Chapter 2: Get The Party Started
Ron was napping when Errol brought the other answers. Most of the Gryffindor students could come to the party. Ron took out his quill to write to Harry, saying that his father and he would be in Privet Drive at 5 pm the next day. He then decided to wait for Pig's return to send his letter. He so wanted to look at Hermione's letter, to see her handwriting on the enveloppe. He missed her so much. He was aching inside, not seeing her every day.
If only I could tell her... If only she could love me back... But how could she? I am just good ol' Ron, after all. I am nobody. I am not famous like Harry or Krum. The only thing I'm almost good at is Quidditch, but again, I'm no genius. I'm just poor, tall, lanky, red-haired Ronald Weasley. I am not clever like Hermione, or special at something like Harry is at Quidditch. I did not kill Voldemort, I did not save the world! I can play chess, that's all. I'll just have to bury my feelings inside because there's no hope for me. I'm not good enough for her. If only...
* * *
Ron was startled when Pig landed on his shoulder. He hadn't heard the owl come back. Pig had Hermione's letter in his beak; Ron took it immediately, then told Pig to eat something before taking the letter to Harry. Ron also told Pig to wait with Harry; Ron would take Pig home when he and his father picked Harry up the next day. Pig hooted and nodded his head. Ron climbed up the stairs and went to his bedroom. He closed the door behind him and sat on his bed, Hermione's letter in his hands. He looked at it and felt his heart burn and beat faster; he opened the letter and began to read it.
Dear Ron,
Thank you very much for your letter and your invitation. I am fine and everything is all right here. I think it's a very good idea to organize a party for Harry's birthday, he'll be delighted. I will, of course, come to the Burrow for the party. I should be there tomorrow in the afternoon. However, I must decline your invitation to stay for the whole month. I will therefore leave your house on the 3rd of August. I hope you're fine too.
See you tomorrow.
Love from your friend, Hermione
Ron's heart shattered.
She's not staying... She's not staying... She's leaving on the 3rd of August... She's not staying... Why isn't she staying? Is she going to Bulgaria to be with 'Vicky'? Does she not want to stay because of me, because she somehow knows that I am in love with her?
Ron's head was spinning and he put it between his legs, breathing hard. He had been so sure that she would come, and there he was now, alone on his bed, with Hermione's letter still clutched in his hand, telling him she would only stay for three days. He felt tears forming in his eyes and tried hard to hold them back but they fell anyway. He knew it was stupid to cry because of that - he would see her every day at school. Besides, they were both prefects, so they would spend even more time together... Together. Well, together with their friends, with Harry or the other prefects, or the other Gryffindor students. But not together alone. No, not together alone.
There was a knock at the door and someone entered without waiting for an answer. Ron quickly wiped his tears away, but Ginny saw them anyway. She looked at the letter he was holding in his hands and recognized Hermione's handwriting. She sat gingerly on the bed; Ron let his head hang between his knees.
"What makes you think you can just barge in here, Ginny?" said Ron angrily.
Ginny put her hand on his shoulder and then said "What's wrong, Ron?"
"Nothing."
"Ron, I can see for myself that's not true. Tell-"
"So what? You're not Mum!" he interrupted.
"No, I'm only your sister but I can tell you're unhappy. I just want to help y-"
"Help me? Help me?! Forget it, Ginny, 'cause you can't help me."
"At least I can try. Is it about Hermi-"
"You wanna help me?" asked Ron, standing up and looking at her.
She could see the tracks of his tears on his cheeks and his defeated air.
"You wanna help me?" he repeated.
"Yes!" she answered, standing up as well.
"Then leave me alone!" he yelled, " Just leave me alone!"
He left his room, leaving Hermione's letter on the bed. Ginny took it, read it, and understood her brother's outburst.
***
Ron did not say much of anything at dinner that evening, but yelled at Fred for one of his jokes, saying it wasn't funny. George began to tease his baby brother, but Fred managed to make his twin brother understand that Ron was not in a good mood to be teased and that something really seemed to be upsetting him. Later, Ginny tried to talk to her brother again, but Ron's bedroom door was locked from early in the evening until quite late the next morning.
***
At quarter to five in the evening, Hermione was not yet at the Burrow. The guests were due to arrive at 6pm. Ron and his father were waiting for Mrs. Weasley to return from Diagon Alley with more Floo powder. Fred and George were hanging streamers. Bill and Charlie were enchanting balloons: they flashed 'Happy Birthday, Harry'. Ginny was helping Percy to decorate the huge cake Mrs. Weasley had baked. Charlie was to enchant it as well, so it would float in the air during the party.
