Time Changes Everything

A fan fiction by Pottergirl

Everything belongs to J.K.Rowling, and no copyright infringement is intended.

                                      

Okay, this chapter may seem similar to one in another of my stories at fanfiction.net but it's not all that… it's quite different with a completely different theme and atmosphere.

Takes place quite a few days after Harry's arrival, and the date is 31st July.

Thanks a lot once again for the wonderful reviews! They are all very encouraging, and so I decided it so send the next chapter up. Here it is! Hopefully, you'll like this better than the last!

Chapter 3:   31st July

Harry opened his eyes, and looked around slowly at the room. Ron's room. He had been there a couple of days now, and it was very nice and calm to get up there every morning, knowing you wouldn't be shouted it at when you went downstairs. The Weasleys were a real family for him, a family he had never had before.

Harry got up and blinked. He turned to see Ron's bed empty. He groaned. Had he overslept again? That was bad, and quite embarrassing. It was quite explainable on his first day there, being as tired as he was, but today, quite a few days after his arrival, it was quite stupid.

Harry grabbed his glasses, and got out of bed. He gave the wall-clock a glance, and was astonished to see it pointing to "Too Early For Children". He blinked, trying to make sure what he was seeing was true. Then he whirled around, and looked out of the window. The sun had just risen, and it was only six thirty. Where was Ron? he thought.

Harry got into his maroon dressing gown, put on his slippers, and stepped out into the corridor. It was quite peaceful. But before taking another step, he froze as he realized something. Ron could be out with Hermione or something… you could never tell. It was quite logical too, since Ron usually was not being able to spend any time alone with her owing to the fact that his family members were constantly around him. Yes, early morning was a good time. Harry chuckled, and finding himself convinced that this was the reason, he went back into the room and closed the door. He did not want to interrupt Ron and Hermione… neither did he want to actually catch them anywhere around the house, when they thought no one was looking… eech… that would be embarrassing!

Harry yawned. Now, this was definitely boring. He was wide awake, yet quite sleepy and tired. That was sure to make him drowsy all day. He flopped down back on the bed, and picked up an old Quidditch magazine that had come out of Ron's drawers the other day. Harry flipped through it, bored. He yawned again… and again… and again. This was getting to be immensely boring. There was nothing constructive to do. He rolled over, and his eyes fell on an old photo frame on the table between Ron and his bed. It was quite an old photograph of Ron, with his arm around Ginny. Ron's hairs were quite short and Ginny's were about shoulder length. Both were giggling. Ron winked up at Harry, making donkey ears behind Ginny. Harry chuckled and turned the picture around. In an untidy scrawl, it was written "Ron - 7 years, Ginny – 6 years."

He was amazed he had never seen the picture before since he had arrived. He looked at it again. Now Ginny was punching Ron's arm playfully. Harry smiled. Ginny was a person who seemed would be fun to know. She giggled a lot, she had a real active spirit and a carefree lifestyle. Ron said she had a very quick and hot temper but Harry hadn't seen that yet, and you know what they say… "Seeing is Believing."

Harry put the frame back on the table, and looked at it for a second when there was aloud thud just outside the door of the room, followed by-

'Shut up, will you? You'll wake him!' It seemed like Ron whispering. Ron with Hermione perhaps?

'Hey, it wasn't my fault, she tripped me!' That was George.

'No, I didn't. If you didn't have those huge feet-' That was Ginny, seeming impatient.

'Shut up!' Ron hissed.

Harry sat up quickly, listening intently.

'Move on, the way you're rowing, I wouldn't be surprised if Harry was up already!' That was Hermione whispering, quite admonishingly. What are they talking about? Something I do not know about, definitely! thought Harry.

'Nah… he was sleeping like a baby when I got up…' said Ron.

'Oh well, now what?' said George.

'The worst part…' said Ron.

'We wait for Harry to get up… no way we're going to go in and wake him up!' said Ginny.

'But it may be hours…' said Hermione.

