In His Shadow (A Harry Potter Fan Fiction)

Chapter 49- 'Happy' Birthday

Chapter 49

“It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real.”

I repeated the same sentence over and over again as I tied the green ribbon around my ponytail.

I could guarantee the last bit of the dream hadn’t been real, but the first bit had been a memory as vivid as all the others I’d had.

Professor Trelawney had told my parents what I was to become. There was no way to change it.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of the memory. Eleanor walked in from the bathroom and looked at me with a worried expression on her face. I gulped,

“Why do you look so worried?”

She glanced down at the floor,

“I’m not. Anyway, happy birthday.”

I forced a smile,

“Thanks. Should we go down to breakfast?”

The Great Hall was buzzing with people in good moods. I hoped that their good moods were contagious.

Draco watched me as I sat down opposite him and frowned,

“Why are you staring at me?”

He shrugged and looked at his toast,

“No reason. Happy birthday.”

I sighed,

“Thanks. I don’t really want everyone knowing though. Don’t make a big deal about it.”

He raised an eyebrow,

“Funny. Last night, you wanted to go and have a birthday party. Now you don’t seem so keen.”

I shrugged,

“I’m just not really in the mood. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

He sneered,

“Oh? Were you having nightmares?”

I shook my head,

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Draco got the message and didn’t say anymore on the subject.

I stood up,

“I’m going to start walking to Defence Against the Dark Arts. I don’t want to get into trouble for being late.”

I left the Great Hall and started to walk down the empty corridor. I heard footsteps behind me, and turned around. Harry smiled at me and gave me a carefully wrapped present,

“Happy birthday Ava!”

I gulped

“Thanks. Sorry I couldn’t go to the party last night. Draco wouldn’t let me.”

He looked angry for a moment,

“Malfoy is an idiot. He had no right to stop you.”

I shrugged,

“I really didn’t want everyone to get into trouble though.”

I looked at the present in my hands. The wrapping paper was red with golden stars on it. It looked pretty. I unwrapped it carefully so I could keep the paper. Inside was a necklace with a golden snitch at the bottom. I turned to my brother and hugged him tightly,

“Thank you Harry! It’s beautiful.”

He shrugged,

“It’s fine. I’m glad you like it.”