"What's wrong, so? You're unusually quiet," said Mr. Weasley, as he watched his other children.
"Nothing, dad, I'm alright."
"If you say so..." said Mr. Weasley, obviously thinking otherwise.
Ron was silent for a couple of minutes then asked, "Dad?"
"Mm?"
"How was it when you met... when you met Mum?"
"Ahh... When I met your mother... I met her at Hogwarts. I'd had a crush on her ever since I had laid my eyes on her. In my eyes, she was the prettiest girl. She had something special. I still think so. I was rude to her at first because... well, because she was a bit of Bossy Boots-" He winked at Ron. "But in fact, I was falling for her. I didn't dare tell her how I was feeling, she was one of my closest friends. She knew I fancied her, but she wouldn't make the first move - thought it was the boy's job-... I was afraid I was imagining things, and that she didn't fancy me at all, and I feared I could ruin our friendship. Then there was this Ball at school...' Mr. Weasley hesitated, a far away look in his eye as if he was reliving a lovely memory.
"What happened, Dad?" asked Ron.
"She went with another boy, because I hadn't asked her to come with me. We kept glancing at each other though. Then, I saw her laughing while dancing with her partner. That must have done the trick. I saw red and I went right at him. Told him to let go of your mother because she was my fiancée. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said 'I thought you'd never...' I asked her to marry me when we left school and we've never been apart since."
"Whew," said Ron. "Cool story."
"Yes, I think so. Can you imagine, if I had never made the first move, we probably wouldn't be talking about it... You wouldn't even exist! Nor would your siblings!"
Ron didn't say anything, but realized that if his father had been a coward like himself, he wouldn't be there wondering whether he should tell Hermione he loved her more than life itself.
***
Harry was in the middle of the Dursley's living room, sitting on his trunk. Hedwig was in her cage, most unhappy to be sharing it with Pig. Harry started when Ron appeared in the Fire place. Harry was pleased to see the Weasleys arrive, since he had been waiting for two hours. After greeting his friend and Mr. Weasley, Harry explained why he had been waiting alone.
"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley are in London. They've been invited by my uncle's boss. I'm glad you're here. It's good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too, mate!" said Ron, hugging Harry.
"I can't wait to get back where I belong. I hate not knowing what's happening in the Wizarding World!" laughed Harry, hugging Ron back. "Let's get going, I don't wanna stay here much longer."
Arthur Weasley started to help Harry put his trunk in the fire place. As Harry was looking away, Ron said to his father, "Not yet!"
Arthur nodded, and, looking at Harry, said, "Harry, could you tell me exactly what this is?"
Mr. Weasley was stalling for time. The guests had to be at the Burrow, and everything to be ready to surprise Harry when they arrived.
"Oh, that's the telly, Mr. Weasley."
"Really? How does it work?"
Mr. Weasley was delighted at the opportunity to touch Muggle things. He questioned Harry for a long time, asking about a variety of objects before Ron told his father, "Mmm, Dad, maybe we should go now!"
"Oh, alright, son," said Mr. Weasley reluctanctly. He was having so much fun.
What Ron didn't know, when he stepped into the fireplace, was that the night was going to be full of surprises for him, too.
***
It was pastquarter past six in the evening when they arrived. The Burrow was abnormally quiet and dark, much to Harry's surprise. He did not know that the guests were all hiding in the dark.
"Your mother's not here?" asked Harry.
"No, she should be home any minute now; she said she was going to Diagon Alley before we left to fetch you. She must have stopped by Fred and George's shop."
Harry nodded and took his trunk out of the fireplace. Mr. Weasley took Hedwig's cage while Harry and Ron followed behind, carrying the trunk. Ron's heart was pounding; Hermione was surely there, somewhere in the living-room, waiting with the others to yell 'SURPRISE!' when Harry came in. In less than a minute, he would see her face. Mr. Weasley took out his wand and pointed it at the ceiling.
"Ron, what is your father doing?"
In a loud voice, Mr. Weasley uttered a spell.
Suddenly, there was light everywhere and a crowd of people yelled 'SURPRISE!' Harry looked like he had been petrified by a basilisk. Hermione, Ginny, Dean, Seamus, Hagrid, Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George, Lee, Oliver, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Parvati and Padma Patil, Lavender, Neville, Charlie, Bill and Percy were standing in front of him. A streamer with the words 'Happy Birthday, Harry' hung from the ceiling. The balloons were flashing and confetti was falling constantly from out of nowhere.
