Edme's Birthday! open

Roseann made her way to the library, having heard of some sort of birthday party happening there. She figured that it was the perfect chance to socialize and make new friends. She was thinking about how many friends she could make until she ran into a library shelf. She picked herself back up, hearing the librarian scoff from behind her. She didn't exactly know where the party was, but she figured she would find it in no time.

Rose found herself constantly coughing, being unable to find a single spot not covered in dust. Nevertheless, she continued through the dark library, finding a girl her age, reading alone. She looked...what's the word...hmm...

Rose stood in the corner for a solid minute, not realizing how creepy she looked. She finally found the word (the word was despondent, though she wasn't sure if that was right), before realizing that she probably looked like some sort of stalker. She brushed the dust off of her and approached the girl. "Um...hi," she said quietly. "Is this where the birthday party is taking place?"

Rose realized how stupid of a question that was, because the girl might not have even been involved with the party at all. Rose felt weird again. She felt like there were bugs crawling around in her stomach, like she could just be swallowed whole by the earth. She just tried to ignore it as she waited for a response from the girl.

Interacting with: @Roseann Parker

The book was nearly to a fairly interesting part, where Zofia lit the room ablaze, when the sound of a loud bump forced Edme to emerge from their thoughts. It had come from just a row before where she was sat, and a girl with red hair stepped out from behind the bookshelf.

Her eyes had wandered to Edme, sticking for quite awhile. Clearly in discomfort, Edme averted their gaze, hoping the other would take it as sign. She clearly did, but only momentarily before she came walking over and asked about a birthday party.

"Birthday party?" Edme furrowed her brow in confusion, before their eyes lit with excitement, "My birthday! Yes, oh yes of course. I suppose I didn't expect... well, yes. It's my birthday."

They were ecstatic, not remembering the last time she had properly celebrated with one of her age, nonetheless from their school. And here was this new person, asking about a party? Party! That's even better.

They shut the book quickly, looking up at the girl and patting a chair just next to hers. She didn't really know what one would do for a birthday, but she supposed it couldn't be anything too strange or different from a normal party. Though, they didn't really attend those either.

WC:221

Interacting with: @Roseann Parker and @Edme Achillian

Youssuf had been browsing books on the dark shelves of the deep library, searching for more detailed texts on environmental potions. He'd found a book, but it had proven to be worse than useless, with no instructions whatsoever and just long, musty lists of hundreds of potions.
He snorted with frustration and looked around the room. There weren't many people. A couple of fifth-years, studying industriously and a pair of second-years doing the polar opposite.
Youssuf also spotted the shy girl who'd been in the Owlery with him and Eli the other day, the Ravenclaw named Edme.
He saw a red-haired Gryffindor from his own year greet Edme and he distinctly heard her mention a 'birthday party'. Well, now that was like waving a red flag at a bull. Also, he had an idea one of his friends had told him about a party in the library. Foolish place to hold a party, he'd thought at the time.
Youssuf made his way over to the pair of girls and greeted Edme -

Hey, Edme, we met the other day in the Owlery. Happy birthday! I'm up for a party if it's happening, heck, I'm always up for a party. Although...I do advise not holding it in the Library.

Interacting with: @Yousuff Baid@Roseann Parker

Edme had been searching for a reason to emerge from the books she had been trying to distract herself with, so a chance at doing something actually fun for their birthday was welcomed. A familiar voice spoke from behind them, causing them to look up quickly.

"Yousuff." she smiled a bit, not really remembering much about him. "How was... the letter?"

They cringed at the attempt at conversation, attempting to avoid eye contact. It wasn't that she didn't like him, she just simply hadn't seen him since... well, since awhile. September? Or was it October? They couldn't recall.

"Sorry." she said quickly, trying to clear up the last words, "I hope it sent well. Thank you, yes. it's my birthday. I'm not so sure of much a party, though."

They hadn't really expected Roseann, much less Yousuff to come by. She didn't really imagine he had come for the party, but he must have been reading or browsing. After all, it was a library. They wouldn't really expect otherwise.

A birthday in the library was a bit strange. It was a library. People wouldn't usually cheer or sing in a library. They didn't allow food, loud noises, much tussle. The boys who were messing around in the corner had long been sent out for their reckless behavior.

WC:227

She emerged from the shadows, her hair all messed up and huge bags under her eyes. "Um, excuse my appearance. I had a hard time sleeping last night," she explained. She turned to the boy. "So, your name is Yousuff, right? That's a cool name," she said. "I'm Roseann. You guys can just call me Rose though."

