Twenty: Happy Birthday?

                                    

                                          



'Snuffles, Thank you so much for letting me use part of my trust fund to buy the twins' shop. Mr Ollivander has put me in touch with the owner and settled for 900 Galleons. I love you dearly and hope to see you on Saturday for my birthday, if not I know it was for good reason. I love you always, -GLB'
                          
     Gia walked down to the Owlery and handed her letter to Hedwig. She did not have an owl of her own. Her father gifted one to Ron in his third year, Alice's was on it's way to James and James used his frequently. Harry had no problem with her using Hedwig. She was quite fond of the snowy owls attitude and loyalty to Harry. 
                          
    "Hedwig, would you mind taking this to Snuffles? I have a present for you." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of mixed nuts. Hedwig hooted cheerfully as she nibbled at Gia's palm. She grabbed the letter out of her hand and flew gracefully out of the Owlery's open window. 
                          
    October had come and gone. The wind was not chilly with the autumn air. She took in the breeze as she walked back to the castle. Mornings were the best time she had for herself. She had work an hour before breakfast while Fred was off selling his Skiving Snack Boxes. She spent all her free hours in the Potions room with Snape. Lunch was eaten quickly as she would switch between the Hospital Wing and Snape's classroom. Dinner was spent with Alice, finalizing the details of her wedding and sending them to James. Fred spent most nights cleaning the dorm as they left it in shambles every morning. By the time she finished her night shifts at the Hospital Wing, Fred was asleep and all she had time to do was finish her homework Fred had started for her. 
                          
    "Good morning love. I didn't hear you get up this morning." Fred said as she sat with him at the Gryffindor table. She rested a tired head on his shoulder as he shovelled food into his mouth. 
                          
    "I had to write to... Snuffles and Remus." She yawned as she spoke. He rubbed her upper thigh and she looked up at him giving him a knowing look.
                          
    "What are we doing for your birthday?" Harry sat down next to her breaking her gaze at Fred. 
                          
    "Harry we have plans for that Hogsmeade trip." Hermoine widened her eyes and looked at Harry cautiously. 
                          
    "You expect me not to tell her, and besides that will only take half an hour. We have a whole day." Harry nudged Gia on the arm making her shake herself awake more. 
                          
    "I think my fathers and James are coming with Tonks. Then Fred and I are getting dinner." Fred's hand moved up her thigh making her squirm and bite her lip. 
                          
    "That is enough time for our plans. Right Moine?" Harry asked her, he made sure not to give too much information away. "We can do something at Madam Puddifoots with Remus, Snuffles, and James." 
                          
    "Freddie not now please," Gia whispered as he played with the hem of her skirt. "Yeah Harry, what do you and Moine have planned?" She looked up at Harry who gave her a worried smile.
                          
    "Hermoine can explain it at dinner. I got to go, Quidditch." Harry ruffled up her hair as he left. George kissed Hermoine sweetly on the shoulder as he bid goodbye. Fred gave her a cheeky smile and a wink as he left, leaving her a blushing mess. Ron looked awkwardly at the Ravenclaw table, he made eye contact with Luna. He quickly averted his eyes and followed the boys out of the Great Hall. 
                          
    "When were you going to tell me Ronald liked Luna?" Gia said to Ginny. She laughed, making her choke on a piece of toast. 
                          
    "What gives you that idea?" Ginny wiped her face. Alice came and sat with Gia. She wore the same tired expression. 
                          
    "I watched him, just now. He did that awkward shifty thing he does when Gia and Hermoine are around." Alice said. She pushed the hair away from her face making her dark circles more apparent.