Chapter 2 Birthday party to remember
It was July 31st his Birthday, everyone would be coming soon. He and Hermione had been owling each other constantly, Hedwig were fully put out about it. And so yesterday they had decided that they wouldn't owl each other since she was coming today. He was slightly miserable. "Why so glum Harry?" Lupin asked as he came into the small house with a bunch of bags floating behind him." "No real reason, just missing everyone I guess." " Well cheer up it's not like you aren't going to see them soon, after all Hermione did say that she would come early to give us a hand getting things set up didn't she?" "You're right" Harry said putting a smile on his face, "Hey where is Sirius at?" "Hmmm, I'd tell ya but then I'd have to Obliviate you. " Harry laughed as he shook his head, "in that case... what can I do?" "How about fixing a sandwich for your dear old friend?" "You're just about as bad as Ron when it comes to eating Moony." Remus Lupin laughed as he started sorting the bags out and putting things away. "No, Padfoot is way more like Ron; I'm just a close second." The two laughed and carried on losing track of time, until they both jumped hearing the Floo. " Uh oh!" they said looking at each other and then the clock it was already quarter past three, the party would start with dinner at 6 and they hadn't even started getting things done. Jumping up Remus with wand in hand started things in motion while Harry ran to the fireplace, "Come on through Mione." He said smiling as he backed away. She came through the fire happy to have the ride end, shaking her hair she smiled, "I'll never get used to that, I can hardly wait till we get back to Hogwarts and I can take apparition lessons. " "It's really not fair your birthday being where it is. You get to do that a full year ahead of me." Harry said as he took Hermione's cloak from her. Hermione turned and kissed Harry lightly on the lips, "Perhaps but think when I have my license I can apparate to your room." She whispered so that Remus couldn't hear. Turning bright red, Harry dropped Hermione's cloak. Giggling Hermione turned and ran to Remus, "Moony so nice to see you again. I missed you." She said giving the older man a hug and kiss on the cheek." "You to kiddo, what you just do to poor Harry over there?" "Nothing he didn't deserve" she said laughing as Harry was still staring after her bright red, Shaking his head, Remus laughed, "Well in that case, why don't you start putting up the decorations while Birthday boy composes himself." Hermione nodded as she went to the stack of self inflating balloons, in short order she had them ready, and had just started working on the streamers when she heard a series of crashes from the kitchen. Running she got in just in time to see a pot lid come flying at her head, she let out a squawk before ducking for cover, " What's going on?" she asked over the clanking and bangs, "The pots don't like the menu," Remus said as he cast a silencing charm over the pots. "Why not? I thought it was just going to be a roasted ham, potatoes and veggies?" "Well it was but then Harry said something about missing Hogwarts food so we were preparing a few extra's but the pots are spitting everything we put in them out, and Sirius isn't a great cook to begin with..." Hermione started to giggle as she got a good look at the two wizards covered from head to toe in food. "Perhaps, I should take over?" she said trying her hardest to contain her laughter, "Why don't you clean up while I talk to the pots." Resigned the two friends looked at each other and started to laugh. "I think your right." Sirius said as he pushed his friend out of the kitchen.
Harry looked up in time to see Remus and Sirius going up the stairs, "What happened to you too?" he asked taking his earphones off to catch a burst of laughter from the kitchen. "Food fight, pots won." Sirius called out behind him. Harry laughed as he went back to his Quidditch plays and tips book. He had decided that since no one really wanted to let him help that he would at least get ready for school by checking out new plays that the team could possibly use. He just turned the page when he heard Hermione, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE THE MENU, YOU JUST HAVE TO COOK IT NOW, IF you would please quit that." Deciding that perhaps he should make sure that everything was okay he went in to see Hermione shaking her finger at a big pot that was spitting what appeared to be potatoes all over the kitchen including in Hermione's direction. Laughing he shook his head, "Hey try this." He said as he walked over to the stove, grabbed a spoon and tapped the lid, "Cook it now, or cook it until I transfigure you into a chamber pot." Immediately the pot settled down to simmering the potatoes. "Thanks Harry. Why did you and Sirius ever pick out such temperamental pots anyway?" "Don't ask me. They were here when Sirius moved me in here." Hermione let out a snort of laughter. "Pays to show that sometimes muggles have better stuff." Harry smiled "so true." Looking around Harry saw that Remus and Sirius were still not around he picked Hermione up kissing her passionately before putting her back down. "That's for the comment in front of the fireplace by the way. Now you can suffer while I go back to my book." Laughing he left the dazed Hermione looking after him with pure lust in her eyes. He had just picked up his book when he heard a strangled voice call out, "I'll get you for that potter."
