A/N: Harry Potter and his world belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights.

A/N2: Next Project: There is a Poll up on my profile to help decide my next project. (you need a regular browser to access). I would like to know what people may be interested in.

A/N3: So, after many months of doing nothing with this story, and wanting to abandon it, I just can't. I can't promise there will be quick updates, but being one of my first stories, and still thinking about, I have decided to breath some life into it. Hope you enjoy.

-oOo-

Chapter 35

-oOo-

July 25, 1992

Redhill, England

Harry woke to the smell of bacon and kippers. It was wafting through their open door. He was getting used to the fact that he had little in the way of chores to do in this house. He liked it. Especially since he had three square meals a day and it did not depend on whether he got his chores done or not. Of course, he always did everything Angela and Bill asked of him.

That was the key. They asked him. Yes, many times it was an order, but they still asked as though he had a choice. He felt like he had the ability to say no without getting in real trouble.

His confusion was the smell of the food. Typically, they did a large breakfast on Sundays and today was Saturday. Angela had started to take them to Church most Sundays and Bill always made a large spread when they got back.

Yawning, he blinked before putting on his glasses. Ed's bed was already made. He looked at the clock, wondering if he had slept in late. After spending much of yesterday afternoon playing football in the park with his family, and then martial arts last night, he had dropped into bed and fallen straight asleep.

It was half-seven. Later than he usually slept, but still a little early to have the smells of food wafting up to him.

He wandered into the shower before making his way to the kitchen. When he got there, Edmund was helping Angela get some fried tomatoes and some beans on the table. "Oh, good. I was about to send David up to wake you," Angela told him.

David looked up. "Mum, why didn't you tell me?"

He eyed his cousin, well, he guessed he was looking at the boy more as his brother. "Try it and we'll see how I wake you up," he said playfully.

David grinned. The boy was looking at him like it was a challenge. Harry felt he would have to be careful. David was proving quite the prankster. "Not today, David. Your Aunt Minerva will be over in about an hour and I need you all ready to go."

"Even me?" Amelia asked. She had already put fried eggs, a muffin and fried tomatoes on her plate.

"Yes, dear."

"Mum, do I add some oil?" Edmund asked.

"Just a little. Hermione, come and eat. I'll worry about the dishes," Angela told her.

"I'm almost done, Mrs. Sylvan," Hermione responded.

Angela rolled her eyes before moving to Hermione. "Budge over. Go eat," she told Hermione again.

"Where are we going today? I wanted to finish our assignments for Monday." He had slacked this week, but he had to admit it felt nice to just lounge about for seven days straight now. He didn't think he had ever done something like that. After the first two days, the urges to constantly do something lessened.

"Not today, Harry. Edmund has a surprise for you," Angela notified him.

He looked to his brother who was flipping the fried tomatoes. "Mum, can you give him the box?" Ed asked.

"It can wait a few minutes while you finish up. Minerva isn't supposed to be here until nine."

"Ed, what is going on?" he asked.

"Just sit. I made all your favorites."

Harry shook his head. The table did have all his favorites from Hogwarts, and a few he found he liked from Easter. "Why did you do this?" he queried feeling confused.

"Early birthday present," Ed replied. He took the tomatoes out of the pan and put them on a plate.

Harry blinked. "What?" he asked confused. He had never had anyone celebrate his birthday, except perhaps the cake Hagrid had made for him last year.

"This is my present to you this year. Take a seat. Eat. We'll be out all day," Edmund told him with a smile.

He felt too shocked. "Come on, Harry," Hermione said grabbing his hand and pulling him to the table. Ed put the pan in the sink and Angela shooed him away. Ed took the plate of fried tomatoes and added them to the other pile. With five kids around the table, Angela and Bill, who had come in later with a paper, much of the food disappeared.

When he was done, Ed put a large box before him. "Happy early birthday!" Ed exclaimed.

Harry looked at it. Like at Christmas, he looked around to make sure someone wasn't going to jump out and take it. "Open it," Angela told him.

He nodded and opened the box before sucking in a breath. A nice Wimbourne Wasps quidditch jersey greeted him. It was a honey color with black stripes. The front had the Wasps patch and the back had Potter stitched in it with a seven. The same number he wore at Hogwarts.

He held it up, not knowing what to say.

"Do you like it?" Ed questioned, sounding unsure.

"It's brilliant," Harry said with some wonder.

"Good. You're going to wear it today," he was ordered by his brother.

He looked at Ed. Harry didn't want to wear this. It was perfect and he wanted it to stay that way. "Why?" he asked.

"We're going to a match," Hermione told him.

"Wait, you're going to a quidditch match! I'm a wizard now. I want to go too," David blurted out.

"I want to go too," Amelia said next to Edmund.

"Calm down. We're kicking you all out to go to the match," Bill told them.

"Bill," Angela chided.

Edmund chuckled.

"What? It's not often we get the house to ourselves," Bill jested with a smile back at his wife.

