The Phoenix Chronicles, Volume I: Phoenix Dawn

The Phoenix Chronicles, Volume I: Phoenix Dawn

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter nor the characters associated with Harry Potter. I do not make money on this and am writing it purely for the entertainment of myself and all those who read this.

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Chapter 2: Time heals no wounds

Harry opened his eyes. He couldn't see anything. "Ginny?" he called out, waving his arms around in the darkness. "Ginny?"

A hand rested on his shoulders. "It's all right, my boy," a male voice answered. Harry saw a light flicker, and as the candlelight lit up the room, he glanced around, but the world was a blur. He began to panic, arms flailing around wildly.

"Here, Harry," the voice said, and felt his glasses being pressed into his hand. Shakily, he put them on and watched as the world came into focus. He found himself in Ron's room; the Chudley Cannons posters were plastered all over the wall. He looked over and saw Mr. Weasley sitting in a chair beside the bed, smiling at him. He handed Harry a glass of water. "How are you feeling?"

"I...I'm okay, I guess," Harry said, sitting up in the bed, and taking a sip. He felt his body relaxing. "What time is it?"

"Around two thirty in the morning." Mr. Weasley sat straighter in the chair. "You've given us quite a scare, you know. Poppy was beside herself trying to figure out what happened."

"Madame Pomfrey was here?"

Mr. Weasley nodded. "As I said, you gave us quite a scare," he repeated. "Ron said that you had screamed and fell. You started going into convulsions when Molly and I came running into the room. The three of us tried to hold you down, but we couldn't keep you from shaking. Hermione tried to keep your head still. We were afraid that you were going to break your back, or worse. But the seizure wouldn't stop, until..." Mr. Weasley's voice drifted off as his face became thoughtful.

"Until what?" Harry asked, tensing.

Mr. Weasley cleared his throat. "Ginny heard you yelling from outside and came in. When she saw you on the ground and us trying to hold you down, she ran over and grabbed your hand, calling your name. As soon as she had, you stopped shaking."

Harry sat in silence. He wasn't sure what to say to that. Mr. Weasley continued, "When she let go of your hand, mostly out of surprise, you began to convulse again. She picked it back up almost immediately, and the seizure subsided once again. She wouldn't release it again until an hour ago."

Harry raised his eyes to Mr. Weasley. "She was with me the entire time?"

"She would not let go even when we carried you up here, and would not relinquish it when Poppy was looking you over. She fell asleep in the chair here holding your hand. When I woke her, it took a lot of convincing to get her to let go. When she did and you didn't stir, I sent her to bed, telling her she would be no good to anyone, especially you, if she didn't get some proper rest." Mr. Weasley smiled. "And she wouldn't do that unless I promised to stay in here with you."

Harry swallowed hard. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley," he whispered. He looked at Ron's empty bed. "Where's Ron?"

"Sleeping downstairs in the den. He decided that it was best if he gave you some space, plus I think he felt it would have been rather uncomfortable sleeping in here tonight, in light of what had happened."

Harry nodded. Mr. Weasley patted Harry's arm. They sat in silence for awhile, before Mr. Weasley spoke again. "When Ginny wrote to us from Hogwarts a month and a half ago, telling us that you two were seeing each other, her mother and I had some...reservations." Harry's face flushed red. He wasn't looking forward to this conversation at all. Mr. Weasley continued, "For almost as long as you have known Ron, she has been infatuated with you, as I'm sure you were aware." Harry nodded. "She wrote to us often during the last few weeks of this past term. Molly and I had never felt such happiness radiating from her letters."

Harry flushed red. "Mr. Weasley-"

Mr. Weasley held up a hand. "I know it doesn't seem like the right time to discuss this, but I think what I have to say may be appropriate. We were concerned," he continued, "because we feared that it would end only in disappointment. We felt it was a serious misjudgment on your part, considering that you knew how she had felt about you after all these years. But we trusted Ginny to make her own decisions." He sighed. "She is very stubborn and probably wouldn't have listened to us anyways."

"When we returned after the funeral, we noticed a change in Ginny. She wasn't full of the happiness that her letters had reflected. She smiled little, and talked less. After a few days her mother sat her down and, after a conversation, learned what had happened between you two at the funeral. To her credit, she didn't cry, and tried to put up a strong front. But we could tell that she was crushed."

