July 31st, 1998
As the sun emerged from over the hill, a beam managed to burst through the curtains of the youngest Weasley's bedroom and settled on an asleep 18 year old, illuminating the dust particles that whizzed around the air. The spot on Harry's chin grew bigger as more sunlight filled the bedroom until it was shining directly into his eyes and he was awoke blindly. As his hands fumbling for his glasses, a cool and gentle touch caressed his cheek and when he turned towards the touch, his glasses appeared on the bridge of his nose.
"Happy birthday Harry." The whisper tickled Harry's cheek and as his eyes focused into his glasses, he was greeted by a cute, innocent, red headed beauty inches away from his face. The corners of his lips pulled up into a smile and he kissed the first thing he could reach which happened to be her nose.
Pulling himself up, he rested his head on the headboard and lifted Ginny up so her head was leaning on his chest. His fingers begun to pull through her hair and she closed her eyes. "Do you feel any different now that you are an official adult?" Ginny murmured, not needing to talk normally to be heard in the quiet bedroom.
Harry shrugged and Ginny's head gently moved up and down along with his shoulders. "I don't feel any different. Are you supposed to?" Once the tangles were out of Ginny's hair, Harry's hands moved to just stroking her back, tracing her vertebrae and caressing the gap between her shoulder blades.
"How would I know? According to Hermione, she didn't feel anything."
"That's because we were searching for Horcruxes on her birthday. None of us knew what date it was usually," Harry said, his other hand sweeping across Ginny's delicate, plush cheek repeatedly. At that moment, they both heard a clatter of china from floors below and knew that the house was beginning to wake up. "I think we should get up and help."
Ginny reached up and kissed Harry tenderly on the lips, leaving her lips to linger millimetres away. But being the tease she was, when Harry moved forward for more, she ducked under the covers and wiggled out of the bed. She wrapped her dressing gown around her body and slid into her slippers.
"That is not fair Ginevra Weasley. I'm the birthday boy. Shouldn't you be moving heaven and earth making this the best birthday ever?" Harry sat on his bed, his feet dangling off the bed and sliding into his slippers. He folded his arms across his chest and pouted like Dudley when he realised he didn't get as many presents this year from Father Christmas.
Ginny moved around her bed post and stood in front of Harry, her feet tight together and her hands settling on his shoulders. "Oh you're right Harry. How about …?" She bent forward and pushed Harry's back onto the bed. Her lips touched his and he quickly grabbed her waist, pulling her on top of him. The kiss was never broken and it rapidly increased in intensity until their breathing was short and heavy and their lips were touching more and more frequently until they were permanently fixed onto each other. Harry rolled over and placed his arms around her neck, never once leaving her lips.
It wasn't until another clatter sounded that they actually broke apart. Slowly, Harry rolled to lie on his back next to Ginny and their chests moved up and down in unison, breathing deeply, filling up their lungs. The pair focused on the ceiling. Posters were plastered all over with memorabilia over the near 17 years of Ginny's life. There was a Holyhead Harpies logo, flashing brightly and the team would shoot up from the bottom of the poster to the top in an arrow formation. Gryffindor scarves were draped like streamers. Random pieces of parchment were pinned. Harry never knew that Ginny could draw. She was very good but she never showed anyone outside her immediate family.
"I'm hungry," Harry moaned as sat up and looked over at him. She smiled up at him and giggled before standing up and walking towards the door. Quickly Harry whipped on his dressing gown and walked over to Ginny who was waiting patiently by the door.
She stood up on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek fleetingly and moved up to his ear. She was a little too short to reach but still. "Happy birthday Harry." Her heels touched the floor and she was suddenly pulled in for an embrace.
Harry rested his chin on top of Ginny's hair and stroked it until it ended at the bottom of her shoulders blades. "This is the best birthday ever." He kissed the top of her head, told hold of her hand and together they left the bedroom and started down the wonky stairs.
Giggling quietly in case she woke someone up, Ginny smiled up at Harry. "It's only been 10 minutes since you woke up."
"If the rest of the day is anything like the first 10 minutes, it's definitely going to be the best birthday ever."
"Thankyou Mrs Weasley but I am full," Harry said, pushing his plate away from him and leaning back in his chair at the head of the table, rubbing in stomach from side to side. After consuming about 10 pancakes with lemon and sugar and a full Muggle English breakfast that he had taught Mrs Weasley at the beginning of the summer accompanied with freshly squeezed pumpkin juice, he was fit to burst.
