Chapter 29
Party Time
Wednesday July 31st 1996
Surry Sanctuary
7:00 pm
It was a large group that gathered in back of Number 6 for the joint party to celebrate Harry and Neville's Sixteenth Birthday. Everyone that knows of the Sanctuary was there as well as four new faces. It had been quite the surprise when the two Princes had appeared in the kitchen of Number 4 a few hours ago. Petunia and Molly had been preparing for the large family dinner as Dobby and Winky were staying close to their new masters. In all farness, Harry had warned them when he and Neville had left that they were going to gather a few people for the party and not to be surprised when they got back. None the less when they arrived back from gathering the Princes and Alfred from Gringotts the sight of the Royalty in here kitchen was to much for Petunia as her eyes rolled into the back of her head in a dead faint. Molly wasn't much better as she wobbled on her feet and was caught by Neville as Harry helped his aunt into a seat at the table before trying to rouse her. After settling Molly and Petunia's nerves the men were kicked out of the kitchen. Walking into the back yard Harry and Neville were surprised them selves to fine that in the last hour that they were gone the backyards of the Sanctuary had been turned into a beautiful garden with hanging plants with fairy lights and a waterfall and lagoon. The first one to notice their return was Luna who was helping Dudley into a chair at the long table outside of Number 8. Though with Luna you never knew if she would let the others know or if she would just laugh at everyone else as they were startled by your arrival. As it so happened Luna was too busy with helping Dudley to have time to say anything before the Twin Twins spotted the two Birthday boys and kicked the party off with a Bang.
The Fireworks show that was shown that night would be talked about for years to come. Not only by those present at the Sanctuary but by the whole of Surry. By the time the show ended Harry and Neville had a few more guessed then they expected to their party. Namely the two hundred Aurors and Obliviators that were running from house to house trying in vain to stop the word of a truly magical display of lights and sound with no sores or explanation. They were in luck that Madam Bones was in attendance or the Twin Twins my not have been spared time in Azkaban. As it was they were fined a thousand Galleons a piece. While that might have been enough for the authorities, Molly had other ideas of punishment. So for the next four weeks you could find one or all four of the Twin Twins doing yard work the muggle way. But back to the party…
After the fireworks, both in the air and the aftermath, the party was much more reserved. They all talked and had a grand old time. After a rather large dinner it was time to open presents.
They had all decided, that is everyone but Harry and Neville, that the two birthday boys would open their gifts from one person at a time. The first would be from the Princes as the Queen had insisted that they bring gifts from the entire royal family. Harry and Neville both received a thick leather bound book with their family crests on the front.
"Though you might think the Magical World is a secret one. The Royal family has always known back to the gifting of Hogwarts by King Edger the Peaceful's Cousin Donavan. While the families may have changed, but the secret and the knowledge of that secret, has always been known. Those books in your hands are copies of the books that have been kept from the beginning of your lines. Your families have both done great things for this country and so the Royal Family has kept a record of them. Lord Longbottom your progenitor was a Viking chieftain that fought for the Saxons against the Danes in 1015 A.D. being gifted lands in Scotland. The lands came to be known as the Longbottoms. Lord Potter you may already know but your family dates back to the founding of Hogwarts itself. The two families depicted within your crest is the Second Son of Godric Gryffindor and the only Daughter of Donavan Hogwarts. Within those books you will find the entire history of your families." Alfred's explanation was meet with silence and a loud squeal from Hermione.
"Sorry Madam Granger but the books are for the Lords eyes only. They are a gift for them and them alone. They may answer questions but they are to never let anyone view the contents of those books. Her Majesty has given them a gift but also the responsibilities to safe guard their heritage. If the information in those tombs were to become widely known, or the existents the books themselves were to be known history my change and the security of the Realm is more important then anyone's quest for knowledge. Madam Granger please do not think unkindly of me for this but your unending quest for knowledge will be a liability. Answer me this Madam, if you know the answers to the universe but have no one to share it with is that knowledge worth it? To know the answer means nothing if you have no one to ask you the question. You can have all the knowledge in the universe and still not know everything there is to know without experience and the wisdom to know when to use it, and when to hide that knowledge. I am sorry Lord Potter I seam to have gotten quite wordy and disrupted you and Lord Longbottoms celebration."
