Author's Notes: Well, I have some more bad news. You all are up-to-date on where I am at in my story. So I beg you to please be very patient with me. I promise to make it worth your while. The only good news I can offer is that in a week I'll be on vacation, which means I can spend morning, noon, and night on this. Sadly, my betas will be out of town for that same week. Thanks again for all of the wonderful reviews!
CHAPTER SIX
BIRTHDAY AT THE BURROW
By the time they reached the Burrow, the group had exhausted every subject they could safely talk about. Harry was grateful that not a single one of them mentioned Sirius in any way shape or form. When the car stopped, he opened the door and with a great sigh climbed out. It was refreshing to be back at the Burrow, where there was non-stop excitement. He breathed in the air and looked around, seeing that nothing had changed from the last time he was there nearly two years ago. It was a wonderful feeling to know that some things didn't change.
Behind him, Lupin and Mad-Eye were getting Harry's belongings as Ron stepped up and beamed at Harry. "The whole family's staying here for the summer, so it's a packed house, just like it was last time you were here. Only this time Fred and George have volunteered to sleep downstairs. They've got a flat in London, right off of Diagon Alley."
"How is their business, anyway?" Harry asked.
"Ask them yourself when you get inside," Ron said with a smirk as Hermione and Ginny stepped up next to them. "Ginny, why don't you run ahead and announce our arrival. Everyone was so happy when Dumbledore said you could come. They all can't wait to see you," he told Harry as Ginny ran off towards the house.
"I missed everyone as well," Harry replied as Lupin and Mad-Eye took Harry's trunk up to the house. Tonks was following behind with Hedwig's cage. "I sent Hedwig along early," Harry told Ron. "D'you think she's made it already?"
"I imagine so." He looked up just as Mr. Weasley walked into the house. "So, really, how was your summer, mate? Get any odd feelings?"
"My scar's been hurting almost daily," Harry admitted. "I suppose that's because of Voldemort's-" Ron's breath hitched. "-activities."
"Oh, Ron," Hermione admonished, "when will you get used to it? Try saying it once."
Ron shook his head profusely. "No way! C'mon, Harry, let's go in so everyone can see you."
Hermione only shook her head in pity as Ron led the way up towards the Burrow. Harry followed along behind, wondering if he should tell them about the dream he had and how he had seen Wormtail. Voldemort was certainly up to something, but Harry did not have a single clue about what it could possibly be.
It could wait, Harry decided. Right now he just wanted to bask in the happiness that he was feeling at the moment. After all, they were few and far between.
Ron stopped right outside the door. "Go on Harry," he said, turning back. "They'll want to see you first."
Harry felt slightly suspicious, but he stepped forward anyhow, opened the door, and walked into pitch blackness.
"Er…Ron?"
And with a great boom, the lights came back on as a large crowd shouted, "SURPRISE!" in unison.
Harry staggered backwards. Inside the Burrow was decorated with balloons, streamers, and a humongous banner that flashed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" in several different colors.
What was even more spectacular was all of the people. It wasn't just the Weasley family, several others were there as well. Harry immediately saw his fellow Gryffindor dorm mates, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, and he saw many of the members of Dumbledore's Army, the group he, Hermione, and Ron started the previous year. Not only that, but several members of the Order were there as well. Harry distinctly saw Mundungus Fletcher in the back take a swig out of something particularly grimy looking. Of course, the easiest person of all to spot was the great form of Rubeus Hagrid, who was twice the size as any normal man and thus whose head was brushing the ceiling.
"Wow," was the only word Harry could utter.
"Oh, welcome back, Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley said, rushing forward to give him a hug.
"Hey, Harry!" greeted Fred as the twins stepped forward.
"Happy birthday!" George exclaimed and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Looking back at the crowd, he shouted, "Well, is this a party or not?"
Everyone laughed and started talking. Harry tried to see just who exactly was there, but George guided him off to the side, Fred right at their side.
"Fred and I have to thank you again, Harry," George told him.
"Yeah, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be making the money we are now," Fred said with a big smile.
"Don't mention it, literally," Harry said with a grin as Ron and Hermione walked over.
