Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Harry sat on a chair in his sister's bathroom, praying for patience as she tackled what she called his 'crow's nest.' He was already dressed in nice, deep green robes with black accents and trim as well as black shirt and trousers. Emily was already dressed in deep blue summer robes and her hair fell in shining curls around her face.

A few seconds of torture later and Emily declared him done. Harry surveyed the damage in the mirror and decided that she had done an amazing job. "It looks amazing Emily."

She smiled through the mirror. "Glad you like it." She turned around and opened a drawer. Pulling out a black box, she turned and placed it in his hands. "Happy Seventeenth."

"Thanks Em." He reached up and hugged his little sister. One of the things he loved about this life was that he had younger siblings.

He opened the box and revealed a golden pendent of a dragon in mid-flight. It was breathtaking, with a wingspan of about an inch while the body of the dragon was about an inch and a half long. It was on a long, thick gold chain that he hung around his neck, causing the dragon to lie on his sternum.

"Absolutely beautiful, Emily. Thank you." He hugged his sister again as a pleased expression covered her face.

"I thought it was perfect. I just had to buy it for you. Come on, guests will be arriving soon."

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Harry looked around the festive atmosphere and smiled. The garden had been filled with tables and candles hung in the air. Kason was practically hanging off of his leg and Harry finally gave up and picked the little one up.

Kason laid his head on Harry's shoulder and looked at everything with wide eyes. Lilly was still flitting around the tables, making sure everything was set when the first guest arrived.

"Harry!" Hermione opened the back gate into the garden and started towards her friend. She was in robes of deep red, her hair pulled back into a French braid, a few curls escaping to frame her face. In one hand she held a wrapped package that looked remarkably like a book.

"Mione!" he gave her a one armed hug, carefully balancing Kason on his hip.

Lilly came by and directed Hermione where to put the gift and where to get refreshments. Soon a crowd of people came through and Harry was swept up in the novelty, at least to his 'other timeline' self, of having a birthday party.

He looked up when he saw Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy come through the back door followed by a man Harry didn't recognize. He rose to greet them.

"Uncle Lucius, Aunt Cissa, I'm so glad to see you both." Harry almost choked on the words. Aunt and Uncle? What the hell? Oh right…they are my best friend's parents…I guess…

"Harry Seventeenth, Harry." Lucius pulled a bottle of amber liquid out and handed this off to him. "Now, this is meant to be enjoyed, not guzzled." He said with a smile. It was unnerving to say the least.

Narcissa leaned forward and kissed Harry on the cheek and smiled. "I think I am going to find your mother, is she around? Lovely set-up by the way."

Harry composed his face in what he hoped was a normal expression. "I think she is over by the buffet." Harry ran his hand through his hair, exposing Esmeralda as his sleeve slid back.

"Is that a snake you have wrapped around your wrist?" Lucius snatched Harry's hand as he lowered it. Esme hissed softly and Lucius let go.

"Uh, yeah. Your son gave her to me for my birthday."

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Interesting." He seemed to think for a second and then snapped back to focus. "Ah where are manners? Harry, this is Carlos Ramirez, a business partner of mine. He has never been to a wizarding coming of age, and I thought it would be…interesting for him." Carlos was looking around at the floating candles and the other bits of magic that would fascinate most muggles. For that was what he was, a muggle.

"I…Uh…Nice to meet you." Harry finally managed while the rest of his brain was screaming. Malfoy in business with a MUGGLE??

The man nodded. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks. I think I'm going to go find Draco." Harry turned and spotted the blonde head across the garden. Making his way through the crowd, pausing to talk to Remus and Sirius, he finally made it to the blonde's side. Emily was sitting to his right and Harry dropped down in a chair to his left.

Soon enough they were bringing out the cake and presents and Harry laughed along at the botched singing. After everyone was quite full, Harry opened his presents. Among the pile were a leather bound journal (from Hermione), spell books, robes and clothes, and a beautiful golden watch from his parents.

Harry said his goodbyes, Kason back on his hip, head pillowed on Harry's shoulder. Hermione and Draco were the last ones there. The three of them, plus Emily sat around one of the tables, as they watched Lilly and Severus dismantle the decorations.

Hermione, speaking quietly as to not wake the sleeping Kason, asked. "Okay Harry, what is going on? You have been acting strange all night."

"It's been longer than that." Emily volunteered. "He has been acting strange for about a week now."

Harry ran his hand through his thoroughly messed up hair. "I don't know what you're talking about." They looked skeptical.

"Harry, we are your best friends, you can tell us anything." Draco said leaning against the table on his elbow.

"Seriously guys, it's nothing." Harry tried to smile convincingly, but if he had to judge by their faces it wasn't working. "Look guys, I gotta get Kason to bed. You're staying the night, right?"

The two nodded and Emily almost bounced in her seat. "Yeah, I get a roommate!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "At school you have five roommates all the time…" she reminded the girl.

Emily scoffed. "But this time it's one I actually like!"

The girls laughed as they made their way into the house. Harry carried Kason in, Draco on his heels. Laying the boy in the small bed, Harry kissed him on his forehead and made sure his night-light was on and his favorite stuffed dragon was beside him. Draco watched silently by the door, an unreadable expression on his face.

The two crossed the hall to Harry's bedroom and chatted, as they got ready for bed. Draco pulled sleep pants and a t-shirt from a bag he had obviously stashed in the room when he got there. After their respective turns in the bathroom, they crawled into Harry's large bed and Harry turned off the lights. There was still a fire burning in the grate, casting shifting shadows along the wall.

"Happy birthday, Har." Draco yawned and pulled the blanket up to his chin.

"Thanks, Dray. Night."

"Night."

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Harry was in the forest, searching for something. He felt frantic and drained of energy. His eyes scanned the trees, looking for the sign, the sign he knew he left. The moon hung overhead, and he could hear the animals rustling, yet he felt no fear. This body was soon to be dead anyway.

And then he saw it. Years of rain and wind wore down the bark but the dark mark was still visible in the tree trunk of the twisted and bent tree. He quickly dropped to his knees beside the tree and started to dig, not caring about the dirt or grime that caked his hands and knees nor when his fingers were scraped against the cold ground and his fingers bled.

Soon his fingers curled around a thin piece of metal, pulling the object from the dirt. A feeling of triumph coursed through his body as he looked at the dirt-covered tiara.

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Harry woke with a start, his scar prickling. He tried to remember the dream he was having, but it was slowly slipping through the cracks. The only thing he could remember properly was dirt. Harry rubbed his face. Fat lot of help that is.

He checked his new watch and saw it was only three thirty, way to early to get up. He listened to Draco's quiet snoring for a moment, silently laughing at the fact that Malfoy snored, and then fell back into a restless sleep.