Chapter 3

Birthdays to Remember

To say Ron was a bit annoyed to hear the Ginny was now dating Neville Longbottom was a bit of an understatement. He reacted the same way he did when hearing about Ginny's previous boyfriends. Of course Ginny didn't care about Ron's opinion on who she was dating, saying it was her choice. Ron was only more accepting because it was Neville and he'd helped her a lot the previous year during the Carrows' reign at Hogwarts. He did give Harry a disgruntled look during the conversation but when Ginny threatened him with a Bat Bogey Hex as soon as she was of age Ron knew to let the conversation drop.

It was great being back at The Burrow even though we had to help out with the chores around the house. Watching Harry and Ron de-gnome the garden was quite entertaining though, especially when one of the gnomes got the better of Ron and kicked him on the shin. It had Hermione, Ginny and I struggling to control our laughter as we were helping cook lunch. If we weren't helping Mrs Weasley then we were taking advantage of the land around the Weasleys' home. We enjoyed a day's worth of two-on-two Quidditch with Hermione controlling a tennis ball for a Snitch and on the Wednesday Ron and Ginny showed us a small lake that was on the other side of Stoatshead Hill where they used to go swimming.

'It's great in the summer,' Ron told us. 'We used to come have picnics up here and everything. We only stopped using it when Fred and George attempted to see how long they could hold each other underwater and Mum had a go at us. I think now we're older though she'd trust us.'

The water did look very inviting from the small wooden platform where we stood. The sun was shining in the sky and the weather was nice and warm compared to the previous summer when the Dementors had been roaming the countryside freely. The water was deep blue in colour and the sunlight reflected off its still surface into our eyes. We already had our swimming things with us as Ron had told us to bring them, wearing them underneath our clothes. There was only one problem. I couldn't swim. The others all started to change. I didn't.

'Aren't you coming?' asked Hermione once we were changed. I shook my head.

'I'd love to but there's one problem,' I said. 'I can't swim.'

'Can't you?' said Ron. 'Even wizarding children learn how to swim, Jenna.'

'Yeah, well, I didn't,' I shrugged.

'But we've seen you swim,' said Ginny.

'As an animal. Slightly different than swimming as a person.' I folded my arms and looked at the water. 'Remus only ever taught me how to swim in animal form, never as a human.'

'Well, if you're sure …'

Ron shrugged his shoulders then proceeded to push Harry into the lake, jumping in afterwards. Hermione and Ginny followed. Their heads resurfaced and they started to play about in the water. I went and sat on edge of the platform. I watched them silently. I dipped my feet in the water. It was quite hot and the water felt really nice. After a while Harry looked over at me and swam to the platform.

'You sure you're not going to join us?' he asked. 'Swimming as an animal can't be that much different.'

'I'm sure, Harry,' I told him.

'It's not too difficult to learn, you know. I learnt just from doing the second task of the Triwizard Tournament.'

I shook my head in response. Harry looked at me in what could only be described as having puppy dog eyes. I couldn't help but laugh. Was that one of the legendary Potter charms I'd heard about? If so then Harry would have to try harder than that. I raised an eyebrow at him.

'Come on, Jen. Just give it a try?'

'As much as I know you'd like to see me in my swim suit,' I teased casually (having noted earlier how good Harry looked in his trunks), 'I can't swim and don't really want to embarrass myself trying.'

Harry floated there for a moment or two. He swam forwards and put his hands on the platform, pulling himself out the water just enough so he was level with me. He stared at me. I stared straight back, resting my chin on my hand.

'Yes, Mr Potter?' I asked innocently.

'Now you see, Miss Black, there's just one problem with that,' said Harry, grinning.

'And what would that be?'

'I won't take "no" for an answer.'

Harry took hold of wrist and pulled me forwards. I let out a scream in protest and tried to get away but Harry had managed to get his arm round my waist. He let himself fall back into the water pulling me fully clothed with him. We hit the water and were completely submerged. Harry let go once we were in the water and we swam to the top. I took a deep breath when my head broke the surface. I shook my fringe out of my face. My feet were kicking beneath me as I tried to stay afloat. Harry's head appeared beside me. He was grinning madly.

'Oh, you a dead man,' I breathed. As refreshing as the water was I was shivering from the sudden cold. I reached out for the leg of the platform and pulled myself over to it, then pulling myself out the water. 'Y-you in big trouble.'

'Well seeing as you're already wet you might as well join us,' called Harry.

I looked back at him over my shoulder while ringing out my hair. Damn him. In the end I did relent and joined them in the water, once I'd got out of my wet clothes. I was a bit nervous at the start but swimming turned out not to be so difficult. Once I'd learned how to float and keep myself above water it was fine. But seeing as Harry had got me wet in the first place I decided to get him back by Banishing all his clothes to The Burrow so he had to walk back in his wet swimming trunks.

The week passed quite quickly and the following Friday after Harry and I got to The Burrow was Harry's eighteenth birthday. That morning Hermione, Ginny and I got up to find Mrs Weasley already in the kitchen cooking and Mr Weasley was out in the yard feeding the chickens. Harry and Ron hadn't come down yet. On the table was a small mound of presents waiting for Harry. There was only a small present from me there. I'd already given him Ebony but I had one other thing for him; a phoenix feather, left over from what Dumbledore left me in his will, to go with the one I had on my mother's necklace so we had one each.

Harry and Ron came down and was greeted by the three of us and Mrs Weasley giving Harry a big hug. We sat down at the table while Mrs Weasley bustled back into the kitchen to finish the breakfast. Harry opened his presents as he ate. There were ones from the Weasleys, Hermione and Ginny though Harry's one from Ron once again wasn't amongst the pile. It intrigued me as I'd found out Harry had got a book called Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches from Ron the previous year and I wondered if it was anything like that this time. Harry knew better than to try that sort of thing on me. As Harry opened my present, he smiled over at me knowing exactly what that feather meant.

The Burrow was a hive of activity at lunch and was once again full of people. Fred and George were the first to turn up with a box full of new Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes products they wanted Harry to test out. Some of them were quite good though not all were tasteful. Mrs Weasley certainly gave those items a disapproving look. Percy and his girlfriend Audrey also came over though not for long as Percy had to work that day and Bill and Fleur came just after lunch. They gave Harry his presents, Fleur also giving him a kiss on the cheek; it didn't bother me much though I noticed Ginny give her a dirty look. Hmm.

