A/N - Once again, here's the next chapter! For those who haven't noticed, I've added the fact that characters are OOC to the description, as it has been pointed out in some reviews that this is the case! (Disclaimer in chapter 1). Harry's presents are from POA, and the letters are similar but have been changed slightly.
Chapter 9 - Two Birthdays
Soon, the 31st of July was upon them. Ginny awoke, once again comfortable in Harry's warm arms, to find him asleep. This was rare, as normally he was awake and watching her sleep when she woke up. She twirled her wand - they had discovered that the trace no longer affected them due to their bond granting them majority rights - and a small package was produced, summoned from where she had hidden it, which she levitated to the pile that had collected at the end of the bed. Spotting a letter with her name on it, she opened it and quickly skimmed through it. There was a similar letter on the table addressed to Harry, so she decided to not mention it till he had opened his. She then wrapped her arms around his neck, and proceeded to kiss him to consciousness.
As soon as he awoke and realised what day it was, he bounced out of bed. Ginny said, "Happy Birthday, love." Whilst giggling at his eagerness. He was once more surprised by the amount of presents he had, still not used to anyone caring for him. Ginny must have seen his doubtful look, because she laughed, "Yes, they are all for you love."
He pulled on a t-shirt quickly, then sat down on the sofa, pulling Ginny into his lap. He took a moment to bury his face in her sweet smelling hair - a scent that intoxicated him to the point that he couldn't get enough of it, while she rested her head against his chest. Somewhat reluctantly, as he was torn between opening presents and staying in that position, he raised his head, then pulled the first letter towards him. The first one he opened was from Ron. A Daily Prophet clipping fell out.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE
Arthur Weasley, Head of Misuse of Magical Artefacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr Weasley told the Daily Prophet, "We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
"How do you like that Harry, my family visiting Egypt without me." Ginny said cheekily, but you could tell where she'd rather be by the large grin on her face and the quick kiss she gave Harry on the cheek.
"You'd rather be here with me and you know it!" Harry replied with a grin.
"Yes I do, Mr I-Have-A-Rather-High-Opinion-Of-Myself!"
Harry moved to Ron's letter.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday!
It's brilliant here in Egypt. We've seen all the old tombs Bill works in and they're scary, full of mutant disfigured skeletons of Muggles that had broken in and got caught in the traps. Makes me glad that the curse breakers have deactivated everything.
We'll be back about a week before term starts and we'll be going up to London to get my wand and our new books. Any chance of meeting you there?
Don't let the muggles down and KEEP AWAY FROM MY BABY SISTER!
Try and come to London,
Ron
PS: Percy's Head Boy. He got the letter last week. He and mum are overjoyed. Me and the twins aren't too pleased.
Ginny was silently fuming at Ron's words, and had half a mind to Bat-Bogey him when they next met.
Harry, seeing an explosion brewing on her face, quickly placated her. "Now Gin, I have no intention of staying away from you. Loving you is more important to me than Ron's friendship."
"But still, he shouldn't be writing that to you, he has no say in what we do. And calling me a baby, why I feel much older than a child ever since last, year..." She trailed off unexpectedly as she brought the memories, since deeply buried with Harry's help, back to the surface inadvertently.
As she buried her head in his shirt, Harry felt her body being racked with sobs, and started to softly stroke her back, while whispering comforting words in her ear. Eventually, she sat back up on his lap, and gave him a somewhat forced grin. "I'm sorry for breaking into tears on your Birthday." She told him.
"It's OK Ginny, I understand, so there's no need to apologise, and I'm happy to be able to help you through it." Harry replied, lovingly, as he used his sleeve to wipe away the remaining tears drying on her face.
"Anyone, you need to carry on opening your presents, this can be left for another time, but it is only your Birthday today."
She snuggled back into his chest, and he picked up the small badly wrapped package from Ron. He looked at the note attached before tearing into the paper quickly and withdrawing the item.
