Chapter 4- The Best One Ever
Harry woke up the next morning around noon feeling that something was missing, that he was forgetting something. Not knowing how true that feeling was, he got up and dressed before heading down to breakfast (Ron's bed already empty). He pushed open the door to the kitchen and nearly fell backwards.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" a crescendo of voices cried out to him in greeting.
"Whoa-what the heck?!" Harry said, hastily placing his glasses back in position on the bridge of his nose. There were streamers and balloons all around the room, and music was playing from an unidentifiable source.
"Hey Harry! Happy Birthday!" Hermione said to Harry as she hugged him.
"It's my birthday?" Harry asked foggily.
"Didn't forget your own birthday, did you mate?" Ron asked in a teasing, mock concerned voice.
"Actually, I did," Harry told him.
"Wow. How could you forget your own birthday?" Desiree asked Harry as she joined them all.
"I don't know. It was just, so much happened in a few days. I left the Dursley's, came here to Sirius' old house, and you and your parents arrived. It just slipped my mind. And I never really looked forward to my birthday before. The Dursley's never did anything special for me," Harry explained to her.
"Well that is all about to change!" said Hermione.
"Well, that's good. I would like to have a decent party at least once in my life, or at least before I get old and turn 30," Harry said jokingly.
"Yeah, well just wait until we can have a few drinks at your party!" Ron said excitedly.
"Ron!" said Hermione sternly.
"I was just joking, 'Mione!" Ron protested. Harry highly doubted this, but he let it go. He left Ron and Hermione to their bickering and stared around the kitchen looking for someone, but not knowing exactly who he was looking for. Then his eyes fell on Desiree, who was now chatting with Seamus, and he instantly felt warmer. He started walking her way when someone stopped him.
"Happy birthday Harry!" Ginny said happily. Harry smiled down at her as his stomach gave a jump.
"Thanks, Gin" he told her. He had forgotten all about how he had started being attracted to Ginny before Desiree came. It was true; she was looking less and less like the little girl she used to be. She looked much older and more mature, but she was still fun to be around.
Ginny just stood there for a few minutes looking at Harry until he finally said "Um, was there something you wanted to tell me?"
"Oh, of course. Here you go…" Ginny said as she handed him a package. Harry tore it open to reveal a silver watch. He took it out and examined it closely. It looked expensive.
"Ginny, you didn't have to get this for me! This looks like it cost a lot of money!" Harry exclaimed.
"But I wanted to, and I knew you still hadn't gotten a new watch from the time in fourth year when your old one got broken in the lake. And if you look on the back, you will see the inscription".
Harry turned the watch around and read 'To Harry from Ginny. Happy sixteenth birthday!!!'
"Well, if you insist," Harry said uncertainly. He slipped on the watch. "Just wait to see what you get for your birthday!" Ginny giggled and then crossed the room to talk to one of her friends.
"That was nice of Ginny" said a soft voice from behind Harry, who felt his temperature rise.
"Yeah, it was", Harry said as he turned and faced Desiree. "I don't know how she got the money for it... She shouldn't have wasted it on something for me".
"She should have if she really wanted to. She is just trying to say she cares about you, non?", Desiree asked.
But in what way?, Harry wondered. He hadn't realized he had spoken out loud until Desiree answered him.
"You'll have to figure that out for yourself". Harry shook himself out of his daze and looked at her. She was smiling at him, and his stomach flip-flopped just like every other time she had smiled at him. Eventually Harry had to turn away, feeling that if he just stood there and stared at her she might begin to think he was creepy or something. He looked around the room instead. He was still feeling that nagging feeling that he was forgetting something from when he woke up.
"You know", Harry began. "I have this strange feeling, like I am not remembering something that I should be remembering". Harry was still staring around the room, so he did not see the look of slight alarm that passed over Desiree's face for a moment.
"Really?" she asked. "Maybe it was just forgetting about your birthday".
"No, that's not it," Harry said, frowning.
"Oh, well. If it was really important, you would remember it, wouldn't you?"
"Yeah, I guess so".
"So just forget about it and have fun. It's your birthday!"
"Was that supposed to be a joke?"
"Was what supposed to be a joke?" Desiree asked, looking confused.
"The 'Just forget about it' thing…"
"Oh, non. No pun intended. But if it was supposed to be a joke, would you think I am funnier?"
"No, I wouldn't".
"Then it wasn't a joke! Come on; introduce me to some more people!" Desiree said as she grabbed Harry by the arm and led him through the rooms on the bottom floor of the house.
