Juliet

Chapter 4

Juliet growled under her breath as rough hands covered her eyes. She resisted the temptation of elbowing the person behind her and instead crossed her arms tightly, with her fists tucked in her armpits. Surprises weren't her thing, and she specifically remembered saying she didn't want any, especially on her birthday.

Harry removed his hands and yelled out, "Surprise!"

An unimpressed Juliet took note of the sickly yellow tablecloth and the table that was now groaning under the weight of too much food. A small pile of presents rested on one of the chairs. Colourful balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling and wall, enchanted to burst out in song.

Juliet pursed her lips, "You really like to piss me off, huh Potter?"

Harry nervously bit his lip, "Lestrange," he winced at the glare she shot at him, "Juli, my mum spent a long time cooking with Mrs. Weasley. Hermione and Ron worked really hard to get those balloons to sing, I swear Hermione almost punched Ron in the face."

Juliet gagged, "Pink confetti, Harry? Pink? Seriously?" she pointed to the horrifying confetti that was spread on the table.

Harry sighed, "This is why I told the others to let me surprise you separately."

"If you knew I'd react like this, why do it?" she demanded to know.

"We just wanted to throw you a fun birthday party. Look," he dragged her to the fridge, "there's cake," he pointed to a parchment on the counter, "Draco said he was coming with his mum and Andromeda."

"How sweet."

Harry held Juliet's hands and rubbed his thumb along the back of her hand, "I'm sorry I upset you with the book the other day, I promise I'll leave it alone. Could you just...try to have fun?"

Juliet looked into Harry's emerald eyes which glistened even more as he pouted, "Fine," she said.

Harry beamed, "Thank you," he kissed her chastely on the lips, "Now go get ready and remember to smile when you get back."

"If I wasn't so bloody nice I would murder you," Juliet called as she walked down the hall towards the front door.

"I love you too!" Harry called back.

After Juliet had donned on her best party clothes, she walked back to the Potters' house. She rolled her neck a few times before opening the door (Lily had insisted Juliet should visit whenever and stop knocking).

She walked down the familiar hallway and into the kitchen where all the party guests now were. Her two aunts and Draco were chatting in the corner by the stove. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were gathered by the table, picking away at the food. Finally, Sirius was talking animatedly with James, Lily, Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley by the patio door.

Harry popped up from behind her, "I told you it wouldn't be so bad."

"It doesn't look as bad with people in here to cover it," Juliet said as she raised a brow.

Harry bit his lip slightly and shoved his hands into the pocket of his trousers, "Play nice Juli."

"I'm playing nice," Juliet promised, "Now if you don't mind, I have to go say hello to that prat over there," she pointed towards Draco.

Harry snickered, "Alright."

Juliet strode over to the corner and felt the smile on her face widen, "Draco!"

Draco glanced up and he smirked, "Juli," he grasped her tightly in a hug, "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks," she rolled her eyes as she squirmed out of his arms, "I do love birthdays," she grumbled.