Chapter Seven: The Birthday Party

Today was Sunday and it was Harry's birthday. Yesterday they had returned from Potter Manor and Sirius had found out about the dreadful neglect and treatment of Harry by the Dursleys. As soon as Ron and Hermione had left, Sirius had Flooed Albus Dumbledore and let off the angriest tirade of swear words that left the Headmaster apologising most profusely for his mistake in leaving Harry with them. Sirius had already decided that for Harry's birthday, he would go all out. He had planned a great day for his godson. The culmination: a party at the Burrow.

Sirius took Harry clothes shopping. Sirius bought Harry all new muggle clothes. He wasn't sure if Harry had enjoyed himself too much. Sirius and Remus were cooking Harry's birthday breakfast. He had told Remus about his discovery and Remus had been livid. But today, today was going to be the best birthday yet. End of story. Once breakfast was ready, Sirius woke Harry.

'Good morning, Birthday Boy!' bellowed Sirius joyfully.

Harry shot up in shock and saw his godfather beaming at him. He rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses.

'Thanks, Sirius, but I think there might be a couple of people fifty miles away who didn't hear you,' said Harry shaking his head at how childlike his godfather could be.

'Come on, Pup, time for breakfast. Then we can go to the Burrow,' said Sirius.

Harry threw back the covers revealing the silk pyjamas Sirius had bought him before going to the bathroom to dress for the day.

Harry eventually joined Sirius and Remus in the kitchen to eat the enormous breakfast that had been put in front of him. Thinking that Sirius was channelling Mrs Weasley, Harry said 'Thanks,' before eating the lot.

When breakfast was over, the three of them then Flooed over to the Burrow where Harry, who had bought his Firebolt with him, was seized upon by Fred and George and dragged outside for Quidditch. Meanwhile, Sirius and Remus had Flooed to Hermione's house to collect her parents who had also been invited. Harry had not spent much time around Hermione's parents, but he liked them a lot. He wasn't expecting her dad to be so laid back and not to mention, sports mad. It was no wonder that Ron got on so well with Richard Granger. He could see where Hermione got her strong work ethic too, after speaking to her mother. It was also obvious that they loved their daughter very much. Sirius had also taken a liking to the Grangers. Especially since Richard supported the same football team he used to before he was sent to Azkaban. The pair would talk for hours and vowed that they would go to a game one Saturday when the season starts up again. Harry was glad that Sirius liked Ron and Hermione, too. Ron and Sirius had bonded instantly, Ron listening to Sirius back in the Shrieking Shack notwithstanding, but also due to the fact they both supported the Chudley Cannons. Hermione reminded Sirius of both Lily and Remus, often calling her "Harry's Moony", whereas Ron was dubbed "Harry's Padfoot".

Sirius made his way outside. There, he saw Harry in the air flying on his broomstick. Sirius was pleased with how easy it was for Harry to interact with the six Weasley boys. It was six now as Charlie, Ron's second oldest brother had arrived from Romania yesterday. He then noticed two girls sitting together watching the boys. He walked over and sat down next to Hermione.

'Not joining in the fun?' he asked.

'No, I don't like flying and I've never played Quidditch. I prefer to keep my feet on the ground, thank you very much,' Hermione replied. Sirius was once more reminded of Lily. It was almost scary how the two muggle-born witches were so alike.

'They won't let me play. I'm a girl. Not to mention, Mum says it's too dangerous for me. I still can't believe they got Percy on a broom. He hates flying. But me, I like it. Not that they would know,' Ginny said bitterly.

It was then that Harry landed next to them.

'Are you all right Harry?' said Sirius.

'Yeah, I'm fine, I need to use the facilities,' Harry replied.

Sirius took the Firebolt from Harry as he went back into the house.

'Here, Ginny, why don't you borrow Harry's broom and go fly rings around your brothers,' Sirius suggested.

'Are you sure Harry won't mind?'

'Nah, he'll probably laugh at the shock on your brothers' faces when they get out-flown by a girl – er, no offence.'

Ginny took the broom in her hands, said a quick thank you, and took off. He and Hermione watched as Ginny joined in with her brothers. The stunned look on their faces as she flew was hilarious, as Ginny showed them all up, with the exception of Ron. Ron knew that Ginny loved to fly. He knew that since the age of six that she had been breaking into the broom shed to take either Fred or George's broom to teach herself how to fly. Ron knew this because one night, he caught her and decided to watch her as she flew. He had been surprised, but pleased at how good she was. He confronted her about her "little secret", but had quickly reassured his baby sister that her secret was safe with him. Even though he had been so angry with her the other day, he had still kept his promise. It was a nice moment, but sadly it was brought to an end by a shrieking Mrs Weasley.

'Ginevra Molly Weasley! What do you think you are doing?'