Harry - this is a Pocket Sneakoscope. If there's someone untrustworthy around, it's supposed to light up and spin. Bill says it's rubbish sold for wizard tourists and isn't reliable, because it kept lighting up at dinner last night. But he didn't realise Fred and George had put beetles in his soup.
Bye - Ron
Laughing slightly at Fred and George's antics, and glad to see it wasn't spinning currently, he placed it on the desk Mr Weasley had created, then he moved to the next letter.
Dear Harry,
I'm on holiday in France at the moment - its amazing here! I was worried about sending this to you - what if customs opened it? But then Hedwig showed up. Evidently she was trying to ensure you got some birthday presents for a change. I ordered it by owl-order from the Daily Prophet - I've been getting it delivered - always good to keep up with the news. I hope you like it.
Did you see the picture of Ron's family in Egypt? They look like they're having a great time. Egypt is supposed to be really interesting for old wizarding culture. Bit odd that Ginny wasn't in the photo though. I wonder where she was? Do you know?
Harry shared a glance with Ginny. Evidently no one had thought it necessary to tell Hermione the intricacies behind their situation, sos he had no clue that Ginny was actually with Harry.
There's some interesting local history of witchcraft here, too. I've re-written my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I've found out. I hope it's not too long, It's two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for.
They both shook their heads. When would Hermione learn that the teachers didn't set homework for the fun of it, and didn't want more than was absolutely necessary because it meant they had to spend longer marking it. Harry had to wonder if the few times she hadn't got Os were not because of the content of her work, but because she had failed to make it concise and to the point, sticking to the amount needed.
Ron says he's going to be in London in the last week of the holidays. Can you make it? Will your aunt and uncle let you come? If not, I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express on September the first.
Love From,
Hermione
PS: Ron says Percy's Head Boy. I'll bet Percy's really pleased. Ron doesn't seem too happy about it.
Harry opened Hermione's package to find a full broomstick servicing kit.
"Wow Hermione." He whispered. "I was expecting something to do with work, knowing Hermione, perhaps a book."
"I see what you mean, but that could come in really handy." Ginny commented.
"Do you play quidditch?" He asked.
"My brothers never let me join in, but from age six I've been sneaking out at night and stealing their broomsticks to practice. Could you help me when we get to Hogwarts? I want to try out for the team when there's a free space."
"Sure, I'd love to! What position do you play?"
"Chaser or Seeker, but I don't want to take that from you."
"I could persuade Wood to try you in both, so you could be a reserve seeker for when I inevitably spend some quality time in the hospital wing."
"Don't talk like that. I don't like you getting hurt."
"I appreciate your concern, and neither do I, I just know that it always happens."
The next parcel he picked up was a rather large one he recognised to be from Hagrid. It wriggled. Unwrapping it, he dropped the half open package on the floor.
A book crawled out, snapping it's jaws at the packaging, which it quickly devoured, and tried to reach the pair on the couch. Reaching over Ginny, Harry found a belt and, jumping on the book, pinned it down. While this was happening, Ginny took the belt from him and quickly wrapped it round the book, keeping it's jaw shut. They then sat back on the sofa.
"Only Hagrid would send a biting book." Harry commented.
"Look, there's a letter." Ginny pointed out.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday!
Think you might find this useful for next year. Won't say no more here. Tell you when I see you.
Hope the muggles are treating you right.
All the best,
Hagrid
It was odd to Harry that Hagrid thought a biting book may be useful, but resolved to wait till they could talk in person, possibly over some of Hagrid's inedible rock cakes.
From Mr and Mrs Weasley, he received an extra large care package, including a chocolate cake, and a letter saying that due to the incompletion of the bond, and the fact that they were taking a family trip to Egypt, they would be staying at Privet Drive till school. This left him with a letter, and a parcel from Ginny. Setting the letter aside, he started on the final present.
Unwrapping it he found a bronze necklace.