James and Lily, Remus and Mum and Dad turned up just in time for lunch with Harry's presents. I wasn't surprised at that; Remus always told me food was one of the things that James and Dad thought of most when they were at school. Dora wasn't there though as she had to work and Teddy was at Andromeda's house. We greeted our parents and they gave him their gifts. James and Lily had got him a new broomstick, a Firebolt three-sixty, since his old one was lost the previous year when Harry was retrieved from Privet Drive. The present from Dad though I was really surprised at.

'Your motorbike?' Harry said, staring at Dad. That bike was everything to him. 'You sure, Sirius?'

'Yeah,' said Sirius. He took the keys out his pocket and gave them to Harry. 'You're more likely to ride it than I am. One of the reasons I bought it was to annoy my mother. She hated Muggle stuff. Anyway, I don't ride it anymore and Tala never thought it was that safe so it's yours. Mind, you're not to take it to Hogwarts. I don't think Professor McGonagall would approve.'

'I won't,' said Harry earnestly. I could already tell he couldn't wait to have a ride on that bike having only been driven by others before. Personally I was a bit miffed. Dad had never let me ride it. Harry gave Dad a hug. 'Thanks, Sirius.'

As miffed as I was, Dad was right. He must have finally grown up. I snickered silently at that thought. Still with Harry owning the bike there was now the possibility I'd get to ride it.

Later that afternoon Mrs Weasley set us about decorating the garden for Harry's party. It wasn't as extravagant as the previous year's but it was still too much for the kitchen to handle once Neville and Luna arrived around five o'clock. Neville's greeting to Ginny certainly made Ron's eyebrows arch upwards. While the boys were left to help Fred, George and Mr Weasley with some tables and lanterns, us girls decorated the outside of The Burrow and garden. Mum and Lily were helping Mrs Weasley in the kitchen with the food.

As the only ones who could use magic outside of Hogwarts, Hermione, Luna and I conjured the decorations while Ginny hung them in the trees though Luna's idea of decorations were vastly different to mine and Hermione's. It made an interesting mix though, streamers and coloured sparks with Luna's Whiffbitt teeth hanging in amongst the branches of the trees. Hermione and I had shared a look which plainly said, Don't ask. We just left her too it. Talk mainly revolved around the latest issue of The Quibbler, back to printing its usual absurd stories after the war, and the new scandals in the wizarding world. There was apparently to be an article about one of the members of the Weird Sisters getting found in a compromising situation with a couple of hags. Yes, intriguing.

'We were lucky we got the photo,' Luna was saying in her airy voice. 'Hags aren't usually camera shy but these two were quite unwilling to answer Daddy's questions.'

'I can't imagine why,' I muttered, 'what with their beautiful faces.'

'Any news about the Crumple Horned Snorkacks?' Ginny then asked. 'You went to Holland to investigate them, right?'

Luna nodded. She looked rather disappointed though. Her wand drooped causing one of the Whiffbitt teeth to fly callously behind us. We heard an "Ow!" come from nearby the house. Briefly distracted by who the tooth had hit, the three of us looked at Luna.

'Didn't you find anything?' asked Ginny. Luna shook her head.

'Unfortunately, the bones that had been found were not a Crumple Horned Snorkack's,' said Luna. 'They belonged to a Nogtail which had been killed for prey. After that, Daddy did some more research on the Snorkack but it was inconclusive.'

'Aw, bad luck, Luna,' said Ginny comfortingly.

Hermione and I looked at each other. That was one animal Luna and her dad were never going to prove existed. Luna then added, 'On the plus side, I got to see some mooncalves and I met this really nice boy who was doing some research with his grandfather. His name's Rolf.'

From what it sounded like, Luna had taken quite a shine to Rolf. Apparently, Rolf was the grandson of the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander. Luna described him as tall with short dirty blonde hair and blue eyes and he was only a few years older than us. He even had the same interest in magical creatures Luna had and he read The Quibbler whenever they reported a new animal. Luna certainly seemed impressed by him. Maybe she'd been bitten by one of her love bugs she'd told me about last year. Without thinking I placed my hand on my neck as I remembered. I smirked, remembering how ridiculous the idea was.

Mrs Weasley had outdone herself with the food. At six o'clock when we all sat down to eat there was barely an inch of table visible beneath it. There was all the typical party food like cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties but Mrs Weasley had also cooked steak and kidney pie, toad-in-the-hole and Merlin knows what else. It looked and tasted as good as one of the Hogwarts feasts. Afterwards there was birthday cake for desert. It looked too good to ruin though; it was a large circular cake with two coloured icing figures zooming around on broomsticks chasing a small marzipan Snitch. When it came to cut the cake both figures tried to fly out of the way of the knife until there was barely a quarter of the cake left and they had to get cut up. The dramatic deaths they did were slightly over the top though.

After dinner, Mrs Weasley and the rest of the adults cleaned up the plates and tables and things from the garden while we went inside to the living room, our stomachs full with delicious food. We all just wanted to relax, however, Hermione had other ideas. She wanted us to play some Muggle games as Harry was a half-blood.

'While the seventeenth birthday is important to wizards, the eighteenth is important in Muggle tradition and they always play party games,' she explained to us. We all looked at her curiously, Fred and George raising their eyebrows.

'How so?' they asked.

'It's the same principles,' said Hermione. 'When you turn eighteen you're legally an adult and can drink, learn to drive and stuff like that in the Muggle world.'

'So it's exactly the same as a wizard's seventeenth,' said Ron. 'But instead of driving you get your Apparition license.'

Hermione nodded.

'And you want us to play some Muggle games like at a Muggle's eighteenth?' said Ginny.

'Exactly.'

Some of the games Hermione had in mind needed a certain amount of nerve to play them. Some I'd heard of from when I was an orphan but there were some that only Muggle teenagers obviously played as they were much more raunchy to put it one way. Hermione called it Spin the Bottle and it involved us sitting in a circle and spinning an empty Butterbeer bottle with our wands. The rules were, according to Hermione, depending on who it landed on changed what the result of the spin would be. Ron, Fred and George, having come from a long line of wizards, all sniggered at the idea of the game. Of course, when Hermione mentioned that if the spin landed on someone of the opposite sex they got to kiss otherwise a truth question or dare was implied, all three male Weasleys' ears perked up, especially Fred and George's when they heard the word "dare".

'But what if a Weasley got a Weasley?' asked Luna. That was a good point.

'Well then they can dare each other as much as they like,' shrugged Hermione. 'Incest is not an option in the game.' Hermione finished her Butterbeer and placed in the centre of the living room. 'So who wants to go first?'

'I think the birthday boy should go first,' I said, smirking over at Harry. He raised an eyebrow at me. 'Go on, show us how it's done.'

