Harry had never been to a dinner at Grimmauld place that was anything other than chaotic. But today, the kitchen of the Order's Headquarters was filled with tension. As they sat around the table waiting for the party to start, Harry realized it was obviously a new experience for The Order as well. It had taken them all their patience to try and be civil to their guests.
Harry's Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and cousin Dudley sat scowling at everyone. Well, his Uncle and Aunt sat scowling at everyone, Dudley was more awkward really.
It had been a long week for everyone, the Order had gone out of their way to make the Dursleys' comfortable. Kingsley, Tonks, and Mr. Weasley made sure not to Apparate in front of them. Mrs. Weasley made sure to cook meals without magic (for the most part). It took her 3 times as long, but she never complained. Sirius stopped turning into his Animagus form for their sake. Even the twins rose to the occasion, they restrained themselves from testing any products on the Dursleys'.
To the Dursleys' credit, the had made an effort to tolerate magic. It had become clear to them that there was a greater evil running a muck. Harry had never seen his family so terrified after they had barley escaped with their lives from Number 4, Privet Drive. Aunt Petunia had been so traumatized, she hadn't been able to eat for 3 days.
The Order had offered their headquarters, to provide protection until a suitable arrangement could be made.
Today was the 8th day the Dursleys' had been at Grimmauld place and it had been a spectacular day for Harry. It was his 15th birthday and for the first time, he was going to have a birthday party. Everyone was aware of this and had got out of their way to make a big fuss over him throughout the day. The more embarrassed Harry got, the more they teased him.
Tonks had told Harry there was an ancient wizarding passage when one turns 15, they must go to a cave in Mount Everest, and wrestle a hag until it screamed "Uncle". Harry seriously doubted this but began to get nervous when Mad-eye and Sirius confirmed it. So he went to ask Kingsley.
He looked him straight in the eye and told him, "No Harry, that's not true."
Harry sighed in relief, "I didn't think so."
He continued, "You have to make it say "Monkey's Uncle"."
Harry's heart started racing, "What?!"
Kingsley burst out laughing and shook his head.
"Great," said Harry grinning in spite of himself, "they've got you in on it too?"
"A word of advice, if you want to know if Tonks is serious about something, she most likely isn't."
Harry laughed, "I'll keep that in mind."
The Dursleys' had tried to keep to themselves, staying in the far corners of rooms. Harry didn't mind. In his opinion, not being bothered by them was the best gift they could give him.
Dinner that night was more wonderful than usual. The table was covered with a light blue sheet with confetti in the shape of snitches sprinkled all around the table and a blue vanilla cake with Quidditch columns on the edges.
The table was covered with a light blue sheet with confetti in the shape of snitches sprinkled all around the table and a blue vanilla cake with Quidditch columns on the edges
The twins and Mrs. Weasley had gotten into a row about not being able to set off a grand display of fireworks, insisting that they don't for the Dursleys' sake.
Harry didn't mind, it was a wonderful party. It was better than he could have dreamed of. The fireworks weren't important, what was important was that they were all safe and healthy. At times like these, he could believe that everything would be alright.
After eating the delicious dinner Mrs. Weasley made, they played pin the tail on the donkey (or rather pin the snitch on the seeker), and even got to beat up a snitch shaped piñata!
They then lit the candles on the cake and sang "Happy Birthday to you, you're 102" very loudly. Aunt Petunia stuffed her fingers in her ear as if she was in pain but they all just sang louder. But when the song was done, Sirius was still singing, "You look like a mug-gle and you smell like one too! PU!"
Mrs. Weasley gave him a stern look while everyone else tried to stifle their laughter.
"Open your presents Harry!" yelled Fred.
"This one looks like a good one." said Mrs. Weasley picking up a present from the large stack at the edge of the table.
"That one's from me." said Hermione.
Harry unwrapped his gifts trying to conceal his utter delight at having so many gifts to open.
"At this pace we'll be here all night." Ron grinned at his friend.
Harry grinned back, "What's the matter Ron? Got a date with a Veela tonight?"
"In his dreams!" laughed George.
"I'm not having dreams about a Veela!" yelled Ron looking irritated, "Haven't for years. Don't you lot ever get tired of bringing it up?"
Fred and George looked at each other and shrugged, "Nope."
Harry reached to pick up the gift that was much bigger than the rest.
"Woah, this one's huge. Who's it from?"
Uncle Vernon cleared his throat, "That present is from your Aunt and I."
Harry gawked at his Uncle.
"This is from you?" Harry asked astonished.
His Uncle and Aunt, who had abused him for 14 years, were apparently making a good show of it in front of the Order by buying him a large expensive gift.
"Of course it's from us!" yelled Uncle Vernon impatiently.
The table was dead silent.
Harry slowly leaned over the table towards his Uncle and place the parcel down in front of him.
"No thanks." he said, eyeing his Uncle intently.