"It's a protection amulet." Ginny said nervously. What if he didn't like it? "It's supposed to ward against anything that means harm to you. I thought you might need it with Sirius Black on the loose, given we don't know if he is looking to kill you or not. I was hoping it might avoid you getting hurt at school so much. Do you like it?"
"I love it." He said, clipping it around his neck. Then he leaned towards Ginny, and just before touching his lips to hers, whispered, "I love you." Then he kissed her, holding her against him, and only broke apart when the need for air overcame him. Ginny was all too happy to return the kiss. Then, suddenly realising what he had said for the first time, pulled away and gasped.
"What?" Harry asked. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, it's just..." Ginny started nervously. Then she just rushed in - hesitating was not normally something associated with Weasleys - "Harry, do you realise what you just said?"
He thought back over the conversation they had just had. Then, with a smile blooming on his face, replied "I said I loved you. And I do. Don't, don't you feel the same way?" He asked hesitantly.
"Oh no Harry, that's not it at all!" Ginny replied emphatically as she launched herself at him. "I love you too, I have for ages, I just wanted to make sure you knew what you had said and it wasn't something that came out when you didn't mean it."
Accepting her explanation, he pulled her back towards him for another long kiss, before breaking away for another much needed breath.
Settling Ginny across his lap again, Harry returned to the letter.
Dear Mr Potter,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
Third years and above are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade at certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.
A list of books for next year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
"I got one too." Ginny said, holding her letter up.
"I guess we can go to Diagon Alley the day after your birthday. I really don't want to see Ron or Hermione at the moment. Unless you really want to see your family?"
"No, I'm fine. Why don't you want to see your friends?" Ginny asked.
"Ron because he'd most likely flip over seeing me in so much as the same room as you at the moment. I'm going to write him to thank him for the Sneakoscope, but I'll make it clear that I have no intention of staying away from you. It's possible that he believes sending me a present will cause me to forget about you and remember he is my friend. That's not going to work - there's no way I'm letting you go! From there it will be his choice on how to behave, and whether we'll still be talking when we return to Hogwarts. I hope so, but I've not got my hopes up. Hermione I've not got such a problem with, but I know she may well side with Ron, and she'd be too interested in why we spent the summer together, and I mean the real reason, to leave us alone for any period of time."
"Why do you think she'll side with Ron?" Ginny asked inquisitively.
Harry laughed. "Come on Gin, surely you've seen that they like each other?"
"Of course I had. I just didn't think you would have noticed it." Ginny replied cheekily.
"I may be a bit thick, but I'd like to think that after two years I'd know what my best friends' arguing meant." Harry replied, sounding hurt.
"You're a boy, what should I have expected? And anyway, you're not thick, you worked out your feelings for me quicker than I expected."
"How long were you expecting me to take?"
"I figured I may have had to wait until fifth year, or slightly longer. But it doesn't matter, you realised early so I didn't have to wait."
"I'm glad I did. How would I be able to survive without you?" He asked rhetorically.
"Or I without you?" Ginny quipped. Then she returned to the original topic at hand. "I don't see how we're going to go to Hogsmeade though."
"No. Being married, I'm both of our legal guardian, but wanting to keep that a secret I can't sign it. I guess we could just stay at Hogwarts this year and practice Quidditch. Your mum would sign yours but Uncle Vernon never would, even if we pretended they were our guardians."
"I wouldn't mind that, so long as I can spend the time with my Husband." Ginny smiled cheekily.
Harry grinned. "Who knows. Maybe we'll find a way to sneak down without permission."
"You like breaking the rules then?"
"Yeah, even with Hermione following me around for two years. My dad even wants me to carry on his 'pranking legacy'"
"I forgot about that. I was hoping to carry on pranking from Fred and George. Maybe this year we can work with them. The Marauders sounds like a group they should know."
"Okay, we'll ask them on the train. Until then, we've got a month to come up with a whole host of pranks to pull once we get back to Hogwarts."
