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Bella doesn't hear anything from the librarian, and, when she checks in, is told that there is nothing - no expert faculty, no further available books, no correspondence course, nothing. The librarian does at least seem sympathetic. Bella is unhappy. She reads all the books on Occlumency, finds no clues, and tentatively gives up in the face of so much else to do. Her theory teacher, a Scottish import who takes a liking to her, calls her "his little Ravenclaw", which Bella looks up and determines to be a compliment.

She meets the library elves - Mith, Kay, and their small child who nonetheless does a prodigious amount of work, Hazzy. They are friendly, but don't seem to really understand her questions about them; at any rate no one seems to be gratuitously abusing them beyond allowing them their work, so she solicits their invaluable services in book-hunting.

Meanwhile, Sherlock settles into an unschedule. He's allowed the sleeping potion twice weekly to avoid dependence and excess side effects, and uses it Tuesdays and Thursdays; on weekends, Bella tries to absent herself from the room as much of the day as possible to let him catch up, and she does the same thing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the afternoons. Sometimes she sleeps over in Tony's room, but this leaves her with an awful crick in her back even after she learns a Cushioning Charm, and she doesn't like to do it more than once or twice weekly.

Bella's birthday arrives, and Euterpe comes in with gifts from home - arm-warmers and candy and a calligraphy kit from Renée, a book and money "because I don't know what you need where you are" from Charlie. She does not get a broom from Tony. She did not really expect a broom from Tony, especially after ceasing to be her roommate, so she doesn't sulk or even comment.

Sherlock gets her a present, though, and if it's not quite better than a broom it's at least close. It appears on her desk, which narrows down the suspects, and he admits it when she asks, and it's a book on something called -

The Philosopher's Stone.

It doesn't have a recipe. No one knows the recipe. But it has lots of stuff about it.

Bella makes up her mind to become much more attentive in Potions.

And Sherlock gets very, very hugged.
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"You are very welcome," he says.

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"This is the best present, I don't even mind that Tony was kidding about the broomstick after all," says Bella gleefully.

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"Tony promised you a broomstick?" says Sherlock. "She was not kidding. She forgot. If you remind her, you will get an embarrassed apology and a broomstick."

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"She didn't really promise," Bella says. "...Really?"

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"Really," says Sherlock. "Try it and see."

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"It wouldn't be - I dunno, taking advantage of her having said something silly when she knew me for like an hour?"

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"She meant it when she said it, and she is better friends with you now than she was then."

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"Okay. I will, then."

At dinner, she does. "Sherlock says I should remind you about getting me a broomstick for my birthday," she says.
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"...Crap," says Tony. "I totally forgot to get you a broomstick for your birthday! Lemme owl my mom before I forget again."

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Bella giggles. "Okay. Thank you!"

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"Seriously," she says, "I'm going right now."

And she does.
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Bella squirms with delight and nibbles on her chile relleno.

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Feral takes a seat beside her and says, "Where'd your friend go and what's got you in such a great mood?"

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"Tony went to owl her mom. It's my birthday! She said she was going to get me a broom and she forgot but Sherlock said I should remind her so I did."

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"Rich friend," comments Feral. "Nice rich friend. Lucky you. Happy birthday, what'd you turn?"

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"Eleven," says Bella. "I was just inside the cutoff to get into sixth grade here this year instead of next."

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"Cool," says Feral. "I dunno how old I am, I forgot my birthday, but I'm probably twelve-ish."

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"You could make up a birthday," Bella says, "so people would know when to get you presents."

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"I'll think about it," he says.

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She smiles and goes on eating. "How's my eleventh birthday been treating you?"

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"Pretty good!" he says. "Maybe I should steal it."

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"Then it would be your birthday and I wouldn't have gotten you anything," Bella points out.

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"So?" says Feral. "I didn't get you anything either."

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"I guess, but I would get you something if I knew your birthday was coming. I'm not sure what though."

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"You're gonna have a hard time getting me a birthday present if you don't know what to get," he giggles. "Maybe I should wait until next year to make one up."

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