AN: Hi, sorry it's been six days, but I had a maths test, and for my geography we are now studying flood plains, lucky I live on a place with tons of flood defences as it floods at least five times a year. I was going to wait for Saturday to put this up, but I have a project that I am doing, so here it is. Also, have any of you guys been watching I'm a celebrity? Joey just went out, and now only Lucy, David and Kian remain. I want Kian to win! What about you guys? If you watch it, comment. Thanks for reading, and please comment or PM me or email me at gredandforgefan .uk. You can also follow me on tumblr at Phelpsgirlxxx or on twitter at KateGredandForg. Thanks xx OH AND R.I.P Nelson Mandela, and R.I.P my best mates grandma.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. I merely own the things in my room and this laptop as well as my brain. If I owned Harry Potter I would have more things, so anyway, I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter three Harry's Pov
It was two weeks until the end of the holidays when George came up to me with a question. We had exactly two weeks until we were meant to return to school and he had a question for me. I sort of had a feeling I knew what this question was, and my heart sank to the pit of my stomach. There was no way I was going to tell him. I didn't want to get gifts, I didn't want to be created as a special person for the day. Other people could have it for all I cared. I didn't deserve recognition on one day, as it was the day I was born. No, I deserved to be ignored on that day. When I was born, I brought pain and suffering to people, not happiness. Maybe my parents had loved me for a year and three months, but since then I had brought pain and suffering, include to them, they had died, because of me. I didn't want George to know.
" Harry I have known you exactly a year and yet you never did tell me your birthday." He said.
I froze turning to look at him. I tried go give him an innocent 'who me?' look but he didn't fall for it at all. I tried to hop off but I was caught round the corner by Fred. Damn George must have known he was there and that was why he didn't chase after me. Damn twin thing. Fred picked me up, and carried me back into the living room and placed me down at George's side, and George instantly wrapped an arm around me, not bothered about my tensed shoulders, but my instincts were screaming at me to run, but I didn't. There was no way I would be able to escape from Fred and George. Two against one never worked, especially considering I wasn't allowed to use magic outside of school.
" What's going on brother dearest?" Fred asked.
" I am trying to find out when his birthday is." George said.
I knew that he wouldn't have found out from looking through my memories. Even though I didn't remember my ninth, tenth or eleventh birthday, every birthday I was beaten and then ignored, and I had no doubt in thinking that I was for the other birthday's would be exactly the same, if not worse beatings, because I had got older, but I didn't really want to know, and I shook my head slightly, trying to force away the flashbacks that were trying to fight there way to the front of my mind.
" Oh come on Hazza! Please tell us you're birthday!" Fred pleaded.
Just then Mrs Weasley came around the door looking curious and holding a massive pile of washing. She smiled at us all talking and then stopped as if she was just thinking about something. I tensed even more, and George used his hands to rub at my shoulders, and I couldn't help but relax, even though my heart was racing and the blood was pounding in my ears, and I took a deep breath trying to calm myself, thanking inwardly every god or goddess that may have been listening, meaning the Weasley's didn't realise my troubles.
" Who's birthday?" Mrs Weasley asked curiously.
" We are trying to find out Harry he's been avoiding tell us for a year. We just want to know, we need to celebrate it." Fred told her.
" Oh its not for ages." I said offhandedly, trying to keep a calm face. They couldn't know.
" How long is ages?" George asked.
" It doesn't matter."
" It does." Fred argued.
" Yeah come on Harry we will need to buy you a present." George said whispering slightly in my ear, making me shiver.
George was smirking at me and pulled me into a hug and put his chin on my shoulder. He smirked as did Fred while Mrs Weasley watched curious to what George was doing. However I know what he was planning. There was no way I was going to be able to resist what I knew he was going to do, so I scrunched my eyes closed, and tried to focus on something in my mind. A song or something, anything that would take my mind off it.
" Come on Harry." He whispered.
" Nope." I said.
I closed my eyes tighter. I peeked out of them to see Fred and George pulling identical puppy dog faces. Or at least they were near enough identical. Fred's was more of pout and Georges eyes shone more. I felt my resistance against George slowly crumbling. I couldn't tell him, and once more I steeled my resolve, I wasn't going to give in, never.
" Nope." I said softly.
" Please." George whined in my ear.
" No." I said again.
" Oh come on." He pleaded.
