Chapter 3

Birthday Party

Harry breathed in loudly. Professor McGonagall broke down in tears. Wordlessly, she took a handkerchief out of her robe. She blew her nose loudly, and then gave the handkerchief to Ron, who was quite suprised by that turn of events. Embarrassed, and without hiding his disgust, he threw the handkerchief into the bin standing in the corner. He exchanged anxious looks with Harry. Professor McGonagall was too sad to notice.

Harry gave her a while to seize control of herself.

'Headmistress, please tell us exactly what happened.' – suggested calmly Harry, when she finished another glass of Firewhisky.

'Argus Filch was patrolling corridors last night.' she started, calming down. 'As you know, students are not supposed to wander around the school at night...'

'That's what they always used to tell us,' interefered Ron, winking at Harry. 'But it was always hard for us to remember that,'

Harry silenced Ron with a staggering glance. Professor McGonagall continued her story.

'Cat alarmed the caretaker that someone was on seventh floor corridor. When he ran upstairs, he didn't find anyone. However, he heard some noises coming from the broomstick shed. He looked inside, and he found Filius, who was already dead.'

Woman started crying again. Her hands were shaking. She was looking for another handkerchief to wipe Her tears off. Ron waved his wand, and a box of tissues appeared on Harry's desk. Harry passed it to the teacher.

'Professor, what sort of noises did Flich hear?' asked Ron.

'From what I know' she started off slowly. ' It sounded like a rumble. As if some randomly thrown broomstick would hit a bucket.'

Harry and Ron exchanged meaningful glances.

'You must be wondering why did I break down' asked professor Mcgonagall, sniffing her nose. They both denier the statement, but they must've been really unconvincing.

'Filius Flitwick started working at Hogwarts at the same time as I did. We were friends for many a year and we shared quite a lot of warm memories. We bonded. After Albus' death, he was the only close person to me.'

'Was Professor Flitwick Deputy Headmaster?' asked Ron.

'Yes. He was nominatem by Headmaster Davis, a year before my return from retirement,'

Suddenly, doors burst open. Agitated man rushed into the office.

'Boss, there was some bloody fight in Leaky Cauldron. Goblins were involved!' he said, turning to Harry. 'One of ours got his head shrunk!'

'Send Perc and Cromber.' snapped Harry, looking at him angrily. 'And don't tell me about such bagatelles. Can't you see I'm busy here?!'

'Yes boss. Sorry.' he answered, closing the doors behind him.

'I see you are quite busy as well.' said McGonagall after a while. 'So let's get straight to the point. I am worried about the school. If I won't take any actions, Governors will take over.'

'I'll send some of my men to the castle.' said Harry quickly, for he knew what was going to happen in a minute.

'My dear, Filius was my friend. I was hoping you will take care of it personally.' stated McGonagall, with disappointment in her voice. 'And we need new Charms Teacher.'

'Professor, that proposal is really flattering' started Harry, unsure of what to say. 'But I cannot leave Headquarters without any supervision. By the way, we also got some serious cases to solve.'

'I'll substitute you.' put in Ron with determination. 'I think we can handle a couple of weeks without you. For this time, you can carry out an investigation at school, and work as a teacher as well.'

Harry looked at Ron furiously.

'You don't need to make decison right now' – assured McGonagall. 'But I would like to end that hideous problem right now.'

Harry didn't asnwer. He was too angry at Ron. Trying to stophishand from shaking, he filled his glass with Firewhisky and drank All of it in one gulp.

Harry was angry at Ron for the entire day. He didn't say a single word to him. He was under the impression that Ron is desperately trying to get into his shoes. Well, it wasn't first time he was jealous about something. During Hogwarts, his fame was eclipsing Ronald's, and he was imperceptible for most of the time. After many years, Harry's fame increased even more (He was known for conquering the deadly Chimera from Foligno, solving the case of vampire from Silesia and seizing control over the Wild Colony of Quintapeds from Castellamonte). When he became the Chief of Auror's Headquarters, Ron's envy became even more noticable.

