A/N: I'm not going to put a Disclaimer on every chapter, hoping that the one from Chapter One will suffice. On with the story!

A Leaf Changes Colors-Chapter Two ~The Party

Harry awoke several hours later, still sleepy but rather excited for his departure in one hour. He bounded out of bed and quickly threw what few possessions he owned into his trunk, dressed quickly and put Hedwig's cage on top of his trunk. After checking his watch he saw that he only had...56 minutes to waste before the Weasley's would come and get him. Deciding to take a page out of Hermione's book, he opened his trunk and grabbed his Potions book in attempts to rid himself of some homework. 50 minutes later Harry once again put everything away and made his way downstairs to wait. He grabbed a piece of stale toast his Aunt left for him, and sat on the couch in front of his glaring relatives. "I just want you to know boy that if those freak friends of yours hadn't threatened me into this, I would not allow you to go anywhere this summer!" barked Uncle Vernon. Harry merely rolled his eyes, wondering why hid Uncle even wasted his breath on such a petty comment.
Minutes later something large with flaming red hair tumbled out of the fireplace sputtering wildly with the amount of soot that had gone into this mouth. "Hey Ron!" Harry called to his friend after helping him up and dusting him off. "Hiya Harry," Ron responded, casting a wary eye around the room and stopping to look at the dumbfounded Dursleys. "Oops," he said after seeing the mess he made. "Sorry about that," he offered, but Uncle Vernon would have none of it. "How dare you come bounding into my home without an invitation, only to reduce my living room to filth-" only to be cut off in the middle of his rant as Harry threw some Floo Powder into the fireplace and disappeared, shortly followed by Ron.
The two friends emerged seconds later in the living room of the Weasley household, which was decorated with all sorts of balloons and streamers with an enchanted banner that read "Happy Birthday Harry!" Harry emerged to all sorts of shouts of "Happy Birthday!" from all his friends and extended family. He looked around bewilderedly and smiled. Ron came tumbling out of the fireplace seconds later, tripping Harry and they both went sprawling across the floor, knocking people over as they went. Pretty soon the whole room was lying on the floor, nursing an arm or a leg, all covered in soot. Everyone looked around, and simultaneously burst out laughing. It was then that Harry noticed Hermione's new look, and openly gaped. "Hermione!" he called, "What'd you do to your hair?" "You don't like it?" she nervously asked. "No it's brilliant!" he exclaimed. "Oh," she sighed, relieved. She then proceeded to tell him of her summer and asked of his. Things went on as this for the rest of the night, everyone catching up with the others.
Harry sat down to a rather large cake with a picture of Dolores Umbridge shaking her finger at him magiced on the front. Harry chuckled at this, as he cut a piece for himself right out of Umbridge's head. He later opened presents, saving the ones from Hermione, Ron, and Luna for later when they were by themselves. Bidding everyone a goodnight, and thanking everyone profusely, Harry and his gang headed upstairs. Upon entering Ron's room and sitting on his bed, Harry first opened Luna's present, which was a year's free subscription to "The Quibbler." After thanking Luna, Harry moved onto Ron's gift. After removing the Chuddley Cannons wrapping paper, Harry saw that Ron had given him his complete collection of Chocolate Frogs cards. "But Ron," he protested, but ceased after Ron held up his hand and smiled. "It's my most treasured possession next to my broom stick, and I know you'll take good care of them," he responded. Lastly, Harry opened Hermione's elegantly wrapped parcel. Inside was a beautiful black leather- bound book. Opening it, Harry saw it was a rather old book called "The Ultimate Defense Against the Dark Arts." "Where did you get this?" he asked. "Dumbledore gave it to me at the end of the year, and I figured you'd get more use out of it than I would," she replied casually with a shrug. "Thanks, all of you," Harry said with emotion, still not used to presents on his birthday, and the trouble everyone went through to throw him a party. "I think it's time for bed!" Hermione said, noticing Harry choking up slightly. "Good idea," Luna said, catching on. "But it's only-" Ron was cut off as Luna roughly elbowed him in the ribs. "Oh right," he said, looking at Harry "You can sleep in my room mate, there's a sleeping bag just over there." "Thanks Ron," Harry said, pulling out the bag and almost immediately falling into a deep slumber, not before putting up his mind shield. Hermione quietly stepped out of the room, followed by Luna after giving Ron a goodnight kiss. Hermione sighed at the sign of affection, wishing she herself had someone to share that with.

Back at Malfoy Manor, Draco was nursing a bad burn on his right arm just above the wrist. As much as it hurt, Draco couldn't be mad at the Dragon, Sita was her name, for she was just a young one and was unaware of the random bursts of fire that she expelled. Sita was a beautiful deep black color, a Hungarian Horntail in fact, and was surprisingly gentle considering the nature of her relatives. She had no problem with Draco coming right up to stroke her and hand feed her. He was quickly forming a deep bond with the dragon. Unknown to Draco, T.J. was observing him and Sita from afar, chuckling evilly as he now had something to blackmail Draco with.
Draco groaned not wanting to get out of bed as the house elf Korby announced that his mother wanted to see him. Ever since Lucius went to Azkaban, his mother was slowly gaining back the personality she had before marriage. Narcissa Malfoy was once a very warm and caring person, but had since turned to ice after being forced to marry the bastard that raped her all the time, befouling her and making her feel like that which is less than dirt. Narcissa wasn't really sure how to act with Lucius not around, but with help from her son she was on her way to a happier personality. Draco loved his mother more than anything in the world, but right now he just wanted to sleep his pain away. Thinking that his mother could probably heal his burn for him, he slowly got out of bed and made his way through the large halls to the massive study where his mother presided. "Hello Draco," his mother warmly greeted him. "Hey Mum," he responded, "do you think you could heal something for me?" "Absolutely," she said, getting up to see him. After observing his wound she simply flicked her wand, muttered a few words Draco did not catch, and he instantly felt relief from his pain and a nice warm fuzzy feeling moving up his arm. "Thanks very much," he said, "what did you want to see me for?" "I'm going to Diagon Alley first thing in the morning to do some shopping and I wanted to know if you would like to come along so you can get your school things," she said. "Sure thing Mum," he replied, before quickly hugging Narcissa good night and hurrying off to his warm bed. If anyone ever saw him hugging his mother, he knew he would never hear the end of it...

A/N: Yay two down, who knows how many more to go! I'm guessing you know where the next chapter is going, hope it's not too typical. Reading through this I'm sensing it's getting off to a rough start, meaning I hope it's not too boring. This being my first story, I hope it gets better with time. Reviews are most welcome! Stick with me I promise it will get better!

Ciao!