Poppy awoke that morning with both excitement and dread. Today, May 10th, was her birthday. Normally, this would be a joyous, celebrated occasion that the young Dashwood would squeal over with her family and friends. In fact, most of her recent birthdays she’d done just that. It was a familiar event by now waking in her four-poster bed in Ravenclaw Tower and rushing to dress, prep and race down to the Great Hall to anxiously await the mail. Today however, on the morning of her eighteenth birthday, the brunette simply turned over in her sheets and stared up at the bed canopy pensive.

She was now eighteen years old. She was… officially of age to do just about anything. Marry, murder, join the legions of aurors… None of this was new, per se, and none of it affected her directly at this moment, but the sensation that it could was odd. Slowly, Poppy pulled back her sheets and began the process to dress. She was quiet the whole of the time, and even descended the stairs with subdued grace as the others traipsed by her eagerly down to the Great Hall. She paused, dramatically, at the entrance and scanned the familiar tables for June. If there was ever a moment she needed her best friend, today was it. Even if only to distract her and bring back the joy of birthday celebration.

Spotting the blonde across the hall, Poppy made her way over. Then, sliding into the seat beside June - and ruffling a few Slytherin feathers but who cared about them right now? - Poppy heaved a heavy sigh. “The day has finally come,” she said with a dramatic flourish. “The death toll rings closer as the reaper sets his sights.” 

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Juniper was quite aware that today was her best friend’s birthday; they’d spent many days and nights over the past several years musing on what it would be like to be considered an adult and what their debuts would be like, but now that the occasion was here, she wished she could push it away. She wasn’t ready to be considered of marrying age and to be flaunted in front of men in hopes of grabbing one’s attention just long enough for him to consider courtship and marriage. She didn’t want to be trapped at someone’s side because she was quite aware that her own hobbies and likes would dissipate as she’d be expected to take on those of her husband’s. At least Poppy would go first.

June grabbed the neatly wrapped box from beneath her bed before she ascended the staircase from the dungeons, her lips pursing together as she found she’d beaten her friend to the Great Hall. She took a seat at the Slytherin table, where she chatted with a few of her housemates. It wasn’t until one scoffed that she looked up, grinning at her dear friend as she dramatically delivered a good morning. Turning eighteen was a big deal for both of them, but June couldn’t help but giggle as she nudged their shoulders together. “Some of us still have our youth at this table so I wouldn’t announce too loudly that you’re an old lady now.” She smirked and winked at her.

“Happy birthday, Poppy. I suppose you’ll be getting a few things today?” She mused, her eyes shifting upward as the mail owls began their morning deliveries. June pushed the box in front of her before she scooted over, leaving her room for what gifts she knew a few of her family and friends would shower her with.

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Frowning at her friends retort, Poppy couldn’t help but shoulder June gently. “Don’t poke fun at my misery,” she admonished, even as a smile broke over her lips. “I refuse to ever age!” Poppy declared, raising her chin defiantly. "Not until I’ve lived a full life, a life of adventure!” For a moment both Professor Lissington and Kristoffer Lestrange crossed her mind and Poppy’s smile only widened. She did have a lot left to do in this life, she supposed. Perhaps turning eighteen wouldn’t be so bad… It afforded her more freedom to try for those things at least, if that was what she desired.

Turning to grin at her best friend, Poppy nodded gratefully at June’s birthday wishes. She didn’t say anything in response to June’s quip about gifts; she knew her cousin Atticus would send something, and probably mama too, much as they did every year. She just hoped it wasn’t anything ridiculously embarrassing.

As the post began to circle above, Poppy looked up at the flurry of owls. She couldn’t pick Merlin out of the crowd, but she was sure he was probably up there. Then, out of the blue, one, two, three, four! owls swooped down and dropped things in front of her. Poppy nearly shrieked from the ferocity of it. Merlin - trailing behind the rest - tumbled into June’s plate, knocked off his rhythm by a big horned owl with a package and Poppy scooped him up quickly. (She knew he was a feisty one and she didn’t want him snapping at the other owl and making a scene.) She mumbled an apology to her friend on behalf of the little thing and snuggled him close.

“I daresay you were right…” she mumbled then to June. “It seems the rest of the world has also decided to remind me of my most pertinent age.” She sighed again and moved to hand off the fluffy little thing. If June gave him a crumb or two, she wouldn’t tell Atticus.  

