Chapter Eight - Harry's Birthday
When Harry awoke the next morning; it was to the comforting feeling of Hermione spooned up against him. As was his usual practice, he turned around and kissed her nose, which caused her to wrinkle it in a manner he found most attractive, before she opened her eyes. He was feeling a little unsettled this morning; he'd had the most vividly erotic dream involving Hermione and a quiet beach the previous night.
He wondered if she might not have had the same dream, when she opened her eyes, saw him inches away from her, and blushed bright red. "Hi," she squeaked.
"Hey," he said softly. "Did you sleep well?"
She blushed harder.
"Oh," he said, nodding, and said teasingly, "Dreamed about a beach, did you?" He leaned over and kissed her on the lips. For a moment, she kissed him passionately, and then murmured, "We can't do this." She pulled away from him and jumped out of bed, breathing heavily. He just laid there looking at her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I was just afraid that..."
"I know," he answered, smiling, "It's alright."
At that moment their door burst open and Ron burst into the room, "Happy Birthday, mate!" He noticed Hermione's heavy breathing, and Harry's smile and raised an eyebrow. "Did I interrupt something?"
"Nah, mate," said Harry. "Actually, you may have just saved us from ourselves," he said with a smile.
Hermione smiled at Harry.
"You're both nutters," said Ron, "Absolutely barking mad."
"I'm going to go get dressed, birthday boy," said Hermione with a happy grin as she leaned over and gave Harry a quick peck on the cheek.
"Okay, love," he returned.
Ron rolled his eyes as Hermione slipped out of the room.
-*~*~*~*~*-
A few minutes later, the three of them were clattering downstairs to breakfast. They found Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and the twins sitting around the table.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" they all chorused.
Harry smiled, "Thanks, guys."
Arthur Weasley cleared his throat. "Harry, I've got a bit of a surprise for all of you. I know how cooped up feeling you've been here in the house, so I've arranged with Dumbledore and few other Order members for you guys to go fly your brooms around the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch today. I think we can keep you safe there."
"Wow," said Harry, "Thanks, Mr. Weasley!" He looked at Hermione, "Think I might get you on a broom today?"
She looked pensive. "I'll...I'll think about it, Harry. I promise."
Harry smiled. "Okay, sweetheart. If you don't want to, that's okay too."
She smiled back at him.
They sat down to a typical huge Weasley breakfast. Harry stuffed himself on bacon and scrambled eggs, and finished it off with kippers and toast. Almost as soon as he and Ron were done eating, they raced upstairs to get their brooms. They came back down to find everyone else waiting in the living room.
"Ready, Harry?" asked Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, sir," he replied, moving over next to Hermione to give her a hug. Fred and George were watching this avidly, and then one of them said in falsetto voice, "Wrong hand, Harry." They both broke into laughter.
Hermione blushed, but Harry was too excited about getting to leave the house to let it bother him, he just pulled her tighter to him, and then kissed her on the lips. This caused a series of gagging noises to come from Ron and the twins until Molly said, "Will you three knock it off, right now!"
"All right then," said Mr. Weasley after the noises stopped and Harry and Hermione had separated. "We'll be flooing directly to the Great Hall at Hogwarts." He pointed to a bowl on the mantle, "Floo powder's in there. Harry, Hermione, you can go first."
Harry gallantly bowed to Hermione, "After you, my love."
She giggled, took some floo powder, shouted "Hogwarts!" and vanished in a burst of green smoke. Harry followed after her.
When he stepped out into the Great Hall, he saw Hermione talking to Remus Lupin and Professor Dumbledore. "Hey, Harry, guess what?" she said happily.
"What, sweetheart?"
"Professor Lupin is going to be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts again this year."
"Really?" said Harry, breaking into a smile," That's great news, Remus."
Remus smiled, cleared his throat, and said with fake pompousness, "That's Professor Lupin to you, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, sir, Professor Lupin, sir," said Harry jokingly.
