Birthday Surprises Chapter 66

Usual disclaimer:  Not mine, don't sue.  Please.  Wish it were mine though.  Ah, if only…  Lolly, xxx.

Ok, I'm sorry about the wait for this chapter – homework again.  Had lots to do, especially as I won't be here to do it over the weekend – I'm going down to Sheffield tomorrow for the BBL trophy semi-finals!  [Basketball, for those of you who haven't read my bio].   So I'm in a very good mood!  LET'S GO ROCKS!!

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"I am afraid that this morning something very grave has happened."  Professor Dumbledore said seriously, watching as Ron and Hermione shared a fearful look with Ginny.  "I regret to have to inform you that Voldemort and his forces have attacked Hogsmeade."

***

Ron sprinted into Harry's room, hoping to find his friend tending to his children.   He quickly gave the password to the door and hurried in to find the room empty of any sign of Harry.  On the large bed, he found something that made his heart drop to his feet.  A single scrap of parchment containing only two words: 'It's time.'

Ron stared at the parchment in horror – it was definitely Harry's handwriting, and it looked as if he had been remarkably calm while writing it.  "DOBBY!"  He yelled, hoping that the elf was nearby. 

"Mr Wheezy."  Dobby came in, his face wet with tears. 

"He's gone?"  Ron whispered in disbelief – he had at least expected Harry to tell them face-to-face before leaving. 

"Harry Potter Sir wished Dobby to give his Wheezy this."  Dobby sobbed, handing Ron a letter.

***Dear Ron,

I know that when you read this, I'll be gone.  I know that I should've said something, rather than just leaving, but I really hate goodbyes.  It's going to be so hard to leave.  My entire life has been in the castle, with you guys.  Now I have to leave all of you, and my home.  I hate the thought, but it's something I have to do.  I can't fail this time, Ron.  It's him, or me and if he wins, there will be the world to pay.  I have too much of a conscience to let that happen.  I'm coming back, because I have a life to lead now, and Voldemort won't ruin that for me.  Still, I have a will if anything does happen – rather weird, isn't it?  A seventeen year-old having a will.  I've had it for a year or two now, although the ministry revelation kinda changed things a bit.  I hope to god, Merlin, or whoever, that you don't need it, but even I'm not fool enough to assume that Voldemort will work to my plans.  Yes, Ron, plans.  See, I am capable of strategy, even if you do beat me at chess every single damn time.  I can imagine you looking terrified now.  The fate of the world resting on Harry's strategy.  Well, I have plan A, a backup plan, another few backup plans, and – oh yeah – another backup plan.  I've been planning this for over a year.  I don't think our chess games have ever lasted an hour, let alone a year.  Anyway, back to the point, I cannot play chess to save myself, but planning to duel Voldemort comes very easily to me.  I've got to go now, Ron.  We'll play another game when I get back – maybe I can keep you playing for a while before you trash me – again.  See you in a while,

Harry.***

Ron was crying, he knew he was, but he couldn't do anything about it – this was all so unfair!  Harry shouldn't have to be the one to fight Voldemort, not at seventeen.  He folded the letter and put it in his pocket, standing beside the cots.  "You all don't know how lucky you are to have your daddy."  He murmured.  "Maybe one day he'll tell you all about our adventures."  Ron sniffed, looking out of the window and wondering where his best friend was.

***

Ginny sat bolt upright in the Great Hall, her eyes wide with terror as she realised that someone was missing from the breakfast table.  "Harry!"  She scampered from the room, and ran up to Harry's, barely aware that Hermione was following her.  When she got there, she did not like what she saw.  Ron was standing by the cots, tears streaming silently down his face.  "He's gone, hasn't he?"  She asked, making him turn to her.  He nodded, apparently unable to speak.  "How long ago?"

"I don't know – I've been up here for about ten minutes."  Ron shrugged, his voice gruff. 

"Was there a note or anything?  Maybe he's just gone for a fly or something…?"  Hermione tried.  Ron handed her the parchment that he had found on Harry's bed, and Hermione gave a dry sob.  "He didn't even say goodbye."  She murmured. 

"Harry Potter sir wrote you all letters.  He is asking Dobby to give them to you."  The house-elf said.  Ginny took her letter and opened it immediately, as did Hermione. 

***

There was no doubt about it – Harry had left.  Hermione and Ron sat on Harry's bed, silently watching as Ginny stood by her children – hers and Harry's.  She hadn't said anything about the letter that Harry had written to her, but Ron noticed that hers seemed to be longer than both his and Hermione's. 

"Hermione."  She said suddenly, looking at the older girl with a strange expression on her face.  "What are the properties of Emerald?"