"What she getting you for this time?" Sirius asked as he came down the stairs much cleaner then the last time harry had seen him. " Nothing much just showed her how to keep the pots doing what she wanted, and she didn't like how I showed her up." Harry said as he flipped through his book. Laughing Sirius shook his head and finished preparing the house for their guests. The rest of the perperations went without inncodent and before everyone knew it, it was time to get ready.
Harry had just finished showering when he heard a knock at his door. With towel wrapped around his waist he opened the door, " yes?" " I needed to see you before everyone got here." " Hermione I'm not dressed," Harry said uncomfortable " me either now let me in." she hissed begrudgidly harry let her in closing the door behind hermione. " what is it that couldn't wait?" " This" she whispered kissing him as she let the towel drop from around her. Harry kissing Hermione laughed, " We don't have time for this. Everyone will be here in twenty minutes." " More then enough time." Hermione whispered as she kissed Harry's neck. "Mione, we really need to talk about everything." " Harry, please, We'll talk about it soon I promise but not right now." The look in her brown eyes is what persuaded harry to shut up, it set his blood boiling and his heart racing and nothing could stop what he felt. " Your tight we will talk about it later." Together they sank into Harry's bed.
" Harry, Come on our guests are about to arrive." Sirius said rapping on Harry's door just moments before opening it. Shocked he backed out of the room and closed the door. He waited a few seconds as he heard fumbling and ratteling, when it quietened down he knocked again, " You decent?" " Ya come in padfoot." Harry mumbled " Umm, I'm pretty sure what I just saw, And I think that perhaps we should all have a discussion after the party." He said looking at hermione wrapped in Harry's robe, and harry in a pair of pants and nothing else. " If you'll excuse me I think I should go get dressed." Hermione said softly as she headed toward the door, stopping infront of Sirius she whispered, " Please padfoot don't tell anyone." " I won't hermione." Sirius said letting hermione past. When she had left Sirius looked at Harry and shook his head, " Tell me that you were at least being safe." Harry looked down embarresed, " Ahh..well..you see." Sirius shook his head, " Harry you mean you weren't using a potion, spell, or even muggle contraception?" Harry blushed even redder, " I didn't think about it Padfoot." "we'll talk about it more later. Get dressed your guests will be here any minute." Sirius said leaving the room in haste. In one aspect he was amused, but the parent side of him, was worried and concerened. Pushing it to the back of his mind. He went downstairs. And waited for the floo to go, and the doorbell to ring.
Harry let out a deep breath as Sirius left the room. He got dressed quickly putting on a pair of black dresspants and a green silk shirt. Once dressed he spiked his hair, washed his face, and then hurried to get downstairs before the guests started to arrive. He ran into Hermione on the way down. He took in the girl he was falling in love with, her hair was pinned up with what looked to be black chopsticks her dress a red colour that worked for her colouring. She wore little makeup, a touch of blush, a little mascara. Harry was speechless. Hermione smiled, " sorry about padfoot walking in harry. I never ment for that to happen." " It's all right Hermione, we'll deal with it later although, he did ask a good question about protection. I admit I didn't think about it. Did you?" Hermione nodded. " not the first time, but I did use something tonight." She said blushing. Remus cleared his throat, " Come on you too." He said " Our guests will be here any second." To accent it the doorbell rang. Hermione and Harry ran down the stairs and got to the door just in time to welcome oliver Wood, Percy Weasly, and Fred and Geroge Weasly all of whom could apperate , the only other guests that would be arriving by door would be the few proffesors that Harry had felt comfortable inviting, including Dumbledor, Arabella Fig, and preffesor Macgonnigal. The others would be arriving by floo. Arthur had been kind enough to have those who weren't conntected to the network conntected just for this evening.
