Open Surprise birthday party!

[Ilija Olaf]

Ilija had wanted to put on something for his friend and dorm mates birthday ever since he'd overheard him talking about it one evening as they'd gotten ready for bed. He'd let as many people know as he could that they should come down to the lake, along with the date and the time, where the fourth year had set up a few picnic blankets of food and drinks, (an array as he wasn't completely certain on whether or not the Hufflepuff liked a couple of things) and waited for the others to join him. He'd gotten there a little early so that he could also tie down a few balloons too, and set up some music so that there was more than just the sound of the water to be heard that afternoon. Ilija had just dressed casually in a pair of shorts a t-shirt, and wore a pair of sunglasses that he'd bought recently, to keep himself by being blinded while out in the warmest month of the year.

Lastly, Ilija had asked his friend to meet him at the lake, under the thought that he needed some help studying for the upcoming exams, in the hopes it would put him off the scent of what really was going on. If everything worked out to plan, others would turn up just before Marco, and then it would be a surprise that the whole group was hear to give him a fun afternoon.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio was glad when Ilija had asked him to Marco's birthday party. He secretly had a crush on the boy, although given he'd agreed to go on a date with him during the last break, Elio assumed he'd felt the same way. While they weren't actually any officially more than friends, he still wanted to spend as much time with the Hufflepuff as he could. When he made his way to the spot Ilija had told him about, he greeted the boy, "Where shall I put this?" he asked, pointing to a large wrapped up present. He didn't really want to just stand around holding it, especially not when there was a lake to play in and pictures to take, and Elio had to be ready for that. Ilija pointed to one of the almost empty blankets, assigned "the present blanket," apparently, before kicking off his shoes and socks. "Good spot!" he grinned, jogging over towards the water and wondering who else would be coming along.

 

[Chrysander Kaster]

Chrys was aware that Marco's birthday had been coming up, but he hadn't been exactly sure of the date. He'd overheard his friend talking about it a couple of times, but Chrys never really paid attention to what they were saying when he was trying to concentrate on writing letters to Ofira. She always knew how to cheer him up and lately he'd been feeling a bit down. Not that he would let anyone know that, he was always the fun one, the one to be relied on to be happy at all times. That was his role in any friendship and if that meant he had to ignore his own problems for a while than so be it! He'd made his way down to the Lakefront, not a place he was often found to be honest, but it was a nice enough area, if a little grassy for his liking. He missed the sands and dirts of home. He found he'd been feeling a lot more homesick these days, and with Elsa and Ben currently being homeschooled he found there was really no reason why he couldn't also be homeschooled with them. He liked school, for the most part, but there was just something he was missing. Chrys caught sight of Ilija as he approached and the Gryffindor boy from the study session a few weeks prior. He was definitely cute, Chrys had thought so when he'd first met him and his opinion hadn't changed since. "Hey Ilija!" Chrys called, dropping his arms around his dorm mates shoulders and winking at him. "Yo, Elio right? Thanks for coming and helping us celebrate our boy, Marco!" Marco was such a nice guy, Chrys had always liked him.​

 

[Elsie Baros]

Elsie didn't know Marco particularly well, but they'd met a few weeks ago at the Study session and she'd known him very briefly as a classroom acquaintance with classes together and such, so when she'd heard from Chrysander that there was a party for the boy at the lake, she'd of course decided to go. Though she had no gifts for him, since she'd had no time to buy any, she'd settled on drawing him a picture. It was mostly just a doodle of something that she liked, because she didn't know him well enough to know what he liked, but she hoped he would like it just the same. She'd decided to bring Rowan along too and the two sisters chatted quietly to each other as they headed down to the Lake. She thought it was a bit of an odd place for a party though. Rowan hadn't wanted to come until Elsie had mentioned that Elio was going to be there. The fact that her sister had a crush on the Gryffindor amused her to no end. She had her suspicions about him of course, but she didn't know if he was out or not and she wasn't about to out him like that, even if it was to her sister. She guessed they were all just going to have to wait and see what happened. As they approached, she noted that Chrys, no surprise, was hanging all over Ilija. She rolled her eyes. That boy was far too touchy feely for her liking. "Hey Ilija, Chrys, Elio!" She said, looking around. "This place looks really nice, Ilija, I like what you've managed to set up."​

 

[Rowan Baros]

In all honesty, Rowan didn't really know who this party was for. The only reason she was even going was because of Elio, which maybe was a little bit wrong of her, but, she couldn't help it. It wasn't like she even really knew who Marco was anyway. She was sure he wouldn't mind her attending, but she probably wasn't going to have many people to talk to, although as she approached and noticed Chrys, Elio and Ilija also in attendance, she suddenly remembered that fourth year was not that big of a group and it was conceivable that Marco's friends would also be her friends. "Hi guys, hope you don't mind that I tagged a long," she said, inching slowly closer to Elio. She wasn't one to feel out of place, but she'd never known Elsie to be comfortable at these types of things so it was a bit of a surprise.​

 

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava had been surprised as soon as Zephyr mentioned a surprise party for someone. Of course, she was going to come! She didn't know who arranged it or even really who it was for. But she could fix that! She had been in the kitchens with Lily all morning, helping her make lots of muffins for the party. It was her gift to everyone! She had taken her painting of the galaxy and wrapped it for the boy. Zephyr had said his name was Marco. He sounded like he was a good kid, so of course, Ava wanted to be his friend. Besides, if Zephyr liked him then she would too! She came bouncing into the group of people. "Hello everyone!" She greeted enthusiastically. "I brought muffins!" She dropped her present with the others before looking around. "Hi, Zephyr!" She waved, before noticing a boy she'd met before. She skipped over to him and his friend, still holding the basket of muffins. "Ilija, right?" She asked brightly, looking around at everyone. Wow, she didn't know anyone else that was here. She could change that! "I'm Avaria," She announced to the group.

