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Chapter 4 : Birthday Finds

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Harry looked around the room. Tonks was standing next to the fireplace and Lupin held her, around the middle, from behind. They were talking to Mr. Weasley about the latest Death Eater attack. Fred and George were talking to Charlie about their latest inventions and Mrs. Weasley was running around the kitchen pushing anyone out that tried to help, so Harry sat with Ron, Hermione and Ginny.

"Mr. Weasley said that he'd take us to the ministry tomorrow to take our apparition test," said Harry.

"Oh." Ron's looked green as he nodded his head.

"Oh Ron you'll do fine, just remember the three D's." Hermione stated this confidently, and Harry was sure that she could still remember them.

"Hermione, I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday, How do you expect me to remember what was said months ago?" Hermione muttered something that sounded awfully like "hopeless". Harry and Ginny snickered a laugh behind there hands.

Finally, Mrs. Weasley announced that supper was ready. Upon entering the kitchen they could see that a smaller table had been pulled up from no where and now rested beside the bigger table. So everyone could sit together, as it was too dangerous to sit out in the garden.

Harry sat next to Ginny, which earned him a smile and he noticed that Lupin sat next to Tonks who was seated next to Hermione next to Ron, opposite from him and Ginny. On the other side of Ginny sat Charlie and then Mr. Weasley and across from her husband, next to Lupin sat Mrs. Weasley.

The supper was impressive even by Mrs. Weasley's standards. Harry helped himself to seconds and some thirds of things.

"Mrs. Weasley, this is excellent!" Harry beamed down the table at her, Mrs. Weasley smiled and blushed as everyone now sent complements to her, but she still looked proud. Harry smiled at her.

After Mrs. Weasley had cleared the table, with a flick of her wand, Harry was startled to see the cake Ginny had made by hand right in front of him with candles alight. Harry made a wish of good things then as everyone was clapping he showed his thanks to Ginny by leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. Charlie whistled, Ron and Mr Weasley looked amused and Lupin smiled while Mrs. Weasley and Hermione shared a knowing smile with each other. Ginny, and Harry blushed.

Harry had two big pieces to further show Ginny he loved what she had done. Ginny had a huge grin on her face. Harry felt happy even when thinking of everything that lay at his feet, and rested on his shoulder's.

'At least we'll still have good times mixed in with the bad.' thought Harry. Everyone finished their cake and sent complements at Ginny this time (who blushed but still held the same pride that her mother's face had). With a small wink, Harry smiled at her. She immediately looked at her hands in her lap, while still smiling and blushing.

A wand flick from Mr. Weasley, got rid of what was left of the cake, and replaced it with a small mound of presents.

"Alright time for presents." Ron looked thrilled. He knew had this been Ron's birthday he would have already opened all his gifts and this thought alone made Harry laugh. Ron immediately found his present in a pile and shoved it towards Harry.

"Open this one mate it's from me." Harry grinned, noting the fact that it would have been useless for Ron to point his present out, while the other's were wrapped in blue and red, Ron's was wrapped in bright orange, Chudley Cannon's paper. Harry opened it rather quickly, it was a Foe Glass. Harry beamed into it, although it only showed shadowy figures.

"Thanks Ron." Harry smiled.

"Your welcome, I'd figure it would help, you know." Ron's ears went slightly pink. Hermione noticed the wondering glances at the same time as Harry. She reached for her present and held it out to Harry.

"Open mine, now Harry." Harry grinned at Hermione and gave a slight nod of his head to say thanks, which she immediately understood. Harry ripped at the blue paper, and was not at all surprised to find a book.

"This will help, I should thin," said Hermione in a very matter-of-fact tone. Harry turned the book over and this time he was truly surprised. 'Treasures of the Hogwarts Four'. Harry was stunned to see that there was actually a book on this.

"We'll have to read this later." Harry nodded at Ron and Hermione, who nodded back in unison.

"This one's from Moony and me." Tonks said cheerfully. Her hair, Harry noticed which had been black earlier, was now bubblegum pink again. Harry smiled and accepted his present. The wrapping came off easily and a gold television aerial was found inside.

"Wow!" Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny all said together, causing them to look at each other and laugh.

"It's a Secrecy Sensor; it'll vibrate when someone's concealing something, or lying among many other things," explained Moony, looking between the four of them with amusement playing on his face.

"Thanks, Moony and Tonks you really didn't have to." Moony, who now had his arm over Tonks shoulder, just smiled.

"Now for ours!" declared Fred and George who together was pushing a bigger box at Harry.

Harry knew what it was already, and smiled as he opened the box. Inside Harry found vials of potions, what seemed like the entire line of their serious defensive range which the twins had invented last year, with a few laughable items thrown in for good measure. Harry pulled out extendable ears, trick wands and a few skiving snack boxes. Harry said his thanks to the twins, and Mrs. Weasley pushed forward another.

