They sat long into the evening discussing the plans for Fudge, by the time Harry and Hermione went to join the others they had all retired for the night.
Stopping outside the door to Hermione's room, she looked at her watch. Turning she gently brushed her lips against Harry's cheek. "Happy Birthday Harry, I'll see you in the morning."
"Nite 'Mione, sweet dreams." He stood there watching as her door closed. He went up to his room and drifted off, his thoughts on a girl with bushy brown hair.
Rising early as was his usual habit, he decided against following his normal morning routine, opting instead to roll over and try and get a little more sleep, but it wasn't to be. He felt a sudden weight landing on his chest, "Master Harry must get up, Miss Granger is down stairs waiting for Master Harry in the exercise room, she is asking Dobby to come and get him immediately."
Harry growled as he threw on some clothes and wended his weary way downstairs. "Morning 'Mione" he grunted as he joined her, "what's wrong?"
"Nothings wrong, I just thought I'd begin exercising in the morning myself"
He slumped down onto the floor, leaning his back against the wall and resting his head on his knees. "You had to decide to do this today didn't you, the one day that I wanted to sleep in." he said, his irritation obvious.
"Sorry," she smiled sheepishly, "I figured if I made some excuse not to do it today, I'd just find another excuse tomorrow, so here we are."
Looking up at her he sighed, "Ok, give me a few minutes to get myself together and then we'll start."
He demonstrated how to use each station, and then walked over to a shelf in the corner, withdrawing two pieces of paper from a folder. He handed one to her, "You can follow my original workout, although I would halve the suggested repetitions for the first week until your body begins to get used to it."
They trained in relative silence, the only words spoken being the occasional pointer or correction from Harry to Hermione. "No, not like that, you'll end up straining your back"or"no your arms are to far apart, there, that's better"
After they had finished Harry felt energised, he dragged an exhausted and dishevelled Hermione back to her room, leaving her at her door he said "Grab a shower and get dressed, I'll meet you back here in 20 minutes and we'll go down to have some breakfast."
After showering and changing he met Hermione and they walked together down to the kitchen, as they walked through the door they were met with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" from all who were gathered inside.
"Thanks guys" Harry said taking his seat. He gazed around the room at his family, for that was how he thought of them, and he would fight to protect every one of them. Including Ron, for although they were fighting at the moment, they were as close as brothers, "Maybe that's part of the problem" Harry thought, "we stopped being just friends ages ago, and now we fight like brothers do."
Once they had finished eating the mountain of food prepared by the house-elves, and not even Ron couldn't swallow another bite Ginny cried out "Present Time"
Neville went first, "Harry, this is from myself and gran" he handed Harry a neatly wrapped parcel.
"Thanks Neville, thank you Mrs Longbottom, but seriously, you didn't have to get me anything"
"Cease being so self-effacing and open the present Mr Potter" was the dry comment from the Longbottom matriach
He opened the parcel to find a miniature foe glass inside. "Thank you very much." He exclaimed delightedly.
"When I told gran that you wanted to be an Auror when you finished school she insisted that this was the perfect gift, my dad had one just like it."
"Us next" squealed Ginny as she passed over a small box wrapped in bright green paper. "It's from me, mum, dad, Bill and Charley.
"It's a little different this year dear," said Mrs Weasley, "I knew you weren't being starved so a food parcel didn't seem as necessary."
Inside he found a beautiful watch with a leather strap. "Wow" he was speechless, "it's fantastic"
"It's a wizarding watch; Bill got it through a friend of his in Egypt. It's got a lot of the same features as our clock, but because it's so small you can't see everyone at once, you simply tap it with your wand and say the name of the person you wish to check on and it will show you. A big difference is that if someone you have listed is in danger, the watch will shake, and their name will flash on the face. Dad will show you how to add people to it later when he gets back from work, he apologises for not being here by the way, but he had to make an early start."
"Thanks guys" he gave Ginny and Mrs Weasley both big hugs
"Happy Birthday Harry" Ron said quietly, while he was by no means sounding like his old self, his tone had lost the overt animosity of the previous night."
