Chapter 1301: Confession
Chapter 1301: Confession
"Happy birthday, Harry!"
"What?"
Harry blinked sleepily, looking confused at Ron sitting on the bed across from him.
"It's your birthday, your seventeenth birthday," Ron reminded him.
"Oh, thanks."
Harry yawned and rubbed his eyes, slowly sitting up in bed and stretching his arms.
"Finally, I can get rid of those damn Trace charms and use magic properly again!"
"When do you plan on leaving?"
Ron pulled out a parcel from somewhere and grinned as he tossed it to Harry.
"If nothing unexpected happens, we'll visit those students who were expelled by Snape tomorrow, and then head to Godric's Hollow," Harry said, holding the birthday gift from Ron but feeling no urge to open it. Receiving birthday presents didn't excite him as much anymore; he had more important things on his mind.
"Aren't you going to see what I got you?" Ron asked, pointing to the parcel. "Go on, open it. Hermione and I picked it out together."
"What is it?" Harry asked, tearing open the parcel and looking at its contents with a puzzled expression.
"It's a wand holster," Ron said, pointing to his waist where there was a similar object with a wand sticking out of it. "I ordered it from Fred and George. They use them too; after all, keeping your wand in your pocket isn't a great idea." Ron withdrew his wand from the holster excitedly and explained, "Don't be fooled by its plain appearance. It's enchanted with a Traceless Extension Charm, so you can easily store and draw your wand without any hassle."
"It's a bit like the gun holsters Muggle police officers use," Harry remarked, inspecting the item briefly before sliding his wand into the holster. He found it to be very practical as he tried drawing his wand a few times, ensuring he wouldn't face any embarrassing situations where he couldn't withdraw his wand when needed.
"Pretty cool, right?"
Ron beamed with pride at Harry's satisfaction with his gift. "And it's very useful too."
"Thanks, Ron," Harry said sincerely.
"You're welcome," Ron replied mysteriously. "I wonder what Hermione got you."
"I have no idea," Harry admitted, having no intention of guessing. The surprise was part of the fun of receiving gifts, and he preferred to wait until he opened them.
However, Ron, from his bed across the room, continued speculatively, "I bet it's probably a pair of dueling gloves, top-notch ones. Fred and George each have a pair, supposedly made from fire dragon hide. They let you swat away Dark curses with your bare hands. They're incredibly advanced defensive gear, and they don't lose their magic even over long periods. They're usually made by Albert himself."
"I don't have nearly enough Galleons to buy something that expensive," Hermione said from outside the bedroom door as she entered, holding out her gift to Harry and offering her birthday wishes. "Happy birthday, Harry."
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said, taking the parcel from her.
He unwrapped the gift and, finding it to be a pair of gloves indeed, put them on and drew his wand to test them. "They're very practical," he said with a smile.
"You're welcome, Harry. They're just a pair of dueling gloves I bought from Fred," Hermione said, shooting Ron a stern glance, clearly annoyed that he had been spreading misinformation.
"I thought Albert might give you a discount," Ron shrugged. "The dueling gloves he gave you are amazing."
He had only found out about this when he'd seen Hermione maintaining the gloves some time ago, and he'd assumed she planned to pass them on to Harry.
"You two should get up," Hermione said, changing the subject. "Lupin and Tonks came over early to help. They're in the kitchen preparing your birthday cake." She paused, as if remembering something. "Oh, and the other birthday presents people sent are in the living room. You'd better get up soon."
"I'm up," Ron mumbled.
"Then go downstairs and help them," Hermione instructed.
After Ron and Hermione left to assist with the preparations for Harry's birthday party, Harry climbed out of bed and changed into his pajamas. As he did so, the wooden door opened.
"Harry, happy birthday," Ginny said, poking her head into the room. Seeing that Harry was the only one there, she took a deep breath as if gathering her courage before stepping inside.
"Thanks, Ginny," Harry said, noticing that Ginny was staring intently at him. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling uncomfortable under her intense scrutiny.
"I heard from Hermione that you'll be leaving soon," Ginny said tentatively.
"Yes, once the Trace is gone, we'll be off to fulfill Dumbledore's mission," Harry confirmed, not denying the fact that everyone in the Order of the Phoenix knew about the important task Dumbledore had entrusted to him.