Harry shrugged and took out his wand. He pointed it at the bottle and flicked it, sending it spinning. It landed on Ron.

'Right, Ron, ask Harry if he wants a truth or a dare,' said Hermione.

'You heard, mate,' said Ron, grinning. 'Truth or dare?'

Harry looked at Ron carefully, then said, 'Dare.'

'All right. I dare you to …' Ron looked around in thought, 'I dare you to pull a prank on one of the Marauders without them noticing. If you get noticed, you go on to the next. If all three notice then you lose.'

I had to admit that was a nice dare. Pulling a prank on Dad, James or Remus was certainly going to be tricky. Harry merely shrugged at it. He got up and went out of the room. The rest of us got up and gathered around the window to see what was going to happen. Remus was the first target. As I'd expected, Harry didn't get that far; Remus was very perceptive as I had learnt when I was younger and the moment Harry pointed his wand at him, it flew out his hand as Remus used a silent Disarming Charm. He must have known Harry was there somehow. His next target was Dad. Again he wasn't successful and was chased off by a flying lantern that Dad had bewitched. The seven of us gathered in the living room were howling with laughter. Harry didn't quit though and proceeded to attempt to prank James. This time he kept his distance but was close enough so he could see James. We watched in expectation. Harry pointed his wand at his dad. James briefly turned in his direction, then looked away again. With a simple flick, James was hoisted into the air by his ankle. The Levicorpus Charm. Harry returned moments later leaving Dad and Remus to get him down.

'Piece of cake,' he said, sitting back down next to Neville. 'Your turn.'

After the first few turns it became obvious that playing this sort of game with a Weasley was not a wise idea. Whenever one of them got to dare someone they came up with terrible ones, especially Fred and George. Ginny also had a bit of a mean streak. When my spin landed on her, she dared me to transformed into a spider and climb up Ron's back. I did do it but Ron was not happy afterwards judging by how red his ears were. Still, a dare was a dare. As for the kissing part that wasn't too bad. The kiss didn't have to be much, just a simple peck on the lips which made it better for those of us who were in a relationship. It was also an excuse for those people who were to have a moment (mentioning no names but a certain red head and his girlfriend). Of course, when Harry's spin landed on me I had to stop myself from kissing him how I usually do.

Soon it was my turn and Hermione announced that now we had all had five turns (this was my fifth) the game was to finish. I hadn't had it too bad: on my turns I'd had to kiss Neville and Fred, do Ginny's spider dare on Ron and I owed Luna a truth once she'd thought of a question. I reached forwards to spin the bottle when Hermione stopped me. I gave her a weird look.

'So what if it's the last turn?' I asked. 'It's the same as before, isn't it?'

Hermione smirked deviously. I was slightly taken aback by it. It wasn't like Hermione to be devious. Unless you count the time we jinx the list of DA members back in fifth year.

'The rules are different,' replied Hermione simply.

'How are the rules different?' asked Fred curiously.

'It differs from game to game,' said Hermione. 'But the version my cousins taught me is that the last spinner has to have a minute kiss with whoever it lands on, unless it's someone of the same sex where they choose who the spinner kisses.'

'Go on then, you're turn,' Ron said to me.

I pointed my wand at the bottle. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it spinning on the floor. The bottle spun quickly on the spot. Everyone waited to see who it landed on. It began to slow. Across from me, Fred whispered something in George's ear. The bottle was getting slower. It looked like it was going to point to either Luna or Neville. He squeaked nervously as it began to turn on him. But then the bottle suddenly jerked and it pointed at Ginny. Fred and George snickered. I glanced at them from behind my hair.

'You two wouldn't have anything to do with it landing on Ginny, would you?' I asked casually.

'Jenna, you wound us,' said Fred. 'How could you ever accuse us of something like that?'

'Especially with our innocent faces,' said George.

I watched them suspiciously for a moment. They were anything but innocent. Something was up. You could always tell when those two were planning something. And with Ginny as the person choosing who I was to kiss, that could mean any of the guys in the group. She was a mean darer.

'I dare you,' Ginny began, looking round the circle. A grin appeared on her face. 'Jenna, I dare you to kiss George.'

I didn't reply straight away, instead watching Ginny for a moment or two.

'You sure want me kissing you brother?' I asked. 'Wouldn't you find it weird seeing your friend doing that?'

'All is fair in love and war, Jenna,' countered Ginny. Huh? She smiled at me. 'Why would it be weird? I mean Hermione's going out with Ron. Besides, the spin landed on me. I can dare you to kiss whoever I choose. And I say you're to kiss George.'

I sat there for a moment longer contemplating what Ginny said. What was she up to? I glanced at Harry. He'd seemed to tense at the dare. I looked between him and George. It was only a dare after all so it didn't mean anything. Harry knew that, right?

'How about it, Jenna?' George asked. My attention was drawn away from Harry to him. 'Fancy a snog with a –' he cleared his throat in pride, '– successful businessman.'

I couldn't help but let out a snigger.

'Yeah, love one,' I shrugged. 'Let me know when he gets here.'

Ron and Fred laughed. Neville smirked and let out a soft whistle; he'd certainly become more confident since the war ended. George stared at me, his eyebrows raised. I looked back indifferently.

'Oh, now it's on.'

'Hang on, I've got to explain the rules,' said Hermione. George and I looked at her.

'Isn't it just like the other rounds?' I asked. 'Lean forward and kiss but this time for longer?'

'Oh no,' said Hermione deviously. 'You have to stand where all of us can see you to make sure you do what the rules say.' She tapped her wand in her hand and conjured a timer. 'You have to have a full-on kiss and you have to do that for exactly one minute.'

I stared at her.

'You're not as innocent as you look, are you, Hermione?' She shrugged. She had really changed since she and Ron had started dating. He'd had a bad influence on her.

'Come on, move it, Black,' said George.

He got up and stood in the centre of the room, waiting for me. I let out an indignant huff at being bossed about and stood up. I went and stood next to George. Everyone's eyes were focused on us. Now I knew what it felt like to live in a fishbowl. George and I faced each other. I stood with arms folded, my head tilted and eyebrow raised at him; he grinned back at me.

'Ready for this, Black?' he asked. 'I'm not going to go easy on you.'

'I didn't think you would,' I mused. 'I just hope you can handle me.'

'Get on with it!' shouted Fred.

I glanced at him. Fred had started a chant to get us to kiss. I took another glance at Harry. He was watching me. I just hope he didn't take this the wrong way. It was only a kiss. Just one kiss. It didn't mean anything.

'Ready?' George asked me.

