I'll Always Remember You
By Duck Goddess
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I only own the plot.
basketball15 – LOL, previews! Ew, Peter? And you don't even know that he was staring…
Starfiregirl5671 – Nope, that wasn't the end. Far from it, actually.
KRB91 – I'm glad you like the 'legs' bit! I liked that bit myself. LOL, yeah, this wouldn't be romance if she didn't have SOME kinda feelings for him.
ILiveALie – Thanks!
superspunky7 – LOL, thanks! I don't care about the quantity of the review, as long as you review. It's quality, not quantity!
neni potter – LOL, thanks for that suggestion! Harry was just…young and confused. Yeah, I know he was a git for doing that but well, that's how he is in this fic.
eatingmania – Yeah, didn't think you'd find it funny.
Bowlingstar – Thanks for reviewing! Wow, first time since you went back to school? Thank God I can go on nearly every day. Poor you. Good luck with the homework!
HarryGinnyfan23 – Thanks! I don't mind late reviews…as long as I get one!
Chapter Six – Birthdays, Part One
It was the 29th of July, two days before Harry's birthday. Mrs. Weasley was planning a surprise birthday party for Harry since he never got one as he was in France last year. It was to be held at The Burrow and numerous Order members and ex-Hogwarts students were going.
Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Luna were sitting at The Burrow, talking about what they could buy for Harry.
"I'm going to give him something to do with the Chudley Cannons," Ron declared, "He hasn't got anything orange!"
"I think I'm going to get him Hogwarts, a History," said Hermione proudly, "He still hasn't read it after all these years!"
"I might give him a miniature Crumple-Horned Snorkack or a Nargle," said Luna thoughtfully, "They make great company! What about you, Gin?"
"I don't know!" she complained, "I mean, you're already giving him something to do with Quidditch, I know Fred and George are giving him stuff from the shop, Mum and Dad's present is the whole 'hand on the clock' thing…I really have no idea of what I can give him!"
"Why don't you go to Diagon Alley tomorrow? I'm sure you can find something there," Hermione suggested. And that was how Ginny found herself standing in the middle of the street with bustling people, staring at the shops around her.
She couldn't get him a QUILL – that was too boring. Harry deserved something more…unique. She always felt a connection between them and she knew that only intensified over the past few weeks. Urgh, I can't think now. Might as well visit Fred and George so they can give me some ideas.
Ginny walked to their shop and found that, yet again, it was packed with customers. She saw Hogwarts students buying the Spell-Checking quill and teenage girls giggling over the love potions. She shook her head and walked to the store room and found George muttering over a box.
Then, she had a flashback…Ginny was standing next to Hermione and Harry and Ron were standing across them, talking to Fred and George.
"There you go," said Fred, "Best range of love potions you'll find anywhere!" Suddenly, Hermione, Harry and Ron disappeared but she was still in the shop. I must be beginning to remember him.
"Hey, George," she greeted her elder brother.
"Ginnikins!" he cried at the sight of her, "What brings you here?"
"What, I can't visit my brother? Where's Fred?"
"Oh, so I'm not good enough for you?" George asked in mock anger, "He's outside with the customers."
"Right. I need your help," said Ginny straightforwardly.
"Wow! Did you just say that? When you were little, you said that you would never ask us for help after we charmed Ron's essay!" George said, smirking at the memory.
"Oh yeah, I still remember that," she said dryly, "It's about Harry."
George's demeanor changed quickly and he called Fred to get his arse to the store room.
"She needs help. It's about Harry," George informed Fred.
"Really?" Fred said seriously, "What did he do, Gin? Did he break your heart? Because we have some torture devices that we need to test."
"No!" Ginny cried, wincing at the thought of the twins torturing her friend, "He hasn't done anything!"
"Oh," they said in unison.
"So you need help in getting him to snog you, then? As much as we hate the idea of our little sister kissing someone, Harry's alright," said Fred.
"No!" Ginny cried again, shaking her head, "What makes you think that? Harry and I are just friends!"
"Sure you are," said George, smirking, "Well, you've fancied each other for ages…I heard he saved your life two weeks ago."
"I admit it…Harry saved my life and I fancy him to bits," Ginny said wryly, "I need ideas for a birthday present. Do you know which shops I could go to?"
"Hmm…well, there's always that shop that sells all the copies of Playwizard…" suggested Fred, trailing off.
"Fred!" Ginny scolded, shuddering, "Don't make me Bat-Bogey hex you!"
"Alright, alright! I know Harry's not the type of person for that, I was just joking," said Fred quickly, "Why don't you go into that new shop next door? They sell these really cool protection things that go on your wrist."
"Yeah," George agreed, "It's actually pretty good. Not as good as OURS, of course!"
"Yeah, 'cause your shop's the best in all of Diagon Alley," said Ginny, rolling her eyes and smirking at her brother's arrogance, "I'll get going now. See you at the party!"
