Chapter 13

I cannot sit still while I keep my eye on Harry's animated and beaming expression. He is blissfully happy. I know this because he told me so when he woke me up just before five this morning buried deeply within me. I was very surprised as it was a wonderful wake-up call and I still told him he was more than welcome to wake me up like that from this day forward and he just laughed at me… But now, his entire expression is one of excitement as Molly presents him with his first birthday present of the day. It is a square, brightly wrapped package secured with a green ribbon that matches his eyes. I assume it can only be another one of her famous Molly Jerseys. Every Christmas and birthday, she presents us with either a jersey, or a scarf-and-gloves-set or body-warmers and it looks like his gift is no exception. But that is not what I am excited about.

Two days ago, Molly and I went to Diagon Alley to the owlry to purchase Harry an owl. I was concerned that there wouldn't be any to purchase. Imagine my surprise when we walked to find the shop partially stocked with several owls. Among them a beautiful fluffy white owl with blue-grey eyes. I zoned in on her immediately and the Owl Master informed us that she's only six months owl. She's beautiful and I knew she was the one for Harry. When I reached out to touch her, she didn't even attempt to nip me. She just hopped onto my arm and sat there tooting away as if she belonged. It was in that moment I knew she'd be perfect for him, so I bought her and left her in the care of George who should be arriving any minute.

I cannot stand sitting at the table anymore as I am excited and nervous all at once. I don't know how Harry is going to react. I know how much he loved Hedwig. To him, Hedwig was more than just an owl - she was his companion and someone he could talk to during the long summers he spent with the Dursleys. Thinking about his aunt and uncle makes me scowl. They treated him so badly over the years and Dudley - their obese and arrogant son - went out of his way to make life as unpleasant and difficult as possible and that coupled with the way his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia treated gave him all the more reason to keep to himself and to write numerous letters to me - most of which I've kept - complaining bitterly about how unhappy and resentful he felt towards the only family he had. We have never ever told Ron about the letters we exchanged over the years. We agreed to keep that to ourselves especially when our feeling of friendship starting developing into something deeper.

I blush about that. Deeper? Seriously Hermione, get a grip, is my passing thought as Harry and I lock eyes. He tilts his head to the side and grins warmly at me from where he is sitting opposite me in the livingroom. Ron is sulking because Lavender sent him a letter telling him that she no longer wants to see someone as arrogant and sex-mad as he is. He was highly insulted and pissed off about her brush off and he has been sulking even since…and that is when his eyes are not trained on my every more whenever Harry is around. Ginny is sitting on the floor next to Ron, sulking because Dean was unable to join us today due to family commitments - or so she said. Somehow I think there is more to it. Somehow I think things between them aren't that great.

I turn my attention back to Harry just as he pulls out an emerald green polo-neck jersey, a scarf, a pair of gloves and a beanie from the package Molly wrapped with care last night while I kept her company. His face breaks into a huge smile and that makes my heart sing. He likes the set and Molly is beaming from ear-to-ear as he approaches her standing off to the side.

"Molly," he says softly as he fingers the soft jersey. It will keep him warm during the cold winter months at Hogwarts. The new school term starts in just over a month and it dampens my mood. The thought of not seeing him for extended periods of time does not please me. I have already acknowledged the fact to myself that I am going to be very lonely even though I'll be going to classes, doing assignments and studying. It will take my minds off things, but not for hours. The nights I dread the most. For two months I have slept in Harry's arms and I don't know how I am going to feel when I sleep in our bed alone for the first time. It is enough to bring tears to my eyes, but today is for Harry and I am not going to allow my insecurities to dampen his spirits. After all he has been through, he deserves this day to thoroughly enjoy himself.

"Yes, my boy?" she asks as she regards him in that motherly way of hers…And then she laughs softly, "You aren't a boy anymore, Harry. You are a young man."

He rubs the back of his neck and laughs softly, "Sometimes I feel older than I am, Molly," he sighs as he continues fingering the jersey. "This is really…I don't know what to say, except thank you," he continues.

"Harry," she says softly, hoarsely as she pulls him into her arms, "Happy Birthday…and may there be many more…and it's a pleasure…Now go on. Sit down and enjoy yourself." She turns away and walks out, but not before I notice her wiping the corner of her eye. She has always thought of Harry as her son as she has always thought of me as her daughter.