Roseann didn't really have anything on her, as she frantically searched for some sort of present she could give Edme, albeit unsuccessfully. "I'm really sorry, Edme. I... I don't have anything to give you," she said, looking defeated. "I'm sorry."

Roseann felt bad, after all, it was a birthday. What kind of birthday didn't have presents? She melted onto the dusty floor, a feeling of remorse flowing throughout her. "I really do mean it when I say that I'm sorry, I totally would've brought something, but... well, you know, I don't have anything."
Roseann got up from the floor and took her seat next to Edme. She waved hello to Yousuff. She turned to Edme. "So, how old are you turning today," she said quietly. "If...you don't mind me asking, that is... I know age can be a sensitive subject for some people, but I doubt it is for you."

Interacting with: @Roseann Parker@Yousuff Baid

Edme gratefully let the mood shift from the introduction state to a calm conversation.

Roseann quickly apologized for not bringing a gift, but Edme brushed it off with a, "No worries at all! If I'm honest, I didn't truly expect many to show up."

The question rose of what age Edme may be turning. It then hit Edme that a birthday wasn't just a celebration, but a transition, and she was now a new age. 12 years old! How she had grown, she practically felt like a whole new person. Were they taller? They felt taller.

"I'm 12 now." Edme stated slowly, soaking in the words, "12 years old!"

They were beaming, though tried to keep it internal. She didn't want to look a fool, smiling like a drunken child. But they were bubbling with excitement, mainly just of the recent realization that she was older!

Is was every birthday they felt like she was an adult then. Like they were grown to the size of a giant from the night to day. She hated feeling like the tallest person, but on the one day where it felt natural, it was exhilarating.

Edme realized the book had been open before her, and they quickly shut it with a swift movement of the hand.

WC:223

"Wait." she said. "If you're twelve, how come you aren't a second year?" she asked, looking greatly confused. "Did you get held back or something?"

Rose didn't even know if you could get held back in Hogwarts. She figured you must've been able to, as long as you were really bad at doing your schoolwork. But still, she somehow still doubted that the school would hold you back, but she knew that you could get expelled. This thought led to many other thoughts that led to many [/i]OTHER[/i] thoughts, to the point that she was staring off into space looking like a brain-dead deer about to get run over by a car.

She stood there for quite a bit, not realizing how absolutely stupid she looked. She had somehow come from getting held back at Hogwarts to questioning why frogs were called, well, frogs. She started fidgeting with her fingers, something she does when she's deep in her train of thought, usually making her look like some sort of mad scientist.

She finally caught herself zoning out when she gave up trying to figure out why frogs couldn't be called something like youghts. "Oh...um, sorry again. I zoned out, again." she said, scratching the back of her head.

Interacting with: @Roseann Parker@Yousuff Baid

Roseann asked if Edme had been held back, quickly deflating the happy mood.

Edme quickly responded, "Oh, no no! I'm not held back. I just have an early birthday." she smiled a little, trying to keep a cool face. Held back? Them? Never!

Roseann was staring blankly before Edme, seeming dissociate from the world for moments. She was just looking forward, eyes motionless. She soon snapped out, apologies ensuing.

"Oh, no... worries." it was much less exciting now, just a simple get together. She didn't mind.

The dust seemed less apparent with the new people, like they simply brought in a broom and swept it away. It was nice to have mindless conversation, talking about interests to no end and laughing over nothing.

They didn't mind the lack of gifts, as it wasn't as though she had been expecting much. Birthdays weren't a big thing to them, socially that is. It was usually just with her current family and maybe a few extra school friends. It wasn't always like this.

Hogwarts was such a beautiful place, it felt as though almost every day was Edme's birthday. Well, that may be a stretch, as homework was still as difficult as back home, just with magic. So maybe that weighed out. Magic homework.

WC:220

Mercy appeared in the library, panting like a dog. She had just sprinted to the library as fast as her little legs allowed her to go. Sure, she definitely might have broken a few rules by running in the halls, but to her it was worth it. It was not like Mercy to not show up to her friend's birthday party. Especially one held in a library. Inside, Mercy hoped she was not too behind schedule. Hands on her knees, catching her breath she spoke, "Edme, I hope I'm not too tardy."

There were two first year guests here already. Mercy familiarized them as Roseann Parker and Yousuff Baid. Both Gryffindors who were currently in their first year. She smiled and waved to them as well.

"So," Mercy started, finally catching her breath. "I admire your choice of location for the party!" It was true. Mercy much rather preferred the quiet Hogwarts library than a busling classroom or a cramped cafeteria table from her past experiences from life. "Well anyway, happy, happy, birthday to Edme!"