AN: Well, I'm back. I'm sorry for the delay. I wish I could come up with some brilliant excuse for being gone so long, but, frankly, I have none. The only thing memorable that happened between now and the last update is that my computer went bonkers and we had to bring it in to the shop. That was only for a week. That said, I'd best get on with the chapter. Thank you to all the reviewers! Your comments are still greatly appreciated. If you would like to e-mail me, the address is sweetgurl300@hotmail.com. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ On my way up north

up on the Ventura

I pulled back the hood

and I was talking to you

and I knew then it would be

a Life Long thing

but I didn't know that we

We could break a silver lining

And I'm so sad

like a good book

I can't put this

Day Back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

things you said that day

up on the 101

the girl had come undone

I tried to downplay it

with a bet about us

You said that-

You'd take it

as long as I could

I could not erase it

And I'm so sad

like a good book

I can't put this

Day Back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

and I ride along side

and I rode along side

you then

and I rode along side

till you lost me there

in the open road

And I rode along side

till the honey spread

itself so thin

for me to break your bread

for me to take your word

I had to steal it

and I'm so sad

like a good book

I can't put this

Day Back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

I could pick back up

whenever I feel

Down New Mexico way

something about

the open road

I knew that he was

looking for some Indian Blood and

find a little in you find a little

in me we may be

on this road but

we're just

Impostors

in this country you know

So we go along and we said

we'd fake it

feel better with

Oliver Stone

till I

almost smacked him -

seemed right that night and

I don't know what

takes hold

out there in the

desert cold

These guys think they must

Try and just get over on us

And I'm so sad

like a good book

I can't put this

Day Back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

and I was ridin' by

ridin' along side

for a while till you lost me

and I was ridin' by

ridin' along till you lost me

till you lost

me in

the Rear

View

you lost me

I said

Way up North I took my day

all in all was a pretty nice

day and I put the Hood

right back where

You could taste heaven

perfectly

Feel out the summer breeze

didn't know when we'd be back

and I - I don't -

didn't think

we'd end up like

like this ~*~*~*~*~

"A Sorta Fairytale" by Tori Amos

~*~*~*~*~

Ginny woke up the next morning with a content sigh. It was her birthday. She could just have a lie in, as she already smelt the breakfast cooking.

One landing up, Harry Potter was already awake. He was throwing clothes over his head behind him trying to find his favorite red shirt and his Weasley jumper.

With a small cry of success, he pulled out the jumper from within his magically-enlarged trunk, and pulled it over his head.

Next, he went over to Ron's wardrobe and checked on Ginny's present. It was perfect for her. He hoped she would love it.

Next, Harry turned around to see about cleaning up Ron's violently orange room. He then went downstairs to the kitchen.

Mrs. Weasley was busily charming the pots and pans to cook Ginny's favourite breakfast, kippers, eggs, toast, and sausage.

Harry stood, mesmerised at all the magical preparation for breakfast. The skillets were frying in midair and everything made a rhythmic melody.

"Good morning, Harry." Mrs. Weasley said, as she began to crack some eggs. "Sunny side up, scrambled, deviled, hardboiled, or omelet?"

"Hmmmm.I'll have them scrambled." (AN: Kit-Kat, get your dirty mind out of the gutter!)

"You like your eggs scrambled? So does Ginny!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

Right then, Ginny took the moment to walk in. "Mum, that is an awfully good smelling breakfast!"

"Why thank you, dear. And Happy Birthday!" Mrs. Weasley added.

"Happy Birthday, Ginny!" Harry told her.

Ginny flushed slightly under the attention, but smiled and said graciously, "Thank you!"

Ginny took her seat next to Harry, and Mrs. Weasley asked Ginny what she would like for breakfast, to which Ginny replied, "Scrambled eggs, please."

Harry cracked a grin at this, and his eyes twinkled as he looked over at the smiling red head (AN: Ginny).

"So, Gin, what do you want to do today?" Harry inquired.

"Well, it looks like it will be a nice day out. So, maybe something outside? Like a picnic?" Ginny answered.

"That sounds nice. We could go down by the lake, if you'd like." Harry told Ginny.

"I'd like that. Maybe we'll have Mum pack us lunch." Ginny said, and Harry nodded in response.

They continued to plan as they ate their breakfast together.