---

“Please, marry the first man who asks and I’ll do the same, so we can travel the world without the need of chaperones.” June grinned at her friend; they were both picky individuals, and while she had every intention of falling in love before she married she knew Poppy wanted other things. Plus marriage during the first season was almost unheard of for new debutantes and she knew she had at least a couple years to whittle down the complete ewsnos, and who she should flirt with when the next season began; who she'd have to see during the offseason to remind him that she was in fact, a thing. (Not that Juniper Edevane was hard to forget.) She wrinkled her nose before she glanced upward at the incoming owls.

Most of them blended together, some larger than others, some carrying parcels while some clutched letters between their talons, and June laughed as four parcels dropped in front of her dear friend. The Dashwoods and Foxwoods tended to spoil the girl and she couldn’t wait to see what theatrics the gifts had attached to them - they got bigger and better each year, although she could only hope Poppy wouldn’t catch her sleeve on fire like she’d done a few years ago. A tiny owl she recognized as Merlin tumbled into her plate, and the scops owl looked positively angry before he snuggled into Poppy’s arms.

Laughing quietly at her friend’s quip, she took Merlin into her arms when offered. Then, finding she wasn’t going to eat anything further from a plate that had been full of owl, she tore off a bit of the scone she’d been eating and held out to him; Merlin nearly nipped the tips of her fingers as he greedily took it from her. June frowned at the owl but he ruffled his feathers before pressing against her chest. June sighed.

“It’s a big birthday, so I can’t feign shock. I think I can spot Atticus’ present out of all of them though.” The blonde laughed quietly, nodding her head toward the largest of boxes. It was neatly wrapped too, although she had a sneaking suspicion it was courtesy of one of the staff members. The bows on top gave it away, too. “Open mine first so you’re not too disappointed with it compared to everyone else.” She was proud of hers though.

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Poppy couldn’t help the bubbly little laugh that escaped her vocals at the suggestion June made about marrying the first man who asked. She wasn’t so confident in her abilities to think that there would be more than one, ever, frankly - but Poppy did hope that whenever the opportunity arose she would be eager to accept it anyhow. She didn’t particularly care to marry for love, more for protection, and there couldn’t be that many wealthy, powerful, non-violent men out there willing to take her on could there? She was hoping to find just one…

As the owls arranged themselves and took off with their pride, all save for Merlin, Poppy eyed the gaggle of gifts before her. Already she was drawing attention from a few unfriendly Slytherins and her face felt warm. “Perhaps I should take them up to the common room and open them there…” she said, hesitantly. But before she could really make much of a decision, June was asking the Ravenclaw to open hers first and Poppy couldn’t help but oblige. She gave the blonde a shy smile, and tugged closer that first gift.

It was wrapped neatly in a soft blue paper that shimmered in the light. Poppy noted made to tug the edges gently apart. She didn’t particularly care to save the wrapping, but she also didn’t like simply ripping things and tearing them open. Instead, she took her time unraveling the ribbons and etcetera that housed June’s gift. When at last all the trappings fell away, Poppy was left with the most elegant little music box she had ever laid eyes on. A small gasp escaped the girl.

“June,” she breathed. “It’s beautiful!” Poppy picked it up and wound the large turn-key poking out the side of the box. “Wherever did you find something like this?!”

---

June placed her hand on top of the music box, sending Merlin flopping back to the table; it was a dark brown box with outstretched sides, carved with exquisite floral blooms. The flowers bloomed and withered throughout the day, constantly shifting on the side of the box while the top was opened and the music played. The top of the box held a carving filled with gold - a tune she couldn’t name, but was sure was the song the box itself played.

“Don’t open it,” the blonde warned quietly, her hands dropping away from the box. “I got it from Knockturn Alley, and you’ll find people get particularly… sleepy when the lullaby plays.” If she had thought about it, Juniper would have thrown in beeswax to plug her ears to keep herself awake if Poppy ever chose to use it. People thought she had a pension for slipping away from chaperones - her friend was even worse! She just seemed to get caught a lot less.

June offered her a smile and an accompanying wink, saying no more. “Or you know. When my old lady friend can't fall asleep. What else did you get?” Merlin hooted, unhappy with the lack of attention and took flight to leave. He knew he’d at least get some head scratches from Atticus.

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Poppy eyed the blonde beside her as June came to put her hand on the lid of the ornate box. She nodded, solemnly, picking up what her friend was putting down. What a clever trick! A music box that allowed her to escape chaperones. “Thank you,” Poppy beamed. “And thank you for the birthday wishes,” she added, more delicately. “Even if they come with the tactless teasing of one who will soon be in the same position!”

