Closed Birthday Howler PV Emalyn Waverly

It was a cool, spring morning, and nothing better to start off the day with a delicious scent to wake Emmy up. Emmy didn't recognize the smell, but whatever it was, it was good enough to jolt her out of her deep sleep. After a quick stretch, she changed out of her pajamas into her Hufflepuff robes and walked over to the Great Hall, where she could smell what was being served.

She pushed her way through the building crowd, everyone as eager to see what was being served as she was. Taking a quick glance at the ceiling, she noticed the typical candles floating near the high-arched ceiling, with paintings lined up on the walls. Through the top, she could see that it was a cloudless morning, with strong rays of sun almost overcoming the brightness of the candlelight.

Emmy went over to her usual spot at the Hufflepuff table, taking a seat next to another first year, who had brown hair and some streaks of blond. Politely taking her own utensils and plates, people started looking at the windows, causing Emmy to pause what she was doing. Once she saw the first owl, she knew what was happening. Soon, the Great Hall was a flutter of wings and raised hands. Emmy looked for her usual tawny owl, who came swooping down at her, dropping her mail in front of her.

A feeling of disappointment rose up in her chest when she realized it was just the Daily Prophet. No letters ever since December, when her parents said she could come home for the break. She sighed out loud and tucked her Daily Prophet in her crossbody bag to read later.

Emmy couldn't help but glance at the girl next to her. There was something red on the table, and Emmy realized it was a Howler. Before Emmy could even think, the Howler exploded, breaking into a loud Happy Birthday song.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ELLIE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUU," the Howler shrieked.

Gaping at the now finished Howler, Emmy couldn't help but stare at Ellie as she continued to open her other cards, which were some more birthday wishes.

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Ellie, finally finished with her birthday cards, was redder than a tomato. Her moms howler was embarrassing and some of the Slytherins where still laughing. Ellie looked the girl next to her with brownish-red hair. She was staring at her.

“Ah um” Ellie said, “sorry about that. Hope it wasn’t to like…Annoying.”

Ellie looked down at the unfinished cinnamon roll on the plate in front of her. Well that was some way to start off the morning! Nothing like a good old birthday howler. If Ellie was by herself she wouldn’t have cared. Birthday howlers were a tradition in her family. Every year they would choose one person and that person had to send off these howlers while everyone else just did normal cards. It must have been her mom’s year to do it! Ellie might also of had cared less if it was her Great Aunt Rose sending them out. Since s Aunt Rose had a beautiful voice. Her mother though? Eh.

“Oh um, I’m Ellie by the way” Ellie said to the girl next her, “Of course though, you heard the howler!”

As an after thought Ellie thought Well I mean you know what they say! All publicity is good publicity!

Bursts of laughter could still be heard, long after the Howler had finished its song. Emmy looked at the Slytherin table, giving them a look, quietly signaling them to stop. It wasn't even funny, why were they even laughing? Ellie noticed Emmy staring, and Emmy quickly shifted her gaze to her cinnamon rolls, pretending she hadn't seen or heard anything.

“Ah um,” Ellie said, “sorry about that. Hope it wasn’t too, like…annoying.”

Part of Emmy was embarrassed for getting caught staring, and the other part was still shocked at her first encounter with a Howler.

"Oh no, it wasn't. I know about Howlers, but I've never seen someone ever receive one before. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable," Emmy replied apologetically.

Emmy continued to consume her breakfast, politely shoveling little bites in her mouth so she didn't seem messy. After eating, she wiped her mouth with a thin napkin, folding it neatly in front of her. She cringed at her overly professional actions, wondering if the painting or ghosts nearby were judging her.

Ellie said something, jolting Emmy out of her thoughts, reintroducing herself, but of course Emmy knew this already.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Emmy. So much for a first impression, huh?" Emmy replied with a warm genuine smile, hoping that last comment didn't make Ellie uncomfortable.

