Story: Moira
Chapter Forty Four: The Controversial Bird

The morning found three of the several inhabitants of The Burrow sleepy. The breakfast table was put outside in the lawn and Charlie almost dropped it on the way while levitating it. Thanks to Percy, they managed to move it safely.

"Are you OK?" Bill asked a yawning Charlie. Charlie nodded lightly as Mrs Weasley served him a plate of toast.

The sun was up and birds were crooning softly, making the ambience pleasant. Draco's loud yawn interrupted the peaceful atmosphere.

"Didn't you sleep well, dear?" Mrs Weasley asked the blonde boy.

"Yeah, thanks to a red and black bird," Charlie replied.

"The same for me and Astoria," Draco added. Mrs Weasley looked confused as to why a red and black bird would disturb three people at night.

"Was it an owl?" Fred started.

"Or a raven?" George continued.

"Raven!" Draco sneered. Harry snorted into his cup of pumpkin juice.

"How could a raven be red and black?" Percy asked in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Perhaps we should check around the orchard and the garden, Arthur? I don't think it is any ordinary raven. What if Bellatrix has sent someone to spy on us?" Mrs Weasley worried.

"I think you heard me wrong," Charlie cut in. "I told a red and a black bird which means two birds. D'you get me?"

"I think I heard you say red and black bird!" Ron piped in from the other end of the table.

"I think you all seriously misunderstood the repetition of articles," Hermione chided as Astoria nodded.

The whole table excluding a select few started to protest but Neville cut in.

"I think we must have our breakfast in peace," he suggested with a frown. Everyone fell silent. "Gosh. Why is it that wherever I go, chaos follows me? I don't think I have had a peaceful breakfast in a year!" A laugh broke out and soon enough, everyone but the five sleepless, midnight owls of the past night forgot everything about the mysterious bird.

___________________

Minutes after breakfast, Harry and Ginny were in the latter's room, discussing about the late night Hogwarts visit.

"We found nothing. It was not worth the risk," Harry groaned. Ginny looked up at him from the pile of books obscuring her vision.

"I think you forgot something that Master told," she said. Harry raised his eyebrow. "There is a possibility that the vault of Lord and Lady Gryffindor has some clue. He did tell us to visit the vault if we don't find anything in the book."

"Right. But we already did visit the vault and I never saw any triangle eye!" Harry interjected.

"That's because we were in a hurry! We didn't see the right or the left room well!" Ginny argued and shut the book she was reading. "We are going there –"

"Not tonight, right? Because I'm sure your brother, Draco and Astoria will kill us if we interrupt their dream sleep again," Harry snorted. He and Ginny were used to staying up late due to their previous trainings.

"What about tomorrow?"

"Not possible. We are leaving tomorrow, remember? Sirius insists on a party for an easily forgettable birthday," Harry replied.

"Whose birthday?" Ginny asked, eagerness in eating a cake evident in her voice.

"Some git bloke's," Harry retorted lowly.

"Which bloke? You don't happen to talk about yourself, do you, Mister?" Ginny teased.

"Am I a git?" he asked.

"Yep."

"Shut it."

"So. . . is it your birthday?" Ginny tried again.

"What if it is?"

"Well, we could meet up again. . . When is your birthday?" she asked slyly.

"July 31st. Oh damn," Harry swore as Ginny clapped her hands.

"Perfect. I can visit you then! Just give me your address," she said eagerly. Harry frowned.

"I don't want my birthday to be celebrated," he said simply.

"But why?"

"Because I'm not worthy. It's not like my birth saved the world or something. In fact, it destined their death."

"Whoever told you aren't worthy, that person is a git. You are worth everything Harry. Every thing," Ginny reassured. Harry shrugged.

"So, do we visit the vault?" he asked in an effort to change the subject. She frowned.

"Yes."

"But we can't do it tonight or tomorrow. You are underage," Harry pointed out.

"Why would that matter?" Ginny asked, perplexed.

"You can't Apparate. We can't travel by Portkey to the bank in broad daylight especially when you are all clumsy. We cannot use the Floo either. Your mum will catch us," he reasoned. This got Ginny thinking.

"We can't visit the vault until 11th of the next month?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes and we must go the day you turn 17. We can't delay much longer. Your school will start and then it's impossible!"

Ginny sighed. "I guess we are in need of a plan."

________________

The thirty first of July rolled around fairly quickly. Harry woke up to a black dog eating his face off and making it droop with saliva. Next, he was shocked out of his wits (although he did not show it) by Ron and Draco when they pulled a prank on him. The breakfast specially cooked by Regulus was pretty delicious and Harry had a good day.

His friends had sent him owls carrying cakes, greetings and gifts. He was rather surprised he did not get any from a certain redhead.

The day was getting over and Harry walked into his room to travel to the land of sleep when he was met with an angel sitting on his bed in his bedroom.

"Ginny!" he exclaimed as he shut the door.

"Privacy charms," she reminded him and he obliged. When he turned around, she was standing not more than five metres away from him. "I figured I would give you my gift in person. Owls are for the lazy. Here you go." She handed him a neatly wrapped blue package and looked at him expectantly. He nodded his thanks before opening it.

Inside the box was a small silver ring which had intricate patterns on it. It almost resembled the ring his Master gave him when he started Durmstrang.

"This ring?" he croaked out. She smiled at him.

"I thought you would fancy a new ring since that was destroyed. So I created it with my power whilst imagining the old one. Unlike that one, this isn't dark and its filled with my love," Ginny explained. Harry smiled genuinely at her before pocketing the box and grabbing her hands. He moved close to her so that they could hear each other's breathing: Ginny's being unsteady. Nevertheless, she whispered her greetings against his lips. "Happy birthday, Harry."

"Thanks, Gin," he replied back before meeting her warm lips with his.

Sorry for the late update! I hope you liked this chapter!

Stay with me for a couple of chapters more, please!

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Miyoko x