Ron heard the dormitory door open and turned to look. In walked Harry. He turned away in disgust.
'Look, Ron I think we need to talk,' Harry said, standing in front of his friend.
'Like what? That I shouldn't try to take on a big man like you again?' Ron asked sarcastically. 'I mean, I know I'm nothing in comparison to you-know-who so I should be put in my place.'
'I'm sorry Ron, I shouldn't have said that. But I was angry,' Harry apologized.
'Why?' Ron asked. 'What had I done to you to make you so angry?'
Harry sighed. 'It was what you were doing with Claire.'
Ron frowned. 'But...you were playing too. You wanted to.'
'Yes, I wanted to play. But I didn't like seeing you getting off with Claire...and the other things you were doing...'
Ron looked at Harry, confused.
'Don't you get it Ron? I like Claire!'
'Of course you do,' Ron said. 'Claire's our friend.'
'No, I mean I like Claire!' Harry exclaimed.
Something clicked in Ron's brain. 'Ohhh...you...like...Claire. Claire? You like Claire?'
Harry nodded. He didn't like Ron's reaction.
'I guess that explains a few things, why didn't you tell me?' Ron asked.
'Because you do to, I thought you would be angry,' Harry explained.
'Well...I'm not exactly happy about it, but I suppose it's better than you doing what you did last night for no reason,' Ron said slowly. 'But Harry, there's one thing I need to know...does she like you too?'
'I don't know,' Harry said, sitting down next to his friend. 'I mean, sometimes I think she does but then...well like last night, we were kissing, and she suddenly walked off. It's confusing...and the thing is, I really like her...'
'I know, she's special isn't she?' Ron said.
'Yeah,' Harry agreed. 'She's so pretty. I love her eyes, and how her hair shines in the light, and I just want to run my hands through it, and the way she smiles...I'm sorry, is this too weird?'
'No,' Ron shook his head. 'I know just how you feel. Have you noticed that cute little grin that she gives you, like you're in on a conspiracy together or something, that makes you feel like you're the only guy in the room...'
'Yeah...' Harry sighed. 'You know what, I love her legs. It's like they go on forever...'
'I prefer her chest...' Ron grinned. 'So we're mates then?'
'Sure,' Harry smiled. He put out his hand, and Ron shook it.
'So you two are friends again then?' Hermione observed when they were sitting in the common room talking that evening.
'Well noticed Hermione,' Ron said sarcastically.
'Sunday tomorrow,' Harry sighed. 'I hate Sundays. The next day is Monday.'
'Yeah,' Hermione agreed.
'Wow, didn't think I'd ever hear you agree to a statement like that,' Claire said with mock surprise.
'Well I always worry on Sunday about not getting my homework done on time,' Hermione said seriously.
'I don't think that'll ever be a problem for you,' Ron said, copying her tone.
'Hey, is it the 10th tomorrow?' Claire asked.
'Yup,' Hermione said.
'One month until my birthday tomorrow!' Claire smiled.
'Really?' Harry asked.
'Yup,' Claire nodded.
Wheels began to turn in Harry's head. He was going to make this Claire's best birthday ever, somehow.
Things were a little weird between Harry and Ron. Harry could feel the slight tension of rivalry, but since they had shared their feelings about Claire, he felt like they understood each other a little better, and at least they were friends. The next few days passed well. Harry felt genuinely more happy than he had in a long time. Though he wasn't sure if Claire liked him, he was sure she was flirting with him.
Things all seemed to be going well until a couple of weeks before Claire's birthday. They were sitting in Defense against the Dark Arts. Professor Weasley was writing notes on the board for them to copy down about the practical exercise they would soon be doing. There was an unexpected knock on the door.
'Come in!' Professor Weasley called. In walked Snape. 'Serverus!' Professor Weasley exclaimed happily.
'Annabelle,' Severus greeted, but he looked solemn. 'I need to speak with my niece.'
'Of course,' Professor Weasley said. 'Is everything alright Severus?'
Snape did not answer, but waited for Claire to get out of her seat, and walk over to him. He swept from the room, and she followed, looking bewildered.
'I wonder what's going on,' Ron whispered to Harry.
Professor Weasley seemed a little shaken and acted a little weird for the rest of the lesson. Claire did not return. After Defense against the Dark Arts, they had a free period. Harry, Hermione and Ron went up to the common room, to see if Claire was there. Sure enough she was, writing a Charms essay.
'Claire, is everything okay?' Hermione asked, as they all sat down around their friend.
'Um, well the reason Uncle Severus took me out of the lesson was because...my mother's died,' Claire said gravely.
Hermione gasped. Ron looked shocked.