Glancing at the large wooden clock across from her, she noticed that there was over 1 hour left until first period began. That provided enough time to socialize and for Emmy to prepare for her upcoming classes.

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"I know all about howlers, But never seen someone receive them before…” the girl said.

Well that was expected most families don't send birthday howlers! To be honest Ellie probably wouldn't have seen howlers if birthday howlers were not a Randensmith family tradition! And most wizard kids would'nt get one until they make it to Hogwarts anyway!

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Emmy. So much for first impressions, huh?" The girl-Emmy, then said.

"Oh, that's a pretty name. Is it short for anything?" Ellie said, "Also I'm Ellie. Oh yeah and that was a birthday howler. They're kinda a tradition in my family!"

Ellie hoped Emmy didn't find the tradition weird. But now that Ellie thought of it, it was a strange tradition. I mean it had always been a part of her family, Ellie didn't know when it had started!

Ellie followed Emmy's gaze as it went to the clock which was showing a hour till class started. Maybe I found someone to walk to class with and in the long-term friends! Ellie was feeling hopeful but not hope full enough to ask if she wanted to be friends. Maybe they can become frienda and on cold winter nights be sit by the fire together and share gossip! Ok now I'm thinking to far in advance and definitely being hopeful! She might not even want to be my friend! One can only hope!

Ellie seemed like a cheerful burst of sunshine, and her yellow-colored Hufflepuff robes perfectly matched that vibe. She seemed like she would always be happy, or the one to always make a joke on a rainy day. Emmy definitely knew that everyone needed an Ellie in their life to keep their mood alive.

"Oh, that's a pretty name. Is it short for anything?" Ellie asked.

Emmy had already had been asked this question before, and she said the same thing every time.

"It's short for Emalyn," Emmy explained with a warm smile.

Looking at Ellie, Emmy wondered how she looked sitting next to Ellie. Did she look lame and energyless? She hoped she didn't. That would create a horrible impression. Ellie said that the birthday howlers were a tradition in her family. Emmy thought about this for a little bit before responding.

"So if it's your parents birthday, how do you send one to them? I mean, since I've never seen one before until now, where do you get them?" Emmy couldn't help but ask curiously.

She drummed her fingers on the table waiting for Ellie to answer. Noticing her plate was gone, she realized it had disappeared since she had finished. She hadn't even had her morning drink yet to swallow down the strong taste of cinnamon. Emmy shrugged. Water would have to do.

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"Oh its short for Emalyn"Emalyn had said.

That was a pretty name and one Ellie didn't hear often!

"That's a pretty name!" Ellie said.

Compared to her name Emalyn's was so pretty! Ellie hoped Emalyn didn't think her name was boring or old-fashioned. Emalyn seemed like a really cool and neat girl. Ellie looked behind her as Emalyn asked a question.

"Hmm?" Ellie said than relizing what Emalyn had said Ellie said, "Oh no. Adults don't really receive them. Only kids get them. I mean adults did get them when they were a kid but now the only time they get one is with my grandma's passing them out!

Ellie laughed at the last sentence but quickly stopped. She didn't want to seem weird in front of the cool, calm girl. Ellie wanted to also appear calm and maybe, just maybe when they become better friends, if they become better friends then she could release her other side. There I go again, being way too hopeful! Ellie sighed, why was she so awkward all of the sudden!?! She used to feel so free with her friends!

"Do you have any family traditions?" Ellie asked hoping that she didn't think their tradition was weird. Maybe I should ask mom to tell them to stop sending Birthday howlers Ellie thought but quickly disguarded They're a tradition I can't do that!

Ellie complimented Emmy's name, which Emmy couldn't help at blush at. Watching Ellie's traveling gaze, she saw it look behind her, causing Emmy to look if anything was behind her. There really wasn't anything significant behind her, unless Ellie could possibly be interested in someone behind her. At this thought, Emmy checked behind her again and gave Ellie a half-sly, half-warm smile, arching her eyebrows in amusement.