'Why don't you go and wake him up, Gin?' asked Fred.

'Shut up!' said Ginny heatedly. George and Ron snickered.

'Look at our sister blush!' said George but was followed by 'OUCH! That hurt, Gin!!'

That was drowned by a series of-

'Shut up!'

'Keep quiet!'

'You'll wake him from right here!'

Harry grinned. He got up, and tip-toed to the door. Bending down, he looked through the keyhole. It was quite dark in the corridor outside but he could make out figures standing there.

'I'll check through the keyhole if he's awake' said Ron. Harry jumped away from the hole. There was silence, then-

'He isn't there!'

'What?'

'Yeah, look…… see? Bed's empty!'

'Uh-oh,' said Ginny. 'He must be out here… somewhere.'

'Wait, I'll go in and look around… never know, he might have gone to the bathroom or something…' said Ron. Harry grinned, and bounded to a chest of drawers. He opened the one in which he kept his things, and quickly pulled out a silvery, soft material from the depths. His Invisibility Cloak. He had just enough time to whirl it around himself before the door of the bed room opened inwards with a deep creak. Ron peeped in, looking around.

Harry grinned. Ron stepped in, and moved off to Harry's bed, and Harry took the opportunity to go off to the door. Everyone was standing around the door, full dressed, leaving just enough space for him to tip-toe through. He ignored the fact that they were fully dressed, and quickly stepped out.

'So detective Ron… found anything?' called out George.

'No… nothing,' said Ron, returning , and shutting the door behind him with a creak.

'Oh good, it seems now he's going to surprise us!' said Hermione. Ginny giggled.

Harry leaned against the wall of the corridor, watching the group of people, talking of his mysterious disappearance.

Clearly, they had a surprise in mind… but for what? Today's not Harry Potter day or something is it… what's the date today?… hmm… 31st… 31st of Ju- oops! It's my own birthday! They wanted to surprise me? Wow, this is great…

Harry grinned happily. He had never had a proper birthday, as far as he could remember, and this was really exciting.

'What now??' asked Ron.

'We organize a search… all of you… spread out,' ordered George. There was murmur of consent and Ron, Hermione, Ginny, George and Fred moved off in opposite directions, some down the stairs, to stop at different floors to search for Harry. Harry chuckled as they moved off down the corridor.

Ginny stopped just when she was about to step on to the staircase.

'What's wrong, Gin?' asked Fred, who was walking beside her.

'I think I heard something there,' said Ginny, pointing, roughly in the direction of Ron's room.

'What?' asked Fred. Harry took a step backwards.

'Don't know, must've been Crookshanks or something, let's –' Ginny broke off abruptly and shrieked.

'What?' asked Fred.

'T-there!' she said, her voice shaking, as she pointed towards Harry, and Harry checked to see if the cloak had slipped or anything. It had. It was now revealing his slipper-clad feet. Harry tried to cover them up quickly but Fred had seen them. Ron, Hermione and George came up to as Fred chuckled.

'What's the matter? Why did Ginny shriek?' asked Ron, quickly.

'I may have the answer. Come Gin,' said Fred, and ran off down the corridor to where he had seen the feet.

Harry tried to make a quick getaway but Fred was on top of him in no time, pinning him to the wooden floor.

'Aha!'

 Harry chuckled as Fred removed the Invisibility cloak, and let Harry get up.

'I should have known!' Ron shouted, grabbing Harry. 'You knew it all the time!'

'You were here all the time?' enquired Hermione, grinning widely. 

'Did you hear everything?' asked George, grinning.

'Er- well, I was awake when I heard this thud outside the door-'

'That was me…' said George, sighing as if it was all his mistake.

'-and then I came out when Ron entered the room to search for it!'

'Ingenious,' commented Hermione. Ginny smiled.

'So, now what do we do?' asked George, with a sigh. Fred grinned.

'Plan A goes into action, I presume?' asked Fred. Everybody nodded, grinning mischievously.

