Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles

"Harry! Harry, wake up!" Ron was whispering loudly. He yanked open Harry's bed curtains and grabbed his shoulder. Harry rolled over and punched him, knocking him to the floor. "Oi, mate, whaddya do that for?"

"Huh?" Harry groped around for a moment, finally finding his glasses and putting them on. "Ron, why are you sitting on the floor?"

"'Cause you punched me." Harry mumbled an apology, though he didn't seem all that apologetic. Ron ignored it though. "Harry, I need your help. I need the invisibility cloak and the Marauder's map." Even in the low light, Ron could see Harry's doubtful look. Behind him, Neville snorted in his sleep then began to snore loudly. He grabbed Harry's arm and drug him out in the hall, picking up something off his bed on the way.

"Harry, I'm begging you here. You have to help me."

"What's the big deal?"

"Do you know what day it is?" Harry glanced down at his watch; a birthday present from Hermione to replace the one drowned in the lake the previous year.

"It's Tuesday, September 19^th. So?"

"So?! Harry, it's Hermione's birthday." He knew he was blushing, so he buried it under an angry expression. "I can't give her this." He shoved the copy of You Bought a Kneazle, What in Merlin's Name Were You Thinking? Tips Every Kneazle Owner Should Know into Harry's hands.

"This is a good gift," Harry said casually, "I don't see what's wrong with it. She'll like it."

"Harry," Ron groaned and raised his hands to the sky. "It was fine when I bought it three weeks ago. That was before she was my girlfriend. I've got to get her something special. Something that tells her, you know, that she's...special. Stop laughing at me." Harry had been doing that a lot lately, laughing at him, Hermione too. Harry turned and headed down the stairs, indicating Ron should follow. Harry sat down in the chair in front of the fire and propped his feet up on the coffee table where the chess board was left. Ron flopped down on the couch.

"All right, don't get your knickers in a twist. What are you planning on doing?"

"Well, there's this shop in Diagon Alley-"

"Hold on a minute here. Just how are you planning on getting to Diagon Alley, on a school day; and has the fact that it's five in the morning escaped your notice?" Ron gave Harry a blank look. The fact that nothing was open at this hour had not crossed his mind.

"I'm dead. I am so dead they're going to have to bury me twice." Ron put his head in his hands and breathed out a long sigh. "What am I going to do, Harry? She's gonna be so mad. It's our two week anniversary to boot."

Harry snorted. "She has you so smitten." Ron didn't look up, he knew Harry was wearing that amused expression that had been on his face ever since The Kiss. The kiss had occurred two weeks ago; Ron had been coming out of Divinations. Trelawney had just finished doing this really weird Tarot reading on him, and he was still feeling a little light headed from the incense and lack of oxygen. Then she had been there, right in front of him. There wasn't any help for it; he couldn't stop himself. He kissed her. She hadn't really been expecting it, and she was even more shocked by it than he was. He had mis-read her reaction. Thinking she was going to be mad, he ran. He avoided her for two whole days before Harry convinced him to talk to her. It was then that he had discovered he didn't need to apologize, he just needed to kiss her again. So he had, several times as a matter of fact.

"Does not. I just want to get her something... nice." Harry chose that moment to sneeze, though Ron thought he heard the word 'bullshit' in there somewhere.

"Okay, Ron, don't go all mental on me. Have you thought about giving her candy? Women are supposed to like candy." Ron gave Harry his best patronizing look. Hermione was not a big fan of candy, at least not that she would admit to. Ron had bought her candy for birthdays before, and then usually ended up eating most of it himself. He promised himself he wouldn't do that this year. "Right,' Harry agreed, "this is Hermione, no candy." The two sat in silence for a few minutes. "What about bringing her breakfast from the kitchens?"

"Elf labor," Ron replied. Harry nodded sagely, understanding completely.

"Flowers?"

"She's allergic to pollen." Both boys sat there in quiet contemplation.

"Okay," Harry said, "just don't get caught. And if she asks, I don't know anything."

"Thanks, mate." Ron sprinted up the stairs three at a time. He opened his trunk and grabbed a small pouch from the bottom. One galleon, thirteen sickles, seven knuts; his saving from his summer job. He looked at the pile of sugar quills in the bottom of his trunk and decided they would just have to be enough to last until Christmas.

