Harry Potter and the Veil of Death

Chapter Three~~

Feelings Confessed

July 31^st dawned bright and early. Yet Harry slept. At around ten in the morning, Harry woke with a start, knowing that something wasn't right. Something had just happened, something bad. He had no idea how he knew--it wasn't like his Voldemort connection, because his scar was fine. He just had this gut feeling deep down that something was wrong.

Today was his birthday, and the Order decided it would be least conspicuous if Hermione took a muggle taxi to Harry's house to pick him up. She was supposed to get there around 10:30, since the drive from London to Little Whinging, Surrey, took a while. Harry sat up in bed, trying to figure out why it was he had woken up so suddenly and why he had this bad feeling. What had happened?

Harry went deep into his mind, willing himself to find what it was. Pain. Flashing lights. Why won't the pain go away? Harry pulled out, alarmed. Whose thoughts was he listening to? What was happening? This definitely wasn't Voldemort. He tried again, looking to see it was. Ow... this hurts... oh Harry... I wish you were here... you would make the pain better... what's happened...? Harry pulled out again. He was terrified. He recognized the voice he heard the thoughts in. It was Hermione. What the hell happened? Thought Harry. He needed to contact somebody--anybody. But who? Then it hit him... use the mirror! He raced over and grabbed it off his desk.

"Remus!" he said sharply into the mirror.

"Harry?" said Remus, looking worried.

"You have to listen to me, no time to ask questions! I woke up a couple minutes ago, and I knew something had happened. Not like Voldemort at all. This is weird, I don't get it too well, but I know that when I tried to figure out who it was, I somehow heard their thoughts, and they were in severe pain, and they were thinking about me... and when I thought harder, I realized who was voicing the thoughts. It's Hermione, Moony! Something has happened to Hermione, and she is in severe pain!" Harry said it all very fast.

"Harry?" said Moony looking very flabbergasted, "how did this--"

"I don't know, I really don't, I just know that Hermione is hurt, and I need to get to her NOW!"

"Ok... I'll portkey to Ms. Figg's house as soon as I can, and get over there. You get ready and make sure you have everything packed. If you have time, see if you can make contact further, and actually talk to Hermione. Try to find out where she is."

"Ok, I'll do that, and Moony...?" Harry broke off.

"Yes?" Remus looked into Harry's eyes, so like Lily's, through the mirror, and saw concern and panic.

"Please try and hurry..."

"I will, Harry, don't worry, Hermione will be okay."

Moony's face disappeared from the mirror. Harry turned to his room. He sighed. Today was his sixteenth birthday; the day Moony would become his guardian. Fine way to start it... He waved his wand at his trunk, it magically opened, without him saying a word. He had been practicing. He picked up his wand, and waved it around the room. His things flew neatly into his trunk. He locked his trunk, and cast a weightlessness charm on it. Then, he sat on his bed, and once again, tried to reach Hermione, this time, talking to her.

Hermione? Mione, can you hear me? Oh God, now I am hearing things. I hear Harry's voice in my head. No, Mione, it's me Harry, really it is. Harry? How-? Honestly, I don't know. But you've got to listen to me. What happened and where are you? The muggle taxi lost control, if flew off the road and hit a tree. Oh shit, Mione.... Where are you? We were on a country road, just outside of Little Whinging. Okay, Mione, I know where you're talking about. Hang in there, Remus and I will be there any minute. Harry heard Remus come into his room. Okay, Mione, I have to go, okay? I am coming to find you. Okay Harry... hurry... Harry broke the connection.

Before Remus could say anything, Harry said, "The muggle taxi lost control. It hit a tree, just outside of Little Whinging. If we go now, we should get there before any muggles find it."

"Okay. We'll go to Ms. Figg's house first, we'll leave your trunk there, because we'll have to go back there to Floo to Headquarters."

Harry nodded. "Let's go..."

Harry carried his weightless trunk to Ms. Figg's house. After a brief explanation, Remus took hold of Harry's upper arm.

"I am going to apparate us there, Harry, okay?"

"Yeah, lets' go."

With a small pop, Harry felt them leave Ms. Figg's living room and land on a gravel road, near a wrecked car. The frame was twisted and mangled, and one half of the car was on the other side of the road. Harry took off running towards the nearest piece of wreckage.

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, as he came across her body. There were numerous cuts and scratches on her body, and one of her arms was twisted at an odd angle. She was bruised everywhere.

"Hermione. Hermione can you hear me?" Harry asked. "Remus come over here!" he shouted. Remus looked slightly ashen at the sight of Hermione.