Ron, however, had room for more. "I'll have Harry's helping Mum," he said, stretching his head up like a meerkat and scanning the kitchen for more food. His eyes popped out and he scrambled across the table to a plate of pancakes. His fingers were just centimetres from the plate when a newspaper slammed down on his hand and crushed it against the table.
"Ronald Weasley! Keep your dirty hands away from your father's breakfast." Molly Weasley, returned the Daily Prophet to Hermione who was silently laughing and returned to the cooker, waving her wand around her head which made everyone's plates levitating and disperse themselves gently into the sink.
Ginny, still laughing at Ron's horror struck face, folded her hand into Harry's and squeezed it firm. Her eyes stared into Lily Potter's green emeralds and her heart melted at the beauty of them and the face they were the centre of. A smile broke out of her face and she pulled his hand up to her lips, not purposely kissing them but keeping her lips on his warm skin.
"Happy birthday Harry," Arthur Weasley cheered, descending the final few stairs and walking the length of the table towards Harry. He was smiling with a simple spring in his step and a twinkle in his eyes.
Arthur was a lot stronger than his wife. He was always mourning Fred's death and the passing of Remus and Tonks but he was too busy to cry because he was always drying his wife's eyes. But a week after the funeral, Arthur returned from a trip with George to Diagon Alley and together they were guffawing loudly, the pair both clutching at their stomachs. Everyone looked at them with wide eyes and perfect 'O's for mouths.
Apparently the front of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes had been littered with every flower known to the world. They varied from blood red roses from admirers to bunches of hand-picked daises laid by young witches and wizards. It was inside that Mr Weasley and George made the revelation that Fred would want everyone to be happy and smiling, laughing and giggling. They owed him that after he died for them all to live on and be happy.
The very next day, George, with the help of Lee Jordan, opened up shop and had the best profit since the very first day they opened. Everyone came teeming into and buying out most of the stock and George was more than happy to take all their money because he knew Fred would have.
Ever since then, the Burrow had been a cheery and upbeat house, beginning with Mr Weasley who was always smiling from the second he awoke to the moment he fell asleep, cradling his wife.
"Thankyou Mr Weasley," Harry said, standing up from his chair, regrettably leaving Ginny's hand empty and reaching up to give Mr Weasley a hug. His back was slammed hard by Mr Weasley's hand and smiled through the beats.
Mrs Weasley tapped her husband on the shoulder and he reluctantly released Harry. "Arthur, you were squeezing the poor boy's heart out. Now sit your cheery bottom down and enjoy your pancakes." Molly smiled sweetly and pecked him on the cheek with a kiss before he sat next to Hermione and tucked into the pancakes that floated his way.
Harry sat down and pulled Ginny's hand from her lap and interlaced it with his own. She smiled kindly and Harry relaxed back into the chair.
"This party is going to be the best ever," Ron said, practically bouncing in his seat. Hermione, who had returned to her newspaper, peered over the top and looked at Ron. Although her mouth wasn't visible to Harry, he could tell that from her eyes that she was smiling brightly.
Harry laughed and pulled Ginny up and into his lap. Of course, Ginny had no objections and she happily perched herself on Harry's thighs, nuzzling her head on his shoulder. "Ron, I've yet to have a birthday where something bad hasn't interrupted it."
"That's going to change today," Hermione said, putting the newspaper in the middle of the table and sipping on her orange juice. She may be a witch but her Muggle habits would always be with her.
"Once I finish work, I'm off to get Andromeda and Teddy and bring them here for the party," Arthur said quickly before shoving his last pancake in his mouth and gulping the rest of his pumpkin juice down his throat. He stood up from the table, kissed Molly hastily but passionately and kissed the top of Ginny's head whilst patting Harry on the back before saying 'Goodbye' and exiting the lounge with a loud crack.
Mr Weasley's hand on the clock moved from 'Home' to 'Travelling' before finally settling on 'Work'.
"Alright everyone, I need you all out of the kitchen. It's a lovely day. Occupy yourselves," Mrs Weasley said, flapping her arms towards the door and flicking her wand around, cleaning up the remaining cups and plates and tucking the chairs underneath the table.
All four of them climbed the winding staircases, Ron and Hermione proceeding to the attic, leaving Ginny and Harry outside their bedroom and continuing on, promising to be down in 10 minutes, dressed.
