Reborn as Petunia Evans with a System-Chapter 46 - 44

A few days after returning to Hogwarts, time moved the way so fast. The corridors hummed again with chatter and footsteps, classes had resumed at full pace, and outside, the Black Lake shimmered with a thin crust of frost around the edges.

Tomorrow would be Severus's thirteenth birthday.

I sat cross-legged on the floor of our dormitory with Pandora and Emmeline, a half-eaten box of Honeydukes fudge between us, planning the whole thing. The three of us had our heads bent close, whispering like first-years trying not to get caught sneaking out past curfew.

"I still say we should sneak into the kitchen," Pandora said, her eyes glittering with mischief. "I know a house-elf there named Drippy adorable little thing, big ears like a bat and always happy to share a treacle tart or three."

Emmeline raised an eyebrow. "Drippy? Is that really his name?"

"Mm-hmm," Pandora nodded. "I met him once when he got lost looking for a shortcut.We got on surprisingly well. Drippy brings me extra scones sometimes ."

"Well then, Drippy is officially invited to this operation," I said with a grin. "If he's willing, we could ask for a cake and some proper food. No way we're celebrating with dry biscuits."

"I'll handle the kitchen part," Pandora declared. "Leave it to me."

Emmeline twirled a strand of hair around her finger thoughtfully. "We should talk to Andrew and Felix too. They can distract Severus tomorrow while we set things up."

"Good idea," I nodded. "We'll say we have extra homework or something. Keep him out of the loop."

With our plan taking shape, we finally stood, brushing fudge crumbs from our robes. Outside, the common room was softly lit by the blue glow of enchanted lanterns, and a fire crackled lazily in the hearth. Most students were gathered in groups, laughing or reading quietly. Near one of the windows, we spotted Severus, Andrew, and Felix hunched over a game of Wizarding Chess.

Severus and Andrew were deep in concentration, their brows furrowed, while Felix leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and wearing a smug grin.

We approached and settled nearby. Emmeline made a face. "Wizarding Chess is so barbaric. Why must the pieces destroy each other?"

Felix chuckled. "That's the best part. Have you even played it if you haven't watched a rook smash a bishop to bits?"

Emmeline rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. I eased down beside Severus and rested my head lightly on his shoulder.

"Who's winning?"

"We're tied," Severus murmured, not looking up from the board. "Two games each. This is the last one."

I smiled and watched as the final match played out. Tension built slowly with every move, pieces slamming and shouting in protest as they were taken. Severus played carefully, but Andrew caught him in a clever trap near the end. With a resigned sigh, Severus tipped his king.

"Well played," he said.

They shook hands and then Severus gathered the pieces into their velvet pouch.

"I'll put this back in our dorm."

"Alright," I said, standing with him for a moment. "We'll stay here."

Once he was gone, I turned back to the others and leaned in close.

"Tomorrow's I need you all to keep him busy."

Andrew grinned. "We'll take him to the Whomping Willow or something. Tell him Emmeline dared us to wrestler it."

Emmeline gave him a withering look, but Felix laughed.

"We'll handle it," Felix said. "Leave the distraction to us."

The next day dawned cloudy and cold, the sort of January day that made you want to curl under a thick blanket with a mug of cocoa. We all agreed no birthday wishes, no hints, not a single mention. Severus walked through the day quietly, his usual calm dimmed into something smaller, more inward. I noticed it in the way he sat through Charms, barely engaging, and how he barely touched his lunch.

At one point, I nudged his elbow.

"You alright?"

He gave me a small, vague smile. "I'm fine."

But his voice sounded hollow.

By mid-afternoon, I had excused myself from our usual post-class walk. I told him I had something to finish up, leaving him in the care of Andrew and Felix. "Keep him away from the lake until sunset," I whispered to Andrew. "No matter what."

He gave me a thumbs-up. "Consider him detained."

And with that, I ran.

