Disclaimer: In my state of delusion, this belongs to me. But in the harsh world called Reality, I only own Leah and Chrissy and the plot. Everything else belongs to JKR and the movie people.
Sorry for the delay-- almost a month, please don't hurt me! But I think this chapter is worth the wait.
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Chapter 6 Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl
Winter passed quickly, and before anyone knew it, it was May 11th-- exactly a week before Leah's birthday. Mrs. Weasley, of course, had been spending most of her time at number twelve, Grimmauld Place, and would be on hand for Leah's first birthday; she'd become quite fond of the infant. It was a Saturday, conveniently, and so Harry was planning to spend the day there with his baby.
The weekend of May 11th happened to be a Hogsmeade weekend, and Harry was planning to take full advantage of this in order to get some last minute shopping done for his little girl's birthday. He and Draco had it all worked out-- they would meet in an alley in Hogsmeade, and would apply Glamour Charms before going to the baby store. They'd get their shopping done, finite the Glamour Charm, and join their friends, with no one the wiser.
"Harry, are you coming to Hogsmeade?" Ron asked.
"Yep, I am," Harry nodded. "I've got some shopping to do."
"For what?" Hermione wanted to know.
"Just stuff," Harry said vaguely. Ron shrugged, and Hermione sighed.
"You know that we're here whenever you decide to tell us what's going on, right, Harry?" Hermione asked softly. Harry smiled and nodded.
"Of course I do. It's not that I don't trust you guys-- you are my best friends, after all-- it's that I don't trust people around us, you know?" Harry assured her. She nodded agreeably.
"Now, let's get going," Hermione said as she stood, checking the time. "We're going to be late if we stay here any longer." Ron rolled his eyes, but stood as well, and the threesome left Gryffindor Tower.
"And Potter, Weasley, and Granger, check," McGonagall said, peering at them from over the rims of her glasses as a group of chatting students crowded the Entrance Hall. Hermione smiled and nodded, and they left the castle with the rest of the students going to Hogsmeade.
"I'll meet you guys at Rosmerta's in two hours, all right?" Harry asked his friends, who nodded. He smiled and ducked into an alley they had just passed.
"It's about time you got here, Potter," Draco sneered at him.
"There's no one here but us, Draco," Harry said in a low voice. He held his wand up, pointed at himself, and repeated the incantation for the Glamour Charm; Draco did as well. They inspected one another for flaws, nodded once, then headed for the baby store.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," a frazzled, blond-haired woman called from somewhere in the store.
"Hello," Harry called back. Draco ignored her and began looking at the toys; this was the only store he had agreed to shop in, because everything was expensive. Typical rich pureblood, Harry thought to himself.
"What do you think?" Draco asked, holding up a toy.
"What is it?" Harry asked bluntly.
"It makes noise, and lights up, and things move. Any one year old would like that," Draco nodded, seemingly speaking to himself. Harry smirked and let his eyes wander.
"Toy broom! Perfect," Harry crowed, picking up the toddler-sized broom.
"How's she going to ride it? She can't walk yet," the blond-- well, normally blond-- pointed out.
"We'll figure something out!" Harry declared. "She'll ride it, don't you worry." He also grabbed a toy Snitch.
"A Seeker? Get real," Draco scoffed. "She'll be a Chaser." Harry smirked, but had to agree. He got the Snitch anyway.
"Let's get out of here," Harry said nearly two hours later. Their arms were overflowing with toys; one would think the two were shopping for an entire village of children. Draco nodded, and they paid for Leah's birthday presents.
"Here," Draco said. He flicked his wand at Harry's stack of gifts, and they instantly became the size of a matchbox car. He did the same with his stack.
"We have one slight problem with Leah's birthday party-- or two, rather," Harry added as an afterthought.
"What is it?" Draco asked instantly.
"Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione, Tonks, and Andromeda will be there," Harry said, his voice nearly a whisper, "and Leah's begun to call me 'Dada'."
"Aww!" Draco snickered.
"This is serious!" Harry hissed. "I think I'm going to tell them." Draco stopped walking-- they were nearly to the alley by then-- and looked Harry in the eye.