"This is my favourite room in the whole house," Harry mused, pulling Ginny in and closing the door behind them. He hung up his dressing gown and kicked off his slippers before sitting on the edge of the bed. "Yes, this is definitely my favourite room."
Ginny giggled as she threw her dressing gown in the corner and sat next to him. "And why is that Mr Potter?" She tried to be serious when she turned to him, she couldn't help but laugh like a little school girl. "I'm sorry," she gasped between fits of laughter. "You're officially … Mr Potter." Her stomach started to tighten and soon she was bottled over in fits of laughter.
"Mr Potter is not that funny Ginny," Harry accused, trying to defend himself but instead he just caused Ginny to start tearing with elation. It made his heart warm to see her so happy. He pressed his lips firmly together, trying his hardest not to laugh with her and look serious instead.
Ginny looked up, wiping the tears from her eyes and saw that Harry had his 'serious' face on. "I'm sorry. It's not that funny." She moved closer to him and brought her legs up to dangle over Harry's thighs. His arm wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her as close as possible. She rested her head on his shoulder and mindlessly played with the collar of his t-shirt. "Why is this your favourite room?" Ginny whispered, her voice softer than silk.
"Do you remember, that year, you pulled me in here alone and suddenly bestowed a kiss on me like no other? It was the best feeling I've ever felt, kissing you in here." Harry looked straight ahead at the door, allowing his fingertips to drift up and down Ginny's leg. He closed his eyes and he was in the same room, kissing Ginny like never before. The sense of urgency and desperation to be close to one another was electrifying and their lips moved in wild formations. Harry remembered how his heart beated so fast, it felt as if it was going to break through his ribcage.
And then he opened his eyes and Ginny was looking up at him, her chocolate melts for eyes were twinkling with a glimmer of childish naughtiness. "This is my favourite room too then," Ginny said sweetly, moving her arms from his collar to behind his neck. "And the best thing about memories…" she said, twisting in Harry's lap. "They can be recreated," she whispered seductively and she pulled his head down and kissed Harry with as much passion as one year ago.
Harry's heart accelerated and soon it was banging on his ribcage, wanting to leap into Ginny's hands. His hands moved up Ginny's legs and into her hair, knotting into the individual strands so he never had to let go. Her lips tasted of strawberries and pumpkin juice and were soft and plump and moved with Harry's, knowing the movements as well as any dance.
When Ginny pulled back slightly, Harry sighed deeply. "That was better than last year," Harry said breathlessly. "So much better!"
The rest of Harry's morning was spent under the sunshine, laying on the grass with Ginny, Ron and Hermione. They talked about the party that was set to happen tonight and how Ron's favourite Quidditch team were doing in the league. Ron and Ginny had a 'loud discussion' about who would win the league; Ginny was convinced the Holyhead Harpies would win but Ron stood tall and true to the Chudley Cannons, justifying their recent losses with the fact that their Seeker had been out with an injury.
Hermione and Harry had no idea about the Quidditch leagues but as they watched Ron and Ginny argue viciously, they couldn't help but roll around in the grass laughing. The bickering was quite tame and verbal until Ginny pulled out her wand on Ron and hovered it inches from Ron's nose.
"One more word and I'll Bat-Bogey Hex you straight to St Mungo's."
Ron's face was drained of all colour and left him looking whiter than a ghost. He opened his mouth to stutter something but he seemed incapable to pronouncing his own name. Harry and Hermione had stopped laughing and were frozen on the spot, their eyes flickering from Ron to Ginny. No one took in a breath.
And then her wand dropped to her side and Ginny was laughing at Ron's face. Harry and Hermione laughed too but Ron was still frozen in his place, his breathing grounded to a halt. Ginny climbed to her feet and was dancing around Ron, laughing and skipping without a care in the world. "Thankyou. Thankyou," she said, bending her torso and bowing to the floor, her hair falling over her face.
"Ron? Ron? Will you just breathe? She was just kidding." Hermione wrapped her arms around him. Ron finally exhaled deeply and tried to laugh but he still saw himself under threat. He mumbled something but no one could make it out.
"That was an Oscar-winning performance, love," Harry said, tugging Ginny back to the grass and brushing her hair out of her face. He kissed her lips quickly but neither liked to display their affection often so the kiss only last seconds but Ginny turned to Ron and apologized.