Remus laughed. "Only in class, Harry, and that goes for you too, Hermione."
"Oh, really, I couldn't," she said shyly.
Ron came out of the fireplace next. "You ready to go flying, Harry?"
"Sure, Ron, " said Harry, "Say hello to our new old Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Lupin."
"All right!" said Ron, "Maybe we'll finally get to learn something this year."
"You mean you found Professor Umbridge's teaching methods less than educational?" inquired Dumbledore with a twinkle in his eye.
Ron just rolled his eyes.
"Harry," said Remus, "I'll want to talk to you at some point before classes start so we can figure out what you covered in the D.A., so that I don't rehash old ground for you older students." Harry nodded. "Also, Professor Dumbledore has informed me that he has no intention of disbanding the D.A., but instead thinks that it needs a faculty adviser, namely me."
"Good," said Harry, "We could've really used your help last year."
"Harry," said Dumbledore, "Given what the Defense Association managed to accomplish in the Department of Mysteries last year, you did quite well on your own."
Harry frowned, "I just wish we could've accomplished more."
Remus frowned. "Harry..."
Harry held up a hand to stop him, while Hermione took his other and squeezed it. "Remus, it's all right. It doesn't hurt as much as it used to." He smiled at Hermione. "Someone keeps reminding me that it's okay to move on."
Remus nodded.
Harry turned to Dumbledore. "Professor, I've been meaning to tell you this for awhile now, but Taliesin sends his regards."
"Does he now?" inquired Dumbledore with a smile, "Did you find his wares to your taste?"
Harry held up Hermione's hand with the ring and let Dumbledore see it. "Ah, that's the ring that saved Ms. Granger's life. I really should have recognized his craftsmanship earlier."
"Professor, he mentioned something about a debt to you and my father. Can you tell me anything about that?" asked Harry curiously.
"That is a tale for another time, Harry. Go have fun with your friends. I dare say Mr. Weasley's about ready to fly off without you." He indicated a rather impatient looking Ron.
"Harry, we invited a few other people to your party," said Ginny coming up to stand next to Hermione, "I hope you don't mind."
"Who'd you invite?" asked Harry.
"Neville and Luna," answered Ginny.
"You invited Looney Lovegood?" asked Ron, "Why?"
"Because I for one like her company!" snapped Ginny.
"Well did you stop to think if maybe Harry might want her around? It is his birthday?" asked Ron.
"Ron," said Harry, "drop it, mate. Luna's not so bad."
"Oh?" inquired Hermione with a dangerous glint in her eye.
"Whoa," said Harry, holding up his hands in surrender, "Let's not go there. I love you, Ms. Granger, and no one else." He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply, figuring that if her mouth was blocked, she couldn't say anything.
It was at that moment that Neville and Luna came out of the fireplace, and Harry could see the look of astonishment on Neville's face over Hermione's shoulder. As they came up for air, Harry could hear Neville asking Ron, "How long's that been going on?"
"All bloody summer, Neville," was the answer. "They're bleeding bonded already, if you can believe it."
"Mr. Weasley, please watch your language, and try not to blurt out everything all at once." said Dumbledore, "Their bond, regardless of who already knows about it, should stay somewhat of a secret, please. Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Lovegood, please keep that tidbit of information to yourselves, if you would."
Neville nodded, and then walked over to Harry. "Congratulations, Harry," he said, offering his hand.
Harry shook it. "Thanks, Neville. How's your summer been so far?"
"Not nearly as interesting as yours, it sounds like. Got a new plant." He sighed sadly, "Visited my parents. Pretty much the same old summer."
Harry smiled. "There are parts of my summer I wish hadn't been so exciting." He glanced at Hermione, and then hugged her. "This is one part I don't want to change, but I could have really done without being shot."
"Shot?" asked Neville, "you mean with a Muggle gun?"
"Yes," answered Harry, "Twice. I almost died. If it hadn't been for Hermione here, well..."
