. Gwen showed up around noon, looking depressed. Remus decided she needed a distraction and sent her to the Potters. Ginny took one look at Gwen's face and decided that it was time for a spring cleaning, muggle fashion. They scrubbed floors and beat rugs and aired mattresses until it was all Gwen could do to go home and get into bed. Gwen woke up crying. She had a nightmare that something was happening to Shane. Something bad that she couldn't help him with. She spent the next week at the Potters, cleaning and learning how to fly a broom. Gwen approached the full moon with trepidation. She had never been through this without Shane. She was afraid. When she changed back into human from, Gwen had a few minutes before Sirius unlocked the door to let her out. They were always very careful to make sure that she was fully human so there were no accidents. The seven silver locks clicked. Gwen stood up, wrapping the remains of her clothes around her and ran to the door only to find Shane waiting with open arms and a glass of iced tea. She grinned at him until she thought her face would burst.
"Don't you dare ask what I'm doing here. I'm still your best friend, Gwen. I'll always be here for you, no matter what." He helped her to bed and sat watch over her until she woke up. Gwen woke up smiling. Shane was here. He was going to be with her. They spent that day and the next together. Shane's mum finally showed up around noon, saying he needed to go home. Shane mused on the way home. Gwen had told him about the birthday party they were having for Harry Sr. Gwen didn't tell anyone, but her birthday was three days after his. Shane knew exactly what he would get her. Gwen's grandfather had played the guitar professionally. When he died, he left one of his guitars to Gwen's mum. Gwen had picked it up one day when she was five and hadn't put it down since. She loved that guitar. It was the only thing that kept her sane through her parents' lack of interest in her life. Since it wasn't hers, she had left it at her parents' house when she moved in with Remus. Shane planned to get it back. He tried two days later. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants before knocking on the Blakely's door. They didn't like him when Gwen was their daughter and he doubted that their opinion had changed much. Mr. Blakely opened the door. His expression did not change in the least. Shane had often admired the way he could keep a straight face, now he cursed him for it.
"Hello, Mr. Blakely, sir. Um. Gwen's birthday is coming up soon and her foster family doesn't know it. She won't tell them and I respect that, so I won't tell them, either. But I do want to give her a present. She liked playing that old guitar of yours. I wanted to know if it was for sale. I have enough money to buy it, if you want the money." Mr. Blakely stared down at Shane for a moment, as if he could see through the boy if he tried hard enough. He closed the door firmly. Shane dropped his eyes to the ground and turned around. He hadn't expected the man to sell it. Shane started off down the driveway, dejected. The door opened once more. Mr. Blakely handed Shane the guitar and went back inside before Shane could say a word. His mother smiled when he got home. She knew how much he wanted Gwen to be happy. He even knew how to make her happy. He thrust the guitar at her.
"Mum, could you wrap this so Gwen wouldn't be able to tell what it is?"
"Of course, dear. Now go play or something, but don't bother your sister. She has a stomachache."
Gwen shivered with happiness as she woke up on the morning of the 31st. She was going to a party and Shane was coming. He had never been to Godric's Hollow before. If the Moon Hut amazed him, the Hollow surely would. It was even more magical than her house. Plus, she was meeting Hermione for the first time. Hermione was something of an enigma. Every time she was mentioned, somebody, usually Harry, changed the subject. Gwen resolved to ask again over breakfast. Remus choked when she did ask.
"What's wrong?" Gwen inquired, hitting Remus on the back. He took a sip of juice and sat back down.
"Nothing, really. You'll have to know sooner or later, I guess. When Harry was in school, he had three wonderful friends. They saw him as he truly was, not just the Boy Who Lived. They were Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ginny is Ron's little sister. Ron and Hermione loved each other. They were planning to get married. You know about Voldemort's last stand, right. Well, many wizards were killed in it. Ron was one of them. He and Harry were top Aurors, searching for Voldemort throughout the battle, trying to find him. He found them first. Ron got the curse that was meant for Harry. That was the only time Harry intentionally killed someone. Harry is the most powerful wizard out there, Gwen. He's even more powerful than Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts.
"Well, Ron left Hermione pregnant with his child. She didn't even find out until after the funeral. She was devastated. Harry took her and her baby into his home. Little Harry might as well be one of Harry's kids. Hermione is never at home. She's an Unspeakable, the wizarding equivalent of the CIA." Gwen digested this information, and her breakfast, in silence. Shane showed up a few minutes after she finished, bearing not one, but two presents. Gwen glared at him, knowing full well who the second package was for. It had no shape, but was easily the biggest of the two presents. Remus raised his eyebrows at the number, but said nothing. The presents were too big for Shane to carry alone so Gwen carried one. Ironically enough, Gwen ended up with her own present. It really was shapeless and made no noise when shaken. Gwen shrugged. Shane's first obstacle came when they arrived at the Potter's. Ginny welcomed them, brushed the soot off them, and directed them as to where to put their presents. There was a nice big pile of presents for Harry. Shane started a new pile of presents for Gwen. He pulled another present out of his pocket and place it with his own. Gwen figured it had to be from Mrs. Callavetti. Shane couldn't participate in many of the games because they were magical, but he had fun anyway. Ginny was handing Harry's presents to him to open. She reached the last two and knitted her brows in confusion.
"Gwen?" She called.
"Yeah?"
"Why are there two presents her for you?"
"Because it's her birthday in three days and I'll be damned if she doesn't get anything." Shane replied for her. Gwen glared at him.
"Why didn't you tell us it was your birthday?" Sirius wanted to know.
"You've given me so much already, you didn't need to get me anything for my birthday." Ginny shook her head and handed Gwen the presents. She opened the biggest one first. When she unwrapped it completely, she burst into tears.