"This one is from Bill and Fleur. They had to meet with her parents over some more wedding arrangements, they were awfully sorry they could not be here."

"That's alright," said Harry thinking he would have been happy if it were just Ginny here alone with him. Maybe, just a bit happier, well, maybe more than a bit! He found that Bill and Fleur had given him what had to be every kind of sweet Honey Dukes had ever made. Harry laughed at Ron's face and Ginny joined him. Ron looked like he could have dived head first into the box of sweets. Harry quickly covered the box back up laughing.

"And this ones from us," said Mrs. Weasley pushing another small present towards him.

After unwrapping it, Harry gasped in astonishment. It was a pocket watch. Much like Ron had gotten when he turned seventeen. Harry opened it, but instead of the time, he saw nothing except what looked like fog and smoke swirling.

"This watch is special," said Mr. Weasley. "If you ever want to find a friend just say their name into the watch and you'll see them."

"Wow," said Harryin astonishment.

"Well, go on mate, give it a try!" said Ron in an awed voice.

"Who should I ask for?" Harry asked no one in particular

"Ask for Bill," said Ron.

"Okay" said Harry. "Here goes nothing. Bill Weasley ... err … please."

Nothing happened but then, all of a sudden, the smoke started to fade and Harry could see Bill coming to the surface, Ginny leaned over to see. Harry and Ginny found Bill kissing Fleur who was wrapped around his body tightly in a passionate embrace. Harry and Ginny gasped in surprise. Harry quickly snapped the watch closed.

"Does it work?" Hermione sounded eager to know.

"Yeah it works," said Harry and both he and Ginny giggled and blushed at what they had seen. 'A little too good' , Harry thought. He suddenly hoped that no one had ever seen him and Ginny snogging in the many times down by the lake and in the secret places which they had found at Hogwarts. Harry found himself blushing again.

"Okay, this ones from me," said Charlie handing him the last present. Harry started removing the paper when it burst into flames. Harry immediately remembered that Charlie worked with Dragons and instantly feared what was inside. Charlie and the twins were laughing at him; even Mr. Weasley wore an amused expression.

"Oh, go on Harry it won't hurt you". Charlie said trying to look hurt, but failed miserably when he broke out in laughter again. Ginny was even trying to hide a laugh. Harry cut his eyes at her and smiled nervously. Lifting the lid he found an animal not stuffed like Ginny's bear that was still up in her room though now moved from her bed to the closet, but not alive either.

"Whoa Charlie exactly what is that?" said Ron his eyes the size of galleons.

"It's called a Poppyworth," replied Charlie; having finished wiping the tears off his face that had come while laughing hysterically at Harry.

"A Fire Demon," said Moony, his eyes twinkling. Harry gave a confused look at both Charlie and Mooney before asking

"What is a Fire Demon?"

"Well, they have all kinds of magical forms. Say for instance that you want a Hungarian Horntail to fly; well all you do is wish it and it will happen," explained Charlie.

"Thanks, Charlie." Harry felt grateful and thought this could come in handy when he fought Voldemort. Charlie was pink in the face but smiling all the same. Moony came up beside him and leaned down to examine the Poppyworth.

"You know Harry the more this creature cares for you, the more willing it is to protect or even die for you."

Harry looked down at the Poppyworth, care for it how? It didn't even seem alive.

"How do I take care of it? What does it eat?" Harry wanted to let this creature know that he was grateful for it. Moony shook his head smiling. But it was Charlie who answered him.

"Don't do anything but stroke its back for a few minutes when you wake up then when you lie down, also it helps if you talk to it, too."

"Maybe name it," suggested Moony.

Harry looked at it. Thinking of all the great names he had read somewhere, he looked at the creature again. It had Light Brown soft fur on its back and legs while the face resembled a cat, and its tail a dragon.

"How about Grog," suggested Ginny. Harry nodded his agreement at her, and she grinned back.

"Harry this is great!" yelped Hermione, who seemed to be bursting with excitement.

"This came for you a while ago," said Mrs. Weasley handing him a scrolled bit of parchment. Harry opened the letter to find Professor McGonagall's handwriting.

Dear Harry,
I hope you had a fruitful and fun summer
and shall we say let's hope that they are better from
now on!

I wish to meet with you tomorrow afternoon
at 3. I have urgent matters to discuss
with you. Arrive here, by Floo, from the Burrow.

I'll be waiting in my office for you.
Have a Happy Birthday!

Wishing you the best,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwarts

"Why would she want to meet with you?" Ginny asked.

"Don't know," shrugged Harry who shot a look at Ron and Hermione, before turning to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

"Would it be alright if I were to use your Floo tomorrow?"

"Sure dear, is everything alright?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Yeah," replied Harry with uncertainly. Shooting another glance at Ron and Hermione.

