Birthday Party –
Ginny refused to allow anything to spoil her day, including bad dreams haunting her. She rushed out to the Quidditch field, her necklace held delicately in her grasp.
Climbing through the stands, she sat down with the other girls from her house. The guys decided to play sixth year vs. seventh in a makeshift game of Quidditch. The twist, they were playing Quaffle only, no Bludgers. It was the only way they could get permission from Professor McGonagall to play. ("I'll not have my players getting injured during entertainment games.") With five men from each year they were on an even playing field. The girls sat on the bleachers and cheered the guys as they played and talked about the latest gossip. Hermione and Ginny sat together watching the men flying quickly around the field, occasionally hearing one of them cry out an order or a shout of encouragement. A gust of strong wind blew over the stands causing most of the girls to huddle deeper into their cloaks. Ginny let go of her pendant to pull a wild lock of hair out of her eyes as the wind whipped around her. Hermione's eyes caught the beautiful necklace as it sparkled in the sunlight. "
Ginny where did that come from?" asked Hermione, she ran a slender finger along the pendant's edge.
Ginny reached up, holding it between her fingers. "Harry gave it to me," she said, her eyes closely tracking Harry's movements as he flew around the pitch.
Hermione glanced out and saw Harry dive past sixth year, Jeremy Appleton, before swooping up again. Part of her wanted to hug him for giving Ginny such a lovely gift. The other part wanted to reach out and smack him. She could tell Ginny was confused, who could blame her. It was also obvious that, Ginny didn't want to talk about it. Hermione looked to the goal posts, Ron was playing keeper and doing an excellent job of it. She smiled at her boyfriend. It struck her sometimes that she able to call him that now. Ginny helped her with that. Hermione decided it was time her and Ron tried to return the favor.
The group of Gryffindors paused in their game long enough to go in for a late lunch. They then returned to enjoy the remainder of the bright autumn day. It wasn't until the sun began to slowly sink into the horizon that the group decided to call it an evening. They returned to the Gryffindor tower in high spirits and chattered happily with each other.
"Ok, once the underclassmen call it a night, we'll start things back up in the common room," Ron said as the group of sixth and seventh year students stood at the portrait.
"We'll make sure they feel the need to retire early," Seamus said with a sly grin, nudging Dean in the arm.
Hermione cast a stern look towards Seamus and turned towards the portrait. "Winternight."
The Fat Lady politely nodded and the portrait opened. Entering the Gryffindor common room, the first thing the group noticed was that someone had cleaned up the morning's mess, no doubt the house elves. Ginny caught Hermione purse her lips and turn towards the stairs.
Once in her dormitory, Ginny offered to be the last to take her shower, giving the other girls a chance to get ready, plus with them gone she could take her time. After showering Ginny wrapped a towel around herself and walked to her bed. She opened the box containing Ron's robe and picked out the gold undergarments. She held the pieces up, chuckling to herself. After slipping on the undergarments she pulled out her favorite pair of faded jeans. Standing before the wardrobe in her gold velvet bra and jeans she shifted though her clothes to find a top. Ginger walked up behind Ginny, snapping her bra strap. Ginny yelped, spinning around she smacked Ginger in the rump.
"Choose that one!" Ginger pointed to a shirt the closet.
"This one?" Ginny teased, pointing to a blouse beside the one Ginger had just suggested.
"No," said Ginger, pointing yet again to the first top.
"Oh, you mean this one?" Ginny asked and grabbed at a shirt to the other side of the one Ginger had her finger on.
"No you witch, this one!" said Ginger and grabbed an amber colored sweater (which was always short in the waist for Ginny). Ginger appraised the low neckline of the sweater before pushing towards Ginny.
"Ah, that one," said Ginny, she took the sweater and pulled it on.