Laughing quietly to herself, Poppy set the box aside and wrapped her arms around the blonde. It was so easy, so comfortable, this physical contact with her friend. Almost like they were sisters, but not quite. Giving June a kiss on the cheek, Poppy turned back to her other gifts. She tugged the one mentioned previously out of the heap and noted that it was, in fact, from her cousin Atticus. It was the largest of all the gifts thus far and Poppy couldn’t help but roll her eyes affectionately at the thought. He did like spoiling her, Atticus, and she adored him all the more for it.

Poppy read his well-wishing note with some chagrin but as the last few sentences came into focus, her face contorted into something much more akin to glee - or dare she admit it - excitement. “Atticus has invited me to the derby this Sunday!” She exclaimed, showing Juniper the card. “How exciting!” Poppy knew her cousin’s family was sponsoring the derby, as were the Blackwoods. It had been the sole topic of conversation all around the castle these past few weeks. Turning to the girl beside her, Poppy placed a gentle hand on June’s arm. “You should write to your father, see if he can excuse you to come as well!”

---

June smiled brightly at her friend and nodded, her arms wrapping around the brunette in a tight hug; these were the moments she’d miss the most - being able to see Poppy (mostly) whenever she felt like it, the hugs and the overall love she felt for her friend. Being stuck under the same roof as her real sister was going to put her in a permanent sour mood. The girl let her go and June hummed quietly. “I still have sixteen whole days to rub that I’m still a child in your face, and as an adult, you can’t bully me.” She would be true to her word too, as long as she could tell it wasn’t rubbing her friend the wrong way.

A kiss was pressed to her cheek and June laughed quietly, resting her head against Poppy's shoulder for a moment. The attention turned back toward the girl’s presents and she watched Poppy roll her eyes. Definitely from Atticus then. It was clear her elder cousin adored her and in turn she adored him. June couldn’t say she was that close to anyone in her family. A card was waved in her face and June delicately took it from her, reading over the words. “That’s very exciting! Atticus is a very brave man to chaperone at that kind of event.” She mused quietly. The event was going to be boisterous and lively with drinks and magic flowing, although if anyone would keep an eagle eye on Poppy, it would be her cousin. She laughed as a hand was placed on her arm.

Alistair Edevane was pretty much allowing her to get all the things she wanted to do out of her system prior to debut, although he had personally taken to chaperoning her with threats of what would happen if she disappeared from his sight. He was someone June wasn’t daft enough to slip away from. She handed the note back to her friend. “Are you sure you’d want me to intrude? I’m sure he’d say yes. Papa and his wife are already planning to attend, although I think she’s only going to the night portion.” It sounded exciting and something only a select few would get to speak about having attended. It just meant that Ophelia would also be signed out for the night - her twin would certainly live a boring life if Juniper wasn’t always begging their father to sign them out for this or that.

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Rolling her eyes at June, Poppy huffed in the most lady-like manner possible. “I’ll bully you all I please! It is the adult’s right, don’t you know!” She chirped. “Else what have I to laud over you in my senility?" A grin spread across the girl’s face as she leaned into her friend’s cuddle.

As June then questioned her as to Poppy’s being most serious about the invitation to the derby, the Ravenclaw couldn’t help but laugh. “Of course! It will be all the more enjoyable with you there! Please, write to him.” She urged, ardently. Then, hoping her friend would do as much, Poppy placed the note carefully on the table while eyeing Juniper. She tugged at the ribbons of Atticus’s gift, absently, and then jumped as a loud pop! nearly started her out of her wits! Poppy shrieked a high pitched little sound in her fright, attracting all the attention of the Great Hall. A hand came up to cover her mouth as she watched Atticus’ gift spurt little colorful pieces of paper all over the place!

When the show finally ended, Poppy adjusted her seat, face very, very warm. She could feel eyes on her as she spared a glance towards June. Brown eyes met green and Poppy bit her lower lip to keep from laughing. Atticus was going to get an earful about this on Sunday!

---

She couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s quip and merely nodded. She knew whatever Poppy threw back at her in the next two weeks would be out of a place of love and she could take that in stride. “Okay, I’ll write to him after breakfast.” Juniper responded, and she meant it. Her father would probably roll his eyes at her, ask her why she wanted to go (and she would mention Poppy by name this time and how they wanted to celebrate her birthday there!), and then agree to the whole ordeal. He was rather easy to convince and despite being a cold man on the surface, he would always have a soft spot for all his children.

Lost in her own thoughts, Poppy shrieked and June found herself gasping loudly as she grasped the edge of the table to keep from tumbling off the bench, her hand pressed to her chest as it heaved. It took a moment for her eyes to focus on the color pieces of confetti fluttering in the air, coating the table and floor with paper. Her eyes shifted over to Poppy and the moment their eyes met Juniper couldn’t help but laugh. She covered her mouth rather quickly to muffle the noise, but it was already too late.