'Oh Claire, I'm so sorry,' Harry said.
'Thanks,' Claire smiled weakly, and then carried on writing her essay.
Hermione, Ron and Harry looked at each other, confused.
'Um, Claire, are you sure you're okay?' Hermione asked.
Claire shrugged.
'You're handling this very well,' Ron said.
'Yeah,' Harry agreed. 'You shouldn't bottle up how you feel.' He longed just to hold her in his arms, and take away all her pain. He would do anything keep Claire from experiencing pain.
'I'm not bottling up how I feel. I am upset. Really I am. But it feels like...an Aunt that I didn't know very well has died. Do you know what I mean?' Claire said, looking at them all in turn.
'Um, not really,' Hermione admitted.
'Well, I've never been very close to my mother. It's always been Uncle Severus that's been my family. If he were dead, I would be devastated. But my mother? She's never been that much of an important part of my life.' Claire said seriously.
'Wow. That's nearly as sad as if you were devastated,' Ron said, a little shocked.
'I think I need a little time alone,' Claire said, getting to her feet. She walked up to the dormitory.
Harry got the chance to talk to Claire alone later that evening, when she came back into the common room.
'Hi,' he smiled at her.
'Hey,' she said back.
'You okay?' Harry asked.
'Yeah, pretty much,' Claire sighed. 'I mean, I know we weren't very close but it's still pretty weird losing your mother.'
'I guess,' Harry said.
'I'm sorry, that was thoughtless of me,' Claire said. 'At least I knew my mother.'
'Don't worry about it,' Harry said.
'You must think I'm so...heartless. I mean...'
'Of course I don't think you're heartless!' Harry exclaimed.
'Well, no not heartless maybe. But...well you never even knew your mother, and I don't even seem to care that mine's dead, do you know what you mean?'
'I know what you mean...' Harry said slowly. 'But I'm sure you do care, just not as much as if you two had been really close. In a way I feel the same, it's not so much that I'm upset about my parents being dead because I never knew them, it's more that I never got a chance to know them.'
Claire nodded. 'It's strange isn't it? That both of our parents are dead I mean. And we live with our Uncles.'
'Yeah, it is,' Harry agreed. 'I think it's good because we can understand each other well.'
Claire smiled. 'We do seem to have a bit of a connection.'
Harry wondered if she meant a friendship connection or something else. He was glad she was smiling again. She looked so pretty in the flickering firelight. He felt a familiar stirring of butterflies in his stomach. Perhaps Claire sensed a change in Harry's mood, because she got to her feet, and announced she was going to bed. Harry stood up.
'Goodnight Claire. If you need anything...'
'Thanks Harry,' Claire smiled. The hugged, and Harry wished he never had to let go.
Now especially Harry wanted to do something really special for Claire's birthday. Lying in bed, he thought hard about it. He began to form ideas in his head, but he knew he would have to go into Hogsmeade to purchase some things that he needed. Luckily there was a trip coming up soon for people to buy Christmas presents before they broke up for Christmas. The bad bit was it was only a few days before Claire's birthday. Harry knew there was no margin for error.
The morning of Claire's birthday, Harry and Ron were waiting eagerly for her in the common room with her presents. It wasn't long before she and Hermione came down their dormitory stairs.
'Happy birthday!' Harry and Ron exclaimed at the same time.
'Thank you!' Claire said. 'Look what Hermione gave me,' she said. In her hand was a beautifully made friendship bracelet.
'Wow, that's really nice Hermione,' Harry said.
Claire and Hermione sat down with their two friends.
'Here you are Claire,' Ron said. He handed Claire a wrapped, square present.
Claire opened it eagerly. She revealed a rather expensive looking box of chocolates that had two flavors and changed half way through eating them.
'Wow, thanks Ron!' Claire said, and hugged him. 'These look really nice.'
Ron looked pleased, and almost smug about Claire's positive reaction, and Harry wondered for a moment if Ron felt like there was rivalry between them.
'Oh, here's my present,' Harry said, snapping out of his thoughts, and handed his carefully wrapped present to Claire.
'Thanks Harry,' she smiled. She pulled off the wrapping paper to reveal a beautiful white dress, which sparkled silver in the light.
Claire's eyes lit up, and her mouth opened in surprise.
'Wow Harry, you shouldn't have...'
She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. Harry felt a warm glow inside.
'You guys are so great,' Claire said, looking around at her three friends. 'I can't believe I've made such good friends.' She met Harry's eye and gave him a heart-stopping smile.