"I need to find out if she has any spinal damage before I try and move her..." He passed his wand over her, if glowing blue the whole time. "Good, no spinal damages, a bit of internal bleeding, but that's easily fixed. Right arm seems fractured in five places, and a nasty gash on her side. That's what I am worried about... We need to try and wake her..."

"Can't we just ennervate her?" asked Harry.

"Well, the problem is, since she suffered no spell damage, all we need is a very weak spell... if it's too strong, it could just do more damage."

"I can do it," said Harry.

"No, Harry, your magic is too strong."

"Just trust me, I know exactly how this will be weak..." assured Harry. He pointed his hand at Hermione. "Ennervate" he said gently. Remus let out a small gasp of surprise. Hermione's eyes flickered open.

"Harry...?" she mummered.

"Yeah, Mione it's me..."

"Oh Harry, I thought I was dead... it hurts so badly... and... and I... have to know... something."

"Anything, Mione..."

"Did you mean it?"

"Wha- oh, that..."

"Well, did you?"

"Yes..."

"I'm glad, Harry."

"You-you are?"

"Yeah... I love you too."

Harry waved his wand over Hermione. A bandage covered the gash in her side, and a splint immobilized Hermione's arm. He was no Madam Pomfrey, but she was good enough to travel. He picked her up in his arms, and turned to Remus.

"Are you ready? What about the driver?" Harry asked.

Remus looked grim. "Dead. There was nothing I could do..."

"Okay..." said Harry looking grim, "let's go..."

Remus took hold of Harry's arm, and they appeared in Ms. Figg's living room. They used her fireplace to floo to Grimmauld Place, Harry holding Hermione and Remus with Harry's trunk.

Harry staggered out of the fireplace into the kitchen. Things had certainly changed there.

At Harry's sudden appearance, two people who were busy snogging each other senseless broke apart.

" 'arry?" said Ron disorientedly.

"Ron, Luna," Harry said in acknowledgment, but rushed on to find Mrs. Weasley. He didn't have to go far.

"Harry! Bring her in here, I've already informed Madam Pomfrey, she should be getting here any moment."

Harry went into the room, and laid Hermione down on the bed, just as Madam Pomfrey came in.

"I'll come back to see you later, okay, Mione?"

"Yeah, Harry, I'll see you..."

Harry went back into the kitchen. Luckily, Ron and Luna had not continued what Harry had interrupted before, because another two people, who, Harry noted, were holding hands, had now joined them. When the door opened, they turned around and Harry saw Ginny and a bit to his surprise, Neville. He knew that they were something of an item now, from Ron, but he didn't know that Neville would be there. It's not like it mattered, after all, Neville was a great friend.

"Hey, Harry, mate, sorry about that before... you won't mention it to anybody will you?" Ron said, shooting furtive looks at Ginny.

"Um... no, of course not... no offense Ron, but I'd rather erase that memory from my mind completely..."

"Why, what's wrong with it?" said Ron, only half-serious.

"What's wrong with what?" asked Ginny.

"None of your business Ginny. Now, Potter," said Ron jokingly, "What was wrong with what you saw?"

Well, if you wanna play dirty... "Sorry Ron, but walking in on my best friend snogging somebody senseless does quite some damage to my fragile mind."

"What?!?" shouted Ginny.

"HARRY! You said you wouldn't!" groaned Ron.

" Sorry, couldn't resist... she was bound to find out anyway, seeing as the kitchen is quite a public place."

"You know what?" said Ginny, " I think some things are best left unsaid. I honestly didn't need to know that..."

"So anyway," said Luna, interrupting, "today's your birthday, isn't it? Happy Sixthteenth!"

"Yeah, you're right, it is. Weird, isn't it? Being sixteen..." Harry faded off.

"Just you wait Harry, I don't know if Ron's told you, but Mum's been planning a HUGE birthday party. I haven't seen mum this excited since... dad became Minister," said Ginny.

"I hope what happened this morning doesn't mess anything up..." said Ron.

"I'm sure it won't, Hermione has recovered from worse and with Madam Pomfrey, she'll be as good as new in seconds," assured Harry. "Speaking of which, I'll think I'll go see her now."

He left the kitchen, and went back to the room where Hermione was. She was sitting up in bed, looking a bit disgruntled. She brightened as soon as she saw Harry.

"Madam Pomfrey won't let me out of bed for another hour! This is so ridiculous! I feel perfectly alright!" Hermione pouted.

