Draco Malfoy pointed his wand around the darkened room, the lumos illuminating the glittering artefacts, the cobwebs and the skittering pests hidden in-between the many family heirlooms tucked away in this side of Malfoy manor.

"Where is it?" He mumbled as he looked around. He remembered seeing it here when he was younger.

He dug around in the corner, finding what he was looking for. He cast a simple spell to clean the dust off it and knew he had to get the house elves to polish the gold on the artefact.

"Did you find it?" Draco turned to see his father standing there.

"…Yes father." Lucius nodded and left him alone, allowing Draco to take out the prized artefact from its hiding place.

oOoOoOo

Harry groaned as he awoke on the 31st, the smell of pancakes strangely lingering in the air. He opened his eyes, his stomach grumbling loudly. His heart skipped as he looked at the enchanted calendar on the wall marking this as the final day of July. He heard giggling behind him and turned onto his back, shocked to see Hermione and Ginny shushing each other, while the Weasley twins set up some kind of prank to wake him up.

"What are you guys doing here?" He asked laughing as the twins set off the prank on themselves, causing a mild explosion that turned them red and green.

The girls laughed at the twins. "Happy Birthday Harry!" They cheered.

Mrs. Weasley came in then looking cross. "You children! I told you not to wake him up!" She said crossly making them run out. She smiled at Harry. "Good morning dear, happy birthday." She said hugging him tight.

"Th-thank you Mrs. Weasley… where's Severus?" He asked.

"Oh he's in the kitchen darling. Now, you take your time to wake up while I tell those troublemakers off for waking you up." She said and left him alone in his room. Harry felt his cheeks heat up knowing they were all here for his birthday. When did Severus invite them? He sat on the edge of the bed. For a second he felt excitement at the idea of celebrating his birthday. Then an overwhelming sense of being unworthy filled his chest.

He felt his heart racing and held his knees hard. He shook his head. No. Those thoughts didn't make sense. He had to stop thinking this way. His friends were all here and Snape had prepared this special gathering for him. It made him embarrassed but it made him feel warm inside. Focusing on that feeling alone, he stood up to get ready to meet everyone.

Once dressed he went out and chuckled nervously as he saw how the Weasley children were decorating the living area under strict supervision of Mrs. Weasley. Fred and George, of course, did so magically while the rest of them did it the old fashion way. It looked so lively already.

"You guys… you didn't have to do all this decorating and stuff." Harry said.

"Nonsense, Harry dear. It's your birthday and it deserves to be grand." The matriarch said and Harry smiled as Hermione and Ron came over to greet him as they pulled him outside.

"Wow Harry! Your new home is amazing." Hermione said looking around at the brilliance of it all.

"I know. It's a bit big but… it's great." He smiled and Ron chuckled.

"Who knew Snape had this much stash hidden around, eh?" The redhead said and Harry felt uncomfortable again looking at the house, wondering how much the other spent on it.

"…He's an amazing person…" Harry said softly, falling silent, turning to find his friends staring at him. He squirmed a little before allowing himself to smile.

"Did you get my letter about the adoption, Hermione?" Harry asked and the brunette smiled brightly, nodding her head eagerly.

"I've read up all about magical adoptions. It's quite fascinating. All your documents get changed automatically so that everywhere it's official. Harry… I'm so happy for you." She said hugging him tightly. Harry hugged her back, feeling his heart soar as he allowed himself to also rejoice.

Harry noticed Hermione's eyes go down to his amulet and instinctively went to cover it. "It's just…"

"It's a hypersensitivity amulet. They're super creepy. I was so glad when I turned seven and mom said I didn't have to wear it anymore." Ron said shuddering at the crying figurine. Hermione's eyes brightened with curiosity as she looked at Harry once more with imploring eyes.

Harry smiled and took it off, offering it to her.

"They are quite sombre for children to carry." She said turning it around.

"It needs to be hand-carved by one of your parents and taken to the three sisters for blessings." Ron said. "But… they're not really used by wizards our age."

"Severus said it might be… due to the druid magic I used." Harry said looking at the figurine a bit more. "Who are the three sisters?" He asked.

Hermione perked up at that. "They're sisters from the coven of Driarwood. It's the really old system of education that existed prior to Hogwards. They're currently the only coven that remains, but they're quite strong." Hermione said.

"And they… perform blessings?" Harry asked looking at Ron.

"Witches and Wizards can only join the coven after they're twenty-five nowadays. Before you had to be born into them. They're respected but…"

"But it's a much different life they live than most people are used to." Hermione said. "They're like priests, Harry. They perform wizard versions of christenings and ritual blessings of protection for children who have volatile and nature-sensitive energies." She explained.

Harry looked at the pendant again and felt a chill go up his spine as a breeze came from the forest and he put it on again. "Severus said I won't need it forever." Harry said and Ron chuckled.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to hearing you call Snape by his first name." He chuckled.

"Yes, it's quite jarring after the past five years." Hermione laughed softly and Harry joined in.

"Well, it did take me a while to get used to…" He said looking back at the house. "'Dad' just feels…" Harry wanted to say that it was awkward but as he said it then it made his heart skip a beat and he looked at his friends embarrassed.

"Well… he is your dad now, so whenever you feel comfortable, mate." Ron was the one to say it and Hermione looked at Ron a little surprised but smiled and nodded.

"Exactly what Ron said, Harry. Oh! I'm so happy for you." She repeated and hugged him tight again. Harry laughed hugging her back, glancing amused at Ron, only to pause at the icy look that Ron seemed to send them just then.

"A-anyway. I haven't even seen Snape this morning, so I think I'll go look for him." Harry said, very confused at Ron's expression. The cold expression seemed to go away as Hermione let go of him.

"Sure, Harry. Let's go." She said hooking her arm with his. "Let's all go." She said. Harry smiled warmly at his friend as they walked but Ron seemed to once more tense up and follow them quietly. Harry shook his head. He was probably just imagining things.