"I swear," she said to Bill. "If you are done, get up to your rooms and get ready. Hermione, I have a shirt laid out on Ed's bed for you," Angela told her.

Hermione looked at him. "Ed, you didn't!"

His brother shrugged. "It's not like I can wear my Harpies or England jersey today, and I thought we should all support one the teams I know Harry likes."

Amelia's and David's eyes went wide. "We got shirts too?"

"Go get ready," their mum insisted. David rushed out of the room. "Walk," she yelled exasperated at his youngest brother.

"Are we really going to a match?" Harry asked. He still felt flabbergasted.

"Yes. Hermione, go get your jersey on so Harry and I can use the room next."

Hermione got up and hugged Ed before moving out of the kitchen.

"Keep an eye on your brother and sister?" Angela requested standing up. She started to clear the table. Bill stood and helped. "Go get ready."

"Yes, mum. Come on, Harry."

Twenty minutes later, they were coming out of the fireplace in a small Inn called the Flying Wand. It was much cleaner than the Three Broomsticks, and had three fireplaces in the main room. Ed was already through, waiting for Amelia and David. It was their first time.

A second later, the fireplace on the end flared to life. Edmund was quick and caught a frightened looking Amelia. She hugged him tight as the fireplace he came through flared. David walked out, took a stumbling step and stood up. "Wicked," he said with a huge smile. Harry couldn't keep from smiling either.

He was surprised when the fire in front of him flared again. Hermione came through, just barely missed David and Harry caught her before she fell. "Out of the way, David," Edmund told their brother. It was a few more seconds, enough time for them to move further back and straighten out, before Professor McGonagall came through.

She looked to make sure they were all there. "Everyone make it through alright?"

Amelia was still hugging Edmund.

"That was wicked. Can I do it again and then come back?" David asked excitedly.

Amelia squeaked. Professor McGonagall looked at Amelia and moved to rub her back. "We will take it back home. I already locked up the floo powder so you will not be able to get back, David."

The boy looked crestfallen.

"Where are we meeting everyone else?"

"The Weasley's are to meet us here very soon, and then we meet the Longbottoms and Greengrasses at the pitch," she informed them.

She shuffled them off to the side to wait. Harry was looking around. This pub was busy. Harry wondered if that was because of a match. He saw a group of goblins talking in a corner. A dozen other people were scattered about the room at tables or at the bar. A rather iffy looking woman was staring at them from a dark corner across the room.

He moved to stand in front of David. He didn't like the look of her. She was in black robes and with a balaclava over her head so he could only make out her chin and a long nose.

Hermione leaned towards him. "Watch David and Amelia. I think that is a hag," she said in a low voice. He looked to her to see her looking at the woman.

He swallowed. "David, hold my hand," he told his youngest brother. Harry found her preferred 'brother' to 'cousin'. Cousin left a sour taste in his mouth.

David didn't question it.

They luckily only had to wait a few minutes before the fire flared and the first redhead walked out. It was the stout looking Percy who was wearing a gaudy orange Chudley Cannons shirt.

He stepped out of the way and upon seeing them moved over as the middle fireplace flared. "Good morning, Professor. Happy Birthday, Harry," Percy said, moving to shake his hand.

The twins came through next, handing him a bag of tricks. Then Ron. "Why are you wearing a Wasps shirt?" Ron asked incredulously.

"I like the Wasps," he told his mate. "I can't wait to see them play." The excitement of the others was starting to infect him.

Ginny came out before Mr. Weasley. She blushed furiously after tripping and seeing him looking at her. He had been to the Borrow a few times this summer, and she always had the same type of reaction. She also never seemed to talk much.

Soon there were six Weasleys and the six of them. Ron was already going on about the Cannons. He shook his head at his friend. "The Wasps Seeker, McKenna, is second in the league," he told him. "I don't think the Chudley's will beat her."

"You can't be serious. Milligan should be top."

"If you lot want to get going, follow Minerva," Mr. Weasley called out. Others were starting to come through the fireplaces and their group was starting to crowd the area.

David was sticking close to him and Ron as they talked back and forth. Well, arguing was more like it. Harry could not accept the Cannons were a better team after what he had read in the Prophet and from what Ed had told him.

It was a ten-minute walk from the Inn through an old village with a shuttered mill in the background. On the outskirts, the road took a wide turn around a hill and a copse of trees. Mr. Weasley took a path off the road.

Other people, some in obvious Wizarding attire, where in front or behind them. They walked into the copse of trees and forty feet in, it suddenly opened into a large pit. Harry stopped and his eyes bulged. The quidditch pitch was sunk into an old mining pit. Around the edges was a wide walk with stalls of souvenirs, food vendors, a broom shop and a half dozen other stalls or shops he didn't know what they were for.

"This is the second largest stadium in the country. Weeks the Wasps don't play here, England or Scotland usually plays here," Edmund said to him. "Daphne," he called out.