"Emerald?"  Hermione asked, looking confused, "Er…what is it again?  Oh yes, it's known as the 'Unconditional Love' stone.  It assists in deeper spiritual insight, and inspires love, prosperity, kindness, tranquillity, balance, patience and the power to heal.  Why?"  Ginny was staring at her, her eyes swimming with tears as she touched the bracelet that she wore. 

"No reason."  She murmured, turning away as her tears came.  Harry had put a stone of unconditional love in her bracelet.  He had also just run off to face Voldemort.  Leah, Sam and Andy, sensing that something wasn't right, began to cry.  "Hush, little ones."  Ginny murmured.  "Daddy will be back soon."  She wasn't sure that she believed her own words, but she whispered them over and over again as she soothed them.  Ron and Hermione listened carefully, hoping that she was right.

***

The entire Gryffindor common room was silent – each knew in their hearts that Harry was gone, and he might not come back.  While everyone was hopeful, they couldn't deny the very real possibility that they may lose one of their best friends.  Everyone sat in small huddled groups, thinking about their friend.   They all felt the absence of the boy that always seemed to be involved in something – he had become a friend to almost everyone in Hogwarts – at least, everyone that wasn't in Slytherin.  Colin and Dennis Creevey were desolate without their hero.  No one seemed to know quite what to do.

***

Albus Dumbledore knew that his Grandson had finally gone to meet his destiny – he had been one of the only people to see the young man slip from the castle before dawn that morning.  He would never forget the look on his face – sheer determination and a force of will stronger than any magic.  He had felt a few tears slip from his eyes before gaining control of himself again – he would not grieve his Grandson before there was no hope left of him coming back.  Harry would do everything in his power to return to Hogwarts.  He sighed and headed down to dinner – the rest of the school would expect him to be there. 

***

The din in the Great Hall subsided as the headmaster walked in.  Gryffindor table was silent and subdued, and it seemed that the news of Harry's leaving had spread rapidly.  Albus felt his anger flare as several Slytherins smirked at each other.  He stood up, sighing heavily.  "As many of you are already aware, Harry Potter is absent from the Gryffindor table.  He has gone to help in Hogsmeade, with the battle against Voldemort."  There were more fierce whispers, and Dumbledore waited for them to subside before speaking again.  "No other student will leave the grounds, or the castle.  All fireplaces will be blocked, and owls will only be sent when absolutely necessary.  Until the threat is over, we will all stay here."  The murmurs were now slightly angry – many found it hard to believe that the headmaster would allow Harry to leave, and many were downright outraged that it seemed as if they were abandoning him.  He noticed Ginny and Ron Weasley, as well as Hermione Granger, staring at him with rage written all over their faces.  The rest of the Gryffindor table looked almost as mutinous. 

"Excuse me, headmaster, but shouldn't we be helping Harry?"  Someone from the Hufflepuff table asked loudly. 

"That is not what Harry would wish."  The headmaster said softly.  "Besides, there is nothing more we can do."

"But he's out there facing god-knows-how-many Death Eaters as well as Voldemort – how many Aurors have been sent?"  Someone demanded angrily.

"I believe that the ministry has sent around thirty Aurors to deal with the situation."

"And how many Death Eaters are there?"  Ginny burst out angrily.

"We believe that there is a team of around a hundred Deatheaters – possibly more."  The headmaster said.  "But I will not be sending any students into the battlefield.  A few of the teachers may be leaving, however."  For the first time, Dumbledore scanned the teacher's table, spotting an ashen looking Professor Lupin staring back at him. 

***

Remus, along with Professors Snape, Flitwick, Sinistra and Sprout, waited for Dumbledore in the Entrance Hall.  Each was silent, wondering what was going on behind the secure gates of Hogwarts.  The headmaster approached, looking old, strained.  Without the customary twinkle his eyes looked dull and deadened.  "Albus?"  Professor Flitwick asked, sounding nervous.

"I take it you five wish to go and fight?"

"We do."  They answered in unison.

"Very well.  I will accompany you."

"NO!"  All five declared at once.

"I will not abandon my grandson now.  If he wishes me to leave when we get there, I will, however until that time, I will be accompanying you."

"Grandson?"

"Indeed.  Harry is my great-grandson."

"Does he know?"

"He does."

"That's all we need – Potter's ego getting bigger."  Snape sneered.

"Severus!  You would do well to see Harry, not James."  Albus said.  "Right now, Harry is out there risking his life to fulfil a prophecy that he had no control over."

"A prophecy?"

"Later, we need to go."  Lupin said anxiously.  He didn't want to lose Harry the way he had lost James, Lily and Sirius.  He didn't want another generation of Potters to grow up without a father. 

"Indeed."  The headmaster agreed.  Remus studied the older man for a moment before uttering a soft gasp of horror – the headmasters face was a picture of helplessness.