Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to Harry Potter or any characters or places in this story, they belong to JK Rowling. I am making no money from this story.
Chapter 8 The Party
Upon entering the kitchen they found that Mrs. Weasley had put up a few decorations. There was a small gathering, besides the people who were staying at the house, including Professor Dumbledore, Tonks, Mad Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Mrs. Weasley had outdone herself with the meal she had prepared. The conversation struck up a merry tone as everyone began to eat. When they finished and the table had been cleared Mrs. Weasley produced a birthday cake much to everyone's delight. It had sixteen candles and read "Happy Birthday Harry" in icing that seemed to change colors. After a chorus of "Happy Birthday" in which it seemed the twins were the loudest, the group turned and awaited Harry's wish.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on what to wish for. His birthday was usually a trivial event that he celebrated alone. This year he was surrounded by all the people he loved. "Well almost everyone." he thought to himself. Even still, He knew that this was a special event. The thing he wanted most was to protect his friends from Voldemort. He couldn't risk losing anyone else. He wouldn't let the pain and death touch them as it had him. So he took yet another burden unto himself, wishing resolutely, and blew out the candles.
After the cake came presents that seemed to form a mountain on the table in the drawing room. There was a grateful smile on his face as Harry began to tear open the packages. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley gave him a long thin box, which held the hand of a clock. Examining it closer he recognized that it had his name on it. "It is to go on the clock in our home Harry," said Mr. Weasley with a look of pride. "Truly you are a part of our family." Mrs. Weasley eyes had already welled up, and Harry wasn't far behind.
"I don't know what to say. This means so much to me." Harry said as he got up and gave them both a hug.
From Hermione he received a peculiar gift for a wizard. He had been expecting a book or some such thing, but this was nothing of the sort. He pulled from the package what looked like a muggle cd player. He looked to her with a mingled expression of gratitude and uncertainty. It wasn't the first time she had surprised him with her gift, she had after all given him a broom servicing kit once.
She seemed to read his mind and spoke up before he could ask, "I know that electric devices don't work at Hogwarts, so I asked Fred and George if they could charm it to play music while you are there. They seemed to work it out. It will still play muggle cd's as well, just not while you are at school." she finished.
"Thanks Hermione, it's great." Harry replied with a wide grin across his face. Mr. Weasley had perked up a bit at the sight of the muggle device and was staring at it intently. Harry noticed and passed the gift over to him and asked Hermione to explain it. He opened Ron's gift next, which was an assortment of sweets, including a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans. The twins had given him a package containing some of their latest products, which Harry eyed suspiciously. He made a mental note not to use any of the items until he had asked them what the effects of each item were. There was a small package from Dobby the house elf, which, Harry correctly guessed, contained a pair of socks. A pair of mismatched socks.
Next came a gift from Professor Dumbledore. It was an odd notion that the Headmaster of his school was at his birthday party, let alone that he had received a gift from his mentor. Opening the silvery wrapping paper Harry found that it held a pensieve. Harry looked at his Headmaster in awe. Oddly enough, inside the magical device was a pair of wool socks. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with joy as he gave Harry a knowing look and a small wink. Harry thought back for a moment to his first year when Dumbledore found that Harry had discovered The Mirror of Erised. Harry asked his professor what he saw when looking into the mirror, which showed a person's greatest desire, and Dumbledore responded that he saw himself with a pair of warm socks. Harry chuckled inwardly and nodded in appreciation.
Ginny gave him two presents. The first was a set of enchanted pictures of Harry and the Weasley family, which must have been taken before the Quidditch World Cup, and Harry with his two best friends in the Gryffindor common room. The second was a small box. Enclosed was a Golden Snitch engraved with his initials. He managed to whisper a thank you across the room.
Harry received a book on Auror training from Kingsley and Tonks, and Moody gave him a small mirror. It was a foe glass. "Best you have something like this boy, no doubt it will come in handy with the amount of trouble you attract." the mangled ex-Auror growled with a frightening smile.
The final present was from Remus Lupin. This gift was also wrapped in a small box. "Well open it up then," said Remus with a smirk, "I promise it won't bite." Harry glanced awkwardly at his former professor before opening the box. Inside Harry found two gold bands that were identical except for their size. This was another gift that would require some explanation. "They belonged to your parents Harry. It's their wedding rings." Lupin explained as the room fell silent. "When they died they were left in Sirius' care. I believe he was waiting for the right time to give them to you."
