Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N):

Chapter 6

Presents and Surprises

Bounding down the stairs they slid to a stop in front of the very cross Mrs. Weasley. She had taken an outraged stance with a large cooking spoon in one hand and her wand in the other. Harry's eyes cut toward the doorways but found them blocked by Hermione and Ginny striking remarkably similar poses. He cut his eyes back to Ron who looked like he wanted to bound back up the stairs but was frozen to his spot by his mother's gaze. Harry could just catch Ron talking out the corner of his mouth.

"Harry."

"Yeah Ron?"

"We're trapped aren't we?"

"Yeah Ron."

"Damn." Harry could nearly feel the wind as she took an incredibly deep breath to power the coming tirade. He began to involuntarily cringe awaiting the assault. And then…

"Molly? Have you seen my black dress shoes?" Arthur Weasley strode into the kitchen, apparently oblivious to what was going on. On seeing the boys he brightened up. "Oh, you're back! Get everything you need for school?" Harry was the only one able to respond.

"Yes…yes sir."

"Excellent. By the way, Angus said you two did really well on your test. And he would know. Done about two thousand of them himself. Did you stop for lunch at the Cauldron? They've got this new meat pie that I hear is just wonderful. Did you try it?" Somehow, despite the impossible to miss gazes all three women were pointing at him, Arthur seemed completely unaffected.

"Uh…no. We had sandwiches." Molly, having suddenly been flustered before she ever got going, now moved her mouth noiselessly trying to talk.

"Oh, just as well. I was hoping you'd tried it so you could tell me about it. Anyway…" He glanced at his pocket watch. "Blimey! Is that the time? You two have been gone for a while. I imagine there's a good reason behind it though. Picking up birthday presents? Harry's today, Ginny's in a couple weeks and…Hermione? Yours is just a couple months right?"

"Yes sir."

"Well…can hardly expect a lot of people around when you do that. You'd never keep it a secret, right?" Leaping on the escape route Harry answered.

"That's right sir." He patted his pocket. "Got to keep it a surprise."

"Right. Makes sense to me. But it is getting late. Molly's been slaving away all day, with the girls' help," he quickly added at the looks he got from Ginny and Hermione, "to prepare a wonderful meal for Harry's birthday and the Cake! Oh the cake! The least you two can do is dress the part. Come on now." Taking each by an arm he hustled them back up the stairs. As they neared Ron's bedroom again Harry turned back.

"Thank you Sir."

"Arthur, Harry. You're of age now. And don't think you've gotten out of it. Molly will have lost most of her steam but you'll still get an earful at some point. And I wouldn't be surprised if the girls each had a few choice words for you. Now come on and get changed." He pushed them into Ron's room and stood guard by the door.

The boys began changing in record time. This turned out to be a problem when Ron put on his shoes before his pants. It was shortly after sorting out this little problem, while he and Harry were both searching their respective trunks for an unwrinkled shirt that looked half way decent, that they heard Arthur's voice on the other side of the door.

"Now just wait! You can't go in, they're-" With that the door burst open as Hermione and Ginny stormed in. Harry stood up from the trunk, a white dress shirt clutched near his waist. Ron took a second before instinctively pulling the shirt he was holding up to his chest. "-dressing!" The girls stood stalk still for a second while their faces each grew bright red. Seeing no other course, Harry slid his arm into one side of the shirt and caught it with his other, repeating the process. Finally the girls managed to move. In a split second they had muttered 'sorry' and bolted from the room. Arthur leaned in for a second. "Sorry. They surprised me." He pulled the door shut again.

As Harry tucked the shirt in he turned to Ron who had dropped the bizarre polka dot shirt he had been holding and found a decent dress shirt. "You didn't lock the door?"

"Hermione would have just unlocked it anyway."

"Good point. Plus your father…"

"Yeah." Ron paused for a moment, considering. "Say…you don't think they planned that do you?" Harry looked at his friend to say he was crazy, but then realized that between the two girls anything was possible.

"I don't know. Which way sounds better?"

"Planned. Definite ego booster there. I'd even go so far as to point out that once she found me, Hermione didn't even spare you a glance."

"And I could say the same of Ginny about me. I say we go with planned."

"Agreed." Slipping on their shoes they emerged to find Arthur waiting. He could only half hold back a smile while he spoke.

"Personally I find it appalling that you could believe my daughter and sweet little Hermione of planning something so brazen. But then I remember how much time they've spent around the two of you." He left that hang in the air for a moment. "Come on. We need to get going." Following them down they reached the kitchen where Molly and the girls had gathered awaiting them. Each was dressed rather nicely in clothing that had been hidden under large aprons. Each time the girls looked in their direction he could just make out a slight blush. Molly kept looking over at them trying to figure out what was going on. Finally she gave up.

