'CHAPTER FOUR: SOME OLD BLANKET'

It wasn't long before the Burrow was filled with all sorts of people. They started filing in at six-thirty and you could barely breathe for lack of space at precisely six-forty-five.

All the Weasley's (minus Percy) were there, being the great Host Family that they were. Many members of the Order were included. Harry alone spotted Tonks, Remus, Moody, Kinsley Shacklebolt, Hestia Jones, Emmeline Vance, and a few others he did not know by name. Also there to celebrate were some of Hogwarts professors; McGonagall and Flitwick came along with Hagrid, who was carrying a rather larger package.

Needless to say, most of the partygoers were adults, excluding Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Harry was very surprised, yet pleased, to see them there.

"Got an owl last week asking if I could be here," said Neville after sharing a handshake. "Decided to drop by and see Luna before coming." The awkward boy seemed to turn slightly redder as he glanced at the girl in question.

"Glad you could make it, mate. Means a lot. Really." Harry nodded at a random Order member whom he did not know. "So, you and Luna, aye?"

"What?" Neville started. "No way! No!"

Harry gave him a look that clearly said, 'stop being so obvious.'

He sighed. "Fine, but she doesn't know, alright?"

The conversation ended when Hermione joined them, giving Neville a big hug. "Happy birthday to you too, Neville! I would've sent you a card, but I knew you'd be here today!" She preceded to hand him a white envelope. Harry felt a bit uncomfortable. He had never once acknowledged Neville's birthday so close to his. Never once gave it a second thought.

"Yeah, happy birthday, Nev," he said awkwardly.

"NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" shrieked Ginny's familiar voice. She launched herself at him and hugged him tightly. Harry was surprised to see that he was not at all embarrassed or uncomfortable at the young girl's sign of affection. "How dare you not say hello to me as soon as you got here!" She kissed his cheek and hopped down from his arms.

"Sorry, I was..."

"No excuses! Happy birthday! I got you something! Come on!" A bubble of energy tonight, Ginny was. She grabbed Neville's hand and forced him through the crowd.

"I didn't realize they were so close," Harry commented to Hermione.

"Oh, yes. Ginny and Neville have shared quite the bonding. Especially once the D.A. started."

"Hello, Harry," familiar, airy voice came from behind him.

"Hey, Luna. How are you?"

"Fine. Thank you for inviting me to your birthday. Or rather, the Weasley's invited me."

"I'm glad you're here," he reassured her, trying to steer clear of any awkward conversations that the blonde girl seemed to always start.

"Hello, Hermione."

"Hi, Luna. Good to see you." Hermione was then jerked away by a rather harassed looking Mrs. Weasley, insisting she come and help with the cooking.

"I guess I'll go help too," commented Luna as she followed the other women away.

Harry grinned and walked into the crowd of people there to celebrate with him. He gave Remus Lupin a very short, side hug and began teasing him unmercifully about Tonks.

"Never thought you had it in you, Remus. Way too go! I hope Tonks has been treating you right..." his voice trailed off and he raised his eyebrow suggestively.

"Enough of that, Harry," Remus said with a smile. "I'd really rather not hex you on your birthday." He said it calmly, but his eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Ah, c'mon!" Harry whined uncharacteristically, he was sure. "I'm seventeen year old bloke! I need details!"

Remus didn't even bat an eyelid as he told his best friends son, "She's going to be the death of me, that one is."

Harry gaped openly and then grinned. "Any advice?"

"Depends on who you'll be using it on."

"Who cares?"

Remus chuckled appreciatively and then delved into a short explanation of what his girlfriend clearly enjoyed. By the time he was finished Harry's eyes were popping and he seemed to have a permanent blush on his cheeks. It got better when two arms wrapped tightly around Remus' shoulders and he felt a light brush of lips on his neck.

"What are you two gents chatting about over here?" said Nymphadora, glancing at Harry in confusion. His cheeks seemed to turn redder.

'I can't believe Remus would just tell me all that right here where anyone could hear!' His gaze dropped to the woman they'd been discussing. She'd taken a place next to his almost-guardians' side. Emerald eyes slowly traveled south...and quickly back up to Remus' face. The bastard actually had the nerve to grin and wink at him. 'Oh, God.'

"Harry, are you quite alright? You look ill," said Tonks in a concerned tone. She put a palm to his forehead to see if he was hot.

He quickly side-stepped the hand and stuttered, "No! I – I'm fine! Really! I'm just going to..." He didn't even finish his sentence before running off.

"What was that all about?" said the bright haired witch.

"Let's just say he'll never look at you the same again, love."

"Remus Lupin, what the hell did you tell him?" she exclaimed, watching as the poor boys messy head bobbed quickly into the crowd. Remus kissed her lightly and merely smiled as he walked away.

"Maybe that conversation could've been handled a little better," the werewolf mused to himself quietly. "Lord knows how much Harry truly knows about the birds and the bees."

It was over two hours later (after everyone had stuffed themselves full of delicious food and Harry thanked everyone for coming to the party) that the celebration finally settled down. Many people had gone home as it was getting late and only a few close friends of Harry remained.

"Now, Mr. Potter," said Ginny with a wide smile, "is the time to open those presents." She gestured to a conjured table that was groaning from the weight of all the gifts Harry had received.

He grinned and was rushed to a seat beside the fire. "We'll bring them to you," said the redheaded girl, sharing a look with Luna, who nodded and got up to help.

"You really don't have to do that." But his remark was ignored and soon the remaining guests were spread out all over the living room.

"Open ours first!" shouted Fred with a manic grin.

"Uh, I think I'll save yours for later, thanks," said Harry, cautiously setting the twins' gift aside.