"Ron... What... How... When...?" Harry stammered, his hair standing on end. Mrs. Weasley tutted and tried to flatten it down. Ron watched as his mother's eyes rested on Harry's scar. For a moment, she looked sad.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" said Ron with a broad smile.
Ron and Harry embraced.
"What about me?" said a voice behind Ron.
It was Hermione. She was wearing a pretty purple summer dress, and her hair was tied in a bun. Several locks of hair had strayed and were falling out in curls by her neck.
"Hermione!" exclaimed Harry.
They embraced. Harry had grown in the summer. He was taller than before, though not as tall as Ron. His green eyes were filled with tears and he looked everywhere around him. There were smiling faces all around. Everyone seemed to be happy, to be laughing, to be enjoying themselves. Hermione herself looked relaxed for once, Harry thought. Her dress was very pretty, and she was pretty. But not as pretty as Ginny.
Ginny was standing in a corner with her brothers, wearing a dress of deep green.
"It's good to see you!"he said, finally dragging his eyes away from Ginny to look at Hermione again.
"It's good to see you too! Happy birthday, Harry!"
"Thank you. Thank you for the beautiful card, too."
"You're welcome. I have your present here. I was about to send it when I received Ron's owl telling me about the party."
"It's such a surprise!" said Harry, looking everywhere around him, still in shock.
"I hope you like it, Harry, dear," said Mrs Weasley.
"You cannot imagine how happy I am, Mrs. Weasley. No one has ever done something like this for me," he anwered, tears in the eyes again.
Mrs. Weasley wanted to hug Harry but thought better, knowing he didn't like to be emotionnal.
" Come, there are loads of people who'd like to have a word or two with you. Then we'll eat and dance!"
Harry allowed himself to be led away by Mrs. Weasley. Hermione saw Fred enchanting several musical instruments and soon party music filled the room. She turned to face Ron. He was greeting Alicia Spinnet. Hermione walked towards him.
"Hello, Ron."
"Hermione. You... look very... very pretty."
"Thank you. I bought the dress just for the occasion.This was an excellent idea, Ron. I've never seen Harry look so happy."
"Yeah, he does look happy. But, you know, I can't take credit for it. It was Ginny's idea."
"Oh. But you helped, didn't you? You invited everyone! That's what Ginny told me, anyway."
"Well, yeah, that's true. I'm glad everyone could come. We're going to have fun."
"I certainly hope so. I see all your brothers could come, it's very nice of them," said Hermione, smiling at Bill.
A muscle clenched inside Ron's jaw when he saw his friend smiling at his brother, but Hermione did not see it. Instead he said, "Well, they all like Harry you know. He's like family to us."
Around them, people started to dance. Ron noticed that Harry was talking to Ginny and smiled. Hermione followed his gaze to see what he was looking at. She smiled too. Not far from them, Fred and George were serving drinks to the guests; Parvati was dancing with Dean and her twin sister Padma was dancing with Seamus. Crookshanks was chasing confetti. Mr. Weasley had taken Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage upstairs. A slow dance began to play, and Ron wondered if he should invite Hermione to dance. He definitely wanted to, but he did not have the nerve.
Hermione was still watching Harry and Ginny, who were chatting with Neville and Angelina. Mrs. Weasley was chatting with Hagrid. When Hermione turned her head to speak to Ron again, he was gone. She searched the room but couldn't see him anywhere. She suddenly felt stupid in her dress, when the other girls were wearing skirts or trousers. The one person she had wanted to impress was gone, and she was on her own. She decided to go get something to drink. She walked to Fred and George's table.
"Hello, Fred, George."
"Hey, 'Mione!" said Fred.
"Lost our brother, have you? We saw you chatting together," said George, winking at his twin.
"Well, it does look as if he's disappeared," added Fred, looking around.
"What? Not again! He's been very spooky these days," said George, pouring himself a glass of butterbear.
"Spooky?" asked Hermione, interested.
"Yes. Did not go out of his room from yesterday night to noon today. That's what Gin told us. Anyway... Want something to drink, Hermione?"
"What?" asked Hermione, still thinking about what the twins had just said. "Yes, er... Some pumpkin juice, please." They gave her a glass and she added, "I hope there is ONLY pumpkin juice in this glass."
Fred and George looked hurt, but Hermione knew better.
"Why, Hermione, how can you suspect us? Do you think we would put something in such good juice?" asked Fred, pretending to be offended.
"No one can ever know for sure, with you two,"she smiled, "but I'll be kind and trust you this time."