'What do you mean?' asked Harry quickly, and the next moment he was swept off his feet by Fred, George and Ron, singing, 'Happy Birthday!!' in a haphazard, comical sort of way. Harry grinned widely.

'Thanks a lot you guys but I really can walk down the stairs-' he said but no one heard him over the noise. He was flushed quite red, and had to endure the various bumps as the parade traipsed down the stairs.

Finally, they made it to the dining room. One glance, and Harry was amazed.

The whole room was decorated. Buntings made from green and blue crepe paper hung from the walls. Streamers hung from the ceiling, and the room seemed to be glowing white and all the other colors from the buntings. Golden dust cascaded upon them when they stepped into the room, turning into various colors; from golden to red, then yellow, green and finally blue. Even Hedwig was there, perched on the window sill, hooting excitedly. Pig fluttered around and as soon as Harry was put down upon his feet again, Ron caught him and stuffed him into his cage.

'This is great!' said Harry, still grinning.

'Plan B! The cake!' said Fred, loudly as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley came into the room.

'Sorry, we're late,' said Mr. Weasley, smiling. Both congratulated Harry quickly as he muttered his thanks incoherently.

'Where's Percy?' asked Mr. Weasley. Fred grinned, and came up, holding out a piece of parchment for Harry, who took it cautiously.

'Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous. It's from Percy. He had to leave early for work again so he left this message for you.'

Harry opened the folded parchment and read out loud,

'Dear Harry, Happy Birthday and Best Wishes. Greetings, Percy Weasley.'

'Since all that's in order, we can now have the cake, can't we?' said Ron eagerly.

'Yes… yes… plan B,' said Fred. 'Mum, if you'll do the honors…'

Mrs. Weasley smiled, and took out her wand. She raised it, pointing it in the direction of the kitchen and said,

'Accio cake!'

A humongous, completely white birthday cake came into view, floating towards them. Mrs. Weasley waved her wand expertly, making it land gracefully on the table. It was in the risk of being taller than the ceiling but it did fit in quite well.

'Wow! We can't eat that!' gasped Harry.

'Wait till you see!' said Hermione. Mrs. Weasley waved her wand again and the cake fell apart, vanishing into thin air. What was left behind was a small, much normal looking white cake with green and white icing.

Ron turned to Harry and whispered,

'It was mum's idea to use green as the main color. You know… to bring out the color of your eyes…' Harry chuckled.

'It's wonderful!' Harry said quickly. 'Thanks a lot… I mean you shouldn't have but…'

'Nonsense!' said Mrs. Weasley, smiling at him. Before Harry knew it, he was guided to a seat on the dining table and made to sit down, while everyone else stood around. Hermione handed him the knife, and he looked around.

'Thanks a lot everyone… I really appreciate it… I mean this is really wonderful…' said Harry in a trembling voice, his eyes sparkling.

'Well, we're as glad as you are,' said Mrs. Weasley, bending down, and putting an arm around him lovingly. She stepped back, after a moment, wiping her eyes with her handkerchief.

Harry brought the knife to the cake when-

'Wait!' shouted George and ran out of the room.

'What was that all about?' asked Hermione. George was back the next moment, fumbling with a Wizard camera.

'Sorry… forgot,' he said, panting. He put up the camera on a high chest, checked if it was at the right position, and joined everybody as they stood around Harry.

'Now, at the count of three… one… two…three!!' Harry grinned, and cut into the cake while everybody clapped, and sang "Happy Birthday!!" With a blinding blue-white flash, the camera took the first picture.

'Cake Feeding!!!' called out Fred enthusiastically. Harry grinned, and picked up a piece of cake. He turned to see Ron. Fred was hissing something from the back, something which sounded like 'Smash it!!'

Grinning devilishly, Harry raised the piece of cake to Ron's wide open mouth, and stuffed it in, spreading white and green icing all around Ron's face. There was a chorus of laughs from all around as Ron tried to shut his mouth. Hermione was standing behind Ron. She tried to keep a straight face while she stepped forward, waiting. Harry lifted another big piece of cake, and amidst loud cheers, he stuffed the cake into her mouth, leaving the same effect as in Ron's case.

