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Chapter 41

When everyone settled themselves outside at the tables, Mr. Weasley charmed a violin to play a whimsical tune and everyone dug into the feast. Draco was sitting next to Hermione and Snape, and was tentative to eat food from the Weasleys, but after a few minutes hunger took over his pride and he began to feast in as well.

Ginny was in between Dean and Hermione. Dean was telling everyone about his holiday in the mountains. Ginny noticed that Dean didn't seem to be paying attention to her, and as rude as it was, she was thankful for it as well.

"Sweet sixteen, Harry!" said Fred and George, together. They placed a shiny, pink, cone-shaped, Birthday cap on his head. Fireworks exploded at the tip of the hat and everyone laughed, except for Mrs. Weasley who gave Harry his birthday present early--which was sea green knitted vest with a flower embroidered on it that he was practically forced to wear that night.

Ginny thought the atmosphere was pleasant even though Snape and Draco were there. Though, she couldn't help but wish she could be alone with Harry. They never had much one-on-one time to talk, and now since their barriers were pretty much cleared, conversation would have been easier.

"Dean, did you go swimming in mountain streams?" Ginny asked him politely. She had to talk to him or else people might get suspicious. Not like anyone would suspect Ginny and Harry were dating just because she and Dean weren't making much communication, but she thought talking to him would look normal.

"What?" Dean asked with a puzzled expression. He was clearly listening to a joke Fred was telling instead paying attention to his girlfriend.

"Never mind," she said. How discourteous it was for him to ignore his girlfriend! But it was better that way, anyway. Their relationship could just fade away, and then Harry and Ginny could make themselves public.

The time came for Harry to open the rest of his presents. Draco didn't bring anything, but it was mostly because he didn't know it was Harry's birthday. If he did know, then he would have made sure to bring a box of something when opened, it would be something Harry wouldn't have expected. Snape knew too well it was Harry's birthday, but unlike Draco, he just didn't care. Fred and George gave him an bag of goodies from their shop and some coupons.

Harry liked Ginny's present very much. He laughed and winked at her when he opened it. No one really understood why she gave him a piece of wood on a string, but Mrs. Weasley gave the courteous, "Oh, how lovely!"

Towards the end of the festivities when they were running short of sweets and butterbeer, as well as conversation, Mr. Weasley asked Ron how he and his mates were going on the potions project. Snape was just as interested. Draco faked a stomach-ache to avoid fetching any of the materials that were used. But Dean got the cauldron, and Ron got the ingredients and vials.

As they were preparing for their mock presentation, Harry pulled Ginny aside to a nearby tree. Ginny could see that an Auralily was growing in an unusual bush, but it made her smile.

"Thanks for the gift," he said. "I thought Madame Hooch got rid of all of it. She didn't let me keep any of the remains because she thought I would have hope in fixing it myself."

"I thought you might like it, for memories," Ginny answered. She couldn't help but keep glancing at the single Auralily. It looked even more striking in the moonlight as the gold shined against the blue of the night. Harry caught her looking at it, and he suddenly clued in.

"Today's the last day of them, huh. If only they would last," he said as he picked it off the bush and handed it to Ginny.

Ginny looked at the blossom he just gave her and beamed. "Looking at one is almost as wonderful as seeing it for the first time. But they don't hang around forever."

"What if this one is different? What if it never withers and dies?" Harry asked.

"It would be impossible. I wish though," she answered and her eyes felt a little glossed over.

Harry took Ginny's hand that was holding the flower. Even if it didn't last, the single Auralily was a lot more romantic than receiving a single rose every day for the next five years.

"Close your eyes," he said with his hand still over hers. Ginny did as he said. She knew it might have been some surprise, but she didn't know what, and she did assume Harry wouldn't play a mean trick or harm her. "Now open."

She opened her eyes and was holding a wand that didn't belong to her. She laughed and said, "Harry, what's going on? Why do I have your wand?"

"You'll see, now close your eyes again," he said with a smirk.

"Okay, but I hope not to expect a deck of cards," she said and followed his order. She didn't notice the flower to wand change and she didn't notice what was to follow.

"Now open again," he repeated. Ginny did so and saw the same Auralily that was there before.

"Okay, what was the point of that?" she said with a small laugh, but she gave a second glance at the blossom and it appeared to look somewhat different but even more stunning than ever. "Oh, Harry, what--"

"It's been preserved," he said and if the tone in his voice didn't do the justice of showing how much he cared for her, the arresting look in his eyes did. "It took me a long time to figure it out--with the help of some people."

Some people most likely meaning Hermione and not Ron. Ginny didn't dare ask him how he did it. She loved mystery. Ginny couldn't really speak anyway. "Harry, I--well, thank you!" She flung her arms around him and pressed her face against his.

"Just never say anything is impossible," he replied softly.