He turned to see Daphne coming their way. His smile was ear to ear to see the hundreds of wizards all around and to see her in a Wasps shirt too, her parents had Astoria in tow. He only had eyes for his friend.

He liked how her golden hair almost matched the color of the shirt and her big smile. "Happy early Birthday, Harry," she said coming up to him and giving him a kiss on his cheek.

He froze and Daphne pulled away quickly, looking mortified and her cheeks turned a crimson color. She had never done that before. Hermione was behind her, and he caught her looking at them. Her shoulders were shaking as though she was silently laughing.

Ed just blinked.

"Harry, you have to see this," Ron said coming to his side and dragging him off.

"Stay close," Mr. Weasley called to them as Ron dragged him off to a stand. He looked over his shoulder at Daphne.

"Did she just kiss you?" David asked sounding disgusted as he tagged along.

Harry felt his face flush as he realized what had just happened and he touched his cheek, which still felt warm from her lips.

Ron was oblivious to what just happened. "Wow. These are real omninoculars, Harry! You can watch the game, record it and then play things back. I wish I had the galleons for these."

"Uhm, here," he said reaching into his pocket. He had grabbed his coin pouch before leaving home.

"Harry, can I have one?" David was looking at them in amazement.

Daphne, Ed, Hermione and Amelia came up to them. "You're on your own David for these. I paid for the rest of the day," Ed told their brother.

"Mum didn't give me any money," David sulked.

"I'll get you one, David," Harry offered.

"Can I have one?" Amelia requested.

"How much are they," Hermione said walking up and picking up a golden one.

"That is a Model E, dear. Up to two days of game play. Speed, time and replay in these dials. This set is for zooming. You can split the field to watch two areas at once here or track up six players at once to watch later. Just fifteen galleons," a witch in nice lavender robes told them.

"Is that a lot?" David asked.

"It's decent," Daphne replied. She picked up one of the golden ones also. "What other models do you have?"

"This is the type D. It only allows you to watch one area at a time and has about six hours worth of play time and can track three players. Ten galleons." The witch picked a silver pair for them to look at.

"Oh, hey, Nev," Ed said behind him.

"Father, can I get a pair?" Astoria asked.

Lord Greengrass stepped up. He looked at the dozens of omnioculars on the table and racks. "Do you have any type B?" he questioned.

"Yes, my Lord," the Lady said with a smile. She reached for a few boxes behind her. "They aren't as popular, so I don't usually put them out," she said taking out a copper looking set. "Limited replay options, you can track a single player and only about two hours worth of gameplay. Seven galleons each."

"Arthur, would you mind if I offer to pay for anyone that might like one?"

Mr. Weasley looked at the man. He saw him pinch his lips. "That is a very generous offer, Anders, but I think that is too much."

"If we buy at least ten type B's, would you cut the price to five galleons each?" Daphne negotiated.

The witch looked at the blond girl. "Are you buying any others?"

"I would like one of the type E's," Harry said fishing out his money.

"I would too," Hermione said.

"Father?" Astoria put to the man.

"You can have a type B unless you have money of your own," he told her. He was still looking at Arthur.

"I don't get my allowance for another week," Astoria whined.

"You should save like I do. I would like one of these too," Daphne said looking through the golden type E.

The saleswitch beamed. "If you buy those three Type E's, I will give you the ten B's for four galleons each."

Arthur nodded. "You have yourself a deal," Lord Anders said pulling out a similar pouch.

"Edmund, you aren't getting one?" Daphne asked.

Ed pulled out a silver pair, looking a little guilty. "Auntie Min got me a pair last year at the England vs. Bulgaria game. They are from a different maker."

"Ah, those are a pair of Erwan's. That's roughly equivalent to my type D's. Are you sure you would not like a better pair?" she suggested, hoping to get another sale from the group.

He shook his head. Soon all the Weasley's, his younger siblings, Astoria, Neville and Lady Greengrass had copper omnioculars, while Hermione, Daphne and him had golden ones.

He had not had an opportunity yet to spend much of his money in the Wizarding world, and this was well worth it as he played with the nobs. "Anders, I can never repay you," he heard Mr. Weasley. The other Weasleys were happy, but seemed to have the same expression.

"Arthur, this is a fun day out. Edmund invited you to enjoy it. I am asking you to accept this as my contribution," Lord Greengrass responded.

"This is wicked," Ron said looking through the glasses.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Edmund questioned. Hermione had taken his and jammed the new ones into Edmund's hands.

"These are better. It's yours and Neville's birthday too this week," she told him putting Edmund's old ones around her neck.

Neville looked pleased with the ones he had.

"If you are all done shopping for now, we can go find our seats. The match starts in about thirty minutes," Professor McGonagall informed them.

Daphne fell in next to him on one side, David on the other, and Ron next to David as he followed the adults. Harry had no idea a day could be like this.

"I am telling you, Harry, after today you will want to get a Chudley Cannons shirt," Ron told him.