"Wait, Gin!" her brothers called in unison.
"What?" she asked.
"Tell us when you and Harry start snogging, will you?"
Customers gasped in surprise as they saw the owners of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes covered in flying bat bogies and a smirking red-haired witch left the shop.
Ginny looked skeptically at the shop next to Fred and George's. It was full of ordinary-looking jewellery and looked relatively old, which is surprising because it just opened a week ago. Ah, what the hell. She walked inside and found that no one was there.
"Hello?" she called. There was an echo and no one replied. She instantly drew her wand and held it steadily.
"My brother's an Auror-in-training, my other brother's a curse breaker, my other brother's a dragon keeper, my other brothers own Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, my best friend was the brightest witch of her year and another best friend defeated Voldemort! So if you're thinking about attacking me, don't, 'cause I can kick your arse!" Ginny warned.
"You're obviously a Weasley," an amused voice said. She whirled around. A woman who looked a bit like Professor Trelawney was standing there, smiling. Ginny didn't put away her wand.
"Now, dear, why have you come here?" the woman asked, "Oh, I'm Sandra, by the way."
"Hi, Sandra. You're right, I am a Weasley. I'm actually looking for a birthday present for my friend," Ginny explained, putting away her wand, "Sorry about the whole 'kicking your arse' thing."
"That's alright," Sandra said kindly, "Ginevra, right? The youngest of the seven. You're looking for a gift for Harry Potter."
Ginny gaped at her. How did she know? Not a lot of people knew her real name.
"I can't tell you," said Sandra simply.
"Are you a Legilimens?" asked Ginny suspiciously.
"Either that or I know the Weasleys very well," Sandra said, smiling again.
"I'll go with the Legilimens," Ginny replied.
"I suggest you go for the ones with protective properties…this one is very…unique. That describes your friend, does it not?" said Sandra, holding up a band.
Ginny walked over there to take a closer look. It was made of gold and had a ruby in the middle. She knew it would fit on Harry's wrist.
"These are the ones the twins were talking about," she murmured.
"As I said, it's very unique. It actually belonged to Godric Gryffindor," Sandra said proudly.
Godric Gryffindor? Does she think I'm stupid or something? Of course it wouldn't belong to him!
"You doubt that it belongs to him," Sandra said, "But it does. Look, Gryffindor colours – the gold and the ruby. When you wear it, you will be protected. Every spell that comes at you will be rebounded."
Ginny looked at Sandra. She didn't sense a lie or anything and Sandra wasn't the type of person to lie – especially as she was a Legilimens. She took the band and looked closely. Then, she saw it. Writing on the inside: Gryffindor.
"How did you get this?" Ginny asked breathlessly, "The only known relic of Gryffindor is his sword!"
"I have my ways," Sandra answered mysteriously, "Let's just say it's not the ONLY known relic."
"How much is it?" Ginny asked quickly, taking her money bag.
"20 galleons." Ginny winced at the price but relaxed. Her family was definitely not as poor anymore, ever since her father got promoted. She paid for the band and left the shop, feeling much happier. She had finally gotten Harry a gift! And it wasn't something as ordinary as a Chudley Cannons shirt, either.
Suddenly, a man came barreling into her and she fell onto the ground, with him on top of her.
"Oof!" she cried as he fell on top of her.
"Oh Merlin, I am so sorry," the man said apologetically, quickly getting up. He had blonde hair and green eyes and looked her age.
"That's alright," Ginny replied. She checked that the band was still in the pocket of her robe and sighed with relief. She looked up and frowned. The man was gone. She shrugged, walked to The Leaky Cauldron and Disapparated.
"Harry! Mrs. Weasley's invited us to go to The Burrow!" Hermione called as she arrived at his flat.
"I'm coming!" he called back. Harry came out and frowned.
"What's happening at The Burrow?"
"Never mind that, come on!" Hermione urged him and they Disapparated. Harry arrived to find dozens of people standing there.
"SURPRISE!" they shouted, grinning. Harry gaped at them. So this is what it's like to have a surprise party.
"Oh, wow!" he cried, "I've – I've never had a surprise birthday party before so I don't really know what to say."
"It doesn't matter, dear," said Mrs. Weasley kindly.
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Weasley," an awed Harry replied.
"It's all that I could do since those Muggles never gave you one," Mrs. Weasley replied, pursing her lips at the thought of the Dursleys.
"Hey, Harry!" someone called. He turned around and saw that it was Seamus Finnigan, standing next to Dean Thomas, Ginny's ex-boyfriend. He walked over to them and greeted them.
"So, er, where's Ginny?" Dean asked, trying to act casual.
Harry felt the creature in his chest snarl inside him and tried to control it.
"I don't know," he replied nonchalantly.
"Oh," Dean replied, clearly disappointed.
"Why do you want to know?" Harry asked coolly.
