Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter Universe all other claimants to anything to do with the H.P. story are simply hangers on to her glory. I thank her for allowing us mere mortals to play in her world and I promise that while I have Harry in my care nothing bad will happen to him. I will leave that to J.K.R. herself in her books.
LOVE CONQUERS ALLAuthors Note. If you are reading these chapters as they are being released you will notice that the beginning of this chapter is what was the end of Chapter 8; I have moved it here to keep the Chapter lengths fairly even. I have added about 1,000 words to the start of Ch.8 so I recommend you to reread the first two (plus) sections of that chapter.
Chapter 9.Harry's Birthday.
It was about another hour before the others returned to the flat and they were in high spirits. Of course Hermione's parents were invited, so she telephoned her mum immediately to tell her, she told them that as soon as we are all ready she would come to the house to collect them and bring them to the Burrow.
The other answer was also yes, could Dobby go to the Burrow as soon as we have finished with him.
Harry gazed at the sea and said, "It looks very nice out, lets go out for a little walk, we can have lunch out and Dobby can go to the Burrow as soon as he is ready." All of them agreed that this was a reasonable idea, so Harry called Dobby and explained to him what he would like, and Dobby was very happy, and then Harry told him to explain to Mrs Weasley that they were having lunch out and he could go as soon as he was ready, there was a pop and Dobby vanished.
Ten minutes later they were dressed fully Muggle but with their wands, they went down stairs and left the building then they crossed the road so that they could use the path down the cliff face to the promenade.
As the gang started strolling towards Chudley Salterton centre Hermione said, "I bet Dobby left straight away," she had a sad smile, "I know he wanted to be free and all that but he doesn't really understand what freedom is, does he?"
After a pause Harry replied, "I don't know, I recon that Dobby fancies Winky, that's why he is so keen to go and help Molly.
Anyway if you want to continue with SPEW you should first try to teach the Hogwarts House Elves what freedom is and what freedom means, then if possible after that you could encourage some of them to try it.
One of the major problems you are facing is that the House Elves you meet at Hogwarts are generally very happy, the only one we have met who wasn't was Winky and now she is with a family she is fine. You are trying to start a revolution with a population base that think that they have, just about, the best job in the world, you know that Dobby loves me and he is here looking after us because of that but give him an offer of more work and he's gone, like a flash, look at him this morning.
I truly believe that house elves love to work, all they want in addition to that is to be treated reasonably and fairly, not like the Malfoy's treated Dobby, what Dobby wanted was not freedom as we know it but the right to say, 'I have had enough of this abuse I am leaving'.
I am reasonably sure that even Kreacher did not start off by being evil, probably it was only years of maltreatment, by the Black family that made him the way he became. Even Sirius didn't treat him with any respect, if Kreacher had lived his life at Hogwarts he would probably have been just like all the other house elves."
By this time they had reached a plaza just inland surrounding a small harbour, there were some stalls to buy food, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Pizzas, Fish and Chips and Ice Cream were among the things on offer, so they ate, Ron tried all the stalls, a few of them twice.
After they had eaten they started to stroll back towards the flat, so Hermione resumed her conversation, "Well what do you think that I can do then?"
Once again Harry thought for a few minutes and then answered, "Really I have no idea, do you know if House Elves have their own communications network, if they do and you teach the ones at Hogwarts about self respect, it is possible that they can spread the word among their less fortunate cousins. Try not to call whatever you are aiming for 'Freedom' that almost certainly is a dirty word to most House Elves, it is something that happens to you if you are bad and not something to be aimed for.
Short of that I do not know what you can do, so why don't you have a long talk with Dobby and then Winky sometime, make notes of what they think and try to plan a strategy from there. But personally I still am really not convinced that it is actually freedom in our sense of the word that House Elves either want or need."
The group had started to climb up the cliff face path towards their flat, but after spending the previous five years with all the stairs in the Hogwarts castle it wasn't tiring for any of them except Tonks, so of course the others teased her.
When the gang were settled back in their lounge, they decided to play Exploding Snap and they were all sat in a big circle on the floor enjoying themselves. But it became hilarious and just a bit dangerous when Crookshanks decided to join in the fun, because he kept jumping on the cards this sent exploding cards flying all over the room.