He looked at Daphne, who had been very quiet since they had bought the omnioculars.

"Dad! Did you get a program for today?" Ron called over his shoulder.

"This way," Professor McGonagall said as she led them to a door at the top of the pitch. A wizard in Orange robes was at the door.

"Do you have tickets?" the man asked. He was looking at the large group a little dubiously.

Edmund was next to McGonagall. "Party for Scion Peverell. There are seventeen of us."

The man looked at the golden card in Edmund's hand and nodded. "Of course, Scion Peverell." The man nodded to another official, who moved to the door and held it open.

"This way, sir," the man said.

Harry grabbed Edmund as he walked past. "How much did you spend? This is too much, Ed," he told his brother.

Ed just smiled. "It turns out that the last Peverell had invested heavily in the Wasps. Some of those papers they gave Mr. Tonks turned out to be stocks in the team. It's one of the few business holding I have, though Mr. Tonks is working with Gringotts to expand them. I own almost twenty-percent of the team. So, most of today is free," he said with a smile.

Harry's eyes bugged out. Professor McGonagall had started to explain all about his old holdings and finances, but Harry didn't own part of a Quidditch team, at least not that he knew. "Why the bloody hell didn't you tell me!"

"I wanted to surprise you with your first game and this was the only way Auntie Min and mum would let me take so many. I am paying for the catering and the shirts," he told him.

Harry laughed. "You're brilliant, Ed," he told his brother.

"You two coming?" Daphne asked. Hermione, Daphne and Amelia were standing outside a door being held open by the man that had shown them in.

Harry smiled and wrapped his arm around Ed's shoulder. As far as he was concerned, Ed was family and one of his best mates now.

He held his arm for Daphne and she took it when they got to the girls. Ed did the same for Hermione and then for Amelia, who tried to copy the other girls. The box had an area with a few tables laid out with mince pies, fried chicken, vegetables, cauldron cakes and other goodies. Butterbeer, Muggle soda and other drinks were available. At the edge of the stadium, two rows of seats looked out. There must have been at least twenty seats.

Ron was looking around with wonder. Neville smiled as Edmund walked up to him.

Daphne was still next to him. "Daphne, how wealthy are Edmund and I," he enquired of her. He was realizing he really had no idea how much was actually in his vaults or everything that he and Edmund had. He really didn't know who else to ask.

"Pretty well off, from what I heard father say. Why?"

"Edmund just said he owns almost a fifth of the Wasps and Auntie Min says my accounts are larger."

Daphne's eyes opened some. She looked at Edmund and then back to him. "I don't know what to tell you, Harry. We are well off, but I doubt father could say something like that."

He nodded. After being over Daphne's house three or four times a week since leaving Hogwarts, he had seen the wealth of her family. She lived in a country mansion. There were displays of green marble, gold inlay, paintings, expensive furniture and dozens of other signs of her wealth. And with all that, she just said Edmund seemed better off than them, never mind Harry. He really couldn't fathom how much that really meant. To compound it, the goblins said he was still missing money and artifacts.

"Are you alright, Harry?"

He shook his head. "I really don't understand how much we have," he told her.

She moved back in to take his arm again. "Let's not worry about that today. Edmund went through much to organize this for you to have a good birthday."

He grinned at her, still reeling to understand. She was right though. This was his first professional quidditch match and he was looking forward to it.

"You want anything before we take our seats?"

He shook his head. He was still very full from the breakfast Edmund had made. "Daphne, I don't deserve all this," he told her. He had never had a birthday party or anything for his birthday. This just seemed too much.

She moved closer and hugged his arm tighter. Why did he find that a comfort? "Harry, this is for your birthday. I admit this may be a little over the top, but Edmund just wants to show you he cares for you. Hermione told me how nervous he has been that you will not like it. Just enjoy it. If it's too much, just let him know for next year. Just be gentle. He looks tough, but I think he is just as scared as you at times."

He swallowed. Hearing it from Daphne was so different than hearing it from someone else. He listened and understood. His brother was doing this to make up for all those years he had nothing. It was Edmund's way of saying he was glad Harry was here. Harry smiled. When he looked at her, she was looking at him with understanding. There was a warm something that fluttered in him. It was sort of like when she had kissed him on the cheek.

"Heiress Greengrass, would you let me escort you to your seat?" he requested as seriously as he could.

She smirked before leveling her face. "I can let you, Scion Potter," she told him.

A smile broke across his face. She took his arm and they moved towards the seats. "Harry and Daphne get the front two seats," Edmund called out.

The twins were already joking and teasing Ginny, who was giving it back to them. When she saw Harry and Daphne, she clamped up and sank into her seat. Harry saw it, but didn't really think about it. He was feeling high as a kite as he sat next to Ron with Daphne next to him. Two of his favorite people he knew were there. David was on the other side of Daphne. Two of his other favorite people were behind him. Edmund, and Hermione, really were becoming his best mates. This summer was so different than anything he had before.

