They were all sitting at the dinner table. The table was laden with all the delicious food Kreacher has made for them along with a generous batch of treacle tart; his favorite. Mrs. Weasley's Hogwarts-themed birthday cake sat in the middle. Mr. Weasley at the head of the table; which Harry asked him to take, raised his glass and made a toast for all who have left them. All of them copied his move and drank in silence. Then Mrs. Weasley raised her glass and said "To Harry; the birthday boy!" "To Harry" They all mumbled rather cheerily, glad that Mrs. Weasley tried to lighten the mood. Every one of their get-togethers was rather gloomy nowadays and occasionally, one or two was trying to lighten the mood.
Right then, George entered the dining room with Harry's godson Teddy upon his shoulders. "Happy Birthday Bro!" he said patting him with a grin and slipping into an empty chair. "Why all the grim faces? It's his birthday for God's sake" George exclaimed. "Ally, Ally" Teddy said playfully at him waving his tiny hands at Harry as he was taken into Mrs. Weasley's arms. This brought a smile to everyone's lips. Teddy surely knew how to entertain people just like his mom.
After putting Teddy to bed, it was time for Harry to open his presents, (he didn't want to, but everyone else insisted). He had received a small handcrafted replica of his firebolt and a book about all the fouls in Quidditch from Ron. "I guess you wouldn't mind that I read the book a couple of times mate," Ron said scratching the back of his neck. "No worries man!" Harry replied with a smile and proceeded to open the gift from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. After some time, the floor was covered with wrappers which Kreacher quickly cleaned despite Harry and Hermione's protests to clean it up and for Kreacher to have a rest. Mrs. Weasley arranged the gifts on the coffee table with a flick of her wand and then it was time for George to bring out his gift; a bottle of firewhiskey.
After a couple of glasses, Ron decided to open his mouth and let the cat out of the bag. "So... Pal, why don't you enlighten us with what's been going on between you two? You seemed ready to eat her face." He asked gesturing at his 2 best friends turning everyone's attention. "Is Harry Potter the boy who lived in love with Hermione Granger the brightest witch of her age?" He asked with an air of mocking importance that reminded Harry of Rita Skeeter. Both Harry and Hermione turned bright red upon hearing this and took a real interest in the Ottoman and the carpet. They were determined not to look at each other. And that was enough for all of them to accept the two as a couple.
" I knew it. I could feel the Chemistry between you two long before. I suspected it since your 4th year." Ginny exclaimed with a triumphant smile. "Oh! 4th year? How pathetic Gin. Fred and I knew it the day we saw the trio together. Now hand me my 12 Sickles." With that, George cut her smile. "How could you possibly?" Gin's mouth was ajar. "Still, you owe me 10 sickles George. Because I said that it would take Ron a long time before he realizes it." Ginny replied. Ron's mouth was agape. "What? You bet on me! What am I?"
"Not so fast sis. I was the one who said that Harry and Hermione would confess to each other before Summer ended while you said Before Christmas. That means YOU owe me 10 Sickles." George said ignoring Ron's comment. "I guess we're even then," Ginny replied not ready to accept defeat that easily. "Stop it you two. Arguing like 5-year-olds." Mrs. Weasley smacked both their heads. Mr. Weasely was roaring in laughter looking at the two love birds red from head to toe examining the carpet as if it was some sort of an artifact.
Just then, Kreacher returned after having finished cleaning the leftovers and handed Harry a letter uttering "Master Sirius wanted Kreacher to give this to Master Harry on the evening of his 18th Birthday." And with a bow, he disappeared. Harry was staring at the envelope with the familiar handwriting of Sirius. Only when Hermione elbowed him, Harry got the consciousness to open the letter.