"Wow."
"Are...are your parents any better?" asked Hermione shyly.
Neville sighed sadly. "No, not really."
"Are we going to go flying?" asked Ron, his patience stretched to the breaking point.
"Sure, Ron," said Harry. "Is that okay, professor?"
"Go," said Remus, "Have fun."
-*~*~*~*~*-
The eight of them made their way out of the Great Hall, out the main doors of Hogwarts, and into the beautiful sunshine outside. The five boys were walking ahead of the three girls, as they were in a hurry to get to the pitch, Ron and Harry especially so. The girls were trailing along behind, and Hermione reflected to herself that she'd better get used to Harry acting like this where Quidditch was involved.
"So, Hermione," said Luna, "You and Harry. I knew that was going to happen last year."
"Oh?" inquired Hermione. "Did a crumple-horned snorkack tell you?"
Luna looked at her superciliously. "Hermione, everyone knows that crumple-horned snorkack's can't talk. No, it was just a feeling I had." She sighed, "I'm usually right about those feelings, you know." She stared dreamily at the back of Ron's head where he was walking next to Harry. "Yes, I'm usually right about those feelings."
Hermione raised an eyebrow and looked over at Ginny, who was looking back at her with an equally strange look; they burst into giggles.
"You may laugh," said Luna, "But you'll see that I'm right." She looked at Hermione, "That's a beautiful ring you have there; did Harry get it for you?"
Hermione smiled. "Yes, from some place called Taliesin's, I believe."
"Oh, Taliesin's," said Luna in a knowing tone, "Yes, it would be from there, wouldn't it? Interesting man, Taliesin."
"Oh?" asked Hermione disbelievingly.
"If you don't believe in crumple-horned snorkacks," said Luna, "Then how are you going to believe that Taliesin is a contemporary of Merlin himself?"
"He's over a thousand years old?" said Hermione. "I'm sorry, but I definitely cannot believe that. No one has ever lived that long."
Luna just sighed.
They reached the pitch and the boys mounted their brooms while the girls sat in the stands and talked about anything but Taliesin and Luna's feelings about relationships.
After about a half-hour of zooming around on his broom, Harry flew down to Hermione. "So," he said, "You going to come flying with me?"
She looked away, suddenly ashamed. "Harry, I can't."
"Why not, love?"
"I...I'm afraid of heights, Harry," she said.
He hopped off his broom and swept her into a hug, while Ginny and Luna wandered a short distance away to give them some privacy.
"It's okay, sweetheart," he said, "You'll be flying with me, on my broom. I'll be holding on to you-I'd never let you fall."
"I don't know, Harry," she said worriedly. "What if something happens?"
Harry lifted her chin with his finger so that he could look into her eyes. "Hey, where's my strong girl that isn't afraid of anything? Remember our little discussion about listening to each other about when things are dangerous? Well, that goes for when things aren't dangerous either--and I'm telling you, this isn't dangerous. Trust me?"
She bit her lip. "I...I don't know, Harry." She looked away.
"Look, how about we just take a simple flight around the pitch? Nothing fancy, just you and me and the broom."
She looked back at him, and then at the Firebolt, and then took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. "I think I can handle that. But nothing fancy," she said seriously, "This is going to be hard enough as it is."
"Okay," he said. He mounted the broom and said, "Climb on behind me, and hold on tight." She climbed onto the broom behind Harry and clinched her arms around his middle, with her head lying between his shoulders.
"You okay back there?" he asked.
"Yes," she said nervously.
"Here we go," he said, "I'll take it nice and slow." They took off from the stands and commenced to lazily circle the pitch about ten feet above the ground.
After they'd completed one circuit of the pitch, Harry asked, "How you doing back there?"
Hermione sounded like she'd regained a little of her usual confidence. "This...this isn't so bad."
"You want to try by yourself?"
"No," she said, "I'm not quite ready for that yet."
Harry smiled. "Okay."