"Go straight into the tent there," Bill said to Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, pointing them towards the gigantic tent that looked like a circus arena. It stood high and tall in the middle of the Weasley's garden. Neville nodded to Bill and Luna pecked his cheek before they both passed through the gate, Luna smiling and skipping.
It was about 5 o'clock in the afternoon and most of the guests had arrived. Mrs Weasley had been trapped in the kitchen all day, preparing food for the evening. Every time someone came in, she shooed them away with her wand. Ron came out looking petrified one time; it having been the second time a wand had been threatened in his face.
Bill and Fleur were the first to arrive and immediately, they were set to work. Fleur was making herself useful in the kitchen, assisting Mrs Weasley and keeping on top of the dishes while Bill helped Ron and Hermione put the tent up. Bill and Ron then found themselves casting 'Geminio' on a table and chair and moving their duplicates around the room under the bossy direction of Hermione who also managed to watch over the men and decorate the entire tent, interior and exterior.
Red and gold streamers hung everywhere, from the tip of the tent to the floor. Several balloons were tied together and weighted down in the middle of the table. The balloons all had designs on them that Ginny drew herself: lightning bolts, DA's logo, Harry's portrait. Hermione had them jinxed them so they flashed in every colour and Harry's would occasionally stick his tongue out or smile extra.
The only people who weren't slaving away, were Harry and Ginny, who were happily but forcibly kept in Ginny's bedroom. Ginny's only task while the others were busy running around was to keep Harry inside and away from all the windows. So together they lay on her bed, Harry twisting and twirling his wand to make different shapes in mid-air where as Ginny stuck to a pencil and sketch pad. Harry's drawings were much more simple compared to Ginny's which included shading and extreme detail.
After being locked away for over an hour, Harry and Ginny finally heard movements coming up the stairs so they stopped what they were doing. "Ze guests ar' already arriving. You should start getting ready 'Arry," Fleur said from outside Ginny's door. Harry waited until her footsteps had disappeared before beginning to turn his wand around in the air.
"Come on, we should start getting ready," Ginny said, putting her sketch pad and pencil on her nightstand and moving into a sitting up position.
"Wait," Harry said, pushing her back to the bed. "Watch this." Harry raised his wand and started moving it around. Red hot lava came shooting out of the end of Harry's wand up it wasn't dangerous; it just stayed suspended in the air. He first drew a big red heart and then he started writing inside the heart. 'H.P & G.W'.
Ginny was in awe at Harry's artwork that stayed suspended above her head. "It's beautiful," she said, turning on her side to look at Harry. "But we should get ready. It's rude to be late to your own birthday party." And together the pair got up and started to get dressed into something more appropriate for the occasion.
"Everyone hush up," Hermione said, crouching behind a table next to Ron. "Harry is on his way down."
Everyone was hiding behind the various tables and chairs. Although the party wasn't a surprise, Harry had no idea how many people would turn up and many had. There were at least 100 people in the tent but it was hard to be sure because everyone was moving around. All of Dumbledore's Army was there, along with most of Harry's year, apart from the Slytherins. The original Gryffindor Quidditch team were there as well as all of Harry's Hogwarts professors and many members of the Ministry including the remainder of the Order.
Ginny was standing behind Harry, reaching up to cover his eyes and together they walked into the tent just as silence had fallen. "Just keep walking," she said, having to look under Harry's arm to see where she was leading him. Steering clear of a table that was hiding George and Chaser, Angelina Johnson, Ginny saw George wink at her and she managed to shepherd Harry into the middle of the tent where he would be ambushed with cheers any second now.
Nodding to Hermione, Ginny took her hands away from Harry eyes and moved next to his side. At the same time, Hermione shouted "NOW!" and everyone jumped up from where they were hiding, cheering and whooping.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" The tent erupted with people and small firecrackers, probably supplied by George, were fired into the air above Harry's head. Suddenly people were swarming towards Harry and Ginny. Harry took a step back and tried to shield Ginny at the same time but she stood firmly at his side, gripping his hand kindly.
"Happy birthday Harry," Neville said, being the first to arrive in front of Harry. He straightened his tie and shook Harry's spare hand strongly. Afterwards he stood back and put his arm around Luna who skipped the short distance to Harry, her prized radish earrings dangling freely from her earlobes.
"Happy birthday Harry. I hope you like your present." Luna leaded closer to whisper something into Harry's ear. "It's a charm necklace. It'll keep the nargles away." Harry smiled and waved them off. He had always appreciated the simplicity of Luna's mind. Luna hugged Ginny briefly and skipped off, dragging a love struck Neville behind.