"Welcome to the seventh match of the season," an announcer started, the man's voice loud and clear across the whole stadium.

-oOo-

Redhill, England

Ed was tired. It had been a long day. Hermione and Daphne had gone home with Hermione's parents for a sleepover after a small party in the backyard when they got home. He knew their parents would have another small cake and what not on Harry's actual birthday, but he was happy he could give this to his brother.

Yawning again, he rolled over, not sure why sleep wasn't coming to him.

He looked at Harry, who had his new omnioculars and the broom kit Daphne had given him on the nightstand. His Nimbus 2000 was tucked just under the bed. Edmund and him had serviced their brooms before finally shutting off the light. He was dying to take out his broom next week when they went to Cearn Ross. There was so much room to fly around up there, the old Ross Castle hugging a bay along the ocean and surrounded by mountains.

He still felt a little guilty about being envious of Harry's broom, but he understood now why Auntie Min had gotten it for Harry.

Harry rolled over. Ed just couldn't seen to get comfortable, and after a little bit got up to go to the bathroom again. He clicked on the light and when he stepped back out, his father was standing in the hall. With a yawn he asked, "You alright, Ed? That's the third time in the last two hours and its close to two."

"Yeah, fine, dad," he replied. He went to go for the stairs back up to his room when his father said, "Ed, you've never been a good liar."

Ed sighed. "Did Harry enjoy today? He looked lost or as though unhappy at times."

He turned back to his dad, who had his arms crossed and leaning against his door frame. "I think he enjoyed it a great deal, from what Minerva told us. All he talked about at dinner was the match and he spent an hour watching it in those fancy binoculars after everyone left."

Edmund nodded. "Thanks, dad."

His dad eyed him for a moment. "Are you having nightmares again?"

Ed sighed. "Some nights."

"How about Hermione?"

Maybe that was why he couldn't really fall asleep tonight? He felt something was off, but it wasn't really with him. "She is having a hard time too, some nights."

"Do you need to go to her?"

Ed shook his head. He knew as soon as his father said it that that was what he was feeling. "She's with Daphne and her parents tonight. I'll see her tomorrow."

He moved to the stairs again. "You forgot the light," his father said softly.

"Sorry, dad," he remarked, returning to shut it off.

"Ed, if you need to go to Hermione, you know you can."

"I know, dad. Mr. Granger isn't always that pleased to find me like that. We really need to be able to spend time apart. We can't sneak to each other when we go back to Hogwarts."

"I don't want to see you, Hermione or Harry suffering. If this is what you both need, then go do it," his dad encouraged. "Mr. Granger is getting better."

He shook his head, only the nightlights in the hall and stairwell showing the motion. "I'll see her tomorrow."

His father let out a long breath. "Just get some sleep then."

"Night, dad."

"Night, Ed."

He climbed back into bed, feeling the pull to Hermione. She was having a rough night for some reason and he knew it. Well, he recognized it now. He yawned and tried to get some sleep.

-oOo-

August 1, 1996

Cearn Ross, Scotland

Hermione always loved the old castle that Auntie Min called home. It wasn't where she grew up, that was the small town across the water. Cearn Ross was the seat of the Ross Family for almost three-hundred years. Now, it was going to be hers someday and she thought she could feel the difference, as though the magic of the lands it was on recognized her. It was sort of like how she felt Edmund, but not as much.

Walking along the old wall, it wasn't a large castle. There was a main keep with a good-sized main hall, three floors and a half dozen bedrooms and a half dozen other rooms. A small gate house led to a half-disintegrated cobble road that once went around the bay to the town. Daphne was walking with her as they watched the boys teaching David how to fly with Auntie Min. They were in an old field that she knew once held sheep or cattle. Auntie Min had taught Ed her the history of this place over the years.

"David is not as much a natural as Ed and Harry," Daphne commented as David shook a little on the broom.

"It's only his first day."

"I remember Harry challenging Draco on his first day."

"Yeah, flying does seem to go in their blood."

Daphne nodded. "So, didn't you say one time you used to dream of knights, dragons and being a princess?"

Hermione looked at Daphne. "Maybe," she confessed, feeling Daphne was up to something. "Why?"

"Well, this is going to be yours now, isn't it?" Daphne looked around the castle.

"I am not having a dragon around here. They are nasty things," Hermione told her.

Daphne laughed. "I was thinking you could be a princess. You have the castle."

Hermione felt her face flush some. "I hate you," Hermione groused, knowing what Daphne was getting at.

Daphne laughed again. "You have your knight already."

"I am not some damsel in distress, Daphne Greengrass!"

Her best mate shrugged. "I was just thinking if you wanted to look nicer for Edmund tonight. He does turn twelve today."

"And Harry turned twelve yesterday."

"I wore the nice jeans and blouse you said looked really nice for Muggles."

Hermione laughed. "You also asked me like twelve times if Harry would like it."

Daphne blushed this time. "He did. Didn't he?"

