In the weeks after Harry’s talk with Sara, he felt as though he had regained a part of himself lost after Sirius’ death. Harry began to see life with a new outlook and attitude that told him and others around him that he had changed for the better. He still knew that the Death Eaters were after him and would use all the tricks they could think of to get at him, but it didn’t matter anymore. He had people who would look after him and his friends.
Harry put the energy he had spent worrying to better use. He helped Kevin train the lower year students in some defense spells. Kevin had explained that students at the manor could use magic without reprieve by the Ministry of Magic. They showed great potential. Hermione’s recovery was going quite well, also. Sara followed instructions left by Healer Varan daily, and Hermione was soon on her feet.
The days became so enjoyable that Harry had not even realized his birthday had arrived. Kevin and Sara made a magnificent feast for the household and Harry received presents from all his friends. Ron, Fred and George had sent assortments of sweets and chocolates and even some experimental joke items that Kevin had to examine before he let Harry keep them. Molly Weasley sent a cake for him, while Arthur gave him a book called Defensive Spells for the Aspiring Auror. Harry spent a lot of time with this read.
Soon after, another round of owls graced the manor, bringing another wave of letters for the students. This time, though, they did not bring words from their families or results of an exam. Instead, the letters contained lists of school supplies and books needed for the coming year. Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Seamus were browsing their lists together when Harry noticed something odd about his. “This says I need a book called Muggles Through the Ages,” Harry said. “But that can’t be right. I don’t take Muggle Studies.”
“It says the same thing on mine, mate,” Seamus responded. “I’ve never taken that either.”
Hermione, who had taken the course for the past three years, spoke up, “Well, the two of you ought to give it a try. It’s really quite fascinating.”
“Three,” Ginny said. “I have the same book, and I’m not even in your year.”
Harry knew that something was up now. There were no texts listed for any Divination courses, though he suspected that was because Professor Trelawney would not be teaching this year. In private, Kevin had told him that she had been rescued, but would not be in any state to return to Hogwarts anytime soon. However, the class would be taken over by the teacher that had filled the position at the end of last year, Firenze the Centaur. Still, Harry thought that he would have to stick out that class for the rest of his time at school. This new class caused him to wonder what was going on.
They kept going over the list until something caught Ginny’s eye. “We’re supposed to bring dress robes? What for?”
The others searched their own letters until they found what she had been talking about. The last time dress robes had been required at Hogwarts was during the Triwizard Tournament. Did this mean that another tournament was being held? Harry deeply hoped not.
When they had gone over the lists, the four students went into the dining room where Kevin and Sara were enjoying a light brunch. Kevin was holding a copy of the Daily Prophet in front of him and smiling. “They finally did it. Those spineless worms finally did it!”
Harry took a seat beside him. “Did what?”
Kevin set the paper down. “Kicked Cornelius Fudge out of office. The heads of each department finally decided that Fudge wasn’t getting the job done and held a vote to remove him as Minister of Magic. I didn’t think they had it in them.”
“So, does that mean that another minister will be appointed?” Hermione asked.
Kevin shook his head. “No. The Ministry is implementing a council system to handle all Ministry decisions. It was Dumbledore’s suggestion. Each department head will sit on the Ministry Council to make all decisions based on the war effort. This way, no single hot-headed windbag can hold all the power.”
“Do you think that will really make a difference?”
“It’s better than Fudge holding control over people who are trying to make a real difference in this war,” Sara answered. “Hopefully with the new council the Ministry will be able to make some headway against Voldemort.” Seamus shuddered at the name. He still had not gotten use to hearing it.
“Will my dad be on this council?” Ginny asked.
Kevin nodded. “Yep. Every head of every department, no matter how small, is included. It’s essential that no areas be left out: especially the departments that deal with Muggles and Muggle protection. Remember that Voldemort’s Death Eaters love to torture them for their own amusement. Thankfully there have been no reports of Muggle killings that could be attributed to wizards.”
Hermione took out her wand and waved it towards the kitchen. Four cups of tea floated out and landed in front of the students. “Why do you think everything’s been so quiet lately?”
“Who said things had been quiet?” Sara asked. “The Death Eaters are making life miserable for wizards around the globe. They’re just restricting their displeasure for our kind and being nice enough to leave the Muggles alone. I’ve wondered how much longer it will be before they make their way to North America.” Kevin leaned over and wrapped an arm around his wife. The kids sipped their tea in silence.
A loud cry of laughter erupted from the backyard, followed by a series of barks from the dogs. Sara smiled. “Looks like the younger kids are having fun with the animals.”
Kevin snapped his fingers. “That reminds me. There’s another birthday coming up, isn’t there?”
Ginny turned red. “You remembered that?”
“Of course we did,” Sara said. “If we took the time and effort to remember Harry’s, there’s no way we would forget yours.” She looked over at him with a cocky grin. Harry returned the smirk. “Anything special we can get you?”
Ginny’s cheeks turned a deeper red. “You don’t really have to. I mean you two have already done so much.”
Hermione reached over and grabbed her shoulder. “Ginny, don’t turn down a chance to get a nice present.” She looked around the table. “I bet I know what you could use.” She stood from her seat and motioned for Sara to follow her.
As the two of them bounded up the stairs, Harry’s eyes followed them. What are they up to? He turned towards Ginny. Her face looked like a brick.
*********************************************
August 11th did nothing to lift Ginny’s embarrassment. Her birthday was as much a festival as Harry’s had been. Her family had sent an assortment of gifts, from new clothes from her parents to joke items sent by Fred and George. Sara mad a lavish cake for the occasion. Harry was eager to see what present Hermione had come up with.
Indeed it was a sight to behold. When Ginny had unwrapped her gift, she pulled out a set of navy blue dress robes. They were made of fine silk and appeared quite tight in the middle. Sara pulled out her wand. “Here’s the really intriguing part.” She ran the wand over the front of the robe. It changed from navy blue to forest green. “You can make it any color you want. The merchant said you could also change the cut, but wanted an extra five galleons for that spell.” Ginny looked up in shock. She didn’t want Sara to spend a lot of money on her. “Don’t worry,” Sara said, sensing her shock. “Half the money I gave him was Leprechaun gold. Teach him to cheat somebody.”
Ginny’s shoulders relaxed a bit. She was sad to be away from her family for her birthday, but glad that she was around friends that cared for her. The rest of the day, the house was filled with laughter and joyous people.
This was, however, not to last.