Burning Love

•Hopeless Romantics•

The morning of our 17th birthday dawned bright and cheerful, sunlight streaming through the window of my room. As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I noticed the faint sound of laughter and chatter drifting up the stairs. Confused, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the excitement of the day already sparking a flutter in my stomach.

"James! Wake up!" I called out, barely able to contain my grin. Today wasn't just any birthday; we were finally turning seventeen, the age when we could legally perform magic outside of Hogwarts. I could hardly wait to celebrate that newfound freedom.

James stirred, groaning. "Five more minutes, Grace," he mumbled, rolling over. I had to stifle a laugh; he had no idea what was in store.

I hopped out of bed and crept down the stairs, my curiosity piqued. As I reached the bottom, I pushed open the door to the living room—and was met with a delightful surprise.

"Surprise!"

The room erupted with cheers, and I stood frozen in the doorway, my heart racing. Friends from Hogwarts, including Lily, Alice, Remus, Peter, and, of course, Sirius, had gathered to celebrate our birthdays. Balloons floated from the ceiling, a colorful banner hung across the wall, and a table overflowed with treats and a massive cake adorned with candles.

"Happy birthday, Grace and James!" Lily beamed, stepping forward to give me a quick hug. "We couldn't let you spend the day without a proper celebration!"

James joined us, his eyes wide with excitement. "This is brilliant!" he shouted, glancing around at everyone. "You guys are the best!"

Sirius pushed through the crowd, his smile bright as he reached me. "I knew you wouldn't be able to resist a party this epic!" he said, his eyes sparkling. He leaned in closer, lowering his voice playfully, "Especially when you have the handsomest guy in the room to help you celebrate."

I felt my cheeks flush as I tried to maintain my composure. "Oh really? You think so, do you?" I shot back with a teasing smile.

"Absolutely," he grinned, stepping back to admire the decorations. "But you're definitely giving me a run for my money in the looks department today."

After the initial chaos of presents, we settled into the festivities, laughter ringing through the room as we indulged in delicious food. James and I exchanged knowing glances, the kind that spoke volumes about the fun we were having with our friends.

As we celebrated our newfound freedom to do magic outside of Hogwarts, I felt a rush of excitement. I couldn't wait to see what kind of mischief we could get into over the summer.

After the chaos of gifts settled, Sirius found a quiet moment with me. "So, how does it feel to be another year older and finally able to legally cast spells outside of Hogwarts?" he asked, leaning against the wall, his expression softening.

"I feel wiser," I joked, arching an eyebrow. "But honestly, I feel pretty lucky. I've got great friends and an even better—" I paused for dramatic effect, "—admirer."

His eyes lit up at my words. "Oh? An admirer, you say? I hope this admirer knows how special you are."

"Do you think he does?" I challenged playfully, stepping closer.

"Absolutely," he replied, his voice low, drawing me in. "He better, or I'll have to have a word with him."

We lingered in that comfortable bubble, the rest of the party fading into the background. The atmosphere was charged with the excitement of the day, and I felt a warmth spread through me as we flirted, each exchange more electric than the last.

"Are you ready to blow out the candles?" Lily's voice broke through our moment, pulling us back to reality.

Sirius grinned at me. "Let's make a wish together."