"Okay. We might as well all apperate. I'll take Ginny. We'd better get going; they'll start to worry if we don't show up soon." Stepping up so Ginny could take her arm the pair quickly disappeared, followed by Arthur. Hermione looked up and seemed about to say something before disappearing as well. Ron turned to Harry.

"Definitely planned." And dissapperated. A second later, still smiling, Harry went as well. He appeared in the entry way of 12 Grimmauld place and glanced around. The house was in good order. Clearly some one, likely Mrs. Weasley, had been cleaning this and that as time allowed. Immediately he realized his mistake when the portrait of the Black family Matriarch began screaming at him.

With out thinking he drew his wand and pointed it at the painting. "Silencio." A second later the sound cut off as the portrait was captured in a silencing ward. Even Harry was a little surprised that worked. Remus looked at him in astonishment as he reached the top of the stairs from the kitchen.

"How did you do that?"

"I just seemed like the right thing to do. I would have thought someone else would have tried by now."

"They did. Everyone here has tried that at some point. It never worked. Even Dumbledore couldn't do it."

"Well…it is my house…"

"I guess… Oh, sorry, happy birthday Harry."

"Thanks." At that point the others arrived and each stared at the still silently screaming portrait. Arthur commented as he looked closer.

"We all went to the living room. We didn't want to wake her."

"Yeah…I sort of forgot."

"Looks like it worked out for the best Harry." After a moment he remembered his manners. "Oh, hello Lupin. Are the others here?"

"Hello Arthur, Molly, Ron, Harry, Hermione and of course Ginny. Yes, they're here. The entire Order leadership as well as Professor Flitwick, your twins, Hagrid came, Tonks and myself of course. Why did you want Flitwick here Harry? Bit of an odd choice."

"I just had a question I needed his expert knowledge to answer."

"Ah. Well, shall we head down?" Remus led the way down the stairs into the kitchen which was oddly dim. After Harry took a few steps in the light suddenly came up and everyone shouted, "Happy Birthday Harry!" Harry looked over the feast laid out on the table crowned by an incredible cake and the idiot grin was once again plastered to his face. Taking the offered seat at one end of the table he looked down at all the people that had come to celebrate with him. Along one side of the table were Ron, McGonagall, Flitwick, Remus, Tonks and Moody. Down the other were Ginny, Hermione, Arthur, Molly and the twins. Hagrid sat at the far end of the table taking up its whole width himself.

Harry stood and immediately got everyone's attention. "Thank you. This is the best birthday ever. And since Mrs. Weasley was kind enough to prepare this wonderful meal, tuck in!" They didn't need to be told twice and soon everyone was digging into the feast. While eating Harry looked around the space, thinking about what he would change if he could, since he could, and coming up with not much.

After everyone had gorged themselves on food and cake Molly cleared the table with a sweep of her wand. "And now, what I'm sure everyone, especially Harry, has been waiting for…presents!" With another wave a small pile of gifts appeared in front of him. He immediately picked out a couple he could tell were books and picked one of them to start, thinking it was from Hermione. To his surprise it was Tonks who piped up.

"That's from Remus and me. And Moody. Thought it might help." Intrigued Harry tore off the paper and found a Black leather cover with silver script. 'Hunting the Dark: The memoirs of an Auror.' Harry looked up, smiling again.

"It's perfect."

"Best book on the subject I've ever found." Remus turned in his seat.

"Would that have anything to do with the fact you wrote it Mad-Eye?" Harry picked up the other book next. This one was from Hermione. 'Tales of the Hogwarts Founders: Deeds and Discoveries of the First Teachers.'

"I though it might be useful for research."

"Thanks Hermione. I'm sure it'll be great." With apprehension he grabbed the package labeled from the Twins. Carefully pulling off the paper he found an empty wooden box.

"For the person who has everything-"

"-a place to put it. Seriously, put those books in there." Harry did, curious as to what it would do. He closed the lid.

"Okay…thanks…"

"No, no. Open it again." Ha complied and was surprised to find it empty.

"Hey! Where did they go?"

"Simple little charm we developed."

"It was going to be a prank for hiding this or that, but we figure it's too dead useful."

"Great…now how do I get them back?"

"Oh, you'll figure it out."

"Yeah Harry. You don't need a map do you?" The inflection George put on map brought a smile to Harry's face. He noticed Lupin's eyes cut over to the twins.

