise ambush.
Dahlia told her that there was a party happening for Aurelia, so she didn't know how to react as Aurelia and everyone else began clapping and cheering for her.
Her friend beside her grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the group of guests. It was like everything moved in slow motion as she approached the table. Her brother was there, along with his friends. Miles and Anastasia sat together near her friends, both wearing matching party hats. Miles blew on a party horn as Melinda waved.
Kedan stood up next to Aurelia, who both wore purple party hats. Aurelia grinned as she pointed proudly at a three-tiered lavender cake. Kedan pulled her hand away from the cake and spoke to her angrily.
Melinda couldn't hear them but she could already imagine what was being said.
"It's your best friend's birthday party and all you care about is this stupid cake!"
"It's the best accomplishment any of us did! Not many people can charm the house elves like I did."
"Best accomplishment? Seriously?"
The two continued to argue before Dahlia sent them a look Melinda could only describe as 'looking into the face of an angry mother,' and they both ceased their argument immediately.
Melinda laughed as she noticed these little things. She grinned at her brother, who stood up to hug her tightly.
"Happy birthday, Mel." He whispered.
"Thank you." She hugged him back, feeling comforted and reassured that he did not think badly of her or her friends.
"Thank you all!" She spoke as she left Harry's embrace. Tears began to fill her eyes as she looked around at all their happy faces, but she was determined to hold them back. She sat down at the table in front of the cake, and Kedan placed a purple party hat on her head. "This is all so amazing...I mean, when Dahlia said you all were planning a party—" Aurelia and Kedan glared at their other friend but she grinned cheekily and avoided their gaze. "—she said it was for Aurelia!" She choked up as Anastasia reached over to light the candles on the cake.
"Now, now, dear, don't cry." She poked each candle with the tip of her finger, leaving behind a small flame. "Parties are cheerful times, you must be full of glee, not tears!" Anastasia turned to her as all the candles were now ablaze and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Now, make a wish and blow out your candles!"
Melinda's eyes were bright, the flicker of the candles shining in the reflection as they burned wildly. Her smile was wide as a stray tear fell down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, knowing Anastasia was right. The cake was too tall for her to blow out the candles sitting down, so she stood up and leaned over the table.
