Who: Justin, Ernie, and OPEN to Justin's friends (you may presume Ernie has sent them all invites!) What: A happy badger birthday to Justin - low-key because some people have to work! Where:Ernie's flat - food & drinks on the patio, couch and big bed available for cuddlepiles. When: Monday, September 22, later in the evening (backdated) Status: OPENish / Ongoing Because Justin's birthday fell on a weekday, Ernie had decided to save the wild clubbing night for an upcoming weekend, and instead had invited some of their friends over to his place for dinner, drinks, and conversation. He loved entertaining at his Muggle-area London flat - there were twinkling fairy lights out on the patio, which he'd furnished magically (and thankfully the spells weren't set to reverse until after midnight), the bed and sofa were full of pillows and blankets for cuddling, and the place was cleaner than the oft messy Ernie tended to keep it (but if he didn't, what would Hannah have to clean when she came to visit?).
Ernie had also decided to do all the cooking himself with a little help from his Mum, who had stayed for the meal before leaving for the night. He knew that not all of their friends could make it, and some couldn't make it until later, but he was glad to have those that were there around.
But more than anything, this was Justin's day and Ernie was just glad to be able to spend it with his best mate. After dinner, he'd brought out a large store-bought cake topped with sparkling candles for Justin to blow out, then had passed around bottles of wine and soda for people to drink.
It was now after dinner, the food mostly cleared away, and Ernie was sat next to Justin and their friends - life was good. He took the opportunity to stand and hold his glass of wine aloft, calling for quiet before he made a toast.
"To Justin Finch-Fletchley, the best mate a man could ever have. Long may your chimney smoke," he began, quoting an old Scottish blessing his father used to say, but then smirked. "And may you smoke many a long chimney."