"Were you surprised?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. This is wonderful. Thank you very much," Harry told the both of them.
"Well c'mon Harry, you've got to meet your guests," Ron said.
Harry walked away and followed Ron and Hermione through the crowd, saying hello to the Patil twins, Lavender Brown, the Creevey brothers, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and several of the Order members including Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dedalus Diggle.
"Hullo Harry," Hagrid said happily when they finally got to him in the back of the house. "Happy birthday."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry said with a small smile.
"How've yeh bin doin'?" he asked.
"I'm fine. I'm happy to be back amongst friends."
"O' course you are. When I gotta letter from Ron here sayin' there was to be a birthday party for yeh, I couldn' wait. Gosh, seems like so long ago since the last time I saw yeh."
"Yeah," Harry agreed and then dropped his voice to a whisper. "So, how's Grawp?"
"Grawpy? Aw, he's fine. He knows a lot o' English now. He's a good boy."
Out of the three of them, Hermione looked the most relieved. "So he's not ripping out trees anymore, is he?" she asked.
"Nah, he's happy with the ones he's already knocked down," Hagrid replied with a grin.
At that moment, Ron's brother Bill jumped up onto a chair. "Hey everybody! It's a lot nicer outside, so let's head on out and have some fun!"
Ron chuckled. "If we're not careful they might start a game of Quidditch."
"I would play, but I still need my broom," Harry muttered.
"Ah, don' worry. Professor Dumbledore's got it," Hagrid said. "He'll give it back the next time he sees yeh. Well, I suppose we better join the festivities outside, eh?"
Ron nodded and everyone followed him outside, where Fred and George were pulling pranks on unsuspecting guests.
"We sent an invitation to Neville," Ron told him when the three sat down at one of the tables that Mr. Weasley and Lupin had just floated outside, "but he said he couldn't come."
"That's okay," Harry said. "After all, yesterday was his birthday."
Both Ron and Hermione blinked in surprise. "Was it?" Hermione asked. "I didn't know. Why hasn't he ever told us before?"
Harry shrugged. "Probably because we never asked."
"Hey Harry!" shouted Colin Creevey as he came up to the trio with his camera. "Mind if I take a picture of you three?"
Harry looked at his two friends, who shrugged and smiled. "Sure Colin."
"Great!" Ron and Hermione leaned in closer to Harry and posed for the camera. With one click of the camera's shutter, they were done. "Thanks, Harry. I'll get you a copy as soon as I get them developed."
Ron's stomach garbled. "I can't wait until Mum's done cooking. She's making the biggest pot of beef stew you'll ever see and Hagrid brought a whole load of sausages."
"Enough to feed the entire Royal Navy," Hermione added.
They laughed. Harry couldn't believe how much better he was feeling. He hadn't laughed like that since before Voldemort's return. His contented sigh only reflected his peace.
"I'm going to go see if I can help Mrs. Weasley," Hermione told them after awhile and took off.
"C'mon, Harry, let's go mingle again," Ron said.
They traveled amongst the guests again and this time stopped and talked to someone whom Harry hadn't seen the first time around.
"Hello Luna," he said a blonde haired girl with very protuberant blue eyes.
"Hello Harry. Your birthday is today," Luna Lovegood replied.
Ron raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I think he knows."
"Of course he does," Luna said, flicking her dreamy gaze between Harry and Ron. "Happy birthday, Harry."
He smiled. "Thank you, Luna. I appreciate you coming."
"I appreciate being invited," she returned. "I believe I should be thanking Ronald for that."
Ron turned a slight shade of pink. "Well, what can I say…" he trailed off just as Ginny walked up to them.
"Hey guys! Bill, Fred, and George are starting a gnome throwing contest. Do you want to join?"
"Sure!" Ron said, obviously glad to change the subject. "How about you, Harry?"
"Why not? Sounds like fun. Do you want to join us, Luna?" he asked, turning back to the Ravenclaw.
"I will be content to watch."
"Okay," Harry said. "Let's go."
As they headed over towards where Bill, Fred, George, and several others, Harry was flagged down by Percy Weasley, whom Harry considered to be the biggest deserter of all time.
