"Hi Harry." She said sheepishly.
Harry stood in the door way awkwardly. "Hi."
Lexi turned from the window to face Harry."What do you want?" she asked.
"To talk, and not yell." He said simply, walking over to Lexi now. He sat next to her on the bed, as she pulled her legs to her chest and resting her chin on them. Harry wanted to grab her hand but he knew she'd jerk her hand away.
"Fine, talk." She said her eyes were distant. They were drifting in space, she was no doubt thinking of something important.
"I don't like Ginny, alright. She kissed me, for my—uh birthday gift. I didn't even kiss her back. She kissed me when you guys came bursting in. Honest I swear." He told her, searching her face for any sign of emotion. But there was nothing.
"Alright, that must have been a nice gift for you, a kiss." She said her voice sounding a tad harsh. "Beat my present." She muttered softly.
"What? It didn't beat you gift. Yours was my absolute favourite. You must have spent a fortune on the Firebolt." Harry told her.
Lexi gave a small smile and turned a slight pink. "Thanks." She muttered. Harry nodded.
"You...You don't really still love Fred, right?" Harry asked, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Lexi laughed once without humour. "No, I was just angry, and-" Lexi started.
"I get it." Harry said, cutting her off.
"So what do you want to do for the rest of your birthday?" Lexi asked, in an attempt to make conversation.
"I don't know..." Harry trailed off. Looking over at Lexi with a gleam in his eye, but of course Lexi didn't even notice. She never notices, how beautiful she is, or when he looks at her. "Hey Lex?"
Lexi turned her head and she was looking Harry right in the eye. Their faces were now mere centimetres apart from each other. He crashed his lips her own. The kiss was blissful, passionate. Lexi kissed him back as he cupped her face. Lexi wrapped one of her arms around his neck and her other hand was lost in his messy jet-black hair.
Unfortunately for Harry, she pulled away. "Uh—wow. Two kisses in one day Harry." she said smiling. Harry smiled and left a lingering kiss on her forehead. Lexi smile widened a and she intertwined their fingers together. She laid her head on his shoulder. "Happy birthday, Harry." She whispered.
There was a knock at the door and Hermione popped her head in. She smiled at the sight of Harry and Lexi. "Are you guys dating now?"
"Uh—"Lexi looked up at Harry. "No, sorry to dissapoint Hermione." She said as Hermione smile faded away.
"Oh, well Harry your birthday dinner is ready. Mrs. Weasley says wear something a little nice." Hermione informed them. Harry nodded and got off the bed. He gave Lexi a small wave goodbye and she smiled at him.
Once Harry left the room, Lexi started to rummage through her clothes."Something a little nice. What the hell does that mean?" Lexi said angrily, looking through her trunk.
"Just wear something not to casual, but not too fancy." Hermione explained, going through her own clothes, pulling out a few outfits. Lexi laughed.
"If we were in 3rd year we wouldn't give a damn, would we?" Lexi asked.
Hermione shook her head, with a small smile. Hermione picked her outfit, it was a blue dress with a low swooping neck and short sleeved. It tightened with elastic at her hips and flowed to her knees. Lexi had seen her wear it before, she was stunning in it. Hermione walked over to Lexi's trunk, pulling out a bright sleeveless yellow dress that looked short, but not too short.
"What about this one?" Hermione asked.
Lexi shook her head. "I'm saving that for the wedding." She explained. Hermione nodded and put it back.
Hermione smiled and grabbed Lexi's wrist and dragged her over to her trunk. She shoved a light green sleeveless with darker green circles on it, in her hands, it was satin, and extra cloth covering her chest. Lexi smiled and changed.
Hermione brushed her hair thoroughly, so it wasn't too busy. Lexi didn't know what to do with her hair, though. She ended up putting it in a loose, messy bun that looked half ponytail. She smiled at Hermione, and they walked downstairs to a waiting Ron and Harry, who were both at a loss for words when they saw the two of them. Ron and Hermione linked arms and walked out to the yard, Harry and Lexi linked arms as well and Harry planted a light kiss on her cheek as she sat down next to him.
Everyone came, Tonks, Remus, Hagrid, and Mr. Weasley was on his way. Mrs. Weasley came out of the Burrow with a gigantic cake that was crafted to look like a snitch. Harry smiled at the sight. It floated in mid-air as Mrs. Weasley held her wand out at it to keep it that way. She nestled it in the middle of the table.
Mr. Weasley soon arrived and came running through the yard. "The Minister is coming." He announced, as he began to catch his breath. His wife looked confused.
"But wh—"
"There is no time to explain he's coming, right now." Mr. Weasley said and he plopped down into a chair.
Lupin stood up and looked at Harry with a sad look. "I'm sorry Harry, we shouldn't have come. Happy birthday." He said as he grabbed Tonks hand and hopped over the fence with her and they disappeared into the dark.