She took a sip and determined it was, in fact, pumpkin juice. She felt strange all of a sudden. But the feeling was gone in a flash and for a moment she thought she had only imagined it. Until she noticed one of her locks of hair. It was the exact same shade of purple as her dress. Fred and George were doing their best not to laugh.
"Fred! George!"
"Don't worry, Hermione. Look, your hair's back to normal already! Wasn't it a funny joke?"
Hermione looked furious at first but soon broke out laughing as well. She took another sip and changed her hair to purple again.
"I have to say," she admitted, looking at her hair as it turned back to normal again, "This is funny. Now tell me... is your mother still mad at you for leaving school and opening a joke shop in Diagon Alley? Ron wrote to me about it and said she was angry."
"Well, yes, she was," Fred sighed.
"But once she saw how happy we are, and how well we're doing, she calmed down a bit. She visits us once a week now."
"I'm glad things are settled. I was afraid your mum wouldn't let go that easily."
"Oh, she still talks to us about going back to school, but we don't want to. We are happy this way, and that's what matters, right? I hope you'll come by our shop, 'Mione."
"I will, I promise."
"Are you staying for the month as well? Harry is."
"Um, no. Ron invited me but I cannot stay. Speaking of Ron and Harry, I think I'll go try and find them. See you later."
Hermione went to talk to some of her friends and even accepted an offer to dance with Neville and Seamus. She also talked to Oliver Wood about his career. She searched the room to find Harry and Ron. Harry was alone, since Ginny was now dancing with Neville. Ron was nowhere to be seen. It was like he was avoiding her and she felt her stomach tie in knots. She decided to talk to Harry, who was still watching Ginny.
"Why don't you ask her to dance?"
Harry jumped; he had not heard Hermione approach.
"What? Well, I don't... I can't dance- you know that, Hermione."
"Oh come on Harry! I saw you dance at the Yule Ball last year, it wasn't that bad."
"Ask Parvati Patil's feet."
Just then, one of the Weird Sisters' hits, a slow song, began to play. Hermione took Harry's hand.
"Hermione!? What are you doing?"
"Come on, let me help you. If you practise a little, then you'll have the nerve to ask Ginny to dance with you, and you won't step on her feet."
Harry took Hermione in his arms and they began to dance. Harry wasn't a bad dancer, and Hermione was enjoying herself. She forgot about Ron for a minute and found herself really smiling.
"So what's up?" Harry asked.
"Nothing much."
"Ron told me you couldn't stay with us for the whole month."
"No, I've got to stay at home. My cousins are coming for a few days with my grandmother. And one of my Muggle friends is throwing a party for his birthday as well. And to tell you the truth, my parents would like to see more of me, although they will be leaving me alone for a week while they go to a dentist conference."
"Why don't you come and stay that week?"
"I did try to convince my parents, but they wouldn't hear of it. Besides, they want me to keep an eye on my other grand mother. She's been acting strangely these last few months. They said I could invite one friend or two, but that I had to stay in 'their' world for the whole summer holidays. I very much doubt that you'd like to come back to a Muggle house when you've just left one."
"Well, that's true..."
"And Ginny's here... ," added Hermione.
"Is it written all over my face that I find her stunningly pretty?"
"No, but I know you fancy her. It's obvious that you have feelings for her."
"Don't tell anyone."
"You can trust me, Harry, I'll be a tomb."
"It's just... I've been thinking about her all summer long. When she had a boyfriend last year, I was very jealous, you know."
"I know. Now that she's single again, you've got the opportunity to tell her how you're feeling. I'm sure she feels the same about you. I think that she really liked her boyfriend but maybe, I don't know, maybe she went out with him to make you jealous."
Harry looked at her incredulously.
"Did she tell you something?"
"No, not in so many words, no, but... when she broke up with Michael, she was sort of... relieved. I remember hearing her say that she was now finally free."
Harry didn't say anything, but looked for Ginny in the crowd. She was starring at him. She looked hurt. The song ended and Hermione let go of Harry.
"Well, it wasn't that bad. Come on, now. Go and ask her. I bet she's dying for you to do it."
He smiled at his friend and kissed her on the cheek. Then he was off to find Ginny. Hermione turned her head, looking for someone to talk to, hoping secretly to find Ron. But what she did not know was that Ron had been watching her and Harry from the staircase. He looked furious and sad at the same time. She didn't see him whirl around and disappear.
