Truths, Secrets, and Lies
Disclaimer:
Aside from the plot (and future characters), everything belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
Summary:
Throughout his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry discovers a paradox that could quite possibly upturn his life.
A/N:
This story was formerly called 'Harry Potter and the Lost Year,' however, an alteration in storyline called for a new (better) name. 'Truths, Secrets, and Lies,' however, is going to be extremely different from the 'Lost Year,' especially in later chapters
Chapter 3
Even after the meal was eaten, the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione sat talking; just enjoying the pleasant evening. Savoring it. Knowing that any day could bring disaster, and put an end to what little joy they still felt.
The hours flew past as the large group talked well into the night. It was only when Mr. Weasley remembered he had to work in the morning did the group have to disperse, and go to their respective sleeping quarters. Though the clock beside Ron's bed read 12:30, Harry found he wasn't tired (however, Ron's snores indicated that he was having no trouble falling into a deep sleep). After tossing and turning for twenty minutes, Harry decided go to the kitchen and drink a glass of water.
Harry stealthily crept towards the hallway, taking care not to awaken Ron. Pausing thoughtfully before the door to Ginny's bedroom, Harry imagined Hermione and Ginny sleeping peacefully just inside, and smiled at the thought.
"At least someone should be sleeping," he murmured to himself as he continued to walk towards the stairs.
Making sure to skip the creaky step near the foot of the stair, Harry silently walked past Mr. and Mrs. Weasleys' room and into the kitchen. Expecting to see a darkened room, Harry was startled to see a glow radiating from a single candle in the room. Sitting before the candle, seemingly dozing at the moment, happened to be Ginny Weasley. She woke with a start, and gave Harry a frightened look before she realized that Harry was no Death Eater.
"Oh, hi, Harry… I was just… just reading a bit," she said, scrambling to snatch up a newspaper that was lying on the table beside her.
"Oh… ok," Harry replied, feeling every bit as self-conscious as Ginny. "I just—er—needed a glass of water."
"Oh. Well, I really should be going to bed now. Goodnight Harry," Ginny said quickly, as she scurried nervously out of the room.
Wondering why Ginny was really downstairs, Harry slowly drank his water. As if on cue, as soon as Harry had washed his glass, he felt drowsiness sweep over him. Welcoming slumber, Harry hurried back to his bed in Ron's room.
*~*
Harry suddenly became aware of the fact that sunlight was streaming in through a window and shining on his face. Annoyed that the sun would dare wake him, Harry pulled his blankets up to cover his face. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Harry was attacked by a… pillow.
"C'mon mate!" Ron said loudly, attempting to rouse Harry. "Mum's made breakfast, and she says you're too skinny to skip breakfast."
Smiling at Mrs. Weasley's concern, Harry sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before pulling on some clean clothes from his trunk and going to eat breakfast.
"Well, it's about time," Mrs. Weasley said good-naturedly. "Arthur and Percy went to the Ministry early this morning. Of course, Fred and George are doing who-knows-what. Honestly, I have no idea what those two are up to these days…"
Ron and Harry grinned at each other. Both firmly believed Fred and George were either devising a new sort of treat, or testing their Tail Taffy's on a poor, unsuspecting Muggle.
Humming to herself, Mrs. Weasley placed a plate piled with an assortment of breakfast foods before Harry. "Now eat up," she commanded. "I can't imagine you've had a decent meal all summer."
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Harry answered politely. "This looks wonderful. Aren't you going to eat Ron?"
"Naw, I woke up about an hour ago. Hermione and Ginny are awake too—they're out in the garden talking," He rolled his eyes. "I just couldn't stand the giggling anymore so I went upstairs to wake you."
Harry finished eating just as Hermione walked into the kitchen with a smiling Ginny. However, when she spotted Harry, she stumbled, and promptly excused herself.
"Hello, Harry," Hermione greeted him. Then, to both Harry and Ron, she asked, "So, what's on the agenda for today?"
Harry and Ron followed Hermione out of the kitchen as Harry answered, "Anything. I'd be content to just sit in the garden watching the gnomes—anything's better than being at the Dursleys'."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance before Ron said, "How about a game of Quidditch? The other day I found an old set of Quidditch balls—they used to be Charlie's. The bludgers are kind of slow, but that's better, considering it will be harder for them to escape to the Muggle village. Although, we probably shouldn't use the snitch… it's still pretty quick."