"That's Madam Pomfrey for you..." agreed Harry. "Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"I have to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"This." He leaned in and caught Hermione's lips on his. Hermione eagerly returned the favor. This is so much better than when I kissed Cho... so much better... compared to Hermione, Cho was like kissing sandpaper...

It was heaven. Harry felt like he could jump to the moon. Hermione was his, and he was Hermione's... the kiss went on, and finally, Hermione broke off, gasping for breath.

"Oh Harry... that was... wonderful," she sighed.

"I know..." breathed Harry.

"Does this mean...?"

"If you want it to, then it does."

"Oh Harry, I love you..."

~*~*~*~

Harry and Hermione emerged from the room and hour later. They hadn't kissed any more, just talked. They talked about everything.

"Well, Harry, I am going to go help Mrs. Weasley get ready for your party. You are under strict orders to stay upstairs with Ron and Neville until one of us comes and gets you. Got me?"

"Got you," said Harry, leaning in once more to give her a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll be waiting," he said, playfully wagging his eyebrows.

"Harry Potter, you go upstairs this instant!" she said, playfully slapping his arm.

"Okay, okay, I'm going."

He bounded up the stairs, and stopped at the door that led to the room he and Ron had shared last year. In it, Ron and Neville were talking and joking.

"Hey mate, I thought you'd never make it out of there alive," said Ron, grinning suggestively at Harry.

"Yeah, that shows how much good thinking does on your part, Ron, doesn't it?" retorted Harry. Harry and Neville sniggered.

"I should have seen that coming," sighed Ron. "So what were you doing in there anyway? How long can you possibly talk about books?"

"What gives you the idea that we were talking about books?" asked Harry.

"What more could you talk about with Hermione?"

"I'll have you know that Mione and I find plenty of things to talk about for your information! Atleast I don't have to resort to snogging her senseless just to stay with me!" Harry jested.

"Wait, what do you mean 'stay'?" asked Ron, confused.

"You really are that thick aren't you Ron?" asked Neville.

"Don't tell me... You and Hermione, mate? Well done!" said Ron finally figuring it out.

Harry and Neville laughed until tears were flowing down their cheeks.

"What, might I ask, is so bloody funny?" asked Ron.

"You should have seen the look on your face while you were figuring it out. It was priceless... A look that Goyle would be proud of..." said Harry

"Aw, shut it, you two!" Ron steered them away from that subject. "So, did you kiss?"

"Oh yeah, we kissed..." said Harry.

"Well? How was it?" persisted Ron.

"Let's just say, that compared to Hermione, kissing Cho was like sandpaper."

"Don't tell me you made Hermione cry too?" teased Ron.

"Oh sod off, Ron" said Harry.

"Did you get any tongue yet? See, with Luna--"

Harry cut Ron off. "Ron, I DON'T want to hear about your snog sessions with Luna! I thought I made that clear."

"Why wouldn't you want to hear about them?" said Ron defiantly.

"The same reason that you don't want to hear about my snog sessions with your sister, Ron," answered Neville.

"Point taken," said Ron looking a little queasy, " So anybody up for a game of exploding snap?"

They wasted away the afternoon, playing exploding snap, talking about OWL results, ("Honestly, Harry where'd all that genius come from? I might be unable to be an Auror, but atleast I don't have to put up with Snape for another year. Right relief that is, I'll tell you...")

talking about the DA, ("I hope Dumbledore will authorize it as an official school club, it will make things a lot easier") discussing Ron's dad becoming the Minister of Magic ( "Right surprise I tell you, Dad came home from work one day, and said he'd been chosen as Minister of Magic... Mum was in floods!"... "Gran was pleased to hear that your Dad became Minister. She said things will finally get done."... "It was hilarious Ron, I took one look at the headline and laughed for five minutes straight."...) and the War against Voldemort. The last subject made Harry feel guilty. How would his friends react when he told them that he was the only way the War could end? To kill or be killed... Harry drifted into thought while Ron and Neville debated over classes. Hermione's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Come on, Harry, Ron and Neville have already gone down." Said Hermione. Seeing Harry's troubled face, she added, "what's wrong, Harry?"

Harry thought for a moment. "I'll tell you later, okay, Mione?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Let's go down, everybody's waiting!"

~*~*~*~

Harry allowed himself to be steered into the drawing room. He felt his draw drop in amazement. The place was totally transformed. Aside from being free from all the decrepit junk that filled the room last time Harry was here, there was a huge banner stretched across the ceiling that read: HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY! and dozens of different colored sparklers that stayed within a foot the ceiling (clearly an invention of Fred and George's). Most of the Order was there, along with all the Weasleys, minus Percy, and of course Hermione, Neville, and Luna. More surprising was Oliver Wood, and the rest of last year's Gryffindor Quidditch Team minus Alicia Spinnet.

