Ginny's Birthday

Summary: Ginny's birthday is coming up and it's Harry's first one as her boyfriend. He plans a special date, makes a cake, and he has no clue what to get her. Will he succeed in making this one of the best birthdays Ginny has ever had?

"Mum?"

Lily looked up from a potions book she was studying at the sound of her son's voice. Harry was standing at the doorway of the lab, leaning against the doorframe.

"What is it, Harry?" Lily asked.

"What did Dad do for you on your first birthday as his girlfriend?" Harry asked, pulling out a chair from the desk, straddling it.

"Well." Lily paused for a second needing to think. What did James do for her first birthday? "We were still in Hogwarts for my first birthday as his girlfriend. He bought me a beautiful bracelet, took me out for lunch during a Hogsmeade weekend, and he asked a house elf to sing to me. Sounded a lot better than Sirius, the man can't carry a tune."

Harry snorted, knowing just how true Lily's statement was.

"Does this have something to do with Ginny's birthday coming up?" Lily inquired.

"Yeah," Harry stuttered. "I want to make it special, but I don't know what to do."

Lily reached over and ran her hand down his cheek, feeling a little stubble. Where did that come from?

"You don't have to do anything expensive. Maybe something that you know she likes." Lily thought for a second and the only thing came to her was Quidditch. "Maybe see if Dad can get tickets to a Quidditch match?"

"I already got the tickets for the Holyhead Harpies match, but other than that, I don't know what else to get her."

Lily's mind was spinning with what Harry could get Ginny for her birthday. Christmas he had gotten her a heart-shaped locket she had been eyeing in a shop window in Hogsmeade. For Valentine's Day, Harry had gotten her a rose pendant necklace, she had seen in a catalog. The same catalog Lily had received.

"I have one idea," Harry began. "Fred and George have these little pygmy puffs. I noticed Ginny looking at one and then she sighed before going over to look at something else."

Lily smiled, knowing where this was going. They went to the opening of Fred and George's joke shop last week. James and Sirius was an investor and Harry had given them the money from the Tri-Wizard tournament. Because Harry was how their business got started, Fred and George considered Harry a silent partner. James was their advisor while Sirius just liked to play with the new products.

Lily had looked at their Wonder Witch products and had seen the pygmy puffs.

"And I thought that I would get Ginny one," Harry explained.

Lily had seen Ginny looking at the little furballs, but had gone on a hunt for James to make sure he wasn't getting into trouble before she noticed the calculating look on her son's face. "I think that's a great idea. If you want to get something else, I'll help you."

"Thanks, Mum," Harry said, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

The next day, Harry and Lily flooed to Diagon Alley, to do some errands and to do some shopping. Even with the times, they were living in the alley was still just as crowded as had been the year before, but nothing like when all Hogwarts students ascended on the alley. There were safety notices hanging up and more of an Auror presence on the alley than years before.

Lily turned around when she noticed Harry wasn't beside her, instead he was behind her. His scar was hidden under a glamour charm and his hair, which Lily sprayed with Muggle hairspray to keep the hair where it was before they left the house.

"I'm going to the apothecary, for potions and supplies," Lily said. "Are you going to the joke shop?"

"Yeah, and then I'm going to Flourish and Blotts," Harry replied. "There's a book I think Ginny would like that I might get."

Lily knew the book, Harry was talking about, having planned on buying a copy for herself. "Alright, do you have your emergency portkey?

Harry reached into his back pocket and pulled out a silver medallion. "Yes, Mum."

"Okay, I'll meet you at Flourish and Blotts." Lily headed to the apothecary while Harry headed to Weasley Wizard's Wheezes.

Harry stifled a chuckle when he opened the door and hear Ron's belch. They had recorded his belch one day at the Burrow. Ron was livid, while Harry hid his amusement, only cracking up when Ron wasn't around.

"Hello Harry," George and Fred greeted in unison, causing Harry to jump.

