A birthday to remember
Harry awoke the following morning surprisingly late, and he took a few seconds to realise where he was. Taking his time washing and dressing, Harry found it to be approaching midday when he finally walked downstairs and into the kitchen.
"SURPRISE!" Harry nearly fell over, but soon recovered and found himself beaming as first Hermione and then Mrs Weasley hugged him. Staggering upwards for air, he looked around at Ron, (laughing in his chair), Fred and George Weasley, (nudging each other and winking at Harry) and Ginny also trying to give Harry a hug. After embracing Ginny, Harry spotted two more people.
"Bill? Charlie? Wow! What are you all doing here?" Harry, who had finally regained control of his senses, was now slightly puzzled.
"Yes, good point George, why did you bring us here?" said Fred before they could answer.
"What? I didn't, I was following Ginny!" said George in mock anger.
"Me? But I was right behind Fred!" cried Ginny. Her brother's irrepressible nature and sense of humour had been growing in Ginny for many years, and Harry laughed at how quick she had become at taking part in their jokes.
Everyone else laughed also. Ron was, incredibly, first to react. "Well if you'd just care to look at those objects over there maybe you'd know why we are here!"
Harry looked where he was indicating. Presents. And then it clicked. Harry walked to the other side of them room to check the newspapers date. Harry laughed out of pure joy, but Hermione was frowning slightly.
"What?" said Harry bluntly.
Hermione's expression shifted to one of being in thought before she replied. "You really don't look forward to your birthdays do you?"
Harry fell silent for a second. "Err... no, not really." Harry realised straight away how ungrateful that must have sounded and, after mentally kicking himself, he continued. "But my more recent birthdays have been better, thanks to all of you! So thanks for everything you've given me..." Harry started towards the presents but Mrs Weasley stopped him.
"Wait until a bit later dear, when all the others are here." She said softly.
"...All the others?" replied Harry blankly. But Mrs Weasley just smiled at him and left the room. Harry looked around at the others for some form of hint, but all of them just grinned at him. Harry gave up and threw himself down in a chair to talk about the events of the previous night.
The rest of the day was spent idly talking, about what had been done since the end of term, what Lord Voldemort had been up to since the fight at the Ministry, and about who might be the next Prime Minister. For Harry had found out that Fudge had fled his desk and was currently inside St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies. It seemed that his being wrong for a year about Voldemort, Voldemort's return and finally the taking of Azkaban had all been too much for him.
Harry also had a lot of fun trying to persuade them to tell him who was coming that evening. All he had found out so far was that they would be here at about six o'clock. As that time approached, Harry got slightly nervous. All these people to see him?
At five minutes past six, the first guests arrived. The fireplace leapt up in all its green flamed glory, and out stepped Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Remus Lupin all stepped out of the fire place in succession. After being hugged by Tonks and shaking hands with the three other men, (Lupin had gone straight upstairs with a cheery smile at Harry), when the fire roared up again. Amos Diggory's tall form stepped out of the fire.
He was looking much happy then when Harry had seen him last (after Cedric's death), but he still had a deadened look in his eyes that told Harry quite plainly, that his son's death was still a haunting memory. Amos shook Harry's hand as he addressed the room.
"Sorry if I'm late! Arthur apologises but he will be slightly late as he was called into a last minute meeting. He says to let Harry get on with it!" There was a ripple of laughter around the room but, for the second time that day, Mrs Weasley stopped Harry opening the presents.
"Wait there's a couple more I'm waiting for..." Harry span around as the fireplace again lit up the room with an eerie green glow, as Albus Dumbledore, then Professor McGonagall, and finally Rubeus Hagrid emerged out of the fireplace.
Hagrid was slightly less warm than usual towards Harry for a moment, and Harry guessed this was because Harry had dropped Care of Magical Creatures. Harry had been forced to drop it, as he did not want to take six subjects as N.E.W.T.S (Nastily Exhaustive Wizarding Tests) and (having passed Potions with a good grade), he had five other subjects towards reaching his Auror target. But although Hagrid seemed to have been trying to put across an image of being offended, his delight at seeing Harry over took him, and he pulled Harry into a rough hug.
"How've yer been, alright?" Harry assured Hagrid he had been ok, and was about to apologise about not picking care of magical creatures, when Mrs Weasley cleared her throat.
"Come on then Harry! You can start!" she said. Harry walked with trepidation over to the table – all these people just for his birthday? He picked up a small item from the end of the table, and heard Hermione's familiar sharp intake of breath. Turning to face her, he opened the present.
Inside the wrapping paper was a glass case in which was held: a snitch. Harry frowned in slight puzzlement, before Hermione indicated the engraving on the back. Harry read:
"The snitch caught by Viktor Krum in the World Cup final vs Ireland, which Ireland won by ten points."
