Defying Gravity

VII: Wynn

Disclaimer: We do not, and never will own the rights to any familiar characters or original Harry Potter world ideas. They belong respectively to the original author, J.K. Rowling

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11 October 2013
Highlands of Scotland
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"So, you're birthday is coming up next week," A familiar feminine voice stated smartly as Circe took a seat beside me on the edge of the fountain in the castle's courtyard.

"That it is," I replied with a smile, turning to face her. She'd been more open to hanging around me in public after she 'broke up' with MacKendrick over a week ago, but I was still a little surprised she had chosen such an open place to have a conversation, especially since Liera wasn't around to use as an excuse.

"Well, seeing as we're friends and friends normally get each other birthday gifts, I was wondering what you would like?"

"Circe, you don't need to do that. It's perfectly fine if you don't get me anything," I insisted with a warm smile.

"But I want to, Wynn. Now come on, what do you want?" She asked again, her expression serious.

"Circe, I'm serious. You don't need to bother. It's just a birthday afterall."

"Wynnston Brian Sudrach, I will be giving you something for your birthday whether you'd like it or not, and since I'm sure you'd prefer something I didn't choose out of spiteful irritation, you had better start talking! Now, what do you want?"

"Fine, fine," I chuckled, amused by her unwavering insistence. "I want you."

Circe raised an eyebrow as she scrutinized me closely. "Well that's a bit forward, isn't it, Sudrach?"

"Merlin, Circe, I didn't mean it like that!" I exclaimed, feeling my face bloom a bright red. "I want to spend time with you! There's a Hogsmeade trip the day after my birthday, so I just wanted to go with you and-"

My panicked rambling was cut off by Circe's loud laughter. It amazed me how much she had relaxed since ending things with that Slytherin prat. Despite all the social progress she had made in the past few years, it wasn't until a week ago that she would dare laugh aloud in a public place where other people could see her. It really warmed my heart to see the change in her."

"-Would never do after all."

"What?" I asked stupidly, coming out of my thoughts.

"Were you even listening? Honestly, sometimes you're flightier than a flitterby! I was saying that of course I'll go to Hogsmeade with you, but we are not going anywhere near that stupid tea shop! Lennox tried to drag me there and it was absolutely disgusting seeing all of those snogging couples hunkered down in those booths together. The sight scarred me for life!"

"Alright, no Madam Puddlefoot's then I promise. We wouldn't have gone there anyways, probably. I mean, that's where couples go and we obviously aren't a couple, right?" I trailed off awkwardly.

"Right, of course we aren't," Circe said cheerfully. I felt a twinge of hurt in my chest but shoved it away. There was nothing to be upset over, it was just the truth. Sometimes the truth hurt so badly though.

"-ee you later." My focus flew back to Circe as she walked quickly back inside the castle, oblivious to the fact that I had zoned out again. I stared silently in the direction she had disappeared for a few long minutes before inhaling deeply.

"Well... That went surprisingly well," I said softly under my breath before heading for my common room.

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18 October 2013
Highlands of Scotland
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Hey, sorry I'm late! Liera wouldn't let me leave until she approved of my appearance." I turned and my jaw almost dropped as I took in the gorgeous girl in front of me. Liera had dressed her friend in an emerald green dress with black leggings and heeled boots, added a braid crown thing in her hair, and added some makeup that made Circe's already stunning looks even more obvious. "I think she went a bit over board though."

"No, no it's perfect. You're perfect. I mean... You look very nice, Circe."

A light laugh left her lips. "Thank you, Wynn. You don't look too shabby either."

I glanced down at the nice jeans and polo I was wearing, glad that for once my mum's strange habit of sneaking unexpected things into my school trunk had actually paid off. It was much better than the dung bomb she had planted as a gift for me to use during the school year that accidently exploded on the train instead.

"Oh, thanks," I said, sheepishly running my hand through my curls as my lips curled into the crooked grin that had always driven me crazy. "Ready to go?"

Circe nodded before we headed out towards where the carriages were waiting. There was a small problem though. There were absolutely no carriages in sight.

"I told Liera she was going to make us late," Circe grumbled angrily, turning around to glare at the castle.

"Hey, it's alright," I said cheerfully. "Today is really nice, especially for October. We probably won't get another warm day like this so we might as well make the most of it, right? Let's just walk instead."

"Well, if it doesn't bother you too much," Circe said, before falling into step beside me as we made our way towards Hogsmeade Village.

"No, not at all. Actually, it'll be nice to walk. That way we can spend some time together without other people milling about or looking at us weirdly."

"True," Circe said, a soft smile making its way onto her face.

We had been walking for about 10 minutes, chatting happily when Circe suddenly grabbed my arm and tugged me to a stop.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, turning to face her.

"Oh, nothing," She replied, a wide smile spreading across her face. "I just thought now would be a perfect time to give you your gift, that's all!"

"Circe, you didn't ha-"

"Well, I wanted to and I did. Now shut up, Wynn." She ordered haughtily.

"Yes ma'am," I said, a grin curling across my face while she rolled her eyes at me before reaching deeply into the charmed bag at her side and pulling out a medium sized box. I took it gently from her before plopping down in the grass on the side of the road and carefully pulling off the wrapping paper. My hands pulled up the lid of the box and I felt my jaw drop as I looked at the beautiful object lying amidst yellow wrapping paper in the box.

"You got me a polaroid camera." I breathed, lifting my awestruck gaze to Circe's concerned face.

"Do you like it? I can get you something else if you don't. I just figured that since you said you always had to develop your own pictures in the dark room in your bedroom because digital camera's fritz out because of your magic, one that developed pictures for you might be a good gift. If you don't like it that's fi-"

"I love it!" I yelped, flinging my arms around her happily as she stiffened and then relaxed in my grip. "How did you even get it? I didn't think your grandmother would let you buy muggle products."

"Well, being on the good side of the Headmistress has its perks," Circe said with a wink. "Now come on, Birthday Boy! We want to get to Hogsmeade before it's time for all the students to head home!"

I smiled as I stood up, pulling her to her feet as well, my new favorite object hanging loosely from its strap around my neck as I followed my favorite person in the world towards a much anticipated afternoon. 

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