Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; J.K. Rowling does. I do, however, own this story's plot.
Chapter 16
Birthday Bash I
~Previously in Tedious Week II~
Everyone nodded their heads and soon one by one, they flooed back to Malfoy Manor in England before heading towards their rooms.
"Well good night. We won't be time turning back for today. And due to a change in plans, we won't be going back in time tomorrow, during the Malfoy's Summer Solstice Ball, the Dark Lord's Ball and Lucius and Sirius's wedding." Snape explained.
"Why's that?" Dudley asked.
"Do you want more studying?" Tom asked, deadpanned.
Dudley and the other vigorously shook their heads. They may be studying every day and doing well in every class, but they were glad the 'professors' allowed them breaks in their torturous schedule.
"Good. Now, head to bed, we'll have breakfast in the morning." Tom ordered as he walked to his room.
Everyone disbanded and soon silence covered Malfoy Manor.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
"Harry, wake up." Draco whispered.
The Slytherin waited a couple of seconds but the Gryffindor made no movements to show that he was waking up.
"Wake up Harry." Draco repeated, a little louder this time around and the body before him shifted before flipping over.
Draco gave Harry a couple of seconds more before those eyes blinked blearily and stared off at the ceiling.
"Are you awake now?"
Harry slowly turned his head at the sound of Draco's voice, stared at the blond for a couple of seconds before smiling goofily up at him.
"Hey you." He whispered, before closing his eyes.
"Hey you too. Don't think you can go back to sleep." Draco replied, getting up from the bed.
"Just a couple of more minutes." Came the airy reply.
"No Harry. I've prolonged it as much as possible. Everyone is awake and waiting for us."
"That's what you said the last time."
"And did you know what happened the last time you refused to wake up?"
"The twins drowned me like a rat."
"Good. Now get up."
Grumbling came from the dark haired teen as he sluggishly moved from the bed to the bathroom.
"Harry."
"What is it?" Harry turned around to look questioningly at his boyfriend.
"Happy Birthday." Draco grinned.
"Be out in ten minutes." He said before closing the door behind him.
Draco frowned and clicked his tongue. Ten minutes would not suffice at taming that wild hair of his. He sighed. Only for today He thought. Only for today.
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"Happy Birthday Harry." Blaise greeted.
"Thank you."
Choruses of "Happy Birthday" rang out through the dining room as the couple walked in.
"What's planned for today?" Harry asked.
"Just relaxation." Tom shrugged.
"You shrugged."
Tom scowled. "Is there a reason why I cannot shrug my own shoulders?"
"No, but that's … so not …you." Harry commented.
"I can shrug my shoulders if I wish to shrug my shoulders." Tom hissed, exaggeratedly and petulantly shrugging his shoulders a couple times more.
"Alright Tom. I think Harry gets it." Hermione laughed, patting him on the shoulder. Tom didn't even flinch or make a face of disapproval at the action. He merely calmed down and started eating, choosing to ignore the snickering from the birthday boy.
"We have presents for you Harry." Ron said, through mouthfuls of food.
"You didn't have to." Harry cried out, blushing hotly.
"But we did." Blaise insisted. "What's a birthday without presents?"
"My birthday?" Harry replied.
Severus, Sirius and Remus narrowed their eyes at his answer.
"What do you mean your birthday?"
Harry sighed. Today was starting off great until he touched up on that topic.
"As you know, before we realized that Aunt Petunia and Dudley actually didn't hate me, the Dursleys did not present me a gift, in any form whatsoever. In fact, they ignored my birthday, the same as they ignored my existence in their home – that is, until they had chores for me to do."
Petunia and Dudley flinched at the evil glares thrown their way, withering them down as they sat uncomfortably in their seats.
"Well, every year on my birthday I would be ignored. In fact, I'd be sent to the cupboard and ordered not to make a sound. He told me I should be grateful for having a roof over my head, scraps to live off of and Dudley's second hand clothes –"
"Which dwarfed your body." Draco interrupted, his glare towards the mother and son turning even icier the longer he held their gazes.
"Yes." Harry bit out. "Thank you for sharing that little tidbit of information Draco."
"Anyway, he said with all the years they've spent housing me and feeding me, I should be grateful that I'd even have any of it and to not ask for more. Of course, I didn't then, but when I was younger I didn't know. I remember looking longingly at a gift when he was forced to drag me out of the house to go on trips with them. He would beat me black and blue before throwing me back in the cupboard."
Petunia paled even more with each passing second. She was unable to refute his words, because she knew they were true. She was too weak to stop Vernon from beating Harry, too weak to do anything really. She was, after all, just a mere housewife. What could she do against a man that was at least three times her weight and three times stronger than her?
"So after that incident, I never asked for anything. Petunia gave me small gifts though, whenever he was not looking – after hours of course. I still kept them, though they're probably gone by now. Disappeared they did – I never knew what happened to them." Harry reminisced. He shook his head to clear off the memories. "All that matters now is that I'm with all of you, and I couldn't be happier. So let's just forget about the past, please. For me, for the birthday boy." He pleaded.
"Just for today." Remus replied stiffly. "It is your birthday."
"Great! Let's eat. I could eat a hippogriff."
Breakfast was a little tense, but with Harry's boisterous chatter, the tension lifted and soon everyone was back to conversing with one another, even if the conversation was a little strained from Petunia and Dudley's end.
"Here Harry. Happy Birthday!" Hermione repeated once more as she handed her gift over to the teen.
"Thank you Hermione. What is it?"
"Unwrap it." The brunette laughed.
Harry looked at it before sniffling. "But it's so pretty. I don't want to forget the first birthday I've been able to spend with my friends and close family."
"Don't worry pup. We're getting it all on camera." Sirius replied before behind the teens. He showed Harry the camera that floated around the group, recording the entire moment.
"Thank you." Harry sniffed as he looked back at the gifts.
"Here, return it to me." Hermione ordered. Harry gave it back with a confused look.
"I'll only take a picture of all the gifts together. So it will be the first picture of your first birthday with us."
She leapt up into the air to grab the camera that floated by before snipping various pictures and releasing the camera, which returned to hovering in the air.
"Here, now you can open it."
Harry ripped off the wrapping paper before looking at his gift in confusion. "What is it?"
The rest of the teens laughed. "It's just like Hermione to gift a book as a present." They teased.
Hermione huffed. "I'm not that predictable." She denied. "This is The Dark Arts Outsmarted book we found in the Room of Requirements fifth year. I figured you'd need it more now than ever, considering what we've found out about Dumbledore. Plus, you can help train us. Like you said, we've got your back."
Harry's eyes watered. "Thanks. I'll definitely read up on it."
Tom snorted when he heard the title. "The Dark Arts Outsmarted? Please, that book is a load of rubbish."
"Considering a small group of teenagers were able to fend off a majority of the attacks from your Death Eaters due to this load of rubbish, I think Harry will manage." Hermione smirked.
Tom bristled. "Fine, but just so you know. As the Dark Lord," he stressed, "I'd be more than capable to teach Harry defense against the Dark Arts."
"Oh, that sounds like jealousy to me." Sirius barked out a laugh.
"Do not make me regret what I said yesterday Black."
"What happened yesterday?" Harry asked.
Tom bristled even further before he glared daggers at the animagus, refusing to answer the question.
"Well, it went like this…" Sirius began.
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"You wished to speak with us My Lord?" Severus said, as he followed Tom through the manor.
"Yes I did. The four of you are needed." Tom said, answering Severus's silent question.
What did the Dark Lord need them for? They weren't Death Eaters. That was what Sirius and Remus were thinking of as they trailed behind the three wizards before them. They hoped it had nothing to do with them. They feverishly hoped for that. Sirius and Remus would not know what to do if Tom was angered by something they did unconsciously.
Behind closed doors and away from prying ears, Tom began to talk.
"I order you to drop your guard around me and behave … as you would … to a … friend." Tom struggled through his words. He was not used to behaving in such a way. Dumbledore had repeated told everyone that Tom was incapable of feeling love. And with the Dark Lord exterior, everyone believed him. Also, it did not help with the incident that Dumbledore presented to the Wizarding World, the incident that Tom, the Dark Lord, had murdered Harry's parents and tried to do the same to Harry, everyone hung on the 'Light' wizard's words.