"You guys go ahead," Harry told Ron, Ginny, and Luna. "I'll be along in a minute."
Percy held out his hand. "Hello, Harry."
Harry, unsure of what was going on, shook it. "Er-Hi Percy."
He quickly shook Harry's hand and released it. "First of all, Harry, happy birthday-"
"Thanks."
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for everything I've said or done. I didn't want to believe that You-Know-Who was back and I didn't want to jeopardize my family-"
"-or yourself."
He sighed. "Yes, I suppose. I didn't want to jeopardize my future. I didn't mean what I said about you. You are quite the bright young man with a good heart, but I-" He stopped when Harry held up his hand.
"Please, don't flatter me. I know very well the reason why you said those things about me. I know why you left your family. You were trying to save your own ass and that's fine, but in the process you alienated your family. You hurt them. I can forgive you for saying what you did about me, but I can't forgive you for hurting them. So don't apologize to me, apologize to them." With that, Harry turned around and headed off in the direction where Seamus Finnigan was preparing to throw a gnome.
He hadn't gotten very far when he was joined by Hermione. "Mrs. Weasley didn't need that much help. What did Percy want?"
Harry scowled. "To explain himself."
"Oh. Of course, he wouldn't even be here if Fudge still refused to believe that Voldemort has returned. He'd still be trying to suck up."
Harry regarded Hermione for a moment as they walked. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," he said with a laugh.
"So, thus far, how has your birthday been?" she asked him.
"Fine. I can't believe you all went through the trouble," he murmured. "Thanks."
She shrugged. "Nothing's all that much trouble when it comes to you," she said.
"Well, I still appreciate it," Harry told her.
"Oi, Harry!" yelled Fred. "You throwing gnomes or what?"
"Hang on!" he called back and turned to Hermione. "Are you watching?"
"Yes, I might as well," she murmured. "Good luck."
He smiled. "Thanks," he said and took off to join Ron with the gnomes.
*****
After an incredible gnome throwing contest that Ron's second eldest brother Charlie won, everyone was called by Mrs. Weasley to have a seat and start eating. After putting up a small protest, Harry found himself sitting at the head of the largest of three tables with Ron and Hermione on either side staring down at a large bowl of beef stew.
"This looks so good," he commented as Ron started shoveling spoonfuls into his mouth.
"Mum's stew is the best," he said around a mouthful of food. "She's been slaving like a house-elf all day making it."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "That's not funny."
He held up his hands. "Sorry. It's just an expression."
Harry could tell that she wanted to say more, but held herself back for some reason.
"So," Harry began, "you two never really told me what you did during the summer."
"Nothing of course," Ron muttered. "Especially once Percy came home. Mum was so happy she was crying. Other than that, everything's been normal."
"What about you, Hermione?" he asked, turning towards her.
"Oh, nothing much. My parents and I spent a week in Paris, but that was for an International Dentist's Convention. It wasn't bad. I got to go see the Louvre finally. That was fun. Other than that, I didn't do anything noteworthy." She sighed. "But I supposed to your summer that seems like heaven."
"A little closer to it, at least," he replied. "But I'm happy you had fun."
An hour or so later, Harry was settled down in front of his guests, to which he asked Mr. Weasley, "What's going on?"
"Time for you to open your presents, Harry," he replied with a grin.
"Presents?"
"Certainly," Mr. Weasley said. "Everyone must present a gift for the person of honor and today, that's you."
Harry looked around at the amount of people around. "Everyone?"
"Well, some people go in on a present with a few others. Are you ready for them?"
Harry looked around apprehensively. "I don't want any gifts. I'm happy enough with the party."
"Well, you're going to get both," Mr. Weasley said with another grin. "Everyone! It's time for the presents!"
There was an excited murmur throughout the crowd and everyone rushed forward, trying to find a good place to sit.
"Honestly, Mr. Weasley, this isn't necessary," Harry tried to plead.
"Nonsense. It's your birthday, Harry, and it's about time you had a good one," Mr. Weasley said, then turned towards Mrs. Weasley, who had just walked out of the house accompanied by Tonks and Lupin, all carrying an enormous amount of gifts.