"You two are the only ones who do that. Yet it causes me to jump every time."

Fred smirked. "Maybe it's because usually, we've caught you and Gin-Gin outside behind the broom shed snogging."

Harry blushed slightly before shaking himself. "I'm actually here to get Ginny's present," he explained.

Fred led the way to the Pygmy Puff cage. He had gone behind his sister, and at Harry's request, he put a tag to let others know that it was sold on the one she named Arnold, waiting for Harry to pick it up. Luckily for Harry, it was the only purple one in the cage.

"Arnold is in the corner," Fred whispered to Harry.

Gently, Harry picked up the purple Pygmy Puff. To his surprise, it hummed.

"That must mean he likes you," George explained. "But then it's good that he likes you, considering you and Ginny spend a lot of time together."

"Are you sure this is the one?" Harry asked.

"I'm positive," Fred assured him. "She's got you whipped."

Harry picked up some food for the pygmy puff and a green cage.

"I'll bring her with me before school starts to pick out the rest of the stuff," Harry said, noticing the other accessories one could buy for a Pygmy Puff. Once he paid for the purchases, he headed to Flourish and Blotts. He entered the bookshop and immediately located his mother.

"Aw, how cute," Lily cooed when Harry held up the cage. "She'll love it."

The book Ginny wanted was on owl order as the store had sold out of the book quickly. The first book Meet Me in the Broom Closet was a story about a secret relationship between two prefects. The character reminded Ginny of Ron and Hermione, as one was clever and studious and the other was Quidditch obsessed and not as smart as the girl. Towards the middle of the book, the two start meeting in a broom closet and a relationship blossoms.

The second book A Prefect Love was about their growing relationship and challenges. Ginny had received the first book as a gift from Harry last Christmas. She would snuggle up next to her boyfriend and read the book. She only read a chapter at a time, wanting to give Harry some attention before they went to bed.

Harry didn't know it, but Ginny had dreams about her and Harry being the characters in the book.

After placing the owl order, Harry followed Lily to finish the rest of their errands before they headed home.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

"It's quiet, too quiet," Hestia said, sitting down at the Potter's kitchen table.

"Well, James had some business to attend to in town. Harry went with him."

Lily handed Hestia a cup of tea, before sitting down and pulling the plate of biscuits closer to her.

"I can't believe he's sixteen already. Where did the time go?" Hestia asked.

"I don't know. One more year and he will be…" Lily trailed off, snuffling.

"Lily, don't do that to yourself." Hestia got up and crossed the table to hug her friend. "He's not leaving home the following day and saying "bye". He's said that he'll wait until he's done with school or more closer to eighteen before he moves out."

"I know," Lily said, softly. She sipped her tea and waited until Hestia had returned to her seat. "Thanks for agreeing to accompany Harry and Ginny to the Harpies match. Sirius went with Ron and Harry to the last one and he said he'll go to this one too."

"You know," Hestia began. "If someone would have told me I would be dating Sirius Black all those years ago, I would have laughed in their face."

"And now?" Lily prompted.

"I can't imagine going to a day without speaking to the git. So what's Harry's plan?" she asked.

"You'll have to ask him when he and James get back. He's got her a Pygmy Puff, the book A Prefect Love, the Harpies match, and…."

Hestia burst out, "And! There's an and."

"Yes," Lily chuckled. "He found a picture of the two of them together and copied it and is looking for a frame for her copy."

"I figured he would have tried to draw her," Hestia intoned.

"He did. It's not finished yet, so he's saving it for their anniversary," Lily explained.

The back door opened and soon, Harry stepped out of the scullery.

"Hi Hestia," he greeted, laying a brown paper bag on the counter. James entered the kitchen and stopped at the sight of his wife and her best friend.

"What's going on?" James asked, heading the refrigerator for a bottle of water.

Lily shook her head, smiling at Hestia. "Nothing, we're just talking."

