Chapter 229- The Party! Part-3

{15th July 1991} 

{Rigel's POV}

“Surprise!”

The shout exploded through the room, louder than I’d anticipated, causing me to jump slightly, even though I knew exactly what was coming as I was able to sense their mana through the walls. Ginny, walking just a half-step behind me, nearly stumbled backward into the hallway. Her eyes widened in startled delight, the shock quickly transforming into a dazzling smile as she took in the carefully decorated room.

Warm, golden lights dangled gently from the ceiling, casting soft glows over the walls adorned with ribbons in Gryffindor colors. Despite my protest that her house had not been decided as of yet, I was outvoted 6 to 1. At the heart of the room sat a large chocolate cake, topped with candles; the icing sparkled under the amber light, while a subtle scent of vanilla lingered invitingly in the air. Somewhere in the corner, a magically-enhanced vintage record player filled the air with the slow, melodic rhythm of the Weird Sisters’ classic, Magic Works. The music was gentle, more of an inviting backdrop than a lively centerpiece, but it suited the cozy intimacy of our little celebration perfectly.

Ginny turned to me, eyes shimmering with happiness. “Rigel, did you—”

“Happy birthday,” I repeated warmly, gently guiding her further into the room. My fingertips brushed against her back, causing her skin to flush just slightly, though she quickly masked it with an exaggerated roll of her eyes.

Before she could respond further, Fred and George swooped in dramatically from either side, lifting her off her feet as she let out a playful yelp.

“Come on, Gin-Gin!” George declared, carrying her toward the cake as though she were royalty being presented to her subjects.

“We’ve got a birthday song just for you,” Fred added, waggling his eyebrows with playful menace.

Ginny groaned theatrically, though her laughter betrayed her excitement. “Merlin, help me.”

As the twins deposited her ceremoniously in front of the cake, the rest of us gathered around, laughing softly at the twins’ exuberance. Sirius leaned casually against a nearby chair, smiling warmly, while Harry and Ron exchanged quiet, amused glances, clearly enjoying the scene unfolding before them.

Fred cleared his throat dramatically, elbowing George for silence. Together, they began their specially composed birthday serenade in matching, horrendously off-key voices:

"Today’s the day, our sister’s grown,

No longer little, on her own.

She’s fierce and clever, quick and sly,

Watch your back, don’t catch her eye!

Oh, Ginny, it’s your special day,

We’d prank you, but you’d make us pay!

Hair like fire, eyes aglow,

Danger hides beneath that show.

A daring girl who won’t play nice,

Mess with Gin, and pay the price.

Eighteen candles burning bright,

Make a wish today with all your might.

Magic blooms at your command,

The fiercest lion in the land!

...

Their exaggerated performance had us all laughing. Ginny shook her head, face buried in her hands in mock embarrassment. I joined the others in enthusiastic applause, remembering the hours I’d spent the day before helping the twins polish their ridiculous verses and cutting down their ridiculous suggestions.

Fred grinned mischievously, nudging Ginny gently. “Blow the candles now, birthday girl.”

Ginny closed her eyes briefly, lashes brushing softly against her cheeks, and then exhaled slowly, extinguishing all eighteen candles in one breath. Cheers filled the room again, and as her eyes opened, they caught mine across the cake. Her gaze lingered briefly, a gentle, vulnerable softness flashing momentarily in her expression before she looked away shyly, reaching for the cake knife.

“Cake time!” Ron declared loudly, stepping forward eagerly as though he hadn’t eaten in days.

Ginny laughed softly, shaking her head as she cut the first slice. “I wonder who’s getting the first piece?” she teased, pretending to deliberate while Ron’s eyes widened pleadingly. “Alright, alright. Ron, you bottomless pit, here.”

Ron seized the cake eagerly, already chewing before he’d even stepped back. She worked her way methodically through the group—Harry, Sirius, Fred, George, each receiving their slice accompanied by soft laughter and cheerful remarks.

Finally, Ginny stepped up to me, her eyes sparkling mischievously, cake slice precariously balanced in her fingers. I noticed her sly grin too late, realizing her intent was far less innocent than I’d anticipated. As she raised the cake toward my face, I swiftly reached out, grasping her wrist lightly before the cake could make contact.

