Harry Potter and the

Philtre of Promise

By a Writing Collaborative Consisting of

RdeHwyll (Instigator, sole writer of chapters two through the end and the “You wrote it, you take the blame” Fall Guy),

LadyChi21, GreenEyes, Bane, and LittleGrabbi

(Encouragement Providers, Suggestion Makers,

Idea Mavens and Whip-Wielders Extraordinaire for chapters one and two)

Disclaimer: This is the first chapter of a twenty-chapter story (Counting the Epilog as a Chapter, that is. It all depends on how creative my Beta Readers, Kalarien and Tari, allow me to be!) Everything but the plot and a character or two is J. K. Rowling's, and this story never was, is not, and never will be intended to infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or other legal declarations of ownership held by anyone anywhere. It is written merely for the amusement of those of us who just know that Harry and Ginny are going to wind up together in canon! We thank Ms. Rowling for giving us this great and wonderful world to play in!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter One

Dear Ginny,

Dumbledore has told me that the spells he placed on Number 4 Privet Drive will expire at the stroke of Midnight on July 31-when I turn 17. Because of this, he wants me to stay at The Burrow from that time on and has given me a Port key that I am supposed to use on my birthday.

That means we' will have more than a month together before classes begin again at Hogwarts! I've missed you so much these past weeks, although having so many of the Order popping in and out to check on my welfare has Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon so worked up and scared that the amusement factor almost makes it worth having to stay here.

Tonks Apparated into the kitchen this morning and I think she planned what she did very precisely. Dudley was just starting to sit at the table when she stuck her wand between his bum and the chair seat. He must have leaped five feet with that magical goose! Then, she started in on Uncle Vernon, and turned his mustache a lemon yellow color! Of course, Aunt Petunia shrieked and dropped the teapot, which broke and spilled tea all over the floor, and Dudley slipped and sat down very hard. I have never seen Uncle Vernon so mad or so purple! It went well with the mustache color!

Of course, they did not say anything while Tonks was here, but I think they will be very happy to be shut of me after these past two summer holidays. When I told them that I would be leaving on the 31st, I know Uncle Vernon was relieved! I do not think he appreciated everyone in the Order checking in on me while I have been here during summer holidays--although it did make my life here a little more pleasant.

In any case, I will see you very soon after Midnight on my birthday, and if a certain young lady with red hair and freckles is waiting there for my arrival, that would be a wonderful present to find. I also have a special surprise for you, something that Dumbledore told me about this year at Hogwarts. I promised I would not say anything until I get to the Burrow, but I am quite sure you will like it!

I love you, Ginny Weasley!                           Harry

Harry put aside his quill, folded the parchment, and stood up, stretching to ease the cramp he had acquired from sitting too long while he wrote letters. Ginny's letter was the ninth he had written that evening, the one he always saved to do last. The other letters, to several members of the Order, to Hagrid, to Ron, to Hermione, and to Fred and George, were already neatly stacked. He added Ginny's letter to the stack, bound the packet together with a length of string, and waited for Hedwig to come back from her nightly exercise and hunting.

He stretched out on his bed, thinking about the petite redhead he had come to love so much. She was going to go wild when he told her of Dumbledore's news concerning her. That news had made him very proud of Ginny.

He rolled over to the edge of the bed, and dropped an arm so he could reach under the bed. He pulled out a small box, and opened it to see if his other surprise for Ginny was still there. He spent quite a bit of time looking at his gift for her, imagining what her reactions would be when he presented it to her. But he still had months to go before he would be able to give it to her; and was planning that event for the end of term before next year's summer holiday, which seemed reasonable. He would have finished at Hogwarts by then, would have his NEWTs behind him, and would be living with the Weasleys all next year while he prepared for Auror training.

That thought led to another, less pleasant bit of mind play. He touched his scar, wondering what Voldemort was up to. There had been no Death Eater attacks for nearly three months, and the twinge of pain that had alerted him to the times when Voldemort was emotionally unguarded had not occurred for the same period of time. True, Tonks had told him that there were rumors at the Ministry that information passed on to them indicated the leader of the Death Eaters was again in hiding, but he knew first hand just how evil the Dark Lord was. He may have gone to earth for a time, but he was certain to be planning some new atrocity for when he slithered out again.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted by Hedwig's arrival. The snowy owl had glided in through the window and come to roost atop her cage.