---------

"Harry, have you seen Ron this morning?" Hermione noticed that Harry wouldn't look at her as he shook his head no, and studiously read the lead article in her copy of the prophet. She was upset, was it so much to ask that her boyfriend join her for breakfast on her sixteenth birthday. She stabbed a stray piece of scrambled egg with particular vehemence. She knew Harry knew, he was very transparent when he was lying. "Where is he?"

Harry's head snapped up, he looked like a wild animal caught in the headlights of an oncoming lorry. "Would you look at the time? Sorry Herm, gotta go. Oh, happy birthday." She dropped her fork as Harry took off. Great, so this was how it was going to be. She rested her head on her hands and pulled her copy of the Prophet over.

Aurors to Increase Patrols in Diagon Alley.

In light of the recent threats against several businesses in Diagon Alley, Chief Auror Jack Boot announced on Monday that patrols in the area would be increased. When asked if he thought that You-Know-Who was behind the threats, since many were against Muggle-born business owners, he replied only, "We have to keep an open mind about these things. We have to protect all of our citizens from any threat." When asked what that would mean, he stated only that the Aurors would be looking for "suspicious behavior."

The alarm went off on her watch informing her it was time to head for class. With a last disappointed look around for Ron, she headed out of the Great Hall and off to Arithmancy.

---------------

Ron scratched Crookshanks behind the ears and told him to go back to the castle as he slipped down the hole under the Whomping Willow. He jogged down the dark passageway, his wand held before him like a flashlight. In the Shrieking Shack, he made sure the invisibility cloak covered him completely and climbed out one of the back windows. Six blocks later he stood before the Hog's Head Inn, the only twenty-four hour establishment in Hogsmeade. He whipped off the invisibility cloak and stuck it in his knapsack.

"Morning," Ron called out in a chipper voice to the man behind the counter. "Looks like it's gonna be a nice day." The heavy set middle-aged man looked up, grunted, and went back to his book. "Have you got a fireplace connected to the Floo Network?" The man nodded. "Where is it?" Ron asked after no other information was forthcoming. The man pointed down a hall. "Thanks." By now, Ron had lost his temporary good mood.

"Travelling, or talking." Ron almost jumped out of his skin. The man's voice was gravelly and deep. Ron answered that he was travelling. "One Sickle for use, three Knuts for Floo Powder. No, you can't supply your own."

"Oh, right." Ron dug into his pack and pulled out his money pouch. He took out the required coin and dropped it on the counter. The man's meaty hand snatched it up; he grunted and tossed a small bag of Floo powder to Ron. The fire wasn't even lit; Ron grumbled and lit one. The Leaky Cauldron was empty save for Tom when Ron fell out of the fireplace.

Ron crossed to the doorway out to Diagon Alley. He stared at the bricks for a long time. He had never done this; it was always either his mum or dad. He took a deep breath; he could do this. He was fifteen now; he could figure it out. Half an hour later Ron was finally rescued when Mr. Ollivander entered the alleyway.

"Ah, yes. Sixteen inches, cherry, Dragon heartstring from a particularly bad tempered welsh green. Haven't quite grown into yet I see, getting there though." Ron nodded warily as the old man tapped the wall and it opened. Ron followed him at a safe distance. The streets of Diagon Alley were deserted save for him and Mr. Ollivander. Ron wandered up and down the streets as the morning fog burned away. By eight o'clock he had wandered all of the main thoroughfares and alleyways, twice. He had even taken a quick stroll through Knockturn Alley, though that had been cut short when an eye floating in a jar in the window of Avery's Apothecary blinked at him.

By nine o'clock he was more than happy to see a few shop owners opening their doors and displaying their goods. He wandered into Viscol's Viscous Potions and poked around a bit, then over to Quality Quidditch Supplies where he spent a long time looking at the new team jerseys for the 95-96 season. The Cannons had redone their uniforms for the thirteenth time in thirteen seasons. The new uniforms featured a flaming snitch being shot out of a cannon. The t-shirts were only eighteen sickles. He reached into his bag, then he remembered he was here to buy Hermione a present, and put it back. He wandered around a bit more until Moneypenny's Fine Jewelry and Gifts opened at 10:00.