Harry and Ginny then took turns in the bathroom to get changed, and went downstairs for breakfast, before heading outside to spend the day at the park down the road. Ginny wanted to make sure that Harry definitely didn't have to spend the day in the presence of his relatives,so proceeded to distract him quite thoroughly while they were there.
A short while later, after they had finished their previous kissing activities, Harry was pushing Ginny on the swing again, loving to see her enjoyment, shown so clearly on her face. He could have just sat on the swing next to her and shown her how to make it swing herself, but he enjoyed the contact with her that pushing her himself gained him, and loved the smile on her face, knowing he was responsible for putting it there.
Suddenly, Ginny put her feet down to stop the swing. After a few more swings back and forth to slow it down, she neatly jumped off while it was at the high point of the swing, and landed gently on her feet. Harry grinned playfully, and gave her a quick applause, while she curtsied in thanks. She took his hand and pulled him over to a nearby tree, then pushed him down and arranged herself across his lap, snuggling into him. His arms immediately came up around her waist to hold her close.
After they had sat in silence for a few minutes, Ginny spoke up. "Can I ask you some questions?"
"Of course." Harry replied easily. While before he may have been wary, not knowing what would be asked, with Ginny he knew he would always answer truthfully, no matter what, and that she wouldn't judge him at all.
"What are all the white lines on the field for?"
Mentally, Harry smiled. This was one he could answer easily, as even though he new he would answer anything, he was still nervous about some topics. "In this case, football. In the muggle world, there are lots of different sports, unlike just Quidditch in the Wizarding World. Often, lines for the games will be painted on fields. Like Quidditch, the national teams have their own stadiums, but football fields are everywhere so village teams of kids can play. I've never seen football be played before, so I don't know what all the lines are for or all the rules are, but I know it's a lot more complicated than Quidditch is. Dean loves it, maybe you could ask him about it."
"Oh right. I saw them when we were last here, and didn't know what they were, but you seemed preoccupied at the time and I didn't want to ask you about it. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Anything else you want to know?"
"Not today, but if I think of something I'll be sure to ask."
They spent a while longer sitting together under the tree, where Harry sneaked a few kisses in on top of her head, before they headed back over to the play equipment for some more fun.
Soon the 11th of August was upon them. Harry had learnt from Ron during his "treat Ginny as a sister" training - as he now realised that it was - that this was her birthday, but that she also didn't normally tell people about it.
He awoke, and lay in bed staring at the beautiful redhead sleeping in his arms with her head on his chest, thinking about just how lucky he was to have her. He knew that Ginny liked sleeping in from when he had tried to wake her at the start of the summer, and so was happy to wait for her to wake naturally.
A few hours later, Ginny woke up to see her husband looking tenderly down at her. She wasn't sure why that word still gave her a warm feeling inside. Then she realised that the sun was glaring through the curtains.
"What time is it, and how long were you going to let me sleep for?"
"Just after ten, and as long as you wanted. I know you like sleeping in. Happy Birthday."
This caught Ginny by surprise. She wasn't aware that Harry knew when her birthday was. "How did you know?" She asked.
"Ron may have mentioned it when he talked about you. He also said you rarely mention it. I realise now he probably only told me because he wanted me to think of you as just a sister. Obviously, that didn't work. Look, you have presents!"
At this pronouncement, her head spun around quickly and she was distracted from whatever she was thinking about Ron sticking his nose in where it didn't belong. Presents caused a large amount of excitement in Ginny. Like all Weasleys, the idea of presents was enough to get anyone up and out of bed quickly. She pulled Harry over to the sofa, pushed him down, then seated herself squarely in his lap. His arms automatically came up around her waist, and he rested his chin on her shoulder from behind. She turned her head slightly to give him a quick peck on the lips, then turned back to the pile on the floor. She reached down for the first present.
It was from Ron. He had sent her a large box of Chocolate Frogs and some Chudley Cannons Paraphernalia. It seemed he still hadn't worked out that a) the Chudley Cannons were still the worst team in the country, b) he was the only Weasley supporting them, and c) he was possibly the only person buying any of their paraphernalia. Included was a letter.