'Three's the rule, at least three!' George reminded Harry. Harry turned to see - Ginny. She blushed scarlet when she saw Harry looking at her, and the thought of being stuffed with cake wasn't very easy for her. And she had a simple reason for that. It was Harry who would do it. Her brothers confirmed her worst fears.

'Ginny, you're next!' Fred and George chorused, chuckling. Ron nodded, wiping the cream off his face, and licking it off his fingers. Hermione looked quite pale, trying to gulp down the large piece of cake in her mouth.

Ginny stepped forward rather nervously, aware of everyone's stares, including her parents'. Harry smiled, a rather reassuring smile, which tried to tell her she wouldn't be victimized like Ron and Hermione. She smiled too, a rather wavering smile, feeling butterflies in the pit of her stomach, fluttering around wildly. She was afraid that if she ate any cake, she might vomit it due to the intense nervousness she felt then.

Harry picked up a piece of cake, and bent it on the tray to break into half but protests were about in a fraction of a second. He was compelled to take another piece, handed by Fred. A bigger piece than with either Ron or Hermione. Harry felt nervous himself.

This is Ginny. Why should I be nervous? But the look on her face…poor Ginny. I won't smash it of course but Fred had to give me the biggest piece there was, and with someone as nervous as Ginny right now, this is going to be difficult…

Harry lifted the piece, and Ginny opened her mouth. He lifted the cake to her mouth, and slowly pushed it in.

'Not fair! Not fair!' chanted the twins. 'You didn't smash it. It was the biggest piece and there is no sign of cream on the sides!' Mrs. Weasley tried to end the game but neither Fred nor George listened to her just this once.

Ginny could say nothing either. She was trying to gulp down the large piece of cake in her mouth.

'So Ginny, you smash it on his face!' said Fred. Everyone laughed, even Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Ginny turned even redder. Harry turned red too. When George and Fred were playing at something, you could never tell what would happen next…

Ginny now doubted whether the cake would even go past her throat or not, so nervous was she. The butterflies in her stomach worked themselves into a frenzy, rushing around wildly.

'Gin, come on!' urged Fred. Ginny looked at Ron, who grinned at her, a rather mischievous grin. He too, was after all, Fred and George's brother. And sometimes, the same mischievous part of character was reflected in him.

Ginny turned back to Harry, trying to avoid his eyes. She picked up a piece of cake, and turned to him, making the mistake of looking into his eyes. They were sparkling with excitement and anticipation. Ginny could not divert her gaze, just as she was afraid she wouldn't be able to. She lifted the cake, cheered on by her brothers and Hermione.

'Somebody take a picture!' shouted Ron, and Fred grabbed the camera. He turned to Harry and Ginny, his fingers on the "Shoot" button.

Ginny was tantalized by Harry's bright, twinkling, green eyes and his wide grin. She lifted the piece and not knowing much sense, smashed it somewhere in a region where it was half in Harry's mouth, and half outside it, against his cheek.

'Wonderful!' George yelled, as Fred clicked the button on the camera, and with a flash, it took a picture.

Ginny stepped back, jumping out of her daze. She looked up.

Oops! What have I done? That looks…really…bad.

Harry wiped the cake off his face, grinning.

'Oops! Harry, I'm really, really sorry…' said Ginny nervously. Harry grinned while everybody else was still laughing.

'Doesn't matter Ginny,' said Harry, smiling, and popping cake into his mouth.

'Ginny, you are a true Weasley!' proclaimed George loudly, pretending to wipe tears of joy.

'I did the same thing to your father once, now I remember…' said Mrs. Weasley, thoughtfully.

'Sixteenth birthday,' added Mr. Weasley.

'You remember?' said Mrs. Weasley, astonished.

