Chapter 8

The party was arranged for second of August.

Obviously most of the guests that were going to be in attendance were their for Harry as the only people Ari knew were those she had met since she had been at Hogwarts.

The guests included Remus Lupin, The Weasley's and the Granger's (who were thrilled to see there daughters school at last), McGonagall and Madame Pompfrey as well as Hagrid who joined the party.

The first thing that struck Hermione and Ginny when the first saw Ariana was how very odd and old fashioned she looked. In her dresses and ankle length white shocks she looked nothing like the girls they were used too.

Ever since she had arrived her brothers had been asking Ariana if she had wanted to try and wear some thing that was a bit more appropriate to the times she was now living in, but she insisted on wearing the long dressed like their mother had dressed her in when she had been small.

Too much change was going to have a bad effect any way, and for now she was doing rather well so they dropped the subject. Besides, they weren't sure they were ready to see her in jeans and T shirts. They had only just got the girl they had grown up with back. They didn't want her to change. Not really. Neither wanted to change so much as a hair on her head.

To say Ariana shied away from all the new people was an understatement. In general, she stayed closet to her brothers though did branch out to Hagrid, Harry and Sirius when they were on there own. She was beginning to get some confidence about them now, which could only be a good thing.

For the first half an hour though, Sirius stayed firmly by the side of his god son. The two were close now. Both of them wanted it to stay that way.

After Harry had broken off with his friends, Sirius found Ariana when she was on her own. She was happy though, clearly trapped in a day dream. She often went in to them he found.

It was so difficult to believe she and Harry were the same age. They were so different in so many ways. Where he was independent and street wised she was so naïve and childish. After every thing she had been through, what ever it had been she still had not lost her innocent.

It was not long till he had gone over to her and offered to play with her. She liked simple gentle games so he got a Quaffle and they just begun throwing and catching it to one another. It was simple. But some times the simple things were the best.

He was surprised at how much fun he had, and the way she smiled at him, was all he needed to know she was enjoying the party.

A little bit away from them with the main bulk of the guests Aberforth observed the scene of his little sister seeming to form a new bond. She had not done that in a hell of a long time, it had been years, even in her time. It was almost shocking for him to think she had new friends in Sirius and Harry. If their mother could see her now he didn't know whether he dreaded what she would say or not.

"I can not believe she is fifteen." He said to Albus when he found his brother was at his side.

"Well if she was the age she should be, she would be well over a hundred by now," Albus reminded him.

Aberforth sighed. "I know, but she is still so innocence. Her behaviour is that of a five year old at times. I can't help but thinking Al…if she had not been in the garden that day…or if I or you had been there with her. This could have all been avoided."

"We were not to blame. You said all this at the time and mother told you not to."

"But I do. Al I do. I can't get over the guilt. I have let her down so many times."

"I think it is I who has let her down time and time again, not you. " Albus remembered. At least Aberforth had been there for her.

Neither brother ever allowed them to be sucked in to self pity so in that rare moment of sorrow, they seemed to find comfort in each other, because both knew exactly what the other was feeling.

"I won, I won, I won!" as little voice broke there thoughts.

"What did you win Sis?" Said Aberforth as be caught her in his arms.

"Me and Siri were playing a game where you are not allowed to drop the ball more than ten times, and he got to ten while I was only on eight." She rejoiced.

Both brothers looked at Sirius knowing exactly what had gone on with him allowing her to win but both were grateful. That day, she hadn't really stopped smiling.

"Did you? Well, that's great Ari!" Aberforth played along.

"Yeah well I'll bet her next time!" Sirius said to them siblings as he wondered over to them.

"Yeah, right, of course he will Ariana!" Aberforth teased him, making her laugh.

It was then that there conversation was broken up by Mrs Weasley. She had the cake ready to cut and so needed the birthday girl and boy with her.

While Ariana kept calm, she nether liked or enjoyed having every one look at her and Harry in the middle as they all sang happy birth day to them. Together they blew out the candles.

Over all it was a brilliant day.

Ariana received a dress from Albus, new toys from Aberforth, rock cakes from Hagrid and a jumper that Mrs Weasley had knitted.

"Thank you very much." She said to the red haired women.

Molly beamed. The little girl was adorable.

"It is quite alright my dear."

-

"Aberforth." The end of the day had come and after settling his sister in for the night as usual Aberforth had gone to say good night to Albus when his elder brother had called him.

"Yes?"

"I just got a call from Severus. The potion Ariana needs is ready." He said to him.

Aberforth had to say he was surprised. He knew the Hogwarts potions master was a true master in his field but already?

"And you are sure this is the right thing for her?" he checked.

Albus sighed. He was. In his heart of hearts he knew it. They could not go back to the way that things had been. Their sister had had no life at all.

"Yes I am sure."

"Then lets do it." he nodded. "We'll give her the potion."

"Tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes. Tomorrow."

An: I need a new beta, any offers?