"He's a boy. I doubt he noticed. I doubt Ed would notice if I dress nicer tonight."

"You're probably right," Daphne said, sounding a little dejected.

She leaned against the stone parapet on the wall. "I don't know if I want to have Ed notice me like that yet. Can't we just be friends for now?"

Daphne moved next to her, still watching the boys.

Someone else walked up the stairs to the wall. It was a young woman, maybe seventeen or eighteen, with bright pink hair, an easy smile and violet eyes. She had a leather jacket, a few earrings in each ear and a chain on her ripped jeans. She had a broom in her hands that had a hot pink streak down the handle. Hermione looked at her a little surprised, not what she was expecting if this was Nymphadora. "Watcher. Hermione and Daphne? Mum said you were out here, but I thought she said you were all flying."

"Nymphadora?" Hermione asked.

The girl scowled. "Don't call me Nymphadora. Dora for family, Tonks for everyone else."

"Sorry, Dora," Hermione responded.

"You must be Hermione. You look like your mum. And you, Posh, you must be Daphne."

Daphne's mouth moved a few times. "Posh!"

Dora smiled. "Sure. You look all like those high-end posh prats from the rich prep school down the street from us."

"I am not some posh prissy prat," Daphne scoffed indignantly. "You pink petty prick."

Dora laughed loud, almost doubling over while using her broom for support. "Easy there, Posh. I just mean you look nice and dress in nice clothes. That is the first time I've been called a prick."

Daphne scrunched her nose at the girl. "My name is Daphne, not Posh, Nymphadora!"

The girl stopped laughing and stared at Daphne. "I like you," Dora said. "Fine, no Nymphadora. No Posh."

Hermione elbowed her friend. "Posh isn't that bad."

Daphne's eyes narrowed as she glared at Hermione. "Sure, Hermy."

Hermione's face reddened. "Don't you dare."

Daphne raised her eyebrows. "Then you know my name."

Dora laughed. "I was afraid you'd both be these stuck-up little twats the way your mums said you compete and that you were top of class. Are the others as fun as you?"

"I'm not sure I like you as much," Daphne said in a cold voice.

"I think I agree," Hermione added.

Dora shrugged. "I hear I'm an acquired taste at times. How are Ed and Harry? I was told they were teaching my littlest male cousin how to fly."

"They are down there. Why don't you go introduce yourself? I hear Ed likes to be called Red," Daphne told Dora.

Hermione nudged Daphne. "Don't start. It's his birthday."

Dora had a mischievous smirk on her face though. "Any other good names?"

"No," Hermione told the girl.

"Are they fun to be around? This is the first time I get to meet cousins I may like. I wish I knew last year. I could have been like a mentor to you at Hogwarts," Dora told them.

Looking at her, Hermione couldn't remember seeing her. "Did you graduate last year?"

"Yeah. I was in Hufflepuff and saw you around at times. Is it true something was hidden in the third-floor hallway? There was this mental rumor that a three headed dog almost killed a few students," she put to them.

Hermione felt the blood leave her face. "Yeah, mental," Hermione responded.

Dora immediately picked up on her change of mood. Daphne moved in. Dora's brow scrunched. "It was just rumors, right?"

"There was a dog. Someone did die," Hermione said, starting to feel worked up.

"Hermione, it's alright," Daphne took her hand.

Hermione nodded.

"The rumors were you and Edmund and Harry were involved in it," Dora pressed.

"Dora, please don't ask anything else," Daphne told her.

Dora looked up. "Wotcher!"

Hermione turned to see Ed and Harry racing towards them. She was sure Ed had felt her sudden distress. This was supposed to be his day, without any worries. When Ed landed, he gave the new girl a discerning look. "Who are you?"

"Your cousin, Dora Tonks," the girl said jovially holding out her hand. Harry was hovering just outside the wall as Auntie Min and David walked back.

"Edmund Evans-Potter," Ed said, moving to put himself partially before her. "Why are you bothering Hermione?"

"She keeps asking about that dog," Daphne told him.

Edmund pulled up to his full height, his hand clenched and he stepped towards Dora. "We don't talk about that," Edmund told her in a flat tone.

Dora just gave him a curious look. "Yeah, sure. I never meant to offend anyone."

"Ed!" David called up to them.

"Harry, get down. We don't fly outside the fields. The muggle distraction wards are better there," Auntie Min called up.

"Yes, Professor."

Harry flew over the parapet and landed.

"So, you're Harry Potter? You don't look like much."

Daphne snorted. "He's tougher than he looks."

David ran into the castle and Auntie Min was right behind him. "Why don't you all come in. Dinner should be on the table in a little while."

"Yes, Auntie Min," Edmund called down to her. "Leave us all alone about what happened with the dog and other stuff."

Hermione gladly took his hand and let him pull her away. It was Edmund's birthday and she shouldn't be upset. As they walked away, they heard Dora, "Why are they so touchy about this? What happened? It couldn't have been that bad? Did someone really die?"

