Chapter 14
Harry's Birthday


Author's Note: From reading your reviews, I know that you want to find out what is in the vault. Well, that will come in 2 or 3 chapters. I want to leave the suspense a little longer. For now… enjoy the chapter.

The few days before Harry's eighteenth birthday went pretty uneventful in the Burrow. Before going to bed each night, Harry would read the letter from his mother again and again. He would have dreams of what could possibly be in that vault at Gringott's.

What could possibly be in the vault? He remembered what his mother had written: If you find these things, then I think you will live a nice whole life. Obviously it might just be things that could fill up a house when Harry was able to get one.

He didn't want to use Grimmauld Place. It gave him bad memories. Just being back in the house the previous year gave him chills. Come to think of it, he didn't know what he wanted to do with Grimmauld Place. Would the Order of the Phoenix still need it? He didn't want to sell it. Kreacher would never forgive him for doing that. Before a year ago, he wouldn't have cared what Kreacher thought. But now that Kreacher had become much nicer to Harry and his friends, Harry felt better about the house-elf.

Harry wondered whom he could ask about the status of the Order of the Phoenix. Professor McGonagall was busy, and hadn't come around the Burrow since the Battle at Hogwarts. So, he couldn't ask her. He hadn't thought about asking Kingsley when he was at the Ministry of Magic. Would the position of Minister of Magic give him the right to be the new leader of the Order?

Harry's best choice was to ask Mr. Weasley, but he was busy with work that Harry wouldn't get a chance until the day of his birthday.

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The weather couldn't have been any better the day of Harry's birthday. Earlier in the week, Mrs. Weasley told Harry that there would be some guests over for Harry's party, so they would be eating dinner outside again. Harry said he didn't want a big party, but Mrs. Weasley said it wasn't any bother.

Mr. Weasley was able to take the day off of work thanks to Minister Shacklebolt. Kingsley told Mr. Weasley that he didn't know if he could make it for the party, being so busy with Minister Business, but he would try his best.

When Harry woke up on his birthday, only Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen. She was preparing a small breakfast.

"I hope you don't mind that we have a small breakfast today," Mrs. Weasley told Harry, noticing that he had come into the kitchen. "I am more focused on preparing for dinner."

"That is not a problem," Harry said, "Um… actually I was looking for Mr. Weasley. Do you know where he is?"

"I believe he is out in the barn," Mrs. Weasley said, "Who knows what he is doing. Please tell him to come inside. I want him to help me with the stuff for the party."

"Okay" Harry said.

"Thank you, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, "Oh, and Happy Eighteenth Birthday."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said, before walking outside.

He walked over to the barn near the driveway. As he walked into the barn, Harry heard a small tinkering of metal. He couldn't see Mr. Weasley, but he did see, to his great surprise, Sirius' motorcycle.

"Mr. Weasley?" Harry called, "Are you in here?"

"Over here!" Mr. Weasley said in a muffled voice.

Harry walked over to the other side of the motorcycle. Mr. Weasley was working on something under the seat.

"I didn't know this was here," Harry said.

"Hagrid brought it over from the Tonks residence," Mr. Weasley said, "A few days after Bill and Fleur's wedding. I have been working on it. Unfortunately I haven't had much time lately."

"But why are you working on it?" Harry asked.

"Well, I guess I can tell you now," Mr. Weasley said, "Just don't tell Molly. Molly and I wanted to give you this for your birthday present. Well, in reality, I guess this motorcycle is actually yours. Everything of Sirius' went to you."

"Yeah, er… now that we are at that subject," Harry said, "I want to talk to you about something."

"All right," Mr. Weasley said.

He dropped the screwdriver and turned to Harry, giving him his full attention.

"Go on," he said.

"Well," Harry said, "I want to know the status of the Order of the Phoenix?"

"Oh," Mr. Weasley said, looking surprised at the question, "Well, I don't know. I guess it is still together. I mean… so many of the members are gone now. It's…"

"I am sorry to bring this up," Harry said.

"No, it is all right," Mr. Weasley said, "Go on."

"Well, the reason I am asking," Harry said, "Is because I want to know if the Order will use Grimmauld Place or not. I do not want the place. There are too many bad memories for me there. I don't want to sell it, because Kreacher will never forgive me, and I don't want to offend the Black Family, even if most of the line of Blacks are dead."

