"Do you want to tell us why you had 'that' with you?" Bill asked with a complicated expression on his face. *sigh* I pulled out the pistol I had and handed it over to Bill, "It's not a real gun. It's a toy that fires rubber bullets. I did not know wizards or muggles attacked so I showed both to try and discourage the attacker. Facing Voldemort a couple months back has put me on edge ever since, so please excuse my actions." I said somberly, looking at the ruined cake in George's hand.
"But I have to say, you were.... something else out there. Very Gryffindorish of you." Charlie added with a smile. "Oh! Come of it! That was bloody wicked!" George seemed to be in high spirits as his brother- Fred sulked, "Wish I had seen it. You could have taken out George, Harry. I missed the best part" he whined.
I pocketed the gun in my jacket, my heart beating against the cold steel of the weapon. The gun I had just showed and given to Bill for inspecting, was a live weapon- loaded with real amunation. I was lucky enough the gun didn't have a bullet chambered in, and the fact that Bill did not know how to use it. My bluffing and my lies are getting out off hand. Phew...
"Were did you learn how to do those spells? There were O.W.L. spells mixed in with stinging jinxes and hexes." Charlie asked looking impressed. I just shrugged, "I thought myself. Falling right on top of a bed of Devil Snare, Running into statues of giant chess pieces trying to skewer me, and if all of that want enough, getting attacked by our DADA teacher wasn't a fun experience. I'm a magnet for trouble, so the smart thing was to equip myself with tools that would save me."
I felt it was enough of making Ron suffer so cast an "Enervate" on him, rousing him from his state of unconsciousness. "Wha... *yawn* what 'appened?" He said shaking himself awake. "You just passed out in excitement Ron." It didn't take much to convince Ron of that, with a bit of support from the others.
We walked back to the Burrow with me trailing behind the Weasley siblings, not knowing if I should stay with them or not. Just as the Weasleys were ascending the hill to reach the Burrow, I felt a hand tug the back of my shirt. I turned to look at Ginny following right behind me with a guilty look on her face, "I'm sorry Harry. It was my idea. I thought it would be a nice surprise." She accepted in a small voice.
I waved it off with a smile, "No no. I overreacted. It was actually one of the nicest things anyone has done for me. So thanks Ginny."
*****
We had another small party where everyone of the Weasley family, the Tonks family and Sirius was present. It was pretty awesome to have a birthday where many of my favorite fictional characters celebrated my birthday. And getting a party after 12 years of putting up with the Dursleys, felt like a Quest Reward.
"I'm still looking into it. Archaic laws are getting in the way of a few technicalities. Making my job even more difficult than it already is. On the other hand, the finances of ESP is at an all time high. I'm even getting my wife's help to go through everything and looking through the tax laws. It's exhausting, but have never felt more alive." Ted said laughing.
Ted and I talked about the investments
We had an impromptu Quidditch match which made the day special. But the Weasley twins outdid themselves by setting off one of the best fireworks display I have ever see, which turned out to be the perfect end to a perfect day.
****
Sirius stayed the night with us, as he was in no condition to travel by any means let alone apparate to his house. Sirius, Ted, Arthur, Bill and Charlie had gotten sloshed with the help of The Firewhiskey that Sirius sneaked in without Molly knowing, drinking and laughing rowdily till they passed out in the backyard away from Molly's eyes.
"....WHAT SORT OF AN EXAMPLE DO YOU MAKE FOR THE KIDS?!?!..." Sure enough, there was fire and brimstone in the morning as jinxes, hexes and curses flew in all direction trying to hit the five accused men, ducking and scrambling for the door as they ran out the house.
It wasn't until Lunch when Molly had calmed down and four out of the five men returned back to the Burrow. Ted had left for work, with a blasting migraine and a sore body from getting jinxed in multiple places by Molly during her tirade.
After lunch, Sirius, Bill, Charlie, the Twins and myself were sitting in the forest away from Molly's eye... and ears. "I admit the Montrose Magpies are one of the best and have won more than any. But no one can say with this level of assurance that they will win. I can't see where this confidence is coming from Harry." Bill asked with a bit of skepticism in his voice. I gave him a small smile, "It's simple really. The Magpies have had the Firebolts for a couple of months now. I sold them the first set of brooms so they have more time to get used to the brooms. The other teams are getting theirs just a week from the the Leagues matches."
Charlie shook his head with a sigh, "Sorry. But I'm out. I spend a fair bit on supplies in Romania so I do not have much to spare." It was Bill turn next and he took a lot of time to decide but finally said, "Sorry, but this I'd too risky for my taste. Mum would skin and hide me alive if she finds out. I'm getting enough grief as it is to find a proper girl to marry as it is." He said tiredly.
The Twins did not even think twice before answering, "We are in." And with that the twins were down 60 Galleons as they bet the entirety of their savings on the Montrose Magpies on the upcoming finals in the British and Irish Quidditch League. The twins were in the C-league for bets upto 100 Galleons. Sirius and I were in the A-league for bets upto 100,000 Galleons. We each pitched in a 100,000. Mundungus Fletcher, who under the employ of Sirius had massively decreased the odds on Magpies by methods unknown to me. Nor was I interested. I had told him not to tryst the rat-faced thief but he dismissed it casually.