"Molly, bring our gift forward first," Mr. Weasley told his wife.
Mrs. Weasley brought forth a small wrapped parcel with a bow and held it out towards Harry. "Happy birthday," she said happily as Harry accepted the gift and began to open it.
When he took the last piece of wrapping off he read the label aloud, "Broomstick carrying case." He opened it up and took out a long black bag that sort of resembled at duffle bag. "Thank you so much," he said to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
They both beamed. "You're welcome, Harry," Mrs. Weasley replied.
Fred and George came up next and handed him what was clearly a bottle. Unwrapping it he noticed the label read: Weasley Wizard Wheezes presents: L'eau d'âne. Just one sip will make an ass out of you!
"Something for Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins," Fred whispered.
"Have fun," George added with a wink.
Harry laughed. "Thanks, I think."
Several more people walked up and gave Harry gifts, including Hagrid, who gave him a new leather wallet on a chain to replace the one he bought for him last Christmas. Tonks had gotten him a wand holster, while Luna gave Harry a new penknife as his old one was destroyed over a month earlier in the Department of Mysteries. Harry immediately put on Moody's gift, which was a watch that not only told the time but also if there were people around you that had harmful intentions. Ron's gift was excellent too. It was a book called The World's Toughest Quidditch Plays and went over the most difficult scenarios in moving color illustrations.
"Thanks, Ron," Harry was saying when he heard a voice he hadn't heard for over a month.
"I hope I haven't missed much."
Harry turned around to see the form of Albus Dumbledore with his long silvery beard and sparkling blue eyes right behind him.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry greeted.
"Hello Harry. Happy birthday," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I believe this belongs to you," he continued and help up a broomstick.
"My Firebolt!" Harry exclaimed and took it gratefully when Dumbledore offered it. "Thank you, Professor."
"You're very welcome. I also have a gift from the house-elf Dobby and a letter to deliver from Professor McGonagall," he said and handed both a present and a letter over to Harry.
Harry opened Dobby's present first, revealing a severely colorful necktie and an equally colorful scarf. Not knowing what else to say, Harry looked back up at Dumbledore and said, "Tell Dobby I said thanks."
"Of course."
Harry then opened up his letter from Professor McGonagall, read it once, did a double take, and then read it for a second time to be sure.
"What's it say, Harry?" Ron asked.
"I don't believe it," Harry whispered to himself. "I don't believe it."
"What?"
Harry looked up at Ron in sheer amazement.
"What?" he repeated. "What is it Harry?"
Harry smiled and read aloud:
Dear Mr. Potter,
After careful consideration, I am pleased to inform you that you have been made captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team due to your leadership skills and abilities on the field. It is up to you to make the Gryffindor team as strong as possible to win yet another Quidditch Cup. Good luck and congratulations.
Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall
"You're the captain of the Quidditch team? That's excellent!" Ginny cried.
"Yeah, you can put that book Ron got you to good use," Fred said with a grin.
"But hopefully you won't turn into the next Oliver Wood," George said and the twins snickered.
The three Chasers from the former year's team, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet all walked up to Harry and hugged him.
"Congratulations," Angelina said as she gave him a bear hug. "I'm sure you'll make a better captain than I was."
"Wish I could be there one more year," Alicia said.
"We'll have a great team this year, I know it," Katie said with a grin. "Congratulations, Harry."
"Thanks," he replied with a grin.
When everyone settled down, Hermione walked up to him. "I don't know how I'll compete with that, but here," she said and placed a small box in his hands.
He quickly unwrapped it, opened the box, and was completely taken aback. Inside the box was a small gold pendant designed as a Snitch on a gold chain necklace. He took it out and stared at it as the sun hit the gold and bounced off in several directions. "Wow, Hermione."
"Do you like it?" she asked, looking a bit nervous.
"Like it? I love it! This is great," he said and undid the clasp. "Thank you very much." He placed it around his neck, hooked the chain back up and looked down at the necklace and noticed it seemed rather perfect for him. "Wow," he murmured again.
After Hermione sat down, Lupin walked up to Harry. "Er-My gift's a little too big for me to carry, so if you could follow me," he said with a small smile.