'Bring it,' I replied.

Hermione tapped the timer and it started. He was actually quite gentle, not what I'd expected for a Weasley. George stepped closer to me. His hand tilted my face towards his and he touched his lips on to mine. I closed my eyes and responded, moving my lips against his. As it deepened George's arms wrapped around my body in an effort to bring me closer. I tensed. I put my hands on his arms to try and push him back a bit without it seeming I wanted him to stop. I reminded myself it was only for a minute. The kiss depended as George's tongue touched my lips. As the rules stated I responded as I normally do but luckily a few seconds later the timer sounded. Game over.

I was the first to pull back. I swallowed, glad it was over. George stepped back too, opening his eyes and staring at me.

'Nice,' he said, clearing his throat. 'Er … how exactly are you still single?'

My lip twitched. My eyes flicked eyes over towards Harry. He had a mixture of annoyance and disappointment on his face. I bit back the sigh.

'Who says I'm single?'

'So, how was it?' asked Hermione as I went to sit down to which Ron's response was a rather annoyed, 'Oi!' I glanced at her and shrugged, my eyes lowered.

'Not bad,' I shrugged. 'But I've had better.'

From beneath my lashes I gave Harry a direct look. The corner of his lips twitched into a smile. He knew I meant him. I gave him a discreet smile back.

'I've thought of what I can ask you,' said Luna suddenly. Everyone looked at her. She smiled happily. 'How many boys have you kissed and who were they?' she asked, looking at me.

'Huh?' I stared at her.

'For the truth you got ages ago,' said Luna. 'I owed you a question. How many boys have you kissed and who were they?'

'Nice,' chorused Fred and George, grinning at each other.

'Hey, that's not fair,' I said. 'You didn't come up with that on the turn –'

'No, come on, Jenna, you asked for truth when Luna's spin landed on you,' said Ginny. 'Now she's thought of a question, you have to answer. How many guys have you snogged and who were they? Not including who you've kissed during the game.'

This wasn't going to end until I'd answered the question, was it? Once again my eyes darted quickly to Harry then back again. I wasn't too bothered about answering the question. So I tell that I've kissed Harry before. I had an excuse for why that happened. He did it to stop me getting caught by Filch back in sixth year. As for Noah, well he'd been my boyfriend. It was the last guy I'd kissed who I didn't want to mention. I certainly didn't want Harry to know as he and the person weren't exactly on the best terms with each other.

'I've kissed three guys,' I replied after a few moments. They watched me curiously. 'Obviously my ex-boyfriend, Noah. Then Harry and I kissed once during sixth year but that was ages ago.'

Ron's eyes widen and look accusingly at me. Fred and George also made "Ooh-ing" noises while Hermione and Ginny looked excitedly at each other. I ignored it.

'When did you kiss Harry?' Ron asked. I knew he was going to ask that.

'During the winter term,' I replied as if it was a throwaway comment. 'He kissed me to stop me being caught by Filch in the corridor after we were meant to be back at the Tower.'

'And the third?' asked George.

I hesitated. Everyone watched me expectantly.

'I – er …' I swallowed. 'I can't remember the third. It was a long time ago.'

Contrary to what I thought the others didn't pressure me into telling. With the game over the group divided into their own conversations. I looked around the group still feeling slightly uncomfortable from the game. I got up and left the room. I went outside to get some fresh air. That game had come close on two accounts for me; kissing someone else in front of Harry and telling them that I've kissed … that I kissed Draco Malfoy last year.

I sighed and shook my head. I stared up at the darkening sky, my arms folded. The sun was starting to disappear behind the hills. None of them would understand. Then again I still don't understand why I did it.

'Jenna?' I turned round when I heard my name. Harry was watching me from the doorstep. He came over to me. 'You all right?'

'Yeah, I'm fine,' I replied. 'I was … more worried about you. I saw you tense when Ginny dared me to kiss George.'

'Well, it's not everyday you see your girlfriend kiss another bloke,' said Harry. 'But it was just a game. I've got nothing to worry about.'

A small smile appeared on my face. I stepped forwards and put my arms round Harry. He did the same, returning the hug. I rested my head on his shoulder, content to remain there. We stood there for a few moments then Harry spoke.

'So, who was it?' I looked up at Harry.

'What?'

'The other guy you've kissed,' said Harry. 'Who was it?'

'Why do you want to know?' I asked.

'I'm just curious,' shrugged Harry. He smiled and brushed back my hair behind my ear. 'I thought we didn't keep secrets from each other.'

'We don't,' I said.

'Then come on, tell me. You know who I've kissed.'

Only because I had witnessed both of them but that was a different matter. A rush of nerves swept through my veins. I swallowed involuntarily. If I told him I had kissed Malfoy he was bound to overreact but I didn't want to lie. I stepped out of his grip. I refused to look at him.

'Malfoy.'

'What?'

I looked up at Harry and said, 'That other guy. It was Malfoy.'

Harry stared at me.

'What?' he breathed. 'When did you ever kiss him? Why did you kiss him? Did he force you or something?'

'No,' I said earnestly. 'Malfoy didn't force me at all. Well, not the first time.'

'The first time?' Harry stared at me. 'How many times have you kissed?'

'Twice.' I glanced up to see Harry's expectant look so I continued. 'Harry, they meant nothing to me.'

'So why did you kiss him in the first place?'

'Because …' I paused, searching for an answer. 'Because I couldn't leave him like that. He'd suffered too much already.'

'What had he suffered?' asked Harry in disbelief. 'Jenna, he was a Death Eater. He and his friends almost killed us in the Room of Requirement a couple months ago if you'd forgotten.'

'Malfoy has changed, I saw it,' I replied. 'Harry, when Bellatrix captured me at Bill and Fleur's wedding, Malfoy protected me. He'd seen what Voldemort could do, watched his parents get tortured because he failed to kill Professor Dumbledore. He stopped her from killing me and got me out of the Malfoy Manor. He helped me escape.'

'So you go and snog him?'

'It wasn't like that and I certainly didn't snog him. You didn't see him. I only kissed him to show him not everything was as hopeless as it looked. I couldn't leave him like that.' Harry just stared at me, a look of complete disbelief on his face. There was no other way, I'd have to tell him. I'd hoped I'd never have to tell Harry but there was no other way. I refused to look at him as I said this. 'Malfoy has feelings for me.'

Harry stared at me, shocked.

'Malfoy told you he had feelings for you?'