Once Harry had shook everyone's hand, the party really began. Mrs Weasley carefully levitated platters of homemade food from the kitchen and placed each other of the buffet table so everyone could help themselves. Everyone took a plate and formed a not so orderly line up the table. There was every type of food available. Platters of honey-cured ham: potatoes smothered in melted butter: garden salads piled high. Harry had never seen such a large amount of food except for feasts at Hogwarts but those feasts took days of preparations and at least a dozen elves at hand.
"Mrs Weasley, you are the best," Harry exclaimed in amazement, kissing her on the cheek before proceeding to a table with a mound of food on his plate. Ginny nodded in agreement and went to sit next to Harry.
"Bloody hell Mum. You've really out done yourself this time," Ron declared, picking up both his plates and trying to balance both plates without wobbling them onto the floor. He managed to make it to the table before his hands lost feeling and he dropped the plates with a clank of china on the wooden table next to Harry. Hermione soon joined them along with Neville, Luna, George, Bill and Fleur.
The whole atmosphere was electrifying. Laughter was coming from all directions and smiles were on everyone's faces although Harry's was the widest. Some smiles were strained. Like Dennis Creevey who obviously wished his brother was there to celebrate too because it was a perfect photo opportunity. And Lavender Brown who kept looking at Ron with eyes deep with longing. Hermione had seen the looks but didn't show that she felt threatened. She just held on to Ron tighter than normal.
Once the congregation had finished feasting, Mrs Weasley levitated the plates back to the kitchen a table at a time. When Mrs Weasley cleared the final table, Harry's, she nodded subtly and Ginny stood up and bent over towards Harry.
"I'll be back in a second," she murmured directly into his ear before kissing his cheek and ducking out of the tent in pursuit of her mother.
"Do you know what Ginny's doing?" Harry asked, turning to Ron looking thoroughly confused. Ginny said she would stay by his side for the duration of his birthday and that she didn't want to spend a second of it apart. And there she went, walking away from Harry, leaving him knowing something wasn't right.
Ron smirked at Harry and Hermione was grinning from ear to ear behind him. "Patience Harry. She'll be back any second now." Ron's eyes went out of focus and secretly he refocused them on the door to the Burrow that was behind Harry He saw Ginny coming back and knew he had to distract Harry.
"Are you having a good time?"
"It's the best. Your mother has really outdone herself this time." Harry was trying to analyse Ron's expression and body language but all that had happened was his ears had turned the burning shade of crimson but they did that so often that Harry rarely knew the cause anymore.
"She really has …" Ron let his words trail off as he stole a glance at Ginny and saw her entering the tent.
Everyone but Harry spotted Ginny and Luna stood up on her chair and started waving her arms around as if she was conducting an orchestra. A singsong broke out from everyone and Ron's Weasley traits portrayed him. "Surprise!" He shouted over the song before joining in.
"Happy birthday to you!"
"This is so embarrassing RON!"
"Happy birthday to you!"
"It was Ginny's idea HARRY!"
"Happy birthday to Harry!" A few people whooped loudly including George who was holding a party popper that was most likely enchanted.
"Happy birthday to you!" The crowd erupted with cheering as Ginny manoeuvred herself around the crowd, holding Harry's alight cake in her hands. She was smiling brilliantly, the light from the 18 candles flickering in front of her face, illuminating her beautiful features. Luna was bowing in the crowd, the look of exhaustion painted all over her body. Harry couldn't help but laugh.
Ginny took the last two steps towards Harry and all of a sudden, everyone was crowding around him, cheering and yelling what could only be described as noise. Harry got a look at the cake and couldn't help but laugh. A chocolate cake had been cut into the shape of a lightning bolt that matched his identically. Written in white chocolate icing was the number '18' and lots of stars were scattered up and down the bolt as were the candles.
Preparing himself, Harry sucked in a breath through his mouth and shut his eyes tightly. He didn't need much time to consider his wish. Everything else had fallen into place. As the last of the air entered his mouth, Harry was ready to exhale. "Happy birthday Harry," Ginny whispered and Harry surprisingly heard over all the noise and with those words, Harry exhaled and extinguished the candles.