***
Author's Notes: All the Chapter Titles are Song Titles performed and written by Muggle artists. chapter 1: ''Feel', performed by Robbie Williams from the album 'Escapology' chapter 2: 'Get The Party Started' (L.Perry), performed by Pink, from Pink's album 'Missundaztood'
Ron was napping when Errol brought the other answers. Most of the Gryffindor students could come to the party. Ron took out his quill to write to Harry, saying that his father and he would be in Privet Drive at 5 pm the next day. He then decided to wait for Pig's return to send his letter. He so wanted to look at Hermione's letter, to see her handwriting on the enveloppe. He missed her so much. He was aching inside, not seeing her every day.
If only I could tell her... If only she could love me back... But how could she? I am just good ol' Ron, after all. I am nobody. I am not famous like Harry or Krum. The only thing I'm almost good at is Quidditch, but again, I'm no genius. I'm just poor, tall, lanky, red-haired Ronald Weasley. I am not clever like Hermione, or special at something like Harry is at Quidditch. I did not kill Voldemort, I did not save the world! I can play chess, that's all. I'll just have to bury my feelings inside because there's no hope for me. I'm not good enough for her. If only...
* * *
Ron was startled when Pig landed on his shoulder. He hadn't heard the owl come back. Pig had Hermione's letter in his beak; Ron took it immediately, then told Pig to eat something before taking the letter to Harry. Ron also told Pig to wait with Harry; Ron would take Pig home when he and his father picked Harry up the next day. Pig hooted and nodded his head. Ron climbed up the stairs and went to his bedroom. He closed the door behind him and sat on his bed, Hermione's letter in his hands. He looked at it and felt his heart burn and beat faster; he opened the letter and began to read it.
Dear Ron,
Thank you very much for your letter and your invitation. I am fine and everything is all right here. I think it's a very good idea to organize a party for Harry's birthday, he'll be delighted. I will, of course, come to the Burrow for the party. I should be there tomorrow in the afternoon. However, I must decline your invitation to stay for the whole month. I will therefore leave your house on the 3rd of August. I hope you're fine too.
See you tomorrow.
Love from your friend, Hermione
Ron's heart shattered.
She's not staying... She's not staying... She's leaving on the 3rd of August... She's not staying... Why isn't she staying? Is she going to Bulgaria to be with 'Vicky'? Does she not want to stay because of me, because she somehow knows that I am in love with her?
Ron's head was spinning and he put it between his legs, breathing hard. He had been so sure that she would come, and there he was now, alone on his bed, with Hermione's letter still clutched in his hand, telling him she would only stay for three days. He felt tears forming in his eyes and tried hard to hold them back but they fell anyway. He knew it was stupid to cry because of that - he would see her every day at school. Besides, they were both prefects, so they would spend even more time together... Together. Well, together with their friends, with Harry or the other prefects, or the other Gryffindor students. But not together alone. No, not together alone.
There was a knock at the door and someone entered without waiting for an answer. Ron quickly wiped his tears away, but Ginny saw them anyway. She looked at the letter he was holding in his hands and recognized Hermione's handwriting. She sat gingerly on the bed; Ron let his head hang between his knees.
"What makes you think you can just barge in here, Ginny?" said Ron angrily.
Ginny put her hand on his shoulder and then said "What's wrong, Ron?"
"Nothing."
"Ron, I can see for myself that's not true. Tell-"
"So what? You're not Mum!" he interrupted.
"No, I'm only your sister but I can tell you're unhappy. I just want to help y-"
"Help me? Help me?! Forget it, Ginny, 'cause you can't help me."
"At least I can try. Is it about Hermi-"
"You wanna help me?" asked Ron, standing up and looking at her.
She could see the tracks of his tears on his cheeks and his defeated air.
"You wanna help me?" he repeated.
"Yes!" she answered, standing up as well.
"Then leave me alone!" he yelled, " Just leave me alone!"
He left his room, leaving Hermione's letter on the bed. Ginny took it, read it, and understood her brother's outburst.
***
Ron did not say much of anything at dinner that evening, but yelled at Fred for one of his jokes, saying it wasn't funny. George began to tease his baby brother, but Fred managed to make his twin brother understand that Ron was not in a good mood to be teased and that something really seemed to be upsetting him. Later, Ginny tried to talk to her brother again, but Ron's bedroom door was locked from early in the evening until quite late the next morning.
***
At quarter to five in the evening, Hermione was not yet at the Burrow. The guests were due to arrive at 6pm. Ron and his father were waiting for Mrs. Weasley to return from Diagon Alley with more Floo powder. Fred and George were hanging streamers. Bill and Charlie were enchanting balloons: they flashed 'Happy Birthday, Harry'. Ginny was helping Percy to decorate the huge cake Mrs. Weasley had baked. Charlie was to enchant it as well, so it would float in the air during the party.