"No…I think I'll manage. Thanks." His next present was a small box from Ron. Upon opening the small case he found a little golden ball which instantly sprouted wings. Taking off from his hand it shot around the room for several second during which only Harry and Ginny could follow it. He caught it in one swift motion next to his left tear and returned it to the case. "Thanks Ron!"

"I figure a little practice wouldn't hurt." Next Harry grabbed a large flat package that was surprisingly heavy. Professor McGonagall nodded toward it.

"That's actually from Albus. I've been safeguarding it since…well…for him. He left it to you." Harry carefully removed the paper and stared in shock at the basin of silvery liquid staring back at him. It was Dumbledore's pensive.

"I…I can't accept this."

"He wanted you to have it. He seemed to think it would be useful to you. However he also mentioned that I should remind you the danger of becoming lost in reflections." Harry nodded in understanding. Only Dumbledore had known about his journeys to the Mirror of Erised.

"Then…thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Only two packages remained and deduction told him that one was from Hagrid and the other Ginny. One looked to be another book which he assumed was from Hagrid. Strongly distrusting any book from him after third year he decided to open the other first. As he picked it up Hagrid spoke.

"It's not much 'arry. But I thought you might like it." Harry opened the package even more carefully than he had the twin's. Though they would be more likely to give him a potentially dangerous present, Hagrid might give him something truly fatal our of sheer absentmindedness. Inside he found a picture frame. It took a moment for him to figure out what it was of. When he did a tear slid down his cheek. "Found that a while back. Thought it would mean a bit more to you. They weren't more than a couple years older than you when that was taken."

"Thank you Hagrid." The picture was of his parents on their wedding day, repeatedly kissing and smiling for the camera. He carefully opened the box and placed the picture inside before again closing the lid. That left only Ginny's present to open. Wondering what book she would have bought him, he peeled off the paper. When he flipped it over he burst into bouts of uncontrollable laughter. Everyone else stared at him as if he'd lost him mind. Except Ginny, she was chuckling as well. When the book tumbled from his grip Ron picked it up and showed it to the others.

"A cook book? I don't get it. What's so funny?" It took several moments before Harry could get his laughter under control. When he finally managed to settle down Ron asked him again. "What? What is it?"

"It's…a very long story." He waved off all further questions and thanked each of them in turn. After a few moments and toast in his honor, he rose and took a little bow. "Thank you, all of you, both for coming and for being my friends…my family. Now…it's my turn for surprises." They all glanced at him, suddenly concerned about what crazy idea he had. He directed his attention first to the elder Weasleys.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley first let me say it has been an honor and privilege to live in you home these past few summers. You've always treated me like one of your children."

"Better than sometimes."

"Oh hush Ronald."

"You are sounding more and more like mum everyday Hermione."

"Right…anyway… Children however do usually move out. So, as of today, I will no longer be living at the Burrow." Everyone looked even more concerned. It was Molly who first asked.

"But…where will you live dear? Not back with your aunt?"

"No, never there. I will be moving in here. It is my house after all. About time I started acting like it. It will also allow me much easier access to headquarters while I'm directing the Order." The concern turned to outright shock. Harry grinned a little to himself at the reaction he was getting. If they thought this was shocking, he couldn't wait to see their reaction to what else he was planning. He let that sink in for a moment, during which Moody half rose from his seat.

"You direct the Order lad? You just came of age! Dumbledore was the last one in charge, he founded the bloody thing! You really think you can take over for him?" Harry could tell Moody thought this some temporary idea, some half baked flight of fancy that could easily be shouted down. He squared his shoulders to face the man.

"Yes I do. Someone has to and none of you have stepped up, despite the fact he's been dead for three months. Meanwhile, Voldemort and his Death Eaters are running around unchecked. We need a leader and we need one now. Prophecy or not I'm the one who is going to face him at the end, so it only makes sense I be the one to lead the effort against him." It was Remus's turn to object.

"But Harry, we need to plan what we do and be able to think our moves through. Your modus operandi is to charge in head long and use sheer nerve to win. It's worked for you so far, but these are more then just the lives of you and a few close friends." The concern on his face was clearly more than student for teacher; it also came from his feeling of responsibility to his absent best friends toward their son and godson. Harry had known this was coming and was glad Lupin was the one to bring it up.

"You're right. Which is why I'll have Ron and Hermione as my closest advisors. Ron's the best strategist I know and Hermione easily the brightest witch of her age. It's also why they are going to made Order members immediately. Now, while we're at school we'll still need the three of you," he gestured to Remus, Tonks and Moody, "to act as field commanders. Obviously we can't be constantly leaving Hogwarts. Though there are some missions we'll have to embark on alone." This time Tonks tried her luck.