He opened the package wrapped in Chudley Cannon's paper. He pulled out a packet of Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans and the latest edition of Flying with the Canons. "Cheers Ron, I love it" he said, genuinely pleased with the present.
"Ooo Oooo my turn now" said Tonks tripping over the back of a chair in her rush to get to Harry, "Here you go, it's from me and Remus."
He tore open the paper and pulled out a black leather wand holster as well as a bottle of wand polish and a book on wand maintenance actually called Wand Maintenance by Alastor Moody.
"You need to read up on it before lessons with Mad-eye, so you don't get a lecture about losing a buttock" said Tonks with a grin, "Its all standard Auror issue gear so its good quality, the holster will clip onto a belt, or your wrist depending on what you are wearing."
Harry gave both Tonks and Moony a quick hug, "I love it"
"Here's the one from the twins" Ginny pushed the large box forward that Fred and George had delivered the previous night.
He cast a guilty glance towards the Hogwarts staff members and Mrs Weasley, "Maybe you four might want to close your eyes, or turn around or something."
Tonks and Moony burst out laughing. Mrs Weasley frowned, while Dumbledore chuckled and said "it appears as though the Masters Weasley wish their legacy to continue, well I suppose I can turn a blind eye seeing as we are not on school property."
"Aren't you the one that asked for a few Skiving Snack Boxes a few days ago" Harry reminded him with a cheeky grin. Both Hermione and Mrs Wealsey appeared shocked at this statement, while everybody else, Mrs Longbottom included, laughed.
He carefully opened the box, ready to launch himself sideways if it exploded or began to smoke. Peeling back the lid he cautiously raised his head until it was level with the top of the box, peering inside he suddenly stood upright and laughed. "False alarm, their prank this time is that there are no prank and its school friendly as well." He pulled out a set of Gryffindor Quidditch robes with his name emblazoned on the back and the WWW logo on the front.
You need to win still, but try and go slow enough so people can read it.
Hermione stepped forward and handed him a small elegantly wrapped package, she kissed his cheek "Happy Birthday Harry".
"Thanks 'Mione" he gently opened the parcel and inside it was a Platinum Chain with a Phoenix Medallion on it. "It's amazing" he stuttered, "You really shouldn't have gotten this, its too much."
"It's from my parents as well, they insisted. I had Professor Dumbledore help me cast a Locator Charm onto it, so if you ever get taken, or we can't find you, either of us can cast the charm and we, meaning him or I along with whoever we take with us, will appear instantly at your side."
"Its beautiful, I love it, thank you." he pulled her forwards into a tight embrace and kissed her on the forehead, then tilted his head back and stared into her eyes.
They were jolted from their reverie by a sudden "Ahem" leaping apart they looked around and saw amusement on the faces of everyone except Ron who it appeared was busy analysing a speck on the table in front of him doggedly, although he did seem a little red around the ears. "Sorry for interrupting, however I wish to give you a gift from myself and the order, as well as answer a question you put to me the other day." Dumbledore rose and made his way around to Harry. "Firstly your gift." he handed Harry a large box tied up with a red and gold ribbon.
Harry quickly untied it and lifted the top, he gasped, reached into the box and pulled out a Pensieve, just like the one he had seen in Dumbledore's office. "Sir, I really can't accept this."
"Nonsense child, I really don't know of anyone who would get more use out of it currently than yourself, I shall show you how to use it later."
"Thank you" he said reverently silently adding Grandfather to his thanks.
"And for the second part of your gift, well not actually your gift, but to do with your question the other week regarding practical lessons of your studies. I approached Madam Bones on the matter as the Improper Use of Magic office falls under her jurisdiction and she explained to me a method for which we could obtain an exemption to the legislation regarding the use of underage magic. It appears you are able to do magic outside of the regular school year if you are registered at a duly licensed Summer School. I took the liberty of obtaining the licence in both mine and Remus' names. Now in order to remain licensed we have to have a minimum of 3 pupils registered, and you are only allowed to use magic within a class situation. If Miss Granger, Mr Longbottom, Mr and Miss Weasley are interested they can register and participate in the classes as well."