Harry stared down at the bed. "I...I'm sorry, Mr. Weasley. I did what I felt was in the best interest of Ginny's safety."

Mr. Weasley smiled. "I know you did, Harry. But I have not quite finished yet. As I was saying, she was crushed. We felt that, perhaps, this was for the best, and this would be the end of her school girl crush. Even after these three weeks, and little change in her behavior, her mother and I thought that she would, eventually, get over this and move on. We didn't fault you for what you did; it was a very mature and responsible decision. 'Noble', as I believe a young red-haired witch described it. Though I daresay there was a bit of sarcasm in her voice when she said it."

"It was probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make." Harry was doing his best not to look up. His eyes were moist.

Mr. Weasley looked away towards the window. "I see that, now. After what happened earlier this afternoon, it's pretty evident that there are deeper feelings than we had believed. Harry, I can't begin to imagine what you've had to experience these past years. You've faced things that a normal or even a strong wizard would falter against, and I suspect that the worst is yet to come. However, I am reminded of a pair of young wizards who found themselves in a similar position such as yourself." Harry looked up to see Mr. Weasley smiling. "Your parents, of course."

"My parents?"

"I did not know them well, back then. Hardly at all, to be honest. Bit of an age difference, to tell the truth, plus Molly and I were not Order members, so this may not quite be first hand information, but I feel it may be relevant."

"How is that?"

"James was one of the original members of the Order, not to mention one of the most active. He never missed an opportunity to go on missions against the Death Eaters. Always preferred to act rather than plan." Harry smiled at this. "It was because of this," Mr. Weasley continued, "that he soon found himself rather high on Voldemort's list of enemies. Had a knack of getting out of whatever messes he found himself in, or so I'm told. Some wagered he was second only to Dumbledore. It was very dangerous for him, and those close to him."

"It was then he tried to break things off with Lily."

Harry was shocked. "Why?"

"You know the reasons why, Harry," Mr. Weasley replied. "They're the same as yours. James loved Lily, so much that he felt that if anything would happen to her, that there'd be no reason to continue fighting. And, hunted as he was, he feared for her safety. The man did get the best of Voldemort on three separate occasions."

Harry gaped at him. The similarities between what Mr. Weasley just said and what he had told himself just this morning were staggering. "Mr. Weasley..."

Mr. Weasley continued on, ignoring Harry's interruption. "Your mother wouldn't have any of it. She felt that it was a foolish romantic notion to try to keep her away. She wore him down, though I suspect James relented without much argument, and soon after they were married. Despite all the evil that surrounded them, they lived the happiest times of their lives in those few years. Together, not apart, with no regrets."

"Who-who told you this?"

Mr. Weasley smiled sadly. "Sirius did, a month or so before the incident at the Ministry."

"Why?"

"I think he felt that it might someday be prudent that it be relayed to you, by someone 'more upstanding and responsible', or so he put it. I don't think people gave him enough credit. The man was sharper than his scraggly looks." Harry chuckled softly.

Mr. Weasley stood up. Harry looked back down. "Sir," he said quietly, "I can't put her in danger like this. I-I'd lose myself if something happened to her."

Mr. Weasley reached over and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "There are some things that, no matter what might be happening around us, we must fight to hold on to. Not fight to lock away where we think they are safe, for what good would that do? To fear to love is to fear to live, and that is a life not worth living." With that, Mr. Weasley, stood, put out the candle, and opened the bedroom door. "Get some rest, Harry."

Harry leaned back into his pillow and stared into the darkness a long time, lost in thought. He was suddenly very unsure of himself and his decisions. Why is it that everyone else seemed to know what was best for him? And why, he thought bitterly, did they always seem to be right?

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The next few days were about as hard as he imagined they would be. Hermione had gone home to spend some time with her parents (which Ron seemed a bit put-out over, though he didn't say anything). Ginny seemed to be avoiding Harry whenever possible, doing her best to spend as little time in the same room as him. This seemed to work out quite well for Harry, as he was also doing his best to avoid being in the same room as her, though he suspected for rather different reasons.

