Finished Birthday Surprise!! PV Simon Tilia

Madison smiled as the board moved, however it worked against her, but since she was with Simon, she still giggled and didn't take it too seriously, she was just enjoying hanging out with him on her birthday.

Madi smiled at Simon and as they continued to play the game, she couldn't stop laughing, smiling and enjoying herself, as she collected a Hippogriff card and added it to her collection in front of her. The Hippogriff card joined a Thunderbird, Unicorn, a Chinese Fireball and a Welsh Green Dragon. Madison giggled as the pictures on the cards moved and almost seemed to interact with each other.

"So... Are there any other relatives stopping by today to celebrate your birthday, or is it just your dad and your brother?"

She looked up at Simon as he asked her the question and she smiled but shook her head. "Just dad, James and me, and you too of course. Mum is away on an important work trip, both my dads parents are dead and I don't have uncles or aunts on my dads side. I don't know a lot about mums side of the family..." Madi says with a soft smile.

Once they finished playing the game, Madi packed it away and stood up, brushing down her outfit after sitting on the floor. As she stood there and Simon stood in front of her, she smiled and grabbed her camera, looking through the two photos on there with him, standing in front of Simon with her back to him so that they could both see the photos. "I think I'm gonna take this downstairs with me so that I can get a picture with my cake that Dad said i'm getting" Madi says and turns around to face Simon. "Will you take the picture for me please Ori?" Madi asks with that ever sweet smile, as she passes it to him with the hand that has the bracelets that she and Simon each have of their star sign and nickname for each other.

Madi turns her attention to her door when she hears a knock on it "Come in" Madi says and her brother opens the door with a smile "hey Cub, hi Simon. Dad said that the cake is ready if you are, so you two better get downstairs before dad and I eat it all" James says with a chuckle. Madi goes over and shoves him playfully with a giggle and a cute but not serious, feisty look "if touch my cake James, I will hurt you" Madi says as she turns to Simon and smiles "come on Si, you don't want to miss out on cake now do you?" Madi says with a giggle.

Madi's birthday cake

@Simon Tilia

"Just dad, James and me, and you too of course. Mum is away on an important work trip, both my dad's parents are dead and I don't have uncles or aunts on my dad's side. I don't know a lot about mum's side of the family..."

"I see", said Simon and stopped himself from asking any follow-up questions. Instead, he just smiled.

Why was it that she did not know much about her family on her mother's side? Simon knew that Madison and her mother had a slightly strained relationship. Mrs. Bennett was charming and seemed like a lovely woman, but his impression was also that she could be quite strict. It seemed like she had a lot of expectations, especially when it came to Madison. A part of him felt sad for her that Mrs. Bennett missed her birthday, but it was not like his parents had not missed one of his birthdays. His father was usually traveling in work too, being an employee at the Department of International Magical Co-operation and all.

Madison asked if he could take a picture of her beside the birthday cake when they went downstairs. "Of course! We'll bring the camera with us then."

When James knocked on the door and entered the room it did not feel as awkward facing him as before. He seemed quite humble, although he had practically threatened Simon a few moments ago. But more importantly, James had also encouraged him. At least, that was how Simon interpreted it. Still, with James in the room, he tried to make his mind go blank and not think any thoughts at all concerning Madison, but it had the opposite effect. It was like when people say 'Don't think about pink elephants'. A rush of emotions came flowing and he had flashing thoughts of them hugging, Madison sleeping on his chest, he being so close to Madison's face that they could almost...Stop it! Simon looked outside the window, trying to think about how beautiful the clouds on the sky were, before following Madison and her brother downstairs.

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Madison's hairstyle for bed

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Madison's outfit for bed

@Simon Tilia

Simon joined in on the singing. Mr. Bennett had a good singing voice. Perhaps that was because he played the piano, same as Simon, he thought. Before they cut the cake, he took a picture of Madison posing beside the cake as promised. Later, when they started eating, he noticed that she had some icing on her nose. James and Mr. Bennett seemed to have noticed too, but neither of them said anything. They just smiled in silence. Instead, Simon raised the camera and took a picture of her.

"Enjoying the cake, Madi?"

"What the, how did I get icing on my nose?"

He laughed. That was the perfect picture. Madison in a nutshell.