"Arthur you might want to take Ron and Harry to the apparation test centre tomorrow morning. So Harry has enough time to get back and won't miss Minerva," said Mrs. Weasley to Mr. Weasley.

"Yes, Dear." said Mr. Weasley kissing his wife's cheek.

He then turned his attention on Ron and Harry mainly, "I think you all should call it a night."

Harry got up and went around the table thanking everyone, giving out hugs to Tonk's, Mr. Weasley, Hermione and even though he noticed there hadn't been anything from Ginny, he hugged her also, just so he had an excuse to. Her hug and smile were present enough, not to mention the fact that she wasn't mad which he was grateful for.

Harry stood in front of his seat surveying his presents. Taking out his wand Harry muttered an incantation and his presents disappeared.

"Well done Harry." Hermione beamed, he had heard her using that spell before.

Moony smiled. "A true marauder"

Harry smiled again, "Yeah, but wouldn't it be great if they were really on my bunk instead of in Privet Drive."

Ron laughed and Hermione cut her eyes at him. Turning Hermione went upstairs; Ron smiled at Harry and followed her up. Harry watched as Ginny hugged her parents' goodnight.

"Come on Harry." Ginny pushed him into the living room. "I wanted to give you my present" Ginny smiled at him.

Harry smiled. "You didn't have to get me anything, Ginny."

"I wanted to silly," she laughed and Harry felt his insides melt together. She held out a box, Harry accepted it and opened the lid. He found two rings, though one was thinner than the other, they both had the same black stone in the centre.

"They're Union rings," said Ginny reading his mind.

"What do they do?" asked Harry.

"Well the black stones change colour when worn. It'll change Purple when your sleeping, green when you eating, orange means your feeling lonely, yellow means your thinking of the person that's wearing the other ring, and red means you're well… let's just say your feeling very much alive and in love, and blue means an enemy's sneaking up on you and black..." Ginny suddenly got silent.

"Black means you've either taken off the ring or you're dead." she finished quietly.

"Thanks Ginny." Harry's voice was soft and sincere. Why could he not stop staring in her brown eyes.

"Oh, you can give the other ring to anyone you want, I just wanted to make sure that someone's watching your back. A Death Eater could walk up to you and Ron and Hermione could be busy snogging and not notice." Ginny sounded nervous.

Harry pulled the thinner band from the box. "I would actually like it, if you would watch my back. Ginny, if you would?"

"Oh Harry." Ginny's voice was barely above a whisper.

Harry reached out and took her right hand, careful to avoid her left, and slid the ring on her ring finger, it fit perfectly. The simple contact sent shivers down his spine.

"Can I put yours on?" Ginny asked and at Harry's nod she pulled the remaining ring from the box and slid it on his ring finger on his right hand. The colours turned yellow then red. They were both thinking about each other; currently 'feeling very much alive' as Ginny put it.

"Thanks Ginny." Harry's voice was soft. He pulled Ginny to him, hugging her close and tight. "I feel like I could take on a thousand Dementors and a hundred Voldemort's, just by knowing your watching my back."

Ginny smiled. Harry couldn't stop himself; he gave in to the feeling that had been gnawing away at him. Harry kissed Ginny's lips; she immediately put her arms around his neck, her fingers playing in his hair teasing him. Harry pulled her more intimately against him, her body curved to meet his and their hips were touching, and the contact was enough to drive Harry's mind and body into overload. Suddenly he stopped kissing her, but did not pull back.

"I don't know what I would do without you Ginny. I want... I need to be with you."

"Then ..." Harry silenced her with a soft kiss brushing her lips with his. "Let me get down to half of what I'm looking for then we'll talk about it, if you still feel the same." Harry's voice was husky with emotion

"I will, there has been no one else for me except you Harry James Potter, and there never will be." Her voice was seductive, yet stern.

Smiling Harry grazed her lips with his and found himself in a lover's passionate embrace, groaning he pulled back from her again.

"Why can't I control myself when I'm around you?" Harry wondered out loud, causing Ginny to laugh. Harry groaned again. "I better get you upstairs, safe in your room."

Harry followed Ginny upstairs and stopped outside her bedroom. She paused at her door and looked back at him.

"Harry, are you trying to keep me safe from Voldemort or yourself?"

Harry scowled. "I think a little bit of both truth be known,"

Ginny didn't have time to reply as Harry was kissing her again... They didn't break apart, until they heard Charlie saying goodnight to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at the foot of the stairs. Ginny quickly fled inside her room while Harry ran all the way to Ron's.

AN :

I am glade to see you've read to chapter five. I hope you'll continue to read through the story. Here is the beta version of my chapter. All thanks to beardie04 of course. The layout is all thanks to Michael.

Please review,

Until next chapter, take care,

HogwartsAngel101