Disclaimer: I own nothing that has anything to do with Harry Potter. All that stuff belongs to JK Rowling. I just wanted to play in her world a bit to make mine seem more fun.
Chapter 9
Harry got a chuckle from Hermione's obvious terror about what he could possibly have planned. He assured her it was nothing bad, and the two friends left the flat to go to Harry's favorite café. That's when Harry made the off-handed remark about needing to go clothes and furniture shopping. Hermione readily agreed and off they went to Marks & Spencers; Hermione talked Harry out of Harrods, saying it would be too crowded with tourists right now.
"Thanks for doing this and helping me out," Harry said. "I know it's not exactly what you were planning on doing today."
"You're quite welcome," Hermione answered. She held up a red shirt. "What do you think?"
Harry glanced up from the rack he was shifting through. "Hold onto it."
They continued looking for new muggle clothing for Harry. Since he wasn't exactly sure what type of job he would get now that he'd left the Auror Squad, he wanted to keep his options open and be prepared for anything that came his way.
Once they'd each gotten armfuls of shirts, jumpers and trousers, Hermione pushed Harry into the changing room. He was a good sport, trying on everything and even modeling the results for Hermione- and for any of the other women who happened to be standing outside the men's changing room.
When Harry was finished trying things on, he came out of the tiny room and finally saw the small group of women loitering around the entrance. He turned to Hermione, who merely smirked at him and helped carry everything to the register.
"Are you going to tell me what that was all about?" Harry asked, as the clerk rang up his purchases.
Hermione grinned. "Fan club," was her simple reply.
Harry groaned at her revelation. He waited for the clerk to finish writing something, anxious to leave the store. The girl handed Harry back his card and receipt as she flashed him a flirtatious smile, while completely ignoring Hermione.
The duo decided to go back to their flats, seeing that they now only had 2 hours left before they needed to be at the Potters'; they hadn't noticed how much time had past.
Harry went back to his flat and saw Victoria's owl waiting for him. He rolled his eyes as he read the note, then quickly replied, saying he didn't think it'd be a good idea for her to come tonight and sent the note off. He mentally crossed his fingers, hoping she wouldn't show, even though he knew that wouldn't actually happen. When he went into his new bedroom to hang up his purchases and pick something out to wear, he realized he didn't have towels or anything else he needed to shower and get ready.
He grabbed his stuff, and after quickly warding his flat against unwanted Apparation, ran up the stairs to Hermione's flat, to knock on her door. When she answered, he smiled sheepishly and asked if he could get ready there. She agreed and pointed out where everything he would need was located.
While Harry was in the bath, Hermione took Desse out for a quick stroll. She anticipated being out late and didn't want to have any messes to take of when she got back.
She returned to finish getting ready. As she entered her flat, she ran into a brick wall and almost fell over. "Oof!"
The wall gently help right her. "Sorry, Hermione," Harry said sheepishly. "I was looking for you."
"It's ok," Hermione said as she unhooked Desse's lead. "I just took my favorite little troublemaker out for a walk."
Harry grinned. "Are you just about ready then?" he asked, glancing at the clock.
"Just need to change clothes quickly," Hermione said. She was already half-way to her room.
She returned less than ten minutes later, fastening the clasp on her necklace.
"Wow, Hermione, you look really pretty," Harry said shyly.
"Thanks, Harry," she answered, blushing. "Are you ready to go?"
"I sure am!" Harry was opening the door when Hermione suddenly stopped.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I almost forgot."
She walked over to the table and picked up an envelope with Harry's name written on it. "This is for you, obviously," she said.
"Should I open it now?" Harry asked, taking the gift.
"Yeah, it might be a good idea," Hermione suggested. "It's not much, just something I thought you'd enjoy."
Harry didn't say anything, just stared at the contents of the envelope. "Not much?! It's the Kestrals vs the Tornados! I heard these tickets have been sold out for months!"
"Well, Sirius once mentioned they were your favorite team, so I just asked a few people and this is what I came up with for the game," Hermione replied. "There are two in there."
Harry picked up Hermione and spun her around. "Thank you so much! Will you, um, will you take the second ticket?" Harry asked, blushing.
"Are you sure?" Hermione squeaked. "I mean, don't you want to take one of your mates?"
"I do want to take someone special," Harry said. "And I just asked her."
"I would love to," Hermione blushed again. "I'll see about switching games with one of the blokes at work."
"Hermione, these are amazing," Harry said. "You are amazing. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Harry," Hermione replied smiling. "Now let's get a move on!"