"Hello, Hedwig. Have a good hunt?" he said, sitting up on the bed.

The owl gave a soft chirp in reply.

"I'll take that as a yes. Rest a bit, and then I have some letters for you to deliver, please. Okay?"

Another low chirp seemed to indicate Hedwig's affirmative answer.

Harry lay back down for a few minutes before tucking the box back under his bed, taking his packet of letters, and placing them in the special carry-sack that he had devised to make flying easier for Hedwig.

"Ready?" he asked of the owl, which  gave a long low hoot and flew over to the desk.  "First to the Order's Headquarters, then to Hermione. After that, to Hagrid, and the last ones to The Burrow." Taking the sack in one taloned foot, Hedwig launched herself  and was swallowed up by the darkness.

Harry peered out the window, took off his shirt and trousers, and hung  them in his wardrobe before climbing into bed. He pulled out a worn volume from the shelf where his books were stacked, opened it to the page he had marked the night before, and settled back to read for a bit before turning off the light. He smiled to himself, thinking of what Hermione's reaction would be when he told her he was finally reading Hogwarts: A History.

Normally, it wouldn't have been his choice of reading material, but Ginny had finally convinced him to at least look at the book, and when he had found mentions of other Potters at Hogwarts, he started reading in earnest. The first mention he had found was apparently a multi-great-Uncle of his, Waldomere Potter, who had gone on from Hogwarts to become the designer of the first racing broom expressly designed for Quidditch--the ancestor of his own Firebolt!

Further reading had filled in quite a bit of his genealogy, and he found it surprising that he had relatives--very distant cousins--living in the American States across the Atlantic. He flipped the page, and stopped. His heart gave a small lurch, for on that page was a wizarding photograph of his parents, looking much younger than they had in the Mirror of Erised or in any of the photographs he had. He read the caption below the picture, while James and Lily--Dad and Mum--waved to him from the page.

"James Potter, Gryffindor Chaser, is at the forefront as he waves to the crowd after Gryffindors upset victory over Slytherin in 1977. He is joined by his fiancé Lily Evans."

Harry felt a lump grow in his throat as he marked his place with a bit of green ribbon that Ginny had used to tie back her hair last year. He would apologize to Hermione  when he next saw her. He wished he had listened to her sooner.

***

Harry's birthday was nearly here. He had packed his trunk, had Hedwig in her cage, and held his wand at the ready to activate the Portkey that would take him to The Burrow. The second hand on his watch showed less than a minute till midnight. He would stay after that time only long enough to cast a final spell before leaving forever--He smiled at the thought. Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley wouldn't miss him when he left ... Uncle Vernon had as much as said that to his face earlier in the day--but they would definitely remember him. He had planned his revenge to be subtle but permanent on the Dursley household ... Something that would drive the Dursleys mad if they so much as looked at it... And it would be very hard to miss.

When midnight came, he held up his wand and concentrated. Golden arcs of light streamed from it, snaking through the hall, bathing the staircase in their shimmering light. They crept into every room, each seeking out a flat, colored surface, enclosed behind glass, and surrounded with a rectangular form of wood or plastic. The colors and lines that had adorned those objects shifted, flowed together, and rearranged only to redefine themselves in a new shape. The golden streamers changed to an angry crimson, and a short three-word sentence was burnt into every one... Then Harry spoke a word of binding, flourished his wand, and a permanence spell flowed throughout the house. Smiling, he grabbed his trunk and Hedwig's cage, placed his hand on the Portkey, tapped it with his wand, and was jerked away from his prison of sixteen years...

When Vernon Dursley woke up in the morning, he slid out from under the covers, wrapped himself in his dressing gown, and headed to the bathroom. When he returned, he flipped on the light switch... and stopped dead in his tracks. His face grew purple, and he erupted in a scream of rage. This was repeated many times that morning, for when he saw the picture over his bed, or any picture anywhere in the house, every single one now bore Harry's image, the words "Our Beloved Nephew" burned into the frame, and all were magically and permanently fixed in place. 

***

The Burrow was quiet when Harry arrived, with all but one of the Weasleys  asleep in their beds. That one jumped up from her seat in the parlor and ran to embrace him. 

Ginny welcomed her boyfriend with a kiss even before he could put down Hedwig's cage, and then whispered in his ear, "Welcome home, Harry!"