'Of course I do, I suffered far more than Harry though… I was smothered with cream and honey!' said Mr. Weasley. Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Weasley punched Mr.. Weasley's arm playfully.

Ginny grinned, and looked back at Harry, who was now wiping his face with a towel. Hermione put an arm around Ginny, and leaned in close.

'What were you think of Ginny?' she asked, in a whisper. Ginny grinned, turning a little pink.

'I don't know really,' whispered Ginny quickly.

'One wonderful cake mum!' commented Ron, licking the crumbs off his fingers, as everyone sat in the dining room, on chairs after finishing the birthday cake.

'Wish there could be more though!' said Fred dreamily.

'Well, you used up quite a lot in the Cake Feeding,' said Mrs. Weasley. Fred winked at Ginny, who tried to ignore it. Sad to say, she did blush, and that made Fred, and even George, grin.

'Wonder why I feel so sleepy…' said Ron, yawning.

'That's because you ate cake on an empty stomach, early in the morning!' said Hermione.

'Now that's an explanation for you,' said Mr. Wesley, and Hermione's face flushed.

'Has anyone forgotten action three?' said George, sitting up straight, and looking at Ginny pointedly.

'No, didn't,' she said, her eyes twinkling.

'Then what are we waiting for?' asked Fred.

'All hail the Birthday Boy!!' yelled George, jumping up. Fred and Ron followed suit and Harry was up on their shoulders before he could protest.

'What now?' asked Harry loudly, grinning. Hermione answered for him, walking along the parade, smiling.

'Oh, you know… the usual birthday tradition…'

'What?'

'Presents.'

'What? Oh, but this surprise was more than enough…' Harry protested.

'Are you teaching us how to celebrate birthdays?' asked Fred, grinning.

Ron's room had changed since Harry had last seen it that morning. Now, there was an addition to it. A large pile of multi-colored, wrapped boxes, and all sorts of shapes lay on his bed. Harry gaped at them, as he was put down.

'What-'

'Don't worry,' Ron cut in, 'they finish up pretty soon. They seem so many now but tomorrow you'd be wishing you had more!'

'No, I mean, these are… who sent all these?'

'Why don't you have a look?' Mrs. Weasley offered.

Harry sighed contentedly.

'This is so wonderful. Thanks a lot - everyone… I really mean it…' he said. Everyone smiled but Fred made an exasperated sound.

'Open them already!' he said. Harry grinned at him, and picked up a large box wrapped in red paper.

'Oh good, that's from us!' said George, his eyes sparkling. Harry immediately held the box out, away from him, grinning.

'Then I'd better not hold it too close,' he said.

'Nah, there's nothing dangerous in there… at least, as long as it's not used!' said Fred. Mrs. Weasley looked at him suspiciously.

Harry tore the wrapping away, which vanished as soon as it touched the floor, and opened the box.

At the top was a paper, on which was scribbled 'Do not go further if  mum's around!'

Harry grinned and replaced the lid.

'Open it…' said Ron. Harry grinned at Fred.

'Can't. It says, don't open till midnight,' said Harry. Fred gave him a grateful smile, and George nodded approvingly.

'Well, then, open mine…' said Ron, and Harry set out to find what Ron had given him for his birthday.

About a half an hour later, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George remained in the room. All the colored wrappings had vanished. Instead, Harry's presents were there, laid out before him as he looked at them gratefully. Apart from Fred and George's box, everything had been opened. Ron had given him a large big book titled 'Brooms Over The Ages' in which every broom from the first "Pigeoto" to the latest "Firebolt909", was given with full description.

 Hermione, as usual, came up with something she'd think would benefit Harry at every stage of his life. She gave him a large box of Muggle fountain pens, a set of twenty ('Hermione, I don't think I'll ever be able to use all of them!')

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had given him new navy blue dress robes with golden cuff links. He could only stammer his thanks for that gift. He knew it must have cost them a fortune.