"That sounds great!" Harry exclaimed. Aside from the Weasleys and Hermione, the thing Harry missed the most over the summer holidays was Quidditch—the wizarding sport played upon broomsticks.
Hermione rolled her eyes and muttered, "Boys." Then, a bit louder she said, "Every summer it's the same thing—Quidditch, Quidditch, Quidditch. At least I've finally come to realize how wonderful it is to have a female companion; I'm going to go ask Ginny if she wants to come out and watch you play with me. I'll also send Fred and George out if they're inside."
She walked back to the house, while Harry and Ron walked towards the Weasleys' field after getting Ron's broomstick and the case of Quidditch balls. They were flying around the field for ten minutes before Fred, George, Hermione, and Ginny finally showed up.
"It's about time!" Ron exclaimed. "We'd about given up on you two—we were about to begin our own game."
"Yeah, well, if you and Harry don't want to play by yourselves, it might be in your best interests to show my associate and myself a little respect," George said jokingly.
"Eh, get up here!" Ron replied.
"No problem," Fred said, kicking off the ground, and promptly stealing the quaffle from Ron. Planted firmly on the ground, Hermione and Ginny giggled.
"And the game begins!" George cried jovially.
The Quidditch game lasted for two hours before Hermione finally called it quits. "Come on, you two," she said, referring to Harry and Ron. "Though it may be quite enjoyable to play Quidditch for two hours, it's no picnic for Ginny and myself. I apologize if we don't find you all fascinating to watch."
Grudgingly, the foursome landed on the ground, only just realizing how hungry they really were. The group of six began walking towards the house, when Ron sprinted ahead, stopped, and sprinted back.
"Come on, Hermione. You may find it fascinating to know flobberworms are passing you by as you walk to the house, but some of us are hungry." Ron mocked as he grabbed a laughing Hermione's hand and jogged towards the house, dragging her behind him.
Harry noticed as Fred, George, and Ginny roll their eyes in unison.
"They've been doing this since Hermione got here," Fred informed Harry.
"Hermione got here before you did, you know," George elaborated. "They've been skirting around admitting their true feelings."
Ginny piped in, "It's obvious how Ron feels about her—did you notice the foul mood he's been in since Hermione sent the letter that said she was in Bulgaria?" she said, more to Fred and George than Harry.
Fred and George laughed, but Harry frowned as he wondered what would happen to the trio if Ron and Hermione became… more than friends. Forcibly pushing the thought from his mind, Harry joined Ginny as she laughed at the twins as they imitated Ron and Hermione.
As Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny joined Hermione and Ron in the Weasley kitchen for lunch, Harry began to notice the subtly affectionate manners Ron and Hermione shared—their secret smiles and innocently brushing past one another. Feeling somewhat like a third-wheel, Harry decided to give them a bit of time alone. Maybe they'd finally admit their feelings to each other.
"Whew," Harry said after he finished his meal, "That Quidditch match made me more tired than I realized—I think I'm just going to go upstairs and rest for a while."
"Are you okay, Harry?" Ron said worriedly.
"Oh yeah, I'm great—just exhausted," Harry answered, and added a confident smile. "Just do me a favor and wake me up before dinner. I don't think your mum would want me to miss a meal…"
"All right, mate," Ron conceded, and returned Harry's smile.
"Bye, Harry," Hermione said cheerfully.
"Bye," Harry called as he walked towards the stairway, not knowing that Ginny was watching him suspiciously.
Once in Ron's room, Harry lay sprawled on his mattress, trying to sleep. However, it soon became apparent that sleep would not be coming easily. He had far too much on his mind. Harry mentally kicked himself for not realizing Ron's feelings for Hermione sooner. Now, it was painfully obvious—the miniature Krum arm, snapped off the figurine; Ron, as he sulked through most of the Ball last school year; as well as Ron's triumphant response to Hermione's announcement that she and Krum would not be seeing each other any longer… It all added up perfectly. Harry also wondered, again, what would happen to their friendship. Would he feel like a third-wheel all the time? Not enjoying that thought overly much, Harry decided to stop wasting his time pretending he'd be able to fall asleep. Instead of joining Hermione and Ron (who were probably quite content with each others' company), Harry decided to read Quidditch Through the Ages for about the hundredth time.
