Chapter 3- Friends Re-united

As Harry opened the door to Number 12, Grimmauld Place, Hermione greeted him with the biggest hug he had ever received and he liked it.

"Alright, Hermione, let the man breathe," joked Ron, earning him an elbow in the ribs from Hermione as soon as she let Harry go. "Good to see you, mate, how ya holdin' up?"

"Pretty good," replied Harry, "as soon as I get my breath back." This earned Harry an elbow in the ribs as well.

"Harry, dear, so good to see you," said Mrs. Weasley sweetly, as she wrapped him in a tight embrace.

"Well, Harry, it's good to see you," said Mr. Weasley, as he shook Harry's hand.

"Come on Harry," said Hermione. "We'll show you to your room."

Harry followed them up the stairs, and to the end of the hall, to the room Harry would share with Ron. It was just as he had remembered it. Ron's clothes were strewn all over the room, along with various school and Quidditch books and supplies. It felt like home. His stuff, Harry saw, was already up here.

"I'm going to go to the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley with dinner," said Hermione. "Why don't you boys get caught up?"

"Ok," they replied. Harry hated to see her leave, but he didn't want to be too obvious about his feelings for Hermione, so he kept quiet.

"So, Ron," said Harry, "what's been going on around here? Why haven't you sent me any letters or anything?"

"I'm sorry mate, but Dumbledore wouldn't let me even send a card to you. I don't know why," said Ron. "But other than that, we've mostly been sitting around. I've gotten to know Hermione a lot better. I think I might like her."

Harry's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. Oh my god, he thought. This can't be happening. And after the time he's been spending with Hermione, she probably likes him too. Harry managed a smile.

"That's cool," he said. "Good thing you found someone, she's a pretty good catch."

"I know, she's something, isn't she?" replied Ron.

Harry and Ron made small talk until Hermione returned about an hour later.

"Dinner's ready you guys," she said. "Wash up and come down."

Dinner was an amazing affair. The tables groaned under the amount of food piled atop them. Fortunately Fred and George either hadn't helped, or hadn't felt the need to levitate the food to the table, so there were no major accidents. As soon as Harry looked around that table, his spirits fell. Sirius was notably absent. While he knew in his heart that he was gone, he still didn't want to believe it.

Everyone sat down to the amazing meal prepared by Mrs. Weasley and Hermione. There were dishes of all sorts, and about a dozen types of pie. Tonks was a source of constant laughter. She kept changing her face between bites, so you got a shock every time you looked at her. Harry was pleased to see Bill and Charlie there too, though Percy's absence was noticeable.

After about an hour of constant eating, Harry leaned back from the table not only contented, but completely stuffed. There was an Order meeting after dinner, so the children were all sent away. They were all too tired to disagree, so they went quietly. Hermione said that she was tired, leaving Harry and Ron alone again.

Harry and Ron changed for bed quickly and climbed into their beds. Harry was ready for a good night of sleep. Ron, it appeared, had other things in mind.

"I think Hermione really likes me, what do you think Harry?" asked Ron.

"I don't know," said Harry, "she seems to."

After about an hour of conversation of this manner, Harry was seething inside. He didn't think he could control his anger much longer, so he told Ron that he needed to get to sleep. Ron finally shut up, leaving Harry seething with thoughts of Ron and Hermione.

Harry awoke the next day rather troubled. He had no idea how he was going to break the news to Ron. He had to talk to Hermione; maybe she'd have an idea.

Harry and Ron walked downstairs to breakfast, Harry trying to figure out how to tell Ron, and Ron completely oblivious that anything was wrong. They were joined shortly by Ginny and Hermione. After breakfast, Harry thought it would be a good idea to get a game of Quiditch going. So Bill, Charlie, Ron, Fred, George, Ginny, and he all headed to the backyard. The entire time, all Ron could talk about was Hermione. Harry kept envisioning ripping Ron's head off. He knew he couldn't go on like this. He desperately needed to talk to Hermione.

After they got inside, Harry and Ron showered. After Harry got out, he asked Hermione if he could talk to her while Ron was in the shower. She agreed, apparently not noticing his nervousness. They went to Harry and Ron's room, and Harry turned to Hermione quickly.

"Hermione," he said, "there's a serious problem. Ron's been going on all day about how he likes you. How are we going to break it to him? I don't wanna hurt him. He's like my brother."

Hermione smiled. "Harry, I like Ron like a brother too. We're just going to have to figure it out somehow."

She gave him a hug just as Ron walked in. They immediately released each other, and Ron started laughing hysterically.