"Be that as is may, Harry, there are some members that will never accept a seventeen year old leader, even being who you are. It's hard enough to get some of them to listen to me." Harry had also considered this. Thought the Boy-who-lived crap carried a lot of weight, it would still be a long shot to get others to accept him as in charge and not a puppet of Moody or Lupin.

"Who has to know? Outside of this room who ever needs to know the Order's leadership consists of three seventh years?" The trio seemed to have run out of complaints, causing McGonagall to speak up.

"You really have thought this through, haven't you Potter?" He looked over the people seated around the table. Some were considering, some seemed to have had made up their minds. The Weasley parents looked to be in shock and the rest were surprised to say the least.

"Yes. It's time to take my future into my own hands." He was surprised at the clarity of his own voice and the others also seemed to sense a shift in him. He had led a group in training and then into battle but those had been his friends. Now it was time to take the next step.

"Very well then. All those in favor?" Her hand rose tenetivly as she spoke and looked in turn at each of the Order members. Harry waited patiently as each considered what they were being asked to do and who was requesting authority over them. Every Order member's hand slowly rose, the last of which was Moody. Surprisingly, once it did he also chuckled under his breath, something Harry never remembered him doing before.

"Always knew you had it in you lad. So Sir, what are our orders?" Harry hadn't expected them to give over so quickly. He had expected a long verbal battle against all of them pointing out why this had to be. It took a moment to remember the orders he had thought up originally as ideas at his Aunt's house and later refined after deciding to come here. Each of the order members looked up expectantly at him. For just a moment he felt like he was glowing. Here they were, a group of witches and wizards Dumbledore himself had brought together, looking to him for leadership. It was tempered a little by the sullen look on Ginny's face at being excluded. That was a conversation he was going to have to have soon.

"Right…Fred, George…you can be our eyes and ears in Diagon Alley. There's not likely to be much, but anything you find will be useful."

"Right on." Their simultaneous answer was just a little unnerving.

"Arthur, Molly," if the Weasleys were surprised at him using their first names, they didn't show it. "You're going to have a bit of an empty nest this year. I'd like to offer you accommodations here on the second floor. I'll need someone to tend the house and a connection at the ministry. I would of course pay you for taking care of the place for me." Too stunned to answer they simply nodded in response. "Thank you. Now, Professors Moody and Lupin…I need you, as I said, to be my field commanders. We need to round up the current members and start recruiting more. Voldemort's building a good sized cadre of followers, we need to combat that. Also, start searching for Snape and Draco. Be careful though, we can't let them know we're onto them. Tonks, I'll trust you to keep them in line." All three nodded in response, Tonks chuckling at her assignment.

"Hagrid, you are going to have one of the more dangerous assignments. I need you to start talking with the creatures of the woods and hills around Hogwarts. Find out what side they're on and if we can convince them to join ours. Also, keep a sharp watch for any gatherings of dark creatures like Greyback's wolves. You'll be our first warning."

"You can count on me Harry."

"I know. Now, professor McGonagall…when you start talking to parents about their children returning to school, let me know if you run into any I might be able to help with. You're right, Hogwarts is the safest and any means necessary is the way to go." She nodded in acceptance.

"Well. You all have your assignments. Now there is just one further thing before we depart. You all noticed I asked Professor Flitwick here and are probably wondering why. He's here because the Fidelus charm that keeps this place hidden is wearing off and needs to be recast. I understand from Professor McGonagall that you cast it last time sir?" The short little professor nodded in reply.

"That's right. The headmaster asked me to do it."

"Excellent. Now I need you to do it again." The professor didn't hide his surprise at the request and took a long moment to consider what was being asked.

"All right. Who should I cast it on?"

"Me."

"You? Bur the fidelus charm is a very draining spell. It caused Dumbledore to have to rest for a week to recover his strength. I don't believe it's ever been cast on a wizard so young. I have no idea what it would do!"

"Relax professor; it's actually much worse than you think. I want you to cast it on me three times. Or once in you can combine them."

"Th…three times?"

"Yes. I wish to protect three houses. The first is mine, here. The second is the Burrow and the third is the house of Hermione's parents." Hermione and all of the Weasleys turned to object but he silenced most of them quickly. "The Burrow because you sheltered me for so many years, it's the least I can do. And Hermione, you'll be better able to focus if your parents are safe." Ginny still looked about to protest. "You promised me one thing. This is it. So professor…can it be done?" The little man considered the question for some moments before slowly nodding.

