Chapter Twelve: Birthday

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It was finally my birthday and Harry thought that was the perfect reason to be Mr. Secretive. Unlike I had done for him, Harry never attempted to throw me any kind of huge surprise party before and probably never would. Last year had been so crazy that we hadn't celebrated my birthday until some time later. We had time this year to actually think about my birthday but, somewhat like last year, it wasn't a big celebration. Harry made sure to keep me in the dark all day until he was ready to reveal his surprise.

"Where are you taking me?" I giggled, holding my hands out in front of me to make sure he didn't lead me into a wall. 

Harry had come up to our room, which I had moved back into after a lot of begging from him, and instructed me to dress up nice. After I got dressed, he stepped behind me and covered my eyes with a piece of fabric. I had been reluctant to let him lead me around the school like that but Harry had a plan and he wouldn't be stopped. I learned a while back not to try fighting Harry when he was determined. There was only one thing that could possibly beat his determination......, mine but I wasn't inclined to fight him on many, if any, things.

"Just relax, love. I have you, you'll like what I have planned." He answered and I felt his hand whisper against the small of my back and his lips trail along my neck, causing a shiver to creep it's way through me.

I had thrown on a modest tan dress with a pair of black court shoes before leaving the room and the dress was thin enough I could feel the heat from his hand. I clutched my little black purse tighter, trying not to reach up and take off the blasted blindfold and feeling the purse press the bracelets I had slipped on harder against my skin. Having my eyesight taken away was really unnerving but, with Harry, also a bit erotic. I was going to have to let him do this in our bedroom one day soon.

"We're here." He announced, not seeming to make any move to take off the blindfold. I played with the little ring I had slid onto my index finger to go with the dress, waiting for him to take off the blindfold. I felt him step behind me and my breath caught in my throat. "Happy Birthday, love." He whispered in my ear then carefully removed the blindfold, allowing the dangly earrings I had put on to sway against my skin. My hair, which I had carelessly run my fingers through before coming out, bounced around my shoulders in an almost effortlessly gorgeous way.

"Surprise." Came a rather soft chorus of voices from the group of people assembled in the Great Hall.

There wasn't many people but the people I cared about were there. The Weasley Clan, minus Ginny, were seated next to Malfoy and a few of Harry and my friends with the twins at a round table in the center of the room. It was a surprise birthday supper if the food on the tables were any indication. The lights were a soft amber glowing in the hall and I could hear the lightest sound of music drifting through the air. It was a beautiful, quiet, intimate birthday supper with the people I cared for most.

"I love it." I whispered, my throat tight with I shed tears. "Thank you. Thank you for this, Harry."

"I would do absolutely anything for you, love. If I thought you would have liked it, I would have packed out the arena outside for your birthday. Your birth is something I'll always be eager to celebrate." He murmured, caressing my cheek. "Happy birthday, my love, and many, many more." He whispered against my lips, swooping in to steal my breath with a soul stirring kiss.

"Oi, break it up you two." A voice broke into our little moment. George. Leave it to him to ruin the beautiful moment. Harry and I chuckled but broke apart and went to our seats.

The babies were enjoying themselves, being coddled by everybody at the table at one time. The Weasley children were there but, since the twins were the youngest, everybody was content to pass them around. When it was time for the cake, the already dim lights went completely off and the lit cake came floating out.

"To my beautiful wife on her birthday. We love you, we wish you many more birthdays and I, for one, couldn't imagine my life without you. Cheers." Harry raised his glass before I could blow out my candles.

"Cheers." The table murmured softly, lifting their glasses as well. I blew out my candles and the lights came back on so we could get the cake served and finish our supper.

"Your gifts are upstairs under my invisibility cloak." Harry whispered as supper came to a close and the twins began to fuss. They had been placed in my arms shortly after the cake since the others needed to control the sugar boosted children but I was happy to have them in my arms again.

"I think it's time I get these little ones up to their cribs for the night. It's almost midnight and they've been up much too late tonight." I rocked them gently, momentarily quieting their fuss. "Thank you all for coming and helping me celebrate my birthday. It means so much to me." I smiled at my friends and family then clambered up to my feet and got the babies strapped into their pram. Our farewells were said and they headed to their assigned places, they were all staying for all the activities and everything. It was nice of them to have done the birthday supper none the less.

"Happy Birthday, beautiful." Harry whispered from behind me once we were in our bedchamber. I had fed the twins and put them down for the night and was taking off my jewelry when I had felt him behind me.

"Thank you, hun. This was a great birthday." I smiled, turning around and sliding my hands up his chest. I linked my fingers behind his neck and looked up lovingly into his mesmerizing green eyes.

"It's not quite over yet, love. I know you just want to crawl in bed but there's one gift I think you should open tonight." He smiled, resting his hands on my hips then leaning down to kiss my lips softly. "You finish getting undressed and I'll get the gift for you." He whispered against my lips, pulling back and tapping the tip of my nose playfully with his index finger.

I chuckled and moved to the closet to take off my dress and shoes and slip on my jim-jams. I yawned and made my way to the loo to relieve myself and go through my nightly routine.

"You ready for your gift?" Harry asked as I made my way out of the loo and towards our bed. I nodded hesitantly, climbing into bed and curling against the headboard. Harry had changed while I was in the loo and now he had on some jim-jam bottoms and no shirt...., it was such a nice look. "This is one of the gifts I got you. I figured you might like it." He grinned, handing me a large folder.

I raised a brow at him but asked no question, opening the folder. As my eyes roamed over the contents of the folder, my throat got tight and tears pricked my eyes. Inside were pictures of a middle-aged couple, walking through the city and spending time with friends. They looked happy and healthy...., they were my parents. I felt the tears slid down my cheeks as I flipped through the file, through all the pictures. I paused at the final picture, the most recent one, and just stared at it.

"They adopted her three years ago. She fit herself right in and they've been great to her. She'll never replace you but they knew they were meant to have a daughter. Though you took their memories, their hearts still knew they were parents and they needed a child to be parents to. In their hearts they'll always love you and feel that you are missing, even if their heads tell them you aren't real." Harry whispered softly to me, brushing my hair back and using his thumb to catch my tears.

"Thank you." I whispered, taking in a shaky breath. "I tried not to think about them because, if they weren't happy, it was my fault. This makes me so happy. I miss them so much but they're happy and that's all I ever wanted, them safe and happy." I sniffed, just staring at the pictures. It was what I needed to fill the tiny hole I had continued to feel in my heart since leaving them. "Thank you so much." I murmured, my voice shaking.

"Happy birthday, love. I will always love you." Harry whispered, pulling me close and kissing me passionately. I placed the file on the bedside table and cuddled against him, letting his lips work against mine and letting him pull me into a world of pleasure. The rest of the gifts could wait until morning, I was content to end my day on that note. My parents are happy and safe, everything worked out for them. I'm happy and have children of my own. I mused to myself. It's funny the introversion that a birthday could bring if you were given the right gift.

"I love you, Harry."  I whispered as sleep gripped me like an old familiar blanket.

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