And with the memory that he had tried to kill Harry, Tom could do nothing but agree with Dumbledore's words – that is, until he met Harry after all these years under different circumstances. He did not think he would be able to feel such emotions around the boy. And when Tom saw Harry's friends gathering around him, he could understand why they were drawn to him.
Harry was a bright, cheerful child. With the knowledge of such a horrific past under his belt, Tom couldn't believe Harry had turned into such a strong man – one that was capable of holding himself as he was. Though at times when Harry was insecure, the small subtle actions would draw Draco and Blaise towards him, as his protectors. His immediate family, Sirius and Severus, were drawn to the boy as well. Harry had a big, forgiving heart – one that he had not seen in anyone in a long time. Tom didn't know what he would have become if Harry didn't turn up as he did.
No, he thought. He knew what he would have become, what he was on the road to becoming. He would have been a brutal dictator – one that was bent on purging the Wizarding World of all the muggleborns and all the people that crossed his path, he would have struck them down where they stood. The past couple of 'weeks' with the Gryffindor and Tom knew he had slowly changed. He had listened to Harry and agreed with the idea that muggleborns were needed in the Wizarding World. Quite frankly, he agreed with Harry that his muggleborn friend, Hermione, was the first witch to have held his interest from quiet a long time. And it surprised him because he almost never held anything in interest for such a long time.
Harry was slowly changing him and Tom didn't know if it frightened him or not – this sudden change in himself. He decided to accept those changes – if it meant he would be closer to being human, he decided it would be worth his while.
"My Lord?" Lucius asked tentatively.
The blond knew it was hazardous to interrupt the Dark Lord when he was thinking, but the emotions that flitted across his glamoured face worried him as much as it intrigued him. The Dark Lord was known for masking his emotions as well as the Malfoys did, if not even better. But here the Dark Lord was, standing before four wizards – two of which were his most loyal subjects, and showing these emotions that clearly stunned them all into silence.
"Yes, I apologize for the silence Lucius."
And the apology stunned the blond further into shock.
"No, of course not My Lord." Lucius replied, bowing his head down.
"Come now Lucius. This is what I wanted to talk to you about." Tom said.
"My Lord?"
"As my most loyal subjects, I do not wish for you to act as such anymore. You have been loyal and sworn your loyalty to me, for years. I think it is time to stop this."
"My Lord? I do not understand." Severus spoke up.
"Severus, Lucius. It is alright to speak your opinions, your thoughts to me. You will not be punished for your thoughts or for your opinions or feelings. I want you to be forthright with me. I shall not order it of you, but I insist that this is for the best. This is what you both deserve."
Severus was stunned into silence as was Lucius. The emotions that ran across their face was the most expressive Tom had seen since they had been sworn in as Death Eaters, accepting the Dark Mark as their own.
"And… why were we brought along with you?" Remus dared to ask.
"I expect the same from the both of you." Tom simply answered. "It would not do anyone well to have us all on different levels. We will all be equals. So do not be afraid to tell me what you feel, what you think, what it is you believe to be right or wrong. I will not curse you into oblivion if you do."
"Of course. It's not like I planned on doing anything else other than that." Sirius joked, but his eyes held disbelief at the sudden and abrupt change in the Dark Lord.
"Can you tell me why – or what brought this about, My Lord?" Severus asked.
"Enough of the 'My Lord' Severus, Lucius – the both of you. As people of equal stature, I must insist that you call me Tom. I do not wish to be called your Lord, and equal will be much appreciated. It is the least I can do to return the favor, after all these years of your continual loyalty."
"My L-" Lucius's voice stopped in his throat when he saw Tom raise a glamoured eyebrow.
"… Tom…" he began, unused to the informal way of speaking to his lord. "Will it just be… the four of us?"
"I will see which of my Death Eaters have been the most loyal and they will be graced with my permission."
"And Bellatrix?" Severus asked, eyeing Sirius from the corner of his eye.
"It is fortunate that Harry has decided to take her off my hands." Tom smiled.
Severus nodded at the information.
"Are there any more questions?"
The wizards shook their heads.
"Good, I will see you all tomorrow morning for young Harry's birthday." Tom said, dismissing them.
Everyone left for the night.
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"And that's how we ended up with the ability to backtalk to Tom without any repercussions." Sirius ended.
The animagus yelped as he rubbed his backside, glaring at the Dark Lord who looked around innocently as he twisted and twirled his wand between his fingers.
"Who me? No." Tom answered exaggeratedly before handing Harry his present.
"What is it Tom?"
"Come now Harry. Are you going to keep asking everyone that before opening your gift?" Lucius chided.
"No, but it makes it easier when I know what the present is." Harry smiled when he untied the bow.
"A card?" Blaise questioned, when he tilted his head to look into the box.
"I just wanted to inform you that your gift will be presented to you when we return to Hogwarts. It's one of Nagini's children. I know Draco and Blaise have their protection accessories, but I figured… if you weren't wearing any of them… or you happen to come across someone that physically hurts you… you will need an actual protector there for you…" Tom ended his explanation quietly, trying to shrink into himself. He still wasn't quite used to caring for the boy whom he was prophesized to kill.
Harry carefully set the box down before jumping Tom with a hug. "Thank you." He whispered before he drew away to return to his seat. Tom returned his thanks with a small smile that was hidden to all but his followers, as everyone's attention were on the beaming boy sitting happily on the settee as he received his gifts.
"The egg is still in an incubation period." Tom reminded him. "That's why I didn't want to give it to you until it's nearly hatched."
Harry nodded before looking up at the box held out to him by the twins.
"Here's our gift." The twins chorused.
Harry lifted an eyebrow and opened the box, slamming it close a second later as a blush erupted across his face. His eyes narrowed threateningly at the twins, promising vengeance as soon as he got his hands on them. They only laughed at his expression, waving away his unspoken threats carelessly.
"What was it?" Draco asked.
Harry shook his head, holding the box as close to him as possible, with the lid shut tightly. They'd have to pry it from his cold, dead hands if they wanted to find out the truth. But sadly, it did not come to that, because Blaise swiftly poked several places against his side and laughter bubbled over and out of his mouth, weakening his grasp around the box.
Draco quickly swiped it and opened the box, grinning slyly at the Gryffindor who was now taking in deep breaths after the ticklish encounter.
"Blaise and I must thank you for such useful gifts." Draco purred, leering at his boyfriend.
Blaise raised an eyebrow, looked into the box and a sadistic grin grew on his face.
"Yes, we really must thank you for such wonderful gifts. We'll be sure to put them to good use."
Harry blushed even further before smacking both Slytherins and accepting the next gift that came his way.
Ron had given him treacle tarts all shrunk down into the box that was handed to him. Ginny had handed him new seeker's gloves and though he wouldn't be using it for some time, he thanked her for her gift. Pansy and Crystal each gave him a photo album and the first couple of pictures that were secretly taken, respectively.
Harry was too happy with the gift to even bother asking where and when they had taken the pictures. Draco and Blaise were not the slightest bit amused. Their frowning was the only indication of it.
Soon came Sirius's gift of a book titled How to Become an Animagus. Sirius's reason was "I thought you'd like to know what your animagus form is, considering all Minerva did was lecture about Animagus. So, here you are. Oh, of course this book can be shared with your friends. You know, so you won't get lonely." Remus smiled at Sirius's words behind handing Harry his present. Remus's present was a bottle filled with memories of Harry's parents, which caused the Gryffindor to become teary eyed once more.
Lucius gave Harry a book on Wizarding Politics, stating, "If you want to learn more, I'd be glad to teach you." Harry nodded his head, taking up Lucius's offer. Severus gave him a book on Horcruxes, which fueled the red in Tom's eyes.
"Severus, what's this?" Harry asked.
"Something to help you in the future when you read it. It's something you should learn."
Petunia gave him a knitted scarf. "For the cold winter days." She said, when Harry looked at her questioningly for giving him a scarf in the summer.
Luna gave him a white gold pendant with a sun and a crescent moon put together, a circle engraved onto the back of the sun. "Unity" she simple stated before Harry wore it.