"Hag," Ginger grumbled, moving to sit on the edge of Ginny's bed. Clark moved from the pillow at the head of the bed and curled up beside her. "I know something that will go nicely with that outfit," said Ginger, pulling her wand out of her pocket. "Accio lotion," she called and a bottle flew across the room from Ginger's night stand.
"That's terribly lazy of you," Ginny scolded as she bent to tie the laces of her black boots.
"And your point would be?" Ginger asked, holding the bottle out.
"No point," said Ginny, accepting the bottle. She applied the shimmering lotion to her stomach and chest, admiring the way it subtly glimmered in the lamp light.
"I found it at a nice Muggle shop. I'll have to take you there this summer," said Ginger, she stood and stuck her wand back into her pocket. Clark looked up at her balefully before turning his tale up and padding back to his pillow.
Ginny picked up her wand and walked over to a standing mirror. With a "swish and flick" she styled her auburn tresses into a mass of curls that hung past her shoulders. With one last glance at the mirror to make sure her make-up was right, Ginny turned and walked over to her nightstand. Delicately, she picked up Harry's necklace and closed the clasp behind her neck. She adjusted the pendant so that it lay perfectly. Finally Ginny dabbed a bit of 'Personally Yours' perfume on her wrist and neck.
Ginger leaned in and inhaled.
"Yummy," she giggled.
Ginny winked at her, "Ready?" she asked.
"Sure am," Ginger answered.
The first thing Ginny noticed when entering the common room was all the decorations, streamers and balloons everywhere all in scarlet and gold. The gas lights were dimmed and flickered softly casting everything in shadows. Faintly colorful lights winked high above the common room. On closer inspection Ginny realized they were actually fairies fluttering around merrily. One corner of the common room had a table filled with mounds of food and drink. Ginny glanced around slowly, taking in everything. Ginny's eyes scanned over another corner of the room and did a double take -- she couldn't believe her eyes, there was an actual Muggle DJ station set up. Two red-heads stood side by side, their mischievous grins easily apparent through the dim lights. Ginny gave a yell of excitement and rushed across the room and into the arms of George and Fred.
"I can't believe you're here!" said Ginny, giving them each a kiss on the cheek.
"What and miss our baby sister's sixteenth birthday?" Fred looked appalled.
"It would be sacrilege," said George, sounding scandalized. He gave her a wink and hugged her tighter.
Fred reached in his back pocket. "Mum sent you this," he said and handed her a card.
Ginny left go of George and took the card, breaking the wax seal.
Dear Ginny,
Your father and I hope you enjoy your very special birthday. We cleared it with Professor Dumbledore for Fred and George to be chaperones at this party for you.
Ginny looked up at her brothers.
"Chaperones?" she snorted.
"Don't worry Runt," said George, "I won't spike the punch."
"Much," said Fred.
Shaking her head, Ginny went on reading her card.
We love you very much sweetheart. We will be thinking of you while we are at Charlie's, helping them prepare for the baby's arrival. Enjoy your special day, and never give up hope my dear.
With all our love, Mum and Dad.
Ginny smiled and hugged the card to her chest before putting it in her back pocket.
"Dumbledore has to be off his rocker to allow you two to be put in charge of anything," said Ginny.
Fred winked and George wiggled his eyebrows at their sister.
"Attention everyone!" Fred shouted over the chattering.
"Let the party begin!" George yelled and quickly cast a quiet charm to prevent noises from leaving the common room and waking the other students. Fred started the sound system and music soon filled the room. People began to fill their plates to eat and in a short time, the large quantity of food had lessened greatly. As the noise level rose from conversations picking back up, Fred turned up the music and chose pounding dance tunes. Students moved to the center of the room where they began to partner up and move to the beat thumping from the large speakers.
Ginny sat on a sofa along the edge of the common room, watching people begin to dance. Ginny stood and grabbed Hermione's hand, intending to drag her to the dance floor. Hermione let out a small yelp as she was yanked to a standing position. Ron jumped up at the same moment and grabbed Hermione's other hand.
