stardust ⋮ george weasley

four :

F O U R

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Turning 16 always seemed to be a momentous occasion in the Muggle world, but Adeline didn't really want to make a big deal of it. Adeline's birthday up until age 11 had usually been quiet occasion in her household, and there had never been much of a celebration. When she entered Hogwarts, while there were a bit more festivities, since it was on September 2nd it usually fell on the first day of classes so there wasn't much time to celebrate.

Her best friends, however, had always tried to make Adeline's birthday the best that it could be. They always noticed how Adeline seldom drew attention to herself, and when she did speak, it was often to comfort someone else or make sure they were doing alright. While that made Adeline an incredibly kind person, it meant she rarely paid attention to herself and her own needs.

And while her friends hated when that happened on any normal day, they were especially not going to let that happen on her birthday.

Completely forgoing house customs where they would sit at their house tables during meals, Melanie and Ophelia practically jumped on Adeline during breakfast that morning, screaming "Happy Birthday!" as they wrapped their arms around her. Estelle, who was sitting next to Adeline, joined in on this group hug, smothering the girl with affection.

"Thanks you guys, but I'm more focused on the horrible fact Ravenclaw has double Potions first thing in the morning today," Adeline laughed, holding out the parchment paper containing her schedule in front of her for the rest of the girls to see.

Snatching said schedule out of her hand, Ophelia replaced that with a wrapped gift complete with an intricate bow on top. "Stop talking about that and be happy that you're 16! Celebrate your birthday for goodness sakes."

"Open your gifts and eat the lemon tarts I made! You need to actually celebrate yourself sometimes," Melanie exclaimed, pushing a box containing one of Adeline's favorites treats toward her and a small gift bag.

With a laugh, Adeline relented and chose to open Estelle's messily wrapped, but still somewhat charming looking, gift first. When she opened it up, she found several plain hair ribbons with a variety of different lengths and materials. Adeline loved hair ribbons and always seemed to find a way to incorporate them into her every day looks, so she was already practically bouncing with excitement when she looked up again to thank Estelle.

"There's more," Estelle added, piquing Adeline's curiosity. "I had my dad help charm them so they'll be whatever color or design you feel like, as long as it's pretty simplistic. Try it now!"

Adeline picked up one of the longer ribbons, and imagined that instead of being a plain grey color, it would turn into a shimmery gold one. Surely enough, the ribbon turned that shimmery gold color. She pulled Estelle into a hug, thanking her profusely, before undoing the ribbon she currently had in her hair and replacing it with the gold one.

Beaming with excitement, Adeline thanked her and then went to open Melanie and Ophelia's gifts. Melanie had gifted her a planner with an intricate white and gold cover and Ophelia had gotten her a giant box of sugar quills along with a few romance novels written by wizards.

"You guys are way too nice to me," Adeline told them, packing her gifts carefully and take a bite out of one of the mini lemon tarts. "You're incredible. I love you, guys."

Her three best friends grinned and knew that the morning was a success, as Adeline seldom said "I love you" to anyone. Melanie and Ophelia then sat down at the table and started to eat at the Ravenclaw table, ignoring glares from several seventh years, and the four continued to celebrate before classes began and they would be forced to separate once more.