The floo flared and Sirius tumbled out. He entered the kitchen and made a beeline to Hestia and kissed as if James, Lily, and Harry weren't there. They kissed until James cleared his throat and Sirius sat down in the chair beside Hestia.

"What time is the match Saturday, Harry?" Sirius asked.

"Two," Harry answered.

"We'll see you then." Sirius then whispered something in Hestia's ear and they both ran to the floo, calling out Sirius's flat as their destination.

Harry looked at his parents who shared a look of amusement.

"I'm flooing to the Burrow. I'll be back before supper."

Lily said that was fine and Harry flooed to the Burrow. Upon arrival, he heard shouting in French.

Ron entered the sitting room and seen his best friend.

"I tell you mate, I'm close to moving in with you for the rest of the summer," Ron said, without preamble.

"Just say when," Harry replied. "What's going on now?"

"Fleur's sister and mother didn't like the bridesmaid dress, she picked out. It was a gold colored dress and Fleur now has to pick out something else."

The boys looked up at the sound of Ginny's voice.

"I can see why Gabrielle said she didn't like it. It's hideous….." she trailed off at the sight of her boyfriend. "Hi, Harry."

"Hey, Gin."

Reaching her boyfriend, Ginny wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head closer to hers. They kissed, ignoring Ron's gagging noises.

When they broke apart, Harry asked her how her day was.

"Well, Mum and I went with Fleur to pick out a bridesmaids dress and the one she picked was…."

"Hideous?" Harry finished. That earned a light whack on the shoulder.

"Now Fleur is picking a gray and black dress, for the bridesmaids to wear. The yelling you're hearing is Fleur, talking to her father. It's something about a centerpiece or something. I'm tired of talking about this wedding." She smiled at her boyfriend, giving him her puppy dog eyes. "Tell me where we're going Saturday."

Harry shook his head. "It's a surprise, Gin."

Ginny pouted, making Harry chuckle.

"What did you want my help with?" Harry asked.

"Chaser drills. I would ask Ron, but he's been busy with Hermione."

As if she heard her name, Hermione came into the sitting room. She greeted Harry and sat down on the couch snuggling up to Ron.

"Let's go before they start snogging," Ginny suggested and dragged Harry out the door.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Ginny sat down on a fallen log they used as a bench where they played Quidditch in the padlock. She needed a moment to herself and escaped down here to have a moment of peace. Today was her birthday and this evening they would have a small party for her with the family, Hermione, James, Lily, Harry, Sirius, Hestia, Remus, and Tonks. She leaned her head back listening to the birds chirping and the faint sound of Ron and Hermione in the pond. From where she was sitting, she could see them as Ron picked her up and tossed her in the pond.

"Ginny."

At the sound of her name, she sighed. The one birthday tradition she looked forward to was that it was one day, outside of Christmas that she didn't have to do chores. She got up and headed back to the Burrow, wondering what Molly could possibly want. As she entered the back door, she found that Lily was in the kitchen, a bag sitting on the kitchen table and Lily had paused her conversation when Ginny walked in the door.

"Hi Ginny," Lily greeted. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you," Ginny murmured. She knew what was in the bag, her contraceptive potion. She had been on it since she was thirteen and had only had two changes since she had started taking it. It was to help with her cycles.

"I'm also playing messenger from Harry. He said to meet him at the house in an hour," Lily explained.

Ginny glanced at Molly who nodded.

"It's okay, Ginny. You can go."

With that, Ginny rushed upstairs and headed into her room, collecting some clothes to change into and then into the bathroom where she quickly showered, shaved, and dressed. She left the bathroom with steam rolling out the door behind her and she headed downstairs to find that Lily was still waiting for her.

"Ready?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Ginny replied. She hugged her mother and followed Lily to the apparition point. Taking a hold of Lily's arm, they disapparated, appearing on the edge of the Potter's back garden. Ginny followed her to the back door, entering the French door from the patio and was met with a blur of black and was pressed against a familiar broad chest.