Harry finally managed to unburden himself, and took Ginny into his arms. "I've missed you, love."

Ginny blushed at Harry's use of the endearment, but that didn't stop her from planting another kiss on Harry's lips before replying, "I've missed you, too, Harry!  Mum and Dad have you set up in Percy's old room, but why don't we have some tea and biscuits before we take everything up there, okay?"

"Sure," answered Harry, "That sounds like a good idea. Besides, I want to talk to you, and catch up on the latest news--not that I don't enjoy kissing you." He leaned down and kissed Ginny again.

Ginny grinned and kissed him back once more before taking his hand and leading him into the kitchen. She pointed her wand at the teakettle, which began to heat on its own, then took two mugs from the cupboard, fixed a plate of lemon biscuits, and set them on the table before taking her seat. Harry sat down next to her. She looked at him, and he looked at her for nearly a minute before they both started to chuckle.

"Okay, Harry, you've kept me in suspense long enough. What's this big surprise you're going to tell me about?"

Harry grinned. "I don't know if I want to tell you just yet."

"Harry James Potter! You stop teasing me right now, or I'll--I'll--I'll..."

"You'll what? Hex me? Sic Fred and George on me? Don't you know you get more flies with honey than with vinegar?"

"Oh, really?"

"Sure--let me demonstrate..." and he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

She responded by placing a hand on his jaw and turning so he could kiss her properly. Their lips met, soft and gentle at first, but soon a bit harder and more passionately. Ginny pulled away only long enough to remove his glasses, and said, "Honey, huh? Honey like this?"

She drew him into another kiss, long, deep, and satisfying. It felt as though time had stopped--Harry never wanted this moment to end, and responded by putting his arms around her in a tender embrace meant to hold her there as long as possible. Several minutes later, they came up for air, their breathing now rapid and shallow.

"Uhmm-Huhmm," he whispered to her. "Very good honey!"

"So...?" Ginny sounded a bit impatient.

"So what?"

"So, are you going to tell me, or do I have to try some vinegar to get it out of you?" Her lips were now pursed together, showing her displeasure.

"No, no vinegar," laughed Harry, "though I probably should wait until everyone's awake. They'll want to hear this, too."

"Harry Potter! You tell me right now--you can tell them tomorrow morning at breakfast!"

"All right, all right--I'll tell..." Harry now had confirmation that he had taken the teasing just a little too far.

"Just as long as you tell me NOW!" barked Ginny.

"All right, Ginny. Dumbledore told me that Snape was impressed by your work in Potions last year--impressed enough to suggest you take the seventh-year classes this year, and try for an early NEWT."

"What? Seventh Year Potions? An Early NEWT? Me?" she squeaked.

"And that's not the best part," continued Harry. "The best part is that this means we'll be in Potions together--and Snape won't be there!"

"What?"

"He finally convinced Dumbledore to give him the Defense Against Dark Arts position. We'll have a new Potions instructor!"

"Oh my! Did he say who it would be?"

"No, he didn't--but as long as it isn't Snape, I'm perfectly content."

Ginny reached up and pulled him into another kiss, a short one this time as the teakettle reached a boil and started to whistle.

"Let me set the tea to steep, and then we can get back to..."

"Get back to what, Ginevra Weasley?" came a voice from the doorway.

"Mum! You startled me!"

"Hello, Harry dear. I see you've arrived safely," said Molly Weasley, giving him a hug. "Welcome home."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

"We were just going to have a cup of tea before we took things to his bedroom, Mum. Do you want one, too?"

Molly looked from her daughter to Harry and back again. "I'm assuming you mean his trunk and Hedwig's cage, don't you, Ginevra, dear?"

"Of course, Mum. What else would I--" Ginny stopped in mid-sentence as Mrs. Weasleys question connected with what she had just said, and began to blush furiously.

"Mum!"

Harry flushed a bright shade of pink at the same time. Ginny's verbal faux pas and Molly's quick wit had turned the innocent statement into a double entendre. If Harry hadn't seen Molly's mouth twitch into a smile, he might have thought she was serious and thinking that "things" in his bedroom were going to ‘happen' rather than be taken up there...

Both of them realized just how good a joke she had played on them when Molly started to giggle.

