FYI- there is like a month time jump from the end of the last chapter and everyone's back. :D

Oh and I have a little story for my fellow potter fans.

So the other day I was at hot topic and now that the new deathly hallows stuff is coming out they are putting the old stuff on clearance, which is when I strike. I've recently gotten like 4 Harry Potter shirts (btw if you buy the wand-pens from their they recently started selling them again and they added hermione's and Dumbledores to the collection). On Saturday, I noticed a Dobby shirt from the chamber of secrets, and I thought well this is awesome I'll get it! And so I bought it and on the top it had a quote of Dobby's from the movie, were he's like Dobby has come to save you sir, or something like that. So I get home and my friend wanted me to take a picture of it so she could see it. So I lay it out and sure enough the quote is in english but the title (chamber of secrets) is in German! I was so utterly confused for five minutes, its not even funny!

Anyway, I thought all my potter fans would find that as hilarious as I did.

Oh and for those of you who can't remember what happened in the last few chapters (sorry :/ my bad). What basically has happened is that Hermione and Ron fought causing her to Australia alone where Ron romantically came after her and they shagged for a few hours and then they found Hermione's parents and changed back their memories. Harry and Ginny went to go and see his family at Private Drive, where Vernon was of course rude as ever but Petunia and Dudley where nice and he even had a nice bonding moment with Petunia. Neville and Luna have been dating and Neville's been working as an auror. Percy's been dating an office assistant named Audrey and he recently found George at rock bottom in his apartment, where he admitted that he was lying to everyone about how he truly felt so Percy forced him to move in with him. Finally, Rita Skeeter announced her writing of a book about Snape's life. I'm pretty sure that's all you need to know.

Now read.

Chapter 17

"Is that her?" There was pounding steps down the stairs and a brief hesitation at the end of the stairs.

"No!" Harry and Ginny shouted angrily.

"Sorry." Ron snapped and ran up the stairs.

"I'm going to hurt your brother if he continues with this behaviour." Harry said.

"Leave him alone, he's excited that Hermione's coming back today." Ginny said as she cleaned around the room.

"He's been doing that for weeks." Harry said. "He knows that she's coming back tonight for dinner."

Ginny smiled at his unnecessary aggravation. "Are you nervous?"

"No." He said but his voice cracked as he spoke. "Maybe a little." He admitted.

Ginny dropped a book onto a table. There were heavy steps on the stairs.

"No!" They both screamed.

Harry shook his head as Ron ran back up the stairs.

"You have nothing to worry about." Ginny said and walked over to him.

"Just that my family, my friends, most of the order, my future boss, and my aunt and cousin are going to be sitting at one table…all at once…speaking to each other…conversing…" His eyes widened. "I need to stop this now."

"Harry." Ginny said and shook his shoulders. "Calm down, it's your birthday. Enjoy it." She said.

He groaned as he noticed the fire turn green.

"Ron!" He yelled.

"I'm coming! I'm coming! Wait!" He shouted as he bounded down the seven flights of stairs and jumped down the last few barely making it to his feet.

He hardly stumbled to the fireplace when Hermione stepped out. "Oh, you're here? I didn't realize the time." Ron said as she jumped into his arms.

"Liar." Ginny sung.

Hermione laughed and chastely pressed her lips to his before breaking their embrace.

"Happy birthday Harry." She said and handed him a thick and perfectly wrapped package, which he could only assume was another Quidditch book.

"Thanks Hermione." He said kissing her cheek and taking the package from her hand.

She smiled and moved over to Ginny and hugged her as Ginny whispered something to her.

Hermione continued to whisper back and Ron pouted. He pulled Hermione to him. "She's mine, leave her alone."

Ginny shot him a treacherous look. "Don't be such a baby, Ron, she's not a toy."

"My toy." He mumbled placing his chin atop of her head.

"Has anyone else arrived?" Hermione asked as she sent her bag up to Ginny's room.

"No." Harry said. "We're having a family lunch before the party."

"Harry's been fretting because his Aunt Petunia's coming." Ginny snickered.

"Ginny. I told you that in confidence." Harry whispered.

"Mate, you didn't need to say anything. We all knew. You've been running around with your knickers in a twist all week." Ron laughed.

"Me, you were running up and down the stairs like a little school girl, every time you heard a sound because you thought it was Hermione." Harry said.

"At least I didn't try on about four different outfits." Ron taunted.

"That was you!" Harry cried.

Ron blushed and Hermione smiled and kissed his cheek.

"So how are your parents?" Harry asked quickly changing the subject.

"Fine, we were able to make all the repairs on our house that the Death Eaters made when they came looking for us. It wasn't nothing too bad. It looks as if when they noticed that no one was there, they abandoned the idea. And they've been adjusting nicely to remembering. I think they've just about remembered everything that I made them forget."