Hermione stopped. She didn't want to be afraid of this, but she still suffered nightmares at times. Edmund stopped, and looked back at her.

"Just drop it," Harry told Dora.

Auntie Min called them in.

"Dora, if you really need to know, ask your mother," Hermione told her. "I don't want to talk about it."

Dora frowned. "I really wasn't trying to upset you all."

"Wasn't your hair all pink a moment ago?" Edmund asked from behind Hermione. The girl's hair had streaks of blue in it now.

Dora brightened. "Oh, mum didn't want me to scare you all. Do you like it?"

"Are you a metamorphagus?" Daphne exclaimed.

Dora responded by making all her hair pink and her eyes a more lavender colour. "Isn't it wicked?" Dora asked them with enthusiasm.

"How can I learn to do that?" Harry enthused.

"Pink is not your colour," Daphne told him and they laughed at the look on Harry's face.

"I don't want pink hair." He rolled his eyes at Daphne. "But you can't say that isn't wicked to just change your hair like that."

"I can do more than that," Dora told them before changing her nose, and then her eyes again and then she grew a few inches.

"Wicked," Edmund said from behind her.

Hermione had to agree, but she couldn't remember Auntie Min or any of their books mentioning this before. "Where is your wand?"

"Don't need one to do this," Dora said with a smirk.

"Metamorphmagus can do this naturally. It's a talent. I've never met a full metamorphmagus," Daphne said, looking at Dora in wonder.

"It's great for parties," Dora cheekily told them.

"Come along, you five. The Greengrasses have just arrived and the Longbottoms should be here at anytime," Mrs. Sylvan called from the door to the main keep.

"Can I have my cake first?" Ed called out.

"Not today. Come on."

"Yes, mum," Edmund replied.

They all trooped in. "I want to put my broom away first. Harry, you want me to go run it up to our room?"

"I should do that. It's your birthday today," Harry told him.

She pulled him along. "Give your broom to Harry," she told him.

"Sure."

They went through the hall, passing a few doors on each side, to the large set of double doors at the end. They were open and revealed a long table that lay perpendicular to the doors. A large fireplace was lit and going behind the table. Like in much of the castle, there were heirlooms and tapestries on display. She knew most of them, having spent a few weeks here almost every summer since she was eight.

There was an addition this time. A tapestry with the Ross crest and motto was on the wall behind the head of the table. Down the other end, where a tapestry of a festival scene used to be, was now one of the Peverell's Crest and motto. It was a sign of the allegiance to House Peverell now, and the bond between her and Edmund. This castle was as much Edmund's as it was hers. It still felt off to think of that.

The hall was already busy. Her parents, the Sylvan's with a bouncing Amelia as she looked at everything on the tables and in the display cases around the hall with David at the table, the Greengrasses with Astoria, Healer Tonks and a man they had met before, Solicitor Tonks, Dora and Auntie Min were either seated or talking. A house elf walked by with pitchers of lemonade to put on the table. Auntie Min still had three house elves. Minsy, the one that just walked past, Balin, the male of the house elves, and Rosa, the matron of them all.

"Birthday boy up here. We are just waiting for Neville and Augusta before we get started," Mrs. Sylvan informed them, indicating the head of the table. Looking at it, and all the people around, Hermione couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. The last time they had had a large party like this, it had not gone well.

"It will be fine," Edmund told her, pulling her along so that she was sitting besides him.

A few minutes later, Balin, a tall house elf with brown hair in his ears and slightly shorter ears, led in Madam Longbottom and Neville. It was chaotic with everyone there. Lots of party food was put on the tables and Hermione found herself really enjoying it. When the cake came, it was floated over the table and was about four times the size of a normal cake they would have at a party. It was larger than the sheet cake for Harry's party last weekend at the Quidditch match.

Minsy had made it into a large quidditch pitch with miniature figures flying around. They kept trying to avoid the candles as they threw small candy balls through the hoops.

"Wow," Edmund said next to her.

"Can I have one like that?" David asked.

"Make a wish," Mrs. Sylvan yelled out.

Hermione helped him when he blew on the candles, just a little, to get them all out at once. "Thanks," he muttered to her.

Edmund's face brightened even more when they got to opening the presents. He got a new football from Amelia and David. The Tonks gave him a Battleship-type game with old sailing ships and a Parcheesi game. Edmund looked a little disappointed before he was told they were enchanted and to be careful. It could hurt when the ships fired at each other and your hands were in the way.

"Knowing Ed he'll sink his own ship," Harry teased.

"I so can't wait to beat you," he challenged Harry.

"And what is enchanted about the Parcheesi game?" Hermione asked.

"That's a surprise," Dora said with a mischievous grin.

The Greengrasses got him a new book on Quidditch strategy while Daphne gave him a new wizarding chess game. "I know you said you didn't have one."

Edmund gave her a huge smile.