Neville gave him a nice bonsai tree from when his grandmother had returned from her trip and gave him several as souvenirs. "Stands for harmony, balance and all that is good. Seemed like a perfect gift considering we're joined together with our old enemies and such."
Dudley, Theo, Crabbe, and Goyle gave him a pack of flavored teabags, a book of Tomes, Pumpkin Pasties, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and Chocolate Frogs respectively. The four guardians said they would give them their gifts later in the day.
And finally, Draco and Blaise each gave him several small trinkets, for his bracelet, that would play a specific memory whenever he tapped on it with a wand. Each memory held a different memory of a moment, which Harry spent with a different person amongst the group, always happy and fun moments. There was even a hilarious moment between Harry and the overly serious Alandair.
Harry hugged them both, kissing them on the cheeks before attaching them to his bracelet.
"Alright. Present giving time is finished. Time to eat." Remus announced, clapping his hands to draw their attention.
"Wait, before we eat breakfast, I have something for you guys as well." When everyone prepared to argue, he shook his head and held up his hand. "No, it is needed. This is for making my summer the best summer of my life. I wouldn't have survived with Severus or Draco. I wouldn't have gotten to know what a family was like without the Weasleys or Sirius or Remus. I wouldn't have had real friends who will stand by my side like Hermione or Neville or Luna. I wouldn't have known people are not as they seemed like the Slytherins or Lucius. And Tom would have killed me if he didn't give me a chance to side with him, and the Guardians, of course, for training us daily. I need to thank you all for being there for me and being here with me. I truly wish that we'd be together from now on."
"Oh Harry!" Hermione blubbered before hugging him tightly.
Harry struggled to rake in the air as the brunette's arms wound tighter and tighter around him. "Thanks… Hermione," he gasped, "but… a little air… would be nice."
"Oh sorry." She blushed, releasing him from her death trap.
"Here, I hope you guys like it." Harry said, waving his wand to summon the gifts, placing them in front of the designated person.
Harry gave Hermione a gold locket with a picture of the Golden Trio together, one picture from when they first met and the other taken before they left Hogwarts after their fifth year. He also gave her a pair of sterling diamond earrings with protection runes crafted unnoticeably upon them and a large book from his family vault, saying "It's better you read it than it staying in the vault collecting dust".
For Ron, Harry gave him a Chudley Cannons poster with the entire team's signature and a note from each player signed to Ron, as well as a box of assorted candy – from Chocolate Frogs to Liquorice Wands. Ron nearly fainted when he saw the autographs and promptly fainted when he saw the small notes addressed to him, calling him Chudley Cannons' number one fan. It didn't help that the team's manager had sent Ron several tickets for free so that Ron and his friends could watch the team play. Harry laughed as he placed an armband onto his best friend's unconscious body.
For Ginny, he gave her a brand new set of Quidditch equipment, dragonhide boots and a white gold anklet with several dangling animal charms, spelled that only Ginny could take off. For Neville, he gave him a big book on Herbology, a diamond bracelet and a rare potted plant only seen in the deepest and darkest parts of the swamp. "I don't really know what it is or what it does, so I hope you can take care of that for me."
Draco snorted, "It sounds like you're just giving him the responsibility of taking care of the plants you would not overlook yourselves."
Harry's eyes widened in shock before he vehemently denied the statement. "Neville, it's not true! That's not what I meant! I just thought you were the best candidate, seeing as how you're the best at Herbology among us!"
Neville laughed and waved off Harry's worry. "Not to worry Harry. I know what you mean. Thanks for the gift."
Harry beamed before elbowing Draco's abdomen for scaring him like that.
Dudley was stunned when Harry gave him the new wand holder he promised, a pocket watch and a new wizard's robe, silky to the touch but velvet on the inside, with runes sown on inside the robe. The new wizard had thought Harry hated him for how his father had treated him throughout childhood. But Harry said that he was his own person and not his father, so Dudley smiled at Harry's words and accepted his gifts.
For Petunia, he gave her a pair of diamond earrings, a pearl necklace and a nice flowing gown for the upcoming event at Lucius's Summer Masquerade Ball. "All you need is a mask now. I hope I didn't intrude on your decision for an outfit. I saw it and thought it would fit you perfectly." Harry said, biting his lip.
"Thank you for the gift Harry." Petunia smiled. She was grateful that Harry did not think badly of her, considering the times she had had to turn away from Vernon beating him.
For Remus, he gave him a receipt of a whole new wardrobe filled with newly bought clothes, a titanium beveled edge comfort fit band and some advice. "I don't particularly agree with drinking the Wolfsbane potion." Harry said. "It does help relieve the symptoms of Lycanthropy, but it doesn't really. Try not taking it for a full moon – when you get used to the transformation, you won't need the potion anymore."
Remus looked unsure. "Trust me." Harry said, his eyes speaking the truth. Remus nodded and promised that he wouldn't take the potion upon the upcoming full moon, which was in two days. He could already feel Moony barking in happiness at the knowledge of not taking the Wolfsbane potion.
"I think I know someone that can help with your transformation." Tom said. "You might know of him – Fenrir Greyback perhaps?"
Remus snarled at the wizard. "He was the reason I'm a werewolf. How dare you call him to assist in my transformation?"
Tom didn't even blink at the wizard who was growling viciously at him. "Come now. Fenrir is the best choice to help you with your transformation. He has had plenty of experience on hand. He will assist you even if you do not want his help. Is it correct of me to believe that you are his cub?"
Remus stiffened before narrowing his eyes. "Yes." Moony yipped at the mention of Fenrir, but growled at the hostility it felt from its host. "I am his cub, but I will not acknowledge him as anything."
"Remus please. Fenrir is the only one that can help you." Harry pleaded.
"No Harry. You don't understand how much he's changed me. My relationship with my parents changed entirely when I had been infected with lycanthropy. I am forced to become a werewolf every month on the full moon. I have to live with the fear of killing someone when I'm a werewolf."
"Remus please, you must understand you don't have to live in fear like this. Fenrir might be well known for killing children, but you are his cub. He won't hurt you. Trust me."
Remus sighed before turning to look at his cub. "Only for you cub, because it is your birthday."
Soon everyone had opened Harrys' gifts to them. For Sirius, Harry gave him a stainless steel, blue enamel groove doomed ring before he said the rest of Sirius's gift would come later on in the day, which caused the escaped Azkaban convict to moan at the long waiting time.
For Severus, Harry had gifted him a pocket watch, an entirely brand new potion brewing set – a golden and crystal cauldron, several crystal stirring rods which Harry assured were non-collapsible, several glass and crystal phials, a black and white marble mortar and pestle set, and various potions ingredients including several phials of Basilisk fangs, blood, skin, scales, the eyes – although one was punctured, and Basilisk venom.
Severus looked at Harry in awe. "D-Do you know how much this is all worth?" he whispered.
"Not really." Harry shook his head. "I figured you'd have more use for it instead of leaving it in the chamber. I've asked Dobby and Winky to distribute everything and place them into phials. It's all been placed into my vault, so feel free to ask for more if you need more."
Because the Gryffindor didn't know the monetary value of each ingredient he had placed under Severus's care, Severus had mentally calculated the cost, which brought him to a staggering price that was close to one million galleons in total. And if what Harry had said was true, the parts he currently had only made up a little of what was the actual cost of the entire Basilisk body.
"H-How long was it?" Snape asked, daring to further his calculations.
Harry thought for a bit. "Around sixty feet in length?"
Severus staggered into a chair to prevent himself from falling over and making a complete fool of himself.
"Thank you Harry. It really means a lot to me." Snape said, stowing away the ingredients within the folds of his cloak.
"That's the first time I've seen Sev in such shock." Draco whispered into Harry's ear.
"Really?" Draco nodded. "Well, he's in for more surprises later on." Harry laughed.
For Fred and George, Harry gave them an envelope and a small box.
"I hope you're not proposing to us Harry." Fred joked.
"Haha, very funny." Harry smiled.
The box inside had a pair of 3-carat black diamond stud earrings for the twins. The letter inside stated that Harry had invested an extra three thousand galleons on their joke shop and had given them each a thousand galleons for daily use.