Hermione squealed and clapped her hands, nodding excitedly; she had been itching to use the Potions lab since she had arrived.
"What are these lessons?" asked Ginny
"Mr Potter has been revising his magical theory for Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and Defence. I believe they are up to revision for 4th and 5th Years now. It will be to all your benefits to participate, if not in all his classes at least in some."
"I would be interested in everything but potions, there is no way I will get an Outstanding on my OWLs so I won't need to worry about it this year" said Neville.
"The required mark for Professor Snape's class this year is an Exceeds Expectations, due to him making an exception for one of his students who didn't make the grade to take the class if he so desired." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, "it is up to you however. If I may make a suggestion though, the OWL results and your Hogwarts letters are due sometime today, why don't you make your decision after receiving them, and Miss Weasley; it would be an excellent head start for your OWLS."
Oh, I was going to take the classes alright, there was no doubt about that, I just wasn't sure what they were," Ginny grinned
"I'm not," muttered Ron, "I'm staying with the twins and working for the rest of the break."
"Mr Weasley, the twins have already said that they could find someone to replace you if you wished to take the classes, I believe that it would be beneficial for you to do so."
"Nah," said Ron, "I have enough classes at school, this is the holidays, and we aren't supposed to be worrying about stuff like this now."
"You aren't going to get a job at the ministry with that attitude Ron Weasley" screeched his mother, "and don't count on getting a job with the twins either, what if they can't employ you when you finish school? What will you do then?"
Ron shrugged and continued picking at the table.
Mrs Longbottom merely said "Neville will be taking all the classes he can Headmaster," as Neville looked at her she added "Well you will need to practice with your new wand."
"Excellent, so we will register Mr Potter, Miss Granger, Mr Longbottom and Miss Weasley. Are you sure you won't reconsider?" asked Dumbledore of Ron.
"Yeah, I'm sure, I need the money."
"I shall notify Madam Bones tomorrow, and classes can start on Monday."
"Professor, I couldn't help but notice you made a comment about Professor Snape lowering the entrance mark, does this mean Malfoy only got an Exceeds Expectation?" asked Hermione,
"Did I say that?" Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled furiously. "You know I can't reveal other students marks to you."
"No you didn't say a word Professor" grinned Hermione catching on quickly.
"Well, now that's all sorted, I may make my way back to Longbottom Manor" said Mrs Longbottom standing, " I bid you all good day, Neville, I shall forward your trunk along with some galleons for your school supplies through the floo network tomorrow."
As everyone else chorused their farewells Neville rose and hugged his grandmother. As she left she said "Mr Potter, if you could escort me out."
"Of course Madam Longbottom" Harry took her arm.
"Mr Potter, I just wanted to thank you again for what you have done with Neville, his confidence has improved dramatically and his overall outlook is cheerier."
"It was all Neville's own doing, I can take no credit for it at all. Once he heard that the Lestranges had escaped last year, he was like a man possessed."
"Yes, well thank you anyway." as she stepped into the fireplace she added, "It really was a pleasure to see you again Harry."
The other teens came and joined Harry in the lounge, they sat around playing exploding snap and chess for a while, Hermione was reading a book of short stories by Ernest Hemmingway. Ron was being civil to everyone, but you could see that whatever it was that was bothering him was still lurking under the surface. He kept throwing little glares in Hermione's direction when he thought no-body was looking. Harry knew it wouldn't take much to set him off again. He just wished he knew what the cause of the problem was. He had no doubt that what Ginny had suggested yesterday were major contributing factors, but none of those reasons explained why he was being so venomous to Hermione.
Just as they had moved back into the kitchen for lunch and sat down there was a loud chorus of hooting coming from outside the kitchen window, Dobby leapt onto the counter and lifted the pane to allow entry to the five school owls that had been waiting on the ledge.