Dear Ginny,
Mum told us where you were staying, and I hope the muggles are treating you better than they treated Harry. Hope he isn't taking advantage of you - tell us if he is and we'll take care of him.
Happy Birthday! Hope you like the gift. It's from me, Bill, Charlie and Percy. The twins said they had something else to give you.
We weren't told when we would see you. Hope you make it to Diagon Alley in the last week of August, otherwise it will be on the Hogwarts Express.
Your VERY CARING brother (don't forget to tell us about Harry)
Ron
PS: In case Harry didn't tell you, Percy made Head Boy. Twins aren't very happy. Many pranks coming up when we return from Egypt.
"More like overly protective brother." Ginny muttered. "Which of them are going to take care of you anyway? Fred and George have a healthy fear of my bat-bogey hex, and Bill has always looked after me when the others get on my nerves - he wouldn't hurt you. Percy will just believe my parents."
The next gift was from her parents. It was a large box of homemade fudge, as well as some other goodies. She then moved onto a badly wrapped brown package. It chattered.
"Seems like I'm not the only one with a gift from Hagrid." Harry stated dryly, throwing the unusual package some nervous glances.
This time, he was ready when Ginny slowly tore the wrapping of the book, and immediately wrapped a belt around it before it got one snap in. He made a mental note to write to Hagrid about the killer Monster Book of Monsters.
This left her with one package. She opened the letter attached first.
Our dearest and most favourite sister,
We do hope you decided to continue our pranking legacy. Included is a box of pranking freebies from us. Make sure you remember though, no taking over completely until we leave.
Sounds like you're having a lot of luck with your dear Mr Potter. Does he know about the crush you've had on him for the past two years? Hopefully he's reading over your shoulder and I've now totally embarrassed you. Guess I should ensure you get revenge on the right one of us. I'm definitely George.
Hope to see you soon,
Gred and Forge,
Master Pranksters of Hogwarts
1989 to present
"I'll have to write back to them." Ginny said. "I guess you haven't had time to get me anything. I've been with you all summer."
"Oh, I did get you something, and anyway, you got me something! Here." He said, picking a small package out his bedside table.
Ginny opened it and gasped. Inside was a silver necklace with a pendant hanging from it. The door contained an interlocked emerald and ruby, which opened to produce a small wizarding picture Harry had managed to get taken of the two of them, and sent off to be processed into a moving photo. In the photo, Harry and Ginny were having a tickle match at the park down the road, on Wisteria Walk.
"I love it. Put it on me?" She asked, turning round in his lap. He took it from her, and gently did the clasp behind her neck so that it hung down her front loosely. "How did you get it?"
"I found it in the vault when we visited Ragnok. There used to be a picture of my parents in it, which I put in one of the photo albums. It was in what looked like my mum's jewellery box, the one next to the wedding rings." He said, gazing adoringly at the rings on their hands.
Ginny quickly wrote back to her brothers. Harry also wrote some thank yous, as they had decided to send all of them off with Hedwig at once.
Ron,
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU I DON'T NEED YOUR PROTECTION, I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. I'M NOT YOUR BABY SISTER ANYMORE.
Harry's been great, thanks for the present,
Ginny
PS: You're lucky is isn't a howler, and that's only because I don't know how to make them, YET.
Then one for the twins.
Dear Gred and Forge.
I would love to continue your pranking. I even have a very willing assistant who will do anything I ask him. We must speak to you on the train.
Currently you are my favourite brothers, as the others all seem to think I need protecting from Harry. Speaking of him, things are going well, but wait until we next meet.
I feel you should know, we are deliberately avoiding meeting the family at Diagon Alley. Don't tell anyone else, but we just can't bear to see them at the moment, Ron especially.
See you on September the first,
Your loving sister
Ginny
Harry also scribbled a note down for Hagrid.