She opened her mouth to speak but found herself wheezing. It took another moment before the blonde found her voice. “At least nothing is on fire. That’s a step-up from previous years.” Then she paused and glanced at the floor. "You should save it all for his birthday and give him a heart attack."

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Poppy was bloody mortified.

Despite the shriek she’d given out, practically alarming the entirety of the Great Hall, she couldn’t help the giggles threatening to burst out of her chest from humiliation and amusement. Atticus was a real cad! As June popped like a balloon into giggles beside her, Poppy forced herself to muffle her own as best as possible. “It’s not funny!” she hissed. As the laughter finally faded out from inside, Poppy felt the warm blush spread further down her neck. The rest of the hall had long since resumed its own business, even the nosy Slytherins nearby turning pointedly away to ignore her, but it still felt embarrassing.

As Poppy looked at June then, she couldn’t help but agree. At least nothing was on fire. Yet. She still had a pile of gifts to open. “He will certainly be getting something for this,” she replied, already scheming. “What should we do? Put a popper under his seat at the derby?” Poppy tugged at the ribbon the rest of the way and watched as it fell aside to reveal a gift box. Inside, was a plethora of wonderful candies, snacks, her favorite tea, and even… what was this? Poppy pulled out a funny little package that turned out to be a gift box. Inside there was a beautiful fan, like nothing she’d ever seen before. There was also another, smaller box, silk lined and holding a golden pendant with the Ravenclaw crest. Tears threatened to build in her eyes as the brunette looked at everything, likely from the emotional rollercoaster the confetti bomb had already set her on. “Alright,” she amended, gently. “Perhaps not a popper, but definitely a scolding…”

Poppy’s voice trailed off as she turned over all the lovely things her cousin had sent. He was always so thoughtful! She looked at June then and offered the blonde both the box of goodies and the pendant to see. “Help me eat these, please,” she begged. “I won’t finish even half of them!”

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Poppy was hissing at her but it was was funny, especially as the brunette was instantly scheming how to get back at her cousin for the humiliation. A popper under his seat would be quite amusing and she could already see his face contorting to something akin to unamusement, although he’d save the truth scolding for closed doors. This was why the pair lost so many house points as first years, although at least they were in separate houses and didn’t lose double the points. Poppy’s face was bright red and June but her lower lip to keep herself from bursting into another fit of giggles; instead she steadied herself back on the bench and loosened her grip on the table.

Poppy opened the box and a plethora of sweets and tea filled it, a couple spilling out onto the table, although she found more interest in the real gifts her cousin had stuffed inside. “Atticus would immediately return you to Hogwarts and take away all the fun if he knew you put a popper under his seat, anyway.” June finally replied. She leaned forward and looked at the pendant, her breath catching in her throat before he glanced back up at her friend. “It’s beautiful Poppy. Do you want me to help you clasp it?” She wasn’t sure if was something her friend would look at or wear for special ocasisons.

Then June laughed and shook her head. “We both have debut dresses to fit into, and I’m afraid if I indulge in all this, the dress won’t fit. The first years might love you. I’ve even heard Professor Lissington will trade things for candy.”

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Nodding at her friend as Juniper offered to clasp the pendant for her, Poppy held it up and turned her back. She toyed gently with the necklace as it settled against her collarbone. It really was such a thoughtful gift of Atticus to have sent. She would keep it stowed away somewhere safe to wear only when she most needed a small hint of Hogwarts to get her through. For today however, she would wear it proudly, imbuing the item with all the Hogwarts magic and memories she could manage.

Turning back to June, she laughed into her hand at the thought of trading Professor Lissington candy for a better grade. She wasn’t daft enough to cheat, but Poppy had come to rather like the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Perhaps she would swing by his office later and drop off some treats for him. “That’s a good idea,” she chirped to June, gratefully.

“Which one should I open next?” Poppy asked, appraising her heap of goodies. There was a smaller brown package near the back that one of the school owls had dropped off - or at least it looked like a school owl? - and Poppy wondered if that might be from Basil. Scooping it up and glancing at the handwriting, she grinned. It was. “How about you open this one for me?” She said, offering the little box to June. “I don’t think Bas- Professor Foxwood would enchant his box too terribly, but better safe than sorry - right?”

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Some people said upper class women were useless when it came to getting ready on their own because they always had maids to help, but June was proud to say she’d managed to properly clasp the necklace on her first try when Poppy turned around for her to put it on. Then she offered a smile and a nod as her friend considered trading the young professor sweets for something. She’d heard he’d spun tales of his Curse Breaking days for those who wanted to listen, while others had one of the many trinkets scattered across his desk. The blonde wrinkled her nose - he was almost a hoarder, but at least he didn’t seem attached to most of the items.

