Disclaimer: I think it's quite obvious by my writing that I'm not the great J.K. Rowling, and therefore I don't own Harry Potter, or anything else you recognize.
I hope you're all happy with this b/c it is really nice and long.
To my reviewers:
Potter and the Weasley: Thanks for reading my story, and here is an update.
Tofty: I hope you like this chapter. ;-)
HGandRHrforever: glad you think my story is interesting. I hope you like the story
Lightening Bolt: Wow. Thanks for the complements. Here's an update for your 'addiction'.
Fuzzyspaz: Thanks for your reviews. I'm glad you like my story. I liked the hearing too. I almost cried when I wrote it though.
Shdurrani: Glad you like my story. Hope you like the update.
Silver Warrior: Yeah. I had to have Harry tell someone, and Remus and Neville deserved to know so…
If anyone finds any problems in this chapter please let me know in a review so I can fix it.
Chapter 11
After over two hours on a broomstick Harry, Neville, Remus, and the rest of the guard touched down at Number Twelve. Harry looked up at the house that had once belonged to Sirius Black, his father's best friend. It was lit up only by a street light on the corner. Harry guessed that it was about three in the morning. He glanced over and saw Mad-Eye Moody handing a piece of paper to Neville, and motioning for him to read it, much the same as he had done with Harry the previous year. Harry clearly remembered last summer when he had been brought here, and asked to do the same thing. Harry looked over and saw Moody burning the piece of paper, and was guessing that Neville was seeing Number Twelve being added into the line of houses in front of them.
"Hurry up everyone, whispered Moody gruffly. "Get inside the house before someone sees us."
Moody ushered everyone into the dark house. Once inside, Harry looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings. Harry heard Neville gasp beside him. He figured that Neville was thinking the same thing he had thought upon entering the house for the first time. 'Why were they in a house that looked like it belonged to extremely dark wizards?'
"Oh my goodness!" shrieked a woman's voice. The entire party turned around to see a nearly hysterical Molly Weasley sprinting towards them. "Harry you're okay!" cried Molly as she engulfed Harry in a huge Weasley hug.
Harry heard Fred mutter, "Jeez mum, you're going to kill him."
Harry was grateful for Mrs. Weasley's concern; however Fred was right, she was crushing him. Mrs. Weasley didn't seem to notice though, as she kept her hold on Harry.
"Molly, you have to let Harry breathe," said Remus, while gently prying Harry from her grip. Harry smiled gratefully at him.
"I think the boys need to rest. They have an appointment with Dumbledore at noon tomorrow, and I believe it would be helpful if they were awake for it," said Kingsley.
"Oh yes," said Mrs. Weasley before turning to Neville for the first time. "Hello Neville dear, I'm Molly Weasley. I'm very happy to have you at-well it's Harry's house really, but we're using it as headquarters."
Neville nodded, looking simply relieved that he did not have to receive a Weasley hug.
"The boys are tired. Harry and Neville, for tonight you will sleep in Fred and George's room, so as not to wake the others. Tomorrow we will set up another bed in Harry and Ron's room for Neville," said Tonks sleepily.
Neville followed Harry up the stairs and into Fred and George's room. Fred and George had already apparated up there. Once they had gotten changed in other bedclothes, three boys fell asleep instantly. Harry watched them, and then proceeded to clear his mind. Once his mind had been cleared, Harry lay down, and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
The next morning Harry woke up at about 10:30. He looked around the room wondering where he was for a moment, before the memories of the night before came flooding back. He was finally at Grimmauld Place with his friends. He looked around, and saw that George was already awake.
"Morning Harry," George said cheerily. "Want to help me wake up these two lumps?"
Harry noticed the evil glint in his eye and was wary, however George had already filled two buckets of water. He handed one to Harry.
"On the count of three Harry," George said. "One. Two. Three!"
Harry hesitated. George however, dumped the whole bucket over his twin's head. Fred woke up sputtering. Harry laughed, and then dumped his bucket over Neville's head.
"What the hell!" exclaimed Fred angrily. Harry and George were both laughing at how funny Fred looked, and they didn't see Neville pick up an empty bucket and magically fill it back up again.