"Not this time little sis, I don't think I can take another one of those displays," he said looking down at Hermione. Ron led Hermione out to the dance floor, where to the surprise of all, Ron could actually dance!
"Woo, didn't know you had it in you, Weasley," Seamus teased as he spun Lavender on the floor.
"Taught him everything we know!" Fred called out.
"But if he makes an ass out of himself, blame Percy!" George shouted.
"Ha ha," Ron deadpanned, moving Hermione across the dance floor.
Ginny glanced around the room trying to find a dance partner. Her eyes skimmed over Harry filling his glass at the punch bowl. She turned her head and spied Colin and Ginger a few feet away watching the crowd. Hurrying over, Ginny grabbed Colin's hand and one of Ginger's and pulled them out onto the dance floor.
"Let's go Creevey, time to see what you're made up," said Ginny.
Colin's eyes widened in surprise and Ginger laughed, wrapping her arm around Ginny's waist. Ginny began grooving to the rhythmic beat of the music.
Soon the whole room was up dancing. The sound system played one song after another with a simple flick of Fred's wand as he spun Anise McGee around or a wave from George's wand while he dipped Brandy Shepard. The crowd cheered and continued to move with each new song. Swaying her hips, Ginny slowly turned, her fingers laced with Gingers, and raised her arms high, slowly letting go of Ginger's hand. Ginger let her arm drop onto Colin's shoulder as he pulled Ginger closer. Ginny continued in her turn and spied Harry leaning against the wall with a drink in his hand, watching her. Ginny weaved her way through the dancing couples to him. Silently she took Harry's glass and set it on a near by table. Harry watched Ginny take both of his hands into hers and gently tug him out onto the dance floor. The colorful fairy lights flickered in tune with the music as couples moved together. Ginny guided Harry a few into the common room holding his hands high as she began to move to the music. Harry stood still, glancing around the room as she placed his hands on her hips and stepped closer. Ginny caught his gaze and grinned encouragingly. To her pleasure Harry relaxed and began to move with her.
"Well who'd have thought, Harry Potter can dance!" George yelled from across the dance floor.
"Will his wonders never cease?" Fred called.
Smiling, Harry looked down at Ginny; "I suppose there is more to me than excellent Quidditch skills."
Ginny laughed and turned around, pressing her back against his chest. Harry held one hand on her hip as Ginny wrapped her arm up around Harry's neck. He ran his hand down her arm turning it over so the back of his fingers barely grazed the side of her breast. He turned his hand back over and ran it across her stomach. Ginny leaned her head back and closed her eyes, feeling the slight pressure of his hand on her hip, guiding her as they danced. Moving in time to the music it felt as if they were one, any point of contact between them it created little shocks of pleasure through her. She didn't care what tomorrow might bring; she just wanted to live for right now, moving in Harry's arms. Turning around, Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck and he placed his around her waist.
"Time to slow it down," Fred shouted, walking behind the DJ station.
Ginny felt her heart sink as couples started to step closer and gently embraced, swaying to the soulful music that floated over the room. She made to move away but Harry pulled her tighter against him. Slowly, they began to dance beneath the softened glow of the fairy lights. Harry's eyes cast around the room before settling down on her and smiled, causing Ginny's heart to flutter. The song continued, making it feel as if they were the only two people in the universe. Sliding her hands down to hold his shoulders, Ginny turned her head and rested her cheek against his chest. She could feel his heart beating steadily against her cheek, bringing a sense of calm she'd never known before to settle over her. Harry put his chin on top of Ginny's head and closed his eyes. The two of them were unaware that the rest of the room was watching them as they danced. As the first song began to fade a second mounful tune took its place, not that Ginny or Harry noticed.
Fred looked over the head of his dance partner and caught George's eye and gave a conspiratorial wink. George, who gently spun his dance partner around, nodded to his twin in return. Both glanced over at Ron before looking back at their baby sister.