The dropped 2 envelopes in front of Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville and one in front of Ginny. It was their OWL results and School Letters.
"Together or at the same time?" Hermione asked, her nerves shot to pieces. Everyone knew that she was going to do exceptionally well on her exams, but she still was concerned about her marks.
"All together" said Harry
As one they tore open their envelopes containing their OWL results. Harry read his to himself.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL (OWL) RESULTS
STUDENT: HARRY JAMES POTTER
SCHOOL: HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Astronomy: Practical; A Theory: A OWL: A
Care Of Magical Creatures: Practical: O Theory: A OWL: E
Charms: Practical: O Theory: A OWL: E
Defence Against Dark Arts: Practical: O Theory: O OWL: O*
Divination: Practical: D Theory: N/A OWL: D
Herbology: Practical: O Theory: A OWL: E
History of Magic: Practical: N/A Theory: A OWL: A
Potions: Practical: O Theory: E OWL: O
Transfiguration: Practical: O Theory: E OWL: O
Total OWLS Attempted: 9
Total OWLS Attained: 8
NB: * indicates top mark for subject group.
Regards
Griselda Marchbank
Chief Examiner
Wizarding Examination Authority
Harry was stunned, he looked at the expression on everyone else's faces, Neville's was a mix of shock and pride, Ron's was disappointed, while Hermione's was blank. He lent across to her and whispered, "What's wrong "Mione?"
"I can't do it" she said throwing herself onto him so that he wrapped his arms around her by reflex, "I am too afraid, what if I failed, what if I can't get into the classes I want, what if because of one bad exam I can never get a job?"
Harry laughed as he stroked her hair, "Relax, your top of the year, and you will get top marks in the exams, I know you"
"Can you read it for me?" her voice weak and shaky.
"If you want me to," he took the envelope from her and removed the parchment. "Well you did exceptionally well in all but one subject"
"Oh I knew it," she cried "which one? Was it Astronomy? I bet it was that damn attack on Hagrid and McGonagal threw me off, or was it Arithmancy?"
"It was neither 'Mione, I'm only teasing, you got 12 straight O's and top in all subjects except DADA and Herbology."
She launched herself at him squealing "I did it; I did it" tearing the parchment from his hands she cried "show me."
As she sat down to read through her results Harry turned to Neville, "How did you do?"
"Yeah pretty well, 7 OWLs, an O and top mark for Herbology, 2 E's DADA thanks to you, and amazingly I got an E in potions, A's for the others except History and Astronomy which I failed."
"That's great Nev, see you can do Potions when you don't have Snape the slimy git giving you a hard time. Dumbledore actually told me that Snape is the hardest marker around, and if you can get an A in his class you're pretty much guaranteed an E minimum on your exams. What about you Ron, how did you go?"
"I beat the twins, they only got 3 OWLs each, I got 5, no O's though I got an E for DADA, but I failed Potions, Divination, History and Astronomy. What about you?" sounding dejected.
"Yes Harry, you know what we all got, how did you go?" asked Hermione her interest evident.
"Well, I got 8 OWLS, 3 O's 3 E's 2 A's and failed Divination, but I got top in Defence and I got an O in potions"
Hermione yelled her congratulations as she once again captured him in an embrace.
"School letters now" Ron said bitterly, his eyes downcast "I suppose you'll get a badge or two in yours Harry."
"I wouldn't be too sure on that Ron." Said Harry cryptically
Ron looked confused, until he heard a shocked chorus of "I'M A PREFECT" from both Ginny and Neville.
"Neville has taken my place as prefect." said Ron as if it was the ultimate insult, only to be stunned when Ginny screamed "OH MY GOD, I'M THE QUIDDITCH CAPTAIN."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY" he roared dropping his OWL's onto the table, "THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT, YOU CAN'T BE THE QUIDDITCH CAPTAIN, THEY'VE SENT IT TO THE WRONG WEASLEY. GIMME THE BADGE, I'LL SORT THIS OUT."
