Chapter 7 Party Time

Weeks later, the time of Harry's birthday party arrived. Sirius thanked God that Harry had been feeling so much better, and was in just as much of a frenzy getting things ready in Diagon Alley as he and Hermione. Still, Harry had dizzy spells every once in a while and had to be caught before falling flat on his face.

"So we have the main course, the cake, the plates, napkins, cups." Hermione went through the list as the three of them sat in the Ice Cream parlor on the afternoon of the celebration.

"Check, check, check, and check." Sirius laughed. "We've got it all, Hermione. And everybody's coming that we sent invitations to. I've hired a DJ so you guys can dance at the party."

"Cool," said Harry with a smile.

"How does it feel to be sixteen, Harry?" asked Hermione, taking his hand in hers. It was feeling warm again, which was a relief.

Harry smiled. "It feels wonderful. I really really appreciate all you're doing for me, Sirius."

Sirius smiled at him. "No problem, kiddo. Hmmm-it seems as though Ron and his siblings and Lavender are here."

Harry and Hermione quickly stood up and sure enough, they saw four heads of flaming red hair and one head of brown hair moving towards them, and the couple dashed outside.

"Hi, Harry!" Lavender called, waving and threw her arms around him when they met up. "Oh wow." She gave him the once over, amazed at how thin and tired he appeared. "Are you feeling all right today?"

"I'm feeling fine. Don't worry. Looks can be deceiving. Close your mouth, Ron." Harry snorted when he gave his best friend a hug. When Ron stepped back, his mouth was still hanging open and Hermione shut it for him.

"He looks worse than he is. Come on-Sirius is inside and our party is going to be out back. We have a big picnic table and you guys NEED to start eating the food so we don't have a ton of leftovers." Hermione put her arm around Ginny, whom she'd become close friends with over the years at Hogwarts, and led them inside.

Eventually the other guests arrived, and everyone, as Ron had been, were amazed at how different Harry appeared. They, however, didn't make a fuss, figuring it was safe not to and that it would upset Harry. The gifts were piled on one side of the party area and the music began playing about ten minutes in.

"You won't BELIEVE some of the stuff we came up with this summer," Fred laughed as he stood talking with Hermione and Harry. "Mum nearly had a nervous breakdown with all of our explosions. She said as long as we promised not to sell our products that she'd let us make them. We made glow- in-the-dark jell-o, fake rats, etc."

"They put one in MY bed," Ginny snapped. "Along with the talking whoopie-cushion!

Harry laughed. He had spent part of the summer before his second year with the Weasley's, and there was never a dull moment in that household for sure. "A talking whoopie-cushion?" Hermione asked. "You mean it actually says phrases?"

"Yep! I brought one to show you." George pulled one out of his plastic bag and handed it to Harry. "Squeeze it."

Harry did so and jumped back when the whoopie-cushion shouted "GET OFF, YOU GIT!"

The statement sent Hermione and Ron laughing.

Sirius came outside eventually and stood by the DJ's table, watching with a smile as Harry danced with Hermione and Angelina. Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell were dancing with the twins, and Dean and Seamus were dancing with Neville, Ron and Lavender.

"Take cover!" Ginny suddenly squealed after a couple of songs. It was getting quite hot, and everyone was sweaty and panting, taking a bit of a break.

Wondering what on earth the little red-headed girl was talking about, Harry turned around. SPLASH! A waterballoon smacked him right in the forehead. Then one hit him on the back, and soon they realized that the twins had snuck away from the dancing and were firing the missiles at the group.

"HEY!" Hermione squealed when a blue balloon splashed all over the front of her sundress. "FRED WEASLEY! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" She left Harry and bolted after the laughing boy, eventually doing the unthinkable and tackling him to the ground.

"Get him, Hermione!" Ron shouted.

"Whoa!" shouted Dean. "What've you been teaching her this summer, Harry?"

