Anyway, I'm getting to what you all have been asking for. Requests were taken into mind and everything.
I hope you enjoy!
And thanks for all of the reviews! 85, it's amazing.
August 11th came rushing to Harry. Between Auror training and calming Hermione down, he never got a chance to find the perfect gift for Ginny's birthday. He didn't know what to do; he had to think fast. He didn't want to get her mad, despite knowing inside she would say she didn't want anything. But he wanted to give her something special. Well, I did get her something, he thought. But it wasn't something she could have at that moment. But an item she can hold... that would make her happy too. I mean, she deserved everything if it was possible.
He dreamed about it all night, but woke with a start from a dream he was having. Harry didn't remember Ginny's birthday... she was crying and telling Harry he wasn't who she thought he was... He had to do something.
He jumped out of bed and Apparated into the Burrow kitchen. He was glad to see Mrs. Weasley wasn't up yet, so he sneaked upstairs into Ginny's room. He smiled, and kissed her forehead, and she woke up and smiled. "Who are you and what do you want?"
"I'm Harry Potter. And I want a million Galleons. And I want to wish Ginevra Weasley a happy birthday."
She grinned. "You remembered?" She looked into his arms. "What did you get me?"
Harry coughed, which he thought was too obvious. He remembered something he saw on TV and grinned. "See, what had happened was-"
"Oh, don't you use those Muggle quotes on me."
"Okay, fine. I couldn't wrap it."
"Because you didn't get one? I see." She turned her back on her. "You can leave now."
Harry turned her back around, and gave her a long kiss. They broke apart and she smiled. "You couldn't wrap that?"
"Not really. Happy Birthday." And they continued on.
At least five minutes had passed. Maybe even ten. Ginny and Harry didn't care; they were too occupied. They resurfaced with a jump as the bedroom door was pushed open. They turned to see Ron, who gagged and his ears were turning red.
Ginny giggled. "What was that for?"
"Merlin's beard! I was thinking you two would save the snogging for after breakfast. I was going to wake you, but you obviously already were."
Harry snorted. "Of course we couldn't wait." He kissed Ginny again just to see Ron's reaction, which was an even further reddening of the face. "Okay, okay. Why were you going to wake her up so early anyway?"
"Excuse me, but it happens to be my sister's birthday."
"Oh, right. Of course I forgot." He smiled as Ginny giggled again. "So, why wake her up so early?"
Ron smiled. "Hermione and I thought it would be nice for the four of us to go to Hogsmeade for the day. And Harry, I hope you change before we go. I don't want to be embarassed walking around with some scrawny git with pyjamas and a lightning scar who killed Voldemort."
Harry laughed and said, "Fine, Ron, I'll change."
Ginny grinned. "Ron, that's great!"
Harry mumbled after Ginny's response. "Fine." He got up from the bed and turned to Ginny. "Hurry up and come downstairs to eat some breakfast? I'm going to change and come back."
Ginny was beaming. "Sure, I'll just go change."
Harry walked out, and Ron followed behind him. "What was that behaviour for?"
"Nothing, Ron." Ron gazed at him. "Alright, I wanted to surprise her with something at Diagon Alley."
"What?"
"That's between me and George."
"My BROTHER'S in this too? Why not tell me?"
Harry shrugged. "How did you think of Diagon Alley?"
"Er..." Ron looked at the ceiling. "I forgot to buy her a gift, alright? And I mean, I don't think she would want to hear Mum whine all day."
Harry laughed. "Alright. As long as she doesn't hear the reason." He sniggered. "So, you're talking to Hermione now?"
"More confused as anything, but yeah. She er, still doesn't appreciate me not letting her say bye to Viktor, but no one needs him."
"Actually, only you didnt' need him."He stopped in the hallway. "DAMN. I didn't change."
He Apparated into Grimmaud Place, and quickly changed his clothes. He was going to comb his hair, but he remembered it won't look any different. He Apparated into the Burrow kitchen to find Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and George eating toast and eggs, except for Ginny, whose plate was piled with everything. Mrs. Weasley was carrying laundry across the kitchen.
"Harry, dear. Eat some food before you leave!" She tried to carry him a pile of toast while still carrying the basket of clothes.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley. Wait..." He shouted out, "KREACHER!"
With a pop, the old house-elf appeared in the kitchen. "Master called Kreacher?"
"Yeah, Kreacher. Do you mind helping Mrs. Weasley with her errands? She deserves some help."
As Mrs. Weasley gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, Kreacher gave Harry a low bow and said, "As you wish." He took the basket of laundry and left the house.
"Harry, you're too sweet. No wonder my Ginny's grown fond of you." She looked at his plate. "Hurry, now! There's so much to be done at Diagon Alley!"
Everyone ate their food as if it was a race. Of course, Ron was the first to finish, because his mouth's like a vaccuum when it came to food. They all walked out of the house after Mrs. Weasley gave them a hug.
"So, Harry, what time?" George walked up to Harry and Ginny, who were holding hands.
