Birthday Surprises Chapter 51
Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only. Lolly, xxx.
*********************************************************************
The memorial service that Harry had suggested was to take place on the first Saturday in October. Harry had spent a lot of time making sure that it would be perfect. He had put his heart and soul into it, and it broke Ginny's heart to see him on that morning, looking pale and withdrawn. The deaths of his friends would always hit him hard, and she knew that no matter what happened, the dead would always occupy a small corner of his mind. The thought was oddly comforting, for while he remembered, he no longer dwelled upon them, and that, Ginny was sure, had to be a good thing.
***
Every member of the DA, past and present, as well as most of the staff attended the memorial service that night. A few people made speeches, including Harry. Ginny sat next to her brothers, Hermione, and Harry. Beside Harry were the triplets, who never made a sound throughout the entire thing. Harry's speech was the first, and probably the most poignant, Ginny thought. Many other people seemed to think so too, and there was more than a few tears in the room of requirement. At the end of the ceremony, Ginny noticed that a small brass plaque had appeared at the head of the room - on it were the names and dates of each person that Voldemort had taken from the DA, along with a picture of each, smiling happily. That was when Ginny began to cry, feeling suddenly very helpless. Harry put an arm around her shoulders and spoken to her quietly, letting her cry to her hearts content - he knew that he would never cry until it was all over. He was frozen until then.
***
"Are you all right Harry?" Several people asked.
"I'm fine." Harry said each time, always unconvincing, but always trying just the same. Cho came over to him as people began filing out, asking him to wait and speak to her. Harry agreed, albeit reluctantly. He really just wanted to go and hide in his room, away from everyone. This day had been one of the hardest in his life, with the exception of Sirius' funeral, perhaps.
***
"Harry, how are you?"
"Pretty well." Harry murmured as he tucked the blankets in around the triplets. A fire flickered to life in the fireplace as he glared at it.
"No you're not. What's the deal with the kids?"
"Haven't you heard? They're my children."
"Yours? You're their father? Uh...wow. Who's the mother? That Hannah girl?"
"No. I don't know who their mother is."
"How is that possible?"
"Long story." Harry muttered. "I'm surprised the Prophet hasn't reported it yet."
"I haven't been getting the Prophet - oh!" Cho just realised what her mother had been talking about a few weeks earlier.
"They have run the story - I remember that Mum was telling me something about it. So, it must be pretty hard, looking after triplets on your own?"
"Not really. I'm used to it." Harry shrugged, picking up Andy as he woke up.
"You look really well. Being a dad suits you." Cho said with a smile.
"Thanks."
"So, I heard you were going out with Sally?"
"No - we split up a while ago. Why?"
"Oh, I'm just interested." Cho said, with a hint of a blush. Harry smiled a little, wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible.
"So, are you going out with anyone just now?"
"No."
"Oh. Well...d'you...I mean, I still really like you. Will you go out with me?"
"Cho, I'm still at Hogwarts, and you're not...I don't think so. I'm sorry."
"Oh. No problem." Cho said, smiling brightly. "Maybe when you graduate." She left then, leaving Harry staring after her, hoping that she was joking.
***
Ginny was waiting in his room when he got there, tears still running down her pale cheeks. Harry silently put the kids into their crib before heading over towards the window, where she stood. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her relax slightly, though she was still sobbing into his chest.
"Your speech was really...nice." She sniffed.
"Thanks." Harry murmured.
"What did Cho want?"
"She asked me to go out with her again."
"What did you say?"
"No. I mean, with a compatibility of two percent, it's going nowhere, is it?"
"I suppose not." Ginny replied. Her tears had eased now, but she made no attempt to leave his safe hug.
"Reilly's mum loved her bracelet, you know." She said quietly.
"Yeah, she sent me a letter to say thanks. Did I tell you that I've patented them?"
"No, you didn't."
"Yeah - they're patented under the name of Evan James."
"Ah, so that's why the Prophet hasn't reported it."
"Yeah. I've sent a letter to a shop in Diagon Alley - I'm waiting for the reply."
"Will the owls know how to get to Evan James?"
"Yeah." Harry said. "I thought of that too - just before I sent them off."
"That's good. Have you made any more?"
"No, but I've designed a few." Harry said.
"Can I see them?"
"Sure." Harry went to his desk and pulled out a few sheets of parchment. There were designs all over them.
"Designed a few?" Ginny asked, taking the parchment from him.
"Yeah, maybe more than a few, but there you go."
"Which one's your favourite?"
"I'm not sure - it's a very close run thing between yours and mine, but they won't be replicated."
"Why not?"
"Just because." Harry shrugged. "I was thinking of making a few tonight."
"Why tonight?"
"Because the only way I'll sleep is if I'm exhausted, and I don't think anyone would be too pleased if I went out to the Quidditch Pitch this late."
"No. Can I watch?"
"Sure." Harry said, sitting at his desk. He picked out a design and began to work.