Ron flew up next to them. "What you guys doing?"
"I'm getting Hermione used to flying," said Harry.
"Used to flying? Why?"
"Ron, when was the last time you saw me on a broom?" asked Hermione, clutching Harry tightly.
"Uhh..." Ron suddenly looked puzzled, "Now that you mention it, I don't think I've seen you on a broom since first year."
"Right." She swallowed, and looked away. "I'm afraid of heights," she said softly.
"Oh." said Ron. He noticed Ginny and Luna flying up towards the twins and Neville; apparently they'd borrowed school brooms, and flew off to meet them. They soon had an impromptu game of Quidditch going, which Harry and Hermione watched while circling the pitch.
"Don't you want to be playing?" she asked.
"Sure," he answered, "But I also like spending time with you. Besides, there will plenty of time for Quidditch during the school year..." He frowned, "assuming they let me play again, anyway."
"I don't know why not," answered Hermione. "It's not like that Umbridge cow is here anymore, and you are the best Seeker Gryffindor's ever had."
"I hope you're right," he answered. "You want to try going a little bit higher?"
"Okay," she answered, and hugged him.
They continued to lazily circle the pitch until Harry could see Remus waving at them from the ground below. They flew down to meet him.
"Time to go, Harry," he said. "Did you have fun? I noticed you weren't playing Quidditch."
Harry smiled and hugged Hermione. "What we did was a little more important than a game I can play during the school year. I might actually have Hermione on a broom by herself before too long."
Remus laughed.
The rest of the group landed and they trooped off in a group back to the Great Hall, where they found the Headmaster waiting for them.
"Ms. Lovegood, I have spoken to your father, and Mr. Longbottom, your grandmother, and have obtained permission for the both of you to attend Harry's birthday party this evening." He frowned. "The place where Harry is currently living is a secret, and while this is not to imply a lack of trust in either of you, I do not wish to reveal the secret to you at this time. Therefore, each of you must floo there with someone who is already in on the secret."
"I'll take Neville," said Ginny quickly.
Fred and George snickered and then gave Ron a push. "Hey! What?"
"Ronald, would you be so kind?" inquired Luna.
"Um, yeah, sure," he said, flustered.
-*~*~*~*~*-
When they arrived back at Grimmauld Place, they were immediately sent upstairs to clean up. When the girls arrived in Ginny's room, the first thing that Hermione noticed was that Hedwig was sitting on the bed she normally slept in with a small package tied to her leg.
"Oh, good," said Hermione, "I was hoping I'd get an answer soon." She untied the package from Hedwig's leg and gave her an owl treat. "Thanks, Hedwig," she said.
She unwrapped the package and found that it was a letter wrapped around a ring box. She looked at the ring box for a moment, frowning. "What's this?" she muttered, "I told him I couldn't afford..."
She started to read the letter:
Dear Ms. Granger,
Please find enclosed the matching promise ring to your engagement ring.
Before you start to worry about payment, understand that in sending you this ring I am finally closing a debt that I have owed to Mr. Potter's father and Albus Dumbledore for a number of years now. I suppose I should explain about that debt now as Mr. Potter deserves to know.
Several years ago, James Potter intended on buying his engagement and wedding jewelry from me. Even then, I was the exclusive place to shop, and Albus had to make the arrangements for James, including pre-payment. I always demanded pre-payment in those days.
Unfortunately, in those days I also had a fascination with excessive drinking, and I chose to get monumentally drunk rather than complete the rings I had promised James Potter. Unfortunately, alcoholism and addiction are not strictly Muggle afflictions. Due to that, I also missed the appointment I had with him. I regret to say I was too embarrassed to show up.
I suspect James was rather disappointed with me, and he obtained his wedding jewelry elsewhere, and went on to marry. I kept intending to return his money to him, but at the time it simply proved easier to continually forget about it. Eventually, Albus came to me, shortly after the events at Godric's Hollow, and said a few things that caused me to re-evaluate my life. I quit drinking, and waited until such time as I could repay the debt that I owed James Potter.