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Before going to bed that night, Madison went to the bathroom to make herself ready. Meanwhile, Simon unpacked his bag and put the fluffy pillows from the bed on the floor. He looked through the photos they had taken together during the day and smiled to each and everyone of them. I’m really gonna miss her face and that smile when I get back to Edinburgh, he thought. It was a shame the day was over so quickly and that he was not going to see Madison until the beginning of the next term in September. But at least, he got to stay the night with her and they would have a last breakfast before he left tomorrow.

When Madison returned, he put the photos back on the table. He noticed that she had changed her hair again. She usually changed her hair several times during the days and he had got quite used to it. This time she had her hair in a braided ponytail. She was as pretty as ever. A scent of strawberry entered his nose as she passed him.

"You can use the bathroom now Si, sorry for taking a bit longer," she said and giggled.

"No, it's okay," said Simon and smiled. "I'll be just a minute."

It was good to finally get rid of the suit pants and the white shirt to put something more comfortable on. He changed into his black sleep shorts and brought his toiletry bag to the bathroom. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and hesitated for a short moment before spraying the perfume he got from his sister. 'Perhaps you are a bit young, but I figured you've grown so much lately', she had said. Simon looked at himself in the mirror and ran his fingers through his hair. Sixth months ago, Madison had told him that she thought he looked good. Like, attractive... He really hoped that was not about to change now that Madison was a year older and they would start their second year.

"Hey Ori, are you ready to climb back into the bed you missed so much?" she asked when he got back.

Simon chuckled. He lifted the cover and laid down in the bed before making himself comfortable beside Madison. He looked at her and smiled. "I hope you've had a good birthday, Madi."

Madi laid beside Simon and turned to face him. She nodded and said"I have Si, thank you. Having you here made it even better." Madi smiles and moves closer to Simon, resting her head near him, the smell of the cologne Simon seemed to have on said hello to her nose and Madison smiled. I'm really gonna miss having Simon here, it's not gonna be the same without him Madi thought to herself. As she looked at Simon, the moonlight hit her face perfectly and she smiled softly "I don't want you to leave tomorrow Ori, it seems like you only just got here" Madi says.

As she lay there, Madison's thoughts started spinning. The first time Simon ever came to her house was six months ago and within that short span of time, so much had happened, most important being that both she and Simon were a year older and they would be starting their second year before she knew it.

Madison looked back up at Simon and took a deep breath, feeling very comfy and relaxed. As she lay next to Simon and listened as they talked about what they were each looking forward to when they start their second year, all she could do was smile. She and Simon had been through so much in their first year alone, Madi couldn't imagine getting through her first year without him.

As she slept with her back against Simon's chest with his arms around her and her eyes fluttering closed like a butterfly's wings, Madi's thoughts danced through her brain like a gymnast doing a floor routine Am I falling for my best friend? The guy who's always there for me, listens to me and puts up with my quirks? Madi thinks to herself as she sleeps. She knew the answer to those thoughts already and smiled, snuggling into Simon since he helps her feel safe and secure, He really is my rock Madi thinks to herself.
Madi had just had the best birthday ever and it was because she'd gotten to spend it with her best friend, would the fireworks ever explode? She wasn't sure, but she really hoped they would.

@Simon Tilia

Simon froze as Madison moved even closer to his face. For a second he thought she was about to kiss him. His brain was becoming fuzzy and he realized he needed to calm his nerves. What's wrong with me? This is my best friend.

"I don't want you to leave tomorrow Ori, it seems like you only just got here," said Madison.

Those words did not ease his already fast-beating heart. It had the opposite effect. "I don't wanna leave either," he whispered. "I'm gonna miss you."

It was even more painful to speak the last words out loud. Miss her. That was exactly what he was going to do. How could he not? Ever since they met in the boat taking them over the Great Lake to Hogwarts, he had been captivated by her outgoing personality, her straight-forwardness and that unbothered smile of hers as if there were no troubles in the world. Sure, she had that mysterious scar on her hand that sometimes weighed her down (but who did not have a scar, physically or mentally?). Truth was, he always felt happy and content when she was around and the thought of not being with her for the rest of the summer was tormenting.

After talking about the upcoming year for a while, Madison seemed satisfied with talking and turned around. But instead of trying to put herself to sleep on her side of the bed she moved backwards and snuggled up against his body. Simon gasped. This was not like that time he had woken up and found Madison sleeping on his chest. This was deliberate. Almost instinctively, he put his arm around her before moved closer to her as well, answering the physical contact.

Was it normal for best friends to cuddle like this? Probably not. This was something else. Something different. Something new. Still, it felt right to be with Madison like this. As if they were meant to be together. Her body was warm and the familiar strawberry scent made him feel relaxed, despite the excitement of being near her in this new and unusual away.