'Not directly, but it was what he meant.' I sighed, brushing back my hair. Harry let out an sceptical laugh then walked away from me. 'Harry!' I chased after him and caught his arm. He faced me. 'He knows I don't feel the same way. I made it perfectly clear. Harry, please, the kisses meant nothing to me, especially the second one. Harry!'

'How d'you want me to react?' snapped Harry. I flinched a bit at the harsh tone in his voice. 'My girlfriend's kissed the one guy I hate the most! Who made my life hell!'

'I'm well aware of that, Harry,' I retorted. 'And I wasn't your girlfriend at the time, remember?'

'You still kissed him!'

'And it meant nothing to me!' I snapped. 'How many times do I have to say that until you believe me?'

Harry didn't reply. He looked away from me. I stared at him. I couldn't believe how immature he was being about this. Those kisses meant nothing to me. Why was he making a big deal about it? Was he jealous or something? I stopped as I thought that. It made sense. Harry was jealous. It had been the same with Noah; Harry had reacted the same way when he found out I was with Noah in sixth year. But why? What did Malfoy have that made Harry jealous?

I sighed. I placed my hand on Harry's cheek. I turned it so he would face me. Harry lifted his eyes to look at me.

'Those kisses meant nothing to me, I swear,' I said. 'He knows I don't have feelings for him and I never will. Why would I when he's hated me since the moment he met me. Just because he suddenly develops feelings for me doesn't mean I'm going to forgive him for what he and his family did to you, did to me. Malfoy would be the last person in the wizarding world I'd ever have feelings for. I'd rather go out with the giant squid then go out with him. I would never leave you for him. He's my cousin, for Merlin's sake. Why would I ever fall for him when I've got you?'

I watched Harry desperately, hoping he believed me. I'd never lie to him, not after what happened the last time I did. Harry's eyes drove into mine in the silence. It was unbearable waiting for his reply. Finally he spoke. He removed my hand from his face and turned away.

'I'll see you later.'

Harry went back inside the house leaving me alone in the garden. I made to go after him then thought better of it. I watched as he walked away. I sighed again. Was this what our relationship was going to be like? Harry getting jealous over every guy I know? I hoped not. I pushed back my hair then went inside.

Harry didn't speak to me the rest of the night. By then our parents, Remus, Neville and Luna had all left for their various homes. Mum, Dad and Remus all said goodbye to me and told me they'd be round in a few days for my birthday. I looked forward to it, my first birthday with my parents. Dora and Teddy were also going to come over which was even better. I hadn't seen my baby cousin in ages and I really wanted to spend some time with him. With goodbye said, they left. Fred and George, however, decided to stick around that night as it was Saturday tomorrow and they didn't have to open the shop until ten.

By now daylight had completely gone. The sky was a sea of black dotted with white stars. We were all gathered in the living room listening to the wireless. Mrs Weasley came round with mugs of hot chocolate for all of us; Mr Weasley and his sons were in deep conversation concerning Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes while Fred's wand arm finished healing; I sat with Hermione and Ginny as they talked about going back to Hogwarts in September. I wasn't really listening. I was watching Harry talking to Ron across the room from us.

The clock, the proper one that told time, by the back door chimed. It was eleven o'clock. I sighed and drained the last of my hot chocolate. I got up to take my empty mug into the kitchen. I didn't understand why Harry was getting so uptight about it. OK yes, he had the right to be pissed off to hear I'd kissed someone he hated but at the time neither of us were aware of the other person's feelings and nothing was likely to come of them. Besides, Malfoy had risked being tortured to get me out of his home. He helped me … and it was my compassion which spurred me to kiss him. I knew what he'd been through since the end of sixth year. Fearing for your family; watching people you care about get hurt; loving someone who didn't love you.

I let out a short laugh in amazement. It was my compassion. I'd felt sorry for him, that's why I kissed him. As I said, I'd never have feelings for Malfoy after what he did. The only feelings I might ever have would be friendship, and even that was a long shot if what he did at the battle is anything to go by, begging a Death Eater that he was on their side.

I turned round to go back and join the others. I stopped in surprise when I saw Harry standing in the archway. I stared at him but didn't say anything. When it became obvious that Harry had nothing to say either I turned and headed for the stairs.

'Jenna –'

'I'm going to bed, Harry,' I said, stopping him. I glanced back over my shoulder at him, my foot on the bottom stair. 'I'm not talking to you when you're acting like this. Speak to me when you've cooled off.'

I walked off upstairs before Harry could say anything more. Talking to him when he was angry about something was never a good idea, I knew that perfectly well. But I had told him what happened, I'd been completely honest with him about what happened between me and Malfoy, so the Quaffle was in his hands. I went into Ginny's room and got into my pyjamas. I pulled back my duvet and lay down on my mattress. Hopefully Harry wouldn't obsess about this or do anything, especially if Malfoy is going back to Hogwarts this year. I sighed and shook my head. I was too tired to think about it now.

The next day wasn't much better. It didn't seem Harry had gotten over the kiss. He didn't speak to me all morning and seemed to make a point of being around either Ron, Hermione or Ginny whenever I appeared. It bothered me a bit but I kept reminding myself that he'd speak to me when he was ready. It just annoyed me that he was acting like this in the first place when I said the kiss had meant nothing and he knew me better than that. I wouldn't fall for Malfoy at the flick of wand. It would have to be one strong love potion for that to happen.

Late that morning Fred, George and Ron left to go to the shop. Ron had been helping out there apparently since the start of the summer as all the Hogwarts students were wanting fresh jokes and pranks ready for the school year in September. From what I'd heard, Ron had actually quite a knack for making things worthy of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, even if it didn't impress Hermione the way he wanted. Still, she was impressed though at how confident he'd become at his spells and charms.

'Ron, you're putting all that skill to waste if you don't finish your NEWTs,' she told him. I was in the kitchen with her and Harry peeling potatoes when Ron was about to leave with his brothers. 'You could easily pass Charms and Transfiguration with Os now and Defence Against the Dark Arts will be a breeze for you after last year. All you'll have to work on is your Potions and Herbology which shouldn't be that difficult.'

'Herm, stop,' said Ron. He put some sandwiches into his backpack and slung it on to his shoulder. 'If I say I'll think about it, will you get off my back? Fred and George still need the help until Fred's arm healed and that won't be until Christmas at least.'

Hermione folded her arms and tutted in a very Mrs Weasley-ish way. She gave Ron a doubtful look.

'Promise me you'll think about it?'

'I will, I'll think about it,' said Ron. 'I've got to go. As lazy as they were at school, Fred and George get really angry at punctuality.' Ron gave Hermione a kiss then turned for the door. 'See you, guys.'