"Er... no idea."
Ginny cut in. "What are you talking about?"
Harry had no idea what to say. George filled the awkward silence with, "Business deal. Big one too. He's gonna help me sell some items."
"Harry!" She hit him in the shoulder. "You can't do that today!"
Harry laughed, but still hid the fact that that hit hurt. "Fine. Sorry, mate. We'll head down to your store later though." He gave George a wink.
"Suit it yourself, young one." He turned, and left the four others.
Harry turned to Hermione and Ron, who were looking at each other oddly, with an unusually large space in between them. "So, Leaky Cauldron?" They all nodded, and Apparated together into the bar.
Ginny smiled at Harry when they passed through the brick wall barrier. Diagon Alley was starting to clear up a great deal since Voldemort's death. The Dark Art stands were taken away, and new stores were appearing in the spaces that were closed earlier.
Hermione dragged them all into Flourish and Blotts first. There, she bought a set of books about house-elves, the Ministry of Magic, and women Quidditch players for Ginny. Then, they all went to the ice cream shop that replaced Fortescue's, which was now run by a man named Grint. They all sat outside, eating, while they looked around. Hermione and Ginny were taking in the scenery.
"I'm so glad it's running again. Before, it was just awful!"
"It's about time those Dark Art stands were shut down. I didn't think the Ministry would have remembered them."
"Oh, Kingsley remembers everything."
"And it's good that Ollivander's back in business!"
Ron nodded. "This ice cream place too. That Grint dude seems amazing. Merlin, he's almost like me."
Everyone laughed. He was right. Grint was clueless, forgot what he was doing, and he kept looking at one lady who was with her daughter, buying a sundae. After they all sat and talked, they got up and started to walk.
Harry took the opportunity with Ron to go buy a new broomstick, and decided on the newest Firebolt model. They passed Eeylops and Harry felt his heart drop when he remembered Hedwig. He kept it to themselves, as they walked on. After about an hour, they decided to go to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes to see George and buy a few things. As Harry opened the door for Ginny, he caught George's eye, which was winking. He told Hermione and Ron to go in first, and gave Ginny a kiss before letting her in.
Before she could step in, sparks flew out of the door. Little hearts and other shapes were forming in front of their eyes, and the words 'I love you, Ginny Weasley. Happy Birthday, love Harry' starting sparkling. Harry noticed that Ginny's eyes were actually full of tears as she hugged him and gave him a long kiss. He hoped those tears weren't for Fred, because he just remembered the day in their fifth year when Fred and George set some of them off in school. As they broke apart, the words, 'George too, he helped plan it' came zooming too. People behind them were laughing and cheering and pointing at the display in front of them. Ginny noticed that the two of them were still blocking the door, so she pulled him in.
The store was packed, and Harry couldn't see where Ron and Hermione were. He followed Ginny, who was talking to George. After ten minutes, Ron came through the crowd, which a large bag in his hand. He handed it over to Ginny and said, "Happy Birthday, sis."
"Thanks, Ron!" She opened the bag and looked in. She giggled and said, "I'll go through these at home."
Harry raised his eyebrows as Ginny walked over to Hermione, who was looking at the Pygmy Puffs again. "What's in the bag, mate?"
Ron's ears turned red. "Wonder Witch products."
Harry punched him in the arm. "What was that for?!"
"Blimey! I couldn't find anything else!"
"So, who would you think she would give love potion to?"
Ron laughed. "I don't know. That was actually on purpose... I want to see how she's going to use it."
"Probably give some guy to get me jealous."
"Doubt it, mate. Probably just give you a laugh when you need it."
After Harry paid for everything that Ginny picked up, the four left George's shop.
Ron was the first to talk. "Where to next?"
"Er..." Harry wanted to spend some time with Ginny, but didn't really want to say it. Ginny understood and hugged Harry.
"Oh!" Hermione giggled. "Alright. Ron, want to come with me?"
Ron blushed. "You and me? Where to?"
Ginny giggled before Hermione answered. "I don't know, we can walk around."
"And where are you two going to go?"
Harry smiled at Ron's disgusted face. "Don't worry about that." He spotted a nice little tea shop that reminded him of Madam Paddifoot's, and he wanted to go with Ginny.
"Alright. Meet in front of the Burrow at six? Mum will have a fit if we're not there for dinner. Me and Hermione will keep shopping."
Harry nodded. "Alright. But don't bug us before then. We'll see you at the Burrow." Ginny giggled.
"Harry James Potter, you are disgusting!"
Ginny started to drag Harry away from the other two. "See- let go, Ginny! See you later!" And they ran away.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, and then quickly to the lane below them. Hermione asked, "Where do you want to go?"
"Er, I don't know. Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere."
"Okay." And Ron started to walk down the street.
Hermione didn't move. She just looked at his back. Before she moved her foot, she screamed, "Ron!"
He turned around and had his wand in his hand. "What?"
"I need to talk to you!"
"Oh." He put his wand back in his robe, and walked up to her. "What about?"