They stopped off at Harry's flat to leave the Quidditch tickets; there was no way he wanted to take a chance to lose them. They made it outside the building and began the walk to the Potters' home. It was a short journey, but gave them the chance to take their time to makes sure Harry didn't get there ahead of schedule. Once they reached the playground at the half-way mark, Hermione kissed Harry's cheek.
"I'm going to Apparate from here," she said. "I'll see you very soon."
He winked at her just before she Disapparated discreetly and smiled when she winked back. She disappeared and he continued on. It gave him a little time think about Hermione and Victoria and once again hope that Victoria would not show up at his Mum's house; somehow he didn't think it would end well.
He arrived at his childhood home and opened the door. He didn't see anyone so he called out for his parents.
"SURPRISE!"
Harry actually jumped, as people flickered into view from the disillusion charms being cancelled. He certainly was surprised at the sheer number of people who crowded into the room to welcome him. He couldn't believe how many of his friends had shown for his birthday; almost every one of them, from his oldest -Ron and the Weasleys- to his newest -Hermione-
He was passed around among the guests and had his back slapped, cheeks kissed, hand shaken, and body hugged to many times to keep count. As each person greeted him, he noted, and was pleased, that Victoria was nowhere to be found. He just hoped that it would stay that way.
Soon there were only two people he hadn't spoken with and when he spotted Neville Longbottom in the crowd, he started making his way over.
"Hey, Nev," he said as he reached his friend.
"Happy birthday, mate," Neville replied, slapping Harry on the back.
"Thanks," Harry answered, smiling at his former roommate. "I'm sorry about bailing on your birthday celebrations last night," he added sheepishly.
"Given the circumstances, I think it's ok," Neville answered graciously.
Harry smiled at his friend. "I'll try to make it up to you."
"Don't even worry about it," Neville insisted.
At that moment, Harry saw the second person he hadn't spoken to, the red-head he was hoping to avoid. But before he could make his excuses the girl piped up. "Hi, Harry."
"Hello Ginny," he answered automatically. He didn't want to necessarily talk with her, but he couldn't be rude either.
"Happy birthday," Ginny added shyly. "May I speak with you?'
"I guess," Harry responded flatly. "And thanks."
Harry moved a few feet away from Neville, who nodded encouragingly to his girlfriend. He crossed his arms and waited for Ginny to start.
"I, um, I'm sorry about yesterday," she began quietly. "I don't know why I reacted that way."
"Though I appreciate the effort, I'm not the one who needs to hear your apology," Harry stated firmly. Although he believed Ginny was sorry for her actions, he suspected he knew the real reason behind her outburst; and he knew Ginny knew as well.
Ginny looked down at her feet and back up at Harry with her brown eyes big and wide; the look that never failed to work to her advantage when she wanted something. She was surprised when Harry's brilliant green eyes didn't soften the way she'd expected. "I will the next time I see her," she mumbled.
"Ok," Harry replied. He beckoned to Hermione, inviting her to join them. Ginny's eyes showed her panic as Hermione made her way over.
"What did you need, Harry?" Hermione asked, glancing warily at the redheaded girl.
"Ginny has something she wants to say to you," Harry answered, placing his arms around his new friend to show his support.
Hermione turned to the younger girl apprehensively. There were a few moments of awkward silence while Ginny formulated her response. Harry tightened his grip on Hermione to keep her from leaving.
Finally Ginny found her voice. "I wanted to apologize to you for the way I acted yesterday," she whispered. "I don't know why I acted that way," she finished, repeating the same words she'd spoken to Harry.
Hermione glanced at Harry, unsure of Ginny's sincerity. He shrugged his shoulders in reply, so she turned back to Ginny. "Thank you for apologizing. I hope we can start over on the right foot."
Ginny peeked at her right foot and then back to Harry, who was smirking. "Um, ok. I suppose I'll catch you later then." With those words, she hurried away to find Neville.
"I didn't know what to say," Hermione defended herself, before Harry could say anything. "You know her better than I do. I don't know if she was telling the truth."
"Honestly?" At Hermione's nod, he continued. "I think she was sorrier she acted that way in front of me," Harry said carefully. "That's why she was so eager to apologize to me. I kind of coerced her into apologizing to you," he admitted.
"Harry!" Hermione reprimanded him. "Why did you do that? She should have come to me on her own. Now I feel like I've been made a fool."
"No, Hermione, please don't feel that way," Harry pleaded. "I know Ginny and she will come to you, on her own, probably later this evening. But first, she needs to admit to herself why she acted the way she did."
"If you say so, Harry," Hermione was dubious about the whole apology now.
"She will," Harry reassured Hermione and hugged her tight to him, placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Ok, I'm going trust you on this," Hermione said as she returned the hug and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to go find your mum to see if she needs help."