There was a huge mound of presents, and it went against something Harry hadn't believed possible--it was bigger then any pile of presents Harry had seen Dudley receive in one go. Next to the towering stack of presents was the biggest cake Harry had ever seen in his life, and also the most decorated.

The Weasley twins had obtained a magical radio, and the songs, which Harry recognized as the Weird Sisters', were loudly playing. The twins, Angelina, and Katie were dancing exuberantly on the dance floor, and because of that, they were the only ones on it.

"Hey Harry," said Fred, both him and George leaving the girls of the dance floor, perspiring slightly. "We heard you finally hooked up with Hermione." Finally?.... Oh, I think I know what this is about.

"Well done, mate," continued George, "we've been waiting for so long..."

"What do you mean?" said Harry questioningly, a strange glint in his eye.

"Oh, come on Harry, we've known you've had the hots for her for ages. We knew you'd hook up eventually."

Harry snorted. "Whatever, you two. I remember just last year making bets on how long it would take for Hermione and Ron to hook up. And if I remember rightly, my bets were placed on 'never in a million years' and 'me before he ever would'. So I do believe you owe me... what was it? Ah, yes, twenty galleons. And five extra for the 'me before him' even though I never actually thought it could possibly happen." Harry grinned.

"Damn it," said Fred, looking put out.

"Well, we can't say we didn't try," George said gloomily. "You're just too good, Harry..." They started to walk off.

"Wait a moment, you two," said Harry. They turned around, looking at Harry with innocent faces.

"What, Harry?"

"Where is my money?"

"Jeez, Harry, your smarter then we thought." Said George, handing over the money.

"Which shows what good thought is doing for you. It must run in the family," said Harry cheekily, remembering what he had said to Ron earlier in the day. "Oh, and if my money turns up missing in an hour, I'll know where to go," he said pointedly. "I've learned quite a few new hexes this summer, and I've been looking for somebody to test them out on."

"Harry! How could you accuse us of such dirty deals? We? The honest and fair cheat you?" said Fred in mock outrage.

"Yeah, right, I'll see it when I believe it! Honest and fair? Give me a break, you two!"

"Wizard's honor, Harry," said George solemnly. Harry snorted, suppressing giddy laughter. Honor??? They were too funny.

"You two best go away before I crap my pants from laughing at your obvious scheme gone wrong," said Harry, tears of mirth practically pouring down his cheeks.

The twins walked away muttering darkly. Harry heard snatches of, "Too smart for his own damn good..." and "If we don't watch it, he'll be using our own tricks on us..." and "Little git..." Harry strained to keep his laughter in as he wiped his eyes. That'll be the day...

Hermione walked over.

"What exactly did Fred and George say that is making you laugh, or should I say refrain from laughing, so much?" asked Hermione inquiringly.

"Oh, not much," said Harry, chuckling. " I just got the better of one of their tricks, is all. From what I heard them muttering, they're quite hacked off, and a little concerned."

"Concerned about what?"

"Nothing, they just realized how smart I am, and I think it threw them off."

"How smart you are? Oh don't make me laugh!" said Hermione jokingly.

"Hey! Is that any way to treat the birthday boy? And might I remind you that I am second in our year?" said Harry, in mock disdain.

"Yeah, but you're talking to the first in our year, so you can't really say that much, can you?" said Hermione teasingly.

"Okay. Fine. I just can't win against you! I am a stupid brainless git. Happy now?" said Harry, laughing.

"No, not completely." Said Hermione, with a sneaky look in her eye.

"Oh, what more do you want?" said Harry, thinking he knew the answer already.

"A kiss?" said Hermione innocently.

" Fine, my fair lady," said Harry playfully. "If I kiss is what you wish, your wish is my command!" He kissed her, not so long as to attract too much attention, so Harry thought.

"Happy birthday Harry," Hermione whispered quietly as they broke away. "I love you."

"I love you too, Hermione."

Apparently, they were being watched by some, because there came a couple of catcalls and whistles.

"Come on, Harry, get a room!" shouted Ron.

"Oh, shut it, Ron. This is better than a kitchen."

"But nobody saw us!"

"Ron, mate, if nobody saw you, then, um, why did I see you?" said Harry, laughing at Ron. " And what I saw was more than a little kiss."

