I know it's been a while since I updated. I really owe my followers an explanation. My mother died last November and I all but slipped into a coma. I had to battle a few demons of my own before I could write anymore. Thank you to everyone who is still with me.
Throughout the day, visitors were streaming through the tent, wanting to wish Harry a "happy birthday". Seamus and Dean had brought in a large bundle of Wet-Start Fireworks, that they enjoyed while lying in the grass on the quidditch pitch; a large bottle of firewiskey came by owl from Madam Rosemerta; Luna had made a charm necklace that smelled of garlic, supposedly to ward off vampires; and Hagrid had given Harry a large book that sounded as if it was sniffing, and occasionally sighed. Harry was reluctant to open the book, he stuffed it into the bottom of Ron's trunk once Hagrid had left and Ron was occupied with Hermione in a game of wizard's chess.
When six o'clock came, they set out for the front gate. Ginny had put on a backless dark purple dress that was far too tight in Ron's opinion, and Hermione was wearing a strapless white number that had made Ron stop muttering and turn red.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked, feeling they were far too overdressed for anything in Hogsmead.
"Once we get outside of the gate, we're apparating somewhere else." Hermione answered, checking her watch.
"I thought we only had permission to go to Hogsmead."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Harry, we're of age—well, you three are anyways—and we don't need permission to go anywhere. Just relax, this is your night."
Harry doubted McGonagall's approval of them leaving, but did not say anything. Hermione would argue; Ron and Ginny would side with her; and Harry would be forced to go along with whatever they were planning.
"Ron, you take Ginny and apparate; Harry and I will follow." Hermione said, fastening a cloak around her shoulders.
Ron took Ginny's hand and spun on the spot. A loud crack! sounded as they both disappeared.
Hermione rounded on him the moment Ginny and Ron vanished.
"What were you saying to Ron about a meeting being a week away? What meeting were you talking about? And don't say it's nothing, because I know when you're hiding something, Harry."
Eyes glaring at him, she tapped her wand against her knee, causing it to spit blue sparks.
"Can we do this later? Ron and Ginny are waiting for us." He sighed, knowing the answer.
"No, we can't. I can't believe you and Ron are keeping secrets from me. Me, Harry," she said in a voice that sounded so sad that Harry began to feel guilty.
"I don't want you to tell Ginny. Do you understand? This is something I need to tell her while we're alone."
Hermione stashed her wand, and unfolded her arms. "We're best friends, Harry. After everything, I don't know why you think you can't trust me." Her voice cracked and she blinked rapidly, taking Harry's hand and beginning to spin.
Harry let go before she could complete the circle, causing Hermione to stumble before rounding on Harry.
"I'm sorry, Hermione," he said quickly before she could talk. "You're right. I had no reason not to tell you, I know you wouldn't tell Ginny. . . . I have a meeting with Kingsley the week after next to take the Auror entrance exam. I haven't told Ginny because I haven't found the right time.
"You have to tell Ginny," she said softly.
Harry nodded once. "Soon."
Taking Harry's hand once more, Hermione spun and they disappeared.
"Happy birthday, Harry!" a chorus sang as Harry and Hermione stepped into the Three Broomsticks, which had been packed to fit everyone he knew inside.
The bar had a banner hanging over it, with tiny broomsticks flying in circle around it. Underneath, a massive buffet was set up, with all of Harry's favorite foods. Ron and Ginny brought out a treacle tart cake and placed it on a table that groaned under the weight.
Hermione pulled Harry over to it as Ginny finished placing eighteen candles on top, which Hermione lit with a flick of her wand.
"Make a wish, Harry!" Ginny said brightly, taking his hand.
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, before taking a breath of air and blowing out the candles.
"What did you wish for?" asked Ginny.
Harry smiled, "I can't tell you."
"Come on, Harry! Cut the cake so we can eat already." Ron yelled before grunting as Hermione elbowed him in the side.