Charlie had not forgotten Harry's birthday. He sent him a big diary, with a leather cover made from Dragon's hide. Any thing written on the pages of that diary would be invisible, and would not be revealed to anyone other than those who knew the magical password. Harry knew he'd put that diary to very good use.

Bill sent him a rather interesting, large, gold medallion that he said he had discovered in the "Valley of Kings" in Egypt. It had an inscription in some unknown language on one side, and on the other side, was an engraving of a sun. Bill added it was the Egyptian sun god "Ra", and that the medallion was a luck charm. Ron, having visited Egypt two years back, knew much more about Egyptian history than any of the others, and was pleased to share some information with them. Secretly, he was glad to know he knew something Hermione did not.

Percy had left behind a gift too. It was another book titled "Prefects Who Gained Power".

('Hey, I've seen Percy read it before,' said Ron.) Inside was a note from Percy saying that he was hoping Harry would become a prefect, and if he did, the book would be very useful, and would surely help him gain promotion to the position of Head Boy. Harry chuckled at this and said,

'If I don't need it, which I probably will not, I'll give it to you Hermione.'

'Well,' said Ron, looking at Hermione, giving her a smile. 'You worked hard, Hermione. You'll be needing that book, I can bet on that.' Hermione blushed, and smiled.

Sirius had sent Harry a present too. He seemed to have got some time out. He had not been able to write any letters to Harry for the past few weeks. The last time Harry had seen him was in the hospital wing at the end of his fourth year. Thus, when he saw Sirius's present, Harry was more than pleased, and relieved. He had sent Harry a large book titled "A Concise Account and Collection of Protective Charms".

'Guess, I'll be opening a library soon…' said Harry, sighing, but he was grateful for both, the gift and the small note from Sirius saying he was fine, and that he'd be writing again soon.

Ginny, it seemed for an instant, had not given Harry any present at all. Harry sat back.

'Why don't you open our-' began Fred, when-

'FRED, GEORGE, YOU TWO GET DOWN HERE THIS VERY MOMENT!!!'

'Coming Mum! Harry, wait for us… don't open it yet,' said George before leaving the room.

Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were all those who remained in the room then. Harry smiled.

'These are all wonderful presents!'

'Glad you liked them,' said Ron, grinning.

'Um, Harry,' said Ginny, feeling a little shy. Harry looked up from the book on Protective Charms. Ginny turned around and fished under Ron's bed. She took out a small box, neatly wrapped in glittering red paper.

'I haven't given you my gift yet…' she said, holding out the box for him, the blush on her face getting darker and darker. She could feel Hermione and Ron's eyes too, apart from Harry's, on her.

'Oh, thanks a lot…' said Harry with a smile, not knowing anything else to say with Ron and Hermione's eyes on them. He took it from her slowly, admiring the wrapping.

'What's inside?' he asked her, smiling. Ginny sat back.

'Open it,' she said, rather nervously, afraid he'd not like it much. Her mother had said it would be very useful for him. Of course, her mother had been the one to give it to her.

Wonder where she got it from in the first place… if only it works… what if it does not work, and it turns into a pile of rubbish, what if he doesn't even like it…if he passes it on…but it was meant for him… that spell on it was for him…only… Mum said…

'Let's see now,' said Harry, removing the wrapping, which once again vanished as it touched the floor.

There was a white cardboard box. A small, golden, metal ball was inside, a little larger in size than the Snitch used in Quidditch. It immediately reminded Harry of the Snitch, and he wondered if it had anything to do with it. But, he realized, it wasn't just a solid ball. There was a small latch in the centre of the ball. Harry lifted it and the ball split into two. Harry, Ron and Hermione gasped. A shimmering, silver jelly-like liquid was inside, emitting a cold, silver light… like moonlight. Harry looked at the shimmering jell closely. It seemed to warm him from the inside…a comfortable and welcome warmness spreading all over him, as if spreading peace and contentment within him. Harry looked up at Ginny, who was now nervously tucking invisible strands of hair behind her ears.

'Ginny, what… what is this?' Harry asked her completely amazed. Ginny blushed.