For the second time that night Harry was left speechless. He removed the small bands from their velvet encasing, gently running his fingers over the smooth metal. Here was something from both his parents and Sirius. A shadow of grief passed over his face before he smiled shakily. How could something feel so precious and yet hurt so much. Looking around the room he felt choked, something that was welling up inside him. His eyes rested on each person, his family. Harry knew that the words to describe how he felt did not exist. Today was not just the best birthday he had ever had; it was perhaps the best day of his life. He knew that he was loved, that he meant something to the people gathered here. Harry was generally very close with his emotions, but there was nothing for it. He stood up from his chair and proceeded to embrace each person in the room, quite a task considering Moody, Ron, and the twins. As he released Lupin he rounded on the group, "This is the most anyone has ever done for me. Thank you."
Dumbledore nodded to Mrs. Weasley who left the room and returned a moment later with a tray of glasses filled with a bubbly liquid. After passing around the goblets Dumbledore raised his in the air and said, "To Harry, Happy Birthday."
"To Harry!" chorused around the room and everyone drank fully from their goblets. Harry grinned shyly as he drained his own cup.
It was still early in the evening so another round was poured. A chatter soon filled the room as the merriment continued. Harry broke off into conversation with his friends and the different guests, though he was still overwhelmed with emotion.
Fred and George managed to sneak Harry off into a corner for a few minutes to discuss their business. They had wanted to pay Harry back for his original investment. He refused any payment but made them promise to keep up the jokes; he knew that soon enough he would be desperate for a good laugh. They gave him their solemn promise, and pledge to keep him in stock of their latest inventions.
A short while later Harry joined Hermione, Ron, and Ginny who were speaking quietly with Professor Dumbledore and Lupin. "Harry," started his former teacher, "these three were just telling us that you were interested in continuing with your defense group. Is it true?" Lupin seemed to regard Harry with pride.
So taking his seat Harry answered, "Yes. Well that is if it would be allowed. It was pretty successful last term, and most of the members would probably be willing to continue. What do you think Professor?"
"I think, Harry, that it is an excellent idea. The better prepared our students are to face what is ahead, the better I will sleep at night." Dumbledore said, looking pleased at the idea. "I would ask however, that you consider including more students in the group, and that you allow a Professor to review each lesson you are presenting. Otherwise, I see no reason that you should not continue." he finished with a polite smile and a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Thank you sir. It may be difficult to get other people to join but we'll try. I'm not sure which Professor to ask though. We'll need to think about that." Harry responded.
Dumbledore nodded and spoke again, "I am fully confident that you will do well. If there is any help that I may offer once the term has started and you are ready to begin, feel free to ask me. Now then Harry, I suppose we should begin to consider your other extracurricular lessons for this term. Aside from Quidditch which I am sure you will wish to continue now that your ban has been lifted," Dumbledore paused for a moment to take in the excitement on Harry's face, "I believe that I have also mentioned continuing Occlumency lessons. Which of course was the reason for the gift, a pensieve of your own should make your lessons easier, as well as allow you time to sort through some of the things you are dealing with, but unless I am much mistaken you have already found some outlet for such burdens." Dumbledore turned his glance on the other three students who had been listening intently.
Harry took the hint at his friends' knowledge of the Prophecy. "Yes sir. I told them this afternoon. I owed it to my friends after they risked so much for me in June. I probably should have asked you first though." Harry said quietly.
Dumbledore redirected his gaze on Harry. "You know the importance of the prophecy Harry, and I trust your decision. I would caution you however, knowledge of this secret puts a mark on each of you. It would be wise to hide the fact that you know anything more than the fact that it existed. Few people in the Order have been privy to the contents, as exposure of the information would be terribly dangerous, especially to Harry." The group nodded their understanding. They continued to discuss some of the extra studies that Harry would be doing while at school, including defense and dueling. Some time later the party broke up much to everyone's dismay. Those who were leaving did so, while the others headed to bed.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry stayed in the room silently gazing at the fire. It had been a rather long day, but none of them were quite ready to sleep, but they did not have the energy to do much else either. So they were contented to remain peacefully in each other's company, stretched out on the furniture. Harry had been musing to himself about what a great day he had when Hermione poked him in the arm. "I said Harry, would you like another glass of wine?" she repeated in an amused manner.
He stirred slowly from his thoughts and answered, "Yeah, I suppose I would thanks." He considered his friends as he accepted the glass. Looking briefly at their faces he smiled, knowing how much they meant to him. They spent the remainder of the night like that, drinking wine and talking occasionally, until one by one they drifted of to sleep several hours later.
