Birthday Celebration - Part 9

"In these dark times, everyone needs a few laughs," Fred said, standing up next to Harry.

"Harry told us that a few years back, and he was right. He will win, and he'll survive. And we're all going to be right there alongside him making certain he does," George said, flanking Harry's other side.

Harry's heart swelled with pride. Looking over at Malfoy, he could see the uncertainty on the blonde's face. It occurred to Harry how similar his and Malfoy's situations were. Each was assigned the impossible task of destroying the powerful leader of an opposing force. But their choices had differed greatly. Now, Harry was surrounded by a fiercely loyal group of friends prepared to die with him if they had to, while Malfoy was alone and in hiding from the very people to whom he had sworn his allegiance. Their choices and consequences were so very different.

"Then you're all going to die," Malfoy spat. "You prats have no idea what you're getting into. The Dark Lord doesn't fool around, he won't tolerate your little jokes."

"Maybe that's his problem," Fred said.

"Everyone needs a good joke," said George.

Harry spied Ginny out of the corner of his eye. Scowling, she'd stood up on the bed and wavered precariously while holding her wand on Malfoy.

"Ginny, don't," he said, reaching toward her. He was afraid that in her inebriated state, she'd only end up cursing herself. She fell back, and he managed to catch her before she landed. In the distraction, Harry heard the distinctive whoosh of a spell being cast, although he knew it hadn't come from Ginny's wand.

He turned around to see Ron, Fred and George staring in shock at the doorway where a white ferret squealed and scurried up the hallway.

They looked at each other, stunned speechless before turning as one to face Hermione. She sat on Ron's bed, calmly polishing her wand. "Ginny was right," she said simply. "The bloody wanker does look like a ferret."

The twins roared with laughter, as Ron dropped to his knees in front of her. "I love you, Hermione," he said.

"It'd be nice if you could say that once in awhile when I hadn't done your homework for you or performed a brilliant piece of Transfiguration," Hermione said primly.

Ron's ears burned. "I'll work on it," he said in a low voice.

"On that note, brother dear, I think it's time we bade them farewell," George said.

"Yeah. Mum should be up here any minute now, and I don't want her to think we had anything to do with the condition this lot is in," Fred said.

They wished Harry a Happy Birthday and bade them all farewell.

Harry turned to see Ginny curled up on his bed like a cat, sleeping soundly. He covered her with a blanket and softly kissed her head.

"Come on, Ron. Let the girls sleep in here, and we'll bunk in their room. We've got to get an early start," Harry said.

"Right," Ron replied, still staring at Hermione with a curious expression.

Harry snuggled into Ginny's bed that night, taking a deep breath and smelling that intoxicating floral smell that was all Ginny. Their quest would begin tomorrow, but lying here now, he felt strangely comforted.