Just then Percy walked in. He looked at us curiously raising an eyebrow. He was wearing a hoodie, which surprised me, not ever expecting him to wear something like that. When he wore Muggle clothing at school on weekends, he wore pretty much a suit, but then I realised he must wear something else when he was at home, as at school he had to still be a prefect at Hogwarts, so there was no wonder he was able to relax more at home. He smiled at me and I smiled back and Fred grinned but I had no idea what for. It wasn't until after that I realised.
" Percy have you read a book telling you when Harry's birthday is?" Fred asked.
Damn Percy knew as he had passed me a gift on my birthday. It was my second ever proper birthday present. It was a book of charms as he knew it was my favourite subject and I had thanked him for it days. It had been something I had got on my birthday and even though it was my second gift, it felt like my first as I had never remembered the one from Hagrid and apart from beatings it was the only one. Also it was based on something I really loved, meaning that he must have found out what I liked. That meant more to me than the actual gift had, and I was he knew that, but didn't mind.
" Wait you don't know so am I the only one who gave you a present Harry?" He asked.
I smiled sheepishly blushing. I tried to indicate that I didn't want him to tell anyone however I knew he could understand but he decided to ignore it and tell them anyway. I really didn't want to let them know, something was telling me it wasn't going to be okay.
" Oh Harry's birthday was the thirty first of July." Percy said clearly.
Mrs Weasley dropped the washing and Fred and George turned to look at me. I just turned and hid my face in Georges chest blushing furiously. Percy was grinning mischievously. I had never seen him grin like that. I wondered how many people at school knew that the very strict Gryffindor prefect could grin like that, and it reminded me so much of Fred and George.
" Oh Harry dear you should have told us." Mrs Weasley said.
" It wasn't a big deal."
" But you turned twelve."
" It doesn't matter."
" Oh but we will have to do something as a belated birthday. A party?"
" No its okay I'm fine." I said.
" Yeah lets have a party!" Fred exclaimed.
Just then Mr Weasley walked in from work. He was wearing slightly raggedy robes, and it made me want to give them my money. I knew they wouldn't accept it though, even though some day we would be related through marriage, or at least I hoped so. George might not want to, but I did, not that I was going to tell him that, I knew someone, if not George himself would use it against me. He looked at us all stood in the living room and grinned happily. He kissed Mrs Weasley's cheek and turned to talk to her.
" What's going on Molly dear?"
" Well Dad we just found out Harry's birthday." Fred said interrupting before Mrs Weasley could say anything.
" What he didn't even tell George?" Mr Weasley asked shocked.
" Nope." George said drawing the p out.
" Only Percy knew." Mrs Weasley said.
" I read it in a book and got him a present." Percy told them.
" So when is it?" He asked.
" July the thirty first." George told him.
" Well happy belated Birthday." He said.
" Thanks sir." I whispered.
That night in bed I was dreading it. I didn't want anyone to know as I hated my birthday. Nothing good have ever come of the day. Uncle Vernon had always hit me extra hard on my birthday and Dudley would taunt me with the presents he got on that day. I had to even out my breathing so that Percy would think I was asleep at the normal time, rather than awake the fact of knowing what would happen in a few days time. My heart was racing as I thought about it once more.
Aunt Petunia would just look at me and tell me to go and do my chores and not do anything freakish while I was at it on my birthdays from before I was eight. I couldn't let them do anything. I hated birthday's. She was the one who treated me the best. She once slipped me a piece of bread on my birthday, even though I hadn't eaten for three days before hand. I didn't want a birthday which was the main reason I didn't tell anyone. I sort of thought George may have worked that out, but clearly hadn't.
When everyone got up the next morning I still hadn't managed to get any sleep. I had been tossing and turning all night. I never wanted to celebrate my birthday. Ever but now I had no choice. I had bags under my eyes, and they were really bloodshot. George smiled at me as I sat down and I returned it. He grabbed my hand and I just held his limply. He didn't notice, but that made me even more reassured. I hated thinking that something would happen. If a party was scheduled something bad would come of it. It was how it worked. My luck is very two sided.
That day I grabbed my book of charms spells and crept out. I ended up sitting behind one of the trees in the Weasley's orchard. I wanted to get away for a while. It reassured me if they didn't notice I had left, during the actual party I would be able slip out and they would forget about it, but hopefully they wouldn't think I was being rude. They were immersed in plans for the party but I really didn't want a party of any sort. Also Christmas was every year so that could be the only day when I was allowed presents. I didn't need two days a year. Just one was all I needed, and that was at a push.
