Make Me Fall

25. My Birthday

Today is my Birthday! Hooray! I'm officially allowed to use magic! I celebrated by magically straightening my hair. It's SO much longer! I'm meeting up with Draco later to take our apparation test, but first Mother said she has a surprise for me. I know it's traditional for wizards to get a watch when they turn seventeen, but I don't know if it's the same for witches. I guess I'll find ou-

There's a knock on my door and I hide my journal under my pillow.

"Yes?"

Mother pokes her head in.

"Come on," she whispers behind her. She opens the door up and my little sisters all run in, each holding a gift. Mother follows with a tray of pancakes and Father comes behind her with Sophia.

The kids jump on the bed, all trying to give me their gift first.

"Happy Birthday, dear," Mother says, setting my breakfast on the table and sitting on the bed. She pulls Tori onto her lap. Father sits on the other side and puts Sophia on the bed with the others.

"Mine first," Jessie says, pushing it into my arms, "happy birfday!"

I unwrap it, trying not to rip the blue paper. Inside is a small jewellery box with an 'A' engraved on the top.

"Open it!" Jessie whispers. I lift the lid. Inside is a silver chain bracelet.

"Mine next!" Sarah and Drew exclaim at the same time. I takes Sarah's first and find new dress robes in deep purple. A tiny gold envelope is pinned to them, and inside it is a small, silver owl charm.

"To go on your bracelet," Mother whispers.

"Mine NOW!" Drew says, throwing it to me. Inside it a bottle of perfume. Hanging around the bottle is another charm, this one a simple heart, on a bit of ribbon. I take it off the ribbon and add the charm to my chain.

Dad produces a small box from his robes and hands it to me. Inside is a beautiful watch, engraved with my initials on the back. Underneath it is another charm, a little book.

"You can keep adding charms," Mother says, linking it around my wrist, "now, we'll let you eat and get dressed, then I'll take you to see your surprise!"

An hour later we're strolling down Diagon Alley. Mother leads me into the dress shop and rings the bell. The assistant, a short, plump woman, comes hurrying out.

"Mrs Turner!" she greets Mother, "we've just finished! This way!"

"Close your eyes," Mother says, "I'll guide you."

I close my eyes, feeling nervous about Mother leading me, but I don't break anything.

"Alright, ready? Open!"

I open my eyes and see a huge mass of white.

"Is that-"

"Your wedding dress!" Mother squeals, "go and try it on!"

 I stumble into the dressing room. The assistant comes in and helps me get undressed. I'm a little embarrassed, but she doesn't seem bothered at all. The dress is strapless, so I have to lose my bra too. I'm left in my knickers until she lifts the white mountain over my head.

I'm going to look like a yetti!

As the assistant laces up the back I look at the front. There's a lot of beads. I run my fingers over them. They're very pretty. There are tiny crystals all over the skirt, making it sparkle and shimmer.

"There you go," the assistant says, "step out and have a look."

I step out and Mother bursts into tears.