"For one thing, Andi already knows-- my mother told her almost as soon as she found out. Can you trust the others?" Draco replied.
"If I couldn't, would I have invited them in the first place?" Harry countered. Draco nodded and continued walking.
"So am I still invited to the party?" Draco questioned.
"Of course you are!" Harry exclaimed, horrified that his daughter's uncle would ever think otherwise. "I'll just have to talk to them first." They took down the Glamour Charms-- they were in the alley already-- and walked out of the alley, one at a time.
"Where have you been!" Hermione exclaimed as Harry entered Rosmerta's. "We've been waiting for you for ages!"
"Don't listen to her, mate," Ron told him, "we've only just gotten here. We haven't even gotten our butterbeers yet."
"Sorry," Harry apologized. "My little errand lasted longer than I thought it would." Damn Draco.
"Here are your butterbeers," Rosmerta said briskly as she set three down on the table they occupied. "I saw you come in, Mr. Potter," she added, correctly interpreting Harry's confusion. He smiled.
"Thank you, Rosmerta," he thanked her. She smiled to him and left as the three gulped the bubbling drink down.
"We'd better be heading back to the school soon," Hermione announced, checking the time as they finished their butterbeers.
"I'm ready," Ron announced, sucking the last drop from his butterbeer bottle.
"Me too," Harry seconded, placing his bottle on the table. He paid Rosmerta, and they left the small pub.
"What did you have to shop for?" Ron pressed.
"Some things," Harry replied easily. "Someone's birthday is coming up."
"Whose?" Hermione asked eagerly.
"Leah's," Harry admitted, giving up all lies and pretenses. "You know, the baby Sirius is babysitting?"
"Oh, is it?" Hermione commented.
"She'll be one next Saturday," Harry informed her.
"Why won't she be with her parents? Don't they want to be with her on her birthday?" Hermione asked, not comprehending.
"She will be with her parents-- her father, anyway," Harry replied.
"Bloody hell," Ron breathed. "Sirius is her father?"
"No!" Harry exclaimed. "You've seen her. Does she look anything like him?"
"No, she doesn't," Hermione answered for him. "She rather looks like--" Harry stopped her.
"No speculations," Harry told her. "Not out loud, anyway. You'll find out the truth on Saturday-- that is, you do want to come to her birthday party, right?"
"Of course," Hermione answered before Ron could object. "We would love to." Harry nodded in satisfaction.
Harry entered Gryffindor Tower, and decided he needed to consult with Draco. Harry laughed at how he regarded the Slytherin now, as opposed to how he had a year ago. How things change, he mused.
Malfoy,
We need to talk.
HP
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A school owl soared into the Slytherin Common Room and landed directly in front of Draco Malfoy. He took the note it carried, recognizing the handwriting. You're getting smarter, Harry, Draco thought to himself.
Malfoy,
We need to talk.
HP
Draco shook his head, not even wanting to know what the Gryffindor needed to talk about. They'd spent nearly two and a half hours bloody talking, what more could there possibly be to talk about?
"You're late," Harry smirked, tapping his watch. He was seated comfortably in the Room of Requirement.
"What's up?" Draco asked, not offering any excuse.
"What do you want me to tell them, as far as how you're involved in this?" Harry questioned.
"Tell them just as much as they need to know, and nothing more," Draco replied.
"Okay, then," Harry grinned. "I just wanted your opinion." Draco inclined his head.
"Well, I've got Herbology homework to finish, so I better go," Harry said as he stood from the chair.
"Crabbe and Goyle are probably looking for me. Honestly, those two can't think past their noses," Draco huffed. Harry laughed and left the room.
"Bye!" he called as he walked down the seventh floor corridor.
"Where'd you go?" Ron asked, not looking up from his Chocolate Frog as his best friend entered Gryffindor Tower.
"Had to go consult with a friend of mine," Harry replied simply. Ron nodded as he popped the frog in his mouth before it could hop away.