"Think nothing of it Mr. Dumbledore. I personally, and I am only speaking for my self, I believe that this is one of the best speeches on the dangers of to much dependents on knowledge over wisdom I have ever heard. We all have had this discussion many times over the last months. So lets just pick this up at a later date shall we. So, what gift should be next? Neville why don't you pick."
Neville walked over to the gift table and picked up the two gifts from Dumbledore. As he walked back over he tried to through Harry his gift only to feel the familiar feeling of an impedimenta take hold as the world around him slowed to a crawl.
"My apologies young Neville but my gift to Harry is fragile and I could not allow you to endanger it." With a wave of his wand Dumbledore released Neville from the spell and took Harry's gift.
"This is not just from me. Just know that like a wand you do not chose but are chosen."
Harry slowly began to unwrap the surprisingly plain wrapped gift in front of him. As the paper fell away there was a flash of flames and the box burst into flames. Harry quickly went to drop the flaming package only to relive the flames did not burn him. Setting in his hands was a glowing golden egg. The egg had vanes of gold and red. As he held the egg green and black vanes appeared where ever Harry's fingers made contact with the shell. Everyone stood mesmerized as Harry's aura began to glow and a smaller one around the egg glowed as well. Slowly the two auras began to pulse and merge tell they were one bright aura. The faint swell of phoenix song began as a number of phoenixes began to circle around Harry. Many recognized Fawkes in amongst the other phoenixes but the others had the colors of the rainbow. As the song reached its climax the egg still in Harry's had cracked and began to burn again. The phoenix song began to end and all but two phoenix's began to leave, leaving just Fawkes and a pure white phoenix to perch on Harry's shoulders.
Harry just stood there looking down at the small phoenix chick in his hands as the others all rushed forward to have a look at what appeared to be the newest member of their little family.
"Now Neville do you understand why I stopped you from throwing this particular gift. When Fawkes and his mate Aurora brought me their egg asking me to present it to you Harry, they made it perfectly clear that if something happened to it before it was in your hands I would suffer. So now that you have their egg, I can breath easier. They asked for me to explain to you that the egg you now hold is only the second egg they have ever produced and that you are the first person to receive one." Albus stopped there as Aurora and Fawkes began to sing.
"Headmaster you can relax you did well, but I would suggest you stop calling their son "egg" or they might get a little upset. Everyone this is Emrys." Harry holds up the chic for all to see. As he dose so Fawkes and Aurora take flight. Fawkes lands on Albus's shoulder Aurora landing on Minerva's. When Harry lowered his arms Hedwig landed on his shoulder
"Hay girl. Look a new member of the family. This is Emrys your new little brother." Harry smiled as Hedwig nudged his head affectionately. After everyone settled down Neville opened his gift from Albus. It was an orb that Albus explained when the charms were activated would rise and set just like the sun. It would give the same nutrias as the sun so it could double the growth in a greenhouse or be good for an indoor greenhouse.
They continued to open gifts for the next hour. From McGonagall they both got a piece of parchment. For Harry it was a "Get out of Trouble" card with three uses as well as a permanent pass to the Restricted Section. For Neville a pass that excused him from curfew for nights that he was out late working in the greenhouses.
From Professor Sprout, Harry received a plant that she had been working on for a number of years. It was a variation of the magical Lily. It had a fiery red color with emerald specs around the rim. She presented him with a certificate that had flower's name. Family – Liliaceae, Genus – Lilium, Magikala – Pottoris, Common Name - Potter Lily. She explained that she had been trying to get this variety to bloom the correct shades for over a decade. It was a tribute to his mother and he loved it. He surprised himself as much as Professor Sprout when he hugged her. Whispering his thanks to her with a tear in his eye.