Hermione's parents gave him an envelope. He opened it and his eyes grew wide. "Really?"

"Two weekends from now. We gave you three tickets. Your mum and dad will take care of Harry, David and Amelia. We have Hermione," her mum told him. Hermione looked at what was in his hands and she squealed.

"What are you two all excited about?" Neville asked.

"You and Daphne are coming to," Edmund said.

"Going where," Daphne questioned.

"Thorpe Park," Hermione said excitedly.

"What is so special about Thorpe Park?" Neville quizzed confused.

"Are we finally tall enough to go on the roller coasters?" Edmund asked. Even Harry was starting to look excited.

"You are doing it again. What are you two talking about," Daphne huffed.

"An amusement park. There are rollercoasters, rides, an arcade, all sorts of stuff," Edmund said excitedly. "Thank you."

"Figure we can steal you for some normal stuff at times," Dan said.

"We'll explain later," Hermione told them. "Open this one next."

Edmund took the package and ripped it open. He was always like that, impatient to get what was inside. "Brilliant," he exclaimed and hugged her quickly. Then he looked at the gloves in the box. "Wait, why is there writing all over these."

"I was able to get Auntie Min to ask the entire Hornets team to sign them last weekend," Hermione told him.

"Wicked," Neville and Harry echoed.

"Can I see?" David asked.

He looked at them before taking her into a longer hug. "I need a case or something. Don't touch them," he yelled at David as his brother tried to get at the box.

"It's all right, David. Edmund, you don't need to yell at him," Mrs. Sylvan admonished him.

Edmund looked a little abashed. "Sorry, mum. Sorry, David."

"So you like them?" Hermione asked.

"Bloody luv them," Ed said before hugging her.

"Edmund!"

"Sorry, mum."

He got a nice winter cloak and some regular Quidditch gloves from his parents. Auntie Min got him two books on advanced transfiguration and charms. Neville got a few tools that Edmund looked at longingly.

"Where did you get these?" he put to Neville taking out an odd looking plane, a saw with some runes on the blade, a few awls and punches and some pliers.

"Gran knows someone that makes brooms and he recommended these as a base kit," Neville told him.

"Wicked," he said in some wonder. "What's this book?"

"The man said he would give you some tips on how to use everything."

"Oh, Merlin, this is awesome," Edmund replied.

When it came to his last present, everyone at the table knew what it was. Edmund looked at it, not daring to open it. "Harry, this is too much," Edmund told his brother.

"Professor McGonagall and Angela approved me to get it. We have a lot of money, Ed," Harry told him.

"Still..."

"Just open it, Edmund," Auntie Min told him.

Hermione could feel the anticipation flowing off him. When he ripped the paper off the tip she wasn't sure if he stopped breathing. Her eyes widened a little. The handle said Nimbus 2001. "This isn't supposed to come out until September," Edmund said in a small breath.

"I didn't know Nimbus made a 2001 model," Lord Greengrass stated.

"Professor McGonagall talked with Madam Hooch. She was able to pull some strings," Harry told him.

Edmund looked at the broom for a few before looking around. "Thank you," he said to everyone.

"Can we go play with your new ball?" Amelia asked.

Everyone around the table laughed at her. "Sure, Amelia," Ed said to his sister.

"Go on out, we'll clean up in here," her mum told them.

"I want to put the Nimbus and these gloves in my room first. I'll meet everyone else outside," Edmund told them, handing the ball to Amelia.

"Just go and have fun, Ed. We'll make sure everything is put on your bed nicely," Mr. Sylvan said.

"Dan and Bill, go out there with them," Mrs. Sylvan told the men.

Hermione took Ed's hand as they walked out with everyone else. "Thank you," Ed said to all his friends.

"You are welcome," Daphne responded. "Now what is an amusement park and will I like it?"

"I've seen them on the tellie a few times. This is going to be wicked," Harry said with a huge smile.

"Sometimes I wished I grew up with Muggles," Neville griped.

"Sometimes I wish I knew what you and Daphne know," Edmund retorted.

"Have you ever gone on the carts to the Gringotts vaults?" Hermione asked Daphne.

The girl immediately looked apprehensive. "Muggles can't have anything like that?"

"I can't wait to go on the rollercoasters. The one I have been able to try was sort of like the Gringotts carts. I can't believe your parents got us tickets! We've bugged our parents the last few years," Edmund said excitedly.

Hermione gave Daphne a sympathetic look and let go of Edmund's hand. She didn't like it, but her best mate did not look like she wanted any of this. The boys pulled a little ahead, talking about what it was going to be like. "I am not a fan of those carts or rollercoasters either. There are other fun rides and games and stuff we can do."

Daphne looked a little better. "You better not let them drag me to one of those things."

"Only if they don't do the same to me," Hermione promised.

Dora came up and clapped her arms over their shoulders. "Dad took me to Thorpe Park last summer. We are going to do all the rollercoasters," the girl said enthused.

Hermione and Daphne groaned.