Harry cut into the cake and handed the knife to Madam Rosemerta.
Ginny, Luna and Ron got in line for food while Harry and Hermione went to get drinks.
"What happens if you past the exam?" Hermione asked as they sat down and waited for the others.
"Training starts the week after, so I assume that's when I'd start."
"What about Ron?" she said softly.
"What do you mean?"
"Is he taking the test with you?"
Harry shook his head. "He didn't turn in an application. I assume he will be going back to Hogwarts."
Hermione sighed in what was unmistakable relief and was silent for a moment. "Are you sure about this?"
"I can't not do this. I know what's out there. I've seen what people are capable of—the good and the bad. Every time I close my eyes I see death eaters, and you can't tell me you don't. How can I sit by and do nothing while there are those still out there who want my friends and those I consider to be my family dead? Yes, I have thought about this. I've thought about this a lot."
"Over here!" she called to Ron and Ginny, who were carrying plates of food towards them.
After what felt like hours, only a few guest remained. Harry and Ginny were sitting in a corner booth, talking quietly with each other. Hermione and Ron were cleaning up with Madam Rosemerta, while Dean and Seamus were sleeping against the wall, having been sick from firewiskey.
"Do I get my present from you now?" Harry whispered to Ginny.
Ginny kissed him once. "You can have it when we're alone."
Harry feigned hurt, and when Ginny grinned he rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say."
"I love you, Harry."
"I love you, Ginny."
Harry kissed her, taking her bottom lip between his teeth and making her gasp.
"Knock it off, you two." Ron groaned, waving his wand and vanishing the rubbish.
BANG!
The street outside lit up, and the walls of the Three Broomsticks shook.
"Get down!" Harry yelled, pushing Ginny under the table.
Running toward the door, he motioned for Hermione and Ron to follow him.
"What happened?" panted Hermione as she and Ron bent down against the front wall.
"I'm not sure. You two wait here, I'm going to go see what's going on."
Ginny ran to the spot behind Ron and peeked out the window. "Harry, there's someone out . . . Oh my god."
Harry slipped around Hermione and Ron to join Ginny at the window. His heart sank as he looked outside.
"Death Eaters," he whispered, mostly to himself.
"How many?" asked Ron.
Harry peeked out of the window again. "I counted fifteen, but there may be more."
"What do we do?" Ginny asked.
"We are not doing anything. You're going to stay right here," said Ron.
"Do not start, Ron. Three against fifteen? I don't think so."
"We've had worse, Ginny. Stay—" Harry was cut off as the door was blown off its hinges and crashed into the bar.
"Find cover," Harry yelled, flipping a table over and pulling Ginny behind it.
Ginny looked into Harry's eyes for a brief moment, then leaned around the table and began firing spells to the Death Eaters entering the doorway.
Harry saw Madam Rosemerta fire a hex before ducking behind the bar for cover.
Firing a spell, Harry peered over the table to look for Ron and Hermione. They had made a run for Seamus and Dean, who were kneeling under a booth looking as if they were each going to puke. Ron had two tables in front of them and was firing randomly at the door.
There was another explosion and Harry heard the sound of many people Disapparating.
"Did we get them?" Harry heard Hagrid's voice in the distance and stood up, cautiously looking at his surroundings.
"I think we're clear," he said, reaching for Ginny.
"Hermione!" Ron's voice echoed throughout the room.
Harry turned to see Hermione lying on the ground, blood falling from her mouth and ears. Ron was holding her head in his lap. "Go get help!" he screamed.
Harry ran outside.
Honeydukes was smoking and people were sobbing.
Four bodies were lying on the ground, none big enough to be adult.
Harry swayed on the spot before tripping forward and landing on his hands and knees.
"Help . . . Help!" he yelled, trying to stand up.
"Harry?" said the voice of McGonagall, coming out of the smoke.
"Professor . . . Hermione . . ." was all he could say before everything went black and he felt the sting of cold snow on his face.