A/n: Hey guys. I'm sorry for taking so long, but I was infected with that well-known disease called writer's block. I'm a little afraid that this chapter might reflect that. I hope you like it though, even though it's little more than just a filler for your enjoyment. The next chapter will more eventful, I promise. Oh, and once again I want to thank Mystic for all her help. You rock dude.

Now, on to the goodness! Enjoy .

Chapter 6: Happy Birthday Harry!

Arthur Weasley wasn't what one would call a complex person. He was a simple man whose life was decidedly not so simple, especially now with the current events in wizarding society. Yet, he was content to live that life, as he still had his family, each one of them intact, healthy, and happy for the most part. One such adopted part of his family was no exception.

With a small, fatherly smile did Mr. Weasley watch his adopted son, Harry Potter sitting across from him at the large table, and his new-found love sitting shamelessly on his lap.

He was struck with a feeling almost like deja-vu, only to realize seconds later that he really had seen this scene before. Lily and James…

Yes, that was it.

He remembered, so many years ago when they first became members of the Order, how close the two had been. He had watched them idly as they conversed with another, their lingering touches, their secret smiles. They were totally engrossed in one another, to the point that it was as if no one else existed. And he was witnessing that very same scene, right here in the present. He thought, perhaps, the boy would appreciate hearing about said similarities.

"You know, Harry," he spoke up, affectively getting both their attention, "you two remind me quite a bit of Lily and James."

He did indeed get the desired affect, for Harry's face could not have lit any brighter at that moment. His bright eyes of green sealed within them the expressions of a longing, love, and curiosity that had boundless depths.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, his way of speaking to the elder Weasley something akin to the other boys when speaking to their father.

"I was just watching you two, and I couldn't help but notice your sudden closeness with one another," he said as he chuckled softly, amused at the blushes that'd risen on their faces.

"You reminded me of the first time I met your mother and father. I don't think I have ever seen two people who were so into one another. I swear to you Harry, your father was completely hooked. He was so smitten with your mother he would stare for hours if someone didn't divert his attention every now and again."

As Mr. Weasley laughed, Harry smiled faintly. Having heard the older gentleman's words, his heart swelled, all the while his eyes were unabashedly fixated on his Mione. Watching her, conversing with Mr. Weasely as she was, he came to a conclusion; he would be rid of the Dark Lord one way or another. Harry refused to let Voldemort spoil the peace and happiness he had achieved with her. He decided, then, that it was time to stop waiting for the dark wizard to come to him, and bring this fight to an end once and for all.

His mind set, he turned his attention back to the conversation, where Arthur was busy chortling over Hermione's description of how she had suspected something wasn't right about Bast, but was conveniently distracted before she could confront him on the subject

His ears pricked (figuratively) when the top turned to one of more immediate concern: What had happened to Bellatrix, Dolohov, and Malfoy Sr. after the Order members had arrived?

"A good question you have there Hermione. You needn't worry about them anymore, they're being detained in an undisclosed location for now. Azkaban is little more than a joke now, so we thought it best to keep Voldemort's best henchmen in a location to which even he cannot locate. And before you ask, no, it isn't Hogwarts."

"But what about Voldemort? I mean since I practically screamed Harry's name in that alley, is there any possible way he would know of his animagus form? And how hasn't he figured it out before now?"

"As far as we know, the Dark Lord knows nothing right now. He knew nothing in the beginning, thanks to Harry's improved Occlumency skills."

"Occlumency, Harry? Don't tell me you endured an entire summer of, Snape..."

"Merlin no! I'd be on the brink of bloody insanity otherwise. No, Dumbledore tutored me, saying it would probably be best if he took on the job since Snivellus still has ties with Voldemort."

"Is there anything you didn't learn this summer, Potter, or perhaps that'll be something else I'm kept in the dark about?"

"How not to talk around women, apparently..."

Mr. Weasley had quite the hearty laugh over the exchange, shaking his head in amusement at their antics.

"You know, I doubt anyone will be surprised that the two of you are together. Oh! Speaking of surprises, there's something I'd almost forgotten. Excuse me for a moment, won't you?"

Harry watched with no small amount of curiosity as Mr. Weasley stood from the table and made for the door. He looked up to ask Hermione if she knew what was up, but the words were halted by the suspicious-looking twinkle in her mocha-tinted eyes, a secretive smile on her lips.

She stood then, moving from his lap only to stand right beside his chair, one of her small hands coming to rest on his shoulder. He was about to ask what was wrong when suddenly the door burst open and scores of red-head filtered into the room, followed by various members of Griffendor house.

With smiling, open faces and bright eyes did they all sing simultaneously…

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Harry… Happy Birthday to you!"

Mrs. Weasley then set down what was probably the biggest cookie-doe ice-cream cake (complete with 16 candles) in existence in front of Harry, who was desperately trying to blink back the tears threatening to spill.

"Now Harry, dear, we know your birthday is about a month passed now, but we haven't forgotten about you in the least. This is your first official birthday party, and we decided we could wait awhile so as to make it as special as possible. So go on ahead then, blow out your candles and make a wish."

Harry, not trusting his voice at the moment, did as he was told and leaned over the table, closer to his cake. Closing his eyes, he did indeed make his wish before he blew out his candles, a watery smile on his face as all his friends and family clapped.

Taking up the knife that lay nearby, Hermione cut the first slice and placed on the plate in front of Harry. "The birthday boy always gets the first piece, you know."

Harry immediately dug into the delectable delight with vigor born of a starving man, his eyes bright with happiness that had not shown there in a long time.