"The party... I'm so sorry, Ron." Her face was turning pink.
"It's fine. You just wanted to see Viktor. He means a lot, doesn't he?"
"That's the point. He's not. I said I just wanted to catch up to him. Why did you get mad?"
Ron looked at the ground. "So, you didn't want- you don't li- wait, what?"
"I was trying to tell you. I just wanted to see him and talk, that's it. He's just a friend to me."
"He had much more on his mind, he was telling me."
"Really?" Hermione was turning pink. "Anyway, let's keep walking; we're standing in the middle of the street."
"Oh. Alright." And they walked on. They passed the tea shop and saw Harry and Ginny snogging over the table. Hermione giggled.
They walked up to a stand that had necklaces hanging all over. Hermione looked at them with great interest, so Ron pulled her up. She picked one up with a glass heart and smiled.
Ron asked the owner, "What are these?"
An old witch with a friendly smile looked at Hermione. "We have all types of enchanted necklaces. The one your misses is holding shows your heart's desire when put on. We also have a wisdom necklace, and a good luck one. Not as good as Ravenclaw's diadem and Felix Felicis, but it works pretty well. But your misses is holding my favorite."
Hermione blushed and looked at Ron. "I'm not his misses. How much is it?"
"Only ten galleons. Really good deal."
Ron was looking around. "How can you tell the difference between which necklace it is? All of them are different shapes."
The owner chuckled. "You'll have to wear them and guess."
And so they tried all the necklaces on. Sure, Ron already found the one that he wanted to get Hermione, but it was fun looking at what showed up. Ron wore one and it showed a big tarantula on the glass shaped like an knife, which made him jump and throw the necklace off of him. On Hermione's star-shaped pendant, it showed when the Sorting Hat placed her in Gryffindor. They were having the times of their lives.
Hermione picked one up that looked like an axe. "Er, Ron, you try this one on." She threw it over his neck.
The owner laughed. "That one's a trick, so you may want to watch out. It shows the ha-"
But she didn't finish her sentence. Right over Ron's heart, the pendant was showing Ron and Hermione's first kiss in Hogwarts'.
"It shows the person's happiest moment." A tear was forming in her eye. "Not your misses. Please."
Hermione's face was dark pink and started to walk toward Ron, who was buring red. "Ron, is that really-"
"Look who it is! Weasel and the Mudblood." A tall, light figure walked around the corner, and it wasn't someone Ron or Hermione wanted to see. It was Draco Malfoy. "I would have never thought you would stoop so low Ronald, and that's saying something.
Hermione turned away from Ron. "Where's Pansy? Or have you lost all your friends from running away from Voldemort?"
"You watch your mouth, Mudblood."
Ron pulled his wand out. "Watch what you say to her!"
"I'll leave your little girlfriend alone, Weasel... what are you doing looking at necklaces? Finally announcing you're coming out the closet? Goodness, I didn't even think you were able to afford one of these anyway."
Ron's face was maroon, and Hermione was trying to hold him back. "Ignore him, Ronald."
"I saw Harry... snogging your sister. I didn't know he was that pathetic too."
"Malfoy, shut your mouth."
"And you're in Diagon Alley? Goodness, I hope you didn't sell your house just to come shopping. If you even got that much for it..."
Ron ran towards Draco, and pinned him to the wall behind the necklace stand. The owner ran into the nearest shop. "SHUT YOUR MOUTH, MALFOY."
"LET ME GO, WEASLEY."
Hermione ran up to Ron. "Let go of him, Ronald, you're going to get in trouble!"
"I've been waiting years to do this, I'm not leaving him with the last word."
At once, Draco punched Ron in the side of the head, who fell to the ground. Draco jumped on top of him and starting punching any spot he could reach. Hermione was screaming, "Get off of him! Stop!" while she was sobbing. Draco wasn't stopping. Ron's face was bloody and he didn't have a chance when it came to trying to hit Draco back.
Malfoy stood up, and pulled his wand out of his cloak. "Crucio!" Ron raised from the ground, and started twitching uncontrollably. He was screaming as if his head was on fire. Draco laughed as Ron fell to the ground again, not moving.
Hermione was crying now. "DRACO, LEAVE RON ALONE!" She ran towards him and punched him in the face. While he was lying on the ground, whimpering in pain, Hermione pulled out her own wand. "Stupefy!" Draco stopped whimpering, or moving at all. Not like he had a choice.
Hermione dropped herself beside Ron. "R-Ron... Ron, get up. Say something." He didn't move. "Get up! Ron! G-g-get up!" He still lied there, not responding. "Someone, help!" She looked around and no one was there. "Ron... SAY SOMETHING!" Still, no response, and tears were splashing out of Hermione's eyes.
She tried to pull him up, and keep him up by bracing on her. "I'll get you back to the Burrow, Ron. You're going to be alright." She looked into his unconscious eyes. Just before turning, she whispered "I love you."
A/N: Teeheehee?
Almost thereeee.
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