Note: This chapter, as I wrote it, turned out different in some ways than I was planning. This means I am going to have to revise future chapters that I have already written, so everything makes more sense in the future.
Chapter 3: Birthday Surprises
Harry had not still quite gotten used to his birthday being an occasion to celebrate.
Indeed, it was a reason to celebrate. This year was the fifth anniversary of his first visit to Diagon Alley. It had been absolutely amazing to see for the first time. That had made his 11th birthday very special.
He planned to take his friends (and Dudley) to Fortescue's Ice Cream after the muggle cinema experience. Fortescue's had become a tradition. They had created a flavour of ice cream just for Harry when he had turned 15 the year before. Chocolate treacle tart. His mouth would start watering just thinking about it. They had sent him a letter via owl recently to let him know that they had, after a year, officially added it to the menu. Harry was absolutely thrilled and almost couldn't wait to take Draco there to try it. Draco liked chocolate, fortunately, but was not particularly partial to treacle tart, and cheerfully teased Harry over this. Harry took it in good humour, as he realized that perhaps his love of treacle tart was a bit unusual.
While Harry and friends were out and about, Sirius said he had it all worked out with a little help. He would indeed create a hidden quidditch pitch that could be contained within an object. When anyone was inside the pitch, no one would be able them flying. It would be rendered invisible. It would also be portable as he decided it would be encased in a trunk. Harry could hardly wait to see what it would be like. He did not know the details, but Sirius must be getting assistance from Minerva, Professor Flitwick, and possibly Snape perhaps. Sirius would not tell him anymore. After they were back from their day out, the "adults" would be there preparing for the party celebration, cake, and gifts. Harry could not imagine what he really needed or even wanted. Sleep, he thought, trying not to roll his eyes at himself. And no falling. He had been more stumbly while walking recently, and Snape said the effects of the treatment to his hip first year were still in place. A question of what was happening lingered in the back of his mind.
Hermione had the day organized and was quite possibly looking forward to it even more than Harry, although she claimed she would leave Harry to host the film and ice portions of the day. Harry thought he ought to take Dreamless Sleep the night before, to make sure he did sleep, as his birthday would be fun but also completely exhausting. Hermione had found that a film from the States was coming to London near the end of July. It was about storm chasers. Harry had read about tornadoes in a few novels over the years, but this sounded very interesting. Draco had not heard of this at all and wondered why anyone would want to chase storms, as it was just a bit of thunder and lightning. Some rain. Ron thought it sounded like it could be very thrilling, while Ginny was holding her judgement. She suspected she would like it, but how were they going to catch tornadoes if they were muggles without magic? Hermione, who had read all she could find on the subject assured Ginny that it is very difficult but was indeed possible in roundabout ways.
The day arrived, and as soon as Harry and Hermione had finished an early lunch, Draco arrived with Pansy in tow. Pansy threw herself at Harry and surprised him with an unreserved hug.
"Thank you! You have made my best friend the happiest man!"
Harry would have stumbled backwards but for Pansy's grip. He patted her back.
"You are welcome, Pansy! Thank you for coming to celebrate my birthday."
"Let me at my boyfriend, Pans," Draco insisted, taking Harry from Pansy's arms. Hermione, who was helping her mother quickly in cleaning the kitchen (they were trying not to employ too many magic cleaning methods learned from Mrs. Weasley, but sometimes, it was quite timesaving), turned to look at them and laughed.
As the remainder of their friends arrived via floo, Dudley ran in the front door. He nearly ran everywhere these days as he had found that it helped put his energy somewhere useful. However, he had only run in from the car this time, as Aunt Petunia would be spending the day at the house to prepare the cake. Cake decorating was a hobby she had taken up in her spare time. It seemed that she really enjoyed it. She would be adding Neville's name to the cake as well, given his birthday was the day before.
"Hello," Dudley said as he slowed his breathing down. "Happy birthday, Harry!"
"Thank you, Dud. Glad you could come! We're going to have a great time today," Harry said, feeling bubbly.