As he sits down, I expect Ginny or Ron to give him their gifts, but they don't move and my heart sinks when I notice Harry's downcast eyes. This just sucks. It is his eighteenth birthday and they are just going to ignore him. It does not seem fair. How can they hold a grudge for so long? That is not to say I am an speaking terms with them, least of all Ron, but Ginny and I have been civil, but this is not on.

"Ron," I implore as I search his face for something. He returns my gaze with a look of annoyance in his eyes, but that does not deter me from what I am going to say next…

"I cannot believe this. It is Harry's birthday and you are his best friend, yet-" I trail off when I feel the warmth of his hand on the small of my back as he stands behind me.

"It's okay, Mione. I'm okay," he says softly, albeit hoarsely and I turn around.

"It's not okay, Harry. It will never be okay unless Ron swallows his pride and starts acting like a man and not a spoilt brat who cannot get his own way," I blurt before thinking about it.

"Love," he says softly as he places his hands on my shoulders, "It's okay. I promise."

I regard him for a moment longer and before winding my arms around his neck, "I don't think it is okay."

He sighs softly as he rests his chin on my shoulder, "I know," he whispers, "But it is the way it is."

I notice Ron stand and shove his hands into his pockets. He glares at me before turning on his heel and walking out. The last thing I hear is the slamming of his bedroom door and I let out an exasperated sigh.

"At least," he murmurs, "We will be out of here by this time two days from now."

"I can't wait," I sigh as I reluctantly pull away from him much to his disappointed because he hangs his head, "Hey, I have something I need to do. Just sit down and enjoy yourself," I suggest and on cue, I hear a knock at the backdoor. George said he'd knock so I quickly make my way into the kitchen just he walks in with the owl perched on his shoulder while he carries the cage and food with his right hand.

"Hey George. Thank you. I owe you," I greet him as I grab the cage and food from him. I set them aside on the counter and George gently places the owl on my shoulder. She toots softly while she darts her eyes around in interest.

"She really is beautiful, Hermione. Harry is going to be so pleased with her. We all know how fond he was of Hedwig. It's a damn shame she died," he says softly as he shoves his hand into his pockets. "Just like losing Fred was and still is a damn shame."

"Just like so many others, George. He blames himself you know. Sometimes he wakes up in a cold sweat and shivering because of the dreams…" I sigh and close my eyes. Harry still has nightmares sometimes, especially when he spends too much time thinking about everything.

"I don't blame him. I can never blame him for what happened to Fred. It's just one of those things that no-one has any control over," he sighs and then he offers me a goofy smile, "Perhaps I should tell him that."

"Perhaps you should…I guess I better go give him his present," I say as I slowly turn around so as not to disturb the little owl sitting on my shoulder, but I don't get very far because Harry is leaning against the door-frame, with his mouth hanging open in surprise and disbelief. I give him my most winning smile as I approach him. He regards the owl before staring intently at me as if he's trying to fathom why I have an owl on my shoulder.

I grab his hands and bring them to rest on my chest, "Harry, she's yours…She's only six months old," I barely whisper as I can't read his expression.

"She's…She's mine, Mione? I didn't think…I never thought you'd," he pauses and swallow hard, "I don't know what to say…" he continues as he plucks the owl from my shoulder and cradles her to his chest. She toots softly before making her way to his shoulder and this makes him smile, one of those smiles that light up one's features and reaches the eyes.

"She's yours, Harry. I know how fond you were of Hedwig. This little owl is by no means a replacement, but I thought you'd appreciate it."

"Hermione," he whispers as he grabs me and pulls me tightly into his arms, "You have no idea how much this means to me…God, I love you…and thank you," he murmurs as he pulls way and grasps my chin. Without sparing thought to George and Molly's presence, he kisses me…hard, leaving me short of breath and totally flustered.

"Tonight," he whispers.

"Not tonight, Harry. Tonight we are going to a pub. You and me."

He gapes at me, "Hermione Jean Granger, did you just say pub?"

I nod, "I did…We are going out tonight and I will not accept anything less than yes."

He smiles, "You aren't giving me much of a choice, are you?"