"Oh, look at you two. I know what you meant, Ginny darling, I was just having a bit of fun. But of course, I might assume you're blushing because of a guilty conscience..." she smiled again, "...so I think I will have that cup of tea with you."

"Oh, Mum," said Ginny, "Harry has always been nothing more than a perfect gentleman with me."

"Yes, dear, I know--but have you always been a perfect lady with him?"

Both Harry and Mrs. Weasley laughed heartily as Ginny turned a bright shade of pink once more. To hide her discomfiture, she turned away and busied herself in brewing the tea and transferring it to the teapot, then digging another mug out of the cupboard. By the time she sat down at the table and poured the tea, she had returned to her normal coloration.

"That wasn't funny, Harry," she said, looking him in the eyes.

Harry was about to apologize when he noticed the corners of her mouth quirk upward involuntarily.

"I'm sorry I laughed, Ginny, " he deadpanned, "but there has been a time or two..."

He didn't finish the sentence because Ginny gave a shriek of outrage as she blushed again, and leaped from her seat to rush around the table toward him. Both Mrs. Weasley and Harry were roaring with laughter as Harry fended off Ginny's attempts to tickle him. It wasn't long before all three were laughing, tea forgotten and cooling on the table.

"Oh, my," gasped Mrs. Weasley as the laughter finally subsided, "That felt so good. There hasn't been a lot to laugh about recently. Harry, dear, it is so good to have you back here with us... Happy Birthday!" She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

That inspired Ginny to sit down in Harry's lap and turn toward her mother. "Mum, I'm going to corrupt Harry now, so you just look away. I don't want you seeing what a scarlet woman your daughter is with the man she loves."

Her eyes sparkled in mischief as she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck and gave him a very passionate kiss as her mother watched, one that made him flush pink.

"Oh, get on with you. It's late, and Harry will still be here in the morning," she chuckled. "Now get to bed, both of you!" She paused as Harry and Ginny looked at her with silly grins on their faces, realizing that she had uttered the double entendre this time. Molly's cheeks turned red, and she chuckled again. "You know what I meant! Now goodnight!"

Chapter Two

Harry awoke to the sounds of louder than usual Weasley voices, raised in an attempt to make them understood over the rumble and roar of something mechanical in nature.

Putting on his glasses and looking out the window, he saw most of the Weasley boys--Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron--gathered around-was that?  Could it be? - Remus Lupin sitting astride a large motorcycle, occasionally gunning the engine.

"HARRY!" Remus called up when he spotted the late sleeper at the window. "Get your lazy arse down here NOW and let me give you your birthday present!"

Harry nodded, and swiftly dressed. In less than two minutes, he had joined the others outside. Remus gunned the motorcycle one last time, then turned off the engine.

"So what do you think, Harry? Like it?"

Harry nodded. "It's a wonderful motorcycle, Remus. Did you ride it all the way here from London?"

"Of course I did. What, you think I would carry it? A fine machine like this is meant to be ridden."

"It's a bloody wicked rocket on wheels," interjected Ron. "Dad would love it."

Harry grinned at that... he knew all too well Mr. Weasley's fascination with all things Muggle.

"Here," said Remus, holding out his clenched fist. "This is your birthday present."

Harry held out his hand to accept whatever it was that was hidden between Remus's fingers, and was completely surprised to receive a key ring with two silver keys attached.

"Those are for the motorcycle, now that you're old enough to learn to drive," Remus smiled. "Want to take it for a spin?" 

Harry looked from the keys to the motorcycle and back again. "You mean ... it's mine?"

"Yes, Harry. But... it's not from me..." Remus looked a bit sad as he spoke. "It's from--from your Godfather. Sirius told me years ago he would like you to have it when you were old enough. This was his... I've had it in storage for years - in fact, I think you and Hagrid were the last ones to use it."

"Hagrid and I? I don't remember ever -"

"Sirius loaned it to Hagrid so he could take you to your Muggle relatives the night V-Voldemort..." Remus voice trailed off as Ron voiced a high-pitched "Eep!" It was as if the older man did not want to finish the sentence.

"The night Voldemort killed my parents," Harry finished for him.

A lump formed in Harry's throat as he thought of the parents that had been ripped from his life, and of the man they had named Harry's Godfather.  Sirius had been the only true parent he had ever known. He still felt a pang of loss whenever he thought of that terrible day almost fourteen months ago, when he had lost his Godfather to Belletrix LeStrange's spell and the dark portal in the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. His eyes blurred for a moment, then he found his voice.