In about twenty minutes, Ginny went upstairs to take a shower, and Harry and Mrs. Weasley discussed Ginny's birthday dinner.

As they were talking, Ron and Hermione came in from their walk.

"Good morning, Mum." Ron said to Mrs. Weasley, and Hermione greeted her as well.

"Harry mate, do you have anything planned for today?" Ron asked.

"Well, Ginny and I were going to go on a picnic, down by the lake, later on in the afternoon. We'll probably be back around 2:00 pm." Harry answered.

"That sounds nice. I'm sure Ginny will enjoy that." Hermione put in.

Ron nodded, and said, "Well, I'm heading up. I've got to clean my room, and I've got homework to finish."

"Ron! How could you! School starts in fifteen days! You had all summer to finish, and you left it until now?! I can't believe you!" Hermione shrilled.

Sensing another argument, Harry and Mrs. Weasley shared a look and quietly evacuated the room.

Two hours later, Harry and Ginny were walking hand-in-hand down to the lake to eat lunch. They sat down as they reached a familiar tree, and spread out lunch.

"This potato salad sandwich is very good." Ginny quietly commented as she bit down on the wheat bread sandwich.

"Yeah. So, what did you want for your birthday? I mean, I should probably get you something." Harry trailed off.

Ginny sat up instantly. "Harry Potter! You must be joking! I-I-"

"Ginny, I was only kidding. Don't worry. I was only asking." Harry defended.

"Harry, I'm sorry! Oh, it's alright!" Ginny blushed slightly.

"That's fine, Gin." Harry said. Then he leaned over, to Ginny's face, and put his face in front of hers. Ginny's eyes looked into his, and,

"You've got something on your face." Harry said, wiping it off with his finger.

Ginny looked mortified, but then her face relaxed as Harry replaced his finger with his mouth.

**************

Later that evening, Ginny went downstairs to find everyone in the garden, and it was fully decorated.

Ginny ran out to her awaiting party. "Oh, goodness! You shouldn't have, really! I-oh! I don't know what to say!"

"A simple 'thank-you' wouldn't hurt." Fred called out, smiling.

"Thank you!" Ginny went over to everyone and hugged each.

Then the whole group sat down to eat a sumptuous meal, prepared by Mrs. Weasley. The courses consisted bread, soup, pork and kidney pie, various vegetables, and refreshments.

Last, but most definitely not least, Mrs. Weasley came out of the kitchen carrying a chocolate whipping cream frosted angel-food cake (AN: My personal favourite! And Kit-Kat's! I had it for lunch..). On top were 16 candles, one for luck.

The Weasley's sang "Happy Birthday" (Fred and George to their own tune), and finished eating cake.

Next came presents. From Fred and George, there was a large purple wrapped package with green ribbon, and Ginny was hesitant to open it.

When the twins promised her nothing would happen, she opened it, and found a full supply of Weasley's Wizard Wheeze's products.

She grinned happily in thanks. Next, Hermione gave her a book full of charms for hair and makeup. From Ron came a near-lifetime supply of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Percy gave her a copy of "Prefects Who Gained Power". From Mr. and Mrs. Weasley she received many pairs of socks, and she beamed up at them with a twinkle in her eye. She thanked all graciously, but wondered secretly if Harry had, in fact, forgotten her.

Harry, seemingly reading her mind, excused himself. Minutes later he came back down with something behind his back.

Ginny tried to look around him, but he smiled and shook his head. Then he hastily thrust something into her hands.

Looking down, Ginny squealed happily, and grinned in delight.

"A kitten! Oh! Harry, it's adorable!" Ginny exclaimed. He had given her a small, fluffy grey and white kitten with a red bow around its neck.

Harry ducked his head. "It's a she."

"What will you name her?" Mr. Weasley inquired.

"I think.." Ginny started.

"Daisy?" Hermione suggested.

"Oliver?" Fred suggested.

"Pineapple?" George said. Everyone looked at him strangely, and he shrugged.

"Merlin?" Ron said.

"I know!" Ginny exclaimed. "How about Mia?"

Everyone thought for a moment, then nodded, smiled, and voiced their approval.

"Thank you Harry! She's perfect." Ginny beamed at him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

AN: Well, it started short, but I FINALLY got it going again. Kit-Kat is here and saying "Finally! Took you bloody long enough!" Anyways, this will have to do for now.

As always, keep reviewing!

*Eliel Radragon*