When he had come out of his room the day after his "incident", there was no lack of sympathy from the Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley had immediately force-fed him three bowls of soup, two sandwiches, a jug of pumpkin juice, and all the treacle tart he could eat. Mr. Weasley had patted him on the back and told him how glad he was that Harry seemed to be on the mend. Hermione, before she left for home, had given him a hug and told him how worried she was, whereas Ron asked if he was up for some Quidditch later on, a question that got them both menacing stares from Ms. Granger.

Ginny kept her distance when she had first seen him in the kitchen. When Harry had looked up and saw her, their eyes met. Hers was filled with compassion, worry, and hurt; his with uncertainty and more than a trace of regret. His mind wandered to his dream, however, and he set a steely expression over his face and looked back down to his food without a word. When he didn't hear anything from where she was standing, he looked up only to see that she had left. He sighed and caught a glance from Mr. Weasley, his brow indicating disappointment in Harry's decision. Disappointment, and concern.

And so it had gone in the following days. Harry did his best to keep Ginny pushed to the back of his mind; there were other things he needed to focus on. Since Harry, Ron, and Hermione had not had any luck in their research into the Horcruxes, and Hermione was away for the week, Harry and Ron had decided to work on their spell work, usually either up in Ron's room or outside away from the house. They hadn't told anyone what they were planning yet; Harry wasn't sure if they ever would, not until after they were gone. Everyone would just do their best to keep them from leaving.

But eventually his thoughts would wander back to Ginny, and what could have been. He honestly felt that, had circumstances been different, then they would have had all the time in the world together. Granted that they had only been together for only a few weeks, but in that short amount of time he felt a connection that before he never thought was possible. When he told her it had been like something out of someone else's life, he truly meant it. He had lived a dream in that preciously short amount of time. But it was only that, a dream. It was time to face reality, and inevitability.

One morning, a little over a week after they had arrived back at the Burrow, Harry awoke to find a blur of red in front of his face. He fumbled for his glasses and, once they were on, saw Ron's grinning face staring down at him. "Um, hi, Ron," Harry said slowly. "What are you doing?"

"Happy birthday, mate!" Ron replied. Harry looked confused for a moment. Something caught his attention at the top of his eyes, and he looked up in time to see a floating bucket tip itself over and pour water all over his head.

Harry shot up out of bed sputtering and dripping water all over the floor, while muttering threats and swearing at Ron's directions. Ron laughed. "Mum's cooking you your birthday breakfast, and you don't wanna miss out. Birthday breakfasts are the best ones." With that, Ron dashed out of the room before Harry had a chance to throw the empty bucket at him.

Smells of sausage, bacon, and eggs slowly drifted through the open door. Harry grinned as he threw on clean (and dry) clothes and ran down the stairs. He stopped in surprise when he burst into the kitchen. Ron wasn't kidding at all. There were at least five different kinds of eggs, plus mountains of sausage links, strips of bacon, and toast. Already at the table was Ron and Hermione (sitting side by side; Harry noted that their chairs seemed to be a bit closer together than usual), the twins (shouting cheers that their hero had finally arrived to slay the beast of hunger), Mr. Weasley (fumbling with a flashlight trying to figure out how a non-magical device could produce such a bright light), Bill and Fleur (staring at each other and seemingly oblivious to everyone around them), and Ginny.

His eyes met Ginny's for a moment, and she quickly turned away. Harry's mood dropped a bit, but he inwardly shook it off and went to sit down. Unfortunately, the only place available at the table was right beside her. With grim determination, he walked to the chair, noting that Ginny seemed to stiffen as he sat down.

"Happy birthday, dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she sat a plate full of food down in front of him. "This should get you started, I'll fix you another plate once you finish your first one, okay?" Harry nodded dumbly as he stared at the pile of food in front of him. His stomach growled loudly, provoking laughter from the rest of the table. Harry grinned sheepishly as he grabbed a fork. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a slight trace of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. When she saw that she had been caught, the smile disappeared and her head turned away.

After breakfast Harry, Ron, and the twins went out for a pickup game. Mrs. Weasley told Harry that there would be a party later in the afternoon. Remus, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebort, and Mad-Eye Moody were coming to attend. Harry wasn't sure if Kingsley and Mad-Eye were coming for the party or to keep an eye on him. He was now of-age, and any protection the Death Eaters thought the Burrow gave him would now be at an end.