"Thank you, Remus. I'll take care of it, just like he would." He ran a hand along the leather of the seat, then over the cowl as he walked around his new toy.

"Oh, Harry ... one more thing..." Remus smiled gently, "…the motorcycle flies."

"Wicked!" said Ron.

"Oh, bother!" came Mrs. Weasley's voice from the kitchen door. "Whatever you do, don't tell Arthur about that--he'll be pestering you about it every minute he's here."

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley. Whatever you say," agreed Harry.

"But that's enough fuss for now. Everybody come inside and eat some breakfast. You too, Remus--you look like you need some good solid food inside you."

Remus helped Harry push the motorcycle around the house and into Mr. Weasleys shed before they followed everyone else into The Burrow.

"Sit down, sit down--there's plenty for everyone. Bacon with your eggs, Remus? Or bangers? Have some porridge, too."  The table barely had sufficient room to hold the plates, so many breakfast items had been prepared – Warm blueberry muffins, two pitchers of cold milk, platters of eggs (both fried and scrambled), sausages, bacon, and  several egg and spinach quiches filled the tabletop, except for an open space at Harry's accustomed seat.

Harry found that his chair was now loaded with birthday parcels. He moved them to the space on the tabletop and sat down.

"Which one is from whom?" he asked, looking curiously at the many different parcels.

Ron pushed a box from the pile. "This one's from me."

Harry pulled the wrapping away to reveal a Chudley Cannons jersey with the name ‘Potter' sewn across the shoulders.

"This is great ... Thanks, Ron!"

"This one next ... it's from us, Harry," said George, pushing a package wrapped in a violently purple paper with a neon green ribbon toward Harry.

"We think you'll like it a lot," chimed in Fred.

"Be careful, Harry," said Ginny as she came into the kitchen and sat down next to him. "You never know what will happen with a present from Fred and George."

"I feel offended," said Fred.

"Me, too," said George. "It's not fair how she keeps saying these nasty things about us."

Ginny stuck out her tongue at the twins. "Just because I'm the voice of experience. You have tried for years to set off a present that would remove my eyebrows if I were foolish enough to open it blindly. As for your feeling offended, why don't you two open it for Harry?"

The twins froze in their seats.

"Oh, we couldn't do that," replied George.

"That's right," added Fred. "It's Harry's present, after all. Opening the presents are half the fun!"

"Most assuredly, " said George.

Harry grinned and slid the box back to the twins. "I agree, so why don't YOU two have some fun. I don't want to keep anyone else from enjoying themselves..."

"Oh no, we couldn't..."

"But I insist! I just won't be happy, otherwise."

The twins looked at each other. "Here, George..." said Fred, edging away from the box. "You open it."

"Oh, no--What kind of a big brother would I be if I didn't let my younger twin have the fun," replied George, pushing it back toward his twin.

Harry grinned as the twins kept shoving the box back and forth between one another, and drew his wand from his pocket, pointed it, and whispered softly, "Diffindo!" With an amazing pyrotechnic display, the box split in two and promptly exploded in the twin's faces. 

Soot, char, and ceiling plaster were now coating the twins, who blinked in astonishment, just before their eyebrows slid from their faces in a fall of ash.

"I think he got us," said Fred.

"Indubitably," responded George.

"Serves you two right, bringing dangerous presents to the breakfast table. Now clean up this mess--and go wash your faces!" ordered Mrs. Weasley. "More eggs, Harry?"

"Thank you," said Harry as the twins picked up the bits and pieces that remained of their present, repaired the ceiling with a bit of magic, and headed for the bathroom.

The eggs flew from the skillet on the stove to Harry's plate. Harry paused from opening his gifts to take several bites.

"Now this one," said Mrs. Weasley, pulling a brightly wrapped and beribboned parcel from those in front of Harry, "is from Arthur and me."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." He pulled the ribbon from the package, and then unfolded the paper. Inside was a new hand-knit jumper, in the Gryffindor House colours and adorned with tiny brooms and snitches. "This is wonderful, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you!"

"Here you go," said Charlie, and pushed a long, slim wooden box toward Harry. The dark wood was smooth and shiny, and a small brass hinge was visible near one end. Harry picked it up, and opened the box. Inside was a velvet bag, long and skinny, and apparently empty.

