Harry slowly opened his eyes. It was warm. The Burrow was quiet, as though in reverence. Harry squinted, realizing he didn't have his glasses on, and reached for them. He picked them up off the beside table, and once his vision came into focus, he saw Ginny lying in a chair, fast asleep. How long had she been sitting there? And how long had he been out?

And then the dream came back.



"Harry, let's go to the owlery. Maybe we can-"Ron's voice was cut off by a sudden whoosh throughout the entire castle at Hogwarts, and all the lights went out. Harry heard a thump, which he supposed was Neville.

"Wha-what's going on?" Hermione's voice said in a high pitched voice. They were all in the Gryffindor common room.

Then, an awful, terrifying slithering noise was heard. It continued. Harry had a sick feeling inside, as he, and only he, heard the voice say, "Death.blood.smell.death.rampage.die."

A high pitched scream was heard, followed by a bright flash of green light.

"DEATH!!!!!!"



Harry closed his eyes as his scar ached from his previous blackout. Was Voldemort close by, or was Harry seeing the future in his dream.or even both?

Ginny then woke up and rubbed her eyes. She looked at Harry and her ears turned a little red.

"Um, hi Harry. You-hungry or something? I mean, well, you've been out for 24 hours."

"24 hours" Harry repeated, staring blankly at her.

"Well, more like 27, since I fell asleep. Does your scar hurt bad?"

"It gives me a headache at this point, but it will go away. Has-"

"A message been sent to Dumbledore and Sirius? Yeah. Mum did it right away and called dad."

Ginny looked terribly worried about him, and Harry smiled a little.

"I'm okay, really. Just let everyone know I woke up. I really don't feel like moving at this point."

Ginny nodded and walked silently out of the room. Hedwig flew into Harry's lap and nipped his hand affectionately. Harry stroked her for a long time, just staring out of the window. The twins were flying on their broomsticks, practicing Quidditch, and Mrs. Weasley was coming out to lecture them about flying after dark.

"Come, now, it's time for dinner!" she called.

"But, mum, we-"George started.

"Have to practice. NOT on my time! Get inside! Now! We have enough troubles as it is!"

"Mum" Ginny said quietly, coming towards her mother.

"Yes, dear?"

"Harry's awake."

Mrs. Weasley stopped and looked up to Harry's window. Harry smiled and waved at her, and she did the same. Harry decided it was time to get out of bed. He was really hungry, and the thought of Mrs. Weasley's cooking was almost too good to be true.

Just then, Ron came in, looking white. He saw Harry and sighed in relief.

"Good, your awake. Harry, I need your help, ASAP!"

"What's wrong?"

"I-well, okay, please don't laugh. I'm not sure what got into me when I did it. I-I wrote a poem for Hermione. I put it in my desk, not thinking much about it. One night, I started talking in my sleep, and I guess Fred and George heard me.they went into my room to investigate while I was still asleep and found the poem."

"Well.what were you exactly saying in your sleep?" Harry asked, looking amused.

Ron turned red. Oh, darn. He just had to ask that. He just had to ask that. Why am I acting so strange nowadays?

"I-I said that I loved Hermione, that I was gonna marry her, and all this other stuff.Fred and George were practically singing. The worst part is, everything they said is true. Harry, if they say anything, our scheme is just not going to work!"

Harry blinked. Ron had said all of this really fast. Unfortunately, they heard someone giggling outside the door.

"Ginny!" Ron shouted furiously, his ears turning a brilliant crimson as she walked in.

"I'm-sorry-Ron" Ginny said between giggles. "Mum wanted me to check if Harry wanted dinner now or in a few more hours. I didn't mean to-" Ginny started laughing hysterically.

"Oh, well, I could say everything right now in front of Harry" Ron said, his eyes narrowing.

Ginny stopped laughing. "It doesn't matter. Nothing has changed. He knows. I'm not as bad as you, though" she said, grinning.

Ron groaned. "Ginny, you know how long this has been going on. You're my sister. I don't see why you couldn't spare me this-"

"I'm not a blabber mouth, Ron. I won't tell. But honestly, I don't know how you are gonna keep Fred and George quiet."

"Maybe I could give them the stupefy curse."

"Mum would chop you're head off. Don't be so stupid, Ron. You gotta face reality."

"Ginny" Harry said, turning to her, "maybe you can help us. We need all the help we can get."

"Well, Harry, I understand why you are doing this, but I want something in return for helping Ron."

"But I'm you're brother!" Ron said aghast.

"I wouldn't care if you were my Siamese twin. I want something in return."

Ron groaned. "Fine. I'll do anything. Just please-"

"Anything?" Ginny piped up. "Well, in that case, you have to be my slave for the rest of the holidays."

"Wha-what?!" Ron said, turning pink.

"That, or no deal, and everything gets spilled."

"But you said-"

"Take it or leave it, Ron."

Ron sighed again and shook hands with Ginny to seal it. "Okay, first-"

"We shut Fred and George up" Ron said.

"Alright, alright. I'll trick them by giving them some candy with forgetfulness potion in it, and everything will be resolved. And I'll figure out something for you to do after Harry's birthday, which of course, is tomorrow!" Ginny piped up, grinning.

Harry smiled. He would be spending his birthday at the Weasley's. What more could he ask for?

"And you'll have a BIG surprise tomorrow, Harry" Ron added, winking.

Harry frowned, but figured it was best to find out tomorrow. It had to be something good. After all, it would be his birthday. Nothing could possibly go wrong on his birthday.