I shake my head and smile, "You don't have a choice. My treat, Harry."

"Your treat, huh? That could mean so many things," he laughs softly, and I hastily look away so that he does not see the blush creeping up, but it serves to make him laugh even more.

"Go away," I tease as I step right away from him as the little owl lets out a soft toot and I smile, "What you are going to call her, Harry?" I ask in an effort to move the conversation away from us and the intense way he is eyeing me. If he doesn't stop, I am going to make an absolute fool of myself in front of Molly and George. Molly I can handle, but George will only take great delight in teasing me…Thinking about this I frown, he only ever smiles when he is around his family and right now, I can almost sense the humor that will undoubtedly be on his face, should I look up.

"You are really beautiful when you look like you do, Hermione. I now understand why Harry finds you so attractive and appealing… If I weren't with Angelina, I'd relentlessly pursue until you gave into my charm…"

Rolling my eyes and blushing like there's no tomorrow, I look up and directly at George grinning as if there is no tomorrow and I flash him a grateful smile, "If I didn't know any better, George, I would think you are attracted to me," I can't resist saying as I am interested to see Harry's reaction, however he just folds his arms and grins at me. He knows I am teasing him.

George pushes himself away from the counter and saunters towards me. He is taller than I am, taller than Harry, but he is not as tall as Ron. His eyes are currently sparkling with humor and mischief and I wouldn't be surprised if…His arm snakes around my waist, causing me to shriek and nervously eye my boyfriend who is no longer amused, but angry.

"George," I say as softly as I can while I gently push him away, "Do not do this. You will regret it."

He laughs, "Harry won't mind if I-"

He makes as if he is going to kiss me because his eyes don't leave my lips, but unexpectedly, he slips his other arm around me and hugs me, "I think you are the best thing to have happened to Harry, Hermione. I think this is the happiest I have ever seen him in all the years I have known him."

"George," I whisper, all too aware of Harry's displeasure at George's boldness.

He plants a soft kiss on my forehead, "He is very fortunate to have someone like you, Hermione."

And just like that, he releases me, turns around and walks out slamming the door behind him. For a brief moment, I am startled. I don't quite understand what just happened and because of it, I turn around and launch myself into his arms. His arms shoot around me, holding me extremely close while his owl toots at us.

"I wasn't jealous…I just thought, for the briefest moment that he was going to kiss you. I am glad he didn't otherwise it would not have ended well," he says softly for my ears alone.

"For a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. I'm sorry, my love. I honestly don't know what happened there."

"It doesn't matter," he sighs, "You are in my arms now and that is all that matters. Do we really have to go out this evening?" he asks.

"Yes, we do. It's going to be fun, but more importantly, what are you going to name your owl?" I ask, to change the subject before I confess the plans I have tonight. Plans involving some of our friends from school,.

"Are you trying to change the subject, Mione? Because I am beginning to think that there is more to going to the pub than you are letting on."

I sigh, "I am taking you out tonight, Harry and that should be enough to keep your curiosity under wraps…Now what are you going to name her?" I ask, completely exasperated with him.

He shakes his head and sighs, "Luna, Mione. I am going to call her Luna. I don't think Luna Lovegood will mind," he chuckles.

"No, she won't. She'll probably think wracks-spurts have befuddled your brain…But seriously, why Luna?" I ask more out of curiosity than anything else.

"Her eyes remind of the moon - silvery gray and light blue. She's beautiful, Mione. She really is beautiful. I am seriously going to have to do something to show my appreciation…. You can't begin to understand how much it means to me," he says softly.

"Harry, you don't have to do anything like that. I love you and when I saw her, I knew she was perfect for you…Now, come here," I whisper as I grab his hands and tug him into my arms for a hug.

"I love you," he whispers, "More than you know."

"Happy birthday, Harry," I murmur as I place a soft kiss on his rough cheek, and I can't help smiling. He has not shaved for a couple of days and I have discovered that I don't mind his stubble as he kisses me senseless every night before we fall into a deep sleep. Tonight is for him, however, and he is going to enjoy himself and I am going to get enjoyment out of it simply because he is going to be very pleased to see his friends…Friends we have not seen since the memorial service at Hogwarts…