Chapter 8 The Party
Upon entering the kitchen they found that Mrs. Weasley had put up a few decorations. There was a small gathering, besides the people who were staying at the house, including Professor Dumbledore, Tonks, Mad Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Mrs. Weasley had outdone herself with the meal she had prepared. The conversation struck up a merry tone as everyone began to eat. When they finished and the table had been cleared Mrs. Weasley produced a birthday cake much to everyone's delight. It had sixteen candles and read "Happy Birthday Harry" in icing that seemed to change colors. After a chorus of "Happy Birthday" in which it seemed the twins were the loudest, the group turned and awaited Harry's wish.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on what to wish for. His birthday was usually a trivial event that he celebrated alone. This year he was surrounded by all the people he loved. "Well almost everyone." he thought to himself. Even still, He knew that this was a special event. The thing he wanted most was to protect his friends from Voldemort. He couldn't risk losing anyone else. He wouldn't let the pain and death touch them as it had him. So he took yet another burden unto himself, wishing resolutely, and blew out the candles.
After the cake came presents that seemed to form a mountain on the table in the drawing room. There was a grateful smile on his face as Harry began to tear open the packages. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley gave him a long thin box, which held the hand of a clock. Examining it closer he recognized that it had his name on it. "It is to go on the clock in our home Harry," said Mr. Weasley with a look of pride. "Truly you are a part of our family." Mrs. Weasley eyes had already welled up, and Harry wasn't far behind.
"I don't know what to say. This means so much to me." Harry said as he got up and gave them both a hug.
From Hermione he received a peculiar gift for a wizard. He had been expecting a book or some such thing, but this was nothing of the sort. He pulled from the package what looked like a muggle cd player. He looked to her with a mingled expression of gratitude and uncertainty. It wasn't the first time she had surprised him with her gift, she had after all given him a broom servicing kit once.
She seemed to read his mind and spoke up before he could ask, "I know that electric devices don't work at Hogwarts, so I asked Fred and George if they could charm it to play music while you are there. They seemed to work it out. It will still play muggle cd's as well, just not while you are at school." she finished.
"Thanks Hermione, it's great." Harry replied with a wide grin across his face. Mr. Weasley had perked up a bit at the sight of the muggle device and was staring at it intently. Harry noticed and passed the gift over to him and asked Hermione to explain it. He opened Ron's gift next, which was an assortment of sweets, including a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans. The twins had given him a package containing some of their latest products, which Harry eyed suspiciously. He made a mental note not to use any of the items until he had asked them what the effects of each item were. There was a small package from Dobby the house elf, which, Harry correctly guessed, contained a pair of socks. A pair of mismatched socks.
Next came a gift from Professor Dumbledore. It was an odd notion that the Headmaster of his school was at his birthday party, let alone that he had received a gift from his mentor. Opening the silvery wrapping paper Harry found that it held a pensieve. Harry looked at his Headmaster in awe. Oddly enough, inside the magical device was a pair of wool socks. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with joy as he gave Harry a knowing look and a small wink. Harry thought back for a moment to his first year when Dumbledore found that Harry had discovered The Mirror of Erised. Harry asked his professor what he saw when looking into the mirror, which showed a person's greatest desire, and Dumbledore responded that he saw himself with a pair of warm socks. Harry chuckled inwardly and nodded in appreciation.
Ginny gave him two presents. The first was a set of enchanted pictures of Harry and the Weasley family, which must have been taken before the Quidditch World Cup, and Harry with his two best friends in the Gryffindor common room. The second was a small box. Enclosed was a Golden Snitch engraved with his initials. He managed to whisper a thank you across the room.
Harry received a book on Auror training from Kingsley and Tonks, and Moody gave him a small mirror. It was a foe glass. "Best you have something like this boy, no doubt it will come in handy with the amount of trouble you attract." the mangled ex-Auror growled with a frightening smile.
The final present was from Remus Lupin. This gift was also wrapped in a small box. "Well open it up then," said Remus with a smirk, "I promise it won't bite." Harry glanced awkwardly at his former professor before opening the box. Inside Harry found two gold bands that were identical except for their size. This was another gift that would require some explanation. "They belonged to your parents Harry. It's their wedding rings." Lupin explained as the room fell silent. "When they died they were left in Sirius' care. I believe he was waiting for the right time to give them to you."