Ron turned purple. Mrs. Weasley was looking at him intently. "Um, let's save it for another time, shall we, Harry?" said Ron pleadingly.

"Okay... let's open presents!" he said, a little more excitingly then a normal sixteen year-old would. Then again, he had gotten his first real birthday present only five years ago, and this was his first birthday party ever (that he could remember atleast. He was sure that his parents had given him a party on his first birthday) so, in his opinion, and everybody's that was present, it was perfectly okay for him be this eager. They all went and found places to sit, on either the sofas and chairs or the floor. Hermione was on the loveseat nest to Harry.

Harry opened his present from the Weasley twins first. It was a gigantic box filled with what looked like every trick the twins had ever made.

"Benefactor's privilege, Harry. A full supply of every trick we've ever made. That includes a bunch of new products that haven't been released to the public. Keep them to yourself, mate. You don't want to give away our secrets."

"Thanks, Fred, George. I can't wait to use this."

The next thing he opened was from Neville.

"I couldn't think of much, but I thought you'd like this, just for old times sake," he said nervously.

Harry opened it. He felt a wave of nostalgia come over him. It was a remembrall, the very same one that Harry had to thank for getting on the Quidditch team. Harry saw Neville watching him apprehensively.

"Thanks, Neville, it's great. Wow, those were some memories..." Harry trailed off.

Next, he opened Seamus's gift. It was a portable wizarding radio.

"Thanks, Seamus, I've been wanting one of these. This'll freak my cousin out next summer holiday. If I'm still alive then... Come on, Harry, don't think that. Harry jumped. What the hell?? Whose voice am I hearing in my head? Oh, god, I AM going crazy. No, Harry, you're not. It's me, Hermione. He looked at Hermione next to him. She smiled serenely. Um, Mione, why ca n I hear you in my head? Honestly, I am not sure, but we need to talk to Professor Dumbledore later. Good idea...

"Harry? Earth to Harry!" Ron shouted.

"Oh! What?"

"You zoned out, mate. Finish opening your presents so we can eat," said Ron, rubbing his stomach and looking over at the enormous cake. Pig. Harry snorted. This could get quite interesting.

He opened his present from Dean. It was a wand holster made for his arm.

"This is great, Dean! Where'd you get it?"

"Just some shop in Diagon Alley. I don't remember the name. But that is one cool holster. It charmed so only the person wearing it can take it off, and only the owner of the wand can take the wand out from it. If you need you wand, it automatically slides into your hand!"

"Excellent! Everyone in the DA should have one of these!"

"'Ere, Harry, me next!" said Ron, shoving a small box into Harry's lap. Harry unwrapped it. It was a mahogany box, engraved with his name, Harry James Potter.

"Open it, Harry!" said Ron eagerly. He opened it up, and had to hold back a gasp. It was a golden snitch, probably made of real gold. It glistened in the light. His initials HJP, were on it, along with an inscription. Forever Friends. Congratulations, Harry. -Ron

"Congratulations? For what?" asked Harry, confused.

"Here, I think you should open mine next," said Angelina, handing him a longs slender package, wrapped in scarlet paper with a golden ribbon wrapped around it. He tore of the packaging and opened the box. Glinting on the tissue paper lay a silver whistle. A captain's whistle. Harry looking up disbelievingly.

"No. Way."

"Yes way," said Angelina firmly.

"What about Katie? Or Alicia? They're older, and have been on the team longer."

"We might be older, but we both started the same year you did, Harry. And, honestly, I don't want to be faced with the responsibility. We decided that you would be the best candidate, because everybody else has only been on the team for a year. Now, are you going to stop arguing with us, or will you accept?" said Katie.

"Of course I accept!" said Harry.

"Ooo, congratulations Harry!" squealed Hermione, hugging him.

"Thanks. Thanks Angelina, Katie." This is going to be an exciting year.

The next two presents he opened were books on Quidditch. From Oliver, Hogwarts' Famous Quidditch Captains and from Katie, Offensive and Defensive Quidditch Tactics.

From Kingsley and Moody, Harry received a set of Auror Training books.

"It never does hurt to start training early," said Moody gruffly.

From Tonks, he got a book that made him chuckle. It was a not so subtle hint: About Animagi and How to Become One.

Tonks winked at Harry. "I thought it'd be an interesting read," she said.

From Luna, a book on defense, and Ginny, a journal. She had written 'For when thoughts are too much to handle. Love, your sister Ginny.'

When Harry opened Dumbledore's gift, he gasped as the wrappings fell away.