"Oooh-she has him in a headlock!" giggled Ginny.

When Hermione let go of Fred, the two of them sprawled out on the ground gasping for breath.

"Okay, okay-time for food!" Sirius shouted, and everyone hurried to the table.

The table was covered in a red and yellow tablecloth (the colors for Gryffindor), and red and yellow plates sat in two rows. Harry sat between Ron and Hermione; Lavender sat to the right of Ron and Dean sat to the left of Hermione. It was a great time. Everyone was laughing and telling jokes and stories. When evening fell, it was time for the cake and the presents. Harry sat on the grass with his stash and his friends gathered around him in a circle. Sirius had a wizard camera and was preparing to take shots of the occasion, and Florean Fortescue herself appeared to watch.

"Open mine first, Harry!" shouted Angelina, causing everyone to laugh.

"No, open mine first!" interrupted Neville.

"Hold on!" Harry laughed. "Too much shouting at once."

"He's right," said Hermione. "Let Harry choose. It's his birthday after all."

Harry gave her a smile of thanks and picked the smallest gift. He caught sight of Ginny, who was blushing to the tip of her ears and he realized he had chosen her gift first. He smiled back and read the card:

Harry,

I wasn't sure if you would enjoy this, as you are a boy, but I do hope you like it. Bill helped me pick it out,

because you know, he wears all that stuff.

Happy Birthday! Ginny Weasley

Ginny was hiding behind Ron as he opened the package and pulled out a small box. Whe he opened the box he pulled out a gold chain and at the end was a charm in the shape of a lion, and a pendant that said GRYFFINDOR.

"Ginny-thank you!" Harry cried, when he held up the gift to show everyone. Ginny crept out from behind Ron and hurried over to envelope Harry in a big hug.

"Happy birthday," She whispered. Hermione smiled as Harry hugged her back.

"I love it."

"Are you SURE it's not too girly?" She asked. "I know guys don't wear necklaces too much."

"Ginny, I love it."

"Can I put it on you? It's a thick chain so it won't look too weird."

Harry laughed and allowed her to put the necklace around his neck and fasten the clasp. Hermione rubbed his back and smiled as he fingered the charms at the end. Ginny immediately hurried back to her spot and folded her arms in her lap, looking down at the grass. The Weasley's were often embarassed VERY easily, which was amusing.

The rest of his presents were just as wonderful as the first. He had received a scrapbook of all of the Quidditch games from the first year on from Seamus; a book of healing charms from Hermione; a Chuddly Cannons sweatshirt from Ron, along with a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. From Fred and George Harry received a box of their gags. "Use them wisely now, Harry." Said Fred with a wink.

"I will." Harry laughed.

When the present opening had finished, it was time for the cake and ice cream, provided by Florean of course. Everyone stood and sung Happy Birthday to You and He's a Jolly good fellow, before Sirius ordered Harry to make a wish and blow out the candles.

"This cake looks too good to eat!" laughed Hermione. They had chosen a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate chips sprinkled ontop.

Harry closed his eyes for a few moments and there was silence until he blew out the candles, and then applause errupted. "Happy Birthday Harry!" shouted Ginny.

A few hours later, the party ended and everyone except Ron and Hermione headed home after saying goodbye. When the guests had left, Harry was so tired, but it was a comfortable sort of tired-not a sick-tired. He helped Sirius clear the trash away and pack the gifts into the old station wagon. "Did you enjoy yourself?" asked Ron, once the three of them were in the back seat and on their way back to Sirius's apartment.

"I had a great time," Harry laughed, leaning his head against Hermione's shoulder. "I did enjoy myself."

"Good. But you look exhausted." Said Hermione. "You should go on up to bed when we get home."

Harry smiled at her. "Actually, Hermione, I don't feel quite like going to sleep yet. I'm pretty awake as a matter of fact."

Ron and Hermione grinned at each other with delight. This was the best news they'd heard from Harry in ages.