So, in a sense, these rings were paid for a long time ago, Ms. Granger.
Thank you,
Taliesin
P.S. If you ever need further jewelry purchases, your owls will find me.
Hermione set the letter aside, and opened the ring box. She heard Ginny and Luna gasp in amazement. The ring distinctly matched her own, in that the design was similar, but it was definitely masculine. The ring itself was much wider, and the setting lacked the central diamond that her ring had. However, the four birthstones remained the same, but were much larger, and arranged in a cloverleaf pattern.
"Wow," she said. "Do you think he'll like it?" she asked the two other girls.
"I think," said Luna, "that he'd be a fool not to."
"Yeah," said Ginny, "I think he'll like it."
Hermione closed the ring box and set it on the bed. She changed out of her robes, and after some dithering, put on dress robes of a deep rose color. She brushed her hair out, and then got ready to go downstairs with Luna and Ginny, putting the ring box in a pocket of her robes. They went downstairs where they found the boys, the Grangers, Mr. Weasley, and Remus Lupin already seated at the kitchen table, Harry barely visible behind the stack of gifts in front of him. Mrs. Weasley was bustling around, placing plates of food on the table. Hermione sat down next to him.
"Happy Birthday, sweetheart" she said, and leaned over to kiss him.
"Thanks, love," he answered.
"So, Harry," said Mr. Granger, "Did you have a nice day today?"
"Yes, Mr. Granger," he said. "I finally got your daughter to fly on a broom today. I think it's the first time since first year."
"Oh, really?" he asked.
"Daddy," said Hermione, embarrassed, "You know how I am about heights."
"I thought all witches were supposed to have broomsticks," he said with a laugh, but then noticed that no one else was laughing. He shut up, embarrassed.
"That's alright, Mr. Granger," said Harry. "Brooms are somewhat like bicycles in the Muggle world, and not everyone rides one." He looked at Mrs. Weasley, "When was the last time you flew on a broom, Mrs. Weasley?"
"Oh, I don't know dear, a long time ago, I suppose. I really don't have time much anymore."
"So, mate", said Ron, "You going to open those?"
Harry laughed and started opening his gifts. The Weasley twins had given him a complete set of their products, including a jumbo sized Skiving Snackbox. "It'll last for two years, Harry," they said.
Ginny had given him another tin of broom polish. "I noticed you were getting low last year," was her comment.
Ron had given Harry a collection of Harry's favorite candies, including Berty Botts Every-Flavor Beans and a bunch of Chocolate Frogs.
Remus's gift was a bit more practical. It was a book entitled Defense Against The Dark Arts: A Practitioner's Guide by Constance Vigiliance. Harry raised an eyebrow. "This is a joke, right? Constance Vigiliance?"
Remus laughed. "Actually, no it's not. That's the sixth year text. Mad-Eye wrote it, believe it or not, and that was his pen-name."
Harry groaned and set it aside. He looked at Hermione, "So love, where's the quill?"
She grinned at him, "Actually, Harry, I got you..."
At that moment, the fireplace flared and Severus Snape entered the kitchen. "Potter!" he yelled. "How many times have you been told not to send owls from here? Do you think you're so special that you can just break the rules anytime you feel like it?"
Harry looked back astonished, and a little angry. "I haven't sent any owls, Professor!" he snapped.
"Then how do you explain a snowy owl flying here?" snapped Snape, "You're the only one with the blasted bird in residence here!"
Hermione made a small noise. Snape turned on her. "Yes, Ms. Granger? Going to tell me that your lover there was getting something for you?" he asked snidely.
"Now just a minute!" shouted Harry and Mr. Granger at the same time, jumping up from their chairs.
"Professor Snape," said Hermione in a small voice, "I forgot. I was getting Harry his birthday present."
