SEVENTEEN!

JANUARY 1977

6th Year

• • • •

"Come on," Regulus said, dragging his best friend into The Three Broomsticks, Maxine and Bronwyn following, "Butterbeer's on us."

The birthday girl smiled, sitting down in a booth with her fellow sixth years, as Regulus went to go and get their butterbeers.

"So?" Maxine started, looking at her friend, "How does it feel to be seventeen?"

"Exactly how it felt to be sixteen." Holland replied with a small laugh.

Bronwyn chuckled, "Told you she'd say that."

"Aren't you annoyed that you have Prefect duty tonight?" Regulus asked, putting hte drinks on the table.

Holland shrugged, "I guess. I don't mind it though."

Maxine shook her head, "If it was me, I'd be having a fit."

"Which is probably why you're not a Prefect." Regulus said, making the older girls laugh, all taking a sip of their drinks.

***

"Come on." Remus grinned, leading Holland through the corridors of the castle, whilst they were in the middle of their Prefect round.

"Where are we going?" Holland asked, chuckling at her boyfriend's excited behaviour.

"It's a surprise." The Gryffindor told her.

"What about our rounds?" The girl raised an eyebrow.

Remus shrugged with a bright smile, "Who cares?" He asked, bringing them a stop in front of the entrance to the kitchen.

"Who are you and what have you done to Remus Lupin?" Holland chuckled, making Remus laugh and kiss her.

"Come on." He smiled, tickling the pear on the portrait, the kitchen entrance swinging open.

Holland gave Remus a weird look, as the kitchen was pitch black, before she stepped in and it was illuminated with light.

"Happy Birthday!" Five voices cried, making the Slytherin jump, before grinning widely.

In front of her was the kitchen covered in bunting and homemade banners, spelling 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!' Food was all over a table, a large cake sitting proudly in the middle of it. James, Sirius, Peter, Lily and Margaret all stood, scattered around the kitchen, with wide smiles on their faces.

"This is all for me?" Holland exclaimed, gaining lots of nods.

"It was Sirius' idea." Remus told his girlfriend, who looked at the shaggy-haired boy with a thankful smile, before her boyfriend gently pushed her towards the two girls, closing the kitchen entrance behind him.

"Happy birthday!" Lily beamed, giving her friend a hug.

"Thanks," Holland copied her smile, "And it's yours tomorrow."

"Yeah," Lily nodded with a laugh, "So I guess we'll be doing this all again."

"Well, I'm glad that I could be the rehearsal." Holland chuckled before turning to Margaret.

"Happy birthday." The Hufflepuff smiled warmly.

"I'm glad you're here," Holland told her, "Both of you," She added, also turning towards the redhead, "And you know this is the perfect excuse for you to talk to and properly meet Sirius." She said to Margaret, nodding her head over to where the said boy was with his friends, all of them shoving food into their mouths.

"She's right, you know." Lily nodded.

"Come on." Holland said, grabbing Margaret's hand and leading her over so that they joined the four Gryffindors, Lily following them.

"Do you think that I could fit fit marshmallows in my mouth?" James asked the group, holding up one of the said sweets in his hand.

"You're a hazard to society." Lily rolled her eyes with a small smile, as Holland leaned into Remus - who put his arm around her, bringing her in closer to her side.

"And a coward," The Irish girl added, "Do twenty." She challenged, making James smirk, accepting it.

"You do realise what you've just started, right?" Remus asked her with an amused smile.

"Keeps him quiet," Holland shrugged, Sirius agreeing with her, "Besides, what makes a birthday better than watching James Potter choke on a marshmallow."

"Fair point." Remus nodded, laughing.

"So, Remus," Sirius started, smirking at his friend, as James was on his twelfth marshmallow, "How does it feel to be dating an older woman?" He asked, making everyone laugh, and for James to choke on the marshmallows that were in his mouth.

"And this day has just gotten better!" Holland giggled with a smile.

***

The night continued, and whilst in the middle of a conversation with Peter and Lily, Holland smiled when she saw Sirius walk over to Margaret.

"I feel like I know you from somewhere." The boy told her, making the Hufflepuff look at him nervously, before glancing over to Holland - who gave her a reassuring look.

"Uh, y-yeah, well we've been in most of the same classes for the past six years." Margaret stuttered out.

"Yeah, I know that," Sirius nodded with a small laugh, "But. I-I just recognise your eyes from somewhere."

Margaret smiled, a sudden burst of confidence filling her body, "Well, maybe one day you'll remember." She said, before joining her friend's conversation, the birthday girl giving her a proud look, as Sirius watched her with curiosity across the room.

"Guys!" James called out, making everyone look at the boy, who was standing by the cake, which now had the candles lit, putting his wand back into his pocket, "It's time for the birthday girl to blow out her candles!" He exclaimed, making everyone walk over to the cake, Holland being brought over to it by Lily pulling on her hand.

"Make a wish!" Peter told her, "But don't tell anyone!"

Holland smiled, closing her eyes, before blowing out the candles on the cake, making everyone cheer and clap.

The Slytherin smiled, wrapping her hands around her boyfriend's arms, as he hugged her from behind.

Looking around, Holland felt the happiest that she had in a long time.

Here she was, surrounded by the people she loved, and she knew she was home.