"I figured you guys put your joke shop above all else. And I didn't know what to give you guys, so I figured it would be enough! If it's not, I can give you more. Plus, the earrings would look nice on you guys. "
Fred and George draped themselves onto Harry, ruffling his hair happily as they thanked him for their gifts.
For Pansy, he gave her a box filled with jewelry and accessories. For Crystal, he got her a pair of dragonhide boots, and black accessories. He didn't know them enough to know what to exactly get them.
For Theo, knowing the teen had a love of books as much as Hermione did, he gave him a thick set of book containing A History of the Magic – Around the World, a pair of silver tone black bordered cufflinks and an Acromantula Silk Wizard Robe. For Crabbe and Goyle, he got them each a box of Ice Mice and Sugar Mice as well as a full dragonhide outfit and a Celtic medallion chain necklace.
For Luna, he gave her a specialized pendant with a star etched on the side. "To help you better focus." Harry said, and Luna beamed a smiled at him. He also included a white gold ring and a pair of dangling earrings for her, which Luna happily accepted. Harry told the Guardians he would give them their gifts later on in the day as well.
The last two gifts, other than for Draco and Blaise, were possibly the hardest to find, considering it was for Tom and Lucius.
For Tom, Harry promised him world-domination, or at least the Wizard World's domination, to which everyone laughed at and cheered to. He also gifted Tom a box full of a variety of cufflinks, to which Harry joked "To look snazzy and fashionable even during a Death Eaters' meeting." Furiously held laughter behind hands looked to and fro between Harry and Tom, to which Tom's mouth twitched slightly at the comment. Last but not least, Harry gave him a stainless steel and black leather dragonhead and snake bracelet.
For Lucius, Harry gifted him a crystal glass elven made hair tie with an embedded jewel in the middle. Lucius's gift also included a ring, made with the Malfoy family crest in mind and a book on each of the Hogwarts Founders.
Ending with Draco and Blaise, Harry had a hard time deciding what to get for his two boyfriends. He knew they could have anything they needed, and he wanted something to give to them to show the appreciation of the two weeks of gift giving during his courting period as well as how much he adored them.
He gave them each a goblin-made ring with included enchantments and protection runes, an elven-made ring which was an emergency portkey keyed only to them and white gold bracelets, to start their own memories together.
"Hey, why is it that only Draco and Blaise received emergency portkeys? Don't you want us safe as well?" Pansy mock pouted.
Harry laughed, "No, no. You all have it as well. Hermione's locket, Ginny's anklet, Ron's armband, Neville's bracelet, Dudley and Severus's pocket watch, Sirius's and Remus's ring, Lucius's hair tie, Fred and George's earrings, Theo's cufflinks, Tom's bracelet and his various cufflinks – which by the way, took me hours to do, Aunt Petunia's earrings, Pansy and Crystal's copious amounts of jewelry and accessories, Crabbe and Goyle's necklace and Luna's pendant. Of course, it's all filled with the strongest protection charms and runes I could add onto. So it's perfectly safe to use as a shield. Though I don't recommend using them as a shield against the Killing Curse or some of the heavier hexes or curses."
"It must have taken a lot out of you to make so many portkeys." Petunia murmured.
"Not a lot of magic really." Harry denied. "Just a lot of time. Although, I did make a minor adjustment to the spell."
"What minor adjustment?" Tom asked.
Harry squirmed in his seat. "I kind of … possibly… maybe… made it so it… goesanywhereyouthinkratherthanjustonedestination?" Harry rushed out.
"Come again?" Theo asked.
Harry sighed. "I made it so the portkey takes you anywhere you think of rather than just one destination."
"Minor adjustments?! Harry… that takes a lot of magic." Neville exclaimed.
"Plus, it takes a lot of control. If you mess up a portkey, I'm pretty sure it just explodes in your face. Not literally." Crystal quickly added.
"How did you do it Harry?" Hermione asked, the glint in her eyes begging for more information.
"I kind of had a little help from someone." Harry admitted.
"Me!" Macaire confessed giddily. "He asked and I helped! Magic is just so fascinating!" He gushed.
"Macaire!" Egidio scolded. "You were not to do anything."
"But he needed my help. He asked for my assistance. I could not deny him."
Egidio frowned before sighing. "This is what I get for allowing even a brief moment of contact."
"Alright now. We should eat breakfast if we want to start the day." Remus said.
The teens bustled around to their seats and sat, waiting for food to appear on the table. As soon as the food appeared, an owl arrived, hooting in the air as it sailed past the table, dropping The Daily Prophet in front of Lucius.
The blond grabbed it and read it before throwing it down scowling. "I will have them sued for this." He hissed.
Sirius then grabbed the newspaper and read it aloud.
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The Boy Who Lived Turns Dark!
By Rita Skeeter
Harry Potter, the defeater of Voldemort, has suddenly turned his back on the Light! Accompanied by his Gryffindor schoolmates and a single Ravenclaw schoolmate known notoriously for their Light families, was seen in Diagon Alley laughing freely and happily amongst the large group, as if they had been friends forever. (See picture on the right).
Ronald Weasley, age sixteen, and Hermione Granger, age sixteen, is a part of the Golden Trio, well known on Hogwarts Grounds. Making up two-thirds of the Golden Trio, with Harry Potter, age fifteen, as the last third of the group, the three students were known to cause plentiful of trouble within their school years. Neville Longbottom, age fifteen, Ginny Weasley, age fourteen, Fred Weasley, age eighteen, George Weasley, age eighteen, and Luna Lovegood, age fourteen, have also joined the group as they strolled through Diagon Alley.
Do not be fooled by the amount of light names listed, because the Chosen One has also been seen associating with the Dark, witnesses confessed. (See photo on the left).
Draco Malfoy, age sixteen, Pansy Parkinson, age sixteen, Gregory Goyle, age sixteen, Vincent Crabbe, age sixteen, and Theodore Nott, age sixteen, seemed to have banded together with one person in mind, Harry Potter; no doubt their idea to fraternize with Harry Potter came from their parents. Families like the Malfoys, Parkinsons, Goyles, Crabbes, and Notts, whose children were also seen alongside the young Potter heir, have been known for their dark ancestry and history.
Though the young Gryffindor also has a single number of neutral families with children in the group such as Blaise Zabini and Crystal White, it can be clear that he has much influence over each of the family's heir. Has he threatened to use his magic against them if they did not join his side?
And it seems the Gryffindor did not stop there. Harry has not only included Dark families in his little circle, but dark magical creatures as well. Remus J. Lupin, a werewolf infected by the most savage werewolf known to the Wizarding World, Fenrir Greyback, walks with Harry Potter as if a protector, a guard if you will. What would the young boy need a protector if he is the one to defeat You-Know-Who? Is he just as power driven as You-Know-Who was when he was just a student?
Severus Snape, Britain's well renowned potions master, Head of Slytherin House and a confidant of the Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Perceval Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, accompanied this group of entwined Slytherins and Gryffindors.
Lucius Malfoy joins the small circle with much political power. As a Ministry of Magic Official and one of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Lucius Malfoy holds enough power to utilize – should the young Potter heir need assistance in his plans.
Not only does the young Gryffindor have such powerful allies from different sides of the war and of different careers, there were also several unknown people spotted with the group as they made their way through Diagon Alley. Who are these unknown people? And do they have as much power as the ones Harry has manipulated onto his side?
Mister Potter must have turned to the Dark when Albus Dumbledore was not around to save his parents that horrible day. Though it is hard to say whether or not Harry Potter is taking revenge on the Hogwarts Headmaster when he should take his anger out on the escaped Azkaban convict, Sirius Black, known for being the Potter's secret keeper and revealing their location to You-Know-Who.
Should we surrender ourselves to You-Know-Who? Did the Dark influences amongst the group deter young Mister Harry Potter from what his job is supposed to be – defending the light from the dark?
All this reporter can tell you is we better start protecting ourselves, even from the young fifteen year old.
For The History of the Boy Wonder, see page 4.
For The Commentary of Witches and Wizards, see page 5.
