Chapter 5- Ginny's 18th

Ron and Hermione had reconciled their fight from the previous weeks. It was now like a reminder of the Ron/Lavender Brown phase from sixth year-Hermione was snogging Ron more than studying or reading!!

But Harry did not mind. The more they did this, Harry felt sure they would not argue again, leaving Harry in between to pick up the pieces, like they had so many times...

It was now March. Charlie returned one day with Mr. Weasley for dinner one day. Harry tried not to speak with them, or find himself alone with them, in case he ended up having a "chat" about him and Ginny, like Bill.

To his horror, around ten o'clock, they called Harry to a secluded area. "Now, Harry, we know about you and Ginny," Harry gulped "and we are very happy!" Mr Weasley clapped a hand on Harry's shoulder. "So as her boyfriend, we were wondering on some ideas for her birthday-it's this Saturday."

Completely taken by surprise, Harry said "Why don't you have a surprise party. We could invite everyone over for dinner-but you could say that we were going to celebrate only the day after."

"Excellent. But what about when everyone's coming in?"

"Er...Well I suppose I could take her somewhere?"

"O.K. Thanks." And they walked back.

The next few days passed without many events. Ron and Hermione were constantly going out together, Ginny and George went to Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes till Friday, Mr Weasley was at work seven till ten every day and Bill, Percy, Charlie and Fleur did not come.

Harry sometimes went out with Ron and Hermione to walk to tow and back, or just stroll in the garden-area. With only two able Quidditch players and Hermione, a game was not possible. So they sat in the glow of the descending sun, talking about their eventful few years as Hogwarts students.

Luckily for Harry, who felt suddenly glum since Ginny left, Friday had arrived. He dressed at top speed and ran downstairs, leaving a stirring, cursing Ron in his room.

When he went downstairs, he saw Ginny, sitting alone by the fire. He took a glance to the left and right, to see where Mrs Weasley was, but she was not to be seen. He sneaked on tip-toes to Ginny and kissed her neck softly. She jumped at first, but turned around to say hi.

His spirit lifted, he, Ron, Hermione and Ginny embarked on a two-on-two Quidditch game. Hermione was atrocious, and could not even fly properly, but Harry and Ginny gave Ron's team a two-hundred point lead, although the end score was four-hundred to two-hundred, to Ginny's team. As they left, Ron scowling, they went to the lounge, to have some lunch.

Ginny leaned on Harry's shoulder as she ate some chicken.

"Guess what?" she said "Neville's going to be Herbology teacher at Hogwarts!" she said, with joy.

"How'd you know?" asked Harry.

"He came in to Diagon Alley to buy stuff when I was with George!"

Harry knew Neville was exceptionally good at Herbology, but did not see this coming.

"Oh yeah-he's got a new girlfriend!" she added.

Ron shot up immediately. "Who?"

"Luna!"

"WHAT?!?!" shouted Ron. Hermione had a gobsmacked look. Harry wondered how many times in her life she had ever been like this in her life. Probably about twice.

That evening, Harry said goodnight to everyone there and went to sleep. When he woke, he took a shower, and pulled out Ginny's present. He then prodded a snoring Ron to get up.

"What... I hate spider's...Dohnuts...give me a cake...Hermione!" mumbled Ron. Harry thought about what a bizarre dream he must be enduring. He prodded him again, waking him. "What, Harry? What time is it?"

"It's nine and it's Ginny's birthday!"

After coaxing him to get ready, they met Hermione on the hallway and ventured down the rickety stairs to the living room.

They sat down only for a few seconds, until Mrs Weasley appeared from outside with a huge cake in the shape of GW.

"Come on you lot. Hermione, why don't you carry presents? Ron, you can carry the cards. Harry, you the cake." They all walked back up the stairs to Ginny's room. As they walked in she stirred. Even sleeping, she looked beautiful.

Mrs Weasley instructed them to start singing. "Happy Birthday, to you, Happy Birthday , to you. Happy Birthday dear Ginny, happy birthday to you!"

Ginny clambered out of bed and gave them all hugs as she grabbed the presents and cards from Ron and Hermione. Harry placed the cake at the foot of her bed and hugged her.

"Happy eighteenth, Gin!"

"Ginny, dear, everyone else is working today, so we thought we should invite them all tomorrow, instead, so it would be less rushed."

"Okay! Come on you lot, let's go downstairs."

They all went into the kitchen, where Ginny opened her presents eagerly. She beamed at Harry when she opened his. It was a photo of him and her, smiling at each other and kissing quickly, from their brief relationship, three years ago.

Around twelve thirty, Mrs Weasley gave the signal for Harry and Ginny to leave.

"So, Ginny, do you wanna come down to the forest?"

"Oh, okay."

They left, after putting on coats, and headed to the trees, which were now full of green leaves.

Harry's arm twitched as he wondered whether or not she would appreciate him placing an arm round her as they walked down. She seemed to have performed legilimency, as she lifted his arm up and placed it across her shoulders.

"You don't have to be so shy." She said, grinning.

Harry tried to grin back, but was embarrassed all the same.

"So where do you wanna go?" he asked her.

"I know a place..." she smiled mischievously.

They walked for about three minutes, until they came to the edge of the forest. In front of him was a huge lake, completely still and clean.