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Over the next seven days, Harry and Draco feverishly wrapped Leah's birthday presents in the limited free time they had. Neither teenager had their own room, so they were careful not to attract suspicion, placing Notice-Me-Not charms around them whenever they worked.
Finally, Saturday arrived. Hermione was at wit's end-- why wouldn't Harry come clean before Saturday? Why must he pique her curiosity, then not tell his story? She was just glad it was finally Saturday; then, she would get some answers.
"I'm going to Grimmauld Place right after breakfast," Harry told Hermione and Ron at breakfast that morning. "Be at the Floo network in Gryffindor Tower at one o'clock. I'll meet you there." Hermione sighed, then nodded. Harry grinned and left faster than he could say "Gryffindor Rules".
"Hey, there's a ferret missing," Ron said, nudging Hermione in the ribs. She looked up from her food and noticed Malfoy was missing. Hmm. Where did that ferret go?
"You've got her presents?" Harry whispered to Draco as he entered the Room of Requirement. Draco patted his pocket gently, trying not to break anything. Harry nodded and threw some green powder on the roaring fire in the fireplace.
"Number twelve, Grimmauld Place!" Harry whispered. Draco stepped expertly into the green flames, and Harry followed behind him.
"Sirius?" Harry called out as they enlarged their presents.
"In here!" Sirius called. Draco began to rearrange the huge pile of presents in an empty corner of the large sitting room as Harry entered the kitchen.
"What's for breakfast?" Harry asked, rubbing his hands together.
"Applesauce," Sirius replied. "At least, that's what I've been trying to feed her."
"Dada!" Leah cried out.
"Hey, kiddo!" Harry smiled. "Are you being good for Sirius?"
"Except for meals, yeah," Sirius answered. "She naps well, she plays well, she hardly every cries or screams, but meals are like..."
"World War III?" Harry suggested. Sirius shot him a confused look before aiming another spoonful of applesauce into the little girl's mouth. She promptly closed her mouth and looked up at her father expectantly.
"Dada!" she whined. Harry grinned and took the bowl from his godfather.
"Why don't you go help Draco in the sitting room?" Harry suggested. Sirius nodded sheepishly and left the kitchen, throwing a dirty look at Leah, who giggled.
"Happy birthday, baby!" Harry exclaimed as he began to feed her the applesauce. She gurgled and opened her mouth obediently, allowing her father to deposit the applesauce in her mouth.
"Sirius!" Mrs. Weasley's voice called from the sitting room. "Sirius, are you here?"
"I'm in the closet, Molly," Sirius's muffled voice said. "Go on into the kitchen." Thanks a bunch, Padfoot, Harry thought sarcastically.
"Harry! I didn't expect to see you here," Mrs. Weasley said surprised.
"Happy birthday, Miss Leah," she cooed, tickling the baby's feet. Leah giggled.
"What are you doing here, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she set to work, pulling bowls and ingredients out cabinets and cupboards.
"It's Leah's birthday," Harry said, watching her throw ingredients into the bowl expertly.
"Dada!" Leah demanded. Harry looked down at Leah, who wore an indignant expression. He chuckled, not noticing Mrs. Weasley had frozen in place.
"Sorry, kid, here you go," he said, shoveling more applesauce into her mouth.
"Harry, did she just call you 'Dada'?" Mrs. Weasley asked slowly, turning around to look at him. Harry suddenly became uncomfortable.
"Yes, she did," Harry said quietly, holding another spoonful to her mouth. She took it eagerly, then Harry gave her a Sippy cup of juice.
"Why did she call you that?" Mrs. Weasley pressed. Suddenly, all the color drained from her face. "Oh, Harry, Leah's not your...?"
"Yes. Leah is my daughter," Harry softly finished for her. Leah sucked noisily on her juice, oblivious to the confession happening around her.
"You'll be seeing Draco Malfoy around here, as well," Harry continued. "His sister is Leah's mother."
"Oh, Harry," Mrs. Weasley whispered. "Why isn't her mother here, then?"
"Chrissy...died," Harry said quietly. "She was eight months pregnant with Leah, and she committed suicide. She was taken to a Muggle hospital; they saved Leah, but Chrissy was too far gone."