For Neville, Professor Sprout informed him that the clearing that surrounds Greenhouses #13 & 14 would now be known as Longbottom Plaza. She also informed him of her desire to retire after the war and asked that he accept her request that he take the position when she did. To which he assured her he would.
From Professor Flitwick they both received identical Goblin made daggers. The daggers had a foot long blade shaped like two crescent moons meeting at a point and curving in opposite directions. Making almost a fish design. The metal is a dark gray in color with a heavy marble handle. The blade and handle looked to be one piece of metal with the marble inlayed into the handle. They were weighted so the blade had almost no weight at all.
From Mad-Eye Harry received a gift card for any three items from Amish's shop. Neville got his own Auror trunk.
From Molly and Arthur they received spoons for the new Weasley Family Clock that Arthur had created for the Sanctuary. Both Harry and Neville had tears in their eyes and you hugged both the elder Weasleys then received a hug from the other Weasleys. Before placing their spoons as well as Hermione and Luna adding theirs Arthur presented a clock to the Longbottoms as well as the Evans so that each of the houses in the Sanctuary now had a clock. With the destruction of the Burrow Molly and Arthur had moved into number 6 and Gran had moved into number 8 after Alice and Frank had begged her to.
From Gran had commissioned with the goblins to have a portion of the Longbottom property to be cleared for the construction of plant nursery as well as state of the art greenhouses for the growth of the first Tangglewood forest in the last thousand years. Neville would be the manager and CEO for the property and harvesting company. She got for Harry two sets of professional Duelist Robes as well as a set of Judges Robes for his time in the Wizengamot.
Tonks and Remus went in together and got Neville a portable Greenhouse that could be shrunk down to the size of a briefcase. But when expanded had room for three worktables and had a charm that would mimic the rise and set of the sun even when shrunk. For Harry they placed a blindfold over his eyes and lead him to the driveway with everyone following behind. Once everyone was ready they removed the blindfold. Tonks and Remus stood blocking his view.
"Harry this gift is not just from us. When we moved some of Sirius's thing in the attic at Grimmauld we found that he was hiding something from us that he was planning on giving to you for your birthday. He didn't get to finish it so Tonks and I did."
They moved to the side to reveal a pair of Triumph Motorcycles. One looked to be from the 70's but the other looked brand new. Harry slowly walked to the older of the two and ran his hand over the handlebars and tank. He trembled as he touched the petrel cap. It was a carving of a Grim. Looking at the newer bike he saw that the cap of this one had a tree. Confused he looked up at Remus.
Laughing at his confused expiration Frank walked up to Harry and with a hand on his shoulder steered him back to the older bike.
"Harry this is the bike that Sirius was fixing up for you." Turning to Neville, Frank beaconed him over.
"This is the bike Alice and I got for Neville." Frank had to laugh at the look on Neville's face. It was a mix of joy and terror. Neville looked at Harry and smiled.
"Harry if you look in the saddlebag you'll find your gift from me and Alice." Harry opened the saddlebag and found a photo album. With shaking hands he opened the album to a random page. The photos showed a much younger Remus and Sirius playing laying on a blanket playing with a baby Harry and Neville while a younger Frank and his father fought over who would man the grill with Alice and his mother laughed at them.
Harry looked up as Frank laid his hand on Harry's shoulder. Frank had tears in his eyes that matched the ones in Harry's.
"Come on let's get back to the party." Harry nodded and they all walked back to the gardens of number 8 where they had the present's table. Harry decided to open Petunia's gifts next. He received a medallion on a gold chain. The medallion was of a tiger lying down with its head held high with a setting sun behind its head.