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Sirius's hands were shaking at the end of the article. "How dare that little tramp write such a thing about Harry? About all of us?" he hissed.
His hands wouldn't stop shaking in thinly held fury as Remus plucked the paper from his hands, finished reading it and was soon growling loudly.
Hermione read it as well and soon everyone was furious at the reporter. Threats spewed from everyone's lips and all Harry could do was sit in his seat, watching and waiting for them to cool down.
"You know they've been slandering him and me the entire summer after the Ministry fiasco." Harry reminded them. "This does nothing than further fuel the fire."
"But you know none of that is true Harry!" said Hermione exasperatedly.
"It's true we're all dark, but we did not coerce you to join us and neither did you." Lucius said, breathing slowly to calm his rising temper.
"This is all just rubbish." Ron said.
"It's rubbish every student at Hogwarts and every witch or wizard in Britain believes."
"If they believe it, then it's their problem. They don't know you like we do." Neville declared. "So forget about The Daily Prophet and let's eat."
"I will still be suing them for this article." Lucius said. "And I will check on your little muggle business too."
"Actually…" Hermione said, drawing attention to herself. "I have a little secret I've been meaning to tell you guys."
"What is it?" Ginny asked.
"The only reason Skeeter's been able to write so many articles about so many people is because she's an animagus – an unregistered animagus. She takes the form of a beetle." Hermione informed them.
"So she secretly stalks and listens into conversations in the form of a beetle?" Tom wondered.
"Oh this is excellent. We'll be able to blackmail her into doing what we want." Sirius said, grinning evilly.
"Blackmail later, breakfast now." Remus scolded once more and everyone heartily dug into their food.
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"Alright Harry, let's begin with Politics." Lucius said, and everyone dispersed, leaving Hermione alone with Harry and Lucius.
The rest of the group left them alone, deciding to plan a surprise party for the birthday boy.
"Miss Granger, as this concerns only Harry, please step out of the room." Lucius said.
"But I want to learn more. I plan on joining the Ministry after graduating Hogwarts!"
"This is nothing about that sort of politics … not yet anyway."
"Sorry Hermione." Harry said, watching as his friend rose from her seat.
"It's alright Harry. I'll see you later." And Hermione was dismissed.
"What's the big idea sending her off like that?" Harry asked grumpily.
"You must know more about your heritage before opening yourself to others. You do not know who will do what when they find out about the titles you've inherited."
"Hermione isn't that kind of person to do that!" Harry said.
"No, but others are. So it's best to do this now – quick and simple."
Harry huffed but reluctantly nodded his head.
"First off, you have inherited which titles?"
"Potter, Black, Evans, Perverall, and Gryffindor."
"Good, now in the Wizengamot, each of those families held a seat. And what does that mean Harry?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"It means that you are able to vote on laws that will or will not be passed. Surely as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Dumbledore has told you all about this."
"He hasn't told me anything." Harry gritted his teeth.
"Well, since you've accepted to inherit these titles, you've also inherited these seats. And as your 'magical guardian', Dumbledore has lost these titles underneath him, seeing as how you're emancipated, you should be able to join these meetings that are held. Also, because you're emancipated, he holds no power in your decisions now. He is merely your headmaster from the day you've declared yourself emancipated."
"That's good right?"
"Yes, most definitely. That way he won't be allowed to speak for you in anything. He cannot use your name or any titles to plot against us and he holds less power in the Ministry."
"Okay, I'm getting it now."
"Good, because that was just the easy explanation. We shall begin the more detailed workings of the Ministry."
Harry groaned.
"Do not fret. I will help you along the way."
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"So what have we planned for Harry this fine day?" Fred asked.
"He deserves nothing but the best." George piped up.
"We'll keep him busy for the entire day. We'll have the birthday at the club Father bought a while back."
"Creatures' Night?" Blaise asked.
Draco nodded his head.
"We should have dinner before heading there." Said Crystal.
"Ohh! We can take him to the restaurant where there's that waterfall!" Pansy gushed.
"Oh. Tempus of the Sea?" Theo guessed.
"Yes! That one. It would be nice seeing Harry manipulate the water again."
"But he can't do that in front of the guests, especially in public." Neville reminded them.
"Darn." Pansy pouted.
"So restaurant and then club."
"But, I don't think Harry would like going to a club." Hermione said, walking into the room.
"We're just going to have some fun, besides his inheritance is tonight. Some fun before that and then we'll be ready for his inheritance."
"We're preparing for it." Blaise said, before Hermione could ask.
"Professor Snape is making a stronger version of the Wiggenweld Potion – just in case Harry feels any pain. He's probably going to bring several more phials if it is needed."
"And since this is Harry's inheritance, it will be powerful one – one that he might not survive." Remus said, wincing at the thought.
"What do you mean?" Ginny asked.
"The more powerful a witch or a wizard, the more powerful their inheritance – magical or not. And because of this, not many powerful wizards survive their inheritance." Tom informed them.
"You survived it." Ron said, blanching at the red eyes that turned his way. "What I meant was, how did you survive it?" The red eyes narrowed even further.
"Stop talking Ron. You're just digging yourself deeper into the hole you created." Ginny said.
"There is no way to learn how to survive an inheritance Mister Weasley. It's either you do or you don't." Tom informed him.
"Well that killed the mood." Crabbe said.
"Nothing like death for the birthday boy." Goyle added.
"Now, now. We must believe that Harry is strong enough to take his inheritance." Sirius said. "After all, it is he who defeated Tom several times – even if Fudge is adamant on denying the revival of the Dark Lord."
Tom growled, disliking the publicity this fact has been circulating throughout the Wizarding World. He needed people to fear him – fear him more than they already did. And it did not help that the bumbling and horrible excuse for a Minister of Magic used all means of the media to exercise his cowardice.
"You can plan a meeting with whoever's the head of the sources of media in the Wizarding World." Pansy suggested.
"And a perfect idea it is. He is in fact one of my followers. Shall we call an immediate meeting for this?" Tom pondered on the thought.
"It would be nice seeing how this whole Death Eater meeting works…" Ginny said. She had the group gawking at her flippant comment. "Oh come on. Don't you all wonder what it's like at these meetings? Besides the torture and killing of course. Don't you want to see into Tom's mind during these meetings?"
Tom smirked. "Then a quick meeting will begin. Let us go to the Malfoy's dining room. I'll call upon them there."
The group followed Tom and made their way onto the seats besides him – the guardians each took up a corner of the room. Tom flicked his wand and the curtains drew close, darkening the room though small candlelight flickered creating the atmosphere.
"If you cannot stomach the Cruciatus Curse, any form of torturing or the … visitors arriving," Here, Tom looked at Neville," I suggest you leave. You cannot speak in this meeting – only listen. You are forbidden from acting against any negative or derogative comments. This is your first and final warning."
No one made a move to leave and so Tom nodded his head.
"Wormtail." Tom hissed, before he dropped the glamour. Everyone flinched at the appearance before covering up their expressions.
The wizard scampered over to the Dark Lord, greeting him and kneeled down when pain flared in his left forearm as Tom called upon his Death Eaters.
"Stay in the corner and do no make a sound." Tom ordered. Pettigrew quickly ran off and hid behind a column.
The doors soon opened up and Death Eaters piled into the room, noticing extra younger guests in their midst – though no one mentioned it. Neville stiffened in his seat when he saw the Lestrange brothers and Bellatrix. His grip on the armrest tightened before Dudley covered it with his own hand, calming the Gryffindor down.
"You will see that there are new guests. They will be listening into our meeting. We will go start the meeting." Tom announced once everyone sat down.
"My Lord," Bellatrix began, "Is that… perhaps… the Longbottom child…?"
Dudley allowed Neville's grasp on his hand to tighten further, knowing that Neville had something to do with that witch that had spoken.
"Yes Bella, but he is here to watch the on-goings of the meeting. We will begin without any interruptions. Now Macavoy."
"Yes, My Lord?"
"You are in charge of all the media correct?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Good. I want every newspaper speaking about the revival of the Dark Lord. Poor Minister Fudge would be usurped soon. His position is already dangling on a thread when he entered the Atrium and witnessed first hand my appearance."