Harry stepped in between them as the adults came in from the meeting room hearing the yelling. Mrs Weasley stepping forward to stand next to Ginny who was glaring furiously at her brother, whilst Neville was still in a stunned daze. Hermione just stood there looking to see how Harry was going to handle the matter. Dumbledore, Lupin and Tonks watched on silently, "There's no mistake Ron, Ginny is the Quidditch Captain for the next three years." Harry said.
"What's all the yelling in here for?" demanded Mrs Wealsey. "Ron, why can I hear your voice screaming?"
"Ginny got my Quidditch Captains badge by mistake and she won't give it to me."
"Ron, there is no mistake, Ginny is the captain." Harry said sharply.
"And how do you know that, or is the great Harry Potter all seeing now, I thought you just said you failed Divination?" he snapped,
"Ronald Weasley, don't you dare talk to Harry in that tone," his mother's ire was rising.
"I know because I was there when the decision was made" Harry paused "I'm sorry Ron, but I was offered the captaincy, and for reasons I don't want to discuss here had to turn it down. Ginny was the only alternative, as Katie had to refuse it as well."
"So I'm not even good enough to be considered an alternative to you now."
"No Ron, that isn't it at all, Professor McGonagal withdrew your name from the choices."
"Your lying, you just don't want me to get ahead, Percy was right about you, your just trying to hold me back, you don't even think I'm good enough to have your cast-offs"
"Ron Weasley, you know full well that Professor McGonagal had already told you that you were not going to be in the running." his mother snapped, "Now apologise to your sister and Harry for your behaviour."
"I will not" Ron said resolutely, "Ginny isn't even a proper member of the team anyway, how can she be captain?"
At this Ginny left the room crying, upset at her brother for ruining her moment in the sun. Neville, having recovered from his shock at receiving the prefects badge turned and followed her out to comfort his friend.
"Ron," Hermione said trying to placate him, "Ginny was on the team last year, she caught the snitch in the final remember, Harry was telling me she is transferring to chaser this year, so it makes sense that if you, Katie and Harry are out of the running, then she should get it."
"And you can just keep out of this Miss Know-It-All, I thought you were my friend, you should be on my side. Obviously another mistake I made."
"Well after the way you have been treating me lately I am not even sure what I consider you Ron Weasley, Harry and I have both tried to be your friend, but you keep blowing up at Harry, and you've been nothing but rude to me all summer."
"Did you ever think that maybe you did something to deserve it?"
During this Mrs Weasley picked up Ron's OWL results from where he had dropped them, reading through them her face grew redder and redder, "Ron," she said in a dangerously quiet voice, "Please tell me there is a mistake with these."
"What?" he said turning, still focused on his argument with Hermione, "Oh" his face plummeted as he realised what his mother was holding. "I beat the twins" he said weakly.
"The twins only managed three OWL's each, but they had three Outstandings. You promised me that you were going to study harder than this" she waved the parchment in his face.
"I'm stupid ok, just accept it, I'm useless at everything." Ron stormed out of the kitchen, leaving a stunned Mrs Weasley behind him. His footsteps fading as he ran upstairs. No-one spoke, Harry was comforting Hermione, who was in tears after her argument with Ron. Lupin and Tonks were trying to understand what had set Ron off, Dumbledore just looked concerned, his brow furrowed.
Dumbledore broke the silence, "I think I shall go and have a talk with young Mr Weasley." he left the kitchen.
"I'll come with you" said Molly following after him.
"Well," said Tonks, "that was certainly interesting, what do you suppose..."
"So Harry," Moony interrupted her before she could say anything, "How did you go in your OWL's.
Harry thrust his chin in the direction of his results lying on the table, not wanting to release the still sobbing girl he was holding. "No, not those one's," he told Lupin as he went to pick up some parchment, "They're 'Mione's, just next to them, yep that's them."
Lupin picked his results and keenly read them. "Congratulations Harry, these are excellent."