We said goodbye and Ron left, Apparating away. It was obvious Hermione was still frustrated about Ron's casual nature towards finishing Hogwarts so neither Harry nor I said anything about it straight away. She was muttering to herself under her breath.

'Stupid Ronald,' she muttered. 'Can't get a decent job without NEWTs.'

'Hermione,' I said. 'Pestering him is not going to make him go back to school.'

'Still,' said Hermione moodily, flicking her wand at various things in the kitchen. A couple of knives flew out of the kitchen draw to chop up the potatoes Harry and I had put on the table. 'Everyone knows that you need to get top grades to get into jobs at the Ministry and if he wants to be an Auror –'

'Hermione, watch out!'

Hermione and I looked round at Harry's shout in time to see the knives flying at me. Harry pushed me to the floor as Hermione pointed her wand in the opposite direction, sending the knives zooming into the wall. I heard the sound of them digging into the wall but didn't see it. I was lying on the floor, Harry on top of me, staring up at him. I swallowed.

'Are you two all right?' gasped Hermione. 'I didn't mean to do that.'

'Yeah, we're fine,' replied Harry. He got off me and stood up. He offered me his hand and I was pulled to my feet. 'Maybe you shouldn't handle sharp objects when your in a mood with Ron, Hermione, or if you do, without magic? I think it would be safer for all of us.'

Hermione laughed quietly.

'I know, I know,' she said. 'I just want the best for him though. He wants to be an Auror and the Ministry only accepts the best wizards and witches for it.'

'Herm, give Ron some credit,' I said. I pointed my wand at the knives and set them chopping the potatoes like Mrs Weasley had asked us. 'His magic's increased a lot since sixth year and he's much more confident but, like Fred and George, maybe school just isn't for him.'

'I'm just worried it won't be enough though,' said Hermione. Harry and I looked at each other. 'It's all well and good being more confident but the Auror exams are really tough.'

'Herm, drop it,' I said. 'Sometimes guys need time to cool off about things like that.'

Hermione sighed but admitted I was probably right. She pocketed her wand then went over to the drawers to get some cutlery to set the table, without magic. While she did that I put the potatoes into a pot and floated it over to the stove to boil. Mrs Weasley came in a few minutes later with a pile of laundry she'd been collecting in from the line. She placed down on the empty table.

'Here are your robes, dear,' she said to Harry and me, handing us some freshly laundered robes. 'Your new school books are in your bedrooms ready for you to pack. I'm surprised these still fit you all after having not worn them for a year.'

'I don't somehow think any of us grew much last year,' said Harry.

'Thanks, Mrs Weasley,' I said, taking mine. 'It'll be nice wearing these again.'

'Oh, call me Molly, dear. You, Harry and Hermione don't need to call me "Mrs Weasley". If you don't know me well enough by now, I'm a little worried. In all honesty though, I kept thinking you meant Arthur's mother when I first met you all.'

I held in a snicker then disappeared upstairs to put my Hogwarts robes in my trunk. I opened it up and pushed aside my home clothes to put them at the bottom. I then placed my books on top of them and shut my trunk. I was all ready to go back to Hogwarts next month. With that done I headed back downstairs but not before I walked into someone in the corridor. Harry had just come out of Ron's room after putting his robes away.

'Hey,' he said quietly.

'Hey. Still in a mood with me?'

'I wasn't in a mood with you,' Harry said instantly.

'Could have fooled me,' I muttered, folding my arms and looking away. 'You've been avoiding me all day.'

'Me? I haven't been avoiding you. You've been avoiding me.'

'Are you still mad about what happened?' I asked, ignoring the last statement.

'I wasn't mad about it.' I raised my eyebrow at him. 'Well how did you want me to react?' asked Harry. 'You kissed Malfoy.'

'Yeah, a long time ago and it meant nothing,' I said. 'Like I said, I'm not suddenly going to start having feelings for him after one kiss. Why d'you have such a problem with it?'

'Because it's Malfoy,' said Harry. He let out an aggravated noise. 'Any other bloke I wouldn't have minded but no, it's him. And he tells you he has feelings for you?'

'Which he wanted to get over.' I stepped up to Harry. 'Believe me, telling me if it could have been anyone Malfoy wouldn't have picked me doesn't really endear me to him. He even said he should have let Bellatrix kill me if it meant his feelings would go away. After that nothing is ever going to come of them and certainly not from me.'

Harry didn't respond straight away but he did glance at me.

'Harry, why are you overreacting?' I asked gently. I brushed back his hair and stroked his cheek. I leaned up and kissed it. 'Those kisses meant nothing and never will. The only thing I'd ever feel for him is friendship because of what he did for me and even I doubt that if he continues to be a bully and after what happened when Ron punched him.'

Harry let out a snort of laughter. Admittedly it had been funny when Ron had done that.

'I'm not going to leave you for him. It was you I loved last time I checked.'

Harry's mouth twitched. He lifted his head and let out a sigh.

'I s'pose I owe him your life,' he muttered. 'If he hadn't of saved you, you wouldn't be here.'

'You don't know that,' I said reproachfully. 'And you owe him nothing. Just you keep out of his way and he'll keep out of yours. I don't want you fighting with him anymore.'

Harry turned his face and looked at me. I smiled. Harry smiled back. His hand touched my cheek, his thumb stroking it.

'I guess I can do that.'

Five days after Harry's birthday was mine and once again Mrs Weasley – sorry, Molly – was rushing around The Burrow to organise it. The decorations in the garden had all been leftover from Harry's party so it was just a matter of setting the tables up in the garden again and relighting the lanterns. I got up on Wednesday morning to find a pile of presents and a plate of pancakes waiting for me on the kitchen table. This was to be my first proper birthday in almost four years. I was greeted with hugs from Hermione, Ginny and Molly and sat down to open my presents. Ron gave me some spark tricks from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes that I liked; Molly and Arthur had given me a hand-knitted jacket; and Hermione and Ginny, much to my … surprise, had got me a book of spells I knew for a fact I was never going to use.

'A Witch's Guide to Make-Up Spells,' I said, staring at the book. There was a picture of a blonde witch holding a mirror up and pouting at it on the cover. 'Guys, really you … shouldn't have.'

'A little make-up magic goes a long way, Jenna,' said Ginny. 'You never know who it'll attract.'

As she said that I noticed Ginny look directly across at Harry and Ron; they were sitting opposite us talking about the latest results in the Quidditch league (for once, the Chudley Cannons weren't bottom; they were second from the bottom).

'Not all guys need make-up to impress them,' I said, finishing my breakfast.