"Oh, well that just makes it all better, now doesn't it?" shouted Snape, "You were getting your snogging partner his birthday present! You're lucky I was the only one who saw the blasted bird! If any of the Dark Lord's followers had seen it... He was so pleased after your last little visit!"
"Severus, please!" said Molly Weasley.
"Who are you to talk to my daughter that way?" shouted Mr. Granger, "And just how do you know what that Voldemort fellow thinks anyway?"
Severus looked at him. "A Muggle, here? Now I know Albus has lost his mind!" He whipped out his wand, and shouted "Obliviate!" at the same time that Harry shouted "Protego!" Snape's charm bounced off of Harry's shield, as Remus and Arthur Weasley both jumped out of their chairs, and Bob Granger turned pale.
"Severus, that was uncalled for!" shouted Arthur Weasley.
"You know the rules, Arthur! He's a Muggle!" snarled Snape.
"Excuse me," said Harry, breathing heavily.
"What, Potter?" snapped Snape, at the same time Arthur said, "Yes, Harry?"
"This is my house, correct?"
"Yes," said Arthur.
"Then I want Professor Snape to leave. Unless it's an Order meeting, he is no longer welcome here." Harry looked angrily at Snape, "That is my fiance's father. As far as I am concerned, he is family, and NO ONE, I don't care who they are, treats my family that way!"
Snape sniffed contemptuously, which caused Harry to get even angrier. He walked up until he was standing almost nose to nose with Snape. Inside he was quaking with fear, and he knew that he had just thrown any chance of being an Auror out the window, because Snape would never let him in Advanced Potions now, but this was Hermione that Snape was insulting, and Harry flatly refused to allow that any longer.
"Professor," Harry said almost conversationally, "You have been rude to me since that first day in potions. You have treated me with contempt and with no respect. For that matter, you have treated my friends the same way. That stops today!"
Harry cleared his throat and continued, while the rest of the people in the room looked on in stunned amazement. "I know some of the reasons why you've treated me this way, and out of respect for YOUR privacy, I won't go into them. However, I have this to say about that. I am not my father. However, you've never given me a chance to prove that. In addition, I would like to say that I am well aware of what you do for the Order, and believe it or not, I respect you for that, but that does not give you license to be rude."
Snape looked away for a moment and then turned back to Harry, eyes blazing, "Potter, you know nothing!"
"Really," said Harry. "Whatever you may think, I know this. You will not treat me, my family, or my friends with a lack of respect anymore, or we will have words." He paused. "You will apologize to Hermione and to her father, and then you will leave."
He stepped back from Snape, trying hard to keep from shaking. Snape looked stunned for a moment, and Harry could see a number of different emotions crossing his face. Finally, he turned to Hermione and said, "Ms. Granger, I am afraid that my emotions got the better of me. Please accept my apologies for the way that I spoke to you."
Hermione swallowed, stunned. "Umm, sure. Uh, Thank you, Professor Snape, apologies accepted."
Snape gave a slight bow and turned to Bob Granger. "Mr...Granger, is it?"
Bob nodded.
"My behavior towards you was unconscionable, and I humble beg your apology for my actions."
"Umm. Okay," replied Mr. Granger, "Just don't do it again."
Snape bowed again. He walked to the fireplace, took some floo powder from the pot, and turned a vicious glare on Harry. "Mr. Potter," was all he said though, and flooed away.
Harry let out a huge sigh and collapsed back into his chair. There was stunned silence in the room for a moment, and then one of the twins said, "Did you see the look on his face? Way to go, Harry! That showed the ugly git!" Neville, Ginny, and Luna were looking at Harry with stunned respect on their faces.
Ron said in amazement, "Cor, mate! Where'd that come from?"
"I don't really know," replied Harry, "I was just tired of him not showing anybody any respect." He sighed, "I'm never going to be an Auror now though, Snape will never let me in Advanced Potions now, regardless of what I got on my O.W.L.S."
"If I might ask," said Mr. Granger, "just what would that spell have done to me?"