For the second time that night Harry was left speechless. He removed the small bands from their velvet encasing, gently running his fingers over the smooth metal. Here was something from both his parents and Sirius. A shadow of grief passed over his face before he smiled shakily. How could something feel so precious and yet hurt so much. Looking around the room he felt choked, something that was welling up inside him. His eyes rested on each person, his family. Harry knew that the words to describe how he felt did not exist. Today was not just the best birthday he had ever had; it was perhaps the best day of his life. He knew that he was loved, that he meant something to the people gathered here. Harry was generally very close with his emotions, but there was nothing for it. He stood up from his chair and proceeded to embrace each person in the room, quite a task considering Moody, Ron, and the twins. As he released Lupin he rounded on the group, "This is the most anyone has ever done for me. Thank you."
Dumbledore nodded to Mrs. Weasley who left the room and returned a moment later with a tray of glasses filled with a bubbly liquid. After passing around the goblets Dumbledore raised his in the air and said, "To Harry, Happy Birthday."
"To Harry!" chorused around the room and everyone drank fully from their goblets. Harry grinned shyly as he drained his own cup.
It was still early in the evening so another round was poured. A chatter soon filled the room as the merriment continued. Harry broke off into conversation with his friends and the different guests, though he was still overwhelmed with emotion.
Fred and George managed to sneak Harry off into a corner for a few minutes to discuss their business. They had wanted to pay Harry back for his original investment. He refused any payment but made them promise to keep up the jokes; he knew that soon enough he would be desperate for a good laugh. They gave him their solemn promise, and pledge to keep him in stock of their latest inventions.
A short while later Harry joined Hermione, Ron, and Ginny who were speaking quietly with Professor Dumbledore and Lupin. "Harry," started his former teacher, "these three were just telling us that you were interested in continuing with your defense group. Is it true?" Lupin seemed to regard Harry with pride.
So taking his seat Harry answered, "Yes. Well that is if it would be allowed. It was pretty successful last term, and most of the members would probably be willing to continue. What do you think Professor?"
"I think, Harry, that it is an excellent idea. The better prepared our students are to face what is ahead, the better I will sleep at night." Dumbledore said, looking pleased at the idea. "I would ask however, that you consider including more students in the group, and that you allow a Professor to review each lesson you are presenting. Otherwise, I see no reason that you should not continue." he finished with a polite smile and a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
"Thank you sir. It may be difficult to get other people to join but we'll try. I'm not sure which Professor to ask though. We'll need to think about that." Harry responded.
Dumbledore nodded and spoke again, "I am fully confident that you will do well. If there is any help that I may offer once the term has started and you are ready to begin, feel free to ask me. Now then Harry, I suppose we should begin to consider your other extracurricular lessons for this term. Aside from Quidditch which I am sure you will wish to continue now that your ban has been lifted," Dumbledore paused for a moment to take in the excitement on Harry's face, "I believe that I have also mentioned continuing Occlumency lessons. Which of course was the reason for the gift, a pensieve of your own should make your lessons easier, as well as allow you time to sort through some of the things you are dealing with, but unless I am much mistaken you have already found some outlet for such burdens." Dumbledore turned his glance on the other three students who had been listening intently.
Harry took the hint at his friends' knowledge of the Prophecy. "Yes sir. I told them this afternoon. I owed it to my friends after they risked so much for me in June. I probably should have asked you first though." Harry said quietly.
Dumbledore redirected his gaze on Harry. "You know the importance of the prophecy Harry, and I trust your decision. I would caution you however, knowledge of this secret puts a mark on each of you. It would be wise to hide the fact that you know anything more than the fact that it existed. Few people in the Order have been privy to the contents, as exposure of the information would be terribly dangerous, especially to Harry." The group nodded their understanding. They continued to discuss some of the extra studies that Harry would be doing while at school, including defense and dueling. Some time later the party broke up much to everyone's dismay. Those who were leaving did so, while the others headed to bed.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry stayed in the room silently gazing at the fire. It had been a rather long day, but none of them were quite ready to sleep, but they did not have the energy to do much else either. So they were contented to remain peacefully in each other's company, stretched out on the furniture. Harry had been musing to himself about what a great day he had when Hermione poked him in the arm. "I said Harry, would you like another glass of wine?" she repeated in an amused manner.
He stirred slowly from his thoughts and answered, "Yeah, I suppose I would thanks." He considered his friends as he accepted the glass. Looking briefly at their faces he smiled, knowing how much they meant to him. They spent the remainder of the night like that, drinking wine and talking occasionally, until one by one they drifted of to sleep several hours later.