'I'm out flying my big brothers and showing them up,' she answered defiantly.

'And doing an excellent job, too,' said Sirius.

'Yeah, you should've seen Fred's face as she sped past him and under him. He was struck dumb,' said Harry.

'Oh, Molly, relax, she looks like a natural and it's taught her brothers a lesson to not underestimate her,' said Mr Weasley who could not help but be amused.

'Fine, but if you get hurt …' said Mrs Weasley.

'Mum, give her some credit, she's not useless,' said Charlie.

Mrs Weasley apparently had nothing else to say, so she let them get on with it.

As the day wore on, more guests began to arrive. Including Hagrid, the Tonkses and to everyone's surprise, Professor McGonagall.

'Minnie!' cried Sirius loudly. The twins' faces lit up with glee as the usually unflappable Transfiguration professor jumped a little, before she gave Sirius a stern look. But Sirius, too brave and brash for his own good gave his former Head of House a hug. 'It's good to see you, Minnie, how are you?' he asked.

'I'm fine, but I probably would be a lot better if you didn't call me that ridiculous nickname,' she replied.

'Aw, don't be a spoilsport, Minnie. You and I both know that you like your nickname. After all, you stopped giving me detention whenever I would use it,' said Sirius.

'I only stopped when I realised there was no stopping you, Sirius.'

As the day progressed, Sirius and Remus watched Harry enjoy himself. Mrs Weasley had laid out an impressive spread of food. Sirius marvelled at how much Harry loved flying. Flying, it seemed to relax Harry in a way nothing else could. Harry reminded both him and Remus so much of James it was uncanny. Mrs Weasley put on some music and to no-one's surprise, Ron and Hermione started the dancing, quickly followed by Mr and Mrs Weasley and to general amusement, Sirius and Professor McGonagall. Remus and Tonks also shared a friendly dance, too. Richard and Helen Granger, along with Ted and Andromeda Tonks weren't going to be outdone either, and so they joined in on the action before Fred and George took to the floor together. However, it was soon time for the cake to be eaten. It was a large cake shaped like a Snitch. Harry was invited to cut the cake before passing the first piece to Sirius and then Remus, Ron, Hermione, Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley and so on until everyone just started to help themselves. Then there was a loud chorus of happy birthday, which made Harry turn red.

The night was drawing to a close when Ron asked Hermione if she would care to join him for a fly. She nodded reluctantly but she put her full trust in Ron as she got on the broomstick in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her from behind. He took off slowly and gently. He took them up higher as Hermione closed her eyes.

'Open your eyes, love, the view is amazing,' said Ron, and Hermione opened her eyes to look and Ron was right. The view was amazing. She could see for miles. She could see fields of green, the muggle village and a strange house shaped like a Chess Rook. She leaned back into Ron. He swept her hair away from the side of her neck and began kissing her just below her ear.

'I love you, Hermione,' he whispered into her ear.

'I love you too, Ron, so much.'

'You're the best thing that's ever happened to me …' he said quietly.

'Oh Ron … You're the best thing that's ever happened to me …' A tear escaped from her eye – a happy tear.

She could not help but feel what she felt. The magical world had changed her life, Ron and Harry had come along and made her realise that friendship and bravery were both more important than books. She had found Ron. Or he had found her. Ron was still kissing her neck and she could not help the throaty moan as kissed her sensitive neck.

'You better not leave a mark, Ronald Weasley. Fred and George would have a field day and I don't want to get into trouble for hexing them,' she murmured.

Ron chuckled and said, 'Don't worry about them. I've got those gits under control. I know too many of their secrets …' he murmured into her neck.

'Ron, it's getting late.'

'I know,' he murmured as he continued to kiss her neck.

'So, perhaps you should take us back down?'

Ron agreed and took them back down to the ground. Ron returned the broomstick before sitting down on the porch next to Hermione. She quickly took his hand and said, 'I think Harry really enjoyed himself today.'

'Yeah, me too, the bloke deserves to have a good birthday party and Sirius was determined to make it happen. Something I plan on doing for you come September nineteenth.'

'Oh, Ron, you don't have to go overboard. As long as I'm with you, I'll be happy.' She pulled him into a deep kiss. That is until their time alone was interrupted by Mr Weasley who said,

'Harry, Sirius and Remus are heading home, so if you want to say goodnight …'

Together they got up and found them by the fireplace talking to Bill and Charlie.

'Hey, are you heading home?' said Ron.

'Yeah, thanks again for the wallet, guys,' said Harry.

'No problem, Harry. You had a good time today?' asked Hermione.

'Yeah, today was the best birthday I've ever had,' Harry replied. Hermione then pulled Harry into hug as Ron clapped him on the back. It was then when Sirius called Harry over to leave before the three of them Flooed back to their Cottage.