"I'm sorry," Mrs. Weasley murmured. "If there's ever anything I can do to help you, I'm always here."
"Thank you," Harry smiled. "You understand, of course, why this needs to be kept a secret?"
"Of course," Mrs. Weasley smiled. "My lips are sealed."
"This is the guest list, just so you aren't taken by surprise," Harry told her, handing her a piece of paper. Her eyes widened.
"Narcissa Malfoy, Harry? Are you sure?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"She has kept in touch with Sirius for quite some time; she was, in all honesty, a bit smarter than Sirius and Andromeda in that she kept her true beliefs to herself. Her beliefs are similar to Sirius's," Harry explained.
He knew the guest list by heart: Draco, Hermione, Ron, Narcissa, Andromeda, Tonks, Mrs. Weasley, Sirius, and Remus.
Six of the guests already knew Leah was Harry's daughter (Draco, Narcissa, Mrs. Weasley, Sirius, Andromeda, and Remus-- Remus had figured it out by her scent, and Narcissa had informed Andromeda), but the other three were still in the dark. Harry knew he'd have to tell the story several times.
"Harry! We know you're here!" Tonks's voice called out.
"I'm with Leah, we'll be right down!" Harry shouted back. He heard Tonks coming up the stairs and sighed. He held Leah up on her feet, scrutinizing her outfit, as he tried to figure out what was missing.
She wore a beautiful lavender dress with white lace around the collar, wrists, and the bottom hem, and she wore shiny black Mary Janes.
"You forgot the barrette," Tonks said wryly. Harry huffed.
"Yes, yes, yes," he said, setting her down on the changing table again.
"She's your daughter," Tonks said bluntly. It was not a question.
"Yes, she is," Harry admitted. "How'd you figure it out?"
"It's not that hard," Tonks informed him. "Anyone with eyes can see that she's your child." She held up two hands when Harry opened his mouth to speak, as if surrendering. "I don't want details," she said. "Are you going to fix her hair or what?" Harry, in a moment of utmost maturity, stuck his tongue out at her, grabbed the barrette, and aimed it at the infant's tuft of dark hair.
"Don't poke her eye out!" Tonks protested quickly.
"Like you're one to talk, with your coordination," Harry returned cheerfully.
Tonks smirked and swiftly took the barrette from his hand. She deftly swept the little girl's dark curls to the left and clipped them into place. The barrette, like the dress, was lavender; it was decorated with a small lavender bow.
"Beautiful!" Tonks announced, taking a step back to admire her handiwork.
Harry rolled his eyes and picked the little girl up. Tonks followed them downstairs, crashing into a pile of books on the way down. Harry chuckled under his breath, but didn't say anything.
"Miss Leah!" Sirius exclaimed as they entered the sitting room. "Don't you look lovely!" Harry smiled and set her down with his godfather.
He threw some Floo powder on the fire and spoke the words, "Gryffindor Tower, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"
Harry could see Ron and Hermione standing in front of the fireplace.
"Hello!" Harry called out cheerfully, making his presence known. Hermione jumped a little, then smiled.
"Hello, Harry," she returned. "We've been waiting."
"One o'clock, on the dot," Harry said, tilting his head toward the clock in the Tower. "Are you ready to step through? And please, keep your opinions to yourself when you see the people here. They do not harbor mal-intentions."
Hermione nodded cautiously, and Harry stepped back from the fireplace, noticing that Narcissa and Draco had inadvertently seated themselves closest to the Floo. Great, Harry thought sarcastically. Just what we need-- Ron going ballistic the moment he steps out of the Floo.
"Hello," Hermione smiled pleasantly as she stepped out of the fireplace. Shock flitted across her face momentarily, but was quickly replaced with a smile.
"Harry," Ron nodded as he stepped out of the green flames. He did a double take when he saw Draco, but-- to Harry's extreme surprise-- did not comment.
"I'd like to talk to you two alone, if you wouldn't mind," Harry said, looking at his two best friends, who nodded.
"Dada!" Leah wailed, watching her father move to leave the room.
