Chapter 17: Bad Birthday Presents

The group at Grimwald Place was having a hard time deciding what to do for Harry's birthday. He was turning 17 and would officially be an adult so they wanted to do something special. They knew he would figure out they were having a party so decided not to make it a surprise. "He doesn't care if we do anything special; he just wants to have a fun time with his friends and family." Ginny told them all for the third time. She finally had to pull Hermione away from her research to help her calm everyone else down and agree to a normal party.

"He really liked last year's party. I think we should just have the same kind. All we need is a cake, some food, music and gifts. Harry isn't a fussy guy." Hermione reminded them all and they got to planning. They were inviting most of the members of the Order so they decided they better have it in the dining room so there would be room to eat and dance.

The table was pushed to the side of the room and half filled with finger food that people could eat while standing up. The rest of the table was taken up by the cake and all of Harry's gifts. Fred and George decorated the room again with magic streamers and charmed some of their fireworks to stay floating above everyone. Winky and Dobby outdid themselves with the flood and the cake. Mrs. Weasley didn't have to lift a finger to cook for the overlarge group and was actually sitting back letting everyone else take care of things for once.

Hermione knocked on Harry's door that afternoon to help him pick out something to wear. "I want to look nice since I know Ginny will put a lot of effort into looking good for me. I'm not the best at picking out clothes," he said with a shrug.

They spent the next half hour talking and going through his wardrobe. They finally decided on a pair of dark blue jeans and his black dragon hide boots with a fitted green t-shirt that matched his eyes. "You don't have do anything special, it's your day." Hermione reminded him. "I'm sure you'd rather be comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt so you can dance with Ginny."

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said giving her a hug. "I'm glad we had some time to spend together. Lately it seems we never have time for just the two of us. You have all your research and I'm with Gin, Ron's either at Susan's or we're all hanging out together."

"I know we don't see each other as much as we used to, but we're growing up. I know we'll always be best friends Harry. You're like the brother I never had." She told him giving him a peck on the cheek. "Now I have to go get beautiful for your party," she joked.

"You're beautiful all the time," Harry said with a smile as she hurried off to her room to change.

The girls all decided to wear dresses to his party. Gabrielle was wearing the Paris print sundress that Ginny had picked out for her. Ginny was wearing a bright yellow dress with different geometric designs embroidered in yellow on the fabric. With her red hair down she once again looked like the perfect Gryffindor. Hermione was wearing a green dress with silver details that went to her knee but was backless. She had debated with Ginny over buying it since it was in Slytherin colors. The red head had finally convinced her saying that if she liked it, it didn't matter which house colors it was in. Luna was wearing a red and blue plaid dress that looked good on her even if it was a bit eccentric as was her style.

"You ladies all look lovely this evening," Draco said as he saw the four of them make their way downstairs. He was sitting with Neville and the 6 of them headed into the party to wait for Harry and Ron who would be down once everyone else arrived.

Charlie made his way over to Hermione and Ginny who were talking near the gifts. "Well aren't you two of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen," he said giving them each a peck on the cheek causing Hermione to blush.

"You are such a flirt," Ginny said smacking him on the chest. "Why don't you make yourself useful and go get us each a butterbeer." She pushed him in the direction of the food with a sigh. "Is he bothering you Hermione, because I can hex him if he is?" Ginny asked hopefully.

"Nah, it's kind of refreshing to have him around. I know he has a little crush on me but he's always been a complete gentleman." She told her friend.

"So is there any chance you'll date him?" Ginny asked curious. "I know you just broke up with Oliver."

"Maybe, I'm not really sure." Hermione told her. "I think he's wonderful, but you know that he doesn't exactly fit my description of an ideal mate. He is an awful lot of fun to flirt with and dance with though. I think I'll just see where it goes."

"So if he asked you out on a date, would you go?" Ginny asked, she liked the idea of her friend and her brother dating.

"I don't know. I don't want to give him any false hopes. I don't want a serious relationship. I want to have fun my last year at school. I don't plan on getting serious with anyone until college or after. I'm going to be in school for a long time getting both my potions and transfiguration masters." Hermione said. Charlie came back with their drinks then and they obviously had to change topics.

"So are you looking for a job yet?" Ginny asked him.