By the time I'd got dressed, Remus, Dora and Teddy, James and Lily, and Mum and Dad had all arrived. I came downstairs to see them gathered in the kitchen. I ran over to them and wrapped my arms round my parents, glad to see them. I then greeted Remus and Dora before turning to my baby cousin. He grinned wildly like babies do when he saw me, his short brown hair changing suddenly to black then orange. He was so adorable. I loved Teddy to bits. I picked him up and carefully held him up.

'Whose my cute little cousin?' I asked. I brought him close and kissed his cheek. 'You are, oh yes you are.' Teddy laughed insanely, waving his little hands. They batted my chest as I held him. He was so cute! 'Oh, can I go play with him?' I asked Remus and Dora. 'Please? I'll put a Safety Spell on him.'

'All right,' said Remus. 'Not to rough though.'

I grinned broadly and took Teddy outside to play. I sat down on the grass and held Teddy in my lap. Taking out my wand I pointed it at him and placed a couple of spells on him so he didn't get hurt. He smiled madly up at me, his hair changing colour again. I laughed and shook my head at him.

'D'you want to go flying, Ted?' I asked him in a soft voice. I knew he couldn't understand me being only four months old but a part of me was sure he could. 'D'you want to fly?' Teddy let out a weird gurgling sound and waved his fists. I took that as a "yes". 'OK. Here we go.' I lay back on the grass, Teddy on my chest, and pointed my wand at him and said, 'Wingardium Leviosa.'

Slowly Teddy began to float into the air. He screamed in joy causing me to laugh even more. I guided him carefully about so he didn't float up to high and kept concentration so he didn't get caught up in the breeze. Teddy loved every second of it. He kept on trying to crawl and roll around like when he was at home playing in his playpen. He must have been enjoying himself as his hair and eyes kept changing colours. I began to move my wand in different shapes so it looked like Teddy was flying. I knew Remus himself had never been keen on it but I wanted to make sure Teddy loved flying as much as his godfather and I did.

-o-

Harry watched out the window, half-listening to the conversation going on around him. Jenna was in the garden playing with her baby cousin, Teddy. Teddy was floating above Jenna as she controlled him. After a few minutes she let him down and held him in her arms. The smile on her face made Harry almost lost for words. He'd never seen her so happy before. Jenna just seemed to glow in the sunlight.

While watching Jenna, Harry was unaware that he too was being watched by his father. James. Harry was standing with his back to him staring out the window. There was a vague smile on his son's face. James moved to his left a bit to look out the window. There wasn't anything interesting in the garden that James believed could gain Harry's attention, but then he saw what had got him in this trance. A grin appeared on his own face. James laughed quietly to himself.

'What's so funny, Prongs?' asked Sirius, nudging him in the ribs.

James sighed, shook his head, and said, 'Nothing. Just watching my son watch your daughter. Remind you of anyone, Padfoot?'

Sirius looked round James. His grey eyes looked at Harry then flicked to Jenna in the garden. He shared James's grin.

'He looks like a certain lovesick seventh year I once knew,' he said. 'Except this time, not over a redhead. Harry's more like you than you know, James.'

'Hmm, and that's not necessarily a good thing,' James murmured. 'Harry's yet to find out about some of the more irksome Potter traits. Let's just hope Jenna's as streetwise as she seems.'

-o-

When my wand arm started hurting from being held up in one position for too long I lowered Teddy back to earth. I let go of the spell when he was a couple of centimetres above me and he plopped down on my chest. Teddy giggled. I sat up and wrapped my arms around him. I kissed the top of his head, holding him close.

'You better be this adorable when you're older,' I told him. 'No witch will be good enough for you, even if she's part Veela with all the magic in the world to attract a male, she'll have to go through me first.'

After giving him a flying lesson of sorts, I transformed into a dog and began doing tricks for him. I was only doing this in front of Teddy now because I didn't want him to know I was an Animagus. A child remembers very little from when they were a baby, I know I certainly couldn't remember much about those years (I only knew some bits because of my premonitions and what I'd been told), and so Teddy wasn't likely to remember his cousin was part animal. Like he is. Yeah, he displayed all the characteristics of a Metamorphmagus like Dora, but Teddy still had the dormant lycanthropy in him from Remus. We only knew this because Remus had asked for some tests to be done on him after he was born. And only when he knew about that would I tell him the truth about myself, hopefully making it easier for him.

'Jenna!'

I looked up to see Hermione calling me from the back door. I transformed and got up. I picked Teddy up and walked over the grass towards the house. Luna had arrived. I greeted her and she gave me a birthday card. We sat down at one of the tables in the garden, Teddy in my lap, and I opened my card. It was a hand drawn one Luna had made. Inside was a birthday message for me and a piece of parchment. I picked it up and unfolded it. It was another drawing. I looked at it, my eyes wide.

'Luna, this is amazing,' I said. It was a beautiful picture of a wolf-like creature that had the label Pyrefox underneath it. Its fur was golden with a long mane flowing back off its head and it had a long tail divided into five, each with a flame at the end. 'It's beautiful. Did you come up with it yourself?'

'Oh no,' said Luna vaguely, shaking her head. I instantly regretted asking; was this another one of Luna's imaginary creatures? 'Pyrefoxes have existed for thousands of years and has lots of magic though it is unknown what abilities they possess. They do say though if you pull one of its tails, its eyes glow red and it places a curse on the person who did it.' OK, I decided it definitely had to be a made up beast. 'It's the type of creature I thought you'd be if you were one. You should try transforming into it one day.'

There was a silence around the table as everyone looked at each other.

'Well it's very nice, Luna,' I said, 'but I don't think I'd ever be able to transform into something like this. There's been no evidence of a Pyrefox in years.' I placed the picture on the table, the card on top of it to stop it blowing away. All of a sudden Teddy started making a fuss having been ignored for so long. I picked him up. 'Someone's getting stressy,' I said to him. I then turned to the others. 'Be back in a minute. Better take Teddy to his mum.'

The others nodded. I got up and took Teddy inside for Dora or Remus to take. I saw that Mrs Weasley, Mum, Lily and Dora were all busy in the kitchen making the birthday lunch. Dad, Remus, James and Mr Weasley didn't seem to be about. I waited patiently in archway with Teddy in my arms. Mum came out of the kitchen carrying a pile of plates to put on the tables outside. She smiled when she saw me.

'Teddy getting a handful for you, sweetie?' Tala asked. She took out her wand and pointed it at the plates. They floated out of her hands and outside. 'D'you want me to take him?'