"OY!" cried George as Neville emptied the entire bucket over George's head. Harry, Fred, and Neville laughed.
"Nice one Longbottom," commented Fred. Then he turned to Harry. "Harry, I've just noticed that you seem to be the only person in the room who's still dry." With that, Fred proceeded to refill a bucket of water and pour it over Harry's head. "Now that we've all woken up I suggest we take a trip down to the kitchen to see if mum's got any food leftover from breakfast."
The four boys made their way down to the kitchen. They stopped in the doorway however, when they heard worried voices. They loded in and saw Ron, Hermione, and to Harry's pleasure, Ginny huddled up around the table talking.
Hermione, Ron and Ginny looked at the Daily Prophet worriedly.
"How did this happen?" Hermione asked Ron. "They escaped just last night. Even Snape doesn't know where they went. What if they've gone to the Dursley's house?"
"Well that's why Dumbledore has decided to sent me here," replied right behind her, making Hermione, Ron, and Ginny jump.
"Harry mate!" shouted Ron. "What are you doing here?"
"Real nice mate," said Harry, pretending to be angry.
"Harry!" cried Hermione getting up to hug him. She stopped immediately though and looked at him. "Eww Harry, you're all wet. What on Earth did you do?"
"That's what I get for sharing a room with those three," Harry replied grinning and pointing over his shoulder at Fred, George, and Neville, all of whom were also sopping wet. They all started cracking up. Ginny however, had just noticed Neville, and was eyeing him curiously.
"Neville?" she asked hesitantly, as if she wasn't sure it was him.
"Yeah Gin-Gin," interrupted Fred. "Who did you think completely soaked George?" Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were still looking at Neville though.
"My Gran joined the Order in June, and since the Death Eaters escaped, she felt that I would be safer here as Death Eaters tend to bring my family bad luck," answered Neville. Everyone looked shocked at what he had just said, except Harry. Harry had seen Neville grow to be more self confident and outgoing since their training had begun at the beginning of the summer.
"Is there any food left from breakfast mum?" asked Fred breaking the silence. "It's bee a long night."
"Of coarse dears," replied Mrs. Weasley. "I saved some for you four. Honestly, I knew you would be hungry after spending hours on a broomstick, in the middle of the night. Eat boys."
Harry, Neville, Fred, and George lunged at the table, and began to devour the food. They were soon joined by Remus.
"My gosh," commented Ginny watching the five of them eat. "And I thought Ron ate a lot."
"Hey," said Ron.
Everyone laughed. Then Harry, with the help of Neville, Fred, and George, told the others what had happened the previous night. They explained how the guard had come to get him from the Dursley's and had brought him here because of the Death Eater Escape. They had come to know the guard as Remus, Tonks, Moody, Kingsley, Mundungus, Fred, and George. Harry left out the parts such as the real reason Neville was there. Nobody knew about the training except Remus, Tonks, Moody, Dumbledore, and of coarse, Harry and Neville. Remus got up and left the room, leaving Harry to sit and laugh with his friends. He looked over at Ginny once or twice, and couldn't help noticing how pretty she had gotten since the last time e had seen her.
"How happy are you Harry," asked Ron. "You get to stay with us!"
"Better tan the Dursley's, that's for sure," Harry replied happily.
"Of coarse it is. Everyone loves me," Ron boasted.
"Excuse me, Ron Weasley," said Hermione in mock anger. "But I think that Harry has come here to see other people besides you."
Ron and Hermione started to playfully fight with each other. Harry caught Ginny's eye for the first time since e had been there, and she motioned towards Ron and Hermione. That was all it took for Harry and Ginny to burst out laughing. Ron and Hermione stopped their fighting to look at them.
"What is so funny you two?" Ron asked.
Harry and Ginny stopped laughing, and fought hard to keep a straight face. Harry could see that Ron was about to repeat his question, but was saved from answering when Tonks entered the room.
"Harry, Neville," she said loudly. "Dumbledore would like to see you both."
Both boys looked at each other curiously, and got up and followed Tonks.
Harry was surprised when she led them straight into Buckbeak's old room. Buckbeak was now in the basement because it was much bigger, and Kreacher was no longer down there. When they walked in they saw Dumbledore, Moody, and Remus waiting for them.