"I will talk to some of the Order members, Harry," Mr. Weasley said.

"Thanks," Harry said. "I will just leave you to your work then. Oh, and Molly said that she wanted you inside. Breakfast is almost ready."

"Tell her I will be inside in a little bit," Mr. Weasley said, disappearing behind the motorcycle again.

"What if she asks me what you are doing?" Harry asked.

"I think she knows what I am doing," Mr. Weasley said, "She will know…"

"All right," Harry said.

"Oh, Harry?" Mr. Weasley said, popping up from behind the motorcycle, "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks," Harry said.

Mr. Weasley smiled and disappeared behind the motorcycle once again. Harry walked out of the barn and back toward the Burrow. When he walked inside, he was nearly tackled to the floor. All he saw was a lot of red hair.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Ginny said, chuckling.

"Yeah, thanks," Harry said groaning a little, "Couldn't you have eased up on the tackle?"

"I wasn't meaning to tackle you!" Ginny said, "Just tried to hug you. Sorry."

"What's going on?" Ron asked, as he and Hermione we walking down the stairs.

"Ginny… err… doesn't know her own strength," Harry said, picking himself up off the floor.

"I was just saying Happy Birthday to him," Ginny said.

"What is all the commotion in here?" Mrs. Weasley asked, walking out of the kitchen.

"Nothing," Ginny said, innocently.

"Oh," Mrs. Weasley said, "Well, breakfast is ready. If you want it before it gets cold, you better come get it. Harry, where is Arthur?"

"Er… he will come inside in a little bit," Harry said.

Mrs. Weasley sighed and returned to the kitchen, muttering something about Mr. Weasley.

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Over the next few hours, Harry and the others helped Mrs. Weasley set up for Harry's birthday party. Mr. Weasley decided that it would be better if the usual protections were put on the lot: Muffliato, so that the Muggles wouldn't hear a big party; as well as other ordinary protection spells. After putting them up, Mr. Weasley assured Harry it was just precautionary measures.

A little after one-o-clock, guests started to arrive on the road outside the property. Bill and Fleur were the first to arrive. For some reason or another, Fleur looked happier than usual. Harry wasn't the only one who noticed this.

"Did you see Fleur?" Hermione whispered to Harry, Ginny and Ron, who were helping her set up the two tables for the evening's dinner, "She's practically glowing."

"She's always like that," Ron said, "It's because she is half-Veela."

"I think there is more to it," Hermione said, grinning.

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, with a blank stare.

"You are so thick-headed," Hermione said, "I am not going to tell you. I don't want to ruin it."

Twenty minutes after Bill and Fleur arrived, George walked down the driveway hand-in-hand with Verity, the clerk from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. They walked over to Harry and the others.

"I am going to bring the gifts inside, George," Verity said.

She kissed George on the cheek and walked away. George was practically blushing when both Ginny and Ron chortled.

"So you and Verity, eh?" Ron asked. "When did this happen?"

"I asked her to come to the party," George said, "That is all."

"I don't believe that one bit," Ginny said, "She kissed you on the cheek. I think something is going on."

"Whatever," George said, though he became redder in the face.

"Fine, don't tell us," Ron said, "Help us set up these tables."

"No can do, little brother," George said.

"But you will be sitting here tonight!" Ron exclaimed.

"So will Bill," George said, "Ask him."

George stuck out his tongue and walked away.

"Git," Ron muttered, "Still the same ol' George."

Hagrid was the next to show up. About forty minutes after George and Verity arrived, Hagrid walked down the driveway. He walked inside the Burrow, and Harry could hear his booming voice through the open window.

"Minerva said she might be able ter make it," Hagrid said, "She said she has ter go ta' London."

"Has she found a new headmaster yet?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"If she has, she has yet ter tell me," Hagrid said, "Where's Harry?"

"Outside in the back," Mrs. Weasley said.

A couple of moments later, Hagrid walked out to the back.

"Harry!" Hagrid said, "how are ya doin'?"

"Great, Hagrid," Harry said.

"And the rest o' ya?" Hagrid asked, looking around at Ginny, Hermione and Ron.

"Great," Ginny, Hermione and Ron all said at once.