The guests had all arrived and harry was pleased to see that almost everyone had shown up. Only dean tomas, Cho chang, and percy's fiance' Peopelpe Clearwater had shown up. But he had known that Penelope and Dean wouldn't be coming for sure, Dean was at Soccer Camp and Penelope had been called away on a mission. He understood Cho not showing up with the loss of Cedric she had become withdrawn, and stayed away from harry as much as she could. And now that she had started work he wasn't surprised that she was to busy for him. They had just sat down for dinner, when the floo rang once more. " Don't worry harry I'll see who it is." Remus said as he stood up and went to the fireplace. Harry was surprised when he saw someone he had never seen before stroll in with Remus.
" Harry, this is a gift for you. I'd like you to meet your Aunt Gwenyver." Remus said not looking Sirius in the eye. " Remus?" harry questioned not sure what to say,. " I'm sure you have many questions harry and I promise they will be awnsered but first let me just say that she is indeed your aunt." Sirius said not letting his gaze of the woman in front of him drop. Harry looked at the woman who was his aunt, her dark hair, pulled back in a ponytail, neat yet at the same time classy, her robes where not what he would expect as they were in the slythern colours of Silver and green. Her face and hands pale but somehow healthy. " Hello Harry." She said smiling, " I'm so sorry I couldn't come earlier I would have but," looking around she lowered her gaze, " I was otherwise engaged and was not able to take you," Sirius cleared his thoat, " we'll get to that later, please join us, dinner is served." Dinner was ate in silence. Harry full of questions wondered where his aunt had been and which side of the family she was from. Harry looked from Ron, to ginny and lastly to hermione who just kept staring at his aunt. They all looked somewhat wide eyed and all but the adults seemed to be wondering who she was. Harry finally getting the courage to speak, " Oh what side of the family are you on? Will you be staying for awhile?" he asked about a hundred questions in rapid succession now that he had gotten over the initial shock. " Whoa one at a time, libeling(sweetheart), I'll awnser your questions but please one question at a time " Gwenyver wiped a few tears from her eyes " I was your fathers sister and you love look just like him." Harry smiled, " please don't cry Aunt Gwenyver." "Please harry call me gwen. And would you mind coming over here and giving me a hug? I haven't held you since you were a baby and you are now almost grown."
Harry nodded and went and held his aunt who wasn't much taller then hermione. " I'm glad to meet you Gwen." " You too harry. I will awnser your questions in good time, but not now after all today is your birthday." Harry nodded. " it is a nice gift to have family discovered for my birthday." Harry gave Gwen one last hug before he took off to talk to others.
" I thought you were dead gwenyver."Sirius said coldly " I never believed that you were the one to betray james and lily." She whispered " Of course you wouldn't believe it, you knew who actually had done so." " please padfoot, not now, I'm not proud of my past, but I'd rather not talk about it tonight." " But you will talk about it." Sirius said not as a question but as a statement. " just not tonight." Sirius nodded before moving on. " SO Gwen, will you be seeing your husband while you are here?" Magonigal asked " I'm not sure yet. It's been a long time since I've seen him. I'm not sure if he will want to see me, afterall I did abandon him." " That you did child that you did."
Harry had been having a great time, but he still hadn't talked to Ginny about the misunderstanding finally having worked up the courage he grabbed two glasses of pumkin juice and made his way over to her. " Hi ginny." "Happy birthday harry." Ginny said coldly. " Listen, I wanted to apologize about the other day. I knew that you had a crush on me but I had thought you had grown out of it. I mean you never said anything.and" Harry floundered on his apology, " It's okay harry, I understand you just don't care about me." Ginny took the pumpkin juice from harry's hand. " OH ginny that isn't it at all, I care about you a lot." " then why didn't you ever ask me out?" " Well.I." Ginny looked at harry and giggled, " do I scare you harry?" " No that's not it at all, it's just that well I consider your family like my family and to be with you, is like being with my sister." " I don't really buy that harry. I think you have just known me as a little girl for too long, and now your scared to see me any other way. I'm not going to give up on you harry. " " Ginny, I don't love you that way. " " It's okay harry you will." Ginny left then with a swish of her skirt. The rest of the night was an array of fun, games and gifts. And when it was over harry was confused beyond belief about many things but the one thing that confused him the most was Ginny.
