Surprise Birthday Party

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As the Alayna was still out for the day, thanks to Carina and Astrid, Ptolemy was busy setting up the common room for her surprise party. He had asked the house elves to make all of her favourites, but ensured there was a good selection of canapés and petit fours that everyone with their distinguished tastes would enjoy. There was also a large, three tier cake he had ordered from a bakery in Horizont - chocolate and caramel - with a salmon pink frosting. Champagne flutes were placed to cover one of the side tables, although the Champagne itself was kept out of sight.

He and a few others had hung streamers and paper chains around the room, and there were several hundred balloons bobbing about the high ceiling. Everything was looking in good progress, and it wasn't long before Alayna would be there herself.

Most of Alayna's friends were in Slytherin house, but there were a few from other houses who he'd managed to sneak in. He was sure there'd be at least one person who had something to say about that, but he wouldn't let them ruin what was going to be, hopefully, a very memorable night for her.

"Burke - I'd asked you to put candles on that cake half an hour ago. Will you see to it already?" he snapped impatiently to Hector, getting cranky with some of his 'help'.

Thius directed Bellona before whispering, "If there's somebody's face to end up melting due to such a wretched wench, it shouldn't be yours."

That came off more flirtatiously than intended. Just play it cool.

"Let her get expelled by burning the whiny Grayson instead."

He smiled at her before glancing at the grandfather clock. When was Alayna supposed to arrive again?

@Bellona Lestrange

Siobhan smirked and lowered her hand, the flame disappearing with it. She had no idea how she could suddenly control the fire inside of her, but she didn't care either. It was just really fucking cool. She rolled her eyes and flipped them both off as the turned and walked away before taking a seat back on the couch.

Bellona pursed her lips, not knowing what to make of his comment.

"There's a reason why we have this common room, and it's to spare us from Gryffindors like her. You watch. She'll be putting her feet up next. Smug cow."

She used this opportunity to throw a glare in Ptolemy's direction. This was all his fault: him and his stupid party for his stupid, fat girlfriend.

@Melanthius Burke

Ptolemy caught Bellona's eye, and gave her a quizzical look. Then his eyes moved to Melanthius, to Hector, and then to the Finnigan girl sat on the couch. Who let her in?! He was about to confront her, when the clock bonged to seven.

"She will be here soon, everyone! Be ready to say Happy Birthday when she comes into the common room, or just give her a cheer or a clap if you can't manage that," he said, knowing not to expect too much from his peers. As long as she had a party to walk into, he wasn't too bothered. He thought jumping out from behind furniture and exclaiming 'surprise!' wasn't very British, so at least he hadn't given that as the instruction.

After hours of distracting Alayna with lunch, the salon and endless shopping, she texted Ptolemy to give a little warning they would be there soon. She loved that Ptolemy loved Alayna to doo all this for her. Of her best friend was happy. She was happy.

"Her arrival can't come any faster," he remarked with an eye roll. "How did she get access to the password? We must demand our Head of House to change it!"

Thius began to imagine that Finnigan was stuck in a solitary padded cell in the deepest depths of the ocean.

Ah...

@Bellona Lestrange

Alayna was having a great birthday. Sure, it sucked Atticus wasn't there to celebrate with her, but they would do something together when he got home. She just didn't understand why Carina was practically shoving her down the dungeon hall, "Carina. Quit shoving. If I break a heel because of you there's gonna be a problem." She laughed with her best friend as they stepped through the portrait together

Excitedly, Aquila moved away from the table and closer to the door with her eye on the camera waiting to get the perfect shot. Any minute now!

Astrid had enjoyed their little girls day out, it seemed like it had been so long since she had been able to just hang out with the girls and not worry about all of the boys she did so enjoy chasing after her. It was a welcome change in pace! But it all had to come to an end because she knew that it was really all about distracting Alayna until Ptolemy could have everything ready for her surprise party. As they walked down the hall, she laughed a bit at Carina’s insistence and Alayna’s threats. ”Shes just in a hurry to get back to see my brother.” she said with a teasing smirk, not wanting Alayna to get suspicious so close to the surprise.

@Alayna Nott @Carina Malfoy

Vidar had stayed to himself as usual as he worked on helping with the decorations and such. He was only just finishing the last few touches when Ptolemy made his announcement that the girls would be back soon. He stepped over to a nearby couch and took a seat to wait for them to arrive. The fact that it was Carina he was waiting to see walk through that door rather than Alayna didn’t really matter that much, did it?