"Haven't been to a cinema in ages."
"I've never been to a cinema," Draco said wistfully from Harry's side. "I am quite looking forward to it."
"It should be a fun film to see, with lots of action!" Dudley said as Ginny and Ron appeared from the floo, the last to arrive.
"Is everyone ready? I've the film tickets right here, thank to Hermione. We will floo to Leaky Cauldron. The cinema is not far from there. I have muggle money as well. You need to have cinema for the full experience!"
Harry let the others go through one by one, as he and Dudley stood back. Dudley had only flooed twice in the past, but amazingly had an easy time of it. Usually, it was a little more intense for muggles because of the magic involved. However, Dudley seemed more unphased by it than Harry, which both he and Hermione found fascinating. Dudley has never been tested for latent magic, but Harry hoped to get a chance to discuss this with him.
Finally, they were all through and ready to step out into Muggle London.
~~~Break~~~
"Harry, we must do that again! I don't know how they did that without magic," Draco exclaimed as they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron.
"There was a lot of action," Dudley said happily. "I'd like to visit the States and see a tornado for real."
"Dudley, you surprise me sometimes," Hermione commented, grinning at her maybe-not-Muggle adopted cousin. "I admit it would be fascinating. When I have a chance, I am going to read more about meteorology as I do wonder if there is a way to use our magic to capture one to study."
"You would need to have several strong witches and wizards to accomplish that, maybe hundreds." Neville turned to Hermione with a great deal of excitement. "I've done some reading on weather because I think I could come up with some new methods for Herbology." Neville moved up to walk beside Hermione to continue the discussion together. Harry slipped his arm around Draco's waist, whilst Luna left Ginny's side to talk to Dudley.
"Dudley, I enjoyed the action, too, but where it was filmed, there were creatures I have only heard of before. Do you know about magical creatures? Has Harry told you of them?"
"No, not really."
" You have nargles in your hair, and he really should have told you. Anyway, perhaps you could come with Dad and me next summer to the States. We plan to look for some of these creatures. "
Harry was so tuned in listening to his friends and family talk and enjoying Draco's presence that he did not notice a crack in the pavement. Nor did he notice the odd feelings in his intact right leg, or the lack thereof.
Until he was stumbling forward and fell on his knee as he nearly dragged Draco down with him. Draco quickly helped him back up.
"I'm fine," Harry told everyone. "Just a bruise. I'm wearing jeans. I'm fine." He smiled as he always did when he was "fine." It was what he did. Hermione gave a look that told him they would talk later. Of course, but it was his birthday and he planned to continue enjoying it. He would be eating treacle tart ice cream in a matter of minutes, and honestly on his personal scale of pain, it was not at all bad now.
"Alright, then, mister fine," Draco purred into his ear as they neared the Leaky.
"Dray!"
"What did you say to my best friend, Draco?" Ron asked.
"Not sure you would want to know, Ron," Draco teased. With that, Ron paled and agreed that he did not really want to know. Harry laughed aloud.
A quarter-hour later, they were all getting settled into the back room at Fortescue's. They were all to try samples of the treacle tart ice cream in honour of Harry's birthday, but after they could place their own requests. Fortescue's had several flavours that could be found in a muggle ice cream shop, but also several more, shall we say, magical flavours. Dudley, who had only been there once before, decided that he would try the Orange Fizzy ice cream, particularly after Neville warned him that it might pop in his mouth. The others ordered their favourites, even Draco, who decided that though he loved Harry, he just had to choose something else, something raspberry after tasting the treacle tart sample.
Conversation once again took off amongst them all. Harry was quite pleased and content that they all seemed to get on all right. Especially with the addition of Pansy to the group. He could see Pansy flirting with Hermione, and Hermione looked bubbly suddenly. Ron just looked confused. Harry realized he, too, would also need to chat with Hermione. At first Pansy claimed she rarely ate ice cream, but Hermione called her out on it, citing an occasion or two where Hogwarts had served ice cream, and Hermione had noticed Pansy thoroughly enjoying it. Draco was highly amused at this development, as he was aware that Pansy absolutely loved ice cream, nearly any flavour. (Pansy had even declared treacle tart ice cream tolerable.)