It was half past three in the afternoon when Lee found me. He had come over for a visit and to help plan. I had left and it had taken them a while to notice as they were immersed in their plans. I was glad that they didn't notice me for a while as it gave me more time. He slipped down next to me, and placed an arm around me. I sighed slightly, leaning into someone I thought as one of my best friends or one of my older brothers.
" Hey Harry."
" Hi Lee."
" What's the matter?"
" Nothing." I said immediately.
" There has to be something as you're upset."
" I don't want a party."
" But Fred said..."
" Fred thinks that I will enjoy it but no one listened when I said I really didn't want one." I told him.
" Why not Harry?"
" I don't celebrate it. I never have."
" Why not?"
" Well most of the time my Uncle would make my birthdays the worst."
" What would he do?"
I stayed silent not really wanting to tell him. I did trust him but the only one I had really told about my home life was Percy weeks back. I had told him everything and I know for certain he kept it to himself. I brought my knees up to my chest, and Lee rubbed my back soothingly. I leant in, wanting the slight comfort that he gave me.
" He...he...he."
" He what Harry? He whispered slightly.
" He would just hit me and whip me on my birthdays but it would always be worse than the other days." I said staring off into space, not associating myself with the conversation.
" Why?" He whispered sadly.
" He said it was my birthday gift." I said in a monotone voice.
By this point I had tears running down my face. He squeezed me close to his side, and I shivered slightly. He smiled at me and I grimaced slightly back up at him. He was so happy all the time, and I just wondered how he managed it. How was he so happy and lively all the time? How was it even possible? I swore to myself, that one day I would find out, so if George was ever down, I would be able to comfort him, the way he had with me so often.
" Don't you think it would be different here?" He asked me.
" I don't know but I associate that day with pain." I whispered biting my lip.
" Hows your leg and arm?" He asked me changing the subject.
" Not too bad, I hardly even notice it. I had to rest on my leg to get here and now I think its gone dodgy again, but it's not painful."
" Come on climb on and I'll take you back." He said, and I worked out that he knew I had lied when I said it didn't hurt.
" Thanks Lee." I whispered as he picked me up.
" No problem."
" I still don't want a party."
" I know."
Lee's Pov
By the time we reached the house Harry was asleep and I could hear people panicking before I even opened the door. Fred and Georges were loudest followed by Mrs Weasley. I sighed, knowing I would have to break it to them that he really really didn't want to have a party, but I was prepared, as long as I could help Harry by doing this, as he knew George wanted one, but it was up to Harry, no one else. It was to be Harry's party if it was anyone's.
" We still haven't found Harry." George panicked his voice shaking slightly.
" And now Lees gone!" Fred exclaimed.
I opened the door and everyone turned to look at me.
" Oh Lee there you are." Fred said.
" And..." I said going through the door fully so they could see Harry.
" Harry!" George exclaimed.
" Where was he?" Percy asked.
" Behind a tree in the orchard."
" Oh." George whispered, as if he was shocked that he hadn't thought to check there himself.
" Is there anywhere I can put him?" I asked.
" Place him on the sofa."
I went into the living room and moved a cushion so it would be under his head and then placed him down on the sofa. Harry was way lighter than Katie was and Katie was light as it was. Harry must be dreadfully underweight. I walked back into the kitchen and George had his head in his hands. I sat down at the spare chair that was clearly for me to sit in and I did so. Mrs Weasley was discussing something with Percy, while George and Fred waited, it was obvious that I was going to be expected to tell them what was wrong with Harry.
" What's the matter with him?"
" He really doesn't want a party." I said.
" But...!" Fred began to protest.
" He hates his own birthday because of previous birthdays." I told them.
" His relatives?" Mr Weasley asked.
" Yes its why he doesn't want one. He went out of his way to try and stop you from knowing as he didn't want one."
" Why didn't he tell us?" George asked.
" He did."
" What?" Fred asked.
" He tried to tell you but you ignored him and continued on with the planning. He did tell you but you all seemed to want this party and he didn't want to upset you."
" I am the worst soul mate ever." George muttered into his hands.
" Your not." I told him.
" But he thinks he can't confide in me." He said.
" He knows he can but you were so enthusiastic about this party..."
" I am going to speak with him when he wakes up." He decided.