"I don't know what could be useful to you," Ginny said, lowering her eyes.
"Don't worry about it," Harry said, lifting his head to meet Ginny's fervent gaze, his expression stiffening slightly.
"Actually, I've always liked you," Ginny blurted out.
Facing Ginny's sudden confession, Harry panicked a little.
"I'm sorry, but Hermione told me that you've made up your mind, and I felt that if I didn't say something now, I might never get another chance." Ginny didn't cry, she just took another step closer to Harry.
"If it were in the past..." Harry's throat twitched as he shook his head. "Now, I'm afraid we're not suitable. There are some things I have to do."
"Actually, I guessed this would be the outcome a long time ago. I just wanted to get some comfort from you." Ginny took a step forward and lifted her head to kiss Harry on the lips.
In that moment, Harry's eyes widened and his mind went blank. He felt like he had just downed a large cup of Firewhisky.
Harry awkwardly kissed Ginny back, his arm around her waist and his hand stroking her long, fragrant hair. He was a little infatuated with the feeling.
However, Harry was well aware that romance had left him after Dumbledore's death. Now, he was no longer in a position to fall in love.
So, Harry gently pushed Ginny away and whispered an apology.
"This is a stupid mistake. If I'm still alive after this war..."
"No, you're right. Maybe we should wait until after this damn war to fall in love." Ginny winked at Harry and said, "Happy birthday."
"I'd say this is definitely an impressive birthday gift."
Fred appeared from nowhere, grinning at Harry. "I brought some things that you might find useful."
"When did you...?" Harry asked, embarrassed.
"While Ginny was confessing to you," Fred said, completely unashamed. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to love."
"I'm not embarrassed," Harry said, still feeling a bit awkward as he changed into fresh clothes and hurried downstairs.
"Youth is wonderful!" Fred muttered.
As soon as Harry entered the kitchen, he saw Hagrid placing a large parcel on top of the pile of birthday gifts.
"Long time no see, Hagrid."
Harry took quick steps forward and embraced Hagrid, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Happy birthday, Harry." Hagrid gave Harry a gentle hug and sighed softly. "Time flies. It's been six years in the blink of an eye. I remember it was me who delivered the letter to you back then."
"And you also made Dudley grow a pig's tail," Harry chuckled.
"I don't really remember that," Hagrid said.
"Here you go, Harry."
Sirius Black suddenly appeared in the kitchen, holding a box and urging Harry to open it. "Go on, take a look!"
Inside the box was a small, delicate golden watch.
"When I came of age, your grandfather gave me one, too," Sirius recalled. "Even though I know you already have a detection watch, I think nothing could be more suitable as a coming-of-age gift."
"Thank you, Sirius," Harry said, putting on the watch and then moving on to open the other presents.
Hagrid's large parcel contained a thick cloak made of animal fur, which Hagrid had asked Madam Mokin in Diagon Alley to help sew.
Lupin and Tonks gave him a Sneakoscope and a small Magical Minature Monocle, while Moody presented him with a copy of his Auror's notes. The other members of the Order of the Phoenix collectively gifted him a magical tent and various items for outdoor use.
Fred and George gave Harry a bunch of Dark Magic Defense gadgets and a large bag of emergency rations.
"Are these... cookies?"
Ron looked bewildered as he gazed at the large bag of tightly packed cookies.
"They're said to be emergency food from the Muggle world. While they may not taste great, they can sustain you for a long time. Albert said you might need this," Fred explained with a grin. "Eating mushrooms every day isn't a good idea."
"I think we need to store more food," Ron said, turning to Hermione.
"There's no need. You can always come back to headquarters to rest. We will always be your solid support," Sirius assured, patting Harry's shoulder.
After everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and shared the large cake made by Lupin, Tonks, and Mrs. Weasley, they enjoyed a hearty dinner together and discussed their upcoming plans.
"Hagrid, are you really not going to go help?" Hermione suggested to Hagrid, "I think you should listen to Albert's advice."
"I can't abandon Grawp," Hagrid shook his head.
"Hagrid, you have to understand that if the Death Eaters really want to capture you, you'll still have to abandon your brother," Sirius felt that Hagrid was being stubborn.
Perhaps he valued the giant brother too much, but people had to grow up, and Hagrid couldn't take care of him forever.
(End of Chapter)
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