Ghost of Allknowing: Thank you! But sorry, we have both had a pretty hectic time with family over the holidays. We'll try to start updating quicker. Also, I (FRM) added you on MSN messenger, hope ya don't mind.

Supermal: I guess your politeness makes up for your impatience. LOL. Hey, how come you are hardly ever on MSN anymore?

Natalie, who is one of my friends at school who likes reading my stories, but doesn't have an account on this site: No that would be just evil! Soon we may have to alternate, that's right, if all the pressure from those two / doesn't stop… lol, just kidding. Lamb face… LMAO.

All others: Who are too lazy to review. Start doing it. Lol…

Now, text in underline is a new product name that we have introduced, text in italic is Harry's thoughts, and bold is any incantations.

FRM

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Diamond Mage

Ch. 5: Disguises

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Harry was walking towards Grimmauld Place, arm in arm with Tonks, who was currently leaning over and incessantly whispering to him.

"Harry, don't you think this will work? Bad plan? Come on, why don't you like my idea? I just want to get their reactions, and see how many will notice you… Come on…"

Harry leaned over and in a harsh whisper, said "If it doesn't work, you owe me 3 galleons."

He then threw an Appleby Arrows cap on his head and sped up their pace.

They walked into the doorway of #12 Grimmauld Place, and were greeted by Dumbledore and Remus, who looked slightly put out at Tonks having a date. Harry struggled not to laugh at this.

Fletcher walked up to them. "Oy, Tonks, whirr'nt you supposed to go pick u' Harry at 'is aunt's 'ouse?" He was clearly drunk, as usual.

"Someone else is bringing him later."

They walked into the party room, still holding hands, before Tonks went to go drop off her present in the… gigantic mountain of presents. Harry walked of into a corner to try to comprehend all this. Harry didn't see another figure sitting in the corner.

'The party is so amazing… a buffet, a dining table, a huge mountain of presents, a two-tier cake with my face on it, everything! This is so strange… how could anyone do all of this for me?'

Harry didn't know he was thinking out loud.

"Because, Harry, we all love you. Everyone here today would probably jump in front of a killing or cruciatus curse to save you. Not only because you are the only one who can defeat Voldemort, but because you deserve it. We already know you would do the same for us, you prove it every day, but this is our way of proving it to you. So today, it's okay not to worry and care about everyone. This is our day to do the same to you."

Harry was completely stunned.

"So go out and enjoy it."

The figure got up and left the room.

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Harry couldn't believe that the party had been going for 20 minutes and 'he' wasn't there yet. He walked up to Tonks, tossed her 3 galleons, and stood up on the table.

"If this is my party, then why has no one even acknowledged me yet?"

He was booed by quite a few people. "Get down!" "That's bollocks, thi' is 'arry's party!" "You idiot, he's not even here!"

Harry took off the hat and mock-glared at everyone. "I've been here for almost half an hour. Can't any of you even recogni-"

He was cut off by a large squealing bush of light brown hair crushing him and filling his entire vision. Then a mane of fiery red hair. Then the room breaking out into a chorus of 'Happy Birthday'.

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As Harry sat down to open his presents, he was greeted by many hands and presents waving at him, all telling him to open theirs first. He just kept taking them and saying thank you to whoever's present it was. Some notable presents were a magical mirror, new dress robes, many books on the Dark Arts, many books on DADA, a mini-pensieve, a wand holster, assorted spell books, muggle clothes, and many other things.

'Well, of course there's so much, there's 32 people here.'

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Later, after everyone left the party, it was still only about 2, so Molly told them to go in the back garden. Harry had never been in the back, so he gladly followed them out a door on the first floor, gasping what he saw.

Outside was a huge Japanese garden, complete with a a pond (swimming?), tons of trees, and a large field with three rings on each side. He ran to the Quidditch pitch, and smiled at a sign in tall, light printing:

Notice: This area is also invisible to Muggles, and cannot detect underage magic. Feel free to have a nice game of Quidditch, duel, or use magic of any kind here.

Harry ran to get his Firebolt and kicked off as soon as he was out the door. He flew as high as his broom could allow and dived down as fast as it could. Right when it appeared he would fall into the pond, he did a 90 degree turn and enjoyed his hand skimming the water.

Harry didn't know how long he stayed out until he looked up and saw that it was dusk. Ron and Hermione went inside the house earlier. 'Probably for a snog session.' Harry thought.

Only Ginny was outside on a bench next to the house, reading a book on History of Magic titled 'Mages, Ashes, and Warlocks; Super-powered wizards and witches of ancient and modern times.'

Harry couldn't help but worry at the topic, then laughed at his paranoia.

'I've been back for a day.' Harry thought. 'Not even that. She couldn't have got anything in that time.'

He sat down next to her and was about to talk to her before he realized that she was just drifting off to sleep. He was tired too, so he sat and stared at the beautiful garden around him. Harry felt a weight on his shoulder, suddenly. He swiveled his head and saw Ginny's fiery red hair on his shoulder.

Harry bent his head down to look at her, and she had a slight smile on her face that made her look so peaceful and beautiful, so full of life…

'Wait a bloody minute! Since when do I start thinking like this? It's Ron's sister, honestly. Calm the hell down, Harry!'

But Harry still couldn't help but think that there was something… different about her. As if she was a completely new person. He looked at her again, and smiled.

She was beautiful. As much as he hated to admit it. She was bright, beautiful, radiant, strong-willed, everything he had previously tried to deny about her at various times.

As Harry himself was on the brink of sleep, one thought rose to his mind and he snorted at the bluntness of it.

'Bloody hell, what would Ron think?'

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Kinda short I know, but we'll be updating in two days or so, so this should hold ya over until then... or maybe not because Vanessa thinks this chapter sucks...

Anyway, I bet you won't be able to guess who the 'mysterious figure' is, huh? Lol. Anyone that can guess gets strawberry shortcake and milk! (Except for you, Ghost… you get pie )