Chapter 6
Hermione sighed when Harry claimed her lips. She had not known how much she needed his touch until she finally received them. She felt her heart welled up with joy and love with a feeling of completeness in her soul. She'd always imagined loving was supposed to be that way, but she'd never imagined actually feeling it and most of all she'd never imagined it would be with Harry Potter, the boy who lived.
Harry caught his control and pulled away from Hermione just enough to look at her smiling face and kissed her again quickly. He never thought being loved and giving love could make him feel so invincible. He'd never had love when he was growing up until he'd found the Weasleys and Hermione. But with Hermione, he knew it was different. It had always been different. He was just too stubborn to give into that feeling that brought him such an abundance of joy and love. Never again, he thought.
They stood for a time, Hermione's head on his shoulder and his face buried in her hair near the crook of her neck. They were whispering to each other about how much they'd miss each other when Ron grabbed them both into a fierce bear hug. They opened up to let him in, followed by Ginny and then Lavender. They saw Neville who hesitated a bit until they saw him and they made space for him in between Ginny and Lavender.
"I'm so glad you are all here. I think this is the best birthday I've had in my life so far." Then suddenly Harry remembered that it was Neville's birthday as well. He let go of Hermione and Ron and went straight in front of Neville. He wasn't much of an affectionate person, but living with the Weasleys the few times he was able to helped him become more so. He took Neville into a hug and practically screamed "Happy Birthday, Neville!"
Neville was taken aback. He didn't think anyone else knew it was his birthday except his gran and Dumbledore. He'd received his birthday gift from his gran in the morning and they'd made their traditional visit to his parents at St. Mungos. He thought he'd come to celebrate Harry's birthday because he was invited and feeling lonely with just his gran to celebrate his birthday with. He was surprised when his gran told him he could go and that she was going with him to have a talk with Dumbledore.
He found himself surrounded with friends he'd never imagined he'd have. They were once again sharing a group hug and Neville found himself being hugged and his hands being shaken by the people there to celebrate Harry's birthday. He was flabbergasted to say the least. He knew Harry was a generous person, but he didn't think he'd share his party with him.
"None sense," Molly told him. "This is a celebration and you have a right to celebrate your birthday as well."
Neville looked at Harry helplessly. "Don't look at me. Aunt Molly is right. It's your birthday too and it would give me great pleasure to celebrate it with you." All the kids gave a great big cheer for Harry and Neville.
Dumbledore tapped his goblet with a spoon to gain their attention. Everyone became immediately silent at the dinging sound. "I believe this calls for a toast. Everyone here has watched both of the boys grow either from when they were babies or just starting from when they entered Hogwarts. Everyone here can also say that these two exceptional young men have grown quite a bit, not just in height but in wisdom as well. Today we celebrate their birthdays as they become considered of age by our laws and will be able to practice their magic without the laws of underage magic limiting them. May their magic grow to their fullest potential to be used for the good of all and may they encompass their destinies. To Harry and Neville, may your birthdays be filled with loving memories and wishes come true. Happy Birthday my boys." He raised his glass while each and everyone present raised their glasses to salute Harry and Neville on their seventeenth birthday.
"Here! Here!" they shouted.
Harry opened presents with the help of the others Neville too had presents to open. Harry felt as if Christmas had come early for him, but he knew that he was no longer at the Dursleys and that he had people who loved him and cared about his feelings. He wondered why he'd been pulled out of the Durselys early. He thought it was because Dumbledore was afraid he'd do something to the Durselys after he'd come of age. Actually, he had thought about doing something to them, but nothing big. At that moment he didn't care much about the Durselys, he was surrounded with true family and friends. He felt wonderful. He was on top of the world and he made a wish as he blew out the candles that he would be able to fulfill his destiny and rid the world of Voldemort.
Neville's wish wasn't quite the same as Harry's. He was wishing more for a social life and maybe a girlfriend. He'd finally gained confidence in himself and his looks after the events in the forbidden forest and with the help of Harry and the rest of his friends. He was sure the coming term would be different and he'd make everyone proud, even Snape. Never mind, Snape would never be please with anyone in Gryffindor.
The party went on until the evening and they had dinner celebration at Avalon as well. Molly reasoned since there were two celebrants that they were allowed to enjoy two feasts. No one disagreed instead they enjoyed themselves.
Percy and Penelope thought it was the right time for them to announce their impending parenthood since everyone was such in a festive mood. Molly cried tears of happiness. Everyone cheered for Percy and Penelope as the celebrations continued. Bill and Charlie arrived late though their wives and kids had already been there celebrating with the rest of their family, but didn't miss too much of the celebration since it went on and on. They hoped it would have quiet down a little, but of course with their family involved how could it be quiet.
They'd been on Order business waiting for their relief though they didn't tell them specifically why they were late. There were children who were not aware of the order and should never find out. The adults however were a different story, they were all either aware of the Order or were members of the order.
People trickled out as the night progressed. Bill and Charlie left with their wives and little kids due to exhaustion and the irritable children. The twins left with their girlfriends along with the lot of Gryffindors that attended the party. Snape left and volunteered to take Neville's gran home. It shocked the lot of them when he did that. He just snorted and led Neville's gran outside.
To everyone's surprise including Molly and Arthur, Draco Malfoy showed up at the door. Arthur looked at him suspiciously and though Ginny wanted to run to him and give him a hug, she just gave him a smile, which he returned warmly understanding her position with his arrival and her parents looking daggers at him.