The others were already by the Black Lake. Pandora had laid out a thick wool blanket on the grass, layering it with charmed heating spells so we wouldn't freeze. A delicate-looking cake floated beside her, iced in shimmering silver and navy blue, with little golden stars scattered on top. Emmeline was setting out a stack of wrapped gifts, and I was in charged with decorations was conjuring tiny lanterns to hang from a nearby tree branch.

"Looks amazing," I breathed.

"Drippy came through," Pandora said proudly, pointing to a basket bursting with warm pies, fresh bread, sugared fruit, and pumpkin fizz. "I even got him to spell the cake with Severus's name."

We arranged everything with care, double-checking the charm on the blanket, making sure the food stayed warm and that the frosting didn't melt.

And then footsteps was heard.

I turned and saw him.

Severus approached slowly, eyes wide, confusion plain on his face as he took in the sight. The blanket, the food, the cake. Our friends all standing there in a line, waiting.

He looked at me last, completely stunned.

"Happy birthday," I said quietly.

He blinked once, then twice, and stepped closer until he was standing right in front of me. His voice was barely a whisper.

"You didn't forget."

"Of course not," I said, reaching for him.

He hugged me tightly, fiercely, and I felt the tension he'd been holding all day melt from his shoulders.

"Come on," I said, taking his hand. "They're waiting."

Pandora bounced slightly. "Make a wish, Sev!"

We all gathered around the cake, singing a slightly off-key but heartfelt version of "Happy Birthday." Severus looked overwhelmed but deeply moved. After a beat, he leaned forward and blew out the candles. The little flames flickered out, curling into smoke.

"Thank you," he said, looking at each of us. "All of you."

We sat in a circle on the blanket, the lake just beyond us, reflecting a soft gray sky. The food was passed around, warm and delicious. We laughed and talked, our voices mixing with the sound of gentle waves lapping at the shore.

I handed Severus my gift first: a neatly wrapped broom-polishing kit and a hand-knitted sweater in Ravenclaw blue, with a small silver S stitched over the heart.

He smiled as he unfolded it. "Did you knit this?"

"Every stitch," I said proudly. "With occasional help from Emmeline."

"More like I fixed all the dropped stitches," she said, winking.

Felix handed over a wrapped package next. Inside was a sleek, dragonhide-bound notebook and an enchanted quill that recorded dictated notes. "For all your genius ideas," he said with a grin. "Now you won't have to mutter into your sleeve during class."

Pandora's gift was a handmade collection of potion ingredient labels beautifully illustrated and enchanted to sort by date or use. "Thought it might help keep your shelves less chaotic."

Andrew's present was a rare copy of a book called Unseen Properties of Magical Metals. "Figured it might give you ideas for that potion you're working on."

Severus's eyes were wide as he gathered each gift, overwhelmed in the best way.

"I've never had a birthday like this," he said quietly. "Not one like this."

"Did your mum write?" I asked gently.

He nodded. "She and my grandparents sent a parcel. New books. A pocket watch. and a new broom thought we celebrated early before I came back."

He paused, then added, "But... I wish they were here."

"I know," I said, squeezing his hand.

We sat quietly for a moment, watching the lanterns flicker above us, casting soft light over our little circle.

And then I turned and saw Lily jogging toward us, her hair windblown and her cheeks pink from the cold.

"Sorry!" she called breathlessly. "My last class ran late."

She slowed as she reached us, pulling a small box from her cloak.

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"This is for you," she said, handing it to Severus. "Happy birthday."

He opened it slowly, revealing a set of perfectly preserved quills in a lined case, each one tipped with delicate charms.

"They're anti-splatter," Lily said proudly. "And self-inking. I hexed them myself."

Severus actually laughed. "This is brilliant."

She glanced around and waved. "Hi, everyone. I'm Lily Petunia's twin."

Our friends greeted her warmly, and within moments, Lily was part of the group, chatting with Pandora and Emmeline about the charms she'd used.

As the sky turned deeper gray, we stayed huddled together, warm on the blanket, telling stories, trading sweets, and laughing until our sides ached.

Severus leaned toward me near the end, his voice low.

"This was perfect," he said.

I looked at him and smiled.

"You deserve perfect."

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