"It's four o'clock I was wondering if it was time for us 'Girls' to start getting ready for the party?" enquired Tonks, the other three decided that it was a very good idea and the girls left.
Ron said, "Two and a half hours to get ready, what on earth do they do to themselves."
Harry answered, "I don't know what they do and I dare not ask how they do it, but it works, last time they all looked gorgeous."
"That's true. Do you mind if I read that book that Hermione lent me? I haven't even started it yet and if I don't read it you know how she'll get." They both laughed and Ron went and sat in a chair and started reading.
Harry decided he was going to try an experiment and he went and lay on his bed, and closed his eyes.
"Hello Hermione!" he thought.
"Oh Harry this is wonderful, I wondered if it would work?"
"Well it certainly seems so, I am lying on my bed with my eyes closed and I can see out of you eyes."
"Can you now!" even her mental voice had mischief in it, she moved over and stood in front of her mirror, she only had her underwear on. You could say that he was moved.
"I was just going to take these off, to go in the shower," she started reaching up behind her back to undo her bra.
"Please don't."
"Why, it's not real seeing?"
"It's better than real seeing."
"How can it possibly be better than real seeing?"
"I'm in your mind with you and as well as seeing I can feel your thoughts. Which, I might add, are most unbecoming a Hogwarts Prefect or a young lady. So it makes it very, very real."
Her reflection looked pensive, "Can I try?"
"Of course, go and lay on your bed and close your eyes," as she moved from the mirror he opened his eyes, stood up and went over towards Hedwig and started stroking her.
"I can see you stroking Hedwig," she said, "go over and stand in front of your mirror and give me a treat."
Before he reached the mirror Parvati's voice broke into their thoughts, "Have you showered yet? Can we do your hair?"
Hermione mentally. "Dammm! I have to go, love you, bye." Then orally "I'm just getting in now."
Then Parvati said, "What have you been doing, daydreaming I bet? Get on with it."
'I suppose you could say that I was daydreaming', muttered Hermione, as she went into the shower, 'dam, dam, and dam…'
Harry sat back down on his bed and said, "Myrddin."
"Yes Harry."
"Would it be possible for Hermione and I to include anyone else in this link we have?"
"I am afraid that, as far as I know that is not possible, although you will find that when you touch some people who are very close to you, highly receptive or powerful magically, you will be able to communicate telepathically. Also if I think that you need it I will automatically tell you the mindset of anybody you actually touch."
Harry thanked Myrddin and assured him that he would think very carefully before doing anything.
He was lying on his bed half asleep when a soft voice came into his head, calling him.
He answered, "Hi darling."
"Are you getting ready? There's only three quarters of an hour."
"Thanks gorgeous, I will stir Ron in a minute and we will get ready. Are we going to keep this link love?"
"I think we should don't you?"
"Yes I do so bye for now darling." So he thought, "Myrddin!"
"Yes Harry."
"We have decided to keep our link."
"I know Harry, Hermione is an extremely intelligent girl isn't she?"
"Yes she is, I think that she is one of the cleverest people I know, thank you Myrddin."
Myrddin's Ring and the chain vanished, although Harry could still feel it around his neck.
Harry went to rouse Ron and they both started getting ready to go out. The pair of them were still ready twenty minutes before the girls, who, once again looked absolutely devastating, Hermione phoned home and then Flooed to her house and all of the others Flooed directly to the Burrow.
x-x
Within less than a minute of them arriving at the Burrow, Mr Granger followed by his wife and then Hermione arrived. The Grangers wished Harry a Happy Birthday and he thanked them for their present, Hermione, who was stood behind them, was having great difficulty not laughing, then the adult Grangers and Tonks went out into the garden to join the party.
Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Harry were all surprised to see Percy looking very contrite talking to Molly, but as soon as she saw Harry she rushed over and gave him a huge hug. She wished him Happy Birthday and he thanked her for her present then she thanked him for the loan of Dobby again, Percy was still looking very remorseful stood at the far end of the kitchen table.