Once the game had concluded, Ron and Harry decided to walk back to the house instead of flying back on their brooms. Harry was quiet as his mind drifted onto Ginny once again. Try as he might, it seemed as if he simply would not be able to push her away, at least in his thoughts. Every time he did, she came rushing back, and all he could see is her twinking brown eyes, her fire-red hair, her soft smile...

Harry angrily shook his head and banished the thought away again. Ron watched his silent struggle. He cleared his throat. "All right, mate?"

Harry visibly stiffened, but kept walking. "I'm fine," he muttered.

Ron was unconvinced. He wasn't one for subtlety, and he wasn't about to start now. "Why are you ignoring Ginny?"

Harry sighed. "I'm not the only one ignoring the other. Besides, you already know why."

Ron stopped and grabbed his arm. "No, I knew why before. I mean, why now?"

Harry pulled his arm out of Ron's grasp but didn't keep walking. "You already know why," he repeated.

"Do you know what happened-"

"Yes I bloody well know what happened!" Harry snapped. "And if anyone else outside of this house finds out her life would be forfeit, wouldn't it?"

Ron paled momentarily, but then reddened in anger. "So that gives you the right to act like a total git around her and make her feel like a castoff?"

"I'm not-"

"Yes, you are!" Ron yelled. "I may not be as smart as you or Hermione, but I'm not blind! Do you know why you haven't seen Ginny around hardly in the past two days?" Harry shook his head. "She's been locking herself in her room, crying her eyes out!"

"Well, what do you want from me, Ron?" Harry asked. He was doing his best not to lose his temper, but he was quickly losing his grip. "I can't go back out with her, she's in enough danger as it is, and you know it."

"I didn't say get back together." Ron's voice was quieter, but still full of rage. "But you can at least act like you're still friends with her."

"No, I can't." Ron started to speak but Harry stopped him. "I can't, because every time I see her and am near her, I see her as more than just a friend, I feel that she's more than just a friend."

"So what?" Ron demanded angrily.

"Voldemort is an accomplished Legilimens, and I have practically no Occlumency skills to speak of. How long do you think it would take for him to get a read on what I feel for her? He already knows we were seeing each other. Trust me, the sooner I push her out of my mind, the safer she'll be."

Ron was quiet. Harry had told him about the message Voldemort had sent him when they arrived at the Burrow. "Harry," he said slowly, "weren't you the one who said that we should let our feelings known, despite what we might fear from V-Voldemort?" Ron still had trouble saying his name out loud.

"I know, but this is-hang on, who told you I said that?" Harry asked.

Ron reddened, but this time it wasn't from anger. "Um, Hermione did," he said quietly.

Harry stared at him for a moment, then realization crept across his face. "She did, huh. Did she also happen to tell you what we were discussing when I said that?"

"Yeah...yeah she did."

Harry grinned. "So, did you make your move after she said that?"

Ron shook his head. Harry's grin turned into exasperation. Ron quickly added, "Um, when she told me all that, it was more a response to something I did."

Harry's grin returned. "You didn't..." Ron grinned sheepishly. "You did!" Harry exclaimed, thumping Ron on the back. "What made you do that? When did this happen?"

Ron scratched his head. "As for when, yesterday. As for what..." Ron sighed. "You'll probably laugh."

Harry held up his right hand. "I solemnly swear I will not laugh."

"Fine. Viktor Krum."

"Viktor Krum?"

"Yeah, Hermione got a letter from the git yesterday. When I saw her get a letter, I asked who it was from, and she told me. And, well, you know how I get about Vicky."

Harry smiled and nodded. "So, then what?"

"Well, I asked her why in the world the git was writing to her. She said not to call him a git, so I said I was sorry, what was Vicky writing to her about, and well, you know where that usually leads."

"As usual. So you two had another argument. I don't see how that leads to...well...you know."

"Well, it went back and forth a few times, and then she asked who I thought I was, telling her who could write to her and who couldn't. And looking at her, I realized she was right. I wasn't her boyfriend; I didn't have the right to dictate which guys could talk to her. And you know, Harry, I realized I wanted to have that right." Ron sighed. "I looked at her and saw both the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and the most infuriating girl in the history of the world. So I did what any bloke would have done. I kissed her."