'Yeah, cheers.' I handed Teddy over to Mum. 'He's so adorable though. I've told him he's to stay like that. I bet he's going to be just like Remus when he's older.'

'Not all children grow up to be like their parents,' said Tala wisely. 'You just have to look at Fred and George to see that.'

'I'm like you though, aren't I?' I asked. 'Remus and Dad always said I was.'

Mum looked at me for a moment, then smiled. She pointed her wand and conjured a playpen on the floor for Teddy. She placed him down in it.

'I'll admit, there are traits in you which I recognise,' she said. We sat down at the kitchen table. 'A certain stubbornness, always knowing what you want, and, of course, the Animagus business.' Mum and I laughed. Mum then let out a sigh. She gently touched my face. 'But so far, you've been smarter than I was at your age.'

I looked at Mum curiously.

'How d'you mean?' Mum smiled then nodded her head behind me. I looked round to see she was looking out of the window at Harry. I turned back and gave her a curious look. 'Harry? What about him?'

'I was your age when I fell pregnant with you,' she said. 'Not that I regret it but it wasn't exactly the smartest thing I've ever done. Certainly got Remus's wand in a knot.'

'Yeah, I figured,' I said. 'Number of times Remus has had a go at me for doing stupid things in the past.' Mum and I shared another laughed. Next, I asked, 'When did you find out you were pregnant? I mean, how far along were you?'

'Not very, about a week. I had an instant giveaway. I couldn't transform. During pregnancy, Animagi can't change because of the baby not being able to. Plus I had instant sickness, another symptom your great-grandmother told me about that only I would get, meaning you too would be an Animagi.'

A silence followed. Mum brushed back her hair in a very familiar way that I did. I smiled.

'I got myself into a situation I wasn't ready for,' she said. 'I'd just finished Hogwarts, wasn't in a proper relationship and I was pregnant. I couldn't face being a mother but I couldn't get an abortion. A Muggle medical procedure,' Tala added, seeing my confused face. 'I'd gotten myself into the worse situation possible.'

'But what's this got to do with me and Harry?' I asked.

'I was hoping you'd ask that,' said Tala. Mum reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box wrapped in crepe paper with a ribbon round it. She handed it to me. 'Remus bought this for you last year for your seventeenth but you obviously weren't able to get it. Open it.'

I did so. I undid the ribbon and pulled off the wrapping paper. It was a small box. I opened it. Inside was a spun golden bracelet.

'It's beautiful.' I picked it up. It looked like it was made out of a fine hair woven together in a braid. I placed it on my wrist; it grew so I could get my hand through it then shrunk to fit my wrist.

'It's made out of a unicorn foal's hair, hence its golden colour,' explained Tala. 'It's tradition for a witch when she comes of age to receive a bracelet of unicorn hair, like a wizard receives a watch. Usually it's the mother who gives it while the closest eldest witch in a Muggle-borns life gives it to them. Molly would have given one to Hermione when she came of age.

'Now listen, Jenna, this is important. This bracelet represents your maturity. It's a guide for you to know when you're ready to deepen a relationship. While the hairs are golden, it means you're not ready. Only when they're white, like a grown unicorn's hair, are you ready for that kind of relationship. Never do anything you don't want to do.'

'And the relevance to Harry?' I asked.

'How d'you feel about him?' said Tala, countering my question with her own. 'You've been together for two months now.'

'Mum, I love him,' I said simply. 'I've felt like this for the last year and more. My feelings haven't changed.'

'And he loves you?' I nodded. Mum smiled knowingly to herself.

'What?' I asked.

'You say you love him,' said Tala, 'but you're not in love with him yet.' OK, what? I looked at Mum strangely. She smiled gently at me then got up. 'There are different levels within a relationship, Jenna, and you're still only in the beginnings of yours. But when love hits you, believe me, you'll know it.'

'Mum, what d'you mean?' I asked. I got up and followed her into the kitchen. She didn't seem to want to say anything else. 'Mum, tell me.'

'Just remember this: only when things are gone do we realise how much they really mean to us,' said Tala. 'You'll know what I mean in time.' Mum flicked her wand at several plates of food. 'Now come on, time for your birthday meal.'

With that Mum walked out of the kitchen, leaving me staring after her. Boy, was she cryptic. I had absolutely no idea what Mum was on about. I looked down at the golden bracelet on my wrist and thought about what Mum had said. I then walked outside to join the party.

'So this is where you've been hiding.'

I looked round, the shorter layers of my hair flying into my face. I brushed them back to see Harry standing behind me. I was out in the garden, sitting on the low wall, looking at the stars when he found me. I just loved to stare at them sometimes. Helped me think about things. In my hand was the picture Luna had drawn for me. Harry came and sat down beside me. He put his arm round my shoulders.

'What have you been doing all day?' Harry asked me. He brought me closer. 'I've barely seen you, let alone spoken to you.'

'Not like you haven't had the opportunities,' I said. 'I haven't left the house all day.' I folded the picture and put it on the wall beside me. I then looked at Harry. 'What exactly was it you wanted to say that you had to get me alone to do it?'

'Not so much what I wanted to say than what I wanted to do,' replied Harry. I raised my eyebrow at him. 'I haven't given you your birthday present.'

'Harry, I got your present this morning,' I said. 'The earrings were lovely.'

'That's only the first part though.' The first part? Harry grinned. From behind his back, he pulled out a single rose but not the usual red one; the rose had large black petals in a beautiful bloom. 'This is the second part.'

'A black rose? I don't understand.'

'Don't you remember what Professor Sprout said in Herbology?' said Harry as if it was obvious. 'A black rose: on the outside, disregarded for its colour and as unwanted as the thorns that grow on its stem; but if you look closely, absolutely beautiful for what it is. You're my black rose.'

A smile appeared on my lips; a blush started in my cheeks. I took the rose and smelt it. I placed it with the picture.

'I'm sensing there's a third part,' I breathed as Harry moved closer.

'Yeah.' Harry brushed back my hair and put his hand on my neck. Ever so softly Harry pressed his lips against mine in a single kiss. They gently moved against one another in a way that made me wish it wouldn't end. It did briefly only so Harry could say, 'Happy birthday, Jenna.'

I went to bed that night having had the best birthday ever. I fell asleep with a smile and thoughts of Harry in my head. The black rose lay on the pillow beside me held loosely by my fingers, the golden bracelet on my wrist.

AN: please leave a review and i hoped you enjoyed it. BlAcKdAuGhTeR. also just want to say that the "Pyrefox" is based on a pokemon if you wondered why it sounded familiar. it does have importance later on, hopefully.