***
Four hours, and a few bracelets later, Harry was feeling slightly worn out. He knew that he would be able to sleep now, if only because he had used up almost every last bit of energy in his body. Ginny had fallen asleep almost as soon as he started to work, but he didn't want to wake her. He sat down on the bed beside her, and was asleep before he knew it, his last thought being I really hope that Ron doesn't come here first thing in the morning.
***
Harry woke up to find someone towering over him. "Morning Ron." He said, squinting at the bright light.
"Would you care to explain yourself before or after I disembowel you?"
"Oh grow up Ron, what's the problem? We're both fully clothed." Harry said, stretching.
"You...er...so you are." Ron said, flushing.
"So I am." Harry said with a smirk.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked, pulling the cover over her eyes.
"Ron was a little surprised to see you in my bed." Harry laughed. Ginny's eyes appeared over the covers and she looked around in shock.
"Oh no. Oops. Sorry Harry."
"No problem. You sleep ok?"
"Yeah - when did you stop making those bracelets?"
"Erm...around two, I'd say." Harry said.
"Bracelets?"
"The monitors. I was trying to wear myself out so that I'd sleep - worked pretty well, I think."
"At least you two got some sleep - I don't think anyone in our dorm did." Ron muttered.
"Which is exactly why I was making monitors."
"What about you?" Ron asked Ginny.
"Dunno - I was tired from crying, I suppose, but...I don't know. Harry, you can move into my dorm. I want this bed."
"I'm sure that would go down well." Harry grinned. "But I'm rather fond of my bed myself. So I don't think so, somehow."
"Huh! I'll just have to live up here then, won't I?"
"No - you steal all of the covers!"
"You two sound like a married couple." Ron said. Both Harry and Ginny burst out laughing.
"Right, well I'm going in the shower. Feel free to hog the bed all you want. Ron, is there Quidditch practice today?"
"No, but when has that ever stopped us?"
"Fair enough. Gin, are you up for a bit of babysitting? Unless Dobby turns up anytime soon."
"Sure. I'd have thought you'd want to take the kids with you."
"That's an idea." Harry said. "Let me guess - we need mummies supervision?"
"Oh of course you do! My kids aren't going out on the Quidditch pitch with only you and Ron! But you'll have to wait for a bit - I need to shower and change too."
"Ok. Actually, here's Dobby now, you can meet us out there, ok?"
"Yeah, fine." Ginny said. "I'll bring Reilly too."
"Uh huh."
Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only. Lolly, xxx.
*********************************************************************
The memorial service that Harry had suggested was to take place on the first Saturday in October. Harry had spent a lot of time making sure that it would be perfect. He had put his heart and soul into it, and it broke Ginny's heart to see him on that morning, looking pale and withdrawn. The deaths of his friends would always hit him hard, and she knew that no matter what happened, the dead would always occupy a small corner of his mind. The thought was oddly comforting, for while he remembered, he no longer dwelled upon them, and that, Ginny was sure, had to be a good thing.
***
Every member of the DA, past and present, as well as most of the staff attended the memorial service that night. A few people made speeches, including Harry. Ginny sat next to her brothers, Hermione, and Harry. Beside Harry were the triplets, who never made a sound throughout the entire thing. Harry's speech was the first, and probably the most poignant, Ginny thought. Many other people seemed to think so too, and there was more than a few tears in the room of requirement. At the end of the ceremony, Ginny noticed that a small brass plaque had appeared at the head of the room - on it were the names and dates of each person that Voldemort had taken from the DA, along with a picture of each, smiling happily. That was when Ginny began to cry, feeling suddenly very helpless. Harry put an arm around her shoulders and spoken to her quietly, letting her cry to her hearts content - he knew that he would never cry until it was all over. He was frozen until then.
***
"Are you all right Harry?" Several people asked.
"I'm fine." Harry said each time, always unconvincing, but always trying just the same. Cho came over to him as people began filing out, asking him to wait and speak to her. Harry agreed, albeit reluctantly. He really just wanted to go and hide in his room, away from everyone. This day had been one of the hardest in his life, with the exception of Sirius' funeral, perhaps.
***
"Harry, how are you?"
"Pretty well." Harry murmured as he tucked the blankets in around the triplets. A fire flickered to life in the fireplace as he glared at it.
"No you're not. What's the deal with the kids?"
"Haven't you heard? They're my children."
"Yours? You're their father? Uh...wow. Who's the mother? That Hannah girl?"
"No. I don't know who their mother is."
"How is that possible?"
"Long story." Harry muttered. "I'm surprised the Prophet hasn't reported it yet."
"I haven't been getting the Prophet - oh!" Cho just realised what her mother had been talking about a few weeks earlier.
"They have run the story - I remember that Mum was telling me something about it. So, it must be pretty hard, looking after triplets on your own?"
"Not really. I'm used to it." Harry shrugged, picking up Andy as he woke up.