Later, Harry and most of Gryffindor were hidden in the common room waiting for Claire. She'd gone to see her Uncle, and had been gone for a long time, which was good because they'd had plenty of time to get everything ready. It seemed like they were waiting for her forever, but finally the portrait swung open.
'Hello?' Harry heard Claire's voice.
She switched on the lights, and for a moment Harry saw an expression on Claire's face that made it look like something terrible had happened. But then everyone jumped out and yelled,
'Surprise,' and the look was replaced one of surprise and happiness.
'Oh thank you everyone, this is such a surprise,' Claire smiled.
'Well you know who it was down to, don't you,' Hermione said. 'Harry.'
'Thanks Harry!' Claire said, hugging him.
Harry smiled at her, but something felt wrong. Her smile almost looked a little forced. But Harry's unease was wiped from his mind as the party swept on. Someone put on some music, and Claire held out a new broomstick!
'Look what Uncle Severus gave me,' she said proudly. 'Isn't it amazing? Oh, and he gave me this from Annabelle.'
She showed them a big, fluffy teddy bear.
Harry had set up a table in the middle of the common room, which was covered in all of Claire's favorite foods. The room was beautifully decorated.
'Harry, this is amazing,' Claire said, looking round. 'I can't believe you've done all this for me.'
'It was nothing,' Harry said bashfully.
'Hey, I've got an idea,' Claire said, and ran up to her dormitory. She came back a couple of minutes later wearing the dress Harry had bought her. Harry gulped. Se looked so beautiful it hurt. Quite literally, for he felt a longing desire stirring in him, and when he looked down he realised there was a bulge in his trousers.
'It's lovely Harry,' Claire smiled, walking over to him.
'What! Oh the dress...' Harry quickly pulled Claire over to the window, so she didn't notice his embarrassing problem.
'What's going on Harry?' Claire asked.
'Wait and see!' Harry said. He opened the windows, and signaled to Hagrid, who was down on the grounds below. Hagrid signaled back, and then set off the fireworks Harry had selected. It was a beautiful, sparkling display against the dark night sky. The fireworks were shaped like all different things, stars, moons, owls, dragons, but Claire noticed there seemed to be particularly a lot of heart shaped ones. The last firework to go up spelt out 'Happy Birthday Claire'. While the amazing display was going on, Harry managed to 'calm himself down' much to his relief.
'Oh Harry,' Claire turned to him. 'I can't believe you've gone to so much trouble. This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me. Thank you so much. I...I...' Suddenly Claire's voice choked, and she looked as though she was going to cry.
'Claire?' Harry asked with concern. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing,' Claire said, composing herself. 'No reason I shouldn't enjoy this wonderful party anyway. I'll talk to you about it later.'
'Okay...' Harry said, but he was worried. What was wrong with Claire? He had wanted to make this day perfect for her, and yet she was upset about something. This wasn't right.
Harry looked over at Claire, who had walked over to the food table, and was talking and laughing with Neville and Seamus. She looked perfectly happy, and Harry felt a little better. Hermione approached Harry.
'Are you okay?' she asked.
'Yeah,' Harry said reluctantly. 'It's just, I wanted this day to be perfect for Claire...I'm just hoping it is.'
'Oh Harry,' Hermione sighed. 'You know, Claire talks to me a lot. Things have been tough for her with her mum and everything...and the thing is, you've made everything much easier for her. You've made her see that there are people there for her other than her Uncle.'
Harry smiled. 'Thanks Hermione. You're right.'
A short while later, the music suddenly stopped and Harry's voice sounded loudly from one side of the room.
'Well everyone, clear your throats because it's time for some karoke!' He was talking into a wireless microphone that somehow seemed to be transmitting in surround sound. Everyone apart from Claire evidently knew about this because they all gave a cheer as if this was what they'd been waiting for. Hermione was up first, and she tapped the microphone with her wand, and it started playing music. It was a pretty, slow song, and everyone was surprised at how nicely Hermione could sing. She met Claire's eye and smiled when she sung the words "I will not abandon you my precious friend". Claire smiled back.
Harry walked over to Claire.
'I love kareoke,' she whispered to him. 'How did you know?'
'A good guess I suppose,' Harry grinned.
'I can do my special number,' Claire said eagerly. 'I practice every time I have a shower.'
Harry couldn't wait to hear Claire sing now he had this mental image.
When Hermione had finished, everyone clapped, and she smiled shyly. Next up was Seamus, who sung Fool Again. He wasn't quite Westlife, but he wasn't bad. The magic microphone then started to play a faster tune; Ginny was the next one to sing Overprotected.