"Thank you, Luna," said Harry as he ripped open her package to find a magnifying glass and a Butterbeer cork necklace to match her own.

"So you can find all those feisty little Magwops that live in your hair," she explained matter-of-factly. Harry stared at her. "They're what are making your hair do that," she offered. Luna glanced pointedly as a stubborn piece of jet black hair fell into his eyes.

"I like his hair just the way it is," Ginny spoke defiantly. Harry felt himself blush and his hand reached up to ruffle his messy mop.

"Thanks, Gin."

Harry was tired. They'd been sitting there for some time already and the pile was not shrinking.

"How about you open these now, Harry?" suggested Remus, nodding towards the giant box Hagrid had come with and a few smaller ones that lay atop it.

"Alright." He thanked Neville as he handed the presents to him and looked curiously at the large envelope. Taking it in his hands, he looked to Remus who kneeled down by his side and gave him an encouraging smile.

Carefully opening the flap, Harry shook out the contents of the envelope. Two very thick letters fell from inside and also another, smaller envelope. He reached for the letters but Remus caught his wrist. "How about you save those for later?" The boy shrugged and opened the smaller envelope. Reaching inside, he pulled out a very old looking key.

"What is this for?" he asked stupidly. Ginny leaned forward to get a better look.

"Everything will be explained later, Harry. Open the box."

Inside were a vast amount of things. A small, brown leather book lay on top, wrapped in a blue blanket. Another small envelope was found at the bottom and to Harry's shock, half of the box was filled by a Pensieve. Dumbledore's Pensieve. The contents were calm like Harry had never soon them before. And as he looked more into his box there was a metal case full of vials. Dumbledore's memories.

"What the hell?" he asked softly. Hermione crawled over to see what was in there. The box was high enough that no one could see over the top.

"Wow," was all she said.

Harry felt an embarrassing lump in his throat as his fingers touched one of the small vials. Dumbledore had given this to him. He'd known he would not be around much longer.

"What's in that bag?" Ron asked over his best friends shoulder. In the corner was a large, blue sack filled to the top and tied with a white ribbon. Harry laughed loudly when he saw what it held.

"Help yourself," he told Ron, handing the bag to him.

"Lemon drops?" Ron was not the only confused one, but Harry found it highly amusing. "Only Lemon drops?" He gave a befuddled look to Hermione who reached to see if he was joking or not.

"Another key?" Neville asked Harry. He'd noticed what had fallen into the boys hand from the small envelope.

"Yeah. What is this to?" He looked at Remus for the answer.

"It's a Gringott's key."

"I've already got a vault."

"You have your private vault, yes. That is to the Potter family's vault, Harry. You come from a very wealthy background."

The black haired boy gaped. "I've got more? But...that means I...I don't even ever have to work!"

He heard Arthur Weasley chuckle in the background. "No, I suppose you wouldn't have to, my boy."

His head slowly swiveled around the room, looking at everyone. Fred and George were staring at him in awe, Ron gave him a grin, he could tell Hermione was already thinking of ways he could spend the money, and Ginny...Ginny was sifting through the Lemon drops. Harry popped the key back into its envelope and stuck it in his jeans.

"Now why do you suppose Dumbledore gave you a Pensieve?" questioned Molly.

Harry tried to shrug indifferently but he too was wondering the same thing. Did they not see all of the Horcrux memories? Did Dumbledore know much more than he let on? Did he know where they were?

"What's in the book?" Tonks questioned.

He took it from the box and turned to an anonymous page and read the first paragraph. Shutting it quickly, Harry promised himself he would read it cover to cover before Hogwarts started again.

"It's nothing," he said. Knowing they did not buy the lie, he stuffed the book back under the blanket and said nothing more.

"Can I see that for a moment?" said Lupin, reaching for the soft fleece.

"Sure." He shrugged.

"I thought this might be...but I couldn't be sure. It has to be though..." the werewolf's comments were making no sense and he turned each of the four corners over until he finally found whatever he was looking for on the last one.

"What's so special about some old blanket?"

"What is special is that this is the blanket you were brought from the hospital in, Harry Potter," said Remus softly. He leaned it towards him and Harry read on the corner, 'Harry James Potter, born July 31, 1980.' A picture of a Golden Snitch was sewn into the fabric, he noticed as his hands grasped it to his chest tightly.

"Really?" he asked, just as softly as his guardian.

Remus nodded. "I remember it vividly. Lily walked into the house carrying you. You were sleeping at the moment. And James followed her, looking very harassed and kicking about three suitcases full onto the entrance floor. Sirius wanted to wake you up, but Lily threatened him with several nasty hexes and he let up. You were wrapped in this very blanket and when you finally woke up, everyone marveled about how much your eyes were Lily's. And then I got to hold you." His voice caught slightly, looking at the young man in front of him, hanging on his every word.

"Go on."

"Well, I was the first person besides the Healer, James, and Lily to hold you. Sirius was so angry, but Lily said he'd drop you. She made Sirius practice with dolls before he ever got to cradle you or anything. I thought you were the tiniest thing alive, right then. You were born very small and you're still smaller for your age, aren't you?"

"I suppose." Harry really didn't care. He just wanted to know more about this. Remus Lupin was the last thing he had close to his parents, and he wanted to have some memories to cling to. "Do you think maybe you could pull some thoughts for me, Moony? I just...well..." He glanced at the Pensieve.

"You don't have much about your parents, do you, Harry?" said Remus rhetorically. "I think I could do that for you."

"Thank you."

"Anyway, this was always your favorite to sleep with. Your grandmother, James' mom, sewed it herself. Which makes it even more special."

Harry looked down at the blanket. "Definitely." His fingers played with the soft material and he whispered softly to himself, "Definitely more special."