"Ah, Draco. I'm glad you could make it. It wasn't too much trouble I hope?"
"No sir, the portkey you gave me drop me right outside the door."
"Albus, is there something you should tell us?" asked Arthur cautiously restraining his temper at the sight of Lucius Malfoy's son whose father is a known death eater. Death Eaters were the followers of Voldemort and just as evil and mean.
"Harry, why don't you and the others lead Draco to the kitchen to see if there's any cake left while I talk with Molly and Arthur."
"Yes, sir. Come along Draco." Harry called out and left Molly's and Arthur's mouth hanging open. They could not believe the boy who'd been giving Harry and not to mention Hermione and Ron a hard time since they started at Hogwarts was being treated kindly by none other than Harry himself.
"Come along Molly, Arthur," Dumbledore called out to them with slight amusement.
As soon as they walked into the kitchen Ginny and Draco gave each other a much better reception than the smile they exchanged a few minutes before. Harry was smiling at Ron's odd facial reaction. It was as if he was disgusted that Ginny was being kissed by a boy, in front of him, least of all Malfoy.
Harry had to tap Draco's shoulder in order to keep them from losing the little control they had left. He chuckled and asked Hermione, "where we that way when we saw each other earlier?"
"No, mate. This is far more disgusting." Ron answered and earned a sock in the arm from Lavender.
"You should talk," Ginny retorted out of breath. "You should have seen yours and Lavender's reunion."
"See, why don't you go hit her," he told Lavender.
"Why? It's true. You came at me like a dog in heat."
"Did not!"
"Come on children," Hermione reprimanded. "I think it's just all apparent that we missed each other. Some more than others." She winked at Harry. "So, Draco welcome to Avalon," she told him and gave him a hug as did Lavender.
Ron, Harry and Neville on the other hand just gave him a handshake. He smiled at all of them and thought back to the times he'd given them a hard time. He understood now that he was just a bit jealous of the true friendship they all shared. It didn't matter who their parents were and how much money they had. What mattered to them most was each other's company and a shoulder to lean on when needed. With most people in Slytherin, the more money or more prestige your parents had amounted to the number of "friends" you'd get. He knew he longed for true friendship and he'd finally found it with the very people he'd shunned before.
"Oh, by the way Harry. Happy Birthday," Draco handed him a present.
"Thanks, Draco." He opened it right away and saw a 50 galleon gift certificate for the Quidditch shop at Diagon Alley.
"Wow, Draco. Thanks."
"So, I guess getting an invitation from the headmaster himself must be nice, eh?" asked Ron.
"What are you talking about?"
"The birthday party. It's actually a double birthday party since it's Neville's birthday too."
"Yeah, do you mind very much if I shared my gift with Neville?" asked Harry.
"No, not at all. Happy Birthday Neville."
"T-Thank you, Ma- Draco," Neville stuttered.
"So, if you weren't invited for the party, then what did Dumbledore invite you here for and what did you tell your father when the invitation came."
"I didn't tell him it was from Dumbledore, that's for sure. Are you mad? I told him one of my cousins invited me over for the summer. He wasn't really paying attention so he said yes. He was too busy going over his plans to please his master," answered Draco derisively.
"Well, then where are you spending the rest of the holidays?" asked Ginny hopefully. She and Ron had received an invitation to stay at Avalon with Harry for the rest of the summer and then found out Lavender also received the same invitation. She was now hoping that Draco also received the same invitation.
"Here, I suppose. Dumbledore wasn't really clear on where and why. Just that the portkey would take me to the right place and I would receive further instructions then. He also told me that I was going to arrive on Harry's birthday. That was it."
"Not to interrupt or anything, but the reason why I'm still here and not home with gran is that Dumbledore had talked to her earlier to allow me to stay here for the rest of the holidays. Gran didn't say much except that it would be to my advantage and since Harry, Ron and Ginny were here, how could I refuse."
Hermione narrowed her eyes and looked at each one of them. "I know that look." Harry chuckled. "There's something going on that the adults hadn't told us about and each of you received a special invitation to stay here with me for the rest of the holiday."
"Yes! Don't you find it odd that the very people that were in the forbidden forest are the very same people that are here now?" Hermione asked aloud.
"Well, truth be told, I don't really care what the reason is right now. I am sure they will tell us when they think the time is right. I am just glad I'm here with my friends. You lot try to live with Remus, Tonks and Mad-Eye for a few days alone and tell me you wouldn't want company. It's like living by yourself! I only saw them during meal time."
"At least you're not being yelled at to do some chores or something," Ron pointed out.
"That was the only thing that was keeping me sane while I was alone," Harry laughed and the others joined.
"How about that cake?" Draco asked. "I don't suppose there is any left?"
"Lots, I suppose we could join you," Ron told him almost as if he was uninterested. Everyone knew better and they all let out a snort almost simultaneously. "What?"
"We know you too well, dear brother. You wouldn't pass up food if your life depended on it. Come on, I'll cut us all a piece."
The seven of them sat around the counter and ate cake and chatted about their lives after they left King's Cross earlier that month. They didn't bring up the fact that Molly and Arthur were still not aware of Draco and Ginny's relationship or that they were brought together by Dumbledore for a reason they have yet to find out.
A/N: There you go. Enjoy and let me know what your thoughts are on this chapter.