Harry welcomed the end of the week with real delight. Weekend was an excellent occasion to rest from all the work (Everyone in Headquarters knew that during Saturday and Sunday, boss was not to be interrupted as he was spending time with his family and his family alone). He was also in a better mood, as he promised Lily that he'll go to a Quiditch match with her (Harry was delighted to see Lily was really enjoying this particular sport). Hollyhead Harpies were playing against Ballycastle Bats, the best Irish team in his opinion. Ted Lupin went to Hogwarts to visit Victoire (When James caught them kissing on Platform 9 ¾, everyone found out that they were in love). Ginny was too busy organising Suprise Birthday party for Mrs. Weasley. So Harry had a rare occasion to spend the entire day with his daughter. After the match, he took her to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. After Fred's death, George and, when possibile, Ron were running it.

'Freddy wrote that school announced mourning.' said George, while sitting with Harry behin the counter (Lily was looking around the shop with other children). 'I heard Flitwick was murdered.'

'Yep,' confirmed Harry, looking at his daughter. 'She always behaves like it's her first time here.' he mumbled, laughing quietly, but upon seeing George's look, he addend, 'I sent two of my best men to Hogwarts.'

'Better than you?' asked George, grinning maliciously.

'Of course they are... not.' mumbled Harry again, this time embarassed. George was last person he wanted to tell why he didn't wish to come back to Hogwarts.

' McGonagall insisted on me taking this job'

'Then why won't you?' – asked George immediatly, 'I bet you can levitate feathers just as well as Flitwick,'

Harry was silent for a while. He felt that he owed an explanation to George.

'We have problems with goblins...' he started, trying to sound convincing. 'If peace talks won't help, we stand in threat of a rebellion. We are trying to deal with a nasty dragon for a month now. I can't just leave it like that and come back to Hogwarts.'

'Man, I get that you have really responsible job.' said George, laughing quietly. 'But since when does a pack of mad goblins and overexcited dragon are more important than Hogwarts?'

Harry remained silent.

'No matter what happens here,' continued George. 'Don't forget that our children are in Hogwarts. If there is some midgets' killer in the castle, then my Fred can be in danger.'

Harry laughed loudly.

'Freddy isn't that small' he answered cheerfully.

Even though, thanks to George's nature, everything he said was turned into a joke, he enlightened one important issue to Harry's attention.

'Nothing is more important than our children's safety.' confessed Harry to his wife at late night, when they were laying in their bed, nestling into each other. 'If there is a murderer in the castle, it is my duty to get him and make sure no student gets hurt.'

'What about your Ministry's obligations?' asked Ginny, stroking hishusband's hecek tenderly and looking into his green eyes with koncern, 'Will they let you off for a coupe of months?'

'Your brother will replace me,' said Harry, trying to convince himself. 'Charlie is taking care of the dragon, and Ted is contributing in negotiations with Goblins. And if something happens, I can always get out of the castle for a while.'

He kissed her cheek. Ginny sighed.

'And who will I hug in long autumn and winter evenings?' - asked Ginny, smiling sadly.

Harry didn't answer. He embraced her tightly, drawing his face closer to hers and began to kiss her passionately.

Sunday morning was very chilly. Harry woke up very early. While everyone were still asleep, he put on Ginny's dressing gown, as it was laying next to him, on the bedside table. He went donwstairs to the kitchen. It was still covered in darkness. He waved his wand and all of candles immediately flared up. He looked around the kitchen, as if he was looking for something.

His attention was drawn by a small picture on the cudboard. He picked it up and looked - it presented a thin man with black hair and glasses on his nose. He was tenderly hugging a woman with chestnut hair and green, deep eyes. Lily and James Potter were smiling at their son happily. Invariably beatiful and young. Harry noticed his reflection in the glass doors of cudboard.

He momentally realized how quick life goes. His hair threaded with silver was tousled in all directions, just like many years earlier, when Aunt Petunia tried to flatten it. He thought about his father. Would his hair look the same? Would James Potter's face be similiar to Harry's? Numerous scars, burns and wrinkles, with a visible scar on his right cheek being fairly visible, accompanying his oldest and most remembered scar. Face being an individual map of worries, concerns and adventures he had been through his thirty-six years of life.

Those types of reflections were haunting Harry every time after experiencing the nightmares. And they happened quite often. In spite of all these years, he still saw the horrible scenes in his dreams. Pale, lifeless body of Fred... Swollen and tearful faces of the Weasley family... Sobbing over Ginny's brother's body... Empty, expressionless looks of Tonks and Lupin... Dozens of torn and burnt faces of Harry's friends, who sacrificed their lives, fighting for Harry...