"My Lord, if I may."
"Speak Parkinson."
"What do these… children have to do with our meetings? Surely they are not Death Eaters?"
Pansy bit the inside of her mouth when Tom sent a "Crucio" at her father. Her jaw locked to prevent any noise from leaving before she averted her eyes.
"McNair, would you kindly repeat to Parkinson what it was that I had said early on?"
"The children are here to listen, do not pay attention to them." The Death Eater responded.
"Where is my dear brother-in law?" Bellatrix asked. "Did he scamper away like the little coward he is?"
Draco made to jump up from his seat, but Blaise kept a strong hold on his arm – preventing any movement.
"Crucio." Tom spat. They watched as the Dark Lord held onto the spell much longer than he did for Parkinson before releasing it.
"Lucius is on another mission for me. Snape is doing the same thing. They will be informed of this meeting upon completing their mission. For now, we have to deal with the media. We must have word sent out that the Dark is now growing in strength, in power, in magic. And not even the old coot can stop us now."
"I suggest subtly writing out insults as bait and when they least expect it, Tom can start a raid. Afterwards, we can have the media amass a full scale of interviews on the outrage from victims of how the Light side - the Ministry and Aurors were unable to protect them." Hermione spoke up.
The room seemed to freeze and everyone turned to look at the witch.
"How dare you assume that we would follow a mudblood's –"
"Crucio" Hermione whispered, her eyes emotionless.
"Hermione!" Ron squeaked.
The brunette held on awhile further before releasing the curse. "Yes Ron?"
"Y-You just performed one of the Unforgivables!"
"I will not be looked down at just because I am not a pureblood. And if they are not open to the idea that muggleborns can perform just as well as purebloods do, well – I guess we have no need for them in our revolution."
"The Ministry –" Ron tried once more.
"The Ministry will fall to us and Dumbledore will be no more. Face it Ron, spells are not dark or light. They are only deemed as such depending on its caster. Do you think the levitation spell is light? What happens if the caster levitates a boulder over an infant? It becomes labeled as dark. So no Ron, I know what I'm doing. I'm just helping the Dark Lord weed out the weak links in our operation."
Tom clapped his hands as he barked out an amused laugh. "Very well put Hermione. Macavoy, Hermione will be put in charge for this project. You are to listen to your ideas, and please do not hesitate to give your input."
"Yes, please do not." Hermione repeated, staring slyly at the named Death Eater.
"Oh, and another thing." She said. "Before I forget, on the day of the raid, we should have the Aurors busy, or have the number of Aurors low before they go to deal with the raid. Of course, we can have them deal with reports or sightings of several escaped Azkaban convicts?"
Several Death Eaters stiffened at the mention of the prison that held them for a decade or more. Tom was amused; he found it an eye opener to see that Hermione was taking charge of the idea of it all. She would make a brilliant Ministry Official when she graduated.
"Yes, that would be dealt with." Macavoy promised, dipping his head in a bow.
Hermione nodded her head in affirmation before leaving the table for Tom to continue.
"Anyone else would like to criticize Hermione's idea or her blood status?" Tom asked. "No? Then we shall move on with the next matter at hand."
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"Blimey Hermione. I didn't know you had it in you!" Neville exclaimed when everyone had left the meeting. Tom had called for the Lestrange brothers to stay behind when the Death Eaters trickled out of the large dining room.
"Please Neville. This is not the time to show weakness. We must band together to destroy Dumbledore. After all he did to Harry, he deserves it and more."
"We should also get our families onto our side as well." Dudley planned. "The Light families I mean."
"Yes… Ron, Ginny, Fred and George will deal with theirs. Neville has his and Luna has hers. I have my own parents to deal with." Hermione thought out.
"Blaise, Crystal, what about your families?" Pansy asked.
"We were always neutral and we will stay neutral. It does not matter to us whether or not the Light or Dark wins." Blaise answered.
"Okay, I suppose that works."
"Now, we have to plan for Harry's birthday. It's nearly lunch time and we still haven't gotten anything done."
"Food first, plans later." Ron declared.
"Of course, thinking with your stomach first." Hermione said exasperatedly.
"Food is a source of energy for the brain." Goyle supplied.
"Plus, it's close to lunch time. Harry will wonder why we're all late if we plan his birthday dinner and party."
"To lunch it is."
"Hey guys! What have you been up to?" Harry asked, as soon as he spotted them.
"Nothing much. Just brushing up on our studies." Hermione smoothly answered.
"Oh, sorry Lucius snubbed you like that before. I hope you don't take offense to that."
"Not at all Harry. I understood why I needed to leave." The brunette reassured. "So how was your lesson?"
"Informative; Lucius says we're to continue with it after lunch. Sorry I can't hang out with you guys on my birthday."
"Don't worry about it Harry."
"There are plenty of birthdays to come."
"Plus, we'll be together for dinner."
"So don't worry."
Everyone seemed to have an answer to lift Harry's spirit when they saw his downfallen expression.
"Right dinner."
"Let's dig in!" Ron interrupted, piling food onto his plate. It effectively ended any conversation on Harry's worry for the lack of time spent on his friends. But, small conversation was held amongst the group, ending the silence in the room.
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"So are the dinner reservations set?" Ginny asked.
"Yes, but you have to wear a nice outfit. The restaurant is a pretty posh place." Draco said.
"Oh, okay."
"Don't worry Ginny. We'll find you a nice dress yet." Pansy exclaimed and she and Crystal dragged the redhead with them.
"Come ladies. We should go along." Petunia said, pushing gently against Luna and Hermione's backs to get them moving in the direction Pansy and the other two left.
"We should get ready then. The reservation is in two hours." Blaise told them.
"Two hours?!" Neville exclaimed. "We just had lunch!"
"Yeah, around noon. And around two hours ago, we had tea." Theo laughed.
"The reservation is at seven. We'll have dinner for a good two to three hours and head over to the club."
"Okay, now go freshen up. You must wear the best suits you've had. I forgot to mention, this restaurant tends to have reporters and paparazzi flocking, since it's a high class, top and famous restaurant where the rich and famous dine." Draco laughed weakly.
"Oh, Harry's not going to like that." Ron said, rubbing his face.
"Not to worry. We have the power of the media on our side." Tom reassured them.
"That's right." Goyle said.
"But –"
"Don't worry so much. We'll go get our suits and the girls will get their evening gowns. We'll meet up here ten minutes before the reservation time."
"How about Harry –"
"Neville, you worry too much." Ron said, draping an arm over the brunette's shoulder.
"At least I worry." The Gryffindor narrowed his eyes, shaking off the redhead's arm. Ron frowned at that action.
"So, we'll meet back here in an hour and fifty minutes. Blaise and I will deal with Harry. Everyone's been notified of our plans. All we have to do is get ready and go. So let's go." Draco said, dismissing them.
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"No more." Harry frowned.
"Harry, if you want to be knowledgeable in the workings of the Wizengamot, you must learn."
"I've been learning the entire day!" Harry cried exasperatedly. "I'm missing my own birthday to learn about wizarding politics instead of spending time with my friends. I hate it!"
"Harry, come now. If you want to make a difference, then you must go on."
"Hah!" Harry laughed loudly. "Make a difference?! That's all anyone's ever wanted me to do! They don't even bother asking if it's what I wanted to do! I've been prophesied to fight Tom my entire life. That's all anyone's ever wanted me to do – needed me to accomplish – it's practically what I was born to do. And now you're saying I have to 'make a difference' in another field that doesn't require me to go against Tom?"
Lucius sat back and watched the green eyed teen rant and rant and vent out his frustrations. Knocking from the other side of the door was heard faintly through the destruction of the room.
"Come in." Lucius called out.
Draco and Blaise peeked their heads in before ducking behind the door that was quickly pulled shut when an expensive looking vase flew towards the entrance. They quickly opened the door and squeezed through the small opening they created before coming to sit besides the Head of the Malfoy family.
"What happened father?" Draco winced when a loud shattering pierced the room before more wood crumbling sounds were heard.
"Oh, Harry is having a meltdown."
"How did it happen?"