"This is where you'll be training from now on." said Dumbledore. "I suppose you both know why you are here." Harry and Neville nodded as Dumbledore held up the issue of the Daily Prophet that Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were reading earlier. The headline read:
Azkaban Breakouts Becoming a New Trend
Death eaters apprehended in the Department of Mysteries last month have escaped!
The article then showed a picture of each escaped Death Eater, and the crimes they had been apprehended for, just like the last escape in fifth year. Harry began to read the names. Avery, Nott, Crabbe, Rookwood, Malfoy…
This can't be good, thought Harry.
Two hours later, Neville and Harry were almost finished with another training session. Since they had not started until noon that day, Moody, Tonks, and Remus were using today as a review to make sure that Harry and Neville knew all the right spells. Neville and Harry were beginning to get a bit tired however, and moved towards the couch in the corner of the room.
"Boys, we're not done yet," cried Tonks. "You've got to keep at it."
Harry and Neville groaned, and started back towards the middle of the room glaring at Tonks. They were both pleasantly surprised however, when it was Mad-Eye Moody who came to their rescue.
"Come now Tonks," he said. "If we work them to hard they will have no energy left if they were to be attacked. Constant vigilance boys. That's another lesson you need to learn. Try not to overexert yourself, because I know a few good wizards who put their time and energy into too many things at once, and they have been attacked, and found themselves too tired to struggle."
Tonks rolled her eyes at this, but said nothing. Harry and Neville exchanges exasperated looks, however they were only too happy to have a break to criticize Moody much. They made their way back to the couch, and plopped down on it. Neville turned to Harry.
"Who would have thought Tonks would be such a slave driver?" asked Neville.
"I know," answered Harry laughing. "And to think that it was Moody who scolded her for working us too hard! That was weird."
They sat in silence for a few moments, before Remus spoke.
"Today was only half a day of training for you, so we decided to review. The rest of the summer holiday, you will attend training in this room as usual. Tonks or someone will come and get you at 9am every morning. Seeing as tomorrow is your birthday, we have decided to cancel training for then. We feel that you boys should at least enjoy a proper birthday."
"And boys," continued Moody. "I must stress that I want no one to find out about this training if possible. I'm afraid that you can't even tell Mr. Weasley, or Miss Granger."
"I'll come up with some excuses so you don't have to answer too many questions from your friends, don't worry," said Tonks. Harry and Neville exchanged glances. "Good afternoon."
"I expect Molly will have dinner on soon," said Remus. "Alastor, Tonks, will you be staying?"
"If it's not too much trouble for Molly," replied Moody.
"I think I'll have to stay," said Tonks. "I have to talk with Molly about something anyway."
"Alright," said Remus. "I'll go tell her. Boys, I think you should be getting back to your friends. They'll be wondering where you were all day, so you had best think of something together." Everyone left, and Harry went over to Remus before he left.
"Oh Harry," said Remus looking at him. "I think tomorrow night we should go up to visit Padfoot and Prongs. That is if you're okay with it. I'm sure they would like to wish you a happy birthday."
"That sounds good," said Harry. "But how come we can't visit them during the day? There is no training so I'll have the whole day free."
"Oh, well I expect that you'll be doing other things," said Remus with a wink, and then he left.
Harry stood very confused for a moment, and then remembered that Neville was probably waiting for him outside in the hall. Harry ran out into the hall to find Neville waiting for him. Together they walked down the hall until they heard voices coming from the drawing room. They turned and walked in to find Hermione, Ginny, and Ron talking together. The conversation suddenly stopped when Ginny noticed Harry.
"Harry!" shouted Ginny.
"Hey guys," said Harry, as he and Neville crossed the room and sat down. "What have you been talking about?"
"Nothing Harry," answered Hermione a bit too quickly. "Nothing important."
"Where have you been mate?" asked Ron changing the subject. "You two have been missing all afternoon."
"Uh," said Neville turning pink. He, like Hermione was a terrible liar.
"Dumbledore had to talk to us about why we were brought here," said Harry quickly. "He wanted us to know the dangers of escaped Death Eaters." This was partially true. Dumbledore had mentioned it, but all the same, Harry hated not telling Ron and Hermione about the training.