Harry breathed in slightly. "Wow Hermione!" Hermione positively beamed as Harry carefully turned the case around in his hands, observing the snitch minutely. Harry passed it around for all to see as he thanked Hermione, and turned to the next present – from Mad-Eye Moody.
Gradually the noise level increased around Harry as he opened each present, with just the person whose gift it was coming over to watch Harry open it; and Harry relaxed. He hadn't liked all the pressure.
After Mad-Eye's magic broom case (which was protected against most unlocking spells, including "Alohomora"), came Ginny's card and a voucher for Honeydukes. This was followed swiftly by Fred and George's card containing a certificate showing Harry to be the owner of 33% of the company shares, which was soon followed by a book from Tonks about Metamorphmagi. Tonks herself was a Metamorphmagus, which meant she could change her appearance at will. Ron had given him his usual huge supply of sweets, which Harry was sure Ron would devour mostly.
There were now just four more presents and a card. Professor McGonagall gave Harry a book on Animagi and how people become them, giving Harry a very curious look at the same time.
Slightly perturbed, Harry opened the next present – Hagrid's rock cakes. If possible they were even harder then last year, and Harry was quite sure they wouldn't end up being eaten by him. Kingsley Shacklebolt gave Harry an Auror guidebook, obviously having been tipped off to Harry's future aspirations by Professor McGonagall or another Order member.
There was now just one present and one card. Harry opened the present first, from Amos Diggory and Mr and Mrs Weasley. Harry gasped. Season tickets to the Chudley Cannons, for four people. When Harry showed Ron and Ginny these, they both gasped and laughed with happiness. Harry went to the final card, which he opened and read.
"Dear Harry, After everyone else has gone ask one of us for your present. We thought you might like some privacy with it. Have a great year, From Remus and Albus."
Harry was puzzled, but decided to keep it from Hermione and Ron, and he let himself enjoy the rest of the party, which culminated in the most enormous cake Harry had ever seen.
People started leaving, until just the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Lupin remained. Harry nodded at Lupin, who went upstairs, before returning with a small item wrapped in brown paper. Lupin carried it down to Harry and laid it in his hands, before ushering all except Ron and Hermione out of the room, whom Harry had let stay. He opened the package and out fell a book. On the front were the gold emblazoned words:
"The diary of Lillian Jane Evans"
Harry stared in mute silence. He was shell-shocked. He didn't know if he would ever read it. Lupin, seeing Harry's expression ushered Ron and Hermione out of the room, as Harry fought back the tears. Lupin sat down next to Harry.
"I've never read it. It was the only thing found in the wreckage of Godric's hollow. Albus and I decided that you should have it on your sixteenth birthday. Are you alright Harry?"
Harry tried to find his voice, and failed, so he just nodded. Lupin understood, and left Harry, who sat there in the darkness for a long time, unsure of whether he was happy of not. He was interrupted sometime later, at about 11 o'clock not by Mrs Weasley or Ron or Hermione (who were all upstairs with Lupin in Sirius' old living room), but by the fireplace turning suddenly emerald green. Harry looked up to see Mr Weasley stepping out of the fireplace, beaming.
"Harry! Happy birthday!" Harry shook Arthur's hand, as Mr Weasley glanced at the book and suddenly understood Harry's less-than-jovial reception. "Ah... Lupin mentioned it to me just today so that I knew, but no one else did. You don't have to read it Harry. You know that right?"
Harry finally found the ability to speak. "Thank you Mr Weasley." Mr Weasley nodded, then carried on speaking.
"Well, I better get the others down here, as I have some... news." Harry looked up bewildered as Mr Weasley left, quickly returning with Mrs Weasley, Hermione and the Weasley children, who all gave Harry short glances before taking seats around the table.
"As you know I was held back in a meeting today you see... Dumbledore was there briefly as well..." He tailed off for a second before continuing. "Well, no point beating about the bush... it was to try and find a new Prime Minister and... and... they've asked me!" Harry and Hermione gasped, Ron spluttered out his drink, and Ginny blanched. Mrs Weasley looked faint, and Charlie put an arm round her as Bill asked the question.
"What did you say?"
Mr Weasley looked at the faces around the table, which had now moved from shock to excitement. He beamed at them. "I said yes!"
Fred and George leapt to their feet and hugged their father and Ginny and Ron joined Charlie in helping up and hugging their mother, who was by now smiling and crying tears of joy. Harry, Hermione and Lupin exchanged excited and slightly amused glances, before each individually shaking hands with Mr Weasley, and hugging Mrs Weasley. Then the fireplace turned green for what felt like the twentieth time that evening, and out stepped Percy Weasley.
He was looking slightly untidy in ripped robes and it was obvious he had been crying. Everyone went quiet. Harry watched in astonishment as Mr and Mrs Weasley went over to their son and pulled him into a tight hug, as Bill and Charlie ushered the others upstairs, and out of the way.