"It was your mothers. On her tenth birthday she and I both received one. Mine has a Falcon in flight on it. She wore it everyday tell she was sixteen. We had a fight that summer when she tried to talk me out of seeing Vernon. I saw him as a chance to escape from our parents and start my own life away from them. My parent, your grandparents, and I never really agreed on much. They, like the Grangers were fascinated by the Magical world were I saw it as something to be feared of. It scared me some of the things I heard magic could do. She tried to tell me about the good thing in her and your world but I could not see past my fear. Anyway she and I fought and things were said in the heat of the moment that I regret. She said she was just looking out for me like a sister is suppose to and I told her she stopped being my sister when she became a freak. I am ashamed to say that I saw her medallion still around her neck and ripped it off." Petunia had begun to cry and Harry pulled her into a hug. Once she had recovered she handed Neville an envelope with a weeks pass to the botanical gardens in London. The passes could be redeemed any time and were good for up to two years.
It was Neville's turn to pick whose gift to open next. So he decided to open their gifts from the Weasley Twins. When he opened his gift from them he had to laugh they had given him a poster like the one they and the Prewett Twins had made of Harry. It showed him during his match with Flitwick when suddenly he fell to the stunner and a banner began to scroll across the top saying "Neville Augustus Longbottom: The Great #2". Everyone got a laugh at that. When he turned the poster around on the back the Twins had written a note…
Neville,
Hope you like the poster. But we feel ashamed that we couldn't think of a good gift for you. We have known you for six years and yet we don't know you. So come see us later and lets have a talk. Consider this a WE-O-U.
Gred and Forge
Neville meet one of the Twins eyes and gave a slight nod. Harry opened his gift to find his Firebolt in a beautiful Mahogany display case with red and gold felt lining. Still attached to the Firebolt were the chains from the dungeons where Fred and George had retrieved it. Along the bottom of the case was a row of snitches with the date of the match and how long it had taken him to get it. Right next to the handle where the registration number was inscribed a plaque dedicating the date of his "Life Time Quidditch Ban" and Today's date as "Lifting of his Ban and Naming as Captaincy of Gryffindor". Harry looked up from reading it to look into the Headmaster's eyes questioning.
"It is true Harry. The Twins told me of other gift when they came to retrieved your broom and I gave them permission to tell you. Now as I said before my other gift was more from Fawkes and Aurora then from me. So this is from me." He handed Harry a long box that expanded in his hands. Opening the gift found a new Firebolt. Professor McGonagall then steeped forward and pined the Captains badge to his shirt. She then did something that no Gryffindor had seen her do she gave him a hug and whispered how proud she was of him.
After many handshakes and hugs congratulating his on the captaincy Harry chose the gifts from Bill and his girlfriend and newest Order member Fleur Delacour. They got him a collection of book of legends and myths for around the world. For Neville they brought a rare rose from the Delacour's gardens in the south of France.
From Charlie they both received daggers that were mad out of the tail horns from the Horntail that Harry fought in the Tri-Wizard Tournament. It had been hurt and they had to remove three of the horns. He had originally intended to give them both to Harry but after getting to know Neville he decided to give him the second one and keep the third for himself.
Finally it was time for the Avengers gifts to the two. Ron was first he gave Harry in own professional practice snitch. For Neville he modified one of the Twins Portable Swamps inside a fish tank for Trevor.
Hermione, Luna and Ginny all pitched in together to get Neville a collection of Comic books that he had been reading of Dudley's. his favorites were Spider-Man, the Punisher, and Doctor Strange and they got him ten of each title. For Harry they had conspired with James and Lily and changed the Seventh compartment of his Auror trunk to an exact replica of his Haven. Ginny also mentioned another gift he would get later.
Dudley gave Harry all the doubles of the movies in his room as well as a new copy of the Highlander Directors Cut. For Neville he had a collection of MMA books and tapes.
Neville's gift to Harry was a watch he charmed himself to show the health of the Avengers and a general direction, it also tells the time. Harry's gift to Neville was a simple note…
Neville,
Thank you for being my Bother.
Harry
With tears in his eyes Neville hugged Harry and thanked him as well. The party continued on for well into the night with lots of laughs and fun had by all. It was a good escape for them all.