"I heard we're going to Diagon Alley in a few days," said Ginny. "Fred and George want everyone to see the new shop."
"I can't wait," said Ron excitedly. "It got excellent publicity in the Daily Prophet, and knowing Fred and George, it's bound to be excellent."
"None of you have seen it yet?" asked Harry.
"Nope," replied Ginny. "They wanted everyone to see it at once. That includes you Harry. They said something about you being their key investor. What's that all about?" Ginny was looking at him curiously. Harry wondered what he should say. Ron and Hermione already know, but for some reason he wanted to be extra careful about not hurting Ginny's feelings about having money to give away.
"I uh-" started Harry.
"Harry gave them his tri-wizard winnings on the train a year ago, so they could start their joke shop." Ron said all this without hesitating, and he sounded like he was proud of Harry so that was a good thing. Neville looked amazed.
"I always saw them talking to Dung, so I was worried that they were doing something illegal to get the money," said Ginny in awe. "That was nice of you Harry."
"I can't wait to see what excellent products they've got," piped up Neville excitedly. "I saw Dean Thomas in Diagon Alley a few weeks ago, and he said it was excellent! My gran wouldn't let me go in though. We were late for a meeting with D-"Neville stopped talking abruptly. He had been about to give away information about the training. Harry noticed this and quickly started to speak.
"I just know that I'm stocking up this year, because if we have got another teacher like Umbridge, then I want to be ready for it."
This set off murmurs of agreement, and a new conversation about the teacher they might have this year. This left Harry to remind himself that Ginny was going out with Dean the last time he had heard. They haven't seen each other all summer. Maybe they broke up, he thought. He knew it was a long shot, but he was sure Ginny would break up with Dean eventually. Harry would just have to wait it out. He wasn't even sure if he really liked her. Harry was never great at this kind of thing.
Just then Mrs. Weasley stuck her head in the door and announced dinner. The five got up, and walked down to the kitchen. Harry's spirits lifted when he smelled the delicious cooking.
The next morning, Harry woke up in Ron's room, and heard Neville and Ron's usual snores, so he got dressed, and went down to the kitchen to see if anyone else was up. When he walked into the kitchen, Harry noticed that Ginny was the only one in there. He walked over to the table and sat down across from her. She smiled at him.
"Ginny I just wanted to than you for your letters while I was at the Dursleys'. They really made me feel better."
"Thanks Harry. I figured you would be feeling bad about everything." After that Harry and Ginny shared a pleasant conversation for about 15 minutes in the kitchen before Neville ad George entered the kitchen.
"George, what are you doing here?" asked Ginny surprised.
"Well, we needed to help out with something before we went back to the shop," answered Fred, walking in, closely followed by Hermione, and finally Ron. Mrs. Weasley had bustled in and started breakfast.
Almost as soon as they were done with breakfast Tonks and Remus came running into the room.
"Harry, Neville, can we please speak with you for a moment?" asked Remus. Harry thought he saw Tonks exchange glances with Mrs. Weasley, but he ignored it as this looked important. They followed Tonks and Remus out into the main hall.
Two hours later Harry, Neville, Tonks, and Remus were in Mrs. Figg's living room eating cookies. Tonks had said the old lady was worried sick when she heard that they would not be visiting anymore due to the Death Eater escapes. The four stayed with her four about two hours enjoying her cookies, and desserts. After they had been there a while, and had finished their lunch Tonks had a suggestion.
"Why don't we jog to the clearing for old time's sake?" she asked. Harry and Neville laughed. It was hardly 'old times' but hey decided to humor her. When they got to the clearing they noticed that even though it was still daytime, it was extra dark, like when Moody used precautions so the muggles wouldn't see them when they dueled. Harry and Neville walked into the clearing together.
"SURPRISE!!!"
Harry and Neville both jumped about a foot in the air and each went for their wands, before realizing that they were surrounded by seemingly every single member of the DA, and many of the Order were there, including Rami Grazide, whom Harry recognized from the hearing. Harry noted with a bit of happiness that Snape wasn't there. Harry was completely shocked, and he looked over and saw Neville's jaw drop. Neville was staring at something across the clearing. Harry followed his gaze, and saw instantly what had caught his friend's attention. There was a huge banner that had been strung between two trees, and charmed to glitter and it read:
Happy Birthday Harry and Neville!