"I think you'll find this useful in the years to come, Harry. Use it well," he said.

"Thanks so much, Professor. I've always wished I had one of my own," Harry thanked him.

He opened the Weasley's present and held back tears. They had made him a clock hand. I am sure this will come in handy.

Finally, he had only Moony's and Hermione's presents left. He opened Moony's first. It was a large cardboard box. There was a short note attached.

Harry-

This is full of some photos and other things of your parents' that were salvaged from the house.

Love,

Remus

He looked up at Moony and smiled. "I'll opened it later," he said softly. Hermione

squeezed his hand.

He nodded. "Now, Harry, if you'll just sign these papers, it will complete the last of my birthday presents. Harry did so. Dumbledore singed as a witness, and Mr. Weasley made it binding. Remus was his guardian.

"And now," said Harry, "I saved the best for last." Hermione blushed.

"It's not all that great, I only had this afternoon to complete them," said Hermione. Her gift was small. Harry opened the box. There was a tiny note folded up.

Harry,

These are soul rings. This one is yours, and I have the other. They show the bond between us. While both partners are wearing the ring, any curses falling upon one of the ring wearers would transmit half of the pain over to the other, making the pain up to 75% better, because of all the spell energy transmitting takes up. Even though it hasn't been tested, Dumbledore guesses that it might even stop the killing curse from killing you, and if not even that, atleast stop it from killing you instantly. He's assuming it's very much like the love sacrifice your mother made with you. Only those who truly love each other, and would die for the other can use these. Pretty morbid, I know... I love you, Harry, and I always will. Nothing will ever keep me from you, not even Voldemort.

Love,

Hermione

Harry looked at the ring. He slipped it over his ring finger, a perfect fit. He turned and gave Hermione a hug. A big hug.

"Well! Let's eat," said Ron excitedly. Ms. Weasley waved her wand and all of Harry's favorite dishes were arranged like a buffet on a table.

"Grab a plate, and start eating, everyone!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. Ron was the first one in line. Hmm... I'm not very hungry right now... Me either, Harry. Harry jumped. Hermione laughed, and hugged him again. She curled her legs up underneath herself, leaned against Harry, and sighed contentedly.

"I love you so much, Hermione," Harry said softly.

"How much?" she whispered.

"I'd die for you any day."

Hermione smiled. "Let's hope there's never any reason for that."

They sat together in silence watching their friends talk and laugh as they ate. Soon, Fred and George had turned up the radio, and were on the dance floor again. A slow song came on. People paired off. Fred with Angelina, George with Katie, Ron with Luna, Ginny with Neville, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Moony with Tonks... whoa whoa whoa! Hold on a minute! Moony with Tonks?!? Oh, that'd be interesting. Nymphadora Lupin. Harry laughed to himself. Yeah, that would be weird, wouldn't it? Hey Mione? Harry looked at Hermione. Yes? Will you dance with me? Yes, of course.

Harry stood, and offered his hand to Hermione. She took it, and they began waltzing around the floor, lost in there own world. As if the radio could tell what songs they wanted to hear (hey, maybe it could...) the radio played many slow songs in a row. Even Fred and George, as loud as they may be, wanted this time to dance slowly with their girlfriends.

Soon, Mrs. Weasley switched of the radio.

"It's time for cake!" she told everyone. "Everyone gather around this table. Harry dear, come over here, that's right, stand there." She waved her wand and the lights went out as the sixteen birthday candles on the cake were lit simultaneously. Everyone began to sing 'happy birthday'.

'Happy birthday to you...' ('Cha Cha Cha' say the twins)

Harry slipped his hand into Hermione's and squeezed tightly.

'Happy birthday to you...' ('Cha Cha Cha' say the twins)

Nobody had ever sang this to him before...

'Happy birthday dear Harry...' ('You look like a hippogriff...' say the twins instead.)

Except perhaps his parents... but they were gone now. The tears threatened to come. He pushed them back, and forced himself to smile.

'Happy birthday to you!' ('And you smell like one too!' say the twins instead.)

Harry blew out the candles, all sixteen of them, in one blow, making his wish.

He wished that over the next two years, he would have the strength to defeat Voldemort and keep all his friends alive in the meantime.

And he wished he could talk to Sirius.

~*~*~*~

The party had ended, Oliver, Katie, and Angelina had gone home. Hermione had come over to him.

"Harry, we need to go to talk to Professor Dumbledore, and then you have to tell me what was wrong before."

Harry nodded, and the two went in search of Dumbledore.