Harry chuckled. "Somehow, that's fitting."

Ron smiled. "Yeah, and the slap she gave me right afterwards also seemed par for the course."

Harry's chuckling caught in his throat. "She did what?"

"About knocked a tooth out is what she did. And then ran into the bathroom and locked the door. I spent a half-hour banging on the door trying to get her to open up so I could talk to her, but would she listen? No, she just said to go away, that she didn't need any pity." Ron threw up his hands. "Honestly, the girl went mental. I still haven't figured out what she was going on about."

"Probably some kind of insecurity thing. You know how she about that."

"Well, whatever it was, I'd had enough. So I told her I wasn't leaving until she came out, sat down against the door, and waited for her to open the door."

"How long did you wait?" Harry asked.

Ron snorted. "Three hours."

Harry rubbed his chin, trying to hide his grin. "You don't say. Did she open the door?"

"Yeah, eventually. I had stood back up and was trying to listen through the door for any sound coming through. Hearing none, I sighed and leaned my back against it. Wouldn't you know she would pick that time to fling the door open? I fell in, hit my head on the door and the floor on the way down, and ended up sprawled on my back staring up at the ceiling."

"Nice and dashing."

"Thanks. So she's hovering over me and asking me if I'm okay, and I'm going, 'Do I look like I'm bloody okay woman? My head hurts!'. One guess what she wants to do."

"Look up the cure for a headache in a book."

"Right in one. So I jump up and grab her before she makes for her books, spin her around, and before I know what I'm doing, I'm kissing her again."

Harry grimaced. "How many teeth for that one?"

Ron smirked. "None. No one can resist the charms of Ronald Weasley, at least twice in one day."

"Right, how silly of me to forget. So what happened?"

"When I pulled away, she was crying, so I asked her what she was crying about. She said I was only kissing her because I didn't want her seeing Viktor Krum. I told her that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard and if she was too bloody daft to see that I loved her and she loved me then maybe she was better off with Vicky to begin with."

Harry was stunned. "You said what?"

Ron's face flushed again. "I...I don't know why I said that. It was like suddenly, when I looked at her, I saw everything I wanted in life right in front of me."

"Yeah, but you also told her that she loved you, too."

Ron smiled, and Harry saw this wasn't an embarrassed grin or a mischievous grin. The smile across Ron's mouth this time was full of warmth and happiness. "I did, didn't I?"

The answer instantly clicked with Harry. "She does?"

Ron nodded. "She does." Ron's demeanor became a little more nervous, and his smile faded a bit. "I hope your okay with this, mate."

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, I know we're both your best mates, and all, and I hope this doesn't cause anything to come between us."

Harry's expression turned serious. "No, but remember, Hermione is like the sister I never had, so if you do anything to upset her, keep in mind that you'd be a dead man, Weasley."

Ron froze, horrified. "You know I would never-"

"Of course I do," Harry said, laughing. "I'm glad you finally did something. I couldn't be happier."

Ron smiled, but quickly frowned. "Actually, I think you could be, mate."

Harry's mood soured. "Maybe, but it's not my choice." Harry saw Ron's temper begin to flare up again. "Look, let's not talk about this now. I don't know about you but I'm hungry, and you wouldn't want to spoil my birthday party, would you?"

Ron sighed. "I suppose not. But we're not done, Harry." With that, he thumped Harry on the back and trudged off towards the house.

Harry stayed behind, watching Ron walk off ahead of him. He was relieved that Ron had dropped the subject of Ginny, at least for now, but what Ron had said stirred something in Harry. It was a slow realization, but Harry recognized that, whenever he thought of the future, there had always been one particular person that he'd envisioned sharing it with. He angrily shook his head and tried to drive off the thoughts, but he couldn't shake them. It was only three weeks, he told himself, it can't happen in only three weeks.

"Oi! You coming?" Ron called back to him.

Harry nodded and started to trudge towards the house. He intended to enjoy these days at the Burrow; there would not be many more like them.

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The remaining guests began to arrive shortly after the game. Remus and Tonks arrived first (Tonks apparated on top of the table in the garden and promptly fell off, crashing into three chairs), followed in short order by Moody and Shacklebolt. While Moody roamed around the grounds making sure all the wards were in place ("Constant vigilance," he muttered to himself as he stalked), Kingsley approached Harry.