Harry was glad that they had remembered Neville's birthday, but he wondered how anybody had known. Remus seemed to know what Harry was thinking, and answered for him.
"I told them it was Neville's birthday too. I hope neither of you mind. I didn't say how I knew, or anything else except that there was a great clearing here."
"Thanks," said Harry and Neville in unison.
Harry looked around, and saw the Weasleys, and Hermione standing at one side of the clearing next to a heaping pile of presents. He and Neville walked over there.
"Thanks guys," said Harry sincerely. He smiled.
"Had to do something for ya mate," said Ron smiling. "I can't imagine you ever had a surprise party with those muggles."
Harry smiled and shook his head.
"Hey Neville, Harry," said a voice. Harry turned around to see Seamus Finnagin, and to Harry's disappointment, Dean Thomas. Ginny walked off to talk to Dean, and Ron gave Dean a particularly nasty look. Dean didn't notice, and walked away with his arm around Ginny.
"Leave her alone Ron Weasley," said Hermione and Mrs. Weasley at the same time. Harry just laughed. He was trying to think about Ginny and Dean.
"Thanks for the party guys," said Neville. "Harry, the whole DA is here."
"Yeah, we invited everyone in it," said Ron proudly. Then he seemed to look over at the tables of Mrs. Weasley's cooking. "Lets get some food."
Hermione snorted, and Harry and Neville laughed but they agreed. Seamus followed.
"Harry I just wanted to say that I was sorry I was such a prat last year," said Seamus.
"It's fine Seamus," said Harry loading his plate. "Get some of this food and eat."
Seamus obliged. They all listened and danced as the weird sisters played on the WWN.
Fred, George and Mundungus were huddled up talking and every once in a while one of them would look up and check to see that Mrs. Weasley was still talking to Remus. They were probably talking about something new and illegal for the joke shop.
Tonks walked up to Mrs. Weasley and Remus with a girl behind her, and interrupted their conversation.
"Have either of you seen Harry anywhere?" she asked them. "Oh. Well anyways, does anyone know anything about healing?"
"A tiny bit," replied Remus. "Why?"
"Someone jinxed my friend and now she has a- a thing on her face," the girl replied.
"Is she here?" asked Remus. The girl nodded.
"Come here Marietta," she said. A girl with a scarf draped over her face came over from a picnic table where she was getting her food.
"Hmm," said Remus looking at Marietta once she had taken the scarf off. She had the word 'SNEAK' written across her face in purple. Tonks raised her eyebrows, but said nothing.
"This hex can only be removed by the person who cast it," he said finally.
Both girls sighed. "We'll never get her to remove it," said Marietta.
"Oh yes we will," said Cho Chang furiously. She should have told us she jinxed that piece of paper. It was a dirty trick."
"It was not a dirty trick Chang," cried Fred entering the conversation. "You're just mad because H-"
"Fred don't be so rude!" cried Mrs. Weasley cutting him off. She was angry, although it was quite obvious to the outsider that the adults had no idea what was going on.
"What's going on?" asked Tonks.
"Hey Sneak!" said George entering the conversation suddenly before Tonks got an answer. He turned to Cho. "Cho Chang! How is my favorite seeker? Well, next to Harry of course. And that bloke they got from Hufflepuff this year." George paused for a moment. "Well you're better than Malfoy anyway." He grinned at her.
Fred however turned his attention to Marietta. "So Sneak, have you tried to get anyone else arrested lately?"
"Arrested?" gasped Tonks.
"Or did Hermione's little hex make you keep your nose out of other people's business?" George continued.
"Hermione did this?" Mrs. Weasley gasped. "I don't believe it. She wouldn't do that."
"Yes she would," Cho growled.
"You boys are being really mean," said Tonks.
"I'm back," said Remus, entering the conversation again. They all looked sheepish, because everyone had been too interested in the arguing teens to notice. He had Ron and Hermione behind him.
"Granger, take this hex off right this moment," Cho demanded angrily.
"What are you talking about Cho," asked Hermione confusedly. Then she noticed Marietta. "Oh, that hex," she said smiling, and pointing at Marietta. "You couldn't get it off could you? It serves you right."