"Erm... Thanks, Charlie." Harry was puzzled. A bag in a box?

"It's a storage case, Harry--for your wand!"

With that explanation, the box and bag were clearly explained. "Oh –Yes. That's very nice. Thanks!"

"This is from me, Harry," said Ginny as she pushed the remaining small wooden box toward him, and then planted a kiss on his cheek. "Happy Birthday. I hope you'll like it."

Harry took her hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm sure I will."

With his other hand, he undid the small catch, and opened the lid. Inside was a pocket watch attached to a length of chain and a hooked fob. The silver watchcase sparkled with reflected light as he lifted it from the box. Opening the watch cover, it displayed an engraved message on the inside...

I will always have time for you!

Love, Ginny

"It's wonderful, Ginny," Harry managed after several seconds, his heart racing at this display of love. He hooked the fob to his belt, closed the watchcase, and placed it in the watch pocket of his jeans. Leaning over, he gave her a quick kiss and a hug. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Harry," she whispered in his ear.

Both Ron and Charlie snickered briefly, but a sharp look from both Mrs. Weasley and Ginny shut them up quickly.

Two loud cracks sounded from outside, followed immediately by a knocking at the kitchen door.

"Oh, that'll be special guests to see you, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said before she called out, "Come in, come in, we've been expecting you! The tea's already on!"

The door opened, and both Nymphadora Tonks and Professor Dumbledore entered.

"Good morning, Molly, everyone," said Dumbledore, closing the door behind him.

"Hello, Harry," said Tonks, as she set a parcel on the table. Today, Tonks was sporting dark blue hair with violet streaks, which matched exactly the very tight and low-riding denim jeans she was wearing, and an elaborately embroidered multicoloured shirt that seemed to be about three inches too short, revealing her belly and navel, which somehow had a silver ring attached. "These are for you, from everyone in the Order."

"Thank you, Tonks, " said Harry. "Erm ... doesn't that hurt?"

Tonks looked down where Harry was staring.

"This? No, not at all." She flipped the ring with her finger. "It's what all the Muggles are wearing in the dance clubs. Like it?"

"Erm... It's very nice." Harry swiftly turned his attention to the package on the table. Inside the wrapping were three books ... Darkness Denied: Practical Methods of Combating the Dark Arts, Effective Charms and Wards, and Overcoming the Dark Arts: A Guide for the Future Auror.

"Thank you, these are great! Please tell everyone in the Order I really like these."

"I also have a small gift for you, Harry." Dumbledore placed a ring case on the table, and tapped it with his wand. The lid opened of its own accord, revealing a silver ring with the Gryffindor Crest attached. "Please, try it on ... Ring finger, right hand."

Harry removed the ring from its case and slid it onto the designated finger. He felt a momentary tingle, as it magically adjusted to his size, and watched as the ring glowed for several heartbeats,

"I've placed a special protection charm on it for you, Harry. It will remain in effect as long as you are wearing the ring. My advice is to wear it at all times this coming school year... Voldemort--" there was a squeak from Ron "--and the Death Eaters are still out there, even if they have been quiet for the past few months. Don't take any chances."

"Thank you, sir. I won't take it off."

Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Well, I must be going," he said, shaking Harry's hand. "There's much to do at Hogwarts."

"Oh, won't you stay for some tea? I also have some Sweet Sticky Buns, if you wish," piped up Molly.

"Sweet Sticky Buns, you say? Well, perhaps just one or two..." Dumbledore took a seat at the table. "Hogwarts can wait a few minutes longer."

"Molly knew just what to say, eh, Harry? Appealed to his sweet tooth, she did!" Tonks whispered, trying to suppress a laugh as she passed by to take a seat beside Ginny. Tea was served, and the sweet buns quickly disappeared from Dumbledore's plate as Ginny and Tonks whispered between themselves, giggling together.

A burst of green flame from the fireplace announced an arrival by the Floo network and a moment later Hermione Granger and her cat, Crookshanks, tumbled out onto the hearth, a spot of soot on the tip of the bushy-haired girl's nose.

"Hermione, dear, we're so glad you could come! Have you had any breakfast?" Mrs. Weasley scurried to help her to her feet and drag her trunk from the fireplace.