After reading for a few hours, Harry had the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He glanced up suddenly, and saw Ginny standing in the doorway.
"Sorry for disturbing you," she said, looking sheepishly at her feet.
Harry smiled reassuringly. "Oh don't worry about it—I've really just been sitting up here to give Ron and Hermione some time alone…"
Nodding knowingly, Ginny answered, "Yeah, I know just how you feel. Um… I just came up here to tell you that Mum is 'requesting your presence' downstairs. I think she wants to ask you something."
"Oh ok… Thanks. I'll be down shortly," Harry answered as he moved to put away his book.
Worrying about just what Mrs. Weasley wanted to discuss with him, Harry tread to the living room where Mrs. Weasley sat reading Witch Weekly, waiting for Harry. She smiled as she looked up at him.
"Have a seat, Harry," she said. "No need to look so grave, Harry, this is nothing so serious."
Relief swept over Harry, and was immediately replaced with curiosity.
"I thought we could discuss your birthday party… You'll be fifteen this year. You don't turn fifteen every day!"
Guiltily, Harry said, "Oh, Mrs. Weasley, you don't have to do that—"
"Nonsense, dear. Bill and Charlie are coming by the Burrow this weekend, and I thought we could just make an affair of it all. We have three days to plan everything…" She continued for nearly half an hour asking Harry to tell her his favorite foods and cake, leaving Harry feeling both overwhelmed and extremely content—his first real birthday. He then had a sinking feeling as he realized his godfather, Sirius Black, wouldn't be able to spend his birthday with Harry at the Burrow.
Harry walked outside to find Ron and Hermione, who were sitting beneath a tree, looking solemn.
"Harry!" Hermione called as she leapt to her feet. "Ginny told us Mrs. Weasley had to discuss something with you…" She paused, obviously hoping Harry would explain what had happened.
Despite himself, Harry grinned, "She wants to throw me a birthday party."
Harry could see the tension on Ron and Hermione's faces ease as their faces broke into smiles.
"Oh that's great, Harry… We were so worried," Hermione said.
"All right!" Ron exclaimed, evidently forgetting his concern. "A party… That's great. Have you told Fred and George yet? No doubt they'll want to think up some way to disrupt the festivities—"
Hermione scoffed.
"Honestly, Hermione! You can't have a Weasley birthday party without having a Fred and George prank…"
"Oh come on, Ron. They wouldn't do anything to Harry!"
Not wanting to watch an argument unfold, Harry excused himself. Casting one last look at the bickering duo, Harry shook his head, and went inside to continue reading Quidditch Through the Ages.
The next few days passed quietly as the entire household waited for July 31st, when they would be celebrating Harry's birthday.
"Oi, Harry!"
Harry practically fell out of bed. "What?!"
"It's your birthday, Harry! Get up!"
Harry stumbled after Ron, and entered the kitchen. "Happy Birthday, Harry!" chorused the eight Weasleys (excluding Ron—Bill and Charlie had, evidently, arrived at the Burrow that morning) and Hermione.
Grinning from ear to ear, Harry answered, "Wow thanks!" and then took in his surroundings. On the table there sat all of Harry's favorite breakfast foods, and on the counter near the sink Harry saw a small pile of gifts. Mrs. Weasley led the group outside, where she and Mr. Weasley had placed a table seating eleven in the garden. Shooing a gnome that was attempting to pull a chair away from the table, she began placing platters of food in the center of the table.
"Well, have a seat," she said happily.
Harry sat sandwiched between Ron and Hermione as he listened to the conversations being held by everyone at the table and ate breakfast, which lasted for nearly an hour.
"Oh, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, signaling the end of the meal, "Before you open your gifts, we have a small surprise for you… Come into the kitchen for a moment, if you please."
Bewildered, Harry followed him. What he saw in the kitchen left him speechless. Finally able to control his vocal chords, Harry exclaimed, "Sirius!"