"It was a dirty trick," said Marietta, and Cho together. "That was low Granger."
"Well maybe she," cried Ron pointing at Marietta, "Shouldn't have tried to get my best mate expelled, and in Azkaban!"
Mrs. Weasley gasped again. Remus just raised his eyebrows. He would ask Harry about this later.
"Harry didn't go to Azkaban," said Cho. "I tried to tell him that Marietta's mum-"
"Instead Dumbledore left the castle," shouted Ron.
"Did I hear my name?"
Everyone in the group turned to see Dumbledore standing behind them. He surveyed the scene with his eyes twinkling with mirth.
"It was a good bit of magic Miss Granger," said Dumbledore. "However I'm afraid that Miss Edgecomb's memory has been wiped, and she doesn't remember the incident, except perhaps what Miss Chang had told her, so I think it would be best if you cleared up her face now."
Hermione looking sheepish, did what the headmaster told her too.
"Hey Neville," said Hermione as Neville walked into their little circle. Dumbledore left.
"Hey everyone," he said looking around. Then he faltered. "Aren't you the girl who told Umbridge about the DA?"
"Oh," said Tonks in comprehension. Remus got an understanding look on his face.
"Does Harry know you're here?" asked Fred suddenly.
"No," said Marietta.
"I was talking to Cho," said Fred. "Although he won't be happy to see you on his birthday either,"
"Fred Weasley, stop being rude!" cried Mrs. Weasley rather loudly. "Why wouldn't Harry want to speak with Cho? Just because she is friends with someone he dosen't like…"
"They had a rather nasty break up," said George bluntly.
"I don't know if he does," said Cho softly. Her tone was changed so drastically that the three adults wondered what was wrong. "I don't care either," she said her voice suddenly hardening. "We're leaving."
"Who's leaving," said Harry coming up behind Ron, who was still glaring at Marietta. Harry had been talking with Seamus, and a few Hufflepuffs, when Zacharias Smith had come up to him, so Harry made an excuse and went to find Ron. He had noticed there was a rather large group.
Harry looked at Ron, and followed his gaze to Marietta. "Oh," was his intelligent reply. He scowled at Marietta for a moment, hen turned to Hermione. "You took that jinx off then?" She nodded, and Harry had to suppress a laugh. Then he turned and saw Cho. "Hello," he said to her, feeling the group's eyes on him. He didn't know what to say to her. He didn't have feelings for her anymore, and he didn't hate her. He looked into her eyes for a moment, and then looked away.
"I'm hungry again," said Ron.
"Well isn't that just like you?" said Hermione.
Harry snorted. "I'm hungry too, lets go get something to eat before Zacharais sees me."
Ron laughed. "Isn't that that Ravenclaw bloke?" asked Fred.
Harry nodded wondering what the twins had in mind for him.
"Excellent," said George grinning. "Well we must be off now, have a great night."
Fred and George left, and there was an awkward silence, which was broken by Ron's stomach growling.
"We'll be getting something to eat now," said Ron. Hermione and Harry waved to everyone, and walked over to table. "Sorry about Cho mate, we invited her before you broke up."
"You were planning this since for over two months?"
Hermione and Harry nodded.
After the Cho incident, the party went smoothly for Harry. He laughed as he saw Fred and George give something to Smith, and a few moments later, he turned into a canary. Half of the party guests burst into laughter at this.
The WWN was blaring, and people were dancing. Everyone present had wished him a happy birthday. Harry grinned, and still couldn't believe his friends had done this for him.
"Come on Harry, lets dance!" cried Hermione over the music. "You need to get up off your butt and have a little fun."
Harry looked slightly surprised at first, but he knew Hermione was just being a good friend. Harry let himself be pulled out onto the dance floor.
Two songs later he and Hermione came back to their picnic table, and sat down. He took a sip of his butterbeer.
Parvati and Lavender came up to him, and wished him a happy birthday. Lavender said hello to Ron and Neville, and Harry watched in amusement as Ron's ears turned pink.
"Does any of you boys want to dance?" asked Lavender.
"Ron has been wanting to dance all evening," said Harry smirking at Ron.
