Fred and George came blasting through the door, wearing identical grins. "Mum wants you to come down and say hello to grandad Septimus," one of the two said. (Ron wasn't sure which – today they were wearing their identical purple sweaters, like they always did when relatives were visiting, so they could confuse everyone into awkward silences. Ron hated it.)
"I'm coming," he grumbled, hastily hiding the Quidditch book he stole from Charlie under his pillow. The twins ran off again, probably to go and tell grandpa about how they'd been at Hogwarts. Ron scowled a bit, and reminded himself it was only two more years until he'd be there.
Downstairs, grandad was sitting stiffly at the table, awkwardly holding a bouncing Ginny on his lap. Mum was bustling about, making tea, but he didn't appear to really want any. Percy was showing him his new pair of glasses, which he'd gotten after Bill had accidentally sat on the previous pair.
"Hullo grandad," Ron said, stopping next to the old man. Septimus looked at him.
"Why, Ronald! Happy birthday. You've grown. Again. How're you doing, son?"
"Thanks grandad, I'm great," Ron said, smiling at him. He liked his grandfather; the old man didn't stop by often, but when he did, he told stories about his young years when brooms were still custom made by hand, and you had to make to Golden Snitch yourself if you fancied being a Seeker. Sometimes he even brought Ron something – a Nimbus miniature, once, and one time a signed picture of the Spanish national team. When Ron had asked him how he'd gotten it, Septimus had smiled at him and said Barcelona was particularly nice in springtime.
"Tell me, Ronald, have you already gotten a lot of wonderful presents today?"
"He got a new blanket," Ginny piped up from on Septimus' lap, who patted her on the head.
"A blanket, really? Well, that's wonderful. I've also got something for you, Ronald. I hope you like it. I found it when me and Mrs. Skamander from next door were cleaning out the attic. It's a fine piece of work, even if I do say so myself…" He helped Ginny off his lap and stiffly bended over into a leather bag. Out of it he got a square packet, wrapped in brown paper.
"Open it, son," Septimus said and his eyes were sparkling.
Ron did, of course, not bothering to keep the bows intact. When he saw what was inside, he gasped. "A chess set! Wow! Thanks grandad!"
Septimus smiled. "I thought you might like it. Just practice a lot, maybe it'll come in handy later."
Ron made his acquaintance with all of the pieces, then peered at his grandad, happiness written all over his face. This was the best gift ever.