Chapter 264 - Phlegm (1/2)
A new book from Hermione.
A new pair of red shoes from Colin.
Two boxes full of different sweets from Ginny and Ron.
Some fruit cakes from Mrs Weasley.
A new jacket made of Dragonskin from Fred and George.
A beautiful stone bracelet from Harry, with red, blue, green, yellow stones and in the middle carved two gold letters CN.
Also, Aurelia baked a big chocolate cake the next day and Sirius and Tonks put up some decorations. Everybody set aside their arguments and celebrated Chris' birthday.
But nothing came from Jason. Chris convinced herself half-heartedly that Jason must have forgotten her birthday, that's all. No need to be upset or angry.
A few days later, on the next day of Harry's birthday, they all decided to leave for the Burrow.
”Dumbledore assigned all of us for — a job,” Sirius said to Harry. ”We have to leave tomorrow, that's why we have to leave you two at Burrow today.”
”What job?” Harry asked.
Sirius opened his mouth but Aurelia cut in, ”Something important. Anyway, have some Turkey, Harry.”
Harry nodded reluctantly.
”How are we going to Burrow?” asked Chris piling her plate with delicious dinner, made for Harry's birthday.
”We thought about Side-Apparation —” began Sirius.
”Really? That will be cool,” said Chris excited.
”Unfortunately,” smiled Aurelia. ”Harry can do Side-Apparation but you are too young for that —”
”Oh c'mon,” Chris rolled her eyes.
”— so we will use Portkey,” finished Aurelia.
”Fine,” said Chris exhaling moodily.
Sirius, Aurelia and Harry laughed.
At five o'clock the next evening, Chris, Harry and Sirius grabbed a silver goblet, which was a Portkey, and Aurelia Apparated with Tonks.
After a few moments of a weird sensation, Chris felt she can breathe again and opened her eyes to find herself looking at the Burrow.
”We are going to tell them, right?” whispered Harry in Chris' ear, as they approached the back door of the Burrow, which was surrounded by the familiar litter of old Wellington boots and rusty cauldrons.
”Yes, we will,” sighed Chris as Sirius knocked three times on the door and Aurelia and Tonks appeared after them.
”Who's there?” said a nervous voice Chris recognized as Mrs Weasley's from inside. ”Declare yourself!”
”It's me, Sirius, Molly,” said Sirius casually.
There was a shuffle inside the room. Aurelia gave Sirius a glare before speaking, ”Sirius Black, Aurelia Cromwell, and Nymphadora Tonks bringing Harry Potter and Christina —”
The door opened before Aurelia could finish. There stood Mrs Weasley, short, plump, and beside her —
”Harry! Chris!”
Three people engulfed Chris and Harry in a group hug. After a moment they pulled back and dragged Chris and Harry inside. Finally, Chris' vision cleared from all the rushing and she saw Ginny, Hermione and Ron grinning at her and Harry.
”All right?” said Ron hitting Harry on the head. He looked taller than before.
”Ron, don't hit him!” said Hermione reproachfully. Then she looked at Chris. ”How are you?”
”You could have come earlier,” said Ginny before Chris or Harry could reply. ”We missed both of your birthdays.”
”Yeah but —” Hermione began but was cut off by a different throaty voice.
”'Arry, eet 'as been too long!”
A young woman was standing at the foot of the stairs, a woman of such breathtaking beauty that the room seemed to have become strangely airless. She was tall and willowy with long blonde hair and appeared to emanate a faint, silvery glow.
Fleur Delacour swept over the threshold toward Harry then kissed him on each cheek. Harry went red.
”I 'ave been longing to see you. You remember my seester, Gabrielle? She never stops talking about 'Arry Potter. She will be delighted to see you again.”
”Oh — really?” That's all Harry managed to utter.
”Congratulations on your engagement, Fleur,” said Chris smiling at her.
”Chrees!” smiled Fleur and kissed Chris on a cheek. ”I 'ave 'eard a lot about you from Bill. 'Ee praises you a lot.”
”Er — thanks,” replied Chris.
”Yes, congratulations, Fleur,” said Harry.
”T'ank you,” Fleur swooped down upon Harry and kissed him again.