Sorry I haven't posted for ages, I've had a lot going on! I hope you enjoy x

Chapter ten

Harry had deliberately planned to travel back home (the Burrow was his home now) for his birthday. So on July 18th, they said goodbye to New York and apparated back to Devon. It was early evening, and they hadn't eaten yet. It was cold compared to New York, and even then they had chosen the worst time to come back to-it had been raining all day. They were shivering and hungry, but as Harry reached out his hand to knock on the front door, it opened, Mrs Weasley ushered them in and they were hit with a gush of warm air. She hurried them into seats at the table and placed food in front of them, saying all the while,

"Oh, I did so hope you'd come back for your birthday, Harry, dear. Its so lovely to see you all again."

Minutes later, the door opened again, and Mr Weasley appeared, pulling off his coat and smiling at them all. Harry felt himself begin to relax, as he helped himself to chicken and ham pie. Then he heard footsteps on the stairs, and turned around eargerly, waiting for two ginger heads to pop round the door and a joke to be said. George came into the room, and then it hit Harry with a huge force, like it had happened all over again-Fred wasn't there, and he never would be, never again. He turned round so fast that he cricked his neck, swallowed hard and hastily gulped down some orange juice. Ginny's hand found his under the table and Harry looked up to meet her eyes; she gave him a worried look, and he smiled at her despite the fact that he was holding back tears. Mrs Weasley looked up from where she was pouring Hermione a pumpkin juice and almost dropped the jug.

"George? C-come and sit down, and have some dinner." She looked pleasantly shocked as she ushered him into a chair. Harry got the impression that George hadn't come down for dinner for a while. Lee Jordan followed behind George, looking slightly lost. Ron stood up when Lee entered the room, greeting him with a hearty,

"Lee! Haven't seen you in yonks, mate!" and giving him a half hug.

"Lee, dear, you're very welcome to stay for dinner." Mrs Weasley said, and Lee nodded and sat down next to George. The table was very overcrowded, and so, with a flick of her wand, Mrs Weasley expanded it and everyone could breathe again. Mr Weasley leant forwards eagerly, and said,

"So, you four adventurers. What have you been up to all this time?" The rest of the meal consisted of Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione talking excitably about their trip, and their plans for August. Harry was just glad for a distraction.

During the next few days, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny stayed at home, helping around the house and relaxing after all that had happened. They did everything together again, so even when Harry, Ron and Ginny wanted to fly on their brooms one afternoon, Hermione straddled Ron's and they flew together; when Hermione wanted to read, Ginny did too and Ron and Harry played wizard chess. Every night, after all the lights had gone out, Harry would sneak out of Ron's bedroom and into Ginny and Hermione's, and he would meet Hermione in the hallway as she was on her way to Ron's. They would exchange an awkward glance, sometimes a giggle. Harry would climb into Ginny's bed and sleep next to her, holding her close. Every night she would wrap her arms around Harry and cry herself to sleep, and Harry would smooth down her hair and rub her back until she slept. Except for the fact that the ball of grief in Harry's stomach (that had never left but had loosened slightly during their trip) had grown suddenly stronger again, and that Ginny wept every night, it was all together a pleasant time.

On the morning of Harry's birthday, he awoke in Ginny's bedroom. Ready to sneak out just as he did every morning, so that Mr or Mrs Weasley wouldn't find him there and jump to the wrong conclusions, he untangled himself from Ginny's arms and slipped out from under the duvet. Just as he swung his legs out of the bed, he heard Ginny murmur "good morning" and he squeezed her hand in response. Ginny sat up behind Harry, and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back. "Shut your eyes" she whispered, and Harry did so, his heart hammering, wondering what she was going to do. He head Ginny mutter an incoherent spell, and then she tapped him on the arm. He opened his eyes to golden light spilling from all directions. (By the looks of it she had very successfully produced a Luxio charm.) Two huge balloons in the shape of a one and an eight (which seemed to be covered in writing) bobbed cheerfully in mid air. Harry got off the bed and went for a closer look-they had been signed by people, with messages. He read:

"To Harry, Happy 18th birthday! Have a great day and we'll see you soon, love from Neville and Luna x"

"Harry, dear, have a lovely birthday. You'll always be like a son to me. Love, Mrs Weasley"

"Have a happy happy birthday you wonderful boy. Mr Weasley"

"Happy birthday mate! See you soon, Seamus"

"You're finally 18! Bloody hell. Have a great one, Harry. Ron, your best mate :)"

"Happy birthday, Harry. I can't believe you're 18! Seems like only yesterday that I came into you and Ron's compartment on the train. You're my best friend and I love you to bits, Hermione xx"

"Harry. Happy birthday. Thankyou for everything. George"

"Happy birthday Harry, from Lee"

"Happy birthday, Potter. To me, you will not only always be the youngest seeker in a century, but the boy who saved us all. Thankyou, Harry. "

"Harry, yur the best student I ever ad. Thanyou. Happy birthday. Hagrid."

"Dear Harry, Happy birthday! I love you so much, and thankyou for everything. Love from Ginny xxx"

Harry blinked back tears as he turned away from the balloons. Ginny looked at him anxiously.

"Do you like them?"

"I love them." Harry answered, his voice rough. "How on earth did you get them all?"

"It was my idea, but Mum went round and got all the messages and signatures. We couldn't ask everyone, but-"

"Ginny, they're wonderful. I love them." Harry stepped forwards and lifted Ginny up from the bed, placing her down and kissing the top of her head. She reached up and wrapped her ams round his shoulders, pulling him into a long hug. When they finally broke apart, she clapped her hands together excitedly and pointed to the corner.

"You haven't seen the presents yet!" Harry turned to see a pile of gifts next to the balloons. His heart twinged at the effort Ginny and her family and his best friends had gone through for him. He didn't really want the fuss, but he smiled brightly at Ginny and began to rip open the first present.