Molly said quietly to them all, "He's trying to make up, I think I will let him, eventually," they all smiled and Molly, grinning and winking quickly, continued in a normal voice. "You better get over here and wish Harry a Happy Birthday and hope he forgives you enough to let you stay at his Party." Percy came over sheepishly, shook Harry's hand and wished him a Happy Birthday, then he had to make the peace with the others, Ron and Ginny did not let him off as easily as Harry had.
Eventually Harry and Hermione moved away into the party that once again was in the garden.
As they went outside the twins rushed over wishing Harry a Happy Birthday at the same time complaining about Percy the creep, they eventually escaped the twins to mingle with all the other guests.
Everybody was wishing him Happy Birthday the men were shaking his hand and all the girls kissing him more or less chastely, most of the kisses were on the cheek until they came to Luna who was with Neville again. She ignored Harry but asked Hermione if she could give Harry a proper kiss, as she wanted to be able to tell her grandkids that she had snogged Harry Potter at his sixteenth birthday party. Hermione, Neville, and Harry laughed and Hermione said that she didn't mind if Harry didn't, Luna grabbed him and gave him a great big kiss not waiting for his permission and they moved on.
When they had been around nearly everyone, Harry told Hermione with his mind that they needed to talk to Dumbledore and she answered that he had been looking a bit pensive most of the evening. As they were looking around they eventually found the Headmaster and as they moved towards him he moved into a clear area, when they were near he waved his hand then he shook Harry's hand and said, "Happy Birthday Harry, nobody can hear us, what's the matter you look strange?"
"Don't let go of my hand please sir," the Headmaster kept hold of Harry's hand.
"Good evening sir it is good to meet one as great as you who fights for the light. Oh sorry my name is Myrddin Emrys and I trust that you are well."
"I am exceptionally well sir and I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I assume that your essence is in the ring and that Harry is wearing it?"
"That is indeed the case, we will have time to talk again later but what these two young people need to tell you is more important than our idle chatter."
"I trust you realise that we are all talking without Speaking Headmaster," said Hermione.
"I never realised that you were a telepath Miss Granger."
"I am not, except with Harry and because you are holding his hand we can talk to you this way, it's quite useful."
"More than Quite I should think. So what did you want to tell me Harry?"
"Myrddin has been telling me about the mindset of everyone I have shaken hands with or kissed, most are positive or quite neutral however a few of note. Percy is not evil but we are all to be careful of him, he is ambitious and easily lead, I think we all knew that it is nice however to have our suspicions confirmed. So next Luna and Neville both Hermione and I could safely trust them with our lives, they would willingly give theirs for us. Lastly the man talking to Arthur Weasley and Remus Lupin is a spy and totally evil and I believe I have either shaken hands with or kissed everyone here sir."
"In that case, I shall leave you now and go to sort out our friend over there, I shall come and visit you tomorrow and goodnight to you Myrddin it was a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure was all mine, anyway we shall soon meet again I am sure."
Hermione and Harry continued their mental conversation and he said. "Let's find someone who is trying to have some fun, I am fed up with all this serious business."
"We could go up to Ginny's bedroom, I would make sure you had some fun up there."
"I'm certain you would but that is not what I meant, this seems more like it."
Going over they joined up with Luna, Parvati, Ginny, Ron and Neville, who were all roaring with laughter.
The five of them explained that they had invented a game, it consisted of telling the most outrageous stories about whichever poor pair you chose, provided they were approved of by all of the others. The winner was to receive a prize, which was yet to be decided but in the lead at the moment was Luna, she had woven a tale of intrigue concerning the unrequited love of Severus Snape for Gilderoy Lockhart.
Harry and Hermione had not heard the sordid tale but apparently there was very little chance that this snippet of fiction would ever be topped. Ginny and Parvati had both had to go to the loo through laughing after Luna had promised them all to write it up and have it published in the Quibbler.
Three hours of story telling, nibbling snacks and drinking Butterbeer later Harry declared Luna to be the winner and asked her what she would like as a prize. She told them all that what she actually wanted was somewhere to stay for the rest of the holidays.
"Why, what's the matter?" asked Hermione sympathetically.
"Well my dad is going looking for the Snorkacks again and I am fed up with it, we never find any and I want to stay near Neville," remarkably, Luna had started blushing.