As they were all finishing up, Luna waved from where she was speaking quietly to Dudley once again. Harry had no idea that Luna would befriend Dudley, but honestly, it seemed Luna got on with most people if they gave her a chance.
"Harry, do we have time to visit Ollivanders?" Harry consulted the clock on the wall before replying that they were not expected home for nearly another hour. He looked over at Dudley who was very wide-eyed and perhaps a bit shocked.
"Do you think Dud has latent magic?" Harry whispered to Luna, leaning in closer to them. Luna sometimes knew these things, and Harry himself had some suspicions about Dudley.
"Yes," she said in her dreamy voice. "He does. I can feel it, but if he finds a wand, then we will know for certain."
"We thought so, Hermione and I, but I was just going to talk to him and Mum about scanning him."
"Oh, she should do that still, Harry, to check his health before he starts performing magic. However, it would help him feel better if a wand can prove it now," Luna said with a smile.
"So, he has been a Squib all this time?"
"Yes, but in the last year, his magic has been starting grow and mature more."
Harry stood from his chair and went to Dudley and leant down, placing a hand on Dudley's shoulder.
"Dud, are you alright?"
"Yeah, Harry. I might have magic after all. I was always a bit jealous of you, you know."
"I know. So was your mother, of my mother, but we all get along now, don't we?"
"Yes, but Harry. Dad. What about when Dad gets out of prison? He hates magic. He'll hate me."
"Hermione has a plan about that," Harry said, swallowing down some lingering anger toward his uncle.
"What?"
"She plans to get him a trial in the wizarding world, somehow. He did almost kill me, a wizard, and all that."
"Oh, I can't talk to my therapist about this! He's not magical," Dudley said with an anxious glance
"Dudley, you're magical if Luna says you are. She knows things. Let's celebrate and worry about therapists later. I know it's my birthday, but I am more than happy to share the celebration. We didn't have a big do for your birthday last month, and Neville's birthday was yesterday. We will celebrate it all! I will buy your wand if you find one that works for you."
"Harry, I don't deserve this. Was horrible to you when we were younger."
"I've forgiven you long ago, and I turned your hair purple," Harry said, laughing at the memory.
"Yeah, wonder if I'll be able to do that now?" Dudley asked as a half-grin appeared on his face.
"I did that wandlessly, partially an accident. Since I know I can do wandless, I hope to start learning how to do it intentionally."
Luna reached over to pat Harry's arm, to remind him that they ought to leave soon for Ollivander's. He cleared his throat to get the group's attention.
"Alright, there has been a slight change in plans. If anyone would like to floo back to the house, feel free to do so, but we are not expected back yet. The rest can accompany my cousin and me. I need to buy him a late birthday present, as his birthday was in June, and I can think of a much better gift than the one I gave him. Don't worry, Nev, I have a gift for you at home." Everyone laughed but turned to look at Dudley speculatively. Only Hermione and Draco had the slightest suspicion. Hermione gave him a grin and then glanced at Luna who confirmed. Draco rounded the table, and helped Harry rouse his cousin from the chair.
"We're all coming along," Hermione announced. Of course, they were!
Mr. Ollivander did not seem surprised as the group of eight teens swarmed through the door of his shop.
"Ah, Mr. Potter. I see you have brought me your cousin. Mr. Dursley, is it? Or perhaps you prefer Mr. Evans, instead?"
"Er, er, yes, sir. Evans, sir," Dudley answered rather faintly.
"Step up, Mr. Evans. I need to measure you properly for a wand." Dudley moved forward, still in shock, while the rest whispered words of encouragement. In the back of the group, Pansy asked Hermione questions as Pansy, like Draco, had grown up with pureblood "rules", in which squibs were sent away from their families, never thinking it would be possible to develop magic later. Harry accompanied his cousin to the counter and assured him that Mr. Ollivander knew wands. He created them himself.
