Before you (Fred Weasley)

CHAPTER 5

A month had flown by rather quickly. I was elbow deep in classes and homework yet I had loads of fun. Hermione and I had become fast friends, I even enjoyed hanging out with Padma. Fred and George had annoyed me as much as ever since the Fever Fudge fiasco, nagging me to help them once more. Fred even tried to corner me but I punched him in the chest and walked away. I was becoming quite good at that.

It was the 5th of October, my birthday. Only Hermione and Padma knew that it was my birthday. I was turning fifteen. I walked down the spiral staircase to the Hufflepuff common room where I met Padma.

"Happy Birthday Alice!" She smiled, handing me a small box wrapped in blue paper.

"Oh you didn't have to get me anything Padma" I smiled, carefully ripping the paper to reveal a box with an iron pendant in it.

"It's lovely" I said and put it on.

We headed to the Great Hall together where an excited Hermione walked up to me and gave me a giant hug. She handed me her present after wishing me.

I opened it to reveal a book. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. My eyes widened in excitement. I had always wanted to read this book.

"Oh Hermione, this is amazing! Thank you" I grinned at her.

"You're welcome. Alice I'd love to sit with you but I have to rush to Professor Vector for an extra-credit assignment that he has to tell me about. I'm so sorry but I promise we'll talk later" She said before running out of the Great Hall.

Padma and I seated ourselves on the Hufflepuff table when two owls arrived and landed in front of me. They each had a letter attached to their leg. I removed the letters carefully and read them.

The first one was from Amelie and it read:

Dear Alice,

Happy Birthday! I can't believe I'm not there to celebrate it with you. But guess what? I'm giving you the greatest gift ever..MYSELF!

I'M COMING TO HOGWARTS ALONG WITH BEAUXBATONS!

I'm so excited to meet you.

Miss you and love you,

Amelie

P.S - Met any cute guys yet? ;)

A small pouch fell from the letter and in it was some of my favourite chocolate.

"Padma! My best friend is coming to Hogwarts!" Excitement bubbled inside of me, I was finally going to see Amelie.

"That's great" She smiled.

The second one was from Narcissa, which reminded me that I hadn't spoken to Draco in a long time. He only gave me dirty looks during class.

Dear Alice,

Hope you have a Happy Birthday, your mother asked me to wish you too. I've sent a small pouch of money for you to buy yourself a present from Hogsmeade.

Love,

Narcissa

I folded the letter and placed it in my pocket, my heart sank. My mother hadn't even bothered to write me on my birthday. I bet Narcissa was lying, my mother probably didn't even know when my birthday was. A tear threatened to slip from my eye but I blinked it away before anyone could notice.

Today was Saturday and I wasn't going to let a silly thing like that ruin anything. 

"Any plans for today?" Padma asked.