"What's wrong, so? You're unusually quiet," said Mr. Weasley, as he watched his other children.
"Nothing, dad, I'm alright."
"If you say so..." said Mr. Weasley, obviously thinking otherwise.
Ron was silent for a couple of minutes then asked, "Dad?"
"Mm?"
"How was it when you met... when you met Mum?"
"Ahh... When I met your mother... I met her at Hogwarts. I'd had a crush on her ever since I had laid my eyes on her. In my eyes, she was the prettiest girl. She had something special. I still think so. I was rude to her at first because... well, because she was a bit of Bossy Boots-" He winked at Ron. "But in fact, I was falling for her. I didn't dare tell her how I was feeling, she was one of my closest friends. She knew I fancied her, but she wouldn't make the first move - thought it was the boy's job-... I was afraid I was imagining things, and that she didn't fancy me at all, and I feared I could ruin our friendship. Then there was this Ball at school...' Mr. Weasley hesitated, a far away look in his eye as if he was reliving a lovely memory.
"What happened, Dad?" asked Ron.
"She went with another boy, because I hadn't asked her to come with me. We kept glancing at each other though. Then, I saw her laughing while dancing with her partner. That must have done the trick. I saw red and I went right at him. Told him to let go of your mother because she was my fiancée. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said 'I thought you'd never...' I asked her to marry me when we left school and we've never been apart since."
"Whew," said Ron. "Cool story."
"Yes, I think so. Can you imagine, if I had never made the first move, we probably wouldn't be talking about it... You wouldn't even exist! Nor would your siblings!"
Ron didn't say anything, but realized that if his father had been a coward like himself, he wouldn't be there wondering whether he should tell Hermione he loved her more than life itself.
***
Harry was in the middle of the Dursley's living room, sitting on his trunk. Hedwig was in her cage, most unhappy to be sharing it with Pig. Harry started when Ron appeared in the Fire place. Harry was pleased to see the Weasleys arrive, since he had been waiting for two hours. After greeting his friend and Mr. Weasley, Harry explained why he had been waiting alone.
"Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley are in London. They've been invited by my uncle's boss. I'm glad you're here. It's good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too, mate!" said Ron, hugging Harry.
"I can't wait to get back where I belong. I hate not knowing what's happening in the Wizarding World!" laughed Harry, hugging Ron back. "Let's get going, I don't wanna stay here much longer."
Arthur Weasley started to help Harry put his trunk in the fire place. As Harry was looking away, Ron said to his father, "Not yet!"
Arthur nodded, and, looking at Harry, said, "Harry, could you tell me exactly what this is?"
Mr. Weasley was stalling for time. The guests had to be at the Burrow, and everything to be ready to surprise Harry when they arrived.
"Oh, that's the telly, Mr. Weasley."
"Really? How does it work?"
Mr. Weasley was delighted at the opportunity to touch Muggle things. He questioned Harry for a long time, asking about a variety of objects before Ron told his father, "Mmm, Dad, maybe we should go now!"
"Oh, alright, son," said Mr. Weasley reluctanctly. He was having so much fun.
What Ron didn't know, when he stepped into the fireplace, was that the night was going to be full of surprises for him, too.
***
It was pastquarter past six in the evening when they arrived. The Burrow was abnormally quiet and dark, much to Harry's surprise. He did not know that the guests were all hiding in the dark.
"Your mother's not here?" asked Harry.
"No, she should be home any minute now; she said she was going to Diagon Alley before we left to fetch you. She must have stopped by Fred and George's shop."
Harry nodded and took his trunk out of the fireplace. Mr. Weasley took Hedwig's cage while Harry and Ron followed behind, carrying the trunk. Ron's heart was pounding; Hermione was surely there, somewhere in the living-room, waiting with the others to yell 'SURPRISE!' when Harry came in. In less than a minute, he would see her face. Mr. Weasley took out his wand and pointed it at the ceiling.
"Ron, what is your father doing?"
In a loud voice, Mr. Weasley uttered a spell.
Suddenly, there was light everywhere and a crowd of people yelled 'SURPRISE!' Harry looked like he had been petrified by a basilisk. Hermione, Ginny, Dean, Seamus, Hagrid, Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George, Lee, Oliver, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Parvati and Padma Patil, Lavender, Neville, Charlie, Bill and Percy were standing in front of him. A streamer with the words 'Happy Birthday, Harry' hung from the ceiling. The balloons were flashing and confetti was falling constantly from out of nowhere.