Harry got up and followed Lupin around to the other side of the house, where he immediately dropped his jaw.
"No way!" he exclaimed. Right next to the edge of the house was a motorcycle. "You've got to be kidding me."
"It's not just any ordinary motorcycle," Lupin told Harry. "It flies."
"Flies?"
"Yes, it does. Harry," Lupin said, turning towards him, "this used to be Sirius's bike."
Harry stepped back. "Sirius's?"
"Yes. He wanted you to have it," Lupin explained. "I'm just sorry he isn't here to give it to you himself."
By this time several people had joined them, all talking about the motorcycle. When Mrs. Weasley arrived, she looked at the bike, then looked at Lupin and said, "You can't give him that."
"Why can't I?" Lupin asked. "Sirius wanted him to have it."
"He's too young," Mrs. Weasley said.
"He's not going to ride it yet. I'm just giving it to him because Sirius couldn't."
"You're starting to get as bad as he was, trying to get Harry to do things that he shouldn't," Mrs. Weasley scolded.
"He wasn't a bad man," Harry said quietly. He didn't like hearing Mrs. Weasley talk about Sirius that way. "I'm happy Professor Lupin gave me the bike."
"But Harry-"
"Please, don't," he murmured. "Thank you, Professor. I really appreciate it. Excuse me." He quickly turned on his heal and left, hoping to avoid anymore talk of Sirius for the rest of the day.
*****
Later on, after blowing out the candles on his birthday cake and eating enough to make him feel as though if he ate another bite he would explode, Harry sat back playing a game of Exploding Snap with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the Creevey brothers. Others, thanks to Fred and George buying over a dozen super soakers, were engaging in a water gun fight.
"Where did they get those?" Harry asked as he watched Fred chase Angelina around, spraying her every chance he got.
"Some Muggle shop," Ron replied. "They're loads of fun, but…" He rubbed his stomach.
"That's your fault for pigging out so much," Hermione said as the whole deck suddenly went up in flames.
"Well, there goes that game," Ginny muttered.
At that moment George walked up, completely soaked. "Oh, that was refreshing. Too bad it's over."
"Who won?" Colin Creevey asked.
"Justin Finch-Fletchley. He was certainly fast."
"Probably because he's used a squirt gun before," Hermione commented.
"Yeah. Well, Charlie, Fred, and I were going to start up a Quidditch game. Good ole Charlie's caught himself a golden snidget bird. It's practically a Snitch. Anybody want to join?" he asked.
"I will," Ron said immediately.
"Me too," Ginny said.
"Harry?" George asked. "Charlie's already claimed Seeker on one team. We could sure use you to equal it out on the other."
"Why not? I could use the practice," Harry replied.
"Great. Grab your brooms and meet us in the field," George said and walked off, his shoes sloshing with every step he took.
Within a minute Harry had his Firebolt and was standing at the edge of the field. Fred and George were flying up on either end of the field and placing three hoops in the trees that surrounded the Weasley's faux pitch while Charlie was placing a spell on two balls to act as the Bludgers. After everything was in place and everyone who wanted to play was at the edge of the field, Charlie stepped forward and grabbed Harry.
"As birthday boy, you get to be the honorary captain of one of the teams," he said with a smile.
"Who's the other?" Harry asked.
He grinned again. "Me. Okay everyone!" he said, addressing the gathering. "We're doing a schoolyard pick. Harry chooses first."
Ron was jumping up and down, waving his hands frantically in the air. Harry chuckled. "Ron."
Ron quickly ran forward as Charlie chose Angelina Johnson. Harry next chose Katie Bell, while Charlie took George.
"Dang, I was hoping I'd get both of them," Harry muttered.
"One's better than none," Ron murmured.
"Yeah. Fred!" he called.
Fred ambled over next to Harry, swinging his bat the entire way.
"Alicia!" Charlie called.
"Ginny!"
"Dean!"
"Justin!"
"Seamus!"
"Which Creevey brother do you think we should get?" Harry asked Ron.
"Make it Colin, he's bigger," Fred said as he leaned forward.
Harry nodded. "Colin!" Which meant Charlie got Dennis.