Harry and Hermione wandered over to Professor Dumbledore who was talking to Tonks and Arthur.
"Hello again," said the Headmaster, "I think the Muggles would say that the gentleman you pointed out, is helping the police with their enquiries. Anyway what can I help you with?"
"Luna was telling us that she will be alone for the rest of the holiday, so we wondered if she might come and stay with us for the rest of the summer and possibly Neville as well? I haven't mentioned it to either of them or any of the others yet because without Tonks and your approval there is not a lot of point."
Tonks said. "Well I don't mind if you don't, but what about Neville's Gran? She's a bit of a Tartar isn't she?"
"Harry you and Miss Granger go and distract Luna and Neville and you Tonks can find out if the other three agree. I will sort out Neville's Gran if necessary, we can easily add bedrooms and things to the flat." So the three of them wandered back across and Tonks said that she wanted to talk to Parvati, Ginny and Ron for a minute, so a couple of minutes later the three came back smiling.
Tonks said, "Luna, Harry has fixed your prize for you if you want it, these five reprobates have been doing some extra school work with me and we wondered if you would like to join us for the rest of the summer?" Tonks turned to Neville, "You as well Neville, if you like?" Luna threw her arms around Harry's neck and kissed him again.
Laughing Hermione said, "I only said you could have one kiss."
Luna broke off for a second and said, "Hard luck, I haven't finished with him yet!" then went back to kissing Harry and all the others were laughing at Harry's embarrassment.
Then Neville said soberly. "I don't think my Gran will let me come,"
Harry said trying to push Luna off, "Professor Dumbledore said he would talk to your Gran, so don't worry too much." Neville's eyes lit up and he dragged Luna off Harry and kissed her, Arthur and the Headmaster wandered up smiling.
Arthur said, "Is everything sorted out?"
Tonks replied, "Yes it is. Can you two meet here at eleven in the morning?" Luna said that she could and the Headmaster said that he would go home now with Neville and that Neville will be here on time, Luna kissed Neville goodnight and he left with the Headmaster. Luna said that she should go home now so that she could pack to be ready for the morning and she skipped to the Floo, smiling broadly.
The party was breaking up so they went round saying their goodbyes to those who were still here during their rounds they saw no sign of Percy.
Having told Dobby that they were leaving, lastly Harry came to Mrs Weasley, he put his arms around her and cuddled her then said, "Thank you Mum for the best birthday I have ever had."
He kissed her on both cheeks and she said, "Really truly, the pleasure was all mine Harry dear."
Then it was time for them all to Floo to the flat.
When they arrived back at the flat there was a big pile of presents in the middle of the floor and Dobby was waiting and he said, "I have broughts all you presents here Mr Harry Potter sir, for you to opens. Would yous all like something to eat?"
"I think we would like some sandwiches in here please while we open some of these, we can get our own drinks from the bar unless any one wants tea," they all shook their head's and Harry continued, "and Dobby thank you very much for helping Mrs Weasley today."
Dobby grinned at them and said, "It is Dobby's great pleasure to help Mrs Weezey and Miss Winky Mr Harry Potter sir."
Harry thought that Dobby was blushing and he asked, "Can't you just call me Harry, please Dobby?"
"Oh no sir, you is my master and that would be disrespectful, maybe, maybe I could calls you …… Harry sir."
"That would be much better." Harry said quickly before Dobby could change his mind, Dobby disappeared to bring the food, "and what was I saying to you Hermione about some things being a waste of breath, though I suppose that Harry sir is better than Mr Harry Potter sir."
Hermione grinned and said, "Should I get a quill and some parchment to make a list of who gave you what as it is opened, Mr Harry Potter sir?" Giggling she ran quickly out of the room.
"Now I know why you like Luna." Ron said fluttering his eyelashes and puckering his lips, as Hermione returned still giggling.
"Do you want to die a slow painful death?" his sister said to him.
Then Parvati said, "I didn't know that you knew any spells that would cause a slow painful death, Ginny."
"I wasn't thinking of using magic. I was thinking of the slicing machine we saw in that Muggle shop the other day when we were with Hermione, I should imagine that it would be quite slow and extremely painful," said Ginny.