"Thanks but you should 'Mione's, they're even better." looking down at his now silent friend, her breaths coming in gasps from her tears, "don't worry about him Hermione, lets go and show my mum and dad our results, then we will send Hedwig off to your parents." To Lupin and Tonks he added, "We'll be back in a little while."
After spending half an hour in some carefree banter with Harry's parents both of whom congratulated the two teens on their results, and sending a note to her parents, Hermione was in a better mood when she and Harry walked into the kitchen to find a red-eyed Ron sitting with the four adults. He stood up and began to walk around to the two of them. Harry stepped defensively in front of Hermione blocking Ron from coming near her. "Say what you have to say from there. If you come any closer I can't guarantee I won't hit you."
Hermione placed a calming hand on her shoulder as Dumbledore said, "Mr Weasley will not be staying here any longer, he needs some time to himself to gather his thoughts, I believe he just wishes to apologise before he leaves."
"I'm sorry for ruining your birthday Harry" said Ron contritely, "and I am really sorry for those things I said before to both of you."
"Why Ron?" Harry pleaded, "Why have you been so bitter and cruel lately?"
"I can't really say at the moment, I just need some time to sort myself and my mind out."
"Well Ron, speaking for myself only, until you can come to both of us and tell us why you have been acting like this I won't be accepting your apology." Harry said in a neutral voice. Hermione just nodded, afraid that if she spoke she would begin to cry again.
"I suppose I deserve that much" said Ron morosely, "I've really screwed things up royally haven't I." a single tear made its way down his cheek, "I,....I just hope that we can still be friends."
"That's up to you Ron; if you want to be friends with us you know where to find us."
Neither Harry or Hermione could bring themselves to watch Ron leave, they stood facing the window as he picked up his trunk and with Mrs Weasley following he made his way from the room. Pausing at the door he said "Can you tell Ginny and Neville that I'm sorry, and tell them they both deserve their badges." and with that he left.
Ginny and Neville rejoined them in the kitchen not long after Ron's exit, and the group sat down for a delayed lunch. Lupin passed on Ron's message to the other two.
"So what did you two do up there for so long?" asked Harry of Ginny as they were eating.
"We were just talking" she said quickly as both she and Neville turned a vibrant shade of crimson.
"Ok then" Harry's tone was amused at the expression on their faces, "Well I wanted to offer my congratulations to you both as well for your positions."
"And mine" added Hermione
"Thank you both" said Neville, "I really don't know how I got made a prefect, and gran will be amazed."
"You deserve it Nev, don't let anyone tell you any different." Harry stated "Same as you Gin, no matter what anyone else says and thinks you both got those badges because you worked hard for them and earnt them."
"Thanks Harry" they chorused.
"When are we going to go to Diagon Alley?" Hermione asked.
"I thought we would go on Friday morning" answered Lupin. "Harry and I have some business to take care of here tomorrow, and will need to follow it up with Gringotts afterwards so Friday will be perfect."
"And I'll get a new wand" Neville was excited as he had never had a wand of his own before.
"Yep, and then you can test it on Monday." Harry grinned.
As they bantered among themselves, the atmosphere gradually improved until by the time the cake with both Harry and Neville's names on it was wheeled in that evening, it was as if nothing had happened to dampen the mood.
Review Answers
HermioneGreen: Thats the end of the Ron bashing for the moment
JeffB; No idea, I thought they might be back at Hogwarts by chapter 12 in my initial plan, but that's not happening by a long shot :-p
Potter Reader: cheers ;-p
David M Potter: Griffins don't really blend in though in the streets and public places.
Ryusuken, ears91, azntgr01, wowsergirl, : thanks guys, you all review so regularly.
Jenbachand: Do you really think anyone can tell the twins anything LOL :-P
Angelis1: A coup, pronounced koo, it means a sudden seizure of power.
Ace coimbra: Im not American by a long shot. I am an Australian living in Singapore. Most of the slang I use is British/Antipodean but sometimes I use "Merkin" terms as they are slightly less vulgar in some cases.
Gryffies#1: Nope havent forgotten that
Kemenran: As you requested.