"Ooh," squealed Lavender grabbing Ron's hand. "Lets go. "I love this song." She pulled a red faced Ron out onto the dance floor.
"Want to dance then Harry?" asked Parvati, smiling after Ron and Lavender.
"Er," said Harry. "Alright then." He allowed himself to be dragged onto the dance floor for the second time that night. As he danced to a nice upbeat song with Parvati, he decided that this was much better than the last time he had danced with her. He looked over and saw Neville stepping on Hermione's toes as she was trying to teach Neville to dance.
Suddenly Parvati screamed, and Harry and Parvati jumped out of the way just in time to avoid being injured by Fred and Angelina as they passed, dancing very riotously indeed. After the song ended, Harry and Parvati made their way back to the picnic table, in time to see George and Alicia Spinnet snogging at one end of it.
"Er," said Harry to Parvati. "Maybe we should find a different table. They look a bit busy."
"Good idea," Parvati giggled.
Five minutes later, they waved over Ron and Lavender. Ron was apparently disgusted at seeing George snog a girl.
"That was disgusting," said Ron walking over to them. "Where's Hermione by the way?"
"I dunno," said Harry truthfully. He looked around and spotted her. "No wait! There she is. I think she's trying to teach Neville how to dance."
Lavender and Parvati giggled some more. Harry thought they really should make that illegal. It was quite annoying.
Just then Seamus came over and asked Parvati to dance. They left, and Hermione and Neville came back over to the table. Hermione seemed to finally taught him something, because they both came back smiling.
"Hay guys," said Neville. "What's up?"
"Ron and I were just about to go for another dance," said Lavender grabbing his hand. Ron promptly turned pink, accepted. Harry watched them go out on the foor, and was startled when Hermione spoke.
"I thought you didn't like Parvati, Harry," she said.
"Oh, well she kinda dragged me out there."
"Hello everyone," said a dreamy voice. Harry turned and saw Luna in front of them. "Happy birthday Harry and Neville."
"Thanks Luna," said Harry.
"Thanks," mumbled Neville turning red.
Luna didn't seem to notice. "Can any of you dance?"
Harry thought about what Neville had told him during one of their training sessions. "Sorry, Luna, but I'm a bit tired. Perhaps Neville would like to dance," said Harry smirking at a red faced, and stuttering Neville.
"Come on Neville," said Luna, dragging him away. Neville turned around and glared at Harry for a moment, before letting himself be dragged away by his crush. Harry watched them for a moment, looking up and seeing an angry Ginny running towards them.
"Harry save me," she pleaded once she had got to the table.
"What?" said Harry confused. Saved from what?
"Dean is coming over here, and I don't want to talk to him!" cried Ginny. Harry looked up and indeed saw Dean pushing through the crowd in a hurry to get to Ginny.
"Lets dance," said Ginny desperately. She grabbed his hand, and they made their way to the dance floor. Just as they got on the dance floor a slow song came on.
"Er," said Harry not sure what to do. Ginny looked back at Dean who was looking confused, and a bit angry, before wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Let's dance Harry," she said quietly. "I don't want to talk to him."
Harry put his arms around her waist a bit awkwardly, as he was nervous, but eventually they were dancing.
Harry was just relaxing end beginning to thoroughly enjoy having Ginny wrapped in his arms and swaying slowly to the song, when it ended a bit to soon for his liking. They separated and looked at each other for a moment, when Dean seized the opportunity to storm onto the dance floor.
"Excuse me Harry," he said not looking at him. "But I need to talk to Ginny for a moment."
Harry looked at Ginny, but she just shook her head. "Fine Dean, what do you want to say?" she asked him coldly.
"I meant alone," he said crossly.
"No, I'm not moving," replied Ginny coldly.
"Fine," said Dean softly. "Ginny I'm sorry okay. I didn't mean for that to happen. I-"
"But it did," she cut him off. "Now Harry and I were in the middle of a dance," she told him.
"Well sorry to interrupt!" said Dean with a twinge or hurt in his voice. "I jus wanted to put things right with my girlfriend, b-"
"Well then I suggest you go find her," said Ginny interrupting him once again.
Dean looked stung by her words. He dropped his head, and said, "fine Gin, fine." Dean walked away rather sadly, with his shoulders slumped.