"Ohhh," Emmy replied, nodding her head in understanding, replying to Ellie's explanation that adults didn't receive Birthday Howlers.

Ellie laughed, but cut it off quickly, Emmy noticed. Maybe she was a little flustered, so Emmy decided to leave this be. The expression on Ellie's face was slightly uncomfortable, which Emmy did not want to happen. Her goal was to make her possibly new friend become as comfortable as possible.

"Do you have any family traditions?" Ellie asked Emmy, which made Emmy realize she was staring at Ellie awkwardly.

"Oh, me? No, not really. My family's boring and...has a lot going on," Emmy shifted a little in her seat, "I wish I had a unique family tradition though."

Emmy thought back of her brother at St. Mungos, and the fact that her parents hadn't written to her in such a long time. She wondered how things were back at home. Maybe they were busy. Or maybe they had forgotten about her. The thought was enough to send nervous chills down Emmy's spine.

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Ellie was playing with the corner of her cloak and didn't realize it until Emalyn started talking again.
"Oh, me? No, not really. My family's boring and...has a lot going on," Emalyn had said.

Ellie, sensing her new-found friends discomfort and sadness when she said this, put a hand on her shoulder hoping it didn't seem weird. Ellie tried smiling at her.

"Oh," Ellie said not really sure what to say, "Well if you ever want to talk, I'm open."

Ellie hoped it didn't sound like oh tell me, tell me, tell me! She hoped it sounded friendly and like, Hey don't worry, I'm here for you! Ellie had never gone through something as what seemed to be happening to Emmy, not that she could be sure! Emmy could just mean they are boring and are busy! But by the way she said it... Ellie had a feeling it was more. What Ellie did know is that when someone is in a hard situation, they might not want to tell anyone so Ellie just asked so that Emmy knew she had a friend and someone who she could trust. Of course Ellie would do anything for a fellow huffle! Emmy was so sweet too!

Hey, well if you ever want we can start out own friendship tradition," Ellie said, "That is, if you want to be friends of course!"

Saying the last sentence Ellie smiled mischievously. A friend! And one of my first at Hogwarts! Ellie smiled. Compared to literally two minutes ago, Ellie felt like she could really share with Emmy. Ellie could invite her over to her house, she could meet her cousin, Amelia who was the same age as her. Well Emmy could, that is, if she wanted to be her friend! Ellie sure hoped she wanted to be her friend! Finally someone to talk to at the Hufflepuff table since her cousin was way on the other end!

Looking at her folded hands in her lap, Emmy felt a burden on her shoulder, and looked up to see what it was. Ellie's hand was resting on her shoulder, making Emmy feel a little more comfortable. She gave Ellie a warm smile as Ellie said that she was open whenever Emmy needed it.

"I'm alright, it's all in the back of my head. But thanks," Emmy responded.

"Hey, well, if you ever want, we can start our own friendship tradition," Ellie said, "That is, if you want to be friends, of course!"

At this Emmy's eyes lit up. Really? To be friends with weird, judgy Emmy? It felt like an honor, especially since she was being asked by a cool, good natured, and bubbly person. Mornings would be much less boring now, and Emmy could stop from snoozing off at breakfast.

"Oh, yes, of course! Like what tradition?" Emmy replied, all problems forgotten.

Unaware of any current "friendship traditions," Emmy tilted her head, quickly brainstorming some new ideas. Maybe a thing where they bake each other sweet treats every weekend? Or some exciting, goofy pranks? Emmy's mind bubbled with all sorts of possibilities, each one more crazier than the next.

"Haha, what if we send birthday howlers to everyone on their birthdays?" Emmy thought aloud with a laugh, half-joking.

The more she thought about it, the better of an idea it sounded like. Maybe they could make a list of people that want Birthday Howlers! If Ellie declined this idea, it would be fine, since they both probably had many other ideas inside their fizzing minds.

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