"All the pressure builds I suppose. And it doesn't help that that idiot of a Headmaster has put the entire fate of the Wizarding World on his shoulders."
"He's not alone." Draco shrugged. "We're there to help him."
Lucius immediately rapped Draco on the head. "What did I say about doing actions unbefitting of a Malfoy?"
Draco scowled before another expensive object shattered in the room. "How long has this been going on?"
"About half an hour before you entered. He does not seem close to calming down."
"Perhaps you can shock him." Blaise offered.
"I am not going to electrocute my boyfriend." Draco said aghast.
"He's my boyfriend too, and I'm telling you maybe it's the only thing that'll calm his temper."
"Or flare it. Either way I want it to end. I don't want another item broken if I can help it."
Draco sighed before shooting out electrical sparks at Harry. Immediately a water like shield propelled forward, blocking the sparks. Harry turned around to face them, his emerald eyes looking deadly dark.
"Did you just try to shock me?"
"Blaise's idea!" Draco squealed.
"That did not take much to hold his ground." Blaise sighed before meeting the blazing emerald orbs.
"Harry, calm down. You're destroying the room."
"Is this another thing you want me to do?!"
"No, it's something I'm asking you to do.."
All rage ended when Harry's shoulders dropped. "Okay."
"Might – Can you fix the room back to its original state?" Lucius asked, sipping the tea the house elves had brought during Harry's tirade.
Harry looked about, laughed sheepishly before reverting the room back to its former state.
"Good, we've spent enough time as it is. Father, we'll be dining at Temple of the Sea before heading to Creature's Night. The reservation is in an hour and forty-five minutes; we should get ready."
"Very well. We'll end our lesson here Harry." Lucius dismissed before he left the room.
"So… where are we going?" Harry asked.
"Somewhere you need to look spiffy." Draco and Blaise stood up before walking towards the Gryffindor.
"Why do you guys look like that? Stop prowling slowly towards me like that! No! Wait! AHHHHHHHH!"
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Heads perked up at the noise.
"Where did that girlish scream come from?" Pansy wondered, as she and the rest of the girls sifted through several magazines to find the perfect evening dress to wear.
"How are you even going to get the gowns ready for tonight?" Hermione asked.
"Falcon express of course. Speedy delivery. Haven't you ever done so?" Crystal asked, flipping a page.
"Of course not. That's way too costly." Hermione huffed. "You're spending money on a gown you will only wear for one night and never wear again. Did you know that?"
Pansy and Crystal looked up her like she had grown several heads. "Of course we know. That's the point."
Luna laughed. "Oh Hermione. You'll understand once you get into the fashion."
Ginny shrugged. "Mum makes our clothes. We don't plan on buying any anytime soon."
"Oh not to worry." Pansy interrupted. "We'll get your gowns for you. Just come and look through the magazines to see what they have to offer. If you like it you can try them on before deciding to buy it or not."
"And how is it that it works like that?" Hermione asked.
Luna blinked owlish eyes at the brunette. "You tap on the clothing of course and you'll try it on. Of course it's only just a mirror image, but it's pretty real. You get to see yourself in the mirrors that appear all around you."
"Magic really does everything." Hermione whispered before snagging a magazine thrown her way.
"Oh! Look at this one!"
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"Harry! Are you just about ready?" Draco called as he fixed his cufflinks.
"Uh… um… I think you should go on without me!" Harry hollered back.
"Harry really. You look fine." Blaise exclaimed, fixing his attire.
"N-Not really! It makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I feel awkward in this."
"Really now Harry. Come along." Draco sighed, opening the door to the closet. He stepped in and was greeted by Harry's appearance. Though the Gryffindor's hair was far from disciplined, the rest of his attire made up his look.
Harry wore a silk green shirt with a black vest over it that covered his lithe form, even if the boy was a bit clumsy. A long black tie lay above his vest, ending his upper body attire. Harry's black slacks fit perfectly, with the slightest bit of ruffling near the pant leg – no doubt due to the fact that Draco and Blaise insisted that he would grow into it. Ending his outfit was a pair of black slacks, polished to shine even in the dimmest of lights. Harry had forgone his glasses when Draco and Blaise dragged him into an eyewear shop, urging the Gryffindor to show those emerald jewels of his to the world – even if that meant they would get jealous. They wanted the entire world to see what they had and the world couldn't even imagine laying their hands upon.
"Am I wearing this correctly?" Harry whispered. He took Draco's silence to mean that he had worn something wrong.
"No, it looks fantastic on you. Draco's just busy trying to regain his voice." Blaise laughed, pulling Harry from the closet.
Harry frowned, pulling Draco behind him. "Why is it that we have to wear such a thing? I thought we were just having a regular birthday party."
Draco shook out of his trance before answering. "Nothing is ever "regular" here in the Malfoy family. We want you to have the best of everything now that you're with us. So don't worry about a thing."
"At least you're practically wearing the same thing as I am." Harry sighed in relief. "I'd rather not have too much attention on me tonight."
"But you must! It is your birthday!" Blaise scowled. "You see Draco. I told you he should've worn that other vest. It's his birthday. He should be noticed by many."
"No! Draco did it right!" Harry denied. "I love what I'm wearing!"
While Harry had on a silk green shirt, Draco had on a silky silver shirt whilst Blaise had on a deep burgundy to highlight those purple eyes of his. Then again, all of their silk shirts highlighted the color of their eyes.
"All the guys are practically wearing the same thing – just the color of the shirts are different."
"What about the girls?"
"That's a whole different story. You know how girls are." Draco said, waving his hand to dismiss the rest of the conversation.
They met up with the rest of the guys. Ron wore a dark blue shirt, Neville with his golden brown and Dudley with his deep hazel. Fred and George decided to go for a blood red shirt, whilst Tom had on a black shirt and a slight glamour, Lucius with a steel blue, Sirius with a grey and his glamour on and Remus with an amber shirt. Even Severus surprised them by leaving his bellowing cloak in exchange for a traditional white. Each person was wearing the present Harry had gave them.
"Aw! That's a bore Severus!" Sirius booed.
"Nothing is wrong with being traditional." Came the werewolf's reply.
"The wolf is correct, as usual mutt." Came the snarl.
"If it wasn't my godson's birthday, you can bet I would've fixed that nose for you right here, right now." Sirius threatened.
Severus sniffed before turning away to face Tom and Lucius, joining in their small conversation.
"Where are the girls at?" Ron mumbled. "It's always the female counterparts that take such a long time."
"Quite frankly I'm surprised you knew what counterparts meant." Theo ribbed.
Heads turned to see the rest of the Slytherins file into the floo room, the male Guardians following behind. Theo had on a russet silk shirt, Crabbe with his deep taupe and Goyle with a coffee colored shirt. However, the Guardians had forgone the Wizard robes and Muggle suits. They had worn something completely different.
Before the boys could ask them what they had on, the female counterparts walked into the room. Ron, Theo, Crabbe, Goyle, Tom and Severus nearly swallowed their tongues at the feminine appearances the girls radiated. Only Harry, Draco, Blaise, Lucius, Remus, Sirius were not affected. The twins weren't as well, but they were dramatic in acting out their adoration for the girls.
Petunia had worn the gown Harry bought for her – a deep peach mermaid dress with a bateau neckline and heatset stones, beading and crystals wrapped around the front. The back of the dress had a swirling floral design, complete with a diagonal heavy ruches draping, and a sweep as well as trailing train to which Petunia had hooked onto her index finger. The makeup was fair and light, her hair was up in a bun, with a small Lilly flower hairpin pinned and Petunia wore the jewelry Harry had gifted her - making the perfect picture of an elegant older woman.
Pansy sported a dark sapphire floor length, sleeveless illusion evening gown. Its soft beading along the lace over illusion neckline and open v-back satin bodice had a softly beaded band highlighting the light trickling amount of icicle-like beaded lace below the soft A-line. A flowing tulle skirt completed the rest of the voluminous skirt. Her elven-made stud earrings with sapphires, dark blue eye shadow, goblin-made triple bangle bracelets with sapphires and diamond accentuated, and sprinkle necklace with sapphires followed the rest of her bluish attire. Though Pansy's hair was short, she made it into a stylish short straight formal look – the left side longer and more blow-waved with the top than the right side.