It was July 31st his Birthday, everyone would be coming soon. He and Hermione had been owling each other constantly, Hedwig were fully put out about it. And so yesterday they had decided that they wouldn't owl each other since she was coming today. He was slightly miserable. "Why so glum Harry?" Lupin asked as he came into the small house with a bunch of bags floating behind him." "No real reason, just missing everyone I guess." " Well cheer up it's not like you aren't going to see them soon, after all Hermione did say that she would come early to give us a hand getting things set up didn't she?" "You're right" Harry said putting a smile on his face, "Hey where is Sirius at?" "Hmmm, I'd tell ya but then I'd have to Obliviate you. " Harry laughed as he shook his head, "in that case... what can I do?" "How about fixing a sandwich for your dear old friend?" "You're just about as bad as Ron when it comes to eating Moony." Remus Lupin laughed as he started sorting the bags out and putting things away. "No, Padfoot is way more like Ron; I'm just a close second." The two laughed and carried on losing track of time, until they both jumped hearing the Floo. " Uh oh!" they said looking at each other and then the clock it was already quarter past three, the party would start with dinner at 6 and they hadn't even started getting things done. Jumping up Remus with wand in hand started things in motion while Harry ran to the fireplace, "Come on through Mione." He said smiling as he backed away. She came through the fire happy to have the ride end, shaking her hair she smiled, "I'll never get used to that, I can hardly wait till we get back to Hogwarts and I can take apparition lessons. " "It's really not fair your birthday being where it is. You get to do that a full year ahead of me." Harry said as he took Hermione's cloak from her. Hermione turned and kissed Harry lightly on the lips, "Perhaps but think when I have my license I can apparate to your room." She whispered so that Remus couldn't hear. Turning bright red, Harry dropped Hermione's cloak. Giggling Hermione turned and ran to Remus, "Moony so nice to see you again. I missed you." She said giving the older man a hug and kiss on the cheek." "You to kiddo, what you just do to poor Harry over there?" "Nothing he didn't deserve" she said laughing as Harry was still staring after her bright red, Shaking his head, Remus laughed, "Well in that case, why don't you start putting up the decorations while Birthday boy composes himself." Hermione nodded as she went to the stack of self inflating balloons, in short order she had them ready, and had just started working on the streamers when she heard a series of crashes from the kitchen. Running she got in just in time to see a pot lid come flying at her head, she let out a squawk before ducking for cover, " What's going on?" she asked over the clanking and bangs, "The pots don't like the menu," Remus said as he cast a silencing charm over the pots. "Why not? I thought it was just going to be a roasted ham, potatoes and veggies?" "Well it was but then Harry said something about missing Hogwarts food so we were preparing a few extra's but the pots are spitting everything we put in them out, and Sirius isn't a great cook to begin with..." Hermione started to giggle as she got a good look at the two wizards covered from head to toe in food. "Perhaps, I should take over?" she said trying her hardest to contain her laughter, "Why don't you clean up while I talk to the pots." Resigned the two friends looked at each other and started to laugh. "I think your right." Sirius said as he pushed his friend out of the kitchen.
Harry looked up in time to see Remus and Sirius going up the stairs, "What happened to you too?" he asked taking his earphones off to catch a burst of laughter from the kitchen. "Food fight, pots won." Sirius called out behind him. Harry laughed as he went back to his Quidditch plays and tips book. He had decided that since no one really wanted to let him help that he would at least get ready for school by checking out new plays that the team could possibly use. He just turned the page when he heard Hermione, "YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE THE MENU, YOU JUST HAVE TO COOK IT NOW, IF you would please quit that." Deciding that perhaps he should make sure that everything was okay he went in to see Hermione shaking her finger at a big pot that was spitting what appeared to be potatoes all over the kitchen including in Hermione's direction. Laughing he shook his head, "Hey try this." He said as he walked over to the stove, grabbed a spoon and tapped the lid, "Cook it now, or cook it until I transfigure you into a chamber pot." Immediately the pot settled down to simmering the potatoes. "Thanks Harry. Why did you and Sirius ever pick out such temperamental pots anyway?" "Don't ask me. They were here when Sirius moved me in here." Hermione let out a snort of laughter. "Pays to show that sometimes muggles have better stuff." Harry smiled "so true." Looking around Harry saw that Remus and Sirius were still not around he picked Hermione up kissing her passionately before putting her back down. "That's for the comment in front of the fireplace by the way. Now you can suffer while I go back to my book." Laughing he left the dazed Hermione looking after him with pure lust in her eyes. He had just picked up his book when he heard a strangled voice call out, "I'll get you for that potter."
