Double Update because (yes there is a catch) I won't be updating until Friday. And because the next chapter is evil...
Also, I'm still looking for artists! C'mon! There must be some of you out there who don't think my story is too bad!
One more thing. Grey's Anatomy Season premiere, Thursday night. Be there, or be square, because it just... rocks!
Chapter 22
"Happy Birthday dear Harry,
Happy Birthday to you!"
Fred and George's voices carried on long after the rest of us had ended the song, singing in competition. Fred's high note that sounded much like a chipmunk, outlasted Georges deep one and I saw George discretely hand Fred a sickle.
Harry stood above us on a chair, looking down on the quadruple decker cake. Its white icing was dirtied by different snippets such as candied broomsticks, or golden iced snitches, constantly moving. A yellow flower pattern was designed across the top for elegance although I wasn't sure quite why, seeing as it didn't fit in with the rest of the décor. Mrs. Weasley however, was quite proud of her home made cake, and flushed at the compliments she received; I knew better than to say anything.
"Make a wish Harry," said Charlie quietly. The former dragon tamer looked upon the sight lazily, his hair growing longer since he awoke.
Harry closed his eyes, his face looking gaunter every day, and drew in a deep breath. He blew out the candles with a giant huff, only two remaining.
"Two girlfriends Harry?" joked Bill. "Where are they hiding?"
Harry flushed slightly and blew out the remaining two candles. I watched as a Ron assisted him down from the chair. The Harry I knew was a lean handsome man, although he seemed a little ill.
"Are you feeling quite alright Harry?" asked Mr. Weasley as his plump wife began to cut the cake.
Harry nodded his head and gave a weak smile. "I'm a little tired from all the… erm excitement."
"Well maybe after we open the presents we can take you back to Grimmauld… actually, you can just stay here I suppose. There is plenty of room!" His laugh bellowed a little bit, and Mr. Weasley's shiny balding head bounced back and forth.
"That's right Harry," said Fred. "And we have the guest room remember? For our guests of course!" He motioned to Hermione and me, and I noticed both Ron and Hermione flush.
"Although, we may only need the one bed hey Hermione?" George gave her a little nudge in the ribs and she flushed even deeper.
"Oh hush up. I've never…" she mumbled off and turned back to the cutting of the cake, where Mrs. Weasley (who had obviously been listening) cut Hermione a rather small slice.
I took the piece handed to me and sat down silently in-between Harry and Ron.
Small talk was made as we sat at the Weasley's long table. I looked out the double doors into the backyard, which appeared a little frumpy. The flowers that lined the yard were overgrown, but it seemed to have a homey affect. I turned back to my cake as the conversation met my ears.
"… we also have a present for a group of people. Harry included," said Bill.
"Well I think we should open up all of Harry's other presents first before you show us up," said Mr. Weasley, laughing slightly. The twins grinned.
Although I hadn't noticed it before, a rather large pile of presents was sitting to the right of the fireplace, mine included. I assumed it had been moved there at one point during our trip, possibly by a house elf. After finishing our cake, we ambled over to the living room, and Mrs. Weasley handed Harry his presents.
Nothing too surprising came up, and I must say that my present fit in rather well for being bought only an hour before I came. Hermione extended to Harry a rather long book on the war and its history. She insisted it was good for his "spiritual health." Harry had laughed and laid it down on its side.
Ron, Bill, and Charlie had pooled their money together and gotten Harry a rather large gift; the replaceable heads for his broomstick allowed him different strengths and if anything would add to his ability. The thicker one, for example, was meant for bad weather and was used for balance, whereas the thin bushel was meant for speed and aerodynamics on a day with ideal weather conditions. The total of ten interchangeable heads brought a smile to Harry's face, and he thanked them graciously.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had purchased Harry a picture frame—picture included. The picture contained everyone but Percy and I, and brought tears to Harry's eyes, although they did not quite spill over. He held it to his chest for a moment before placing it close to him on the floor, and pulling the newly knitted jumper over his head.
My present came next, and he smiled while opening up the bag of candy, and thanked me genuinely. Although my gift was not as sentimental as most had been, or expensive, I was quite pleased with the result.
Seeing as Percy didn't provide a present (such short notice he had claimed), Ginny's was last before Fred and George's. She handed him a rather small package, a card with a small heart on it attached. Harry read the card quickly and laughed out loud before putting it aside.
He opened the parcel eagerly, on a roll now, and found a chocolate frog inside. He frowned.
"Open it up," said Ginny smiling. She gesticulated with her hands for a moment, and then flustered with Harry's speed, or lack there of, snatched it from him and ripped the carton off the top.
"Hey," Harry objected, and grabbed it back. He removed the frog and ate it slowly, making slow, exaggerated movements with his mouth, and closing his eyes in sheer delight. "Nice present Gin," he said, his mouth full of chocolate.
"That's not the present you git! Look inside!" She snorted rather loudly and smacked her hands together in impatience.
Harry meticulously opened each flap of the box; his slender fingers lean like he rest of his body. I gasped at what he pulled out. Harry Potter was staring at Harry Potter, on a chocolate frogs collectable card.
"You've got to be joking me!" exclaimed Ron. He looked to Ginny for confirmation. "Seriously!"
Ginny smiled. "Original isn't it? It was bloody hard to manage, but that is the first ever mass produced Harry Potter collectible card ever made!" She grinned wickedly. "I so totally win!"