The fire flamed and George walked out and dusted himself lightly.

"Boys! Stop arguing. Or I will make you degnome the lawn, no matter whose birthday it is. Hello dear," She pressed a kiss to George's cheek. "Your aunt is going to be here any moment, Harry." Mrs. Weasley said. "So let me take a look at you."

"I believe she knows what he looks like mother." George said as he handed Harry a wrapped gift. "Despite his ghastly appearance, I doubt she'll be surprised."

"Unless you are going to help me, go to the kitchen George." She snapped as she straightened Harry's clothes.

"Mum!"

"George!"

"Yes mother!"

"Now, Ron go into the kitchen and help your brother set the table." She said.

"But, Herm—" He whimpered.

"You'll see her plenty throughout the day, now go!" She pushed him out the door despite his frown.

"Now, Hermione I need you and Ginny to go and look for one of the high chairs in the attic. Teddy and Andromeda are coming to lunch as well." She said and the shuffled off continuing to whisper to each other.

"What about me Mrs. Weasley?" Harry asked.

"I need you to listen very carefully to me now dear…"

Harry nodded.

"This is of the utmost importance…I need you to have a wonderful birthday." She smiled and kissed the top of his head. "I know we couldn't really enjoy your birthday last year with all that was going on—"

"It was perfect!" Harry protested.

"And I know that there are a few people missing that should be here, but I need you to enjoy it. Just imagine this as a surrogate for your seventeenth birthday." She said.

Harry nodded.

"But in all seriousness, make a table outside for the presents and do not open a single one, we need to make a list of all the presents to send out thank you notes." She smiled.

Harry did as he was told with the few distractions of new arrivals—Charlie, Percy (with an extra guest), Bill, and Fleur. He made it back inside the house just as Petunia and Dudley arrived at the door.

"The muggles are here! The muggles are here!" George cried.

"George!" Molly cried. "If I see any of your toys out at all during today I will give you hell! Do you understand?"

"Yes mum!"

Harry opened the door and greeted his relatives. They shuffled in quietly and examined the house.

Harry could see he distaste on Petunia's face but to his surprise she simply smiled through it.

"Hello, come on in. Lunch should be starting soon." Harry said. "We're just waiting on a few other people."

"Wonderful." Petunia said.

"Oh! Hello!" Mrs. Weasley cried as she saw them. "It's so wonderful to have you here!" She practically shrieked.

"Really mum, any loud—"

"George!" She yelled and he grimaced and went back to setting the table.

"Lovely to see you both again." Hermione said as she shook their hands.

Petunia shrieked as the fireplace roared with green fire and Luna and Neville walked out cleanly, without so much as a smudge.

"Well, hello. Sorry to have startled you." Luna said in her trance inducing voice.

"It's quite alright." She said.

"She startles easily." Dudley said.

"Uh, Luna, Neville this is my aunt and my cousin."

"Harry their nargles are completely off for the horrific ways you described them." Luna said.

"Luna!" Neville cried.

"Yes?" She smiled.

"Look, there's food. I'm hungry. Let's go over there now." He said and walked over to the table, dragging her with him, and they both sat at the table.

The fire flared again and Andromeda and Teddy walked through.

Mrs. Weasley squeaked happily and walked over, instantly picking Teddy up. "You get more adorable every time I see you." She handed Teddy to Harry as Andromeda yawned.

"Dear, you must be exhausted, why don't you go to my room and take a nap." Mrs. Weasley said.

"I couldn't, it's Harry's birthday—"

"Go." Harry said. "I'll take care of him. Won't I? Yes I will." Teddy giggled loudly as Harry kissed him.

"Bless you." She said and practically sprinted to the bedroom.

Harry brought Teddy over to his family as the rest of his friends moved to the table. "This is Teddy, my godson."

"He's delightful." Petunia said.

Teddy giggled and his hair colour shifted to Dudley's and Dudley jumped a little.

"He does that." Harry shrugged. "It's one of his many talents."

Teddy laughed and smacked Harry in the face. "As is hitting me in the face." He sighed. "Let's eat."

They all began to sit down. George smirked and jumped to sit down next to Hermione's only empty side.

"Move George." Ron demanded.

"But I want to sit next to Hermione." He put his arm around her shoulder.

"Move." Ron growled.

"Ronald, honestly. I'm not a child; I am perfectly capable of sitting alone." She snapped.

"But—"

"You heard her Ronald." George smirked.

Ron glared but simply sat down in the next available seat.

"So please tell us about your life in the muggle world!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed happily above of Teddy's babbling and the boys quiet squabbling.

"Oh, it's really nothing." Dudley said.