"You look really well. Being a dad suits you." Cho said with a smile.
"Thanks."
"So, I heard you were going out with Sally?"
"No - we split up a while ago. Why?"
"Oh, I'm just interested." Cho said, with a hint of a blush. Harry smiled a little, wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible.
"So, are you going out with anyone just now?"
"No."
"Oh. Well...d'you...I mean, I still really like you. Will you go out with me?"
"Cho, I'm still at Hogwarts, and you're not...I don't think so. I'm sorry."
"Oh. No problem." Cho said, smiling brightly. "Maybe when you graduate." She left then, leaving Harry staring after her, hoping that she was joking.
***
Ginny was waiting in his room when he got there, tears still running down her pale cheeks. Harry silently put the kids into their crib before heading over towards the window, where she stood. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her relax slightly, though she was still sobbing into his chest.
"Your speech was really...nice." She sniffed.
"Thanks." Harry murmured.
"What did Cho want?"
"She asked me to go out with her again."
"What did you say?"
"No. I mean, with a compatibility of two percent, it's going nowhere, is it?"
"I suppose not." Ginny replied. Her tears had eased now, but she made no attempt to leave his safe hug.
"Reilly's mum loved her bracelet, you know." She said quietly.
"Yeah, she sent me a letter to say thanks. Did I tell you that I've patented them?"
"No, you didn't."
"Yeah - they're patented under the name of Evan James."
"Ah, so that's why the Prophet hasn't reported it."
"Yeah. I've sent a letter to a shop in Diagon Alley - I'm waiting for the reply."
"Will the owls know how to get to Evan James?"
"Yeah." Harry said. "I thought of that too - just before I sent them off."
"That's good. Have you made any more?"
"No, but I've designed a few." Harry said.
"Can I see them?"
"Sure." Harry went to his desk and pulled out a few sheets of parchment. There were designs all over them.
"Designed a few?" Ginny asked, taking the parchment from him.
"Yeah, maybe more than a few, but there you go."
"Which one's your favourite?"
"I'm not sure - it's a very close run thing between yours and mine, but they won't be replicated."
"Why not?"
"Just because." Harry shrugged. "I was thinking of making a few tonight."
"Why tonight?"
"Because the only way I'll sleep is if I'm exhausted, and I don't think anyone would be too pleased if I went out to the Quidditch Pitch this late."
"No. Can I watch?"
"Sure." Harry said, sitting at his desk. He picked out a design and began to work.
***
Four hours, and a few bracelets later, Harry was feeling slightly worn out. He knew that he would be able to sleep now, if only because he had used up almost every last bit of energy in his body. Ginny had fallen asleep almost as soon as he started to work, but he didn't want to wake her. He sat down on the bed beside her, and was asleep before he knew it, his last thought being I really hope that Ron doesn't come here first thing in the morning.
***
Harry woke up to find someone towering over him. "Morning Ron." He said, squinting at the bright light.
"Would you care to explain yourself before or after I disembowel you?"
"Oh grow up Ron, what's the problem? We're both fully clothed." Harry said, stretching.
"You...er...so you are." Ron said, flushing.
"So I am." Harry said with a smirk.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked, pulling the cover over her eyes.
"Ron was a little surprised to see you in my bed." Harry laughed. Ginny's eyes appeared over the covers and she looked around in shock.
"Oh no. Oops. Sorry Harry."
"No problem. You sleep ok?"
"Yeah - when did you stop making those bracelets?"
"Erm...around two, I'd say." Harry said.
"Bracelets?"
"The monitors. I was trying to wear myself out so that I'd sleep - worked pretty well, I think."
"At least you two got some sleep - I don't think anyone in our dorm did." Ron muttered.
"Which is exactly why I was making monitors."
"What about you?" Ron asked Ginny.
"Dunno - I was tired from crying, I suppose, but...I don't know. Harry, you can move into my dorm. I want this bed."
"I'm sure that would go down well." Harry grinned. "But I'm rather fond of my bed myself. So I don't think so, somehow."
"Huh! I'll just have to live up here then, won't I?"
"No - you steal all of the covers!"
"You two sound like a married couple." Ron said. Both Harry and Ginny burst out laughing.
"Right, well I'm going in the shower. Feel free to hog the bed all you want. Ron, is there Quidditch practice today?"
"No, but when has that ever stopped us?"
"Fair enough. Gin, are you up for a bit of babysitting? Unless Dobby turns up anytime soon."
"Sure. I'd have thought you'd want to take the kids with you."
"That's an idea." Harry said. "Let me guess - we need mummies supervision?"
"Oh of course you do! My kids aren't going out on the Quidditch pitch with only you and Ron! But you'll have to wait for a bit - I need to shower and change too."
"Ok. Actually, here's Dobby now, you can meet us out there, ok?"
"Yeah, fine." Ginny said. "I'll bring Reilly too."
"Uh huh."