Ron wandered through the store, looking into the glass cases featuring unbreakable crystal jewelry boxes, authentic fairy light combs, and of course more expensive jewelry than Ron could shake a wand at. A matronly looking woman of late middle years approached him. "Can I help you, young man?"

"I, I'm looking for a birthday present for my girlfriend." He shifted uncomfortably under the woman's gaze, he was acutely aware of his hand me down jeans and Cannons T-shirt with its frayed collar.

"How much are you looking to spend?" Ron pulled out his money pouch and emptied it into his hand. He could feel the blush creeping over his ears and down his neck. "I see, well," her voice sounded patronizing to Ron. "Perhaps you would be better served looking elsewhere. I don't believe we can help you, young man."

"Rubbish," Ron swore as he turned and walked out of the shop. He stopped at Flourish and Blotts and considered getting her a Peacock Feather quill, but decided against it. He wanted something nicer that would last more than just a term. He stopped outside Halzfarger's Fine gifts and was eyeing a beautiful gold necklace when two men approached him.

"Can we help you, son?" Ron looked at the blonde haired man, who was shorter than he was and didn't look nearly old enough to be calling him 'son.' He didn't notice the badge on the man's chest that read Magical Law Enforcement Squad. Agent Walker.

"You could give me the money to buy that necklace for my girl, either that or help me figure out how to get it out of there." There was a sudden crack on the back of his knee and Ron collapsed to the pavement.

"Think that's funny, do ya'?" The blonde man leaned down over him. "Think it's funny when these hard working folks are robbed by criminals, shaken down for their day's take."

"That's enough, Jonathon." Ron looked up toward the other voice, which was vaguely familiar.

"Mr. Diggory," Ron said quickly, trying to stand. "Am I glad to see you. This guy just came up and hit me." It was then that Ron realized they were both in identical cloaks and had badges. His heart sunk. The story of what was going on was quickly related.

"All right, Ron. Get out of here. I don't want any trouble from the Ministry on this. You keep your mouth shut, and I'll extend you the same courtesy, got it?" Ron nodded his head vigorously. "Good, now get out of here." Ron took off before Amos Diggory had a chance to realize that he should be in school. Once he was away from the Aurors, he slowed down again. He scuffled his feet along the cobblestones as he headed back to the Leaky Cauldron, and then headed out the other door to Muggle London.

He wandered aimlessly down the street, muttering to himself about how someday he was going to find a way to be richer than Malfoy. Then he'd walk back into Moneypenny's and tell that old bag that, "Sorry, but perhaps I'd be better served spending his millions of galleons somewhere else." He stopped in front of a shop that had an interesting sign in the front window. Paddington Court Antiques and Gifts. Buy, Sell, Trade. Ron opened the door and set the little bells on the frame to ringing.

The shop was old and musty. Old music played over an unseen wireless. The shop was small and crammed from floor to ceiling with shelves full of stuff that Ron could only describe as junk, but that his father would find priceless. "Mornin', love, c'n I 'elp yeh." The old woman's cockney was so thick Ron could barely understand her.

"Probably not," Ron said morosely.

"C'mon, love, can' be tha' bad. Wha' yeh lookin for?" Ron looked up at her. She was an old woman, older than his mum certainly, maybe even as old as Tom over at the Leaky Cauldron. She had an old maroon beret cocked sideways on her head and she was wearing an old paisley print dress that was covered by a gray cardigan that had definitely seen better days, maybe around the end of World War 2.

"I need a gift for my girlfriend, it's her birthday. She's sixteen today." The woman beamed at him.

"Got jus' the thin' love." She bustled across the shop and opened a glass front case. She reached in and pulled out a box. She sat it down on the counter in front of Ron. It was a beautiful piece, Ron thought. It was a rich mahogany with a deep red color and had a bit of inlaid mother of pearl on the top. She opened the top and Ron heard voices coming from it.

Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday Baby,
I love you so.
Sixteen candles,
Make a lovely light.

She closed the lid. Ron smiled, it was perfect. It was just what he wanted. He reached in and pulled out his money pouch, then his hope collapsed. He had no Muggle money. If he converted what he had at Gringotts, he would have hardly any money at all. His coins glittered spitefully in his hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have wasted your time."