Harry introduced Desiree to a lot of people, and as he did, they gave him his presents. His favorites were from the Weasley's who gave him a huge box full of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes merchandise, Hermione, who gave him a book called 'Spells to Do Just For the Fun of It When You Are Bored Stupid' by Chester Golster, and a wizarding stress ball from Tonks. This was a sky blue ball filled with micro-beads, and when you squeezed it, it immediately took effect. It makes you calmer and more rational right away. Harry thought it would be good to have if he ever got angry at people like he had last year. And, of course, he really liked the watch from Ginny.
"I am sorry that I didn't get you a gift, Harry" Desiree said sadly.
"It's all right; it's not your fault. Besides, I have gotten practically more stuff than I can handle from everyone here".
"I still want to get you a gift" she said.
"Well, just don't go out of your way to find me one. I really am perfectly fine without one".
"I won't change my mind. I love getting my friends presents"
"So, I am your friend now" Harry asked, grinning at her. Desiree smiled mischievously.
"Maybe…" she trailed off, still smiling. "Oh well. For now this will have to do!" She pushed her self up onto her tip-toes and kissed Harry on the cheek for the second day in a row. Harry felt his face burn.
"Au revoir Harry! Happy Birthday!" she called back to him cheerfully as she headed off in Hermione's direction.
After Harry got over his daze, he collected his presents and lugged them all upstairs (It took two trips) to his now permanent bedroom, since Grimmuald Place was now his house. As he arranged the presents around the room, he realized his room was now becoming homier, with his stuff scattered around it.
"Hey Harry" said Ron, who had followed him upstairs on the second trip. "Time for cake! Mum made a gigantic one so there would be enough for everyone! It looks great! Hurry up so we can eat it, 'cause I'm starving!"
Harry smiled to himself. Ron would be thinking about food. He followed Ron downstairs. As he entered the kitchen everyone present started singing him "Happy Birthday". When they finished Harry closed his eyes wondering what he should wish for. He thought about Ginny, and Desiree. He thought about Sirius and the prophecy and the rise of Voldemort. He knew what his wish should be.
I wish I would make the right choices this year, Harry thought. Then he opened his eyes and blew hard, and all the candles flickered out. Harry hoped that was a good omen.
Mrs. Weasley immediately began cutting the gigantic vanilla cake with choclate icing and sprinkles and handing pieces out to everyone in the room.
There was a lull in the noise of voices now, as everyone savored each bite of the mouth-watering cake. Soon after, the noise level rose again as everyone began chatting.
"Hey Harry!" called a familiar voice. Harry turned to see the towering form of Hagrid walking his way.
"Got a little summat' for ya'. Or, it is not so little, er… Yeh'll see what I mean," Hagrid chuckled to himself. Hagrid motioned for Harry to follow him, and as they left the room, he also beckoned Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Desiree to join them.
"Hagrid, where are you taking me?" Harry asked.
"Drive-way" Hagrid grunted. "Got Molly to put out a cloaking charm so the muggles wouldn't notice me surprise for ya'". He opened the front door. Harry tried to peer around him, but Hagrid was blocking the whole door way. Then he turned to face Harry.
"Happy Birthday Harry!" he said happily, and then his gigantic form moved around to reveal the outside of Grimmuald Place, which looked exactly as it had when he had arrived the other day, except that there was a gigantic motorbike now in the driveway.
"So, where is my present?" Harry asked. Hagrid chuckled at him.
"That is yer present righ' here!" Hagrid told him, gesturing to the motorbike.
"You… You're giving me a motorcycle?" Harry asked, stunned.
"Ya" Hagrid laughed at the stunned look on everyone's face. "Molly didn't really want me givin' it to yeh' this soon, but I think yeh' should have it now! It is Sirius' old flying one, and he woulda wanted yeh to have it!"
Harry moved towards the shiny silver and black bike in wonder. He had a motorcycle! The others followed him. Ron came up behind Harry and touched the bike delicately, as if it would brake.
"Wicked awesome, mate! I wish I could have gotten one of these for my sixteenth birthday!"
"Wow! But you have to be really careful when you ride it! It looks dangerous!" That, of course was Hermione.
"Take me for a ride, Harry?!" Ginny and Desiree said excitedly at the same time.
"Sure" Harry said. "I'll take everyone! We could all fit on it, from the looks of it!" And they all climbed on to test it out. They indeed could all fit on it at one time.