"Minerva told me tha' all four o' ya are going ter 'Ogwarts this year" Hagrid said, "Is that right?"

"Yeah," Harry said, "Wanted to finish up our education."

"That's good," Hagrid said, "Good thing to do."

"Yeah," Harry said.

"I guess ya won't be taking me class?" Hagrid asked.

"We might, Hagrid," Hermione said, quickly.

"Oh, it's okay," Hagrid said, "I know you will be busy with the other classes. Well, I am gonna go talk to Arthur. He said he was working on Sirius' motorcycle. I will see if he needs help."

Hagrid walked away from Harry and the others.

"Hagrid's right," Hermione said, watching Hagrid walk inside the Burrow. "We probably won't be taking his class this year."

"We might," echoing Hermione's words.

"We'd be really busy," Ginny said, "And if I become Quidditch Captain, then… I feel bad doing that to Hagrid, but I won't have time."

"Yeah," Harry said.

Harry made a silent promise that even if he didn't take Hagrid's class, he would spend more time with him. He hadn't been able to do that lately, and he knew that Hagrid missed the times when Harry and the others spent tea-time in Hagrid's hut.

A few minutes later, yet another CRACK was heard. Harry and the others went to the front of the burrow. Andromeda was walking down the driveway; Teddy was in her arms.

"Andromeda!" Harry said, "I didn't know if you were going to make it or not."

"Oh, the Weasleys asked me to come," Andromeda said, "I couldn't miss it for the world, and I thought it might be fun for Teddy."

"I am sorry I haven't visited since the last time we talked," Harry said.

"No trouble at all," Andromeda said, waving her hand dismissively, "You're having a busy summer. I understand. Actually, I been having loads of fun with Teddy. He seems to find new ways to amuse me everyday. Oh, how he reminds me of Dora."

"Yeah," Harry said, as Teddy's hair went from brown to red.

"Andromeda!" Mrs. Weasley said, as she walked out the front door, "Welcome! Oh, and look at darling Teddy. He's changed his hair to Weasley red."

"Yeah," Andromeda said, "Would you like to hold him? I would, but er… I got to use the little witch's room. I meant to before I left, but Teddy just wanted so badly to come now, so…"

"Oh, of course!" Mrs. Weasley said.

She walked over to Andromeda and gently took Teddy from her. Teddy cooed and his hair turned bright green. Harry and the others laughed.

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It was five-o-clock and no other guests had arrived yet. The air inside and directly outside of the Burrow smelled of Mrs. Weasley's delicious cooking. As Harry and the others were helping Mrs. Weasley set the silverware, plates, glasses and food on the table, two more CRACKS were heard. A few moments later, Minerva and Kingsley arrived.

"Kingsley, you made it!" Mr. Weasley said, walking over to the Minister and shaking his hand.

"Yes," Kingsley boomed, "I thought I could take a little break from my ministerial duties and join the festivities. I might have to pop back in the Ministry at any time, though."

"Completely understood," Mr. Weasley said.

"We were just getting ready to eat," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Harry and I were hoping to talk to you about something, Minister," Mr. Weasley whispered. He turned around. "Harry, would you come over here?"

Harry walked over to Mr. Weasley and Kingsley.

"Earlier today, Harry brought up something that he wanted to discuss," Mr. Weasley said, guiding Harry and Kingsley away from the others. "He wanted to know about the status of the Order of the Phoenix."

"Did he now?" Kingsley asked, looking at Harry.

"Yes, sir," Harry said, "You see, I wanted to know because I was thinking about Grimmauld Place. I have no use for it. I don't really want to sell it."

"I will think about it," Kingsley said, "And give you an answer later."

"Would the Ministry mind?" Mr. Weasley asked, "I mean… it is no secret that the Ministry didn't like it when they found out about the Order."

"Arthur, you are forgetting," Kingsley said, "I am the Minister of Magic."

"Well, I would hate for you to have to use the Ministerial powers like that," Mr. Weasley said.

"It is no bother at all," Kingsley said, "To tell you the truth, I think it is a better idea that the Order stays around. What with all the Death Eaters still on the loose."

Harry walked away while Kingsley and Mr. Weasley were still in deep discussion. He walked back over to Ginny, and was about to sit down at the table when he heard his name.

