Bound By Blood.

ch.62~ Happy Birthday to me.

"I̶ r̶e̶m̶e̶m̶b̶e̶r̶ m̶i̶d̶n̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ c̶u̶p̶c̶a̶k̶e̶s̶.

I̶ w̶i̶s̶h̶ t̶h̶a̶t̶ h̶a̶p̶p̶e̶n̶e̶d̶ t̶o̶d̶a̶y̶, e̶v̶e̶n̶ i̶f̶ i̶t̶ w̶a̶s̶ l̶a̶t̶e̶.

Its my birthday."

Translated Undelivered Correspondents Between Order Member Alexandra Brooks, to Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, 2003.

Hogwarts, 1997.

Alexandra.

"Enough, please!" I laughed, "I want to go to bed!"

I don't recall the last time I've laughed this hard.

"The birthday girl is not allowed to retire!" Fred yelled, as he threw me over his shoulder, running down the hill towards the lake.

"Freddy, if you throw me in, I swear to merlin, it'll be the last thing you EVER do!" I yelled, slamming my hands on his back as he ran.

I don't even truly know how we ended up out here.

I do know we went into Hogsmeade for butter beers, spiked of course, thanks to Ron and George, and on our walk back, strayed away.

Behind us, I could hear the sounds of our friends catching up, their voices echoing with joy.

"Fred! You better not drop her!" Ron shouted, clearly out of breath. "It's her birthday, you know! You can't just toss a birthday girl into a lake!"

"Yeah, Fred! Put her down!" Hermione called out, rolling her eyes, though a smile danced on her lips.

Harry, Luna, and George rounded the corner, their own laughter mingling with Ron and Hermione's.

Luna was twirling her hair, her ethereal smile lighting up the dimming evening, while George was gleefully recounting the outrageous antics of the day.

Ron caught up, panting slightly. "You can't retire until you come get your gift from Mum first!" He smirked, "Your favorite part of your birthday."

My cheeks flushed at the mention of Ron's mother. Mrs. Weasley's gifts were always special—homey and heartfelt.

"Alright, alright," I laughed, still being held over Freds shoulder, "But I think I need to be on the ground to receive a gift!"

"Fine." He huffed, as he finally put me down.

"I don't know what it is with you and lifting me in the air, Freddy! Its an odd obsession!"

He turned to me with that infuriatingly charming grin, his blue eyes sparkling. "It's a little odd, I suppose. But I've got an even odder need," he replied, his voice dropping to a playful whisper, "to hear you laugh."

I shook my head, slapping him on the arm, "You're infuriating."

"Only because you love it," he teased.

"I love George more." I teased back, running to catch up to Ron.

We made our way back to the Gryffindor common room where Ron shuffled behind me, and I glanced back at him. "I'll be right back—just need to grab it."

He returned back rather quickly, handing me the beautifully wrapped gift.

A neatly wrapped box with a small note attached, "For my favorite Ravenclaw. We love you, Dear. He is so proud." My lips quirked up in a smile; Mrs. Weasley had a knack for knowing how to lift spirits.