“Oh, no you don’t,” I warned playfully, taking the slice gently from her hand. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, but before she could pull away, I pressed the slice toward her face instead, smirking victoriously.

Ginny, not to be outdone, opened her mouth impulsively, leaning forward quickly to catch the cake—and my thumb and index finger—in one smooth, reckless motion. A sharp breath escaped me, our bodies frozen as her soft, warm lips closed lightly around my fingertips. For a brief, charged moment, neither of us moved. Her eyes flew open in panic as she realized what she’d done, her cheeks flooding with deep crimson as she hurriedly pulled back, covering her mouth in mortification.

Laughter erupted around us, led enthusiastically by Fred and George. Ron stared, eyes wide and mouth agape, while Harry unsuccessfully tried to hide a smile behind his hand.

Ginny glanced at me nervously, eyes wide with embarrassment. I smiled softly, reassuringly, carefully masking my own surprise. “Well,” I teased lightly, “that’s certainly one way to enjoy cake.”

The twins erupted in more laughter, immediately defusing the awkward tension. Ginny groaned softly, turning away as if to escape, but the blush still burning her cheeks revealed everything her words wouldn’t.

Deciding she probably needed a moment, I discreetly stepped back, only to find Parvati quietly standing nearby, watching the entire exchange with a knowing smile.

“You know she likes you, right?” Parvati whispered softly, stepping closer so only I could hear.

“I’ve been told,” I responded, maintaining an air of neutrality as I glanced sideways at her.

Parvati hesitated briefly, sensing I was intentionally keeping my response vague. I moved toward the balcony to allow Ginny a moment of peace, and Parvati quietly followed after me, the soft click of her heels echoing gently against the polished floor. She had forgone her classic Indian attire for today and was back in a long black dress.

Stepping onto the balcony, I breathed deeply, the cool mountain air instantly refreshing compared to the warmth inside. Soft moonlight bathed the Himalayan landscape in gentle hues, a tranquil beauty stretching endlessly beneath the star-filled sky. Far below, the distant murmur of the sacred river whispered quietly through the valley.

“Alright,” I finally spoke softly, leaning casually against the balcony railing. “What’s really on your mind?”

Parvati bit her lip nervously, glancing back toward the doorway briefly to ensure privacy. Her expression shifted subtly, anxiety creeping into her normally composed features.

“It’s my mother,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “She’s…she’s been asking about you. A lot, actually.”

My brows furrowed slightly, caution rising instinctively. Was Sirius right, and was it a trap? “What exactly has she been asking?”

Parvati sighed softly, clearly troubled. “About your group, your movements, where exactly we’ve been going. Rigel, it’s not like her. She never shows interest in my friends, even with Harry bloody Potter around. She’s planning something.”

I studied her carefully, sensing genuine worry beneath her measured words. “Planning something like what?”

Parvati shook her head helplessly. “I wish I knew. It could be harmless curiosity, but my instincts tell me it’s not. She was far too specific—too insistent.”

I paused thoughtfully, weighing her words carefully. “Could it be related to our trip? Perhaps she suspects we’re here for more than tourism.”

She nodded reluctantly. “It’s possible. She’s clever and observant.” Her voice growing smaller as she digested my words, I was a bit careless as I had revealed that something about our trip was indeed unusual.

'Fuck it, I need to talk to Sirius.'

"Alright, let's get you some cake. I need to talk to Sirius about this," I said, and she nodded slightly, her shoulders sagging slightly, which caused me to pause. I gave her arm a slight squeeze, which caused her mana to flare slightly.

'She'll be fine, right now we need to discuss a plan of retreat in case her mother is tracking her using her. She has several magical rings and pendents on; any one of them could have a tracking magic on it.'

"Sirius," I spoke, startling the old man. For someone from the black family and with a past as an Auror, he paid surprisingly little attention to his surroundings. I indicated toward the balcony for a talk and gave Ginny a reassuring smile as I walked back.

'Why couldn't this have been easy? And what do the Patils want from us?'

---