"What she getting you for this time?" Sirius asked as he came down the stairs much cleaner then the last time harry had seen him. " Nothing much just showed her how to keep the pots doing what she wanted, and she didn't like how I showed her up." Harry said as he flipped through his book. Laughing Sirius shook his head and finished preparing the house for their guests. The rest of the perperations went without inncodent and before everyone knew it, it was time to get ready.
Harry had just finished showering when he heard a knock at his door. With towel wrapped around his waist he opened the door, " yes?" " I needed to see you before everyone got here." " Hermione I'm not dressed," Harry said uncomfortable " me either now let me in." she hissed begrudgidly harry let her in closing the door behind hermione. " what is it that couldn't wait?" " This" she whispered kissing him as she let the towel drop from around her. Harry kissing Hermione laughed, " We don't have time for this. Everyone will be here in twenty minutes." " More then enough time." Hermione whispered as she kissed Harry's neck. "Mione, we really need to talk about everything." " Harry, please, We'll talk about it soon I promise but not right now." The look in her brown eyes is what persuaded harry to shut up, it set his blood boiling and his heart racing and nothing could stop what he felt. " Your tight we will talk about it later." Together they sank into Harry's bed.
" Harry, Come on our guests are about to arrive." Sirius said rapping on Harry's door just moments before opening it. Shocked he backed out of the room and closed the door. He waited a few seconds as he heard fumbling and ratteling, when it quietened down he knocked again, " You decent?" " Ya come in padfoot." Harry mumbled " Umm, I'm pretty sure what I just saw, And I think that perhaps we should all have a discussion after the party." He said looking at hermione wrapped in Harry's robe, and harry in a pair of pants and nothing else. " If you'll excuse me I think I should go get dressed." Hermione said softly as she headed toward the door, stopping infront of Sirius she whispered, " Please padfoot don't tell anyone." " I won't hermione." Sirius said letting hermione past. When she had left Sirius looked at Harry and shook his head, " Tell me that you were at least being safe." Harry looked down embarresed, " Ahh..well..you see." Sirius shook his head, " Harry you mean you weren't using a potion, spell, or even muggle contraception?" Harry blushed even redder, " I didn't think about it Padfoot." "we'll talk about it more later. Get dressed your guests will be here any minute." Sirius said leaving the room in haste. In one aspect he was amused, but the parent side of him, was worried and concerened. Pushing it to the back of his mind. He went downstairs. And waited for the floo to go, and the doorbell to ring.
Harry let out a deep breath as Sirius left the room. He got dressed quickly putting on a pair of black dresspants and a green silk shirt. Once dressed he spiked his hair, washed his face, and then hurried to get downstairs before the guests started to arrive. He ran into Hermione on the way down. He took in the girl he was falling in love with, her hair was pinned up with what looked to be black chopsticks her dress a red colour that worked for her colouring. She wore little makeup, a touch of blush, a little mascara. Harry was speechless. Hermione smiled, " sorry about padfoot walking in harry. I never ment for that to happen." " It's all right Hermione, we'll deal with it later although, he did ask a good question about protection. I admit I didn't think about it. Did you?" Hermione nodded. " not the first time, but I did use something tonight." She said blushing. Remus cleared his throat, " Come on you too." He said " Our guests will be here any second." To accent it the doorbell rang. Hermione and Harry ran down the stairs and got to the door just in time to welcome oliver Wood, Percy Weasly, and Fred and Geroge Weasly all of whom could apperate , the only other guests that would be arriving by door would be the few proffesors that Harry had felt comfortable inviting, including Dumbledor, Arabella Fig, and preffesor Macgonnigal. The others would be arriving by floo. Arthur had been kind enough to have those who weren't conntected to the network conntected just for this evening.