Those images were haunting him all the time. Throughout all these years, with increasing feeling of guilt. He couldn't get rid of quiet voice in his head, which kept on repeating: You could have avoided this... They didn't have to die...

Those events made a permanent mark on Harry's psyche. Hogwarts became a place of sacrifice many people suffered while fighting for him. That's why he didn't want to come back to Hogwarts. However this time, his return was inevitable.

After a bit of a thought, he put the picture back in its place. He went to the saloon. On the pole next to the fireplace, there was a phoenix. His eyes were closed. Harry acquired it during one of his travels to Egypt, years ago. Flame saved his life many times, healing many wounds and injuries.

'I need your help.' said Harry, approaching him and stroking his head with his finger. 'You'll go to Hogwarts and deliver the letter to Professor McGonagall.'

Phoenix squealed, excited. Harry waved his wand. On the table, next to the couch, piece of parchment, ink and quill appeared. He sat down comfortably, covering his skinny legs with his wife's dressing gown and scribbled quick letter with black ink. When he finished, he read it out loud.

Dear Headmistress,

I decided to accept the job of Charms' teacher, but I must sort out couple of personal issues first. I will arrive at the castle during Halloween.

Yours Faithfully

Harry Potter

Phoenix squealed happily again. Harry rolled up the parchment and attached it to its claws.

Harry stroked its head again, as a sign of farewell. The phoenix turned into a ball of fire and instantly vanished.

Breakfast at Potter's house was spent on talks about the birthday party that was secretly organised by all of them to celebrate Mrs. Weasley's birthday. Lily couldn't wait to see her grandma's reaction. Ted was repeating over and over again that Victoire will be there. Along with Albus, James, Fred and Rose, she was supposed to leave Hogwarts for one day. Still, the most excited person was, without a doubt, Ginny. Harry suspected that it was because of Edward Belt's Experimental Wine. Harry had one bottle in the cellar, and he realized it mysteriously disappeared.

Potter's family was supposed to come to Bill's and Fleur's cottage in the early morning, using Floo Network (Lily couldn't apparate, and just like Harry, she loathed Side-Along-Apparition). When they appeared, they saw other guests in the garden. In addition to the family, Harry spotted Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Luna Lovegood with her husband Rolf Scamander and couple of members of the Order of the Phoenix. There were also many faces he didn't know, but he had seen them at work.

'Can you tell me now what the present is?' he asked his wife, when they finished welcoming everyone and stood by the bush of blossoming lilac.

Arthur Weasley appeared with a loud crack.

'She'll be here any minute!' he said feverishly.

People gathered around the centre of the garden. A colourful sign was floating above them, saying: 'Happy Birthday, Molly!', and it was held by two cheerful elves.

Excited Fleur clapped her hands. Three house elves came running into the garden, one uglier than the other. They were pushing a huge birthday cake with quite a lot of effort. Harry laughed but upon seeing outraged Hermione whispering to Ron : 'She could've use magic, not torture these poor creatures!', he stopped.

'This is the 'present'?' jeered Ron. 'You really could've created something better, Ginny.'

When elves hoisted the cake in the middle of the garden, they disappeared with a loud crack. Almost at the same time, Shell Cottage's doors opened, and alarmed Mrs Weasley came running into the garden.

'SUPRISE!' everyone shouted, and as upon the wishes, the cake exploded, turning into a fancy fireworks. Blond-haired man emerged from the inside cake, dressed in beige frock-coat, with a cylinder on his head.

'It can't be... Lockhart?!' moaned Ron, leaning towards Harry. 'When did they release him from the loonies?'

Hermione looked at him straight away with a reproving look and started to clap along with everyone else.

Mrs Weasley came closer. She was white as a wall.

'Happy Birthday, honey!' said Arthur Weasley, hugging her lovingly.

The woman started sobbing. Crowd fell silent at once.

'What happened?' said Mr Weasley, nervously looking around.

'No one was home!' she said, calming down and pointing at the Shell Cottage.

'I was afraid something bad happened! You said Bill wanted to tell me something important!'

'Dear Molly, live long live, ho ho, we need you like H2O! – exclaimed Lockhart suddenly, jumping out of cake and dancing around Mrs Weasley, ' Dear Molly, we love you so much, that out of love, a dragon is going to hatch! Dear Molly, live long live...'