'There's an inscription inside… I don't know much about it myself,' she said softly. Harry turned back to the ball. In the upper half of the lid, were several, tiny verses inscribed.

O ye who be given this powerful Charmzirius!

Beware of its aura

The mystery of peace and safety resideth within

The Zirius that evoked but from Silmaria

Has concealeth a powerful spell…a bond

That be done only by the giver…

And be felt only by ye!

Harry closed the lid, and looked up.

'A Charmzirius?' he said, looking back at the ball.

'Yes, it's a sort of luck charm,' said Ginny slowly, as if choosing her words properly, blushing deeply.

'Ginny,' said Hermione quickly, with a hint of amazement in her tone. 'I've read about Charmziriui. They're not simply luck charms. They're really advanced and complex.'

'A complex charm?' asked Ron. Harry looked up from the golden ball. He still felt quite warm.

Hermione looked at Ginny, and they seemed to have a brief exchange. Hermione grinned, and turned to Harry.

'Read that inscription again… you'll probably understand,' she said, and smiled at Ginny. Ginny blushed.

Harry opened the ball and read the verses again.

'I do get a fair idea but I don't really know what they mean-' said Harry, closing the lid again. Hermione grinned.

'It's a very complex safety charm. This Charmzirius has Zirius, a powerful, molten, yet ice cold stone, that is found only in Silmaria, far away in Spain. Zirius is very, very, very rare, and has the power of containing within itself, a safety charm. A very strong safety charm…' Hermione looked at Ginny and said,

'…that is done by the giver, and affects only the person who is meant by the giver… not everyone can use it. Only you will feel it's effect, Harry.'

Harry stared at Hermione, her words sinking. He had no time to wonder Hermione's knowledge.

Safety charm…? This is a strong safety charm…?

'Ginny,' said Harry, looking at her, still amazed. 'You… you did a safety charm on it…?'

Ginny went stiff. She looked at Harry, nervous. She was extremely worried because the expression on Harry's face did not tell her clearly how he took that news. How, he took her doing a protection spell on the Charmzirius for him. Well, she hadn't actually done it herself, since underage wizards and witches weren't allowed to do magic out of school or the Hogwarts express. Mrs. Weasley had done it but since Ginny owned the Charmzirius then, it had been her responsibility and action.

Ginny nodded mutely. Harry looked at Ron for a split second. Ron was as shocked as he. Hermione, though, now had the Charmzirius in her hands, and she was inspecting it closely, while stealing glances at the nervous exchange of dialogue.

'But… I mean…' Harry was at a loss for words. Ron looked from Harry to Hermione, and then to Ginny.

'Gin, why-' asked Ron, confused. All of it was really shocking, to be honest. He had never expected such an important and complex spell involved in a simple birthday present.

But something went 'plink' in Ginny's mind. It was as if somebody had suddenly turned up the pressure and heat in the room for her. Her anger rose within a fraction of a second, astonishing everyone as she spoke. Her face was flushed, and even her ears were red, like Ron's usually were when he was angry or embarrassed. She stood up quickly.

'What do you mean by why?!' she shouted at Ron. Then, she spoke in a much lower voice. 'I gave him a birthday present, and it is my choice what I give to him…' She turned, and walked to the door. Before leaving, in a state of anger and hurt, she blurted out,

'If he doesn't like it… I'll take it back. It's of no use to any other person.'

And with that, she left the room, surprisingly not banging the door like she usually did when she was angry… this troubled Ron.

________________________

If you really enjoyed this chapter, and you really want to find out what Fred and Ron gave Harry, please review! I'll send the next chapter us as soon as possible! I know this chapter contained lots of the so-called 'fluff' but I had to add that.

Oh and yes, I have to point out I used 'Pigeoto' from Pokémon©. I also used 'Firebolt909' from Firebolt909, a Queen of H/G at www.gryffindortower.net …this is a disclaimer… does it sound like one?

Thanks for reading J

Pottergirl