"Um, well I should be going then," said Harry, feeling rather uncomfortable witnessing their fight.
"Don't be silly Harry," said Ginny looking a him. "We broke up, and now I have no one to dance with, so what do you say? How about we dance a bit more?"
Harry nodded. He felt a twinge of guilt at the happy feeling he had just gotten when he heard the words 'broke up' but he ignored it. A faster song started blaring, and Harry and Ginny started to dance again.
"I feel a bit sorry for Dean, being on the receiving end of the Weasley Temper," said Harry grinning. He wondered why he was this comfortable around her. He ignored it, as she playfully hit him in the arm.
"Harry Potter you're awful!" she said in mock anger.
"What? You know it's true," said Harry.
They both started laughing, and continued to dance.
Later that evening, after they had returned to Grimmauld Place with all of Harry and Neville's presents, Harry and Remus made their way up to their secret room.
"Padfooted Prongs," Remus whispered.
They entered the room.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" screamed Sirius and James in unison throwing confetti around in their portraits.
Harry smiled and entered. "How was the party?" James asked his son.
"You two knew about that two?" Harry asked in surprise.
"I told them, a few days ago," said Remus.
"Well the party was great!" said Harry thinking of all the dancing he and Ginny had done after Dean had stormed off.
"Well I would think so," grinned Remus. "Seeing as how you danced with ten different girls."
Harry blushed as Sirius and James applauded. "That's my boy!" cried James.
"Just Hermione, Parvati, and Ginny," Harry said rolling his eyes at James' excitement.
"And how come I never heard about this Cho before?" said Remus looking amused.
"Cho?" said Sirius thinking hard.
"OH!" he said a moment later. "Isn't she that girl you fancied for ages?"
"How d'you know that?" asked Harry.
"Hermione said something about it to Ron last summer, and I happened to be passing nby at the time of the conversation," said Sirius grinning. "And then I looked down and realized my shoe was untied, and had to take the time to retie it, and I just happened to hear the rest of their conversation."
James snickered.
"Well," said Remus smiling at Harry's obvious discomfort. "Apparently they had a nasty break up. Care to fill us in Harry?"
Harry glared at him, while all three marauders waited smirking, for an explanation.
After spending two hours in the room drinking butterbeer, and talking to his father and Sirius' portraits, he and Remus left to get some sleep, for it was around midnight.
"Where have you been?" asked Ron when he entered the bedroom around midnight. Both Ron and Neville were looking at him puzzled.
"Remus just wanted to wish me a happy birthday. Thanks for the party by the way Ron. It was really great."
"It was awful nice," said Neville from the third bed.
"It was nothing," said Ron, whose ears were turning pink. "Me and Hermione thought you would need a little cheering up."
"Well thanks mate," said Harry. A thought just came to him. "You looked like it cheered you up bit too. You danced with Lavender the whole night."
Ron was getting redder and redder. Neville snickered.
"What about you dancing with Luna?" asked Ron suddenly. Harry burst out laughing, and Neville glared at him.
"Harry's the biggest player of us all, though," said Neville. "I noticed him dancing with Hermione, Parvati, and Ginny. And Cho showed up too. That's four girls for Harry, although I noticed you spent the majority of your time wit Ginny."
This effectively shut Harry up.
"Yeah, mate," said Ron suddenly. "Why were you dancing with my sister?"
"Cuz she and Dean broke up, and she asked me to," said Harry slowly.
"Harry and Ginny," sang Neville in a high voice.
"Neville and Luna," Harry sang back. Ron started laughing.
"Ron and Lavender!" sang both boys. They went on like this for a very long while, before they each fell asleep. Laughing, and joking, and hanging out with his friends. It was his favorite birthday ever!
Well sorry I took forever to update, when I promised this last week, but I made up for it because this chappie is long!
I wasn't sure if I should add Cho in, or if it would be pointless rambling.
Tell me what you think!
As always,
R E V I E W!!!
Padfootedmoony J
PS- for all you Ron and Hermione fans who are getting ready to throw things at me now, let me just say that this is a Harry/Ginny fic, NOT Ron/Hermione. They will probably get together before the end of it though.