Ron held Hermione close in his arms, in awe of the fact that she was finally his. Leaning down he kissed the top of her head. Hermione looked up and gave him a smile that caused his heart to leap in his chest. Ron glanced over at Harry and Ginny in the middle of the dance floor. The crowd had cleared a wide circle around them as the couple slowly danced, obvlious to anyone else. It was apparent to everyone in the room what was going on, and everyone hoped against hope for it to happen. Hermione turned her head to see what Ron was staring at and smiled sadly.
"What is holding him back?" she whispered into Ron's ear.
Frowning, Ron shook his shoulders, "I have no idea but I know part of me wants to wring his neck for what he's putting her through."
Hermione squeezed Ron rubbing his back with her hand.
"We're going to have to just find out and do our most to make it happen," Hermione whispered. Ron shivered, her breath warm and sweet against the sensitive flesh of his ear. Leaning down Ron captured Hermione's lips in a warm soft kiss.
The spell was soon broken as the song ended and an up tempo tune began. Reluntantly, Harry and Ginny stepped apart.
"Thank you for the dance," said Harry, staring down at her.
Ginny searched his eyes, painfully wishing Harry would say what she longed to hear. Fred and George, seeming to sense intervention was in order, hurried over and scooped Ginny up and carried her away. She laughed as her brothers took her to another part of the room and began to dance with her in their arms. Harry returned to his forgotten cup and took a sip. Ron walked over to stand by him, a drink in one hand, the other hand in his pocket. Ron and Harry watched Fred dance around Ginny while George took Hermione's hand and twirled her in a dizzying circle.
"They sure are special," said Ron, bringing his cup to his lips.
"Yes they are, and the girls aren't too bad either," said Harry. Ron elbowed his arm.
"Harry, she's my sister, and I'd give her the world to make her smile," Ron said seriously.
Harry looked down at his drink and back out at the dance floor. Ginny laughed and danced as George dipped her, pretending to almost drop her before straightening and giving her a fierce hug.
"I think we need to talk," said Ron. Harry gave a heavy sigh and nodded, staring down into his cup. "We don't need to talk right now, Harry," said Ron, "Let's just enjoy the night and worry about everything else tomorrow."
As the song changed, Ginny and Hermione ran up two men. Laughing, Ginny tugged on Ron's arm and Hermione grasped Harry's hand and unceremoniously drug them back out onto the dance floor.
Several hours later, Professor McGonagall arrived at the Gryffindor common room. She pulled her tartan dressing gown tighter around herself and surveying the room. With a wave of her wand the music grew quieter. She announced quiet loudly that she would hand out a month's worth of detention and seventy house points deducted if the students didn't end the party and go to bed. Slowly the crowd called it night. Fred and George shrunk the DJ station and placed it in a small bag with vivid green letters spelling out, WWW. After more goodbyes the twins left under the watchful eye of Professor McGonagall. She followed them out the portrait door casting a final stern look at the remaining students standing in the common room before the portrait closed.
"What about clean up?" Ginny asked Hermione as the girls walked to the stairs.
"A present from Dobby," Harry said, walking up behind them.
Hermione scowled, glancing around at the empty cups and half fallen streamers strewn about.
"Remind me to buy him a lifetime worth of socks," said Ron, joining them. As the four reached landing where the boys and girls dorms split, they stopped.
"Thank you so much, this night was unbelievable," said Ginny, hugging each of the trio in turn. Ron smiled proudly and laced his fingers with Hermione's.
"One more thing Hermione," Ginny reached into the side of her jeans and pulled out the velvet gold band of her thong past the waist of her pants and flipped it against her hip. "Thanks, they fit great!" Ginny hurriedly raced through the door leading to the girls' dormitories before Ron could reach her.
"Ginny Weasley!" Ron bellowed. Harry shook his head and turned to go through the boys' dormitory entrance. Hermione grinned and pulled Ron's head down to distract him with a hearty kiss.