"Harry?" Professor McGonagall called, "Can I have a moment with you are your friends?"

"All four of us?" Harry asked, looking around at Ginny, Hermione and Ron.

"Yes, if you please," McGonagall said.

Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron all walked over to Professor McGonagall.

"I wasn't going to send you these until sometime next week," McGonagall said, "But since I am here, I thought it would be okay. These are your book lists."

McGonagall took four envelopes out from under her cloak, and gave one to each Harry and the others.

"Ginny, you will find something extra in your envelope," McGonagall said.

At this, Ginny quickly opened her envelope. It only took her a minute to find what McGonagall was referring to.

"I am Quidditch Captain?" Ginny asked, looking back at McGonagall, "But I thought… I thought that since Harry was still at Hogwarts…"

"Harry was my second choice," McGonagall said, "But since you haven't been Captain yet, I thought I would give you a chance. There is also something else I would like to add. Your mother has said that you were hoping to play professional Quidditch after you finish your education."

Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at Ginny, who was only looking at McGonagall.

"Er… yeah, I was thinking about it," Ginny said.

"Then you may be happy to hear the next part," McGonagall said, "There is a rumor going around that many Quidditch Players will be going on strike in a couple of years, and the Quidditch teams are preparing for this if it comes up. During the Quidditch games this year at Hogwarts, there will be scouts from different teams in the stands watching the performance of the players. I just thought you might like to know that."

"Brilliant!" Ginny said, "I gotta go tell Mum."

Ginny ran away from the group, leaving McGonagall with the others.

"I wanted to talk to the three of you," McGonagall said. "As you may know, it is rare for any students to be at Hogwarts longer than seven years. Technically, since you never came to Hogwarts for your seventh year of education, that does not apply to you. However, there will be other students who were in your year coming back. Most of these students were at Hogwarts for their seventh year, but because of the conditions of the last term, they will only be there for half of a term. Therefore, there will be two times that the N.E.W.T exams will be available to be taken. Now, while you could possibly be there for two terms, it is possible that you will be able to take the first exams. At the end of the first term, if you feel that you are ready to take the tests, then just tell me. Do you understand?"

Harry and the others nodded.

"Good," McGonagall said, "Also, I have unfortunately as of yet to get a new Headmaster. But I have faith that we will get one. As Deputy Headmistress, I do not have the power to choose Head Boy and Girl. While it may be unfair to the other seventh years, you will have a chance to be Head Boy and Girl. It will be up to the Headmaster, or Headmistress, when they are chosen. I just wanted to inform you of that."

Professor McGonagall walked away from them. Before Harry or the others could say anything, Mrs. Weasley came outside and announced that dinner was ready. Everyone sat down at the tables; Ginny walked over and sat down next to Harry, while Ron and Hermione sat on the other side.

"So what did Kingsley want?" Hermione asked, while she put a turkey leg and some mashed potatoes on her plate.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Weren't you talking to him?" Ron asked, before taking a large bite from his turkey leg.

"Oh, yeah," Harry said, "Well, I was just wondering if the Order was still going to be together."

"Why?" Hermione asked, "You weren't thinking of joining?"

"Oh, no, not yet," Harry said, surprised from the question; he hadn't even thought of joining lately. "No, I was wondering if they wanted to use Grimmauld Place. I have no reason to use it. I don't want it. It's just… I would hate for it to be empty. Especially if Kreacher stays there. I don't want him to go back to the way he was… you know… mean and uncaring. But if Grimmauld Place isn't going to be used, then…"

"You aren't talking about selling it?" Ginny asked.

"I don't want to sell it," Harry said, "It would be like offending the Black Family or something."

"What would Kreacher do?" Ron asked.

"He could work at Hogwarts," Hermione suggested.

"Hadn't thought about that," Harry said.

"Well, he could do that," Ginny said, "And… well, if the Order doesn't stay together, then… well, we can think of something later."

"Yeah," Harry said, "I guess that would work."

Harry continued to eat, and while he did, his mind went from Grimmauld Place to his parents' vault in Grimmauld Place. He wanted to go there sometime soon. But when? Now that they had their Hogwarts school-lists, would Mrs. Weasley want to go to Diagon Alley sometime soon? Or would he have to go alone?