"Yes, and its Harry's birthday, we must have something more interesting to talk about." Petunia said.

Teddy slammed his hands onto the table knocking over his plate onto the floor and several surrounding areas.

Hermione took out her wand quickly. "Scourgify."

The mess disappeared and Teddy began to cry. Harry reached over and pulled Teddy out of his high chair and onto his lap.

"How's work, Neville?" Harry asked as he laid Teddy on his lap.

He shrugged. "Difficult lately. A lot of the death eaters have gone into hiding. And they're not coming out for anything. It'll be a while until we're able to find them again."

"You should use the nargle tracking spell. They always hide with evil." She smiled as if nothing she had said was completely mental.

"I'll suggest it to Kingsley." He smiled and kissed her on the cheek before returning to his food.

There was a tapping at the window to distract everyone from them. They all turned to see an owl handling several letters.

The window flapped open and the owl flew in, dropping the letters before flying back out.

"They're from Hogwarts." Ginny said as she took the stack of letters. She handed one to Hermione, and Luna; as well as Harry, Ron, and Neville.

"Professor McGonagall, must know we're here." Neville said.

"The headmasters have a tracking spell on all the students." Ron said.

"Or she was invited to the party." Hermione said leaning over so she could see him.

"Well then." Ron snapped.

Ginny smiled as she read her letter and showed it to Harry. "Captain? That's brilliant." He kissed her on the cheek and all her brothers made gagging sounds.

"Honestly." Harry said.

Hermione shrieked as she opened her letter.

"What?" Ron and Harry asked.

"I'm head girl." She smiled showing them her pendant.

Harry and Ron looked at each other. "I thought she told you that when we were at Hogwarts." Harry said.

"That's not the point Harry." She said with a glare.

He hugged the baby protectively. "Sorry, congratulations. You deserve it."

Ron stood up and kissed her on the check.

Luna quietly contemplated her letter. However, Harry, Ron and Neville did not even open them.

"Why aren't you opening your letter?" Hermione asked looking at Ron.

The table suddenly went quiet.

"Why did everyone stop talking?" Petunia whispered to Harry.

"I think you're about to find out." Harry said quietly.

Ron, with his ears already burning, turned redder as everyone looked at him. "I—uh…wasn't planning on going back…"

George suddenly realized where he was sitting and regretted his eagerness to annoy Ron. "Uh oh." He slowly moved his chair out of the line of fire, and if Hermione noticed, she didn't let on.

"I thought you were going to think about it." She said in a calm voice that scared Ron and several other people at the table.

He chuckled nervously. "Can't we talk about this at another time…alone?"

"No, we can't Ronald. Maybe you'll be able to tell your family why you lied to me?" She cried.

"I didn't lie to you! I did think about it! My answer just didn't change." He gulped guiltily. "You knew I didn't want to go back to school!"

"I'm sorry; I didn't know that you wanted to spend your life running around some stupid store selling trinkets! No offense George."

"Offense taken." George said.

Ron stood up angrily. "Well of course you would think it was stupid! If it doesn't have to do with books you think it's stupid!" He bellowed. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Right now yes!" She cried standing up.

Teddy giggled. "No, no, no. Bad time Teddy." Harry said rocking him on his lap.

"Glad to know what you really think of me!" Ron crossed his arms across his chest.

"Oh don't be so melodramatic, you always act like this!" She screeched.

"Children, please! Now is not the time to be doing this." Mrs. Weasley said and Ron and Hermione sat down while glowering at each other. "George move your chair back to the table and eat your food."

"Yes mum."

"So Audrey…" George said. "Did you get dropped on your head as a child?"

"George!"

Ron slammed the door to his room after Hermione walked in. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Hermione pointed her wand and made sure that no one would be able to hear them. "How could you not be going back Ron?"

"Me first." He said angrily. "You are mental! What were you thinking starting an argument like that in front of my family—our family!"

"I'm angry Ronald! Sorry I didn't worry about who was listening!" She slammed her body down on his bed. "We are in a relationship now; you can't just make snap decisions like that without consulting me."

"It wasn't a snap decision, I've been thinking about this for a long time Hermione!" Ron said. "Stop treating me like I don't know what's going on or I'm too dumb to think this through for myself!"

"That's not what I think; don't put words in my mouth."

"Well then what do you think because you sure as hell won't tell me." Ron said sitting down next to her. "Tell me what is wrong and I will try to fix it."

Hermione brought her knees up to her chest. "Nothing's wrong but everything is."

Ron groaned. "That doesn't make sense, Hermione." He turned to her. "Just tell me…I don't even know just tell me Hermione."

She covered her face with her hands. "I feel like you're leaving me again."

