Dawn Rivera

The Will of Albus Dumbledore

"Happy birthday, Harry!" says Hermione, hurrying into the kitchen and adding her own present to the top of the pile. "It's not much, but I hope you like it. What did you get him?" she adds to Ron, who seems not to hear.

"Come on, then, open Hermione's and Dawn's!" says Ron.

Hermione has bought him a new Sneakoscope, and I a hamper of Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour beans and suchlike. I was t sure what to get him, because I'm not certain if we're just friends or something more. We haven't actually established if we're boyfriend and girlfriend yet, so I wanted to get him something neutral. What's more neutral than food? The other packages contain an enchanted razor from Bill and Fleur, chocolates from the Delacours and an enormous box of the latest Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes merchandise from Fred and George.

Harry, Danny, Ron, Hermione and I do not linger at the table, as the arrival of Madame Delacour, Fleur and Gabrielle makes the kitchen uncomfortably crowded.

"I'll pack these for you," I say brightly, taking Harry's presents out of his arms as the five of us head back upstairs. "We're nearly done, we're just waiting for the rest of your pants to come out of the wash, Ron - "

Ron's splutter is interrupted by the opening of a door on the first-floor landing.

"Harry, will you come in here a moment?"

It is Ginny. Misty comes out of the room to join us. Ron and I come to an abrupt halt, but Hermione and Misty take us by the elbow and tug us on up the stairs. Looking nervous, Harry follows Ginny into her room. My insides are burning with anger and hard jealousy. I want throw and rip at anything I can get my hands on, yet at the same time wish nothing more than to burst into tears. Harry is lost to me, perhaps forever, and it's all because of her. Danny uncharacteristically takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. He didn't try to pull me away. He, and he alone, knows truly how much I feel for Harry. He is the only one who has truly stood by me since I've known him, even if we have had our arguments along the way.

*

The door bangs open and Harry and Ginny jump apart.

"Oh," says Ron pointedly. "Sorry."

"Ron!" Hermione is just behind him, slightly out of breath. There is a strained silence, then Misty says in a little voice, "Well, happy birthday anyway, Harry."

Ron's ears are scarlet; Hermione and I are nervous. I want to slam the door in their faces, for Harry to see how much he's hurt me, how much I wanted his affectionate actions to mean we were more than friends. But seeing them together seems to have deflated the life out of me. If Harry wants Ginny, then it's his choice. If it makes him happy...

I look at Ginny, wanting to say something, though I hardly know what, but she has turned her back in me. I think that she might have succumbed, for once, to tears. Harry doesn't do anything to comfort her in front of Ron.

"I'll see you later," Harry says, and follows the four of us out of the bedroom. Misty stays behind with Ginny.

Ron matches downstairs, through the still crowded kitchen and into the yard, and Harry and Danny keep pace with him all the way, Hermione and I trotting along behind them feeling scared.

Once he has reached the seclusion of the freshly mown lawn, Ron rounds on Harry.

"He's not messing her around," says Danny, as Hermione and I catch up with them.

"Ron - " I say.

But Ron holds up a hand to silence me.

"She was really cut up when you ended it - "