"Wai' a minute, love. Wha' yeh go' there?" Shame buring his face, he showed the old woman. She picked up the galleon and looked at it closely, then she gave Ron a hard look. She squinted and cocked her head to the side. "Yeh know a man name o' Weasley." Ron stopped breathing, and nodded. "Wha's yer name, love?"

"Ron." She smiled at him. Ron gave her a guarded smile.

"I know yer da', comes in 'ere couple o' times a week. Likes the gadgets, he does." Ron nodded knowingly. "We'll call it e'en on this," she said, holding up the coin. Ron grinned as she wrapped up the package. In short order he found himself walking down the passageway back to the Whomping Willow, the musical jewelry box open, playing its song over and over again. The Marauder's map showed that Harry and Hermione were in Transfigurations, and he knew they would be going to lunch soon.

Ron took a seat in the Gryffindor common room and waited. He didn't have to wait long. Soon, he heard her coming through the portrait hole. "Harry, I don't care where he's gone. If he wants to fail right out of school, I am not going to stop him. I just," he heard her sniffle, "just wish he'd cared enough to tell me where he'd gone."

"Why don't you ask me?" Ron said standing up, her package hidden behind his back.

"You, you," she stamped her foot and pointed at him, "you!"

"Mi, mi, mi, mi, mi-------" She stalked over to him and slapped his chest.

"Where were you? How dare you? Skivving off classes! Do you want to get kicked out of school?"

Ron took a deep breath and avoided yelling back at her. It wasn't fair. He had done it for her. "Are you done yelling at me?" Ron almost laughed at the incredulous look of shock on her face. He noticed that Harry had disappeared at some point. For the moment, the common room was empty. He brought out the package and handed it to her. "Happy Birthday, Hermione." Her mouth dropped open, he reached up and closed it, then gave her a light kiss.

"I, I thought you... thank you." She smiled up at him shyly.

"Well, go on, open it." She tore the wrapping away. The smile that broke across her face brought joy to Ron's heart. To see such a thing was worth the lack of sleep and food, worth all the Zonko's jokes he wouldn't be able to buy, worth ten times, a hundred times more than he paid for it. Ron couldn't remember a time when he had seen her so happy, it was the best thing he could think of. He started whistling the tune as she opened the box.

"Happy Birthda-" Ron's voice died in his throat. The screeching and growling that came from the box was not what he had expected. His face fell. "Rubbish," he turned around so that she wouldn't see how ashamed he was. He had bought her something that didn't even work. He felt awful.

"Ron?" He felt her small hand on his shoulder. She wormed her way under his arm. "It's lovely, I really like it."

"But it's rubbish, it's supposed to sing you a song."

"You were going to sing the song." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah," he said.

"Will you sing it for me?" Ron looked at her in shock; she had to be barking mad if she thought he was going to sing. She ran her hand over his chest and looked up into his face imploringly. "Just for me?" she said quietly. His will crumbled.

"Only if you promise not to break up with me after you hear me sing." She put her hand on her heart and promised. Quietly, he began.

Happy Birthday,
Happy Birthday Baby,
I love you so.

Sixteen candles,
Make a lovely light.
But not as bright,
As your eyes tonight.

Blow out the candles.
Make your wish come true,
For I'll be wishing,
That you love me too.

You're only sixteen,
But you're my teenage queen,
You're the prettiest,
The loveliest, girl I've ever seen.

Sixteen candles,
In my heart will glow,
Forever and ever,
For I love you so.

You're only sixteen,
But you're my teenage queen,
You're the prettiest,
The loveliest, girl I've ever seen.

Sixteen candles,
In my heart will glow,
Forever and ever,
For I love you so.
For I love you so.

Applause erupted from behind them. Ron prayed the ground would open right up and swallow him. He just wanted to die. He felt Hermione's small, cold hands encircle his neck and pull him down. She leaned up and kissed him, gently at first, then more passionately. Somewhere behind him, he heard Harry's voice. "Okay folks, move along, nothing to see here." There was much grumbling and catcalling among the exiting Gryffindors, Fred and George the loudest among them. Ron just kept kissing Hermione until it was quiet again.

"Thank you," she said with a coquettish smile, "that was very sweet of you." He gave her a lopsided grin. "Just, don't ever do that again." Ron nodded vigorously, not for all the gold in Gringotts would he do that again. Next year, he'd buy her the right gift to start with.

Finis