Never Second Best

Chapter 22

I wake up naturally very early, as I usually do on my birthday. I was extra happy this morning since it was my 17th birthday and I was a legal witch now! Hermione is softly snoring and mumbling Ron's name. I giggle a bit and slip on my newly cleaned robes. I skip down to breakfast, only to run into Angelina and her minions again.

"Oh look! It's the filthy half-blood." Angelina snickers, her friends giggling with her. I roll my eyes. What a pleasant way to start my birthday. I start to walk away. "Hey, I wasn't done talking to you!" She screams after me. I sigh and turn around. I don't have the patience for this.

"Yes, Angelina?" I say bored.

"I was just going to tell you that I think we'd all benefit if you hung yourself from the Whomping Willow." Alicia and Katie giggle. 

"Is that all? I ask simply, slightly bothered by her comment, but not letting her know that. She seems angry at my lack of reaction.

"No. I think you'd have more luck with transfiguring a baguette into a thick rope." 

"Thank you for the tip, Angelina." I nod my head at her and walk inside the Great Hall. Hurting people hurt people. I remind myself, the sting of the comment slowly fading away. Hardly anyone I know from Gryffindor is at breakfast right now, but I do notice Draco and his friends at the Slytherin table. Draco beckons me over. I smile and walk over.

"Happy birthday." He whispers in my ear so no one else can hear. I laugh slightly.

"Thank you, Draco." I bend over and kiss his cheek. He immediately turns red, and I laugh a little at him. 

"Erm- you're welcome. Here." He awkwardly hands me a box. I raise my eyebrow at him and remove the ribbon holding it together. Inside is a silver necklace the spells my name, and underneath is a moving picture of me jumping on Draco's back and toppling over. My heart melts.

"Awe, Draco. You're so sweet!" I pull him in a big hug, and he hugs back. "Thank you, so much," I say gratefully. He smiles genuinely at me.

"You're welcome. I hope you have the best birthday." Who knew that Draco Malfoy was such a sweetheart? 

"Alright, I better get some breakfast. I'm starving." I laugh. He waves goodbye as I walk back to the Gryffindor table. I pile my plate with foods I usually wouldn't eat, like pancakes and a muffin. I also add a drizzle of caramel in my coffee. I happily dig in when the twins sit beside me.

"What's the special occasion?" George asks.

"Yeah, I've never seen you eat a pancake when you're training for quidditch." Fred states. I shrug them off happily.

"I dunno felt like a treat today, that's all." They seem to buy it when Shawn swoops down, dropping 3 envelopes and 1 parcel next to my plate.

"A little early for the post, innit?" Lee asks curiously. I ignore him, opening the first letter.

Happy Birthday, Holly!

I know it's been a while since we caught up, but I thought later today after lessons we could chat! I'm dying to know who you're going to the ball with. We should also start preparations for you to become an Animagus soon since it didn't work out the first time we planned it. 

I hope you have a great day, and I wish you no homework!

Love, Minerva.

I smiled at the letter from Professor Mcgonagall. She always was a mother figure to me. The next letter was from Dumbledore, curiously enough.

Happy Birthday, Holly Lily Potter.

Please meet me in my office after breakfast :)