"Stay here with Sirius," he told her.
"No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. Harry rolled his eyes and held his arms out to her. She crawled over to him and held her arms out, waiting to be picked up. Harry complied, and led the way to the dining room.
"She called you 'Dada'," Ron said, staring at his best friend speculatively.
"Yes, she did," Harry admitted. He sat down in one of the chairs and sat Leah in his lap. She contented herself to playing with the sleeve of her father's clothes. Hermione watched him carefully.
"She was born a month premature; she was supposed to be born mid-June," Harry said quietly. "Her mother committed suicide May eighteenth; the Muggle doctors saved Leah, but not her mother."
"What are you saying, Harry?" Hermione asked softly.
"When I came back from Hogwarts, after fifth year, my aunt told me the Andersons had telephoned and told her that their daughter had a baby; she claimed it was mine," Harry said quietly. "Look at her-- does she look like me?"
"She has your eyes," Hermione replied, her voice low. "And your hair."
"She is mine," Harry said softly. "She's been staying with Sirius this whole time. Leah-- well, she's become a permanent fixture in both of our lives. Neither of us can imagine what life would be like without her."
"Dada," Leah said quietly, pulling herself up to her father's face. She patted his cheek gently, as if to say "I'm not going anywhere." Harry smiled and kissed her forehead.
"What does... Draco have to do with any of this?" Hermione asked.
"Co?" Leah asked eagerly, looking around the room.
"You can go see Uncle Draco in a minute, I promise," Harry told her.
"Uncle Draco?" Ron exploded. "What, are you bed buddies with Malfoy now?"
"If you would let me finish," Harry said sharply. "To make a long story short, Leah's mother is Draco's sister. Her magic was taken away from her; she was sent to live with Muggles."
"Does Dumbledore know?" Ron asked. "That Leah exists?"
"What would Dumbledore do if he found out about her?" Harry countered. "He'd turn her into another pawn in his game of Dark vs. Light. I don't want that for her. I just want her to be a normal kid."
"She will never be a normal child, so long as you are her father," Hermione informed him, smiling a little. Harry smiled back, agreeing fully with her statement.
"Are you guys okay with this?" Harry asked, looking each of his friends in the eye. "You can go back to Hogwarts, if you want. I'm not making you stay."
"Of course we'll stay!" Hermione exclaimed. "You're our best friend, Harry. No matter what happens, we'll always have your back." Harry smiled, and Hermione hugged him. She bent over and looked Leah in the eye.
"Hi, Leah, I'm your Aunt Hermione," Hermione said, smiling kindly. Leah babbled a bit, and Hermione chuckled, holding her hands out. Leah lifted her arms, and Hermione picked her up.
"That's your Uncle Ron," Hermione told her, turning her to face Ron. Leah waved to him, and Ron laughed.
"She sure is smart, for a one-year old," Ron commented, holding his hand out to his best friend. Harry took it, and they exchanged one of those macho one-armed hugs.
"Co!" Leah called out, not having forgotten her father's promise.
"Yes, we'll go see Uncle Draco," Harry told her, and three teenagers walked back into the sitting room, one carrying an infant.
"Co!" Leah shouted, squirming in Hermione's arms. She set her on the floor, and scrambled over to where Draco and Narcissa were sitting.
"Co! Nanananana!" Leah cried out excitedly, holding her arms out. Narcissa smiled and picked her up.
"Hi, sweetie," Narcissa said. Leah babbled on for a while before turning to Draco and ordering, "Co! Bah!"
"Fine, then," Draco said, sticking his tongue out at her. She giggled, then squirmed out of Narcissa's lap and onto the floor. She crawled over to her blocks, sat up, and turned to Draco expectantly.
"Co!" she ordered. Draco rolled his eyes aristocratically and joined her on the floor.
"The cake is ready," Mrs. Weasley whispered in Harry's ear. Harry nodded and followed her out of the sitting room. He cast an Incendio Charm on the candle wicks, picked up the cake, and carried it out to the sitting room, Mrs. Weasley not far behind.