"Happy Birthday, Gin," Harry said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Thank you, sweetie," Ginny murmured. "What are we doing?"

"I thought we'd go into Potter's Bar for a while or we could go to London, whichever one you want to do, Ginny."

"Can we go to London?" Ginny asked.

"Sure, we'll floo to the Leaky and then we'll do whatever you want to do. I'm letting you decide what we're going to do since it's your birthday."

Ginny smiled, stood on her tiptoes to press a kiss on his cheek.

"Ready?" Harry inquired.

Ginny nodded. "Yes, if you are."

"Alright then." He led out to the fireplace, stopping that the door that led down the basement. "Mum, we're going."

"Be back before four, we need to be at the Burrow by five," Lily called up.

"Okay." Shutting the door, he took Ginny's hand and led her to the fireplace where they flooed to the Leaky Cauldron.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

The Burrow was a hive of activity as the party was in full swing. They had the party outside as there were too many people to have it in the kitchen and the weather was too nice to be inside as it was. Molly had outdone herself again and had made a feast fit for ten kings. She had made Ginny's favorite chicken casserole with roasted carrots and peas. She also made a roast and roasted potatoes to ensure there was enough food.

For dessert, they had cake with strawberries and cream, with a small chocolate cake for Ginny to blow out her candles.

"Alright you lot, time for presents," Molly called over the din, mostly to get her sons attention. "Open ours first, dear."

Ginny took the bag from Molly and pulled out an assortment of clothes from a shop in Diagon Alley. With only Ron and Ginny at home, Molly had found a few extra galleons to buy Ginny some clothes. She had stuck with the basics of jeans, shorts, and t-shirts with some design or flare.

"I love them, Mum. Thank you, Mum and Dad."

"You're welcome."

From Charlie, she had gotten a new pair of dragon hide gloves and new dragon hide boots. He, unfortunately, was unable to come home but promised to see her at Christmas.

"Okay, this is from Fleur and me, we thought you would like this," Bill said, handing his sister an envelope. Inside was a gift certificate to a shop in Diagon Alley.

"They have a store in Hogsmeade if you would rather do that," Bill added.

"I didn't know what to get you so Bill said I could be included with his," Fleur explained.

"That's okay. Thank you. I think I'll use this when we go to Hogsmeade." Turning to Harry, she asked, "You'll come too, right?"

"And hold your stuff like a good boy," Harry recited, as he heard James say the same thing when Lily mentioned going shopping. He hissed a quick 'shut it' to Sirius and James who were making a whip sound.

George and Fred handed Ginny a wrapped package to which Ginny turned to James and asked, "Can you check this and make sure nothing will explode when I open this?"

"Sure," James replied and waved his wand around the package, giving her a thumb up when it was clear there was nothing.

"Dear little sister, do you not trust us?" Fred asked.

"No," Ginny deadpanned. She opened the package to find that Fred and George had gotten her a new rucksack. Her old one was worn from use and Ginny needed a new one. Since they were the cause of why her old one tore up, they felt they should give her a new one.

"Sirius, check this and make sure they are no jinxes on it for me?" Ginny requested. Sirius took it, waved his wand around it and handed it back to Ginny.

"You're good to go."

"Thank you."

Hermione was next and handed her present to Ginny. "I think you'll find this helpful."

"If it's a talking planner, I'll stop it from talking," Harry whispered. Sure enough, it was a planner.

"I would have gotten you a talking planner like I did the boys last year, but theirs didn't talk," Hermione said, sound puzzled.

Under the table, Ron and Harry high fived each other as Ron handed his sister his gift. "I can't take credit. Hermione helped me pick it out."

Ron's gift was a makeup bag, which was surprising to Ginny as Ron never given her anything like that before.

"Thought you could use it and keep your hair ties in it or something. I know you don't wear much makeup."

"Thank you, Ron, I think I'll use it for that," Ginny said, picking up the envelope from Hestia and Sirius.