"I've been looking since the beginning of the summer. I actually had a few interviews and one of my contacts paid out. I start my new job in September." He told them with a grin. He was very excited about his new post.

"So what's the job?" Hermione asked him.

"It's a secret or a surprise rather. I'm keeping it quiet until I get settled in." He told them with a laugh. "Unfortunately it doesn't involve dragons, I will really miss them."

"Speaking of dragons, I want to see this tattoo you claim to have," Ginny told him in a whisper while keeping an eye out for her mum.

"You'll just have to wait. I'll show it to you later, I promise, but not with mum here. The last thing I need is a howler at my new job," he said with a laugh.

Harry and Ron walked into the dinning room and everyone cheered and wished him a birthday. Harry was glad to see so many of the Order members and almost all of his close friends. "Colin and Dennis sent you gifts and told us to take plenty of pictures to show them when we get back," Ron told him with a laugh. They had missed the brothers over the summer; they at least got to see Justin and Hannah at the club. "Justin and Hannah send a gift as well. I tried to talk Dumbledore into letting them come but he won't reveal the Order to them until they are of age and we're positive they will join."

"Thanks everyone for coming to my party," Harry said loud enough for everyone to hear. "I've been told by my wonderful house elf friends that there is plenty of food for everyone so eat up and have a great time!"

The night was full of dancing and laughing. The members of the Order were a close group and it pained Harry to think of loosing any of them in the war. He knew it was inevitable as there had already been so many losses. Only about half of the original members survived the first war. He decided not to think such depressing thoughts on his birthday and went to dance with Ginny.

He had just finished cutting the cake when Fawks burst into the room. Albus quickly held onto his tail feathers and disappeared to wherever the danger was. The order quickly organized and Severus excused himself to head to the Dark Lord's side to see if he could learn anything. "I'll present him with the Veritaserum he requested so there is a reason for my visit," he told Hermione and Remus who were concerned he would look suspicious. "I'll return as soon as I can."

"Severus, my faithful follower, what do you have for me?" Voldemort asked as Severus appeared at his side.

"I brought you the Veritaserum you requested my lord," Severus told him bowing and holding out his offering.

"I have a present for Potter's birthday. I sent the dementors to the house of one of his mudblood friends. They should be bringing me the boys to question; it is good you had the serum ready in time." Voldemort told him.

Severus realized he was speaking of the Creevy brothers and wondered if it was too late to rescue them. "My only wish is to serve my lord," Severus said knowing he needed to butter him up before asking about the attack. "My I ask about the attack on the mudbloods my lord?"

"The dementors were growing restless so I decided a birthday present would be in order for Potter. I shall send him the heads of his friends. It will show our strength without risking a counter attack." Voldemort laughed evilly. "That annoying Parkinson girl squeals all kinds of information when under crucio. She is amusing to torture, you should watch sometime."

"I look forward to it my lord; I had to teach her for 6 years. As her head of house I was required to listen to her complaints, it would be entertaining to listen to her scream." Severus said not having to lie for once. He had never liked Pansy and he was not surprised that she was one of the ones that left to join the dark.

"It seems the chit favored you my boy," Voldemort said laughing evilly once again. "She screamed for you, thinking you were present and would end her suffering. Wormtail informs me she had something of an infatuation with you. She continues to badmouth young Malfoy, is the boy with us Severus?"

"Yes my lord, he is eager to serve. He wants to make you proud, looking to you as a substitute father figure. He is the top candidate for head boy this year." Severus told him, stroking the vile man's ego as much as he could.

Wormtail entered the room looking nervous and shaky. "Where are the mudblood children?" Voldemort asked his tone as frigid as ice as he looked around for the dementors.

"The, the children were able to cast the patronus charm and hold off the dementors long enough to contact Dumbledore. The old fool himself showed up, he and some aurors killed a few of the dementors. The rest have returned to await your further orders. They succeeded in killing the boys' parents and grandparents but were unable to kidnap the mudbloods." Peter said knowing his master would be furious and would punish him as he was in charge of the raid in his rat form.

After placing crucio on him for a few minutes while he yelled and cursed Dumbledore, Voldemort finally asked if the birthday message was sent. "Yes my lord, I used the blood of the boys' family to write it on the wall in the house." Wormtail stuttered. "I was able to conjure the dark mark before the aurors arrived."