The guests had all arrived and harry was pleased to see that almost everyone had shown up. Only dean tomas, Cho chang, and percy's fiance' Peopelpe Clearwater had shown up. But he had known that Penelope and Dean wouldn't be coming for sure, Dean was at Soccer Camp and Penelope had been called away on a mission. He understood Cho not showing up with the loss of Cedric she had become withdrawn, and stayed away from harry as much as she could. And now that she had started work he wasn't surprised that she was to busy for him. They had just sat down for dinner, when the floo rang once more. " Don't worry harry I'll see who it is." Remus said as he stood up and went to the fireplace. Harry was surprised when he saw someone he had never seen before stroll in with Remus.
" Harry, this is a gift for you. I'd like you to meet your Aunt Gwenyver." Remus said not looking Sirius in the eye. " Remus?" harry questioned not sure what to say,. " I'm sure you have many questions harry and I promise they will be awnsered but first let me just say that she is indeed your aunt." Sirius said not letting his gaze of the woman in front of him drop. Harry looked at the woman who was his aunt, her dark hair, pulled back in a ponytail, neat yet at the same time classy, her robes where not what he would expect as they were in the slythern colours of Silver and green. Her face and hands pale but somehow healthy. " Hello Harry." She said smiling, " I'm so sorry I couldn't come earlier I would have but," looking around she lowered her gaze, " I was otherwise engaged and was not able to take you," Sirius cleared his thoat, " we'll get to that later, please join us, dinner is served." Dinner was ate in silence. Harry full of questions wondered where his aunt had been and which side of the family she was from. Harry looked from Ron, to ginny and lastly to hermione who just kept staring at his aunt. They all looked somewhat wide eyed and all but the adults seemed to be wondering who she was. Harry finally getting the courage to speak, " Oh what side of the family are you on? Will you be staying for awhile?" he asked about a hundred questions in rapid succession now that he had gotten over the initial shock. " Whoa one at a time, libeling(sweetheart), I'll awnser your questions but please one question at a time " Gwenyver wiped a few tears from her eyes " I was your fathers sister and you love look just like him." Harry smiled, " please don't cry Aunt Gwenyver." "Please harry call me gwen. And would you mind coming over here and giving me a hug? I haven't held you since you were a baby and you are now almost grown."
Harry nodded and went and held his aunt who wasn't much taller then hermione. " I'm glad to meet you Gwen." " You too harry. I will awnser your questions in good time, but not now after all today is your birthday." Harry nodded. " it is a nice gift to have family discovered for my birthday." Harry gave Gwen one last hug before he took off to talk to others.
" I thought you were dead gwenyver."Sirius said coldly " I never believed that you were the one to betray james and lily." She whispered " Of course you wouldn't believe it, you knew who actually had done so." " please padfoot, not now, I'm not proud of my past, but I'd rather not talk about it tonight." " But you will talk about it." Sirius said not as a question but as a statement. " just not tonight." Sirius nodded before moving on. " SO Gwen, will you be seeing your husband while you are here?" Magonigal asked " I'm not sure yet. It's been a long time since I've seen him. I'm not sure if he will want to see me, afterall I did abandon him." " That you did child that you did."
Harry had been having a great time, but he still hadn't talked to Ginny about the misunderstanding finally having worked up the courage he grabbed two glasses of pumkin juice and made his way over to her. " Hi ginny." "Happy birthday harry." Ginny said coldly. " Listen, I wanted to apologize about the other day. I knew that you had a crush on me but I had thought you had grown out of it. I mean you never said anything.and" Harry floundered on his apology, " It's okay harry, I understand you just don't care about me." Ginny took the pumpkin juice from harry's hand. " OH ginny that isn't it at all, I care about you a lot." " then why didn't you ever ask me out?" " Well.I." Ginny looked at harry and giggled, " do I scare you harry?" " No that's not it at all, it's just that well I consider your family like my family and to be with you, is like being with my sister." " I don't really buy that harry. I think you have just known me as a little girl for too long, and now your scared to see me any other way. I'm not going to give up on you harry. " " Ginny, I don't love you that way. " " It's okay harry you will." Ginny left then with a swish of her skirt. The rest of the night was an array of fun, games and gifts. And when it was over harry was confused beyond belief about many things but the one thing that confused him the most was Ginny.