"Wonder what happened to them." Lexi whispered to Harry. Harry shrugged, and looked worried. Lexi grabbed Harry's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Harry smiled at her.
"You look amazing." Harry whispered to Lexi, so quiet it was meant only for her.
Lexi turned slightly pink. "Thanks." She muttered.
Harry nodded, not sure what to say. Lexi giggled, kissed his cheek.
The Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour came into lantern light after awhile. "Sorry to intrude." He said, giving a presence of power. "Especially since I see I'm gate crashing a party." His eyes lingered to the giant Snitch cake. Scrimgeour looked at Harry. "I would like a private word, with you Mr. Potter. As well as your friends, Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger, and Ms. Moore."
Lexi, Ron, Hermione, and Harry stood up from their seats. "But why us?" Hermione asked. Scrimgeour said nothing to her, and he turned to Ron.
"Would you show us to the living room?"
Ron nodded and the five made their way into the living room. The four tried to fit themselves on the couch.
"What do you want?" Lexi piped up, her arms crossed across her chest.
The Minister gave her a look. "I'm here to talk to about Dumbledore. He has mentioned you four in his will. It will help if I speak with you privately. I'll start with you, Ronald, could the rest of you wait upstairs."
Lexi shook her head "Hell no." She stated simply, Harry and Hermione agreed.
"Fine then I will speak to all of you. I am here, as I'm sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore's will."
They all exchanged glances before looking back up at Scrimgeour. "A surprise apparently, were you now aware he left you anything?"
"All of us? Me and Hermione and Lexi, too?" Ron asked.
"Yes, all of-" Scrimgeour started, before getting interrupted by Harry.
"Dumbledore died almost a month ago. Why has it taken so long to get us what he left us?"
"Isn't it obvious, they wanted to check everything, which they had no right to do." Hermione piped up, Lexi glared furiously at Scrimgeour.
"I had every right." Scrimgeour shot back.
"Every right? To search something that was legally ours! It is practically stealing." Lexi said angrily.
"No, Lexi, it isn't stealing. It isn't right, but it isn't stealing." Hermione said.
"Well it should be stealing." Lexi said, disappointed. "And with as much respect I can give you, Minister. How about you give us our stuff then get the hell out of Ron's house." She snapped her eyes red.
The Minister glared at her. "I always wondered why you were put in Gryffindor, Lexi. I think you'd make a promising Slytherin instead."
She scoffed. "In your damn dreams."
"Anyways," Scrimgeour said as he took out a scrolled up piece of parchment. "'The Last and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore.' ...yes here we are...'to Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave him my Deluminator, in hope that he will remember me when he uses it" Scrimgeour reached into a bag and took out a silver cigarette lighter-looking item. He bent over the table and handed it to Ron, who turned it over looking stunned.
"That is a valuable object." The Minister said as he watched Ron. "It is certainly Dumbledore's own design. Why would he leave it with you?" Ron shook his head looking at the Deluminator.
"Dumbledore must've taught a thousand students, yet the only ones he remembered in his will were you four, why is that? What do you think Dumbledore would want you to do with that object?" Scrimgeour asked.
Ron shrugged and Lexi rolled her eyes. "To put out lights, I suppose. Isn't that what it does?" Ron stated.
Scrimgeour turned to Hermione."To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in hope that she will find it entertaining and instructive." Scrimgeour took out an old looking book; Hermione took it without saying anything. She looked at the cover, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Why do you think Dumbledore left you this book, Miss Granger?" Scrimgeour asked.
"He knew I liked to read." Hermione said, wiping more tears from her eyes.
The Minister looked at Hermione for a moment then returned back to his list. " 'To Alexis Chase Moore, I leave her with Grodric Gryffindor's sword, in hope she'll be to remember her days at Hogwarts when she has graduated and for when she in dire need to use it.' Scrimgeour took out the silver sword, it was jewell incrested and he handed it to Lexi. "Why would he give you the sword?"
"To whoop your ass with it." He muttered to herself. "I don't know, to remember my days as a Gryffindor, he knew I admired the sword anyways. Maybe it'll look good on my wall." Lexi casually shrugged.
Scrimgeour studied Lexi, trying to detect she was lying but nothing so he returned to Dumbledore's will. "And to Harry James Potter, I leave the Snitch he caught in his first Quidditch match at Hogwarts, as a reminder of the rewards of perseverance and skill." As the man pulled out the golden, walnut sized ball its wing fluttered feebly. "Why did Dumbledore leave you this Snitch?"
Harry shook his head. "No idea. Maybe for the reasons you read out, I suppose. To remind me what you can get if you ...persevere and whatever else it was."
Scrimgeour raised an eyebrow. "You think this is just a mere symbolic keepsake then?"
"I suppose so. What else could it be?"
"I'm asking the questions." Said Scrimgeour, shifting in his chair. "I notice your birthday cake is in the shape of a Snitch. Why is that?"