"Good, at least they will fear we are moving again. Come, Severus, join us and we will determine the next target for the dementors. We will attack every few weeks." Voldemort said and Severus hurried after him knowing this was some of the most valuable information he would gather.

Albus arrived back at headquarters with the Longbottoms while Kingsley remained to sort out the rest of the details with the other aurors who were called. The Longbottoms were each carrying a passed out Creevy boy and they carefully laid them on the couches in the sitting room. Poppy was summoned from Hogwarts to make sure there were no hidden injuries and a large supply of chocolate was set next to each boy for when they awoke.

"What happened Albus?" Minerva asked fussing over her two students.

"Dementors were sent to their house," he said sadly to the room full of order members. "From what I gather they had enough strength to conjure their partonus' and one of them flooed my office for help. Luckily Fawks recognized the boy and came for me. I arrived in time to summon the aurors and drive off most of the dementors. We took out at least a dozen of them but we were too late to save the rest of the family. The boys' grandparents were in another part of the house. It looks like Colin tried to save his parents but his patronus wasn't strong enough to protect all three of them. Dennis was cornered in the living room near the fireplace he was barely conscious when I arrived. I assume it was he who called for help."

"What of their parents?" Gabrielle asked in tears for her friends.

"They were killed by the dementors." Albus told the group, "That's not all. At least one death eater was present. The dark mark was above the house and their grandparents' blood was used to leave a message." Albus paused and looked sadly at Harry.

"It was obviously a message for me," Harry told him. "What did it say?"

"It said, 'Happy Birthday Harry Potter" Albus told them all, they were all silent as the impact of that message sunk in.

"Well the bastard got what he wanted, my birthday is ruined and the public will panic." Harry said bitterly. "How did he know to attack them? What are we going to do to keep everyone else safe?"

"We will wait until Severus returns and hope he has more information," Albus said sadly. "Arthur, we will need someone to take over as guardian of the boys as they are both underage. We will need to be there for them as they have just lost their entire family. The muggle authorities will have to be circumvented and the boys' finances settled."

"They can stay here as long as necessary," Harry told them all. "They are our friends and we want to do anything we can to help them."

"Who should we appoint their guardian?" Minerva asked looking around the room at the order members gathered.

"Let's wait until they awaken and we will go from there. That is not something that needs decided tonight. They are safe as long as they are here." Albus told her with a sad smile. He realized that the war was just starting and this would not be the last time they were gathered together trying to help their friends' piece together what was left of their lives.

"They are coming around," Poppy informed them, "I think it would be best if only those they know and trust are here when they awake. No sense in frightening them more." The young members, the Weasleys, and the teachers were the only ones that remained in the room. Harry sent Dobby off to make up a room for the two boys close to Ron's and Draco's rooms even though he knew they would not be sleeping tonight or anytime soon without a dreamless sleep potion.

Colin was the first to awaken to the unfamiliar surroundings. He slowly blinked and was able to make out Madame Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore. The nurse handed him a hunk of chocolate and he ate it without question as he tried to process where he was and why. He could see Dennis lying next to him and finally the memories came flooding back and tears streaked down his face. He looked at the kindly headmaster and knew his family was dead when there was no twinkle in the old man's eyes. "Did they suffer long?" He asked. He looked around the room and saw Ginny and the rest of his friends and choked on a sob seeing all their emotions. Ginny hurried forward and gathered him into her arms to try and comfort him and he was grateful for the contact. He felt so alone and empty.

"No my boy, they did not suffer. You did everything in your power to save them. We all grieve your loss." Dumbledore told him.

"Where are we?" Colin asked, "And how did you get us out?"

"You are at a safe house for a group of people fighting against Voldemort and his forces. This is Harry's home actually. It seems Dennis was able to call for aid and we arrived barely in time to save you both." Albus told him.

"Dennis said no one was in your office. We thought no one would come." Colin said relieved that their distress call was heard.

"My phoenix heard his call and summoned me to your location. I called in the aurors and we were able to drive away the dementors." Albus told him and looked over to see Dennis watching them with tears as well. Gabrielle had seen him awake and was comforting him the best she could. "You two are safe for the moment. You should rest while we try and figure out what happened."