Ten people sang Happy Birthday to the birthday girl, who stared at the icing eagerly. Finally, the singing ended, and Harry held the cake to her; she was seated on Tonks's lap.
"Blow on the candles, Leah," Harry instructed. When she blew, Harry blew with her, and all the candles went out. Flashes went off from everywhere in the room; everyone was trying to get a picture of the birthday girl.
Everybody cheered, and Mrs. Weasley took the cake back into the kitchen-- not before Leah got a handful of icing, however. Her whole hand was covered in the pale pink icing, and she licked at it happily.
Mrs. Weasley quickly cut the cake and had everyone eating a piece, even Remus, who had, at first, turned down a slice. He quickly realized one could not say no to Molly Weasley; and he accepted a piece.
"Time for presents!" Sirius called out, rubbing his hands together and Evanesco-ing his plate and fork. He set Leah in Harry's lap; Leah received the packages, and Harry was given the cards-- she had no use for those.
"To Leah: Happy birthday! Love, Nana Malfoy," Harry read the card as Sirius handed Leah a large package. Harry gently tore one corner of the wrapping paper, and Leah grabbed the corner and pulled it as far as she could.
"It's a train set," Narcissa explained before Harry could ask. "You set the tracks up on the floor, and she can ride the train." Harry smiled and whispered something in the baby's ear.
"Tay yoo Nanananana!" Leah called out, looking her nana in the eyes. Narcissa smiled.
"You're very welcome," Narcissa responded.
"Happy birthday Leah! Love, Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione," Harry read the next tag. He looked up at his friends. Hermione blushed.
"I fixed it after you told us," she informed him. Harry smiled, and Leah tore the paper off the package, which turned out to be three baby board books.
"There's an Unbreakable Charm on them," Hermione told Harry. Leah flipped open the first one, and squealed as the characters on the page moved around. Harry nudged the little girl.
"Tay yoo!" she said instantly. Ron smiled, and Harry took the next card.
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It was a long and fun-filled day for everyone involved, especially the little girl who was the center of it all: Leah. She was starting to get cranky around eight o'clock, and Harry decided it was time she went to bed. She hadn't had an afternoon nap, and he figured she was overtired.
"Bedtime, cutie?" he asked, taking her from Andromeda. Leah settled into his arms, resting her head on her father's shoulder.
"Say bye-byes to everybody," he whispered. She waved to everyone sleepily, and Harry smiled.
"I'll be right back," he said quietly, beginning his ascent to the attic.
"Did you have a good day, honey?" he asked softly as he changed her into a pair of feety pajamas.
"Dada," she whispered in reply, her eyes closing sleepily. He smiled and placed her in her crib. He kissed her forehead, whispering, "I love you, my Leah."
"I'd better be going," Narcissa said shortly after Harry returned downstairs.
"I'll go with you," Andromeda volunteered. "Tonks, are you ready to go?"
"Remus and I need to make a stop," Tonks told her mother. "Go without us." Harry raised his eyebrows, wondering if Remus had finally consented to Tonks's wishes.
"Thank you for coming," Harry said as Narcissa and Andromeda hugged him. He hugged them back, and they stepped outside and Disapparated.
"We've got to wait until midnight or so," Harry told his friends. "There's usually no one in the Common Room then."
"Remus and I have a quick stop to make, so we'd better be going," Tonks announced. Harry raised an eyebrow at the two, who looked like deer caught in headlights.
"I finally agreed," Remus admitted.
"Way to go, Moony!" Sirius exclaimed, clapping his friend on the back. Tonks rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Harry, who laughed.
"Bye, thanks for coming," Harry smiled. Remus hugged him and Tonks kissed his cheek before they tripped (well, Tonks tripped) out the door.
"Arthur will be home soon, I should go as well," Mrs. Weasley said. "Be good, you four," she reminded, looking each of the four teenagers in the eye.
"And you behave yourself," she added sternly, turning to the man of the house, who put on an innocent face. Mrs. Weasley rolled her eyes and took her leave.