Two days later there had been no party or presents in the end for Harry and that had made him happier. However I had bought him a present and was going to use it as an extra Christmas one. We were heading into Diagon Alley for our school books. I knew George and Fred would have had the same idea with two presents. It was smart, and I know that Harry would probably clock onto it, but I knew that at Christmas according to George, the Dursley's were too busy fussing over Dudley to pay attention to Harry and beating him up.
Their had been a lot of books on Gilderoy Lockhart and it was Harry who had the idea. Mrs Weasley was worrying about how much it was going to cost but he gone to talk to her. He was really smart with things like this, and I realised that when he was younger that he had no money for anything and when he had bits of it, he would more than likely work to save as much as he could. No one minded though, he managed to make peoples lives better.
" Mrs Weasley?"
" Yes dear?"
" Why don't you buy one set of books? Fred and George share books mainly anyway and the others are never going to have lessons at the same time as George and Fred so they can swap over in the break between lessons."
" Thank you Harry." She said.
I had seen Katie yesterday and she was coming into Diagon Alley with us today. However we had a delayed start. Harry breathed in ash from the fire and coughed when he had said Diagon Alley meaning he disappeared somewhere and none of us knew where. George was panicking and twisting his fingers. No one bothered to stop him, all of us were worried about Harry, especially considering the fact that he had a broken leg and a broken arm.
George's Pov
" Where is he?" I worried.
" Calm down George he will be found."
" Don't worry he will be." Lee agreed.
Just then I spotted him and ran off with Fred and Lee following. He was walking down the street with Hagrid. I swept him into a hug and pressed kisses into his hair. I had been so worried about him. Mum came down and dusted him off with a clothes brush and then fixed his glasses. I breathed in his familiar scent, reassuring myself that he was fine. He wasn't hurt, and it meant that I was reassured. The only newly broken thing were his glasses and they had already been mended.
" Oh Harry I was so worried." I whispered into his hair.
" I'm fine." He said clearly.
" Hows your leg?" Lee asked.
" It twinges a bit." He said grimacing.
" Oh." Fred said.
" Its fine though." He was quick to reassure us.
It had been stupid of us to let Harry go off with a broken leg. He still had a week until he could get his leg cast off. His arms had two weeks meaning it would still be in a sling for a few days at Hogwarts. I had flooed with Ginny before, so it would have been smart if I flooed with Harry, as one it was his first time and two he was injured. I had no idea why I hadn't thought about it in the first place. Surely that would have been some common sense.
" Come on lets go to Flourish and Blotts." Mum said.
It was crowded in Flourish and Blotts and Harry, Lee, Katie, Fred and I opted to stay outside. There were too many giggly females fluttering their eyelashes at Gilderoy Lockhart. It was sickening. Seriously most of them had husbands. Mum was doing the same and Dad seemed a bit put out by it. I would have been if Harry had been flirting with Lockhart, but I knew that Harry wouldn't do that. Even Katie was looking at them weirdly, and I guessed it was just because of the soul bond that she wasn't bothered, or maybe she was one of the few in the wizarding world who had common sense.
Dad was holding Ginny's hand tightly so she wouldn't get lost and Mum took all our books and Harry's to get signed so that we didn't have to go in at all. If we had gone in Harry would have been stepped on quite a bit. However we did look around the door when we heard a commotion. Lee had been the first to hear it, and it sounded like spoken threats, and he was sure it had been our Dad, so obviously curiosity got the better of us, and we found out for ourselves.
Dad was in a scrap with Mr Malfoy while Ron was arguing with Malfoy Junior. Dad ended up pushing Mr Malfoy into a shelf of books causing Mr Malfoy to be hit in the eye with an encyclopaedia of toadstools. Mum finished sorting our books and swept us from the shop. She was furious with Dad, and that was pretty rare. I knew they had arguments, which parents didn't, but they normally kept it away from us so we weren't affected.
" Honest Arthur what were you thinking? What Gilderoy Lockhart must have thought?" She cried swishing her handbag angrily.
" He liked it. He asked the reporter to work it into his report said it was good publicity." Fred told her, being honest, backed up by the fact that Harry nodded.
She ignored Fred completely and scowled at Harry, and he shrank in on himself a bit. I glared at her as she bustled us back into the leaky cauldron. We had all got our other stuff earlier on, as Mum had expected Flourish and Blotts to take the longest, and she wasn't wrong. We bid goodbye to Katie and Lee, who were going to Katie's and as it was only just the first couple of days of August, they were going on holiday to Puerto Rico. I grabbed hold of Harry and held him tight before flooing away, with him grasped tightly to my side.