Kingsley arrived shortly after that with all the boys' wizard belongings so the muggle authorities would not find them. "The muggle police want to speak with the boys but I convinced them that they were so distraught they had to be sedated and sent to the hospital. I will modify there memories when they are done to believe they already talked with them. Their only next of kin is a cousin of their mother who lives in America. I informed the muggle authorities that their godparents would be taking them in. Whoever you choose to be their guardian will have to go sign legal forms in the next few days."

"Thank you Kingsley for all your work," Albus said as the two talked in the kitchen with the rest of the order members who were not close to the boys. "We need to find guardians for them that will not put any order members in jeopardy."

"We could do it," Alice Longbottom spoke up. "Voldemort already knows we are loyal to you and that Neville is their friend. We cannot be adding any more danger than we already have." Frank nodded his agreement and the rest decided it was a good idea as well.

"Come, let me introduce you to the boys," Albus said leading them back into the sitting room. Dennis was still being rocked in Gabrielle's arms and Hermione was drying his tears with a handkerchief while Colin still clung to Ginny while Neville had his hand on the boy's shoulder. The other friends were standing by giving silent support. It was amazing really how close the group had become; he hoped they would all make it to the end of the war.

Alice and Frank stood beside Neville, "I'm not sure if you remember us, but I'm Alice and this is Frank, we're Neville's parents." She told them and Neville nodded to them as he realized what his parents planned to do. "I know you are suffering now but as you are both still underage in both worlds we would like to become your guardians."

"Nev is that ok?" Colin asked knowing how long his friend had to go without his parents and wasn't sure he was ready to share them.

"Of course, I was going to suggest it to them anyway. You need someone who can protect you, they are aurors, and someone you would feel comfortable around." Neville told his two friends.

The two boys looked at each other and communicated non-verbally in that way only siblings can do. "That is fine by us," Colin said, "Will we have to leave soon?" He wasn't sure he was ready to go outside the safe house yet. The memories were too fresh and he just wanted to stay safe and protected, surrounded by their friends who were the only family they had left. He mourned his parents and grandparents but knew he would survive as long as Dennis was alright.

"They are actually living here at the moment," Harry told him. "You two are welcome here as long as you want to stay."

"You both need sleep, come let's get you to your room," Poppy said and the three girls helped her take them there while the boys went back into the order meeting with the rest.

Hermione hurried off to the lab and retrieved 2 doses of dreamless sleep from their stock. "Dreamless sleep," she told Poppy as she handed her the vials. The medi-witch nodded looking relieved that the boys wouldn't have to suffer the memories quite yet. The boys were tucked into bed and given the potion. Dobby and Winky were instructed to take turns watching over the boys to make sure they didn't wake.

Severus hurried back to headquarters to see how the Creevy brothers had faired. He was relieved that they had not been caught but knew they were in for a rough ride as their family had been killed. He walked into the kitchen to see the order squeezed into the room as the dining room was still decked out for Harry's party. "What news do you have Severus?" Albus asked sadly. Severus could see the night was taking a toll on his mentor. Albus thought he could save them all and it was evident by his lack of twinkle that he took this loss hard. They all knew this was only the beginning and were hoping he could come through with a miracle.

"The boys were to be kidnapped and brought in front of the Dark Lord. The Veritaserum he asked me to brew was so he could question the boys about Potter's whereabouts and state of mind." Severus told them all. "I also have a list of other attacks he is planning. They will all use dementors. He plans on having one attack per week to throw the public into a panic. He started with the Creevys since they were both muggle born and friends with Harry. He plans on attacking and capturing Finnegan, Thomas, Brown and the Patil sisters in a hope of finding someone who knows Potter's whereabouts. They are the unprotected members of his year and house and it seems they will be attacked over the next month." He went on to finish the list of who was to be attacked and the rest of the information the dark lord provided him with that night.

"We will have to be careful with the evacuation of the students. We cannot arouse suspicion on Severus but we still need to protect them." Albus told them, then they all brainstormed ways of protecting the intended victims without compromising Snape. "We need to double and triple our efforts now before the attacks begin. We will hold another meeting next week to discuss any progress." He then dismissed them so he could talk more with Snape about possible attacks.