Harry awoke the following morning surprisingly late, and he took a few seconds to realise where he was. Taking his time washing and dressing, Harry found it to be approaching midday when he finally walked downstairs and into the kitchen.
"SURPRISE!" Harry nearly fell over, but soon recovered and found himself beaming as first Hermione and then Mrs Weasley hugged him. Staggering upwards for air, he looked around at Ron, (laughing in his chair), Fred and George Weasley, (nudging each other and winking at Harry) and Ginny also trying to give Harry a hug. After embracing Ginny, Harry spotted two more people.
"Bill? Charlie? Wow! What are you all doing here?" Harry, who had finally regained control of his senses, was now slightly puzzled.
"Yes, good point George, why did you bring us here?" said Fred before they could answer.
"What? I didn't, I was following Ginny!" said George in mock anger.
"Me? But I was right behind Fred!" cried Ginny. Her brother's irrepressible nature and sense of humour had been growing in Ginny for many years, and Harry laughed at how quick she had become at taking part in their jokes.
Everyone else laughed also. Ron was, incredibly, first to react. "Well if you'd just care to look at those objects over there maybe you'd know why we are here!"
Harry looked where he was indicating. Presents. And then it clicked. Harry walked to the other side of them room to check the newspapers date. Harry laughed out of pure joy, but Hermione was frowning slightly.
"What?" said Harry bluntly.
Hermione's expression shifted to one of being in thought before she replied. "You really don't look forward to your birthdays do you?"
Harry fell silent for a second. "Err... no, not really." Harry realised straight away how ungrateful that must have sounded and, after mentally kicking himself, he continued. "But my more recent birthdays have been better, thanks to all of you! So thanks for everything you've given me..." Harry started towards the presents but Mrs Weasley stopped him.
"Wait until a bit later dear, when all the others are here." She said softly.
"...All the others?" replied Harry blankly. But Mrs Weasley just smiled at him and left the room. Harry looked around at the others for some form of hint, but all of them just grinned at him. Harry gave up and threw himself down in a chair to talk about the events of the previous night.
The rest of the day was spent idly talking, about what had been done since the end of term, what Lord Voldemort had been up to since the fight at the Ministry, and about who might be the next Prime Minister. For Harry had found out that Fudge had fled his desk and was currently inside St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies. It seemed that his being wrong for a year about Voldemort, Voldemort's return and finally the taking of Azkaban had all been too much for him.
Harry also had a lot of fun trying to persuade them to tell him who was coming that evening. All he had found out so far was that they would be here at about six o'clock. As that time approached, Harry got slightly nervous. All these people to see him?
At five minutes past six, the first guests arrived. The fireplace leapt up in all its green flamed glory, and out stepped Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Remus Lupin all stepped out of the fire place in succession. After being hugged by Tonks and shaking hands with the three other men, (Lupin had gone straight upstairs with a cheery smile at Harry), when the fire roared up again. Amos Diggory's tall form stepped out of the fire.
He was looking much happy then when Harry had seen him last (after Cedric's death), but he still had a deadened look in his eyes that told Harry quite plainly, that his son's death was still a haunting memory. Amos shook Harry's hand as he addressed the room.
"Sorry if I'm late! Arthur apologises but he will be slightly late as he was called into a last minute meeting. He says to let Harry get on with it!" There was a ripple of laughter around the room but, for the second time that day, Mrs Weasley stopped Harry opening the presents.
"Wait there's a couple more I'm waiting for..." Harry span around as the fireplace again lit up the room with an eerie green glow, as Albus Dumbledore, then Professor McGonagall, and finally Rubeus Hagrid emerged out of the fireplace.
Hagrid was slightly less warm than usual towards Harry for a moment, and Harry guessed this was because Harry had dropped Care of Magical Creatures. Harry had been forced to drop it, as he did not want to take six subjects as N.E.W.T.S (Nastily Exhaustive Wizarding Tests) and (having passed Potions with a good grade), he had five other subjects towards reaching his Auror target. But although Hagrid seemed to have been trying to put across an image of being offended, his delight at seeing Harry over took him, and he pulled Harry into a rough hug.
"How've yer been, alright?" Harry assured Hagrid he had been ok, and was about to apologise about not picking care of magical creatures, when Mrs Weasley cleared her throat.
"Come on then Harry! You can start!" she said. Harry walked with trepidation over to the table – all these people just for his birthday? He picked up a small item from the end of the table, and heard Hermione's familiar sharp intake of breath. Turning to face her, he opened the present.
Inside the wrapping paper was a glass case in which was held: a snitch. Harry frowned in slight puzzlement, before Hermione indicated the engraving on the back. Harry read:
"The snitch caught by Viktor Krum in the World Cup final vs Ireland, which Ireland won by ten points."