"I—"

"I'm scared that I won't be able to be at Hogwarts without both you and Harry. I'm scared of what people are going to think about me. I'm scared of being alone. And I'm scared that…we won't be able to handle the separation."

Hermione couldn't help but start sobbing. "Please Ron. Please come back." She pulled him so he was on top of her and she was pressed into his chest. "Don't leave me."

Ron wrapped his arms around her. He could feel his heart wrenching apart. The girl he loved was begging him for the one thing he couldn't give her. What was he supposed to do?

"Please."

He reached for her face and pulled it to his so they were eye level. "Listen to me, are you listening?"

She nodded and despite her displeasure he loved the way she looked when she cried.

"I love you. Do you understand?" She nodded. "Good. Now, you are going to go back to school, you are going to more NEWTs than anyone in their history. We are going to see each other as often as you go to Hogsmeade and as often as I can sneak into the castle. We are going to stay in love and shag each other every chance that we get. Then at your graduation, I will be there and I promise you that on that day we will move in together and truly start our lives together. Do you understand?"

"You don't know that!" She cried.

"Yes I do." He said calmly. "Hermione we'll be fine."

"I don't know if I can believe that." She whispered.

"I believe enough for the both of us." He said.

"Ron—"

"Why are we even worrying about this now?" Ron said. "It's Harry's birthday, can we please go and enjoy it?"

She nodded and wiped her eyes. Ron kissed her forehead. "It's going to be alright. I promise."

"Twenty galleons that Ron that doesn't even comeback from that room." George said as they heard the door slam with some muffled yelling before complete silence.

"What have I told you?" Mrs. Weasley said as she waved her wand and the dishes zoomed to the sink.

"No betting." George sighed. "Honestly mother, you never let me have any fun."

"I'm sure you'll get over it somehow dear."

"Don't be so sure!"

"I do hope that they don't wake up Andromeda." Mrs. Weasley said ignoring George.

The fire roared to life in the other room and Kingsley walked in brushing the ashes off his arms.

"Minister!" Percy cried standing up.

"I told you Percy, you don't have to stand up every time I walk into a room." Percy blushed and sat back down to where Audrey rubbed his arm consolingly.

"Harry, I need to speak with you." Kingsley said.

"Sure." Harry said while he held Ginny's hand.

"It's rather private, or at least I think it should be." He said. "That's why I arrived a bit early."

Harry stood but he didn't let go of Ginny's hand and it wasn't even a moment before she realized that he wanted her to go with him. He wanted her in his private conversation. She smiled to herself as they walked outside with Kingsley.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Good news or bad news first?" Kingsley asked.

"Good news." Harry said quickly.

"Well, you can get your inheritance today." He smiled.

Harry cocked his head to the side. "Inheritance…I thought I already had it."

"No, what you had was only supposed to get you through school. The rest was put into a safe until you became of age, which was technically last but with all that was going on, Dumbledore, Remus and I had agreed beforehand that we should keep it quiet for a while so that none of his followers or him would be able to get access to it. Remus and I had intended to tell you about it the night of the wedding so that you would have access to it, in case you needed it. However we all remember how that ended."

Harry nodded. "Exactly what does the inheritance consist of?"

"Well, let us say a lot more than what is in your bank currently, the house that your parents were living in before they passed—unfortunately we all know that that is unusable but technically you still own the land—as well as your mother's childhood home when they bought your aunts house, and the Potter mansion, which is where your father and grandfather grew up. As well as a few other valuable profits and investments."

"Suffice to say, it is a lot and on Monday, I believe you should come to the ministry and take care of your assessments."

Harry nodded. "Of course."

"I will ask for Bill and Percy to be there to help take care of it."

Harry nodded. "Now what's the bad news?"

Kingsley shifted slightly. "I'm awfully sorry about this and I've tried all I could to fix it but there was only so much I could do. I have found out that Rita Skeeter's novel about Severus Snape, includes a whole section…on your mother, your father and several mentions of Sirius and Remus."

Dun, dun, dun. So I was going to make this longer but I thought this was a nice little cliffhanger. Also I'm sorry for not updating in forever but I've been super busy in school but now its vacation and I have a buttload of more time. So I will be updating more often. I've also been posting a few short stories that have popped into my head. Most of them are two shots but I will add some one shots to the story soon :)

Also in case anyone was wondering I did change the pairing on this story because I really don't focus on one couple during the story so I didn't want to single one couple out but the pairings are canon, as is stated in the summary.

Now back to the matter at hand, if you like the following pairings: Luna/Neville, Rose/Scorpius, and Teddy/Victoire click on my penname and go to my page, read and review to the stories that pertain to your liking because they are amazing! If I do say so myself.

Please review, and goodnight.