“I hope Professor Foxwood’s turns into a bunch of birds.” That was always one of the blonde’s favorite spells - watching objects turn into a flock of birds and float around the room until they transfigured back into their original purpose. She did actually like the class, this year had just been tough when her mind constantly went to how it had been used against her. Professor Foxwood hadn’t shown the darker side of Transfiguration and doubted he would, especially this late in the year.

June took the box from Poppy’s hands and pushed it slightly away from her. Then with bated breath she gently pulled the twine wrapped around the brown paper before opening the edges with her fingers, pulling them back rather quickly as she felt a warm singe against a couple of them. Miniature fireworks shot upward with a hiss and the blonde still jumped as the first few burst in the air.

She turned to her friend with a side eye. “Do you think they planned this together?” June deadpanned, trying to hide the smile against her lips. She slid the open package back toward Poppy.

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Poppy hummed as June expertly latched the necklace. Then, turning back towards her friend she wrinkled her nose delicately. She did not want Professor Foxwood’s gift to turn into a handful of birds; that would draw even more attention than they already had. Luckily, it didn’t. Instead, it threw up little fireworks that glowed against their faces as June passed the opened package back to her. Grinning, Poppy accepted it carefully at the edges. (They’d learned the hard way about not touching those fireworks last year…)

“Knowing them, likely not. They’re just brothers,” Poppy rolled her eyes on the word ‘brothers’ and laughed. She tugged at the final few wrappings of the thing and came to find a small pile of goodies inside her box. The most interesting of these, aside from perhaps the potions book she hadn’t yet looked at, was… “A remembrall!” Poppy lifted the beautiful little object and turned it to see it flicker and dispel light through the glass around a swirling fog inside. It was presently clear, meaning she hadn’t forgotten anything.

“It’s beautiful…” she murmured. Handing it to June and lifting the card to be sure it was actually from Basil, Poppy frowned a touch. Something had just fallen out of the folded parchment with his birthday wishes. Turning it over, the girl gasped lightly and brought a hand to cover her mouth. It was… a moving image. An image of them, as children. This must have been the first time Basil met her. He had to have been about ten? (Poppy did a quick calculation to check her math.) “It’s me…” she breathed quietly, and leaning over to show June. Turning to look at the note itself, she definitely heard his familiar voice in the words there. He hadn’t called her Poppyseed since she was the size of a seed though. Poppy felt her eyes mist again and she shut them, not letting her ridiculous emotions mar this moment. She was grateful that Basil had sent this image, more than anything else he could have tucked into the box. It was his way of reminding her they were family; through the thick of it, they always would be. Everything was forgiven.

Poppy tucked the image carefully back into its parchment and held it for a moment. She always had a habit of keeping her well-wishes, but this one had to go somewhere special. Picking out a few more goodies form the box, she laughed then as a few pumpkin pasties made an appearance. These were Basil’s favorite. She was impressed he’d managed to find some this time of year. “I suppose he can be sentimental when he wants to be…” she said, gently, smiling.

---

Professor Foxwood was a concoction of sentimental and useful; a remembrall would come in handy, especially with Poppy’s debut in the coming month, and June could only laugh blithely at the onslaught of letters she knew she’d receive when the ball turned red for the first time. Her friend would not take kindly to that and racking her brain for what she was forgetting would drive her mad. She took the ball as it was handed to her, her face scrunching before relaxing as it remained the same color.

Not that it mattered, as she pampered over Poppy’s shoulder the moment she gasped, cooing at the baby picture that was her and a young Professor Foxwood. “You were a tiny baby,” June stated, watching as the young man gazed down with love in his eyes. It was odd seeing him with such emotion written across his face, although she supposed it would be an odd emotion to show during class. Resting her hand against her back as Poppy’s eyes began to tear up, she could only smile at her, allowing her friend a moment with her own thoughts. Whatever had gone through her head seemed to have processed quickly, as she was tucking the image back into the parchment before digging through the box for the physical items he’d sent her.

“I would surmise the Foxwoods would like to open a bakery for how many baked goods they’ve sent you today,” June joked as she pushed some of the sweets that had tumbled from Atticus’ present toward her. “Though I’m impressed he could find pumpkin pastries in the middle of May. Keep the packaging so you know where to find them next month. He’d really enjoy that.” She reached around her and dropped the ball back into the box. "Is the next one from your mum?"

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