Harry, however, didn't look too pleased. He smiled politely, and laughed at Ron's amazement, but didn't appear to be overjoyed.
"You don't like it!" Ginny accused, her face falling into a pout. She immediately recollected her thoughts in a shrill voice. "I knew I should've gone with the poster! All men like posters. And Fire Whisky! Uh! I am such a total…" she rambled off.
"No Gin! It's great! Really. I'm just surprised that's all." He laughed but it sounded forced, and everyone knew it. "Now where to put a picture of myself," he said jokingly.
The mood lightened a little bit, but Ginny kept glaring at everyone throughout the rest of the conversation, as if it was our fault that Harry didn't like his present.
"Our turn!" said Fred. "This is more of a family present." He sprung up from the couch and led us to the main hallway in the house. We had already seen it quite thoroughly, but it seemed impossible to have missed the large black curtain, echoing the earlier one.
"Concealment charm," said George smiling discreetly. "Ready Fred?"
"Ready George."
In one smooth motion they grabbed the curtain and pulled it down. In front of us stood a clock. It was not just any clock however.
It had many hands, and instead of the time, it listed where or how someone was. Through the glare of the glass in the afternoon sunlight I found it hard to read the hands, which clearly had writing on them.
They were names. Every single Weasley was on that clock, including the pompous Percy Weasley, and the reddening Ron. Harry stood in shock. I had never seen Harry truly cry before that moment. There had been tears of grief or frustration, but never joy. I had seen a shimmer behind his lids, or a gloss that never seemed to fade, but to actually witness him break down was immense. A single teardrop rolled down his cheek as he too read the hands on the face of the clock.
"Harry," he said simply. I looked closer and found Harry's name pointing to a little circle reading Safe.
"Harry? Harry, don't cry," Ginny shuffled sideways and gave him a tight squeeze. "You'll always be part of the family you know," she said with a sideways grin.
"What an excellent gift," I said quietly. "It's absolutely superb."
Fred and George beamed and Harry nodded, obviously too overwhelmed to say this for himself. Harry had never been one to show things. He had a monotone expression that was suitable for all occasions, and he never ceased to tire of it although we did. For him, emotion was a weakness. It was a power one couldn't control, and his feelings could only be read on a very rare occasion. I think that might have been the only true emotion I had ever witnessed Harry show.
§
The house was quiet that night. Harry, Hermione and I had gone back to Grimmauld Place for the evening. The Weasley's had offered us rooms, but after seeing the joy in the family, Harry had kindly declined the offer, claiming that he felt more comfortable in his own home, although I knew the real truth.
Harry had wanted the Weasley's to spend the night together: just the Weasley's. He was a noble guy, and noble guys did stuff like that. So we proceeded home and went to bed, although Hermione continually glanced around her, as if waiting for Ron to come up behind her and kiss her on the head.
Harry sighed. "Hermione go back." She looked up at him startled, and adjusted her hair.
"Why would I do that?" she asked politely. Fidgeting slightly, she adjusted her sweater and wrapped her arms around herself.
"It's only nine o'clock, they'll still be up. Go sleep in the spare bedroom at the Burrow."
"Are you sure Harry?" Hermione chewed on her nail thoughtfully. "I don't have to."
"Yes you do," I said, "or else you're going to drive Harry and I insane with the constant looks about for Ronnikens…" She glared at me for a moment.
"Are you sure?" she turned back to Harry.
"Positive," said Harry nodding his head. She grinned and pulled up her cloak.
"I'm just going to grab my sleeping clothes and stuff and head over. Come over in the morning for breakfast okay? Eight o'clock sharp! What time do you have to be home Beth?" she said while bustling around the dining room.
"Lunch." I answered promptly.
"Alright. Eight is good then? Or nine? Whichever really. I'm sure we'll be up." With a final flushed grin she rushed out of the room. I listened quietly for a few minutes. She bustled up and down the stairs twice, before I heard the familiar swoosh of the fireplace.
"Bed then?" I asked quietly.
"I think I'll read for a bit."
"Remus won't be home for another few hours Harry. You should go to bed. He will wake you up you know." I was slightly annoyed at his attitude. It was contradictive and flat.
"I know that. I just don't feel like going to bed, that's all."
I stared at him boldly from across the table. "What was wrong with the chocolate frog card?"
He looked back up at me before looking back to his twiddling thumbs, "Nothing was wrong with it, it was an excellent gift."
"You didn't show you felt that way."
"I was a little shocked. Have you read what it says about me on there?" I shook my head and he placed it on the table. I reached out for it and as I did my sleeve came up on my jacket. I hastily withdrew it, but not before he noticed. Harry's eyes examined me under knit brows and he pushed the card closer to me. I picked it up, careful to not reveal the bruise on my arm.
"Thanks. The nail polish… it really smells." I smiled briefly and picked up the card.
Harry James Potter, savior to the wizarding world twice, was born on July 31st 1980. He…
I didn't continue reading, but looked up at his face, which was stone still, and focused on me.
"Stop looking at me like that," I said fiercely.
"Fine."
"Good."
I tried to continue reading, but Harry kept staring. I sighed. "I'm going to bed," I stated. I dropped the card down on the table and pulled my sleeves tight around the palms of my hands.
"G'night Beth."
I swaggered through the door (yes, it was a bit of a swagger). "Good night Harry."