"I thought you would like it," Hestia said as Ginny opened another gift certificate to another shop. "You could use it when you go to Diagon Alley and they have a shop in Hogsmeade if you would rather go there."

"Thank you."

From Remus and Tonks, Tonks had found a book on famous female Quidditch players and Remus had added a book on defensive spells every witch should know.

"Is there anything in here I should be worried about?" Harry asked, holding up the defense book, making James, Sirius, Ron, Fred, and George laugh.

"No," Remus answered chuckling.

"I won't hex your bits off if that's what you're worried about," Ginny whispered.

"Good," Harry sighed.

"This is from James and me," Lily said, handing Ginny an envelope. "I didn't know what to get and I knew I always loved getting a gift certificate or money to buy what I wanted so I thought you would too."

"Thank you, Lily." One of the gift certificates Lily and James given her was to the Witch's Wardrobe, a shop in Hogsmeade. This was where Ginny had bought most of her basic items like tights, bras, and knickers if she needed them over the year. The amount was enough that Ginny could buy enough to last her the whole school year. The second was to Quality Quidditch Supply.

"If you do an owl order, include the certificate with the order," James informed her.

"Or Harry could take you before September 1," Lily said.

"Thanks again." Turning to her boyfriend, she said, "Your turn."

"First, promise not to kill me," Harry requested.

"What did you do?" Ginny asked, making Sirius and the other men chuckle.

Harry sat the small box on the table, which Fred and George recognized. The holes in the box told Ginny there could only be one thing that came from the joke shop and had holes in the box.

"Oh Harry, you didn't," Ginny breathed.

"Open it, Gin," Harry directed.

Ginny opened the top of the box and reached her hand down in the box, pulling out the little purple ball.

"Aw," the ladies all chorused.

"Thank you, sweetie," Ginny said, kissing Harry's cheek.

As Molly, Lily, Hestia, and Tonks started cleaning up, Harry helped Ginny gather her presents and carry them up to her bedroom. Sneakily, Harry added his other present to the pile and followed Ginny to her room.

"Thanks for getting me, Arnold," Ginny said.

"You wanted him and I want you happy. Plus he likes me. We've gotten to know each other since I've got him last week."

"Well, I'm glad. I wonder if I can take him to Hogwarts."

"He's the only thing from the joke shop that isn't on the forbidden list. Dad brought home a list from the last board meeting and said he should be okay."

Ginny nodded, petting him before sitting back in the box. "I'll have to get him some stuff."

"Here's a starter," Harry said, handing her a bag of food for Arnold. "And there's something else."

Ginny looked up to find the package Harry was handing her. She took it and unwrapped to find her own copy of A Prefect Love.

"Thank you, I've wanted to read this," Ginny murmured. She opened the front to find a folded piece of paper from a sketchbook. She picked it up to find a drawn picture of her and Harry. "Did you draw this?"

Harry nodded. "Stayed up all night this week to finish it," he explained. "I had it once but I had messed up your face and had to start over."

Ginny leaned over, cupping his head and kissing him, this time on the lips. She sighed when they broke apart.

"Happy birthday, Ginny. I love you."

"I love you too," Ginny whispered.

"Has this been a good birthday?" Harry asked.

Ginny nodded. "Yes. It has."

"Good because I wanted your first birthday after we got together to be a good one," Harry said, enlacing his fingers with hers

"As long as I'm with you, it will be," Ginny said, leaning over to kiss him one more time before they joined the others.

As the years past, Harry made sure to make Ginny's birthday special. He made it up to her for missing her birthday the following year after the battle, taking her out on a date of lunch and shopping where he let her pick out something. They picked up where they left off on their birthday tradition of spending the whole day together for her seventeenth birthday. Harry didn't try to top her birthday every year, it was hard too. But to Ginny, it didn't matter what they did for her birthday, whether they went on a date or they stayed in at home, as long as he and Ginny were together, it was sure to be a special birthday.