"Just wondering," he answered, averting his eyes. He's obviously not a very good liar.
Harry's eyes wandered around the room until he saw a familiar, red-haired witch talking animatedly with Hermione, Luna and Tonks. Ginny was carrying a brown-haired baby and smiling down at it. Harry grinned. It would be wonderful, if Ginny acted like that to their baby…no, that wouldn't happen, he reminded himself.
He walked over to them, passing Ron discussing Auror training with Remus and Moody. He grinned at all of them and finally stood beside Ginny.
"Hi," he said, trying not to stare at Ginny. She looked beautiful, wearing an emerald-green dress held up by spaghetti straps and her vibrant, scarlet curls were pulled back into a twist.
"Hi, Harry," Tonks said brightly, "Say hello to Uncle Harry, Andromeda!" The baby merely burped. Ginny, Hermione and Luna giggled girlishly.
"I thought you wanted an ordinary name," Harry said, smiling at the baby's now green hair.
"Yeah, well, I wanted to name her after dear old mum," Tonks replied.
"Is she a Metamorphmagus then?" Harry asked.
"Part. Andy can only change her hair; she can't change her eyes or nose like me. She's part werewolf too but she only transforms every other full moon," Tonks said proudly, "Enough about Andy, this is your birthday."
"I can't believe everyone's here," Harry said, spotting Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott, "This is so weird. I haven't seen everyone in ages."
"Well, go and talk to them, then," Ginny urged, smiling at him. Harry felt a familiar swooping sensation in his stomach and gulped.
"Alright, everyone, it's time for the cake!" Mrs. Weasley called. She brought out the cake and Harry stared, his jaw hanging. It was covered with snitches and Gryffindor lions with the words 'Happy Birthday, Harry' written on it with chocolate icing.
"Wow," he breathed, "That's my word of the day."
"It sure is," Ginny replied, still smiling.
"Thanks for being here," Harry suddenly said, not knowing why.
"I'm always here," she answered, puzzled by his remark, "Oh, yeah, I have to give you your present later. I can't do it in front of everyone."
Harry frowned at that. Why couldn't she give him her present in front of everyone? The hormonal Harry in him started having extreme fantasies but the gentleman Harry stopped him. Ginny would NOT do that. She isn't a scarlet woman! Besides, she doesn't even fancy me, let alone find me desirable.
Everyone ate the cake happily, complimenting Mrs. Weasley's cooking, causing her to beam. Then, Ginny beckoned Harry to the garden and he obediently followed.
"We should really make this our meeting place," he joked. She laughed.
"Yeah, we do always talk here. Anyways, here's your gift."
Ginny held out a gold band with a ruby in the middle. Harry gaped. No, it couldn't be. He quickly took it, searching for that one word. And then he saw it. Gryffindor. Holy shit.
"How did you get this?" he asked her breathlessly.
"Funny, I asked Sandra the same question. She just said 'I have my ways'. Strange, eh?" Ginny said. Then, she noticed the look on Harry's face and stopped smiling. "You don't like it, do you?"
"No, I – I do…it's just…this was, um, a Horcrux," Harry explained.
"A what?" Ginny asked quizzically. Harry proceeded to explain the whole story about the Horcruxes and Voldemort.
"Oh, Merlin, I'm really sorry. I – I didn't realise. This must bring up some really bad memories for you so I – I should just, erm, bring it back to Sandra," Ginny stammered, blushing profusely.
"No, no, it's alright! I've gotten over the whole thing, anyways. I've always admired this band. What does it do again?" Harry asked, trying to be polite.
"Well, it has protective properties so any spell that hits you will just bounce off when you're wearing this," said Ginny, still scarlet.
Harry didn't know how to tell her. As an Auror trainee, he doubted that his instructors would be very happy to find that he was wearing a protective band. They were meant to learn how to live WITHOUT things like those. Strangely, he didn't remember this band having protective properties when he had to de-Horcruxise it.
"Erm, Ginny, I appreciate the thought but I doubt I'm allowed to wear this in Auror training," Harry explained gently. He didn't want to hurt her feelings and their relationship was already…well, he didn't want to destroy it.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that, sorry," said Ginny casually, "Well, don't wear it during Auror training. Keep it at home or something."
"Thank you so much, Ginny. No one's ever given me something like this," Harry said sincerely.
"You're welcome," Ginny replied with a soft smile on her face. Then, she did something surprising. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Harry felt his heart beat faster and the creature in his chest roared with approval. She smiled shyly as she looked at him.
"Come on. I think other people want to give you your present." Ginny walked inside and Harry followed, grinning madly. It was definitely the best birthday he had ever had.
A/N: Please review! Oh, the idea of a band with protective properties came from The Source by Luckyducky7 and Ginny's Gift by Ashwinder. The whole Godric Gryffindor and Horcrux thing is mine.