The Dursleys' just stared at him in shock.
"Well I never...in all my life!"
"After everything we've done for you!"
But their voices were drowned by the twins who were grinning like Cheshire cats. "Harry! Open this one! It's from us!"
Suddenly, the tension was lifted and everyone was smiling again.
"Thanks guys!" Harry said happily as he took the gift from his friend.
But Uncle Vernon was not going to stay quiet.
"I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH RUDENESS IN ALL OF MY LIFE! HOW DARE YOU TREAT US LIKE THAT! DESPITE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE FOR YOU! YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE-"
But Ron had had enough, "HE DOESN'T WHAT YOUR STUPID PRESENT YOU FAT BUFOON!" he yelled, "WHY DON'T YOU JUST TAKE THE DUMB BOX AND STICK IT UP YOUR-"
"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!" shouted a horrified Mrs. Weasley.
Harry stood there, to afraid to move. Ginny was staring at her brother in awe. The twins burst out laughing. The Dursleys' just stared at Ron, to shocked to respond.
Ron's ears had gone bright red. "I'm sorry mum and and Dad, but I am so sick and tired of putting up with these people and I know you are too!"
"Well...Ron...that's no reason to-"
"Ron's right," said Bill, "I'm sick of putting up with them too."
"Yeah," added Charlie, "they're a real drag to this party."
"They are still our guests, and no matter how much I'd like to hang them by their ankles! We did promise to protect them!" shouted Mrs. Weasley.
"Why don't we just stun them and chuck them in the attic?" asked Ginny thoughtfully, "They'll be safe up there."
"Ginevra!" Mr. Weasley yelled shocked, "How could you suggest such a thing?!"
"Yeah Ginny!" Tonks scowled, "What about the poor ghost!? How do you think he would like to be cooped up with these clowns?!"
"Ghost!?" Aunt Petunia shrieked.
"Oh don't worry Petunia," Mad-eye said, "he like the living. If he really likes you, he might posses you!"
Aunt Petunia look utterly horrified, she turned around and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Uncle Vernon ran after her, "Petunia!"
"I'd better go with you." said Kingsley following him.
Uncle Vernon turned around furious, "I don't need help from the likes you!"
"You don't understand!" said Kingsley irritably, "There are tons of curses and dangerous creatures all around this house! If she happens to step anywhere she shouldn't-"
But he was cut of by a muffled yelp of pain.
"Petunia!" Uncle Vernon roared, sprinting towards her.
"Oh dear." Kingsley sighed as he took of after him. A few moments later, Kingsley returned with a very disgruntled Vernon and Petunia.
"It's alright Petunia," Mrs. Weasley soothed, "you're alright."
"No thanks to you or any of your rotten children!" Aunt Petunia seethed.
Mrs. Weasley's face filled with rage, "Who are you calling rotten!? You with that ungrateful spoiled brat of a child!"
"Don't you dare talk about my Dudders like that!"
"She can talk how ever she pleases as it's MY HOUSE!" Sirius yelled to everyone's surprise.
"Oh wow! That's a fine way to treat your guests! Threatening us and encouraging rudeness and disrespect in your children. I don't know why I expected anything else from your kind!"
Everyone's hand twitched towards their pockets.
Mrs. Weasley's face was screwed up in fury. "We have all bent backwards trying to make you lot comfortable! None of us apparate or use magic in your royal presence! Do we ever get a word of thanks!? Oh, no! All you ever do is complain, complain, complain! There's no hot water, the food isn't good enough, the pillows are too hard! Honestly! I don't how Harry restrained himself all those years from turning you all into dodo birds!"
Sirius turned to Petunia, "This is Harry's birthday and I will not let you ruin this for him! If you don't shut your mouth soon, you won't have a mouth to shut!"
This shut them both up immediately. They turned around and stormed off. But Dudley didn't follow them.
"Guys?" he began timidly, "I'm really sorry about my mum and dad. I think magic is really cool."
Everyone relaxed, "It's alright dear, it's not your fault." soothed Mrs. Weasley.
"I agree with Molly," said Sirius to everyone's shock, "it's not your fault what your parents did. Just look at mine."
"Finally!" Tonks laughed, "It's back to normal around here!"
"Sorry," Harry said sheepishly, "I guess I really started something."
"Somebody had to do something!" exclaimed Bill, "This party was dying!"
"What do you mean?" asked Harry, "I think it's been a great party."
"Are you kidding?" asked Charlie, " We've never had such a boring party!"
"Yeah, to be honest Harry, it was downright embarrassing." admitted Fred.
"It turned around quite nicely though." Kingsley said smiling.
There were general nods of agreement all around the table.
Dudley raised his glass, "Happy birthday Harry!"
Everyone else followed suit by raising their glasses, "Happy birthday Harry!" they chorused.
"Cheers." Harry grinned.