"Ron... What... How... When...?" Harry stammered, his hair standing on end. Mrs. Weasley tutted and tried to flatten it down. Ron watched as his mother's eyes rested on Harry's scar. For a moment, she looked sad.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" said Ron with a broad smile.
Ron and Harry embraced.
"What about me?" said a voice behind Ron.
It was Hermione. She was wearing a pretty purple summer dress, and her hair was tied in a bun. Several locks of hair had strayed and were falling out in curls by her neck.
"Hermione!" exclaimed Harry.
They embraced. Harry had grown in the summer. He was taller than before, though not as tall as Ron. His green eyes were filled with tears and he looked everywhere around him. There were smiling faces all around. Everyone seemed to be happy, to be laughing, to be enjoying themselves. Hermione herself looked relaxed for once, Harry thought. Her dress was very pretty, and she was pretty. But not as pretty as Ginny.
Ginny was standing in a corner with her brothers, wearing a dress of deep green.
"It's good to see you!"he said, finally dragging his eyes away from Ginny to look at Hermione again.
"It's good to see you too! Happy birthday, Harry!"
"Thank you. Thank you for the beautiful card, too."
"You're welcome. I have your present here. I was about to send it when I received Ron's owl telling me about the party."
"It's such a surprise!" said Harry, looking everywhere around him, still in shock.
"I hope you like it, Harry, dear," said Mrs Weasley.
"You cannot imagine how happy I am, Mrs. Weasley. No one has ever done something like this for me," he anwered, tears in the eyes again.
Mrs. Weasley wanted to hug Harry but thought better, knowing he didn't like to be emotionnal.
" Come, there are loads of people who'd like to have a word or two with you. Then we'll eat and dance!"
Harry allowed himself to be led away by Mrs. Weasley. Hermione saw Fred enchanting several musical instruments and soon party music filled the room. She turned to face Ron. He was greeting Alicia Spinnet. Hermione walked towards him.
"Hello, Ron."
"Hermione. You... look very... very pretty."
"Thank you. I bought the dress just for the occasion.This was an excellent idea, Ron. I've never seen Harry look so happy."
"Yeah, he does look happy. But, you know, I can't take credit for it. It was Ginny's idea."
"Oh. But you helped, didn't you? You invited everyone! That's what Ginny told me, anyway."
"Well, yeah, that's true. I'm glad everyone could come. We're going to have fun."
"I certainly hope so. I see all your brothers could come, it's very nice of them," said Hermione, smiling at Bill.
A muscle clenched inside Ron's jaw when he saw his friend smiling at his brother, but Hermione did not see it. Instead he said, "Well, they all like Harry you know. He's like family to us."
Around them, people started to dance. Ron noticed that Harry was talking to Ginny and smiled. Hermione followed his gaze to see what he was looking at. She smiled too. Not far from them, Fred and George were serving drinks to the guests; Parvati was dancing with Dean and her twin sister Padma was dancing with Seamus. Crookshanks was chasing confetti. Mr. Weasley had taken Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage upstairs. A slow dance began to play, and Ron wondered if he should invite Hermione to dance. He definitely wanted to, but he did not have the nerve.
Hermione was still watching Harry and Ginny, who were chatting with Neville and Angelina. Mrs. Weasley was chatting with Hagrid. When Hermione turned her head to speak to Ron again, he was gone. She searched the room but couldn't see him anywhere. She suddenly felt stupid in her dress, when the other girls were wearing skirts or trousers. The one person she had wanted to impress was gone, and she was on her own. She decided to go get something to drink. She walked to Fred and George's table.
"Hello, Fred, George."
"Hey, 'Mione!" said Fred.
"Lost our brother, have you? We saw you chatting together," said George, winking at his twin.
"Well, it does look as if he's disappeared," added Fred, looking around.
"What? Not again! He's been very spooky these days," said George, pouring himself a glass of butterbear.
"Spooky?" asked Hermione, interested.
"Yes. Did not go out of his room from yesterday night to noon today. That's what Gin told us. Anyway... Want something to drink, Hermione?"
"What?" asked Hermione, still thinking about what the twins had just said. "Yes, er... Some pumpkin juice, please." They gave her a glass and she added, "I hope there is ONLY pumpkin juice in this glass."
Fred and George looked hurt, but Hermione knew better.
"Why, Hermione, how can you suspect us? Do you think we would put something in such good juice?" asked Fred, pretending to be offended.
"No one can ever know for sure, with you two,"she smiled, "but I'll be kind and trust you this time."