"Finally," he said. "I didn't know how much longer I could keep this up."

Harry and Hermione gave him a nonplussed look.

"What are you talking about?" they asked asked.

"Harry," he said, "I don't like Hermione. I've been acting like it all this time to try to get you to admit how you felt for her. Everyone else knew it, but you're just so darn thick. Not to mention, there's been a pot going since about 3rd year as to when you two would get together. I guessed this summer. Since you too seemingly hadn't gotten together after spending a couple weeks together, I decided that desperate measures were called for."

He laughed again, and this time Harry and Hermione joined him. Harry couldn't believe it. He had never felt as happy as he did at that moment.

The week flew by rather quickly. Harry soon learned that Ron had a thing for Luna Lovegood, though he honestly couldn't figure out why. She had always seemed nice enough, but she was rather strange. Of course, what could you expect from a girl whose father is the editor of the Quibbler?

Before he knew it, it was Harry's birthday. When he woke up, he almost didn't remember. Neither, it seemed, had anyone else. Hermione greeted him that morning with a hug and kiss on the cheek as had become her custom, but made no mention of his birthday. Ron didn't say anything either, nor did anyone else in the house. Harry didn't think much of it. He had spent 11 years without having his birthday remembered, though it wasn't like his friends to forget.

The trio spent the day with Mrs. Weasley, helping her clean the house, which had become quite dirty since Sirius had died. Fortunately, this time around they were only facing dirt, instead of some nether creature. Kreecher died shortly after Sirius, but did not get his head on a plaque like he had always hoped. Instead he had a rather unceremonious burial in the backyard.

After lunch, the boys and Ginny all went outside for a game of Quidditch. It was a great game, lessened only by the fact that it started raining halfway through, leaving them all drenched to the bone. They enjoyed it nonetheless. The gang dragged themselves in around 5:00, and got cleaned for dinner.

When Harry descended the stairs to the kitchen, he was met by a great sight. It seemed that his birthday had not been forgotten after all. There was a large banner reading: "Happy Birthday Harry" along with large amounts of streamers, balloons, and various other party items. Mrs. Weasley had truly outdone herself with this feast. There was turkey, ham, chicken, beef brisket, and as many types of food as there were people to eat it.

This was quite possibly Harry's best birthday. Mad-Eye gave him 101 Curses, Jinxes and Hexes. From Lupin, he got The Ultimate Guide to Defensive Spells. Tonks gave him The Wizard's Guide to Shape Shifting. Fred and George gave him a sack of goodies from their new store. Ron, funnily enough, gave him a year's subscription to the Quibbler. The rest of the Weasleys gave him a large assortment of treats, both homemade and those purchased at Honeyduke's. And finally, probably his favorite present was The Auror's Handbook from Hermione.

Dumbledore showed up about half-way through the party. He brought a present of a different kind: Sirius's will. He didn't say anything about it until after Harry had opened up his presents. Once he was done, Dumbledore spoke up.

"I think this would be an appropriate time to read Sirius's will," he said. He gave Harry a knowing look. "I think this may be Harry's greatest gift."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry to comfort him.

"The will reads:

To Harry James Potter, I leave the house at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. I also leave him that money in my Gringott's account which is not dealt with here, and any stocks, bonds, and real estate in my possession. To the Weasley Family, I leave the sum of 500,000 galleons. To Ms. Hermione Granger, I leave the sum of 100,000 galleons. To the Longbottom Family, I leave the sum of 250,000 galleons. To Ms. Luna Lovegood, I leave the sum of 125,000 galleons. And to my dear friend Remus Lupin, I leave the sum of 200,000 galleons, and the invitation to stay in this house with Harry, until such time as you see fit to leave it.

Harry sat there in a state of shock. The house was his. And he was quite sure that he had just become a rather rich man, as well as all of his friends.

"Professor Dumbledore, sir," Harry asked, "exactly how much money has he left me?"

"Well, Harry, while we're not sure of the value of his stocks, bonds, and real estate, the money in his Gringott's account, with his other leavings taken into account, now totals in excess of 8,000,000 galleons," replied Dumbledore with a smile.

8 million galleons, Harry thought to himself. He had indeed become a rich man.

"Well, Professor Dumbledore, I believe there is something I can do now. I would like to donate the use of this house to the Order of the Phoenix, until Voldemort has been destroyed."

"And as head of the Order, I graciously accept your offer, Harry," replied Dumbledore.

Everyone cheered. They partied into the wee hours of the night, drinking butterbeer, playing games, and in general enjoying themselves. Harry was sure that this was one of the happiest days of his life.