'Is she trying to say something?' Ron whispered, frowning. He gave her a strange look as she handed him the microphone. He then tapped it with his wand, and his chosen song begun to play. It was Don't You Want Me Baby. Harry wondered if this was supposed to mean anything, Ron did seem to be singing in their direction. But Harry begun to feel nervous as it begun to get to the end of the song, because he knew that he was up next. He had been practicing ever since he had planned the kareoke, but he still wasn't sure if was confident enough to sing in front of all his friends. But now, there was no time to chicken out because Ron was handing him the microphone. Harry went and stood in the clear space that made a sort of 'stage' and tapped the microphone with his wand. The music begun to play, and he begun to sing. At first, he was terrified, everyone was watching him, listening to his singing and judging him. But he sought out Claire with his eyes and started to sing to her, and soon he felt as though there was no one else in the room.
'Never knew I could feel like this,
Like I've never seen the sky before,
Want to vanish inside your kiss,
Everyday I love you more, and more,
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings,
Telling me to give you everything,
Seasons may change, winter to spring,
But I love you, until the end of time,
Come what may, come what may,
I will love you until my dying day.
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place,
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you,
And there's no mountain too high,
No river too wide,
Sing out this song,
And I'll be there by your side,
Storm clouds may gather,
Stars may collide,
But I love you until the end of time
Come what may, come what may,
I will love you,
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place,
Come what may, come what may,
I will love you until my dying day.'
It felt like an eternity later, but finally Harry's song ended. It was a relief, and a big smile took over his face as everyone burst into applause. As Harry handed the magic microphone to Claire, she smiled at him, and said quietly,
'That was amazing Harry. Very emotional.'
Harry grinned.
Claire tapped the microphone, and it begun to play a slow, sweet tune. Then Claire began to sing. Harry gasped at the sound of her voice. It was harmonic and beautiful, and sent tingles running through his body. He watched her, engrossed and taken out of him by her voice. In his mind, they were dancing, and she was singing, and then he was leaning in to kiss her...
'Have you ever had a friend that never let you down,
Right by your side every night and day,
Always hear you when you're calling,
Catch you when you're falling,
Have somebody show you the way,
It's okay, now I know there is a love for everyone,
I will go on with you here by my side,
You are the one I wanna love,
You are the one I'm dreaming of,
Whenever I'm down and feeling lonely,
You are there to hold me,
With you all my troubles are gone,
You are the one I wanna love,
You are the one I'm dreaming of,
Whenever I'm down and feeling lonely
You are there to hold me,
With you all my troubles are gone.
Have you ever had a dream or fantasy?
Do you believe that love will come your way?
Always there to see you smiling,
Hold you when you're crying,
Tell you everything is all right,
It's okay, now I know there is a love for everyone,
I will go on with you here by my side,
You are the one I wanna love,
You are the one I'm dreaming of,
Whenever I'm down and feeling lonely,
You are there to hold me,
With you all my troubles are gone.
You are the one I wanna love,
You are the one I'm dreaming of,
Whenever I'm down and feeling lonely
You are there to hold me,
With you all my troubles are gone
And if you ever need me,
There's nothing I won't do,
Believe me it's true,
(Suddenly the music begun to change...)
You are the one, my only one,
I do believe in you and me,
So what can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
Far beyond the hazy borders of my heart,
I can see a place; it's something like this,
Every now and then I don't know what to do,
Still I know that I can never go back.
All those thing things I've seen in those hazy dreams,
Can't compare to what I'm seeing now,
Everything's so different; it just brings me to my knees.
And oh I know the world of real emotion,
Has surrounded me, I won't give into it,
Now I know that road is the only way my heart can go,
I hear your voice calling out to me; you'll never be alone.
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can hear you.
And if I find the real without the emotion,
Has surrounded me, and I won't go on,
You are there, the moment that I close my eyes,
You comfort me, we are connected,
For all of time, I'll never be alone.
And oh I know the world of real emotion,
Was surrounding me, I won't give into it,
Now I know that road is the only way my heart can go,
I hear your voice calling out to me; you'll never be alone,
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
What can I do for you?
I can hear you,
I can hear you.
The song ended, and everyone burst into applause. It was by far the loudest applause there had been, and there was much cheering and whooping. Claire smiled genuinely but slightly shyly, and said into the microphone over the clapping,
'I wrote that last one myself.'
Claire handed the microphone to the next person, and tried to make her way over to Harry, but she was bombarded by people telling her how brilliant she was. Finally she got over to Harry though, who for a moment, was speechless.
'Well..?' she asked. 'Everyone's been telling me I was great, but I think they're probably just trying to be nice because it's my birthday.'
'You were...you were...amazing!' Harry proclaimed.
Claire blushed.
'Thanks Harry.'