A few days after Gryffindor’s victory in the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup, it was Marigold’s seventeenth birthday.

 After their classes ended for the day, James took Marigold outside to the Quidditch pitch to practise Quidditch together.

 Meanwhile, the other members of the Gryffindor Quidditch team gathered in the common room with Andrew, Lily and Hugo.

 “Are you sure we want to do this?” Rose asked. “James says Marigold isn’t a big fan of parties.”

 “I’m sure she won’t mind since it’s a celebration for her,” Fred replied.

 “Yeah, she deserves this,” Lily added.

 “It’s the least we can do for her, after what she did for us,” Hercules added.

 “Yeah, let’s get to work now,” Andrew clapped his hands.

* * *

 Marigold and James were still playing Quidditch, having a great time, when Rose arrived at the pitch.

 “You can come to the common room now,” she said. “But you must cover your eyes until we get there.”

 “Alright,” Marigold chuckled as she untied her tie and tied it over her eyes like a blindfold.

 Marigold was led by James, who took her arm, and Rose, who took the other, on their way to the Gryffindor common room.

 “I’m a little nervous,” Marigold giggled.

 “Don’t be,” James said.

 “It’ll be great,” Rose added.

 “Alright, I believe you,”

 The three soon arrived in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

 “Un vero eroe,” James stated the password.

 The portrait hole opened.

 “You can look now,” Rose said.

 When Marigold untied the tie and looked in front of her, her jaw dropped to the floor.

 The first thing she noticed was a brilliant red banner that read, “Happy birthday Marigold, the best Quidditch player at Hogwarts” in gold letters.

 The table was full of food: pumpkin juice, cherry syrup and soda, lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and ham sandwiches, sausages, chips, baked pumpkin, roast potatoes, custard tarts, ice cream, jelly, strawberries and a peaches and cream trifle. In the centre was a birthday cake that was shaped like a Golden Snitch.

 “How did you do all this?” Marigold asked, stunned.

 “James asked our grandmother Molly for the cake,” Rose replied.

 “He also asked Kreacher, one of the house-elves working down in the kitchens, to get us the food,” Andrew added.

 “Really?”

 Marigold looked over at James, who looked uncharacteristically shy.

 “Thanks, James,” she smiled.

 “No problem,” James felt a slight blush crawling up his cheeks.

 “And thank you to all of you,” Marigold beamed with happiness.

 “Anything for the best Quidditch player,” Georgina replied.

 Marigold, Andrew, James, Rose, Lily, Hugo, Fred, Hercules, Georgina and Noel all sat at the table. Marigold, who sat between Andrew and James, filled her plate with a little bit of everything.

 “Make sure you leave room for cake,” Rose reminded her.

 “Of course,” Marigold said.

 The Gryffindors eagerly began digging into the food.

 “So,” Andrew swallowed his pork chop. “How does it feel to be an adult?”

 “Not so different, actually,” Marigold replied, taking a sip of her soda. “I bet it isn’t new to you since you turned seventeen three months ago.”

 “You’re right, I don’t feel any different from before either,” he replied.

 Just then, Professor Longbottom came into the common room.

 “Here you are. I was looking for you all,” he said, glancing at the banner. “Once again, happy birthday, Miss Lupin-Black.”

 “Thank you, sir,”

 “Would you mind if I join your feast?”

 “Not at all, we would love to have you here,” Marigold said, gesturing for him to sit down.

 Professor Longbottom squeezed in between Rose and Hugo.

 “Are you sure it isn’t awkward for you to be eating here with a teacher?” he asked jokingly.

 “No, not at all. It’s a great honour, actually,” Marigold replied, taking a bite into her sausage.

 “The honour’s all mine,”

 Professor Longbottom blended right in with the students; if anything, they found his presence comfortable.

 “I wish Albus and Scorpius could also join us,” Marigold said, stabbing her potato with a fork.

 “I know, it would be nice if they allowed students to visit other houses’ common rooms.” Professor Longbottom replied, reaching over to grab a sandwich.

 “I wish David was here with us, too,” Andrew sighed.

 Professor Longbottom quietly pat him on the back in response.