Soon, everyone had a plate in hand, and the room filled with a cheerful buzz of people, all eating and talking merrily. The wizarding wireless hummed in the background, low in it's tones to give the room this indescribable feeling.

Hermione, happily standing at Harry's side as he stood talking to some of his housemates, was entirely too relieved that the party had gone over so successfully. She hadn't known if any of their housemates would show up, but she should have known better. They all wanted to show their appreciation to Harry for having gotten rid of Umbridge last year, of course. But firstly, they were his friends, and they had all been truly excited to be invited to his first-ever official birthday party.

There was the usual crew of Lavender, Parvati, Ginny, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Oliver Wood, and even Luna Lovegood. Every member of the Weasely clan was in attendance, even Percy who had interrupted the conversation so as to apologize profusely to a very amused Harry for his actions and false accusations the year before.

But as she looked about a bit more, Hermione noticed that Ron was not present…

She didn't have time to get angry, however, for she felt herself being pulled rather forcefully to the other side of the room, by none other than Ginny Weasely. To her horror, waiting for her in a little private corner were Lavender and Parvati, eyeing her as would a predator size up it's prey, or in their case, and insane gossip-addicts waiting for the newest issue of Witch Weekly.

"Ginny, not so hard! And what's this all about?" Hermione asked indignantly as they stared at her with a look that made her rather nervous.

"Dish!" they all hissed simultaneously.

"Oh no, absolutely not. I am not falling into your incessant pit of gossip."

"Oh come on Hermione, stop stalling and give us the details! We already know you two are together, so you might as well tell us and save yourself a lot of time and constant nagging!" cried an overly-excited Lavender.

"There's nothing to tell, alright? We only just kissed today, and that wasn't more than half an hour ago! Nothing's been made official as of yet."

"You kissed?! Was he good?" asked a squealing Parvati, practically salivating at the idea of getting the inside scoop on Harry Potter's kissing prowess.

"Oh for Merlin's sake! What business is that of yours?!"

"It may not be any of those two's business, but after all the talking we've done about this, I should hope you would think enough to tell me," Ginny pushed, a sly smile on her face. It gave her quite the uncanny resemblance to a scheming Gred and Forge.

"Look, I'll tell you later, alright? Right now it looks as though your dad's going to make an announcement.

Sighing in absolute relief, Hermione plopped down upon her bed tiredly. Finally, the mess from the party had been effectively cleaned and all of Harry's gifts put away in his room at Grimmald Place. It was maddening really, how many gifts he'd actually had on the occasion of his party, not only from the people there, but some from those who couldn't attend.

Looking up at the clock on the mantel above the fireplace, she noticed it was approaching 2am. She groaned, letting her head fall back against her pillows. The party had lasted quite a while it seemed. But then, she doubted would have been any other way, especially after the Weasleys' announcement. She smiled softly at the images the thought brought on.

They had adopted him, The Weasleys', they had actually made him an official part of their family under wizarding law. The papers had been signed, all documents passed... and he finally had a family…

Harry had been ecstatic and overwhelmed at the news that he never would have to return to his horrid relatives. It had been a very emotional moment, for all of them, and could have stretched out into awkward silence if the twins hadn't interceded in their usual irrepressible fashion. They had, of course, set off a bunch of fireworks "to celebrate welcoming a new victim--er, we mean, brother, into the family", as Fred put it. Between Molly's scolding, and everyone ducking and dodging in between laughter, it was a wonderful start to Harry's new life with them.

All had returned to Sirius's old home for the remainder of that night, and possibly the summer. Even Ron, who they had not spoken or seen since their arrival. Supposedly, he had already gone up to bed, still not well enough to join them in the 'after-party,' which had been attended by Remus, Tonks, and even Moody. But of course, Hermione knew better. Not that it mattered much, as Harry now owned Grimmald place due to Sirius's will and as such, had a room of his own.

After the festivities were finally at an end, Hermione had scolded/persuaded Ginny, the twins, Bill, Charlie, and even Percy into helping clean up while Harry had a private moment with his new parents, and by the time everything was straightened and cleaned to Molly's satisfaction, it was late and they were all pleasantly exhausted.

Earlier that night, knowing Harry as she did, she had kissed him lightly on the cheek and said good night. She figured he would need some time to let the events of the day truly sink in. Only, here she was, at two in the morning, unable to sleep and the reason why was sleeping down the hall.

She had so gotten used to the familiar weight of Bast--Harry-- sleeping curled up next to her, that it was now difficult being alone in the big, empty bed. Huffing a sigh, she determinedly closed her eyes, only to have them pop back open at a creak outside her door. Holding her breath, she watched as the door opened, and a great black panther came strolling in. Her brows shot up, and she gave him a look. "If Molly knew you were in here, she'd skin us both!" She hissed.
Those green eyes just blinked back at her mischievously and the large form morphed into a rather familiar messy-haired fellow Griffendor.

"Relax, Mione," he said softly as he moved to crawl in bed with her, wrapping his arms around her smaller form as he settled down and pulled her against him. "Mum's sleeping, and besides, she still doesn't know anything about my animagus form, remember? Now," he paused to place a chaste kiss to lips, "sleep," he bade her, settling back against the pillows.

Hermione rolled her eyes playfully, though her expression was softened considerably just looking into those jade orbs that were becoming heavy with sleep; absolutely adorable.

"Oh, alright, but if she comes in here, this was YOUR idea."

He just snorted and tightened his embrace, effectively trapping her against him in a grip that did not loosen even in sleep; not that she minded.

She instantly felt herself relax at his arms, as if this was where she was always supposed to be. With a sigh that was only half resigned, she ran a hand through his soft hair and was lulled by the low rumble of his contented purr.

All was right in the world once again…