A/N: I don't own this.

Chapter 9- Apparating and wealth

After dancing, everyone sat down to eat. At every table was the following menu:

Special celebration meals- your choice of entree, 2 sides and a soup or salad
Entrees:
Steamed salmon
Roasted chicken
Grilled steak Side orders:
French fries
Baked potato w/ cheese and bacon
Steamed vegetables
Onion rings
Mozzarella sticks
Mashed potatoes
Corn
Peas and carrots

Harry was sitting with Hermione at a table along with Ron and Ginny. Harry was surprised that this type of party had been scheduled for him and he figured the twins were the likely culprits. Harry was thinking about the presents that people had left on the table when Hermione's voice cut into his thoughts.

"So what are you going to get Harry?" Hermione asked him.

"I think I'll get the roast chicken with mashed potatoes, corn and a salad," Harry said.

"Hmm interesting Harry. I was going to get the salmon with steamed vegetables, peas and carrots along with a salad," Hermione said.

"Well I am going to get the steak, french fries, mozzarella sticks and a salad," Ron said.

"Eurgh Ron," Ginny said.

After waiters had gone around taking everyone's orders, the food came out fifteen minutes later. The portions were somewhat large but the food was delicious. Harry could not remember ever eating such good food and he made a mental note to ask Fred and George where the restaurant was so that he could possibly return with Hermione another time. When Harry was done eating, Harry then got up from his seat and waited for Hermione. Harry then felt someone tap his shoulder and when Harry turned around, he saw Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour.

"Oh Harry How are you?" Fleur asked, kissing him on the cheek then stepped aside and let Gabrielle kiss Harry's other cheek.

"Je suis tres bien. Comment allez-vous?" Harry replied (a/n translation: I am fine. How are you?) in a bad French accent, causing Fleur and Gabrielle to laugh.

"Well happy birthday Harry," Fleur said as she and Gabrielle went back to their table.

"You are the luckiest bloke, Harry," Ron said. "You have two beautiful women kiss you and you're dating Hermione," Ron said.

"Why don't you go speak with Lavender Ron?" Harry asked as Ron blushed furiously. "Oh wait never mind Ron, Lavender's heading your way," Harry said and sure enough Lavender was heading in their direction.

"Hi Ron, Harry," Lavender said giving both of them a small wave. "Oh and happy birthday Harry," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

"Erm Lavender? Can we go someplace private because there's something I need to tell you," Ron said nervously.

"Sure Ron," Lavender replied and grabbed his arm then took him someplace private.

Harry watched the scene and chuckled to himself. 'Was Ron going to tell Lavender how he really felt about her?' Harry thought as he watched them walk away. Harry then felt someone put their arms around his waist and he could tell it was Hermione. Harry sighed then stood there as Hermione hugged him.

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yes Herm?" Harry replied.

"I didn't get you a gift Harry because I wasn't too sure what to give you. So instead I decided to give you a birthday card and then any gift of your choice Harry," Hermione said.

"Oh okay," Harry said before he stopped to think. "So when I thought of something I want, I can just tell you?" Harry asked and Hermione nodded. "So how long will this offer last Herm?" Harry asked.

"Oh until I get you your gift Harry," Hermione said before kissing Harry again.

Lavender had taken Ron to a quiet and secluded corner of the restaurant away from most people. True Lavender was nervous since she didn't know what Ron was going to tell her. "So what's up Ron?" she asked the tall red head.

"I don't really know how to say this Lavender but I love you...," Ron whispered and looked down to the floor, embarrassed.

Lavender stood there thinking about what Ron had said. 'Ron just said he loves you. The boy you got a fucking crush on? Hello girl tell him how you feel,' Lavender thought. Lavender was going to speak but Ron spoke first.

"If you don't love me then I understand Lavender," Ron said as he started to walk away.

'Its now or never girl,' Lavender thought. "Ron, wait please," Lavender called out after him and Ron stopped.

"Yeah Lavender?" Ron said.

"I have waited so long for you to say that Ron. Why? Its because I love you too Ron," Lavender said while tears fell from her eyes.

"You..you love me?" Ron asked, stunned and in disbelief. Lavender nodded and Ron moved closer to Lavender. Ron then wiped away some of her tears and kissed Lavender on the lips.

A few hours later, the birthday party for Harry was officially over. Harry had gotten hugs and kisses on the cheek from most of the females attending his party. Harry had decided to open his gifts back at Grimmauld Place so Moody, Tonks and Lupin had helped him carry all of his presents back to Grimmauld Place and now he was saying goodbye to the people who had attended his party. Fred and George had told him the restaurant was called The Golden Owl and was located in Hogsmeade, off of the main road. After all the guests had gone, Harry and Hermione then used floo powder and went back to Grimmauld Place.

At Grimmauld Place, Harry noticed that Dumbledore and Lupin were waiting for him to get back. When they saw Harry return, Dumbledore called out to Harry.

"Mr. Potter, I have a matter to discuss with you," Dumbledore said gesturing for him to enter the kitchen.

"Harry, when Sirius died, he was a very rich man because his family was one of the oldest wizarding families and had amassed a lot of gold over the years," Lupin told Harry.