"Happy birthday, Harry," he told him, shaking his hand. "Mind if we have a quick word?" Harry shook his head, and they stepped around the corner of the house. When Kingsley was sure no one was listening, he spoke. "How have you been?"

Harry shrugged. "All right, I suppose. A bit better since I left Privet Drive."

Kingsley chuckled. "I imagine so, although I wish you would have stayed a bit longer."

"I figured it might have been a bit predictable, waiting until the moment I turned seventeen to leave."

"That's a good point, especially considering what information the enemy has access to now."

Harry darkened. "I hope to find their source sooner or later. Me and him have a reckoning overdue."

Kingsley sighed. "Just don't go and do anything rash, Harry." Harry shrugged, so Kingsley continued. "Anyways, this is not what I wished to talk to you about."

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

"What are your plans from here on out?"

Harry flinched. He was not expecting a point-blank question. Kingsley saw this and smiled. "Um, I haven't thought about it. Hopefully go back to school if McGonagall reopens Hogwarts."

Kingsley regarded him for a minute. "Harry, do you take me for a fool?"

Harry swallowed. "No, sir."

"Then let's try this again, and keep in mind how long I've been an Auror. What are you planning to do?"

Harry tried to think of an excuse, but nothing was coming to mind. "I don't know." Kingsley frowned at him. "Honestly," Harry said, "I don't know what I'm doing yet."

Kingsley sighed. "Look, Harry. I don't want to beat around the bush. I know that you and Albus were working on something, something vital to this war. Answer me this: did he ask you not to tell anyone else what you and he were working on?"

Harry considered the question. "Before I answer, do you swear to not repeat this conversation to anyone else?" Kingsley nodded his head. "I mean it, Kingsley. Not one person in the order."

Kingsley raised his hands. "I swear, Harry. Not a word."

Harry let out a breath. "Then yes, he did."

Kingsley rubbed his forehead. "He didn't trust the Order?"

"I don't think it was a matter of not trusting the Order," Harry reasoned. "Maybe more of protecting the task. If Riddle knew what we were planning, then the entire war would be in jeopardy. The less people that know, the less likely we'll be discovered is someone is captured and tortured."

Kingsley raised his eyebrows. "It's that important?"

Harry nodded. "The war will be won or lost by it."

"Who else knows about this?" Harry just stared at Kingsley. "Fine, don't tell me," he continued. "But promise me two things, Harry."

"What?"

"First, that above all else, you do your damned best to stay out of harms way. Second, if there's ever a way for the Order to help you without compromising your task, you use it."

Harry thought this over. "Fine."

"Promise me, Harry."

"I promise."

Kingsley smiled. "Thank you. Before we go back to the party, I want to give you your birthday present now." Kingsley reached inside his robes and pulled out a silver dagger. It was nearly as long as Harry's forearm, and the Gryffindor crest was emblazoned into both the hilt and the sheath. "This is made of steel and laced with silver, so it'll be effective against several types of foes, should the need arise," Kingsley explained. "Not everything can be won with your wand. I suggest you learn how."

Harry took the dagger, pulling it a couple inches out of the sheath. "Thanks, Kingsley."

"Just do me a favor and hide that under your shirt before Molly sees it and skins me alive," Kingsley replied. Harry pushed the dagger back into the sheath and tucked it in his trousers and pulled his shirt over it. "Now let's get back to the party, shall we?" Kingsley said, putting his arm around Harry. Harry grinned, and they both walked back to the others, waiting for him to open his gifts.

Though there weren't many memorable birthdays to compare it to, Harry decided it was still one of the best he's had. Moody had given him a set of Foe-Glasses and Sneakoscopes (everyone else shouted "Constant vigilance!" when they saw what he had given Harry). Ron gave him a Chudley Cannons-sanctioned broom servicing kit. Hermione gave him a book entitled The Dark Arts and How to Survive Them: Defensive Spells for the Adept. The twins gave him a sampler box of the latest products from their joke shop (earning a glare from Mrs. Weasley), while Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave him refills for his potion-making set for school.

After everyone had filled up on seconds and thirds of birthday cake, Bill pulled Harry aside. "Harry, Charlie and I got you a birthday present too, but we didn't want Mum seeing it."