"I…I believe it can. Though I can't say what effects it will ultimately have on you." Harry nodded and stepped away from his chair.

"Then let's do it. Right now." Hesitantly Flitwick glanced to McGonagall for direction. At her nod he rose and tottered over to stand near Harry.

"Okay. When I'm done, only you and the family that resides in each house will know its location or be able to see it. Only you will be able to tell others, either through a written form or directly in verbal form. Even legimelency won't be able to steal it; you must willingly give the information to another. Do you understand?"

"Yes Professor."

"Then let us begin. This will take several minutes and be very draining. Try not to pass out." Standing directly in front of Harry he began a long series of wand movements while chanting something under his breath. Eventually his movements created a small sphere of light he christened 'Grimmauld'. Moving a third of the way along an imaginary circle around Harry, he repeated the process and named this one 'the Burrow'. Moving again he created a third sphere which he named as Hermione's home address. Returning to the spot he had started he took several breaths, clearly drained. "Nearly there." Focusing on Harry he spoke the final spell. "Fidelus." With that the three spheres collapsed on Harry and merged into his body. The light of each swirled around him creating a small vortex that lifted him several inches into the air.

As suddenly as it started, it was done and Harry crashed to the floor, falling to one knee. Ginny, Ron and Hermione all rushed to his side and helped him to his feet. Amazingly he stood strong and took a confident step forward.

"Thank you professor. Now, parchment and a quill." Remus summoned the items, curious as to what Harry wanted with them. He tore the sheets into a number of small scraps and scribbled furiously on them. When finished he handed one to McGonagall. "Pass that around." He handed another to Molly. "For whomever you want." He handed the last to Ron. He stared at it confused as it contained the Burrow's address, which he already knew. It took Harry cutting his eyes toward Hermione for him to get the message.

"Here Hermione." She unfolded the sheet and read. A smile crossed her face as she did.

"Thank you Ron." When the address of Order HQ had made its way around he burned the paper with his wand, an act Hermione mimicked with the piece Ron had given her.

"If we need more, let me know. Molly, you might want to destroy that if you're not going to use it soon." Now clearly tired he carefully rose to his feet. "Well, thank you all for a wonderful birthday. Now, if you don't mind I just have to stop at the Burrow and collect my belongings, set up my new room and then sleep for a day or two." Wishing him happy birthday again much of the group filed out and headed off to their assignments leaving only Ron, Ginny, their parents, Hermione and Harry in the kitchen. "Shall we?" In response the entire family dissapperated only to return to various parts of the Burrow. Hermione had known where Ron and Harry were going and had also appeared in Ron's bedroom.

As Harry collected his things, something occurred to him.

"You know…you two are welcome to move into my house as well. Can't say the cooking will be as good, but there is something to be said for the space." They glanced at each other and moved closer to talk about it in whispers too quiet for him to hear. He managed to get all of his things and the newly returned Hedwig collected. As he did a final check they stopped and turned back to him. "Well?"

"We want to talk it over with Ron's mum. It'd only be a few more weeks anyway."

"Okay. Let me know what you decide." Just as he was about to leave the door to Ron's room opened and Ginny stepped in. Seeing their cue to leave Hermione half pulled Ron out into the hall and down the stairs. "Hi."

"So…just about ready to go?"

"Yeah." They stood there in silence for a few seconds.

"You could have told me." He wasn't sure if she was hurt or angry but he didn't have the strength for the conversation he knew they needed to have right now. Instead he dodged with a mostly truth.

"I was afraid you'd talk me out of it." He had been. Or rather she would talk him into some other arrangement.

"So…you're just going to leave me here?" She was definitely hurt he had excluded her. That alone stung badly. He approached and wrapped his arms around her.

"Ginny…I'd never just leave you anywhere." He bent down and planted a kiss on her lips that quickly deepened. After several seconds they broke apart. "You'll always be right here." He gently brought her hand to his chest. "Besides, if your parents move in, we'll be no farther than we are now." Her face softened at this and she smiled a little, nodding slowly

"Okay then." Glancing down he could feel her press a little harder against his chest. "I'll see you later. Be safe." With another quick kiss he stepped back.

"I will be. Goodbye." She smiled again and watched him move back to his trunk. Grabbing his belongings he turned and was gone.

Apperating in the room he had chosen as his own he only had the strength to get the bed set up before he collapsed into it fully dressed and still clutching his wand. It was his birthday and it had been one hell of a day.

(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.