"He wanted to make you forget what you had heard," said Harry.
"Why?"
Arthur Weasley held up a hand. "Harry, much as I disagree with Severus's actions, the fact is, the less they know, the less they are in danger."
Harry looked at him for a moment, sighed, and nodded. "Mr. Granger, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."
Bob looked disgruntled for a moment, but then nodded. "Alright, Harry, from you, I'll accept that." He smiled, "And since you so obviously consider me family, why don't you just call me Bob?"
Harry smiled. "Okay, Bob."
"Harry," Hermione said.
"Yes, love?" he said, turning to her.
She brought the ring box out of her pocket. "Here's what all the fuss was about. I'm sorry I didn't have time to wrap it, but it arrived right before the party."
Harry took the ring box from her and opened it. "Wow!" he said, "Taliesin's?"
She nodded. "It's the promise ring counterpart to my engagement ring."
"Hermione Jane Granger," said her mother, "How did you afford that?"
"Actually, mum, it didn't cost me anything. There is a letter that came with it that explains why, but Harry should read it first because it involves his father," replied Hermione.
"Oh," said Harry, "The mysterious debt Taliesin mentioned when I got your ring."
"He explains it in the letter," said Hermione.
Harry removed the ring from the box and slid it onto his right ring finger. It fit perfectly. "Thanks love," he said, "it's fantastic." He gave her a kiss.
"Harry?" said Remus.
"Yes?"
"Just how long have you had that bottled up inside you? What you said to Severus?"
"Just about forever," said Harry, "I just couldn't take him insulting Hermione anymore, especially not in that way. That...that was just nasty."
Remus nodded sympathetically. "I'll speak to Albus about Advanced Potions. Maybe we can do something. By the way, what were your O.W.L. scores, anyway?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't know. I haven't received mine yet."
Neville looked shocked. "I got mine a couple of days ago."
Arthur Weasley smacked his forehead. "I knew I'd forgotten to give you something." He went over to his briefcase and removed several envelopes. "Because you were here, the Ministry owls couldn't find you."
He handed an scroll to Harry, another to Hermione, and the third to Ron.
Harry looked at his with trepidation. He turned to Hermione. "You first."
She laughed and unrolled her letter. Her eyes got very round as she read her scores. "Oh, my, Harry, look! I got all O's!"
Harry blinked, stunned, and then gave her a big hug. "That's great! Not that we really would have expected anything else from you."
She smiled nervously.
Harry opened his and then gasped, "I don't believe it."
"Don't believe what, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"I got 'O's in Defense, and... in potions." He said, stunned.
"You're joking, Harry," said Ron.
"I'm not," he said, "it's right here. E's in everything else except Astronomy, Divination, and History of Magic. A's for Astronomy and History of Magic, and a fail for Divination. But then I expected that."
Ron opened his and scanned it rapidly, his face falling as he did so. Finally, he threw it down in disgust, looked at his mother, and ran out of the room.
Harry picked it up and looked at it. He could see the main problem; Ron had failed to obtain a single O in anything. He had E's in Charms, Defense, and Care of Magical Creatures, and A's in pretty much everything else except Divination, which he too had failed. Without a word, he handed it to Mrs. Weasley.
"Neville, Luna, Ginny, you want to go up to the library with us?" he asked, wanting to be out of the room when Mrs. Weasley dealt with Ron's grades.
"Sure, Harry," said Neville, as Luna nodded, and Ginny stood up. Together the five of them headed upstairs.
-*~*~*~*~*-
Author's Note: I'm not fond of author's notes, because I feel they break up the flow of the story. However, I would like to thank all of my reviewers so far. Fear not, Chapter Nine is on it's way, but RL is starting to interfere with my writing time and so it's going to take a little bit longer to get chapters out. As usual, I am always interested in constructive criticism, so feel free to provide that. Flames will be sprayed with a fire extinguisher and tossed in the circular file.