"So when Sirius died, his will stated that the money would go to several different people- Tonks, Remus and you Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said before continuing. "Now there was over twenty million galleons in Sirius' vault at the time of his death. Ten percent went to Tonks, fifteen percent went to Remus and everything else is yours Harry," Dumbledore said.

"Now there is over seventeen million galleons in your vault at Gringotts, Harry and we would like to know what you plan to do with the money," Lupin said.

Harry felt his throat go dry and tears on the verge of falling but Harry held them in. Harry couldn't believe it- over seventeen million galleons in his bank vault! Harry took a deep breath before continuing. "I want to give the Weasleys a third of whatever I inherited from Sirius," Harry said.

"Okay," Dumbledore said. "Sorry to discuss this on your birthday Mr. Potter but it had to be done," Dumbledore said, giving Harry a smile before leaving.

"How are you Harry?" asked Remus.

"I'm fine. I'm just thinking about what to do now" Harry replied. "Well I'm going to see Hermione, Professor Lupin so I'll leave now," Harry said as he went to leave.

"Harry" Lupin called out. "Don't call me Professor Lupin since I'm not your professor anymore. Call me Remus or Lupin or even Moony if you want. Oh and I will be teaching you how to apparate shortly," Lupin said as Harry nodded.

Harry then went upstairs to the bedroom he and Ron shared and the place where all of his gifts were. Harry took a seat next to Hermione and started to open his packages. Ron, Hermione and Ginny helped him open his gifts and over an hour later Harry had many more items including:

A pensive from Dumbledore
Some pranks from Fred and George
A set of expensive seeker gloves from Alicia Spinnet
A book on Quidditch tactics from Oliver Wood
A set of comics from Ron

"The key to apparating is concentrating on where you want to end up," Lupin told Harry. Lupin had started teaching Harry how to apparate in the living room and Harry was a quick learner. "You need to really focus on your destination- imagine as many details as possible so that it will be easier for you to apparate," Lupin said.

Harry thought about his destination- the opposite corner of the room. Harry thought of as many details as he could and then pointed his wand at himself. "Apyrecus," Harry said, using the spell to apparate. Harry felt a tug around his waist then found himself in the opposite corner.

"Good Harry now I will go to the kitchen and I want you to apparate to the kitchen when you're ready," Lupin said. "Give me a second to go into the kitchen" Lupin told Harry before going to the kitchen.

Harry took a deep breath and concentrated on the kitchen at Grimmauld Place. "Apyrecus," Harry said, pointing his wand at himself. Harry then felt another tug and found himself in the kitchen at Grimmauld Place where Lupin and Mrs. Weasley were beaming at him.

"Congratulations Harry, you can now apparate," Lupin said shaking Harry's hand.

Two weeks had passed since Harry's birthday party. By now Harry was able to apparate and was unsure of what he wanted Hermione to get him as a birthday present. Harry then looked into his trunk which were full of Dudley's old clothes which were still too big on Harry. It then hit Harry and he knew what he had wanted from Hermione as a birthday present. Harry would go tell Hermione what he wanted as a present later that night.

Later that night Hermione was having dreams about Harry when she felt someone shaking her. "Whose there?" Hermione muttered as she was still sleepy.

"Herm its me," Harry said as Hermione opened her eyes.

"Harry it's five in the morning. What are you doing here?" Hermione asked groggily.

"I think I know what I want as a birthday present," Harry said. "Get dressed and brush your teeth then I'll tell you Herm," Harry said as he got out of her room.

Ten minutes later Hermione was dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt and a pair of sneakers. "Yes Harry?" Hermione asked him.

Harry then took out his broom. "Come on Herm, we're going for a broomstick ride first. There's something I need to show you," Harry said.

"No way," Hermione said. "No way am I going on that broom," Hermione said.

"Do you trust me Herm?" Harry asked.

"Well yes," Hermione said.

"Do you think I'll let you fall off my broom?" Harry asked her while he looked Hermione in the eye as his emerald green eyes stared into her cinnamon brown eyes.

'His eyes are so beautiful,' Hermione thought. "You're right Harry- I don't think you'll let me fall off your broom," Hermione said.

Soon Harry and Hermione were flying across London on Harry's Firebolt. Hermione had put her arms around Harry's waist and held onto him real tight while putting her head in his back. Hermione had not bothered to open her eyes ever since they had went in the air. Hermione then felt Harry put his hand on hers. "Harry keep your hands on the broom!" Hermione hissed.

"But I want you to see this Herm so open your eyes," Harry said.

Hermione slowly moved her head away from Harry's back and looked up. She saw that they were both in the sky above the clouds and the sun was starting to rise. Hermione saw a wide range of colors in the sky from blue to purple to orange. This was the last thing she had expected Harry to do but even in her surprise she said "It's so beautiful Harry."

"I know Herm. I wanted you to see this because the sky is beautiful just like you," Harry said as he turned around and kissed Hermione.

"So what's this birthday present you want Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Oh that," Harry said then looked thoughtful for a minute. "I want you to go shopping with me in muggle London because I want to buy some clothes that actually fit instead of the oversized stuff I got from Dudley," Harry said.

'So that's what he wanted,' Hermione thought as tears came to her eyes. Harry's request was simple enough anyway she thought. "Okay Harry but the first hundred pounds are on me," Hermione said as she moved closer to Harry.

Harry nodded then they returned to Grimmauld Place.

A/N: Please read and review.