'Are you sure he's not mad anymore?' whispered Ron, leaning over towards Ginny.

Harry looked at Ginny. When he caught Ron's face, they both started to laugh, just like everyone else. Ginny and Fleur went red. Mrs Weasley dried the tears and started to giggle along with the other guests.

Lockhart was repeating the same verses of song over and over again. He also raised his cylinder up. There was a pink, fluffy bunny with long ears on his head. When it bulged off Lockhart's head and disappeared in the bushes, Mrs Weasley started humming the song with the others.

'At least Mum likes it,' – said Ginny, satisfied. 'She always fancied him.'

When the dancing wizard finished his little show, guests started to come towards Mrs Weasley separately. They all wanted to give their best wishes and hand her their gifts.

'Happy Birthday, Mum,' said Harry, kissing Mrs. Weasley on the cheek. 'Ginny apologizes for this failure of a birthday present,'

'No I don't!' – growled Ginny, elbowing him.

When all of the presents had been opened, elves appeared again. This time, they were carrying trays with drinks on it. For children, there were ice-balls that caused levitating, cream balls full of nougat, pepper devils and other sweets, straight from Honeydukes. Fred and James nicked two bottles of Butterbeer and drank it at the back of the garden.

'Beatiful garden.' – said Luna. 'It's enchanted, isn't it?'

'Herbivicus Spell' – said Fleur proudly.

'Do you use spells to tend the garden too? – asked Hermione meanly. 'Or do you exploitate poor house elves to do it for you?'

Fleur looked at Hermione angrily. They both didn't really like each other.

'Mum, Ted is kissing Victoire at the beach!' – called Lily out loud, excited that she found it out, running bare foot across the garden. 'They're drinking beer and wine, and then they kissed each other!'

'At least now I know where Belt's bottle's gone. ' whispered Harry to his wife.

Unexpectedly, Arthur Weasley passed him. He looked angry. He came into the house, smashing the doors behind him. Surprised Harry looked around the garden, to see what has made his father-in-law so angry. He noticed Charlie hugging his mother. Mrs Weasley cheeks were wet from tears.

'Good news, Harry' said Charlie, shaking hands with him. 'I know how to deal with that dragon of yours.'

Harry sat in garden chair, glad of himself. He summoned Ron with his hand, who was also glad to get rid of Vergil Proudfoot, who was a specialist in Flobberworms. Charlie took three bottles of Butterbeer out of the fridge, passed it to Harry and Ron, and sat in another one of garden chairs. He gulped his beer down

'Your dragon is a female.' said Charlie, swallowing the beer. 'I suspect it laid its eggs somewhere near that village. It seems that it's trying to get food for its children. It's so aggressive as it is protecting its children.'

'How is it none of our men didn't find this out?' said Ron, astonished.

'None of your men had traineeship in reservoir of dragons in Romania.' answered Charlie, drinking some more beer.

'What race is it?' asked Harry. 'I have never seen anything quite like it.'

'Neither have ,.' answered Charlie, thinking. 'That dragon is a mixed breed. Its tail is as sharp as an arrowhead, just like Hebridean Black. Its thorns at the front are like Norwegian Rideback's. Its eyes and horns are just like Hungarian Horntail's.'

'I didn't know it is possible for dragons to mix breeds so much,' said Ron, astonished again.

'Excatly. That dragon is the proof that someone is breaking the Illegal Experimental Breeding Act. We are talking here about Illegal Hatching Process. Someone is mixing the races to get a dangerous and a powerful killer.'

'I'll talk about this with Diggory on Monday.' said Harry. 'His department should take care of that. The only thing we need to do is to get rid of that dragon. It poses a threat to the Muggles,'

'What solution do you suggest, Charlie?' asked Ron.

'First thing you need to do, is to find out where its eggs are. If you can divert its attention and move its nest, problem is solved. Dragon will follow its children. I suggest to transport it to a reservoir in Romania.

'We'll take care of that.' – said Ron vigoriously.

'No Ron, you will take care of that.' – said Harry. Seeing a tone of astonishment on Ron's face, he added, 'On Monday, you will officially take over my place. On Tuesday, I'll be the new Charms Teacher.'