Harry breathed in slightly. "Wow Hermione!" Hermione positively beamed as Harry carefully turned the case around in his hands, observing the snitch minutely. Harry passed it around for all to see as he thanked Hermione, and turned to the next present – from Mad-Eye Moody.
Gradually the noise level increased around Harry as he opened each present, with just the person whose gift it was coming over to watch Harry open it; and Harry relaxed. He hadn't liked all the pressure.
After Mad-Eye's magic broom case (which was protected against most unlocking spells, including "Alohomora"), came Ginny's card and a voucher for Honeydukes. This was followed swiftly by Fred and George's card containing a certificate showing Harry to be the owner of 33% of the company shares, which was soon followed by a book from Tonks about Metamorphmagi. Tonks herself was a Metamorphmagus, which meant she could change her appearance at will. Ron had given him his usual huge supply of sweets, which Harry was sure Ron would devour mostly.
There were now just four more presents and a card. Professor McGonagall gave Harry a book on Animagi and how people become them, giving Harry a very curious look at the same time.
Slightly perturbed, Harry opened the next present – Hagrid's rock cakes. If possible they were even harder then last year, and Harry was quite sure they wouldn't end up being eaten by him. Kingsley Shacklebolt gave Harry an Auror guidebook, obviously having been tipped off to Harry's future aspirations by Professor McGonagall or another Order member.
There was now just one present and one card. Harry opened the present first, from Amos Diggory and Mr and Mrs Weasley. Harry gasped. Season tickets to the Chudley Cannons, for four people. When Harry showed Ron and Ginny these, they both gasped and laughed with happiness. Harry went to the final card, which he opened and read.
"Dear Harry, After everyone else has gone ask one of us for your present. We thought you might like some privacy with it. Have a great year, From Remus and Albus."
Harry was puzzled, but decided to keep it from Hermione and Ron, and he let himself enjoy the rest of the party, which culminated in the most enormous cake Harry had ever seen.
People started leaving, until just the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione and Lupin remained. Harry nodded at Lupin, who went upstairs, before returning with a small item wrapped in brown paper. Lupin carried it down to Harry and laid it in his hands, before ushering all except Ron and Hermione out of the room, whom Harry had let stay. He opened the package and out fell a book. On the front were the gold emblazoned words:
"The diary of Lillian Jane Evans"
Harry stared in mute silence. He was shell-shocked. He didn't know if he would ever read it. Lupin, seeing Harry's expression ushered Ron and Hermione out of the room, as Harry fought back the tears. Lupin sat down next to Harry.
"I've never read it. It was the only thing found in the wreckage of Godric's hollow. Albus and I decided that you should have it on your sixteenth birthday. Are you alright Harry?"
Harry tried to find his voice, and failed, so he just nodded. Lupin understood, and left Harry, who sat there in the darkness for a long time, unsure of whether he was happy of not. He was interrupted sometime later, at about 11 o'clock not by Mrs Weasley or Ron or Hermione (who were all upstairs with Lupin in Sirius' old living room), but by the fireplace turning suddenly emerald green. Harry looked up to see Mr Weasley stepping out of the fireplace, beaming.
"Harry! Happy birthday!" Harry shook Arthur's hand, as Mr Weasley glanced at the book and suddenly understood Harry's less-than-jovial reception. "Ah... Lupin mentioned it to me just today so that I knew, but no one else did. You don't have to read it Harry. You know that right?"
Harry finally found the ability to speak. "Thank you Mr Weasley." Mr Weasley nodded, then carried on speaking.
"Well, I better get the others down here, as I have some... news." Harry looked up bewildered as Mr Weasley left, quickly returning with Mrs Weasley, Hermione and the Weasley children, who all gave Harry short glances before taking seats around the table.
"As you know I was held back in a meeting today you see... Dumbledore was there briefly as well..." He tailed off for a second before continuing. "Well, no point beating about the bush... it was to try and find a new Prime Minister and... and... they've asked me!" Harry and Hermione gasped, Ron spluttered out his drink, and Ginny blanched. Mrs Weasley looked faint, and Charlie put an arm round her as Bill asked the question.
"What did you say?"
Mr Weasley looked at the faces around the table, which had now moved from shock to excitement. He beamed at them. "I said yes!"
Fred and George leapt to their feet and hugged their father and Ginny and Ron joined Charlie in helping up and hugging their mother, who was by now smiling and crying tears of joy. Harry, Hermione and Lupin exchanged excited and slightly amused glances, before each individually shaking hands with Mr Weasley, and hugging Mrs Weasley. Then the fireplace turned green for what felt like the twentieth time that evening, and out stepped Percy Weasley.
He was looking slightly untidy in ripped robes and it was obvious he had been crying. Everyone went quiet. Harry watched in astonishment as Mr and Mrs Weasley went over to their son and pulled him into a tight hug, as Bill and Charlie ushered the others upstairs, and out of the way.