Alayna stepped into the room and was definitely surprised by all the decorations and people. She looked at Carina then find Ptolemy in the room. Of course this was him. She smiled and ran to him kissing him deeply, "Did you do all this?" She had a huge smile on her face as she giggled excitedly, "You're amazing"

@Ptolemy Rowle

"Say cheese, birthday girl!" squealed Aquila as she rushed to take photos of Alayna. She did her best to leave Ptolemy out of at least one shot...

@Alayna Nott @Ptolemy Rowle

As Hector hadn't the drive within him to cheer or clap, he popped one of the corks off the champagne as Alayna entered and turned to pour it out. He wasn't going to wait another second to have a drink: this was exactly what he'd been looking forward to all day, after all.

He handed a glass to Alayna with a small smile, handed one to Carina next, then saved the very best 'til last: Astrid, who was looking very lovely indeed.

"I hope your day was an adequate prelude to a marvellous evening," he said to her, passing the glass over to her.

@Astrid Eriksson

Grinning widely and giving a cheer as she entered, Ptolemy held his arms out to her and embraced her as she ran up to him.

"Happy Birthday, my darling," he murmured to her, giving her a good, long kiss before releasing her to see everyone who had gathered there. "I wanted to give you something special for your birthday, so I hope you don't mind me gathering everyone to celebrate it with you."

He smiled at Carina and Astrid, giving them a nod of thanks for seeing she was away for the afternoon.

"Burke."

He took the champagne he handed to Alayna, shaking his head. He was utterly clueless.

@Alayna Nott

No words were uttered upon Alayna's entrance. Instead, Thius stood there wondering how long Ptolemy was going to force them to kiss Alayna's arse before they get to the good part: the presents.

She was about to answer to Melanthius, when people started cheering. She did her best to clap, unenthusiastically, watching on as she kissed Rowle. Hector was quick to slide his way over to Astrid, and Vidar seemed as though he'd be sucking up to Carina before long. She gave all three of them a long, repugnant look.

How come all three of them had boys fawning over them?! It wasn't fair. She felt far more deserving than any of them!

As music started playing, Bellona turned to Melanthius to see his reaction to the event.

"Do you want me to get you something to drink?" he asked, at least to appear as if he was partaking in the celebrations. "I'll see if we have something other than champagne..."

He hadn't drank a whole lot of alcohol since turning 17, and he had no interest in getting a detention because Ptolemy decided to throw Alayna a little party.

@Bellona Lestrange

After standing around for a few minutes, Narkissos finally left the common room. Why couldn't they used the Room of Requirement? It would've been nice to have some peace and quiet before enjoying gossip in the tub...

Alayna smiled for Aquilas photos before looking back at Ptolemy, "This is the sweetest thing ever. Thank you" she then smiled at Hector and laughed. But when he handed her a champagne glass, "Can't drink, Burke. 6 more months." She said with a smile as she leaned against Ptolemy.

@Ptolemy Rowle

Aramis looked over at Astrid as she entered, and kept his eyes solidly locked on her as she spoke to a boy. Someone handed him a glass of champagne, but he still didn't acknowledge any other disturbance. He continued to watch, unblinkingly, taking in every slight movement she made.

@Astrid Eriksson

"I can drink champagne," she said, taking his suggestion the wrong way. Did he think she wasn't mature enough to drink it or something? "If everyone else is drinking it, I want to drink it as well."

@Melanthius Burke

When Alayna entered, Discordia managed some patting to her lap; it was the best she could clap with the restraints on her hand.

"Very well..."

Although his upbringing would expect him to desire a more docile, passive mate, Thius admired how assertive Bellona was; she always knew what she wanted.

"If we get caught, we can just say you were duped into thinking it was a sparkling cider..."

He headed towards the refreshments table and poured a glass for her and him, handing one of the flutes to her first.

@Bellona Lestrange

"I have a few other surprises for you, although one appears to be held up."

He hadn't got word from Mackenzie that she was coming with her American boyfriend, but he supposed she would just show up if she could come.

"Before I let you enjoy yourself - I'd like to give you one of your presents now, if that's okay?" He smiled at her, retrieved a jewellery box from underneath the table, and gave it to her with a very self-satisfied sort of smirk. "You can wear something new for your party," he said, kissing her cheek then standing back eagerly to await her reaction. He didn't know anyone more deserving to give a gleaming gold diamond necklace to.

@Alayna Nott

"Exactly. Whoever brought it here would get the blame, after all..."

She smirked over at Ptolemy, who was giving Alayna a present. She rolled her eyes.

"Thank you," she said, taking the glass with a smile.

@Melanthius Burke