"See that? Mrs. Weasley already fawns over you like you're one of her own," Harry teased, turning to Draco. Hermione and Draco had gotten on well, once Draco had explained that his behavior was an act, but Ron still held ill feelings toward the blond, and they had stayed clear of each other through the afternoon and into the evening.
"Let's clean this place up," Hermione suggested, picking up a few cups she found on the floor.
"Hermione Granger." Hermione looked up into Harry's emerald eyes. "Are you a witch or not?" Hermione smiled sheepishly and pulled out her wand.
"This place was made Untraceable," Sirius reassured her. "My mother made sure of that."
"Speaking of your mother, what happened to her portrait? She hasn't screamed all night," Hermione asked.
"I took care of her," Sirius announced smugly. Hermione's and Harry's eyes met, and they busted up laughing.
"Like the Mafia?" Harry gasped between laughter.
"It's a Muggle thing," Draco informed the two purebloods, rolling his eyes.
"Reparo," Harry incanted once he got his breath back.
"Evanesco," Hermione said repeatedly, pointing her wand at plates, forks, napkins, and cups all around the room.
"Mrs. Weasley cleaned up the kitchen? She didn't have to do that," Harry said, looking around the tidy kitchen.
"Less for us to do," Ron said matter-of-factly.
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At about midnight, Draco Flooed back to Slytherin House, and Hermione, Ron, and Harry Flooed to the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Before I forget," Draco had said before entering the green flames, "I need to speak with you tomorrow. I'll send a note."
Harry had an idea what they would be discussing-- a certain Voldemort's spy whose identity was, at this point, unknown to him.
Dedicated to Nana RIP 1.15.2005
Twelve pages. Whew! I need a Dunkin' Donuts caramel swirl iced latte with skim milk, no sugar, and extra caramel. (Go try it, it is unbelievably fabulous. If you don't have a Dunkin' Donuts near you, or don't know what it is, I am so sorry. I don't know how you make it through the day.)
Yeah, so more fluff, but there was some important stuff I needed to get out of the way, and Leah's birthday seemed to be a good setting for it. More action coming soon, I swear.
For anyone who is around young children often enough to notice this, yes, Leah is acting more like a sixteen-month old or an eighteen-month old than a baby who has just turned one. (Yes, I realize most babies don't say their first word until after their first birthday.) My only excuse is that I'm basing her off a combination of my thirteen-month old nephew and an extremely smart sixteen-month old, who can hum the entirety of the Happy Birthday song. (His parents have no idea where he picked it up. I think it's hilarious.) But yeah, sorry about that. My apologies. Leah's limited vocabulary seemed to be a quicker way to get Harry to fess up to his fatherhood than to "listen" to Harry's thoughts while he tried to figure out what to say.
Leah's vocabulary (in case you were wondering): Dada (Daddy), Co (Draco), Nanananana (Nana), and No.
Thank you to everyone who reviews, it's a great help to me, and plus I love to read them! So please review! Even just one word. Even just "update" is fine by me. You can just write a quote from the chapter, if you want. I'd just like a few more reviews, please. I know there's a bunch of you reading this who don't review-- how would this story get over 8,000 hits otherwise?-- and I'd appreciate it tremendously if you would take three seconds out of your busy lives to write even a one word review.
I have anonymous reviews enabled, so you don't even have to log in or have an account or anything! I'm making it as easy as I can! :) Whatever you feel like writing, please write it. Again, thank you to all my reviewers! You guys are the inspiration I need to write!
Um, I have to go read my summer reading book. I've read the Twilight Saga forty-two times already (it's fabulous, if you haven't read it go read it now!!), but I haven't even made it through chapter one of my summer reading book. And school starts Wednesday. Oops.
I wasn't aware that I've had diplopia for as long as I can remember (I know, right? How do you not know that you have double vision?), so I've gotta go see the eye doctor dude and get either glasses, or eye exercises, or both. What happens with that, combined with the amount of homework I get (I've got English 11 Honors first semester, and World History second semester) will affect my updating speed.
I'm hoping to have another chapter out by September 18th. Why September 18th? I don't know, but I figure I need a goal. So that's my goal. :D lol Please review!!