Before he knew it, it was Harry's birthday. He was celebrating in a cleaner, refurbished Grimmauld Place. Together with Andy, Kreacher and his friends, they had painted all the walls white and taken down some of the more macabre decorations, like the house elf heads. They had finally removed Walburga's portrait but it involved taking out the entire section of wall. It was kind of cathartic though, when they burned her portrait in the back garden. It felt good to have the last part of Sirius' poor childhood put to rest.

He sat in the kitchen with the same wooden table, pockmarked from knives and hot pans, as he guests began to arrive. He had invited the Weasleys and Hermione of course. But he also had been persuaded to invite the Gryffindor quidditch team from 1991 to 1994. Pansy had arrived early as his betrothed and was freshening up. Neville and Luna were coming as well.

For Neville's birthday the day before, Harry had sent some pictures of his parents' Hogwarts days Harry had found in Sirius' things. They had been writing to each other more often and Harry had found a solid support system in Neville. The other young man didn't care what his name was but offered to support him if he wanted to use Berry in formal situations and remain as Harry to his friends.

Luna was airy as always and had begun to call him Harry Berry as a combination of old and new. Harry just laughed; classic Luna.

Mrs. Weasley bundled her way over, arms full of trays of food, to hug him and fuss.

"Your hair's getting so long! So you'll be matching Bill. I could give it a trim if you'd like. COme over anytime. I've just made a few things. A cheese tray and a box of lasagna."

Andromeda came over and proceeded to guide Mrs. Weasley away, seeing that Harry had a deer in the lamp look on his face.

Then he was swarmed by the younger Weasleys, a black haired blob in a sea of red.

They joked and snacked and gave hugs all around. Pansy came back and stood awkwardly in the door. She looked nicer than usual in a light blue summer dress and a matching ribbon separating her bangs from the rest of her hair. Harry felt a warmth rise to his face every time he saw her.

Ginny, for all her talk of moving on, was walking around with a stormy look on her face when she thought she wasn't being looked at and a false smile when she noticed attention.

Hermione decided to be brave and strode right up to Pansy and forced the other girl to acknowledge her.

"Parkinson, we've had our differences but I hope we can come together for Harry's sake."

She sniffed, as if offended that she would harm Harry's interest with petty differences. "For Berry's sake, I agree." She held out a hand to shake, looking serious.

Hermione took her hand and shook it brusquely, her eyebrows quirking at the name.

"Why do you call Harry his legal name? I mean, it's pretty obvious he prefers Harry."

Pansy exhaled loudly through her nose. "I was raised with manners, Granger. Berry hasn't told me to call him otherwise and he might want to use different names in different spheres. Besides, I like his name. It reminds me of summer." She turned pink and tried to make an excuse to leave the room.

Hermione caught her sleeve. "There was one more thing. If we're to both be around Harry, I think an apology for calling me names for the past seven years isn't uncalled for." She jutted her jaw out to hide how nervous she was.

Pansy's face took on a grim look as she paused. She nodded tersely and bowed formally.

"Ms. Granger, I humbly apologize for any slight I have inferred about your person, intellect, or social behaviors since we have become acquainted. It was uncalled for and I will let justice rest on your side."

Hermione looked flustered, "You don't have to bow…But I accept your apology."

Neville came up beside them and immediately recognized what was happening. "Hermione, she does have to bow. To recognize the offense to you. And the apology isn't over until you make a demand for satisfaction. It doesn't have to be big, but there has to be something,"

"Oh. um ... I demand...One book of my choosing from your family library?" She asked, instead of commanding.

Still in the bow, Pansy replied, "I will see it done." Then she stood up and greeted Neville as Heir Longbottom. She knew Hermione wasn't the most congenial to her but to be fair she had been rather rude first.

The two of them walked to Harry, where he stood reminiscing about quidditch, because Neville told her he had an important matter to discuss with Harry.

"Harry, can we speak in private?" Neville asked, sounding surprisingly brave. Harry looked up and saw the serious looks on Pansy and Neville's faces and nodded, excusing himself from his friends.

They stepped into a drawing room off the main hallway.

Harry turned and crossed his arms. "What's this about, Neville?"

He took a deep breath. "I just wanted you to know that as soon as I take up my Lordship and Wizengamot seat next year, I want to reaffirm the Potter-Longbottom Pact."

Harry looked at him clueless.

Neville stumbled in his prepared speech. "Oh, you don't know…well, uh, our families have stood together in battle and friendship for the past 400 years. We're essentially shield brothers, but also me and you are godbrothers. I never brought it up at school because I figured you'd be embarrassed to have me as a brother…" He scuffed his leather shoe against the heel of his other foot.

Harry blinked and then he was holding Neville's shoulders. "You're one of the best guys I know, Neville, I would love to be your brother. But I agree. Four hundred years of history together means something and I don't wanna be the one to end it."

Neville gave him a half smile. Then Harry grinned, "Now let's go have some cake!"