A/N – This story was began before the OotP was released and before the announcement on Rowling's site showed Ginny's actual birth date to be August 11th.


Ginny's Present -

Ginny woke the next morning to Clark nuzzling her neck and purring into her ear. She gently stroked the length of his fur and thought back to the remainder of the prior evening.

She had allowed Shane to walk her back to the point where they would have to part ways to their own houses. Shane had asked Ginny if he could meet with her again soon. Ginny politely agreed, vaguely glancing at the few passing students before turning her attention back to him. Shane smiled brightly and turned to walk away. He stopped and turned back, grinning at Ginny's curious stare. Shane reached and took a hold of Ginny's hand and brought it up, brushing the back of it with his lips.

"Goodnight, Ginny," said Shane happily, turning once again to leave.

"'Night," Ginny replied, she looked down at her hand, a bit surprised.

Clark rubbed his face up against Ginny's cheek, bringing her back to the present. It dawned on her that that she had been 16 for several hours now. Ginny got up from her bed and dressed for the day. On her way down to the common room, she stared at the stone steps, deciding if she wanted breakfast or not. Ginny glanced up from the bottom of the staircase to find a small group of people clustered in a corner of the room. Ginny's foot was on the last step when the group turned to her and yelled, "Happy Birthday!" Ginny stood in surprise, looking around at the seventh and sixth year students from the Gryffindor house were there wishing her well. A table close by was covered with mounds of delicious breakfast foods. At another several presents were stacked.

Dean, Seamus, and even Neville pushed their way up to give the birthday girl a kiss on the cheek, each handing her a pink daisy. Ginny blushed, accepting the flowers and moved over to the couch to sit down. Colin and Ginger walked up to her each kissing her on the cheek and handing her a present. Ginny smiled warmly at her friends and went to task of unwrapping it. Pulling the tissue paper aside she found a beautiful picture frame with a photo of Colin and Ginger standing near a park. The photo Colin and Ginger would look at each other with love in their eyes and turn to wave.

"Colin is this your work?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, it was taken at a park near my home," Colin replied.

Ginny set the gift aside to hug her two dear friends, thanking them for the wonderful gift. Ron approached her hefting a large, colorful box.

"George and Fred ordered me to give this to you right away," he puffed, setting the box down on the floor in front of her. Knowing how her twin brothers twisted minds worked, she tried to hold her body as far back as possible before opening it. An explosion of confetti flew as soon as Ginny lifted the lid. The high ceiling became brightly lit with fire works that spelled out Happy Birthday Ginny. The students watched the impressive display until a loud, terrible sound came from within the box. The group looked down in various stages of disgust, frowning and wrinkling their nose as the caterwauling grew louder. The combined sounds were something of a cow dying and a cat screeching, and most unpleasant to the ears. It was, of course, her two brothers singing, happy birthday to her, at the top of their lungs. Ginny's eyes bulged and she dove to put the lid on the box. Everyone laughed and went back to their conversations.

Ginny happily glanced around the room, accepting a glass of juice from Ginger. Taking a sip, she noticed her classmate, Sage, sitting beside Neville on a distant sofa, talking quietly to each other. Neville would occasionally blush which would make Sage's smile brighter. Ron returned and sat down beside Ginny, handing her a large box.

"Happy birthday, sis," Ron said, gently nudging her shoulder with his own. Ginny opened the box and found a long, satin robe of 'Gryffindor' red. "I expect you to use it," Ron said sternly. Ginny gave Ron a one handed hug, clutching the robe tightly to her chest.

Dean walked over with a box in his hand. "Here Ginny, I found this on the floor by the table. I think it fell off. I'm not sure who it is from."

Ginny thanked Dean and took the package. She lifted the lid at the same time Hermione, who was over pouring herself a glass of juice, yelped out, "No! Don't open it yet!"

Ginny pulled the wrapping tissue aside and lifted out a velvet, gold bra with matching thong panties. The guys in the room began to catcall and applause. Hermione rushed over, embarrassed. Ginny held the items up in front of her with an eyebrow cocked. A naughty, knowing smile played across Ginny's lips. Ron eyes grew wide as he quickly jumped off of the couch and away from her. Harry, who stood a few feet off to the side, blushed and looked away.

"Hermione!" Ron yelped.

"Ginny! I'm sorry; I was going to give that to you later! I must have brought it down by mistake," Hermione rushed to speak.

Ron's jaw fell in shock. "You bought that for her?" he asked. "Put it away for Christ's sake!" Ron demanded. He attempted to snatch at Ginny's hand, luckily her reflexes were quicker and avoided Ron's grasp.

"Put it on! Model it for us Ginny!" one of the guys in the group called out. "That's the way to show the Gryffindor spirit! Go red and gold!" someone sounding very much like Dean yelled. Ginny was positive she heard Seamus say loudly, "I do believe, gentlemen, we found our new team mascot!"