"I did have a bite before I left, but I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea, please. Hello, Harry, Ginny, Professor Dumbledore, Nympha--"

"Just Tonks, dear, that'll do," interrupted the blue-haired witch with a smile.

"All right, Tonks. Hello, Ron."

Ron just grinned, the tips of his ears turning pink.

Hermione shook her head. "Honestly, Ron, that's getting a bit old, don't you think?"

Ron finally found his voice. "H-hello, Hermione. It's good to see you."

"That's it? We haven't seen each other for a month, and it's just ‘good to see you'?" She stalked over to where he was sitting, grabbed hold of his ears, and kissed him soundly. "I've missed you, you silly git."

Ron's face matched his hair. "I've missed you too, Hermione." He reached up and wiped the tip of her nose with his thumb. "You've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know?"

Hermione gave him a playful slap on the arm, and turned to Harry.

"Happy birthday, Harry! I've got a present for you," she said, going to her trunk. Opening it, she took a package wrapped in tissue paper from atop the rest of the contents, and handed it to Harry.

"Thank you, Hermione. Oh, by the way, you were right. Hogwarts: A History is a good read."

Hermione's jaw dropped, and Ron sputtered and coughed from choking on a sip of tea.

"What? You actually read it?" he wheezed after a moment. "Harry Potter, the boy who falls asleep in History of Magic, actually read Hogwarts: A History?"

"What can I say? Hermione was right. We should have listened to her seven years ago."

Hermione finally shut her mouth as her cheeks flamed red. "Honestly, Harry? You mean it?"

"Yes, Hermione, I mean it. And I'm really sorry for all the teasing about it I've given you in the past."

Hermione smiled. "Apology accepted. Now hurry up and open your present."

Harry removed the tissue paper to reveal a large green cloth-bound book. There did not seem to be a title on the cover or the spine, and when he went to open it, the cover stayed firmly in place.

"Unlocking spell, Harry," prompted Hermione.

Harry pulled out his wand and tapped the book. "Alohomora! "

The cover popped open to reveal that the book was actually a box, lined in black velvet, and within held a large number of white rectangular tiles, each one marked with a colourful symbol. Inside the cover was pasted a sheet of parchment, on which was inscribed:

Mah Jhong:

The Rules of Play

followed by a great deal of very miniscule writing.

"Mah Jhong?"

"It's a wonderful game, Harry, and loads of fun. I found it in China when my parents and I went there on holiday. This set is enchanted to play against you by itself, if you can't find anyone else to play it with."

"Oh, that's a lovely gift, Hermione. Arthur and I had a Muggle set when we were first married," said Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes, a most challenging recreation," added Dumbledore. "Molly, thank you for your hospitality, but I'm afraid we do have to run. Harry, enjoy yourself here at The Burrow. I will see you when term begins. Miss Granger, Mr. and Miss Weasley, try to keep yourselves and Mr. Potter out of trouble. Coming, Tonks?"

"Yes, Professor." She got out of her chair and started for the door, pausing to bend over and give Harry a kiss on the cheek. "Happy Birthday, Harry. Goodbye, everyone."

"Oh my, I almost forgot," said Dumbledore, reaching into a pocket of his robes and pulling out several envelopes. "These, I believe, are yours."

He handed one to each of the four Hogwarts students and waited expectantly.

Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron looked at each other for a moment, and then broke open the wax seal on the envelopes. Inside each were several sheets of parchment, and when Harry and Hermione unfolded theirs, two silver prefects badges clattered onto the tabletop. Another one fell from Ginny's, and most surprising, Ron's' held a Head Boy's medallion. 

"Erm, Professor Dumbledore, sir? Are you sure you have not made a mistake? " asked Ron.

"Not at all, Mr. Weasley – In fact, you were chosen because of last year's Head Girl's recommendation.  Miss Granger felt that the responsibility would be good for you," smiled the Headmaster, who shifted his gaze to Hermione. "I do hope you are correct in your support, Miss Granger.  He will have quite a job trying to match your performance."

"Oh my," gasped Mrs. Weasley, "All four of you?"

"It's quite true, Molly." Dumbledore's eyes glittered as he smiled.

Ginny was reading her letter, and smiling fiercely herself.

"I believe that Mr. Potter might wish to make an announcement, if I'm not mistaken," said Dumbledore.

Harry's mind went blank. Announcement? He scanned the letter in his hand, wondering if he had missed something.