Golden (FRED WEASLEY)

Chapter 10:

      My birthday. Today is my birthday. The second my eyes flutter open, a shock of adrenaline rushes through my body as I realize what day it is today.

      I've always loved birthdays. My family would get together and we would have a big party with presents and cake and laughter. I loved my birthday more than Christmas.

      Of course, once I went to Hogwarts I didn't get to be at home for my birthday, but my parents still celebrated my sending me presents and cards.

      I peel back the sheets, and shoot up. My limbs are uncontrollable as I skip over to my dresser, my birthday outfit sitting neatly on the top. For the occasion I have a cropped T-shirt, and my baggy jeans. I also picked out a bandana for my hair and my sneakers.

      I get changed, and run a brush through my hair while humming a little song. I haven't been able to get it out of my head, but I can't remember what song it is for the life of me.

      I do my makeup, per usual, and then walk down to the common room. It's empty, and even though I wasn't expecting anything a small frown forms on my lips. I brush away the feeling, and my eyes fall on a small wrapped package by my feet.

      Grabbing it, I sit down on the couch and blow my bangs out of my face. Slowly the paper rips back, revealing a cassette tape. I hold it up, and look at the songs on it. My favorites. A small smile comes to my lips as I hold it to my chest.

      I place it back in the box and slip it in my bag as I leave the common room for breakfast. I have a small pep in my step at the day ahead. Even though I don't expect my friends to get me anything, I hope that they did. I mean, who doesn't like presents?

      I enter the common room and sit down across from Delilah. Like usual, she's hunched over a book. He hair flips back as she looks at me, smiles, and then looks down again. That's weird. Delilah LOVES birthdays. She's the biggest party planner I've ever met, and always has something planned. Last year a quidditch game was scheduled for my birthday and she got everyone in the stands to sing for me. It was so thoughtful, but also very embarrassing.

      I wait a couple seconds, hoping that she just blanked and didn't realize it was me. After that doesn't happen, I get up and go over to the gryffindor table. Maya and Jocelyn are whispering suspiciously, but as they notice me they stop.

I sit down across from Fred, and beside Jocelyn. She whips her head around to look at me, her curls slapping me in the face.

"Morning Sofia," George says, shoveling food into his mouth.

"Good morning," I say, my once smiling mouth falling into a straight line. I want to say something about my birthday, but I don't want them to feel like they have to tell me happy birthday.

     I glance down at the plate, and play around with my fruit. I'm not feeling very hungry. I place my fork on the plate and take a deep breath. Ok, so this isn't the birthday I planned. I only get one sixteenth birthday, I should get to have fun. Even if I make the fun myself.

      "See you later," I announce, standing up and leaving the hall. The others look at me in confusion, and then go back to their conversation.

      I make my way down the hall, and find myself in the library. I look over at the tables and see Carson, here like usual.

      I plop down beside her, and she looks up at me in confusion. "What's up?" She mutters, placing her quill down on the table.

      "Can I do your makeup?" I ask, and her eyes widen.

      "No."

      "Pretty please?? I have such a good idea on something that would look good on you," I beg, clasping my hand around hers.

      "Fine. But only if I get to pick your outfit," She sighs, and starts packing her things up. I squeal, before standing up.

      We agree to meet in the slytherin dorms, so I go to my room and gather up all the makeup I will need.  Once I get everything necessary, I go down to the dungeons where the slytherin common room is.

      I step inside, and the room astonishes me. I've never been down here before. It  looks eerily similar to the gryffindor common room, except the colors of red have been replaced with green. It's very calming, and very cold. I shiver as I spot Carson standing by the stairs.

      She motions for me to come up, and I follow after her up into her dorm.

      "Okay, to my disapproval you can do my make up now," She mutters, flopping down on the bed I presume is hers.

      I pump my fist in victory, proud to show up my makeup skills I learned from over the summer. I start over my putting on a bit of light foundation, and then get started on the fun part.

      Grabbing my eyeliner, I start to draw on a cat eye shape. Once I finish that, I go through and draw small spikes under her eye. After I finish the other direction, I pull away and look.

      "Perfect."

      "Can I open my eyes now?" She asks, her brow furrowing.

      "Not yet, I've only done the eyeliner."

      "Only?" She exclaims, and I let out a laugh.

I finish off her makeup with some black lipstick, and blush. I place the lipstick back in my bag and step back.

"Okay, open your eyes," I say softly, and her eyes flutter open. It looks perfect.

She stands up to the mirror, and I can hear a little gasp at her reflection. "I- wow."

"I'm good, I know," I laugh, putting away the makeup.

"Why don't you do this kind of makeup on yourself?" She asks, still admiring her new look.

"It doesn't really match my style."

      "Speaking of style, now it's my turn to dress you up," Carson says, pulling some clothes out of her wardrobe, "now go get dressed."

I take the bundle of clothes and walk into the bathroom, locking the door with a click. I stare down at the clothes she picked. A white cropped tank top, a plaid pleated skirt, and some fishnets. This is definitely out of my comfort zone.

I first pull on the fish nets, and since they have a hole cut out of the crotch, I presume I'm supposed to wear them on my arms.

Next I slip on the white tank top, and lastly I pull up the skirt. I walk over to the mirror. I almost fall backwards at the sight. That's not me. I don't look like that. I didn't know I could look like that.

I tease my hair a little bit before leaving the bathroom, and Carson looks me up and down.

"And you say that isn't your style."

I laugh, before grabbing the black lipstick and drawing it on my lips. The perfect finishing touch.

"Keep the clothes," She says, sitting down on the bed.

"No, I couldn't. They're yours," I reply, turning around to face her.

"They look better on you."

"Thank you," I laugh before starting to gather the makeup scattered around the room. I wave goodbye and head down the hallway to the hufflepuff common room. We discussed meeting in the gryffindor common room after dinner to hang out, so I want some time to chill.

I arrive in my room, and start unpacking the various makeup supplies. In the box, I find a piece of parchment sitting at the bottom. That's strange, I don't remember seeing that there before.

I open the folded parchment and find a little note.

happy birthday nerd. <3
-carson

I smile, before placing the note on top of my journal and falling on to my bed. Someone remembered.

Happy Birthday to Sofia! Don't worry, her birthday isn't over yet so stay tuned for the next chapter later tonight.
written-october 30th
1354 words