 

[Ilija Olaf]

Ilija hadn’t been sure what the turn out would be like, or if anyone he’d invited would bring others, but he was pleased when gradually more and more students he recognised began to turn up. He hadn’t spoken to many of them properly, although their faces were certainly familiar from class. Elio was the first to join, although Ilija wasn’t surprised, as far as he knew the Gryffindor liked to get as involved as he could with things. He pointed to the blanket specifically reserved for presents, and grinned when the second was placed next to his. The hufflepuff didn’t realise another student had joined them until he felt an arm over his shoulders, and unaccustomed to contact he looked across in shock to see another boy from their dormitory. If Abian came, they may nearly have the whole bunch! He eyed up Chrys for a moment, a little nervous of what was going to happen next. “Hi. Thanks for coming,” he shot a reassuring smile through his nerves, hoping he’d turn his attention to someone else soon.

It wasn’t long until Elsie showed up with her sister in tow, and the fourth year waved at his friend. They’d had their own chats by the lakefront not too long ago and if anyone knew how relaxing Ilija thought the lake was, it was the Ravenclaw. He grinned bashfully at her comment, “Thank you,” before looking across to Rowan. He only really knew her from class, but she seemed nice. “Of course. It’s good you came,” he replied, his voice gradually becoming quieter the more people arrived and his shyness kicked in. He could only nod at Avaria when she joined too, and while he was glad that people were joining, he hoped Marco would turn up soon.

 

[Abian Hunter]

Abian had been excited to hear about the surprise party for Marco. Over the years Abian had made friends in different houses, but he had never grown very close to his roommates. He was glad that seemed to be changing, and he was excited for this party. He hadn't had time to get a gift, but had brought a supply of chocolate frogs he'd bought at the last Brightstone weekend. Abian made his way to the lake, glad to see he wasn't too late. He grinned at Ilija and Chrysander, and was glad to see a few other classmates as well. "Hey!" He said happily. "He's going to be so surprised!"

 

[Elio Zephyr]

The Gryffindor waved at one of the Hufflepuffs that thanked him. Elio wasn’t sure if he really knew him all that well but he was certainly up for changing that. Elio looked over his shoulder at a familiar voice and grinned when he saw Ava. “You came!” He put out one arm hoping for a hug as she was introducing herself to a couple of people and showing off her muffins, she always did like to bring something handmade, “Dat is lief van je*,” he mumbled, wondering whether his present was even going to be good enough. He hadn’t been to the lake with the Ravenclaw since the time they’d both ended up in it a few years ago, although he was quite confident that wasn’t going to happen again. This place was beginning to get busy now and he liked that, it meant no one had to worry about awkward small talk or anything. “Are we gonna like, hide in the bushes or something?” He asked with a grin towards Rowan. It was meant to be a surprise party after all.

*That is so sweet of you

 

[Avaria Lockwood]

Ava glanced over to see Zephyr hold his arm out for a hug. Without a thought she skipped over, swinging her basket, and hugged him. "Hi Zephyr!" She greeted again with a bright smile. Staying next to him, she looks south to the lake and giggled. "Let's not fall in this time," She teased him. She glanced up as he asked a question to a girl she recognized. "Hello!" She greeted cheerily and skipped over to the girl. "I'm Avaria!" She introduced herself with a bright smile. She could be friends with more people! Which reminded her, where was Alice? Was she coming? Ava looked around. "Zephyrrr, have you seen Allie?" She asked, still looking for the Hufflepuff.

 

[Marco Mariani]

Marco hadn’t been doing much for his birthday so far, and he wasn’t sure if he had mentioned it to his friends or not, he couldn’t quite remember. Since he hadn’t seen them yet today, especially Ilija having slipped out of the common room before the boy could remind him what day it was, they probably hadn’t. The fourth year sighed as he wandered the castle, with no luck. He wanted to ask if Ilija or Elio or really just anyone wanted to hang out and do something fun. Marco liked to have a study break, and there was no way he would be sitting in front of books during his special day. Marco then realised that if there was one place he could find his friends, it would be the outdoors, right? They had similar interests to him, after all. ​

 

[Ilija Olaf]

Ilija sure hoped Marco would be surprised. It was the plan after all. He was glad to see Abian turn up too as it meant most of their dormitory was now here. He wasn’t the only one looking for Alice though when he realised Avaria asking about her. Careful not to show that he was listening intently to anyone’s response, he instead looked up to see Marco headed their way. By the looks of it, he hadn’t seen them and their little gathering yet. “Guys, be quiet!” He called out although his voice was barely more than a whisper as he tried to carry it across the group. Now that Marco was nearly here, he was suddenly doubting himself and his plans to pull this off successfully. The fourth year pointed in the direction of the Hufflepuff, hoping others would twig on.