Colin and Ginger stood a few feet away attempting to cover their growing laughter. The girls in Ginny's dorm were openly giggling. Ron cast dirty glares to all the guys in the room. Ginny placed the undergarments in with the robe replacing the lid and gently patting the box.

"Thank you Hermione," Ginny stood and hugged her best friend. "I simply adore it," said Ginny, grinning.

"We do too!" Seamus shouted.

Harry gave, Seamus a dirty look as Ron let out a frustrated growl. Ron moved to stand behind Hermione, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I am going to have to get a leash for that girl," Ron grumbled.

Ginny and Hermione's eyes widened and they grinned. Harry cringed in realization and punched Ron lightly in the arm.

"I hope it matches my whip," said Ginny, openly giggling.

Ron's face paled, remembering, and ran his hands over his face. "Ugg, I give up!" Ron said exasperated.

Several minutes later Ginny's dorm mates gave a box containing emerald green satin sheets, which brought about another slew of comments from the guys and dirty looks from Ron.


Several hours later the group of sixth and seventh year Gryffindors decided to go out to the Quidditch pitch. Ginny was informed that everyone had planned it to be an entire day event, followed by another party that evening.

"Wow, I'm so honored," said Ginny, earnestly.

"Going to live this Halloween weekend to its fullest," said Seamus with a wink. "After all, it's not every day a lass turns sixteen."

After cloaks were gathered, the group began to leave the common room, happily talking amongst themselves. Ginny tucked her wand into her cloak pocket and turned when Harry caught her by the elbow before she could leave.

Ron looked back as he stood beside Hermione and noticed as they walked towards the portrait. He made sure everyone else had left before taking Hermione's hand and walking out.

Ginny felt electrical shivers racing through her. "Ginny I wanted to give you your present," Harry said, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and placed it into Ginny's hand. Ginny looked down curiously at the box and then back up at Harry. "Open it," he encouraged.

Ginny had to force her hands to not shake and she removed the crimson ribbon from around the golden box. Opening it, she let out an audible gasp.

"I bought it this summer. It -- it reminded me of you," said Harry stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Ginny's fingers trembled as she picked up a fine gold chain. A pendant hung from the end of the necklace. Ginny held it up to examine. Sunlight winked off of the gold pendant as it twisted into a figure eight. A small, smooth cut topaz, dark golden in color, was set in the upper part of the twist. Directly below it sat a smooth cut ruby, slightly larger than the topaz. Both stones seemed to glow in the stream of sunlight. Ginny held the beautiful gift up higher and watched it slowly revolve around on the chain. Ginny pulled her eyes away from the necklace to look up at Harry, struggling against the threat of tears.

"It's beautiful Harry," she whispered.

"The golden stone reminds me of your eyes when you're angry," he grinned, "Obviously the red one is your hair," Harry said looking a bit embarrassed. "The lady at the shop mentioned the single twist. Something about. . ." he began before faltering. Ginny was at a loss for words, staring up at him expectantly. Harry swallowed and gently took the necklace from her. "Let me help you with it," he said, leaving the rest of his story unfinished.

Harry stepped behind Ginny as she pulled her hair up with one hand, tilting her head to one side. She felt the pendant lay against her chest while Harry worked the clasp. She closed her eyes, wanting him to stand near her forever. Once he pulled away she dropped her hair and turned around hugging him fiercely. After a moment she felt Harry wrap his arms around her and squeeze her tightly in return. He inhaled deeply letting his breath out slowly. "You smell nice," he said into her hair. Ginny's heart slammed in her chest. Pulling back a bit she slowly looked up at him.

"Thank you so much, Harry," she said quietly, putting on her best attempt at a smile. A small tear escaped and ran down her cheek. Harry reached up and brushed it away with his thumb.

"Anytime Ginny," he whispered. Dropping his hand from her, Harry reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "We better get out there or they'll be offering my Seeker position to someone else," Harry laughed roughly, clearing his throat. Ginny simply nodded, touching her pendant. Harry turned and strode over to the door, walking out. The portrait made a soft click as it closed.

Ginny wasn't sure if her heart wanted to totally stop, crash through her chest, or break into pieces as she glanced around the room at nothing. Ginny closed her eyes and leaned her head back. What was he doing to her?

Cold slammed down upon Ginny and washed over her body, causing her to gasp and stumble forward.

"Ginny..." the dark voice whispered, echoing from every corner of the room.

Ginny spun around, the familiar feeling of fear taking a firm hold of her again. Ginny reached into her pocket and gripped her wand. She scanned all around her while she slowly walked towards the portrait. Dust particles slowly danced in the sunlight of the otherwise quiet room. Ginny felt her stomach clench as she searched in vain for nothing. Shaking her head in irritation she hurried to the exit and down the corridor without a backwards glance.

A deep, evil chuckle reverberated though the empty Gryffindor common room.