"Now look over here and say 'Happy Birthday'!" Hagrid called to them. They all turned and shouted out to him, waving their hands in the air and acting goofy, as Hagrid snapped a photo of them all. They all turned their attention back to the front door as they heard someone chuckling.
"A sixteen year old boy and a motorcycle. Watch out, Ron. You may have some competition as Harry's best friend!" Remus Lupin said from the doorway. His face looked strained, as if he hadn't smiled in the longest time, which he hadn't, but nonetheless, he was smiling now.
"I remember how Sirius used to call it his Love Machine. He would take his girlfriends out on it all the time", he reminisced.
Desiree looked at Harry suggestively and wiggled her eyebrows comically. They all laughed with her at her absurd facial expressions.
"Desiree the biker chick" Hermione said. "I can see it!"
"Nah, I'm more the ballet type!" Desiree said as she hopped of the motorbike. They all stared at her.
"You're in ballet?" Harry asked.
"No way! I am just joking! My mom put me in ballet when I was six, and I was so horrible at it I got myself banned from the ballet school on my second day!"
"What exactly did you do?" Ron asked.
"It is a long story, involving the barre breaking, the mirror cracking as I piouriet'ed into it, and Madame's hair catching on fire. Don't ask!" Desiree said quickly as she saw the startled looks on their faces.
"Don't worry. Doesn't sound to pleasant a story!" Ginny assured Desiree as she, too, lowered herself to the ground. The rest of them followed suit, and stood there admiring the bike for a few seconds.
Remus, who had come up behind them, then said to Harry "Yes, Sirius wanted you to have all his things, including his motorbike, and this. Now, it is not as cool as a motorbike, but it is special".
Remus pulled something out of his pocket. He held out his hands and showed it to him. It was a red dog collar. He held up the tag, and it read 'Padfoot. If found, please return to James Potter. Mostly friendly with young ladies'. Harry took the collar from Remus.
"James gave it to Sirius one Hogsmeade trip as a joke" Remus continued. "But Sirius pretended to take it, well, seriously, and he wore it every time he transformed" They all gazed at the dog collar, remembering Sirius. Then Mrs. Weasley called from the door:
"Harry! Come here! We have a big surprise for you!" Ron turned and grinned at Harry.
"You're gonna love this one!"
"Come on, boys!" shouted Hermione, Ginny, and Desiree, who had already reached the front door. Harry and Ron ran to catch up with them, but Harry stopped to say thanks to Hagrid.
"Don' mention it!" Hagrid boomed down at him.
Once Harry re-entered the kitchen, a piece of cloth was immediately placed around his eyes.
"Don't peek!" said Molly's voice.
"Come one!" Ron's voice yelled excitedly as he grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him around.
"Don't let me bump into anything!" Harry told him anxiously.
"Don't worry. Just hurry, Harry!" He was dragged along by many hands now pulling him. Suddenly, he stopped. It was sudden, and he accidentally stepped on someone's foot, and another person ran into him.
"Hey!" cried someone.
"Sorry, Seamus!" Harry apologized.
"Whoops! Didn't mean to, Harry!" Tonks exclaimed.
Then someone said 'One… Two… Three!' and they pulled off the blind fold.
Harry couldn't speak. There was a huge, flat field in front of him. A huge, flat field, with three bubble-blowing-stick shaped goals at each end of it, and bleachers on stilts directly across from him.
"You all made me a Quidditch field!" He shouted.
"It was my idea" Ginny put in, wanting recognition.
"It was a great idea!" Harry said, still processing that he had his own Quidditch pitch.
"How 'bout a game right now?" Ron asked.
"Excellent!"
Everyone who wanted to play gathered into teams. It was Blue Team: Harry-Seeker, Tonks-Beater, Fred-Beater, Desiree-Chaser, Ernie-Chaser, Hannah-Chaser, and Bill-Keeper, versus:
Red Team: Charlie-Seeker, George-Beater, Seamus-Beater, Ginny-Chaser, Remus-Chaser, Parvati-Chaser, and Ron-Keeper.
Most of the adults and the kids who weren't playing went to sit in the bleachers. Mr. Weasley, who was the referee, walked into the middle of the field.
"All right kids, play nice!" he said to them all. Tonks, Remus, Bill, and Charlie pretended to be offended at being called kids. Arthur then released the bludgers. They zoomed around threateningly, though not attacking yet, since the game had not started. Then the snitch was released, and it fluttered teasingly around Harry and Charlie.
"You're going down Potter!" Charlie taunted.
"In your dreams!" Harry shouted back.