"More and more latent magic folk have come to see me recently," Mr. Ollivander commented as he set the measuring tape on Dudley. "Mr. Evans, your magic began to grow approximately a year ago. Please try not to worry. Your father will not be a hinderance."
Everyone was quiet as they thought about it, and Harry saw Dudley sag slightly with relief. Harry caught his eye and grinned. Dudley grinned back.
"Who would have thought? Harry, I'm magical!"
"Yes, you are, Dud!" Harry agreed Mr. Ollivander appeared with several boxes containing wands and set out to find the perfect one for Dudley.
Only twenty minutes later, the group went back to the Leaky. Dudley held the box containing his beautiful new oak wand tightly. He did not want to let it go.
~~break~~
"Happy birthday, Harry!" Aunt Petunia said as the teens entered the back garden. The cake and most other preparations finished, Petunia and Tara were enjoying tea before the rest of the guests arrived.
"Thank you, Aunt Petunia," Harry said, moving forward with Draco at his side, helping to hold him up. His pain levels rocketed with the last floo experience. Dudley most definitely tolerated the floo better. His mum silently passed him a small vial of potion, which he poured down his throat in a hurry. Draco pulled out a chair for him, and he sat down. The others said their greetings and then wandered over to a table where gifts were laid out and the cake, under a protection charm, stood beautifully decorated. Hermione wondered where Sirius was, and her mother informed her that he had returned home some time before to clean up, gather extra brooms, and fetch Remus. Most of the group became very excited to hear this. Draco had already brought his own broom here the day before, and Ron and Ginny had brought theirs in the morning. Luna said in her dreamy voice that she loved flying but did not care for playing Quidditch.
Dudley remained standing, holding his wand-containing box, staring at his mum.
"Dudley, dear? Did you have a nice time today?"
"What?" Dudley shook his head and moved to greet his mother appropriately. Harry watched this eagerly as he felt the pain receding into the background of his consciousness. Draco sensed that perhaps a family moment was coming and excused himself to go talk to Pansy.
Dudley sat timidly in chair next to his mother, and then glanced at Harry, pleading with him to say something. Harry sighed.
"Aunt Petunia, Dudley had a great time. The film was fun! Dudley would like to visit the States. Perhaps we can bring you both on a holiday one day."
"Thank you, Harry," Petunia said, but looked at Dudley looking at Harry. "Dudley, dear, what are you holding? Are you holding what I think you are holding?" Her voice became higher as the recognition in her eyes flashed.
"Yes, Mum," Dudley said, voice wavering. Harry watched while Hermione and Luna came to stand at his sides. They all watched Dudley slowly open the gilt-edged box and pluck the wand from it. As he lifted, the wand, sparks flew once again. Petunia covered her mouth with her hands.
"Ms. Evans," Luna spoke up from Harry's left side, "Dudley has developed magic over the past year. It will work out for the best."
"Luna just knows things the rest of us do not," Hermione explained. It had taken Hermione a while to accept this about Luna, as she generally disliked divination, but there had been too many incidents to doubt it.
Petunia did not verbally respond: her breathing seemed panicked. Harry's mum moved into doctor/Healer mode and produced a small paper bag and had her slow her breathing. Dudley stood still, stunned by his mother's reaction. Harry knew Dud thought his mother would accept this. Harry thought that she really would as she was used to being around magic much more often now. Tara managed to gently bring Aunt Petunia back to regular breathing and offered her a calming draught. This Tara did not have on hand and sent Hermione inside for one.
"Ms. Evans," Luna said again. "You know you are a Squib? I don't feel much magic coming from you, but you could learn how to brew potions and such, if you want to. I am sure Ms. Shayani will teach you."
"But, how?" Aunt Petunia asked as she took the vial of calming draught and drank it down. Harry was sure this was not the first time she had taken one. Perhaps Lily had given her some years ago? Or perhaps Professor Snape? The two of them were getting along better nowadays than they used to. They had come to some kind of understanding, he suspected.