"Good night, Madi," he whispered after a while of processing all his thoughts and emotions, unsure of whether she was still awake or had fallen asleep already.

As day broke the next morning, Madison didn't want to get up. She wanted to stay in bed and ignore the fact that her best friend had to go home today and she wouldn't see him for the rest of the summer. I'm really going to miss Simon when he goes home.

The memories will keep me company I guess but it's not the same as having him here Madi thinks to herself as she slides out of bed, goes to her bathroom and washes her face. Come on Madi, pull yourself together, you'll see him again soon she thinks to herself as she went into her closet, picked out an outfit, got changed and then went back into her room. "Hehe good morning Si, do you know what time your parents are picking you up?" Madi asked, though in her head she wanted him to say tomorrow.

I get butterflies in my tummy whenever i'm around him but why? He's my best friend, but maybe, just maybe, we could be more... Madi thinks to herself as she waits for Simon's answer. He was already up by the time Madi came back into her room and she smiled at him sweetly. "We could go downstairs, have some breakfast and then see what we feel like doing before you um, you know, go back home..." Madi says, as her smile slowly fades from her face. She didn't want Simon to go home because it felt like he'd only just arrived. I know we'll see eachother soon but that feels like ages away, I don't know how I'll cope that long... Madi thinks to herself. Soon the smile returns to her face and she eventually head downstairs with Simon and into the kitchen for breakfast.

@Simon Tilia

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Madi's outfit but without the jacket

Madison moved beside him and he slowly opened his eyes. She lay with her back towards him, her hair a bit frizzy after the night. The sunlight from the window created a golden contour along her bare arm. After a while, she pulled the cover to the side and got up from the bed. Simon closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. Before she left the room, he peeked at her slightly tanned body and a warm feeling spread in his chest. Deep inside, he knew what was going on inside him. He had to accept that he was in fact falling in love for the first time in his life.

When he heard Madison coming back he rolled over on his back and saw that she had got dressed already. She had a gorgeous pink top and her blue jeans really made her eyes pop. He put an arm behind his head and smiled.

"Hehe good morning, Si. Do you know what time your parents are picking you up?" she asked.

"Good morning," he said and cleared his throat. "No, I don't think we agreed on a time. They just said that they would pick me up before lunch." A part of him tried to think of possibilities for him to stay, but he knew that his parents would not agree on that since they had a lot of activities planned with his sister. He put on his white polo shirt and grey chinos and followed Madison downstairs to have breakfast.

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After they had eaten, Simon went outside the house to call his parents. Apparently they were less than an hour away. He hated to break the news to Madison. He could tell that she was disappointed too. But he tried to see it from the bright side – next time they met they would be back at Hogwarts and see each other practically every day for months. He brushed his teeth and packed his bag before bringing it downstairs. When he was ready to leave, he gave Madison a long hug in the entrance hall and squeezed her tightly. His soft lips accidentally touched the skin of her neck as he buried his nose in her hair. After what felt like an eternity, he slowly let go of her.

"Promise to owl me," he said. "And then we'll meet again at the Hogwarts Express in September. I'm sure time will pass quickly. I hope it will..."

He gave her one last smile before he opened the door and reluctantly closed it behind him, leaving the Bennetts house with a mixture of emotions. As he approached the car on the other side of the road, he heard his own internal voice stating the obvious: I'm in love with my best friend.

Madison hugged Simon tightly, taking in his scent and feeling his arms around her. She hated to see him leave, but she knew they'd see each other again soon. "Of course I will Ori" Madi replied with a smile. "I'm sure it will too, I'll see you in September" Madi said as she put some of her loose hair strands behind her ear. As she watched Simon leave from the front window, she felt tears fall down her cheek, See you soon Si, I love you Madi thinks to herself and then it hits her: I'm love my best friend. She sits on the couch, coming to terms with what she just thought to herself.

Later, Madi was in her room making her bed and tidying up in general and smiled. Each corner of her room reminded her of Simon, they'd already made a lot of memories together and she loved them all. She got her dad to print one copy of each photo from her camera since she wasn't allowed to use her wand outside of Hogwarts and framed one of each, including the one where she had icing on her nose. She placed one by her desk, one by her bed and one on the inside of her trunk, ready to take with her to Hogwarts in September. She then got her dad to print off another copy of the first photo that Simon took of her and put it into the letter she wrote to him later that week.

@Simon Tilia