Then there was a pop and Dobby arrived with plates of sandwiches and chocolate éclairs so they turned to eating and opening presents.
Then Tonks said, "Nobody is to open any present if they do not know who it is from, if you do not recognise the name ask it is safer, that man you picked out tonight Harry we suspect was one of Voldemort's new right hand men, so everyone be extremely careful."
Ginny immediately asked Harry, "How did you know he was one of Voldemort's right hand men?"
"I didn't, I just suspected him and I had better tell you why. The box that Sirius left me contained a magic ring, earlier today it put itself on a chain and I have it hung around my neck. It told me things about everyone I shook hands with or kissed all night and it was pretty neutral about most people, there were only four people it particularly commented on, one obviously was the death eater. Two of the others were Luna and Neville…"
"Did it tell you that Luna loves you or is she nuts?"
"Shut up Ron, I thought you were supposed to be sixteen not six!" snapped Parvati, "carry on Harry."
He had a tear in his eye, "It told me that, they both practically worshipped the ground I walked on and if necessary they would lay down their lives for Hermione or me, without hesitation," he was crying now and Hermione was cuddling him.
Ginny started on her brother, "If, Ronald Weasley, all you can do in future, is act like a prize prune, I believe we would all prefer you to lie out in the sun and dry up. Harry who was the forth person?"
Harry looked straight at Ron, "Percy. It said that he is not evil, but he is very dangerous because he is weak willed, ambitious and easily lead, but I don't think it was telling us anything any of us didn't already know about him."
Then Tonks said, "Well I might Percy was not invited to the party, but it was him who brought the Death Eater." Ginny's face had been totally neutral all the way through, suddenly went rigid, and Tonks continued, "you don't seem particularly surprised by any of this Ginny?"
"The only bit of news was yours, about Percy not having been invited, although I can not say that if you had given me one guess, I don't think I would have been wrong. Why are some people such total berks?" Now Parvati was cuddling Ginny because she was crying as well.
Tonks said, "Come on you lot let's change the subject to something a bit more cheerful and open these presents."
All of them started opening the packages again and their was a knock on the door, they all looked shocked.
"Don't panic it's me, Aberforth!" came a voice from outside, Tonks went to the door and let him in.
"Am I still in time to wish you a Happy Birthday Harry?" he came straight over and shook Harry's hand smiling, "I have been talking to Albus and he said that you detected a dodgy character earlier on, have you found any dodgy parcels?" Parvati pointed at two and Aberforth levitated them well away over by the door, he moved them all out of the way and spread the other packages out and waved his wand over them.
"Nothing, would you like to try?" Harry and to every ones else's surprise Hermione came forward, they moved their hands palms down over the parcels and at the same time both pointed at one.
"That one has the odour of the Death Eater on it, do you wish to examine it?" asked Harry, Aberforth shook his head, Harry levitated it and moved it over by the south facing window, he pointed at the window and rotated his finger and a four foot diameter hole appeared in the window.
"Will ten miles out to sea do?"
"Certainly, that should be far enough." Aberforth replied. Harry pointed his hand at the package and it disappeared out to sea, still accelerating as it vanished out of sight. Hermione had gone over by the door to check those parcels, she said that she thought that they came from the twins, would he come and check, he went over and concluded that one package contained Weasleys Wizard Wheezes Fireworks and the other was an assortment from the joke section. He moved back to the scattered parcels and levitated one through the hole and left it suspended about ten foot outside of the window.
"It has Percy's signature all over it, Aberforth can you unwrap it there or should I just banish it?"
"I would just banish it if I were you it's not worth taking any risks." It was gone accelerating out over the English Channel, to join its cousin. Harry waved his hand again and the hole in the window closed up, he flopped on to a sofa.
"I am totally bushed, I've had a wonderful Birthday but now I just want to go to bed, does anyone mind." They all said they didn't mind, he kissed Hermione goodnight and received a puzzling message in his head, "I will see you later." Then he went to bed and fell asleep straight away.
About an hour later he felt something moving close and cuddling him and to the sound of angels singing he went back to blissful sleep.
PLEASE REVIEW andthank you.