Both teams quickly divided into positions, Ron and Seamus as Keepers, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Ginny, and the Creevey brothers playing as Chasers, and Justin and Dean joining Fred and George as Beaters.
The game took off quickly. Harry found himself back in his element as Seeker, although he was slightly worried. He had heard of Charlie's legendary Seeker skills but never had a chance to see him in action. He wondered if he was still as great as he was in Hogwarts.
Soon it didn't matter. Everyone was having fun and Harry found himself quite amused with some of the party guest's Quidditch skills. He watched as Justin Finch-Fletchley completely missed hitting the acting Bludger as it zoomed towards Dennis Creevey, who was fumbling with the ball.
By the time Harry saw the snidget, he had lost track of the score. He bolted around the field with Charlie at his side until Harry made a sharp turn and, with the superior Firebolt, completely lost one of Hogwart's greatest Seekers. He reached out and easily grabbed the little snidget, ending the game.
"That was great, Harry!" Ron shouted when they landed.
"Who won?" Harry asked him.
Ron thought for a moment and then shrugged. "I don't know."
"Great job, Harry," said Charlie when he walked up next to the boys. "I knew you were a good flyer, but damn!" he exclaimed as he walked off.
Harry laughed as Hermione joined them. "Did you all have fun?"
"Loads," Ron said. "I can't wait for Quidditch season to start!"
"I can't believe how late it's getting," Ginny murmured as she joined them. "Anything going on inside the house?"
"Not really," Hermione replied. "Just the adults talking."
"About?" Harry asked, his interest caught.
"I don't know. I've been outside," Hermione told him. "But I have a feeling it's exactly what you're thinking."
"What do you mean it's exactly what he's thinking?" Ron asked.
"The Order," Harry and Hermione said in unison, then looked at each other in awe.
"You two are creepy," Ginny said with a giggle.
"An Order meeting now?" Ron wondered. "Why?"
"It's obvious, isn't it," Hermione answered. "Most of them are all here. What better time than now?"
"But it's Harry's birthday," Ron said incredulously.
"So? Voldemort's still on the loose," Hermione shot back.
Ron shuddered and frowned. "You'd think they'd give it a rest for one day."
"The day they do is the day something worse happens," Harry murmured, stopping Hermione from uttering a word.
"D'you think we could go eavesdrop?" Ginny asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"D'you have any of Fred and George's Extendable Ears?" Harry asked.
"Only two," she replied.
"Fine. Ron and I will go over and listen in," Harry said.
But he never got the chance. Just as Ginny was digging into her pockets for the Extendable Ears, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley walked over accompanied by something extremely short that Harry recognized to be a goblin. Following them were Professor Dumbledore, Lupin, Tonks, and Moody.
"What's going on?" he asked when they all stopped right in front of him.
"Are you Harry James Potter of number four, Privet Drive?" the goblin asked in a gravelly voice.
"Er-yes."
"Here," the goblin said and held out an official looking envelope.
Harry took it carefully and saw that it was from Gringotts, the wizarding bank. "What is it?" he asked, looking back up, but the goblin was gone.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Perhaps you should open it and find out," Moody advised.
Harry looked down at the envelope suspiciously and tore it open. Inside was a piece of paper and a small gold key. "What's this all about?" he wondered as he held up the little key.
He looked up at the faces before him. Everyone around him looked mildly interested, except for Professor Lupin. He looked very sad and dismayed.
"Professor Lupin? Do you know anything about this?" he asked.
"Just read it the letter, Harry," Lupin said mournfully. "Although I would have picked a better day."
Confused, Harry took out the letter, unfolded it and read:
Gringotts Wizarding Bank
Diagon Alley
London
Mr. Harry James Potter
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinning
Surrey
Dear Mr. Potter,
As the beneficiary named on Sirius Black's will, you are hereby given all of his assets, as stated. This includes the contents in his vault, number 711, and his family's home, number 12, Grimmauld Place. We are very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Gringotts Wizarding Bank
"No," Harry breathed.
"What is it, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
Harry stumbled backward, dropping the letter. "No," he said again and did the only thing he could think of. He ran.