Suddenly, a light dinging sound broke Harry's concentration. At the other end of the table, Bill had stood up.

"I have an announcement to make," he said, "Harry, I hope you will not think of this as an intrusion of your birthday party."

"No, not at all, Bill," Harry said.

"I have some good news," Bill said. He paused, as if deciding whether to make the announcement or not. Then he continued. "Mum, Dad - you are going to be grandparents. Fleur and I are having a baby!"

Around the table, a roar of cheers and voices of congratulations were heard. Mrs. Weasley stood up with tears in her eyes and hugged Bill, then Fleur.

"How long have you known?" Mrs. Weasley asked Fleur.

"A month or so," Fleur said, "Bill thinks it iz pretty accurate. But you cannot tell by looking at me, can you? It is cause of my slim physique."

"Her physique isn't going to be slim for long," Ginny muttered, so only that Harry could hear.

Harry chuckled silently.

"Though I must admit that I am surprised it took this long," Ginny whispered to Harry, "They've been married nearly a year, haven't they?"

"Yeah," Harry said.

A few minutes later, everyone had finished dinner, and Mr. Weasley summoned most of the presents; the motorcycle was still in the barn. Harry opened Ginny's first, only because she practically begged him to. It was a pendant. Harry opened it up. A moving picture of a laughing Ginny was inside. This turned out to be Harry's favorite present of all. Mrs. Weasley gave Harry the usual homemade mince pies and candy. George and Verity gave Harry a gift-basket of the usual joke-shop goodies. Ron gave Harry dragon-leather Quidditch Gloves, which incidentally came from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes (George said that they were a new line of products and they were not tricky whatsoever). Hermione's present was a new journal which screamed whenever someone else opened it. Bill and Fleur gave Harry a goblin-wrought bracelet ("We were trying to get your sword back, Harry," Bill said, "but Griphook wouldn't give it to us!"). Hagrid gave Harry a fur coat (Hagrid couldn't remember what it was made of). Andromeda gave Harry a book called Quidditch Through The Ages: The Future of Quidditch… which happened to be the sequel to the original book. Professor McGonagall gave Harry a book entitled "Tips for Advanced Transfiguration" ("This is a rare book," she said, "I can't find many of them, but the tips are very helpful!"). Kingsley said his present wasn't finished yet, but Harry would get it soon.

Finally Mr. Weasley magically summoned the motorcycle from the barn.

"Molly and I thought that you might want this the most," Mr. Weasley said, "It is rightfully yours. Don't know if you fancy riding it or not, after what happened the last time you were on it."

"Actually, 'at might have bin me own fault," Hagrid said, chuckling nervously.

"But we thought you might like to have it anyway," Mr. Weasley said.

"Thanks," Harry said, smiling.

The party went on for thirty more minutes until the guests started to leave. Bill and Fleur were the last to leave, after having a conversation with Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley mainly told Fleur what to expect with her pregnancy ("Having had seven kids," she said, "I guess you could call me an expert!")

It was nearly eleven-o-clock when Harry and Ginny walked up the stairs to go to bed. Ron and Hermione had gone upstairs some time before, but Harry wasn't sure if Hermione had actually gone to Ginny's room.

"Do you like my present?" Ginny asked, putting her arms around Harry and nodding to the pendant, which was around Harry's neck.

"I love it," Harry said.

"Good," Ginny said, "Do you want my other present?"

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"This," Ginny said.

She kissed him directly on the lips, and Harry returned the kiss. She opened her mouth, inviting Harry's tongue in. He accepted the invitation with pleasure.

"I think that might have been my favorite present of the night," Harry said, chuckling, after coming up for air a few seconds later.

Ginny smiled and her cheeks went red.

"Good night, Harry," she said.

"Good night," Harry said.

Ginny smiled and walked into her room. Harry went down the stairs to his room. He changed into his pajamas and went to bed.

"Eighteen," Harry thought to himself, "Doesn't seem too different to seventeen."

Harry chuckled and fell asleep.

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Another chapter done! This was definitely my longest chapter so far. Oh, Kingsley's present isn't a normal gift. It will come later. Not sure when… but it will come. Also, I was trying to go by canon when thinking of Fleur's pregnancy. Hope it was the right time, canon-wise.

Hope you liked the chapter.

Feedback would be great!