Lexi and Hermione laughed derisively. "It couldn't be a reference to Harry being a great Seeker that's way too obvious." Lexi said in a sarcastic tone. "Dumbledore must have hid something in the icing because he always has something to hide, even in cakes."
"I don't think there is anything in the icing." Said Scrimgeour. "But a Snitch is a very good hiding place for a small object. You know why I'm right?"
Harry shrugged. Lexi rolled her eyes "Because you're the Minister and everything you say is right?" She smiled.
Ron chuckled but covered it up with a cough. The Minister however was not amused. "Shut it you insolent girl."
Lexi snorted. "Who's the one with the sword in their hand?" She asked as she tightened her grip on the sword's hilt.
Scrimgeour gulped, before saying "Assaulting or killing the Minister will land you in Azkaban. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
"If I got a dime every time I heard that." Lexi said, twisting the sword in her hands, making Scrimgeour cringe. "And, if I got a Galloen every time I got out of something." Lexi continued. Harry smiled, knowing how true it was, and nodded to Scrimgeour.
"Well." Scrimgeour started eyeing Lexi carefully. "Snitches have flesh memory."
"What's that?" Lexi asked rudely.
"A Snitch is not touched by bare skin, not even by the maker, who wears gloves. It carries and enchantment by which it can identify the first human to lay hands upon it, in case of disputed capture." Scrimgeour said smugly. This Snitch, will remember Mr. Potter's touch. It occurs to me that Dumbledore, who has prodigious magical powers, whatever are other faults, might have enchanted the Snitch so it will only open for you."
Harry was silent. "You say nothing, perhaps you already know what the Snitch contains." Said Scrimgeour.
"No."
"Take it then." He said quietly. He leaned over the table and dropped the small Snitch into Harry's hand. Harry's fingers closed around the Snitch, its tired wings fluttered.
"Well, that was dramatic." Said Harry coolly. Hermione, Lexi, and Ron laughed.
"That's all then?" Hermione asked.
"If so, leave."Lexi said.
"Oh," said Scrimgeour. "I forgot something to tell Potter and Moore. The sword is for the both of you, but mainly Lexi. I don't know why, but maybe you two would know."
Lexi looked down at the sword then to Harry. "Hm, we both own the sword. Interesting. You know, Minister you ask us the same thing 'would you know why he gave it to you?' and every time we say 'no.' Do you think this time would be any different?"
"Maybe he gave you two the sword because Dumbledore believed that only the sword of Grodric Gryffindor could defeat the Heir of Slytherin? "
"Interesting theory." Said Harry.
"Has anyone tried to stab Voldemort with a sword? Maybe the Ministry should put people on that instead of wasting time stripping down Deluminators, or covering up breakouts from Azkaban. So this is what you've been doing, Minister? Being shut up in your office trying to break open a little old Snitch that Harry caught in his first year?" Lexi said smugly.
"You go too far, Moore!" Scrimgeour stood up reaching for Lexi. She welcomed this challenge and stood up as well. Harry pushed Lexi behind him, landing her on the couch again.
"Don't touch her." Harry spat. "She doesn't know where to stop, especially not when she's angry. Forgive her this once, and you'll never have to hear from her again." Harry said, still hissing at Scrimgeour slightly.
Scrimgeour eyed Lexi once more, looking at the anger in her eyes and the sword in her hand, he walked out angrily. "I've never been so disrespected in my life." He growled angrily on his way out.
Harry turned to Lexi once the Minister Apparated away. "God, Lexi, you almost got yourself thrown in Azkaban."
"Well, I'm sorry, like you said; I don't know when to stop." Lexi hissed, turning away and stomping up the stairs.
"Lexi! Don't do this again." Harry called after her, trying to follow her. Hermione stopped him. She didn't say anything, or give him a mean look. She just pulled Harry back and pushed passed him, and ran up the stairs. She walked into the room Lexi and her share. Lexi sat on the bed, on tear slid silently down her cheek, but it was alone. Hermione sat next to her, rubbing her arm soothingly.
"Lexi, talk to me. Please."
"About what?" she said softly.
"Anything. I just don't know what's going on with you anymore. You're always angry now." Hermione said a sad gleam in her eyes.
"I'm just frustrated, Hermione. Ginny is being a piss-off, Scrimgeour is a bitch, Voldemort is gaining power by the second, I watched Mad-Eye die, and Harry and I are always fighting." She said in one breath then fell onto her bed. "Why can't it all just go away?"
Hermione looked at her sad, frustrated friend as Lexi held onto her head and closed her eyes. "It'll be over soon enough. The weddings tomorrow, and then were going on our mission. It'll be over soon, I promise."
"Mhm." Lexi said quietly.
"You know what? Let's go shopping. Diagon Alley, a Muggle mall, wherever. Let's get out of here, a girl's night out." Hermione suggested, tugging at Lexi's arm.
Lexi smiled a bit. "Alright, let's go to a Muggle mall. Haven't been to one of those in awhile."