"One or both of your parents must have been a Squib as well," Hermione deduced in a hurry. "We've learned more about James Potter's ancestry, but not as much about the Evans' side of the family. That means Lily was not purely Muggleborn! I can help research if you like."
"We will sit down another time to discuss the little I know of our family, then," Aunt Petunia said. "I am doing much better now. Thank you." Turning to Dudley: "Dudleykins, have you done any accidental magic?"
"Not much. I can turn on and off the light in my room at night by thinking about it, but usually I am nearly asleep, and then I thought I dreamt it. Now I know it really happened."
"Aunt Petunia, Luna thought we ought to take Dudley to see if a wand would react to him. Consider it an extra birthday gift," Harry explained. "Are you alright?"
"I will be, dear. I am just so surprised by this."
"I'm a wizard, Mum!" Dudley turned and asked his Aunt Tara, "Shall I go to Hogwarts next term? Or shan't I?" Tara smiled, obviously happy for Dudley.
"It would be best to speak to Professor McGonagall, as she is the Head of Hogwarts. She and Professor Snape had incoming first years at Hogwarts for a tour and new student orientation today. They should arrive shortly."
All at once, Harry's dad arrived home by car from the dental surgery office, while Minerva and Severus Apparated in right behind the car. Sirius and Remus appeared from the floo with the portable trunk containing the hidden Quidditch pitch. More gifts were added to the pile for both Harry and Neville. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley also came by floo twenty minutes later, Molly's arms weighed down with various food items for the party. They said the twins would pop by later if they could get away from the store. Augusta Longbottom arrived well-dressed as always, and Neville helped seat his grandmother and make introductions. Finally, Khaleh Tina, Uncle Kian, Aniseh, and Arshan arrived with more food. With them was Maman Bezorgh! She had been away visiting friends, and they had not expected her back yet from her extended travels.
Harry, feeling much better after the potion and some rest, jumped up from his chair to hug and kiss her in greeting, fighting off Hermione who was eager to do the same. Their Maman Bezorgh had managed to leave Iran for Tina's wedding, and had not gone back. She had missed her friend and family in England too much to go away again. Besides, her beloved husband had passed away in Iran several years before, as he had wished. Although there remained extended family there, she wished to be with her daughters and her friends again. She wanted to see her younger daughter married, and to get to know her grandchildren. Harry was very special to her. They had gone over the family tree a few years before and discovered that Harry was a distant cousin several times removed (through his Potter great-grandmother, who was Persian.) For Harry, that felt like further confirmation that this family was where he belonged.
Sirius opened the hidden Quidditch pitch, and the teenagers stepped in as well as few others to see how well it turned out. Sirius handed brooms to anyone who wanted one. He had even brought toddler sized brooms for Ani and Arshan to try. Tina was nervous, because would this work if they were not magical? She herself was not, and neither was her husband, but they were both aware that their children could be. Finally, Luna was consulted to see if she had any feelings about this. She came and knelt by the eager two-year-olds. She talked with them softly. Finally, she looked up to Tina and said, "They have magic. It is just beginning to develop. As they get older, you will want to watch for accidental magic. Professor McGonagall can check the book at Hogwarts to see if they are listed there." Tina looked at Kian with a hint of a smile, and then stepped into the Quidditch pitch with the children and brooms in tow. Harry, already up in the air, dived down and hovered next to his little cousins. He wanted to be the one to teach them how to fly.
After Quidditch, a feast of food was shared by all, followed by cake and gifts. Harry enjoyed the evening immensely, although at one point, Draco lead him away to take some deep breaths after the gifts.
"Everyone is too kind and generous," Harry commented to his boyfriend after a deep sigh. "I don't deserve it."
Draco wrapped his arms around Harry, and whispered, "Harry, no one deserves it more than you. This all could have turned out much differently, but it did not. Let us all celebrate that. No more complaints."
"Alright. Thank you."
"I mean it, love."
They leaned in, to kiss, and Harry's birthday was now perfect.