Chocolate cake had always been a favourite of Harry's. He loved the rich taste dancing on his tongue. It had been a rare thing at the Dursley's. They never celebrated Harry's birthday and they never bought chocolate because of Dudley's weight issue.
However Harry was compensating for that loss. Ginny had insisted on him having the biggest bit and she cut out the '18' that was in the middle. But one piece wasn't enough to satisfy him and when anyone advised him to stop, he would playfully accuse them of wanting the cake to themselves and take another slice cautiously.
Once the cake had vanished, a stage appeared at one end of the tent, complete with musical instruments and microphones. The tables were pushed to the edges of the tent and all the teenagers rushed to get a position in front of the stage. Most adults resumed their seats on the moved chairs and the conversations flowed easily.
Dumbledore's Band walked onto the stage, all wearing t-shirts advertising their band, with sponsors from the Three Broomsticks and Hogwarts that had logos plastered on the backs. The band was made up of Ernie Macmillan on drums, Terry Boot on bass, Dean Thomas on guitar and Cho Chang performing vocals. A surprise to the band was Luna who climbed up onto the stage, holding a triangle. They introduced themselves and then the music kicked in and everyone was bouncing up and down, arms in the air, cheering loudly.
Harry was stuck in the middle, holding Ginny's hand and partying hard with everyone surrounding him. Hermione had the best view of the band as she swayed on top of Ron's shoulders: he looked like he was about to pass out but at the same him he managed to cheer and have fun. Many followed their example and soon many were perched on the shoulders of others.
The band played well into the night and yet no one ran out of energy. Sweat was dripping down everyone but no one cared. The music was too loud that some adults worried that Muggles might hear it from the village but the party pressed on and soon everyone was collapsed on the floor, conjuring blankets out of thin air and settling down for the night.
Many adults were returning home. Hagrid left first saying he had to get back to Grawp or else he'll start crying and flood Fang. The Hogwarts' professors were second but not before Professor Slughorn got a picture to display on his wall of fame of him with Harry and Ginny. Andromeda Tonks and Teddy left when he started crying and no one knew what to do. Harry cooed at the little one but he still persisted on crying, his hair changing to every colour of the rainbow. Before they could leave, Ginny leaned over and kissed Teddy on the cheek and whispered "Teddybear," to him. Sure enough, Ginny's magical touch had made Teddy stop crying and they sent a dumbfounded Andromeda on her way home.
Everything was quiet and all that could be heard was the hushed voices of people in their own conversations. Harry got a blanket from inside the Burrow and settled down with Ginny next to Ron and Hermione and Neville and Luna. Hermione was tracing shapes on Ron's chest and he was pulling his fingers through her hair, sometimes encountering a knot and tugging a bit too hard. On the other side of Harry, Luna was already comatose and Neville was talking to Seamus on the other side on him.
Ginny pulled the covers up to her neck and snuggled closer to Harry. "Has it been a good birthday?" Her voice sounded like the wind and only Harry could hear her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and was stroking her fingers through his black hair.
"Of course. The best," Harry hushed, kissing Ginny's forehead and leaving his lips on her skin. "But it's not over yet." He moved a bit lower and his lips found hers easily, as if they had grown a magnetic attraction as time went on. Or maybe it had always been there.
Ginny pulled back. "Do you want your present?" She felt Harry nod and she put her hand down her dress into her bra.
"Whoa!" Harry said, his hand clasped around her wrist and holding it there so it was unable to move. "I'm not doing that with you when everyone is around us. I'm right next to your brother Ginevra," Harry hissed, trying to keep his voice as low as possible.
Ginny laughed quietly and wriggled her arm so Harry would let go. "You have a dirty mind Potter. This dress doesn't have any pockets, where else am I to keep it?" Ginny pulled out a small fabric bag that had been tied with a ribbon at the top. "Here you are," she whispered, handing it to Harry.
Carefully Harry untied the knot and opened the bag, pouring the contents into his hand. There, resting in his palm, was a leather plaited bracelet. It was made of three strands of leather; one red, one black and one gold. They had been twisted and plaited and tied at either end. "It's beautiful." Harry fumbled with it in his hand, turning it over and stroking the plait, feeling how the leather had been constructed.
"I made it," Ginny said proudly, taking the bracelet from Harry and wrapping it around his wrist and tying it in place. "Just for you."
"I love it," Harry said, kissing the bracelet on his wrist. "I love you," he said, tipping her head up slightly with his nose and kissing her passionately into the night.