She took a sip and determined it was, in fact, pumpkin juice. She felt strange all of a sudden. But the feeling was gone in a flash and for a moment she thought she had only imagined it. Until she noticed one of her locks of hair. It was the exact same shade of purple as her dress. Fred and George were doing their best not to laugh.
"Fred! George!"
"Don't worry, Hermione. Look, your hair's back to normal already! Wasn't it a funny joke?"
Hermione looked furious at first but soon broke out laughing as well. She took another sip and changed her hair to purple again.
"I have to say," she admitted, looking at her hair as it turned back to normal again, "This is funny. Now tell me... is your mother still mad at you for leaving school and opening a joke shop in Diagon Alley? Ron wrote to me about it and said she was angry."
"Well, yes, she was," Fred sighed.
"But once she saw how happy we are, and how well we're doing, she calmed down a bit. She visits us once a week now."
"I'm glad things are settled. I was afraid your mum wouldn't let go that easily."
"Oh, she still talks to us about going back to school, but we don't want to. We are happy this way, and that's what matters, right? I hope you'll come by our shop, 'Mione."
"I will, I promise."
"Are you staying for the month as well? Harry is."
"Um, no. Ron invited me but I cannot stay. Speaking of Ron and Harry, I think I'll go try and find them. See you later."
Hermione went to talk to some of her friends and even accepted an offer to dance with Neville and Seamus. She also talked to Oliver Wood about his career. She searched the room to find Harry and Ron. Harry was alone, since Ginny was now dancing with Neville. Ron was nowhere to be seen. It was like he was avoiding her and she felt her stomach tie in knots. She decided to talk to Harry, who was still watching Ginny.
"Why don't you ask her to dance?"
Harry jumped; he had not heard Hermione approach.
"What? Well, I don't... I can't dance- you know that, Hermione."
"Oh come on Harry! I saw you dance at the Yule Ball last year, it wasn't that bad."
"Ask Parvati Patil's feet."
Just then, one of the Weird Sisters' hits, a slow song, began to play. Hermione took Harry's hand.
"Hermione!? What are you doing?"
"Come on, let me help you. If you practise a little, then you'll have the nerve to ask Ginny to dance with you, and you won't step on her feet."
Harry took Hermione in his arms and they began to dance. Harry wasn't a bad dancer, and Hermione was enjoying herself. She forgot about Ron for a minute and found herself really smiling.
"So what's up?" Harry asked.
"Nothing much."
"Ron told me you couldn't stay with us for the whole month."
"No, I've got to stay at home. My cousins are coming for a few days with my grandmother. And one of my Muggle friends is throwing a party for his birthday as well. And to tell you the truth, my parents would like to see more of me, although they will be leaving me alone for a week while they go to a dentist conference."
"Why don't you come and stay that week?"
"I did try to convince my parents, but they wouldn't hear of it. Besides, they want me to keep an eye on my other grand mother. She's been acting strangely these last few months. They said I could invite one friend or two, but that I had to stay in 'their' world for the whole summer holidays. I very much doubt that you'd like to come back to a Muggle house when you've just left one."
"Well, that's true..."
"And Ginny's here... ," added Hermione.
"Is it written all over my face that I find her stunningly pretty?"
"No, but I know you fancy her. It's obvious that you have feelings for her."
"Don't tell anyone."
"You can trust me, Harry, I'll be a tomb."
"It's just... I've been thinking about her all summer long. When she had a boyfriend last year, I was very jealous, you know."
"I know. Now that she's single again, you've got the opportunity to tell her how you're feeling. I'm sure she feels the same about you. I think that she really liked her boyfriend but maybe, I don't know, maybe she went out with him to make you jealous."
Harry looked at her incredulously.
"Did she tell you something?"
"No, not in so many words, no, but... when she broke up with Michael, she was sort of... relieved. I remember hearing her say that she was now finally free."
Harry didn't say anything, but looked for Ginny in the crowd. She was starring at him. She looked hurt. The song ended and Hermione let go of Harry.
"Well, it wasn't that bad. Come on, now. Go and ask her. I bet she's dying for you to do it."
He smiled at his friend and kissed her on the cheek. Then he was off to find Ginny. Hermione turned her head, looking for someone to talk to, hoping secretly to find Ron. But what she did not know was that Ron had been watching her and Harry from the staircase. He looked furious and sad at the same time. She didn't see him whirl around and disappear.
***
Author's Notes: All the Chapter Titles are Song Titles performed and written by Muggle artists. chapter 1: ''Feel', performed by Robbie Williams from the album 'Escapology' chapter 2: 'Get The Party Started' (L.Perry), performed by Pink, from Pink's album 'Missundaztood'