Harry merely nodded, grinning goofily as he watched Hermione walk away.
"Hey, Mate," Ron said, slapping his back and slightly bringing him out of his trance. "Happy birthday."
"Thanks," Harry answered without looking at him.
Ron followed Harry's line of sight and saw Hermione had been drawn into conversation with Luna. "That girl is hot."
"Don't you have a girlfriend?" Harry asked, more forcefully than he would have liked. "Besides, Hermione has a boyfriend," he added.
"Hey, just because I'm spoken for doesn't mean I can't appreciate a fine female specimen," Ron defended himself. "Besides, don't you already have a girlfriend?" he mocked Harry's reaction.
"Not for much longer, I hope," Harry muttered, mostly to himself. He shook his head to clear his mind. "What was it that you wanted anyway?"
"Oh that!" Ron exclaimed. "Um, I forget. That Hermione is bloody distracting."
"That she is," Harry agreed. "But definitely not in a bad way."
"Definitely not," Ron echoed. "Come on, let's go get our girls."
Ron didn't give Harry a chance to contradict and argue. He just pushed and pulled his best friend over to where Hermione and Luna were talking with Lily.
"Oh, that's so cute!" The boys heard Hermione exclaim. They saw Luna vigorously nod her head in agreement at Hermione's statement, and glanced at each other before hurrying over; they were convinced Lily was talking about them.
"Hey Mum, Hermione, Luna," Harry addressed the three women as he skidded to a stop near them. Ron repeated the greeting.
The women turned to the newcomers. "Aw!" they chorused, before breaking into giggles.
"Lily was just telling us about the time you and Ron met," Hermione explained once she'd calmed down. "And about the little competition you had."
At her word choice, she dissolved into giggles again, while Lily and Luna laughed harder. Harry and Ron turned red at the memory.
"We were 3!" Ron tried to defend himself and his best friend. "How were we supposed to know any better?"
"Yeah, we didn't know any better," Harry chimed in. "But I'm pretty sure I won that competition," he added smugly.
"You did not!" Ron retorted. "I won!"
"Oh, Ronald, I'm sure it was as cute and little then, as it is now." Luna's attempt to reassure her boyfriend caused everyone within hearing distance to chuckle.
"Well, we could always bring out the photos and then we would know for sure," Lily suggested innocently.
Harry paled considerably, the smug smirk gone from his face. His wide green eyes darted over to Hermione in a panic. He was oddly pleased to see a slight blush on her pretty face.
Hermione felt Harry's eyes on her and willed the flush on her cheeks to go away. `Great,' she admonished herself. `Now he's going to think I'm perving on him.'
"Oh good!" Molly said walking over, saving Hermione for the time being. "You got him, Ronald."
"Um, yeah!" Ron quickly replied. "Just like I was supposed to."
Harry rolled his eyes at his best friend's white lie. Most people who knew Ron, knew he would forget his head if it wasn't attached to his body.
"Well, what are you waiting for then?" Molly prodded him.
Ron panicked and looked to Luna and Hermione for help. "Oh Ronald," she said dreamily. "What am I to do with you?"
Ron grinned sheepishly.
"Honestly, Ronald," Molly huffed. She was interrupted by James and Sirius coming out of the kitchen, levitating a giant cake in front of them
They set the cake on a conjured table right front of Harry and began a rousing rendition of "For he's a jolly good fellow". Everyone joined in loudly and Harry blushed at all the attention. When the "singing" was over, he leaned over to blow out the candles.
"Not yet!" James interrupted.
"Yeah, first you have to make a wish!" Sirius chimed in. "Something you really want," he added mischievously.
Harry rolled his eyes, before closing them briefly while making his special wish. He blew out the candles, to the cheers of those present.
"Speech!" Ron called out.
The chant was quickly up by James and Sirius and Harry knew he wasn't going to get out of saying something. He looked out at all his friends gathered, and realized this was the perfect opportunity to tell them all about his plans; everyone he cared about was there (except Remus) and it would save him having to repeat the story fifty times. "Thank you for coming everyone. It really means a lot to me to have all my friends together. And I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement."
At this point, he looked over to where his parents were standing. They both smiled encouraging at him. He took a deep breath, as the guests anticipated the next words to leave his mouth. "I've decided to resign from the Auror Squad, and move back to London permanently. I've already given notice and today I found a new flat."
"NO!" came a wail from the back of the room. A wail Harry knew very well.
A/N:: I tried to have this up so much sooner, but stuff just seems to find a way to keep me from doing what I want to. Thanks for sticking with me through the looooooong breaks in updating.
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