Crystal, against what all the boys had thought, also wore a full-length couture gown. The charcoal silver sheer illusion fabric features liquid beading, crystal and sequins all across the high neckline, across her shoulders and around to the open keyhole back. The silky underlay is fully covered with hand crafted and dyed-to-match lace with a stunning stain drape under the ornate flower embellishment where it falls from the small of the back into a sweep train. Her hair was parted to the side, smoothed back and twisted perfectly - pinned at the nape with gold leaf shaped comb with chain tassels. She also wore a black and white diamonded swirl necklace made of platinum, and a crystal dewdrop rose gold bangle bracelet.
Hermione had on the same hairstyle as she did during the Yule Ball fourth year; her make up an eminence color that accentuated her dress. She wore a stunning couture evening gown that had a sheer bateau v-neckline, its bodice elaborately embellished with sequins and beads in a swirling vine pattern, down to her hips. The open-back reveals embellishments that trim the opening as the front beading swirls around. The dress hugged her hips but ended in a flawless sweep train. The young lady donned the locket Harry had given her and had on dangling soleste earrings with tanzanites and diamonds and a platinum yard bracelet with a moonstone to finish off her outfit.
Ginny wore silver metallic make up, flowery earrings made of rose gold, a rose gold bone cuff, the anklet Harry had gifted her, a white gold cosette hair pin in her French twist and a timberwolf colored chiffon gown. With a sheer bateau neckline, the tangelo colored embellishments begin along the neck, extending all the way in a vine patterned embroidery wrap, through the form-fitting bodice, all the way around to the back where beading trims the opening in the center. From front to back, the bugle beads and embellishments create a crisscrossing line pattern. As the chiffon skirts extends outward, it is also slightly draped on the sides and the back, creating a pickup look for the gown. A sweep train was seen as Ginny walked past the doorway.
Luna had dark shadowy make up on, which emphasized the blood red lipstick she wore. Her dress included gold embellishments that adorned cap sleeves and a sheer neckline as well as a sheer back. The embellishments finish their symmetrical pattern along the waistline on the dress. With a stretchy black tulle skirt that touches the floor, trimmed horsehair lining finishes the breathtaking couture dress for the young Ravenclaw. Luna had on her pendant, a titanium olive leaf vine bracelet with an onyx stone and gold chandelier drop earrings. The onyx-gemmed hollow out delicacy hair accessory sat perfectly atop Luna's mid-length wavy, curled one-shouldered hairstyle. And as the Ravenclaw took steps forward, a silk black wrap hung around her arms, drifting along in the air behind her.
"I'll make sure not to dirty this." Hermione swore.
Pansy and Crystal laughed. "It's for you. A gift for the start of a new friendship between the Gryffindors and Slytherins."
"And Ravenclaws." Luna piped up.
They laughed. "Yes, Ravenclaws too. All we need is a Hufflepuff and the collection is complete."
Then Hermione turned when Tesia moved towards the Guardian male counterparts. "Oh Tesia! You look absolutely gorgeous!"
Tesia laughed. "Thank you young one."
"You all look like something out of a painting." Ginny said.
Tesia wore a simple ivory dress with silver and gold beading lining the deep Cleopatra collar with sheer illusion cutouts along the front and back. Sequins and glass cut stones lined the center of the bodice whilst more decorative beading lines the waistline and leads into a flowing chiffon breakaway skirt with a slight sweep train – a small cape was attached to the shoulders by O-rings. Her hair was up in a half ponytail with the rest of her hair pinned up in curls. Jewelry unlike any other adorned the guardian – made by materials none of the witches of wizards had ever seen before. Tesia only smiled when they asked what it was.
Egidio, Alandair and Macaire wore somewhat similar clothing. They were sheathed in robes, Egidio in white with red embellishments, Alandair in white with forest green embellishments and Macaire in white with Egyptian blue embellishments. Macaire was the only one who wore a white flowing cape, attached to O-rings in which he slipped onto his fingers, and even then, the cape allowed non-restrictive movements.
"Thank you!" Macaire beamed. He, along with the rest of the females, gushed about their appearances before Draco cleared his throat.
"We must be leaving now if we want to make our reservations."
"Oh yes! To the floo!" Harry declared, marching forward.
Blaise held him back. "Are you sure? Soot and ash might cling to your clothing."
"That is why we have the cleaning spell. What use is a cleaning spell if you don't use it?" Harry pointed out.
"Alright, but if you want to fall flat on your face…" Blaise drifted off.
"But I won't. You or Draco will catch me." Harry confidently said.
Blaise pouted, knowing Harry had won this battle.
"I just remembered," Draco began. "There's not floo leading there, only by portkey."
"Well then… To the portkeys!"
"Hello! All access transportation here!" Macaire waved his hand in the air.
"Are you advertising yourself?" Theo laughed.
"No, it's much more safer, faster and less dizzy than a portkey. Or so I've heard." Macaire quickly added when Egidio threw him a look.
"Okay, let's go!" Harry cried.
"Just a moment Harry."
"What?" Harry whined.
"I figured this might happen so I called for a ministry car – well, think of it as a muggle limo." Lucius stated.
"Where is it?"
"By the gates. It's should already be waiting for us."
They all rushed out and entered the vehicle, and soon the car drove off.
.
.
.
.
.
They could already see the flashing lights from the reporters and the screaming fans. Soon the vehicle arrived in front of the restaurant where a long red carpet was placed.
Lucius was the rest to leave the car, followed by Sirius in his glamour. Then came Remus, Severus, and Tom in his glamour. Next to step out of the car were the Slytherins, followed by the Guardians and then the Gryffindors. Harry finally stepped out and lent his hand to help Luna out of the car. That was when the cameras really started to flash – the lights blinding their eyes and blocking their vision.
"Mr. Potter! Mr. Potter! Are you here to celebrate your birthday?"
"Mr. Potter! Why are you with Lord Malfoy, Mister Snape and a well-known werewolf?"
"Mr. Potter! Tell us!"
Harry just smiled through all the questions, gently leading Luna through the hoard of lights and into the restaurant – only stopping a couple of times to have his picture taken when Draco or Blaise tugged him towards them.
"Good job Harry." Luna praised, tiptoeing to pat his head; on flats, she was unable to reach his head. "You did well."
Harry grinned a satisfied grin before waiting on the others with the Ravenclaw. Soon they filed through the entrance.
"Name?"
"Malfoy."
"Right this way sir."
The maître d' walked the group through an underwater tunnel before leading them towards their table.
"Nice table." Blaise commented. Everyone else was too filled with awe to say anything. Everywhere they looked there were fish and other sea creatures on the other side of the glass; the restaurant was filled with underwater decorations and statuettes of sea creatures. There was even a fountain with the model of the underwater city of Atlantis.
Dinner went by quickly with little incident. Unlike the staff members at Olýmpou, the staff members at Tempus of the Sea were more than capable of following directions, having impeccable manners and above all else, in Harry's point of view, keeping to themselves and not flirting with people that were taken. That was a much-needed point in Harry's books, and so far, they had passed.
"Dinner was great! The food tastes amazing!" Harry gushed. "Especially the birthday cake!"
The group had joined together to decide on a last minute design for Harry's birthday cake – one they thought was worthy enough for him. They thought he had deserved as much. And the restaurant had quickly set about making the cake – promising that it would be finished before they reached dessert.
"Thank you for your comments. I'll be sure to have the chefs hear your compliments."
Harry nodded before they left the restaurant, being bombarded with more reporters and picture taking before heading to the club.
"Are we really going to be wearing this?" Harry asked.
"Of course not. You don't think we prepared clothes for this main event?" Hermione laughed.
"Oh, so my birthday party wasn't the main event?" Harry joked.
Hermione arched an eyebrow before pulling out her handbag and her arm dove right in. Pulling out several outfits, she distributed them to everyone in the group; the Guardians chose to forgo the club attire and return to their normal clothing. Soon, everyone disappeared into the swirling mist.
. . . . .
Edited: April 2, 2017
A/N: Thank you Calmzone1 for finding discrepancy in my writing.