"What is it?" Harry asked curiously.

Bill laughed. "You'll just have to find out for yourself. I hid it in your trunk so that you could open it when no one else is around." Harry gave him a puzzled look. Bill explained, "Suffice to say that, since trouble seems to be finding you at an alarming rate, Charlie and I decided on something a bit more practical than chocolate and Cannons merchandise."

Harry smiled. "Thanks, Bill."

"Don't mention it. After all, you're family."

Bill gave Harry a squeeze on his shoulder before walking back to the company of his wife. Remus took this opportunity to approach him. "Hope you don't think I've neglected to get you something as well, Harry."

"You didn't have to-" Harry objected, but was cut off by Remus' hand.

"I want to, but I can't give it to you until tomorrow morning, if you're not busy."

Harry shook his head before throwing up his hands in exasperation. "That's two surprise gifts now. I wonder how many more I can expect."

"Don't know, has everyone given you a gift yet?"

Harry thought a moment. He had noticed Ginny hadn't given him anything, but he also wasn't expecting anything from her, either. "Yeah, I think so."

"Well, then, I expect two's the limit. Seven o'clock tomorrow morning sound good to you?" Harry nodded. "Well, then, that's settled." Remus flashed Harry a smile, and walked off towards Tonks, who had just knocked the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes samples on the ground, causing several minor explosions and turning Mad-Eye's peg leg into a feather duster.

Later that night, after the rest of the guests had given their good nights and left, and the rest of the Weasleys were downstairs, Harry went up to Ron's room and closed the door behind him. Opening his trunk, he found a large parcel with his name on it. He set it down on the bed and opened it. Inside he found dark green boots, matching trousers with a belt, and a vest. Confused, he opened the accompanying note.

Harry,

The boots, trousers, and vest are made of dragonskin. It is very tough and durable, and will protect you against some of the minor spells that cause physical harm, such as cuts and bleeding. Dragonskin does not deflect spells, so do not treat it as shields, but it should give you an added layer of protection, especially if you cross Ginny.

~Bill and Charlie

P.S. Fleur chose the color, said it would bring out your eyes. ~Bill

P.P.S. She's right, your eyes are rather exquisite. ~Charlie

Harry chuckled. He understood now why Bill didn't want him to open this in front of Mrs. Weasley; she would have had kittens over the idea of Harry running off looking for trouble. Doubly so if he was wielding Kingsley's dagger. Harry smiled at the thought and quickly packed the clothes back into his trunk.

Harry turned to leave and noticed a package on the nightstand by his bed. Curious he picked it up. His name was written across the front, and he recognized the handwriting instantly. A knot formed in his throat as he carefully unwrapped it.

Inside was a picture frame, containing a photo of Harry and Ginny sitting against the tree by the lake at school. Ginny was leaning back into Harry's chest, and his arms were wrapped around her, content smiles on both their faces. Harry watched as Ginny looked up at him and he leaned down to give her a quick kiss on the lips, before both of them looked up at Harry and smiled. Harry remembered Colin taking this picture a week before the attack on Hogwarts.

Harry sat down on the bed, never taking his eyes off the picture. A myriad of memories came rushing before his eyes. Holding hands with Ginny as they walked between classes. Free time spent by the lake holding each other. Smiles exchanged as they talked with their friends. It was the most care-free time of his life, and he wished he could live it forever.

Harry closed his eyes, trying to will the tears to not come, but they did anyways. Gently he set the picture on the nightstand. So much had changed in the span of one month; Harry felt like he was suffocating. He would never be returning to Hogwarts, not as a student. He had given up Ginny, if only to keep her safe. He had lost his mentor. Harry had no idea where to start, everything was overwhelming. If only Dumbledore were still here, he thought to himself, he might have known where to go next.

Harry pondered this thought a moment, and then stiffened. He shot off the bed, threw open his trunk, and pulled out his father's cloak. Grabbing the Firebolt leaning in the corner, he raced over to the window and pushed it open. He jumped on the broom and shot off through the window and up into the night sky.

A/N: I wanted to give a quick thanks to everyone who's read the story so far; I hope you've enjoyed it. Also, thanks to all those who have given reviews, it is definitely appreciated. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. I'll try to answer what I can without giving away the story.