Hagrid,
Quick question about the books, is there any way to stop them killing us?
Thanks for the presents,
Harry and Ginny
They had decided that Hagrid was someone who would find out about where Ginny had been staying. He then wrote one to Ron.
Ron,
Thanks for the present - I can think of times it would come in really helpful!
I have no intention of leaving Ginny alone, just so you know, but I'm not taking advantage of her in any way.
Thanks again for the present,
Harry
And one for Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
Thanks for the broomstick servicing kit, it'll be really useful! I'm glad you didn't have to send it through customs, they would have been so confused.
As for where Ginny is, you'll just have to wait till we're back at Hogwarts to find out.
Friendly advice - do you think the teachers say how long an essay should be for the fun of it, and enjoy reading 2 rolls extra parchment? If everyone did that, think how much longer the marking would take. Just a tip!
We won't be seeing you in Diagon Alley unfortunately, so I'll see you on September first.
Your Friend (and remember that advice!)
Harry
Harry had become a lot more outgoing with his opinion since Ginny had come to stay with him at Privet Drive. Before, he never would have considered saying that Hermione might be missing the point about something. Ginny was happy to see he was getting more of his own opinions and some individuality, and not letting others dictate his life. They also realised that the last sentence of Harry's letter to Hermione would really confuse the older girl, but it didn't matter. All the more fun when they revealed the truth!
Ginny then took all the letters and left them in a pile on the desk, as Hedwig had gone out hunting, despite it being nearly midday. She then started to lie back down on the bed, but Harry had another surprise for her, after dragging her out the house.
"Where are we going?" She asked, while clasping his hand and walking beside him. "Not that I wouldn't say no to a nice walk in the park with my husband." She added.
"I've realised I've never actually taken you on a proper date before, so that is where we are going now. Then the walk in the park. I want to avoid the Dursleys as much as possible today."
He led her to a nearby diner, where he ordered them each a coke and sandwich. "It's not great I know, but I don't really have muggle means of getting anywhere better. I promise we will some other time."
Ginny was amazed by the can of coke, the ingenious muggle technology on the cap and the way it was fizzy inside. "My Dad would love this! He's amazed with anything muggle!"
After a moment, Harry grinned. "You know, we could get another can and send it to him with Hedwig." He suggested.
"What am I missing?" Ginny asked a touch suspiciously.
"Well, if shaken before they are opened, the drink is liable to explode everywhere when it is finally opened, something to do with the build up of pressure I think." He smiled.
"To be honest, Dad would probably love that too!" Ginny grinned with him.
When they were finished, they bought another can, then headed to the park, where they walked around for a bit, before sitting beside a tree, with Ginny on Harry's lap, and started kissing. Soon, they got more heated, as their hands ran through each others hair, pulling themselves closer together, but still they didn't go any further, content with the progress of their relationship, despite their recent change in status.
After returning to the Dursleys, they rushed up to Harry's room, where they found Hedwig. Ginny removed her from her cage, while Harry hurriedly wrapped up the can. He scribbled a quick note - Hi Mr Weasley, Ginny and I were out today and thought you might enjoy this muggle drink. Please bring Hedwig back with you tomorrow. Harry and Ginny. He then carefully tied it to Hedwig's leg, along with the many letters for their friends and family.
"I know it's a bit heavier than you're used to, but can you take this to Mr Weasley for us? Oh, and don't shake it, or it might explode all over him when he opens it. Can you please deliver Hermione and Hagrid's letters first, then head to Egypt to find the Weasleys for the rest of the deliveries." At the thought of the mysterious contents of the can covering Mr Weasley, Hedwig's eyes gained a mysterious glint to them, before she gave them a hoot, spread her wings, and took off out the open window.
"She's going to deliberately shake it up now, isn't she?" Ginny asked.
"Most certainly seemed like it, cheeky owl." Harry replied. They decided to head to bed, as Mr Weasley wasn't expected till the next afternoon.