"All right. GO!" Mr. Weasley shouted as he threw the quaffle in the air. The game was on. Harry and Charlie immediately flew straight up into the air, so they would be out of they way and so they could look for the snitch more efficiently.
The Red Team had immediately gained possession of the Quaffle, thanks to Ginny, but Hannah was coming right up behind her. Ginny saw this and made a quick pass to Parvati, who zoomed towards the goal posts. She aimed and threw the ball hard, but Bill hit the quaffle away with the end of his broomstick and Ernie caught it. He passed it to Desiree, who dropped it.
What did she do that for? Harry wondered. Then Hannah zoomed up and tossed the ball into the middle goal. Now he realized it was a play, when Desiree dropped the ball. Harry hadn't even seen Hannah catch the ball when Desiree dropped it.
"Good play!" Harry shouted.
The Blue Team had possession of the quaffle again, and Hannah was now flying to the other side of the field, but the quaffle was knocked out of her hands by a bludger sent her way by Seamus. Luckily, Desiree caught it and made a quick pass to Ernie, who scored for the Blue Team. It was 20-0. Remus had the quaffle now, and he passed it to Parvati, who passed it to Ginny, who flew past Tonks, who hit a bludger right into Fred's stomach.
"Hey! What was that for!" he shouted, clutching his stomach in agony.
"Sorry! I was aiming for Ginny!" Tonks called back to him. Fred stared disbelievingly at Tonks, as he was 30 feet away from Ginny at the time.
Ginny had now scored, and the cheers from her team jolted Fred back into the game. He flew past Harry, chasing a bludger, and as he pelted it back towards Remus, who had the Quaffle again, shouted to Harry "Knew letting Tonks play beater was a bad idea! She is dangerous, man!" Harry laughed to himself.
The game went on for about 45 more minutes. Neither Charlie nor Harry had caught any sign of the snitch. The teams were tied, 120-120. Everyone was getting anxious for the capture of the snitch, especially since Tonks had almost knocked Desiree's arm out of its socket. The quaffle was going back and forth between the two teams, each determined to take the lead.
Then, Harry and Charlie spotted the snitch at the same time. They both sped into a dive, and all other action stopped as both teams watched their seekers, who both had equally determined looks on their faces. They dodged around the other players, chasing the miniscule golden ball.
All of a sudden, a bludger whizzed past Harry's face. He veered off course, but did a loop-de-loop to recover himself. George had come to his senses and had whacked a bludger to towards Harry to make him loose his concentration. Fred followed his twins lead, and sent a bludger flying towards Charlie.
"I'll get it!" yelled Tonks as she flew towards the bludger Fred had hit.
"NO!" everyone yelled at her, not taking their eyes off of Harry and Charlie. Tonks looked taken aback and stopped in midair. She looked around at everyone. They were still watching the game. Tonks shrugged and joined them in watching the two seekers.
Both of them now had their hands out stretched, reaching… reaching….
"Got it!" Charlie and Harry yelled at the same time. They both put their hands in the air, and then looked up, confused. In one hand, Harry held the right wing of the snitch. In Charlie's hand was the left wing of the snitch.
"Tie!" Ron yelled. All the players sat on their brooms, stunned. They had never seen a tie in Quidditch before. Then they all flew back to the ground, and the spectators scrambled to join them.
"Wow. I bet that was the first tie in all of Quidditch history!" Padma said as she joined her sister on the field.
"No. There was a tie at the World Quidditch Cup in 1934, held in Finland" Hermione informed them.
"Uh, right" said Parvati.
"That was and excellent game!" Ron said to Harry.
"Yeah. I still can't believe I have my own Quidditch Pitch!"
"Okay, okay! It is getting dark out, now! Let's head inside, all of you!" Molly advised them all. Everyone headed back inside, and after about half an hour, people began to filter out of the house. They all wished Harry one last happy birthday as they left. Seamus and his mom were the last ones to leave at around 8:00.
"That was fun," Ron said thickly as he sat on the couch in the living room and ate one last piece of cake.
"Yeah" Ginny sighed.
"So, was that a good birthday, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"The best one ever," Harry said contentedly.
A/N: I'm not sure if Charlie really played Seeker. It doesn't really mention it in the books, does it? But it makes sense, if Gyrffindor hadn't won until Harry came, if Charlie was a seeker. Oh, whatever.
And Ernie and Hannah are Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott, incase you didn't catch on, and it's kinda obvious who Parvati and Padma are, the names aren't common.