A wonderful birthday

[alt_molly]

I had the most marvelous surprise for my birthday. I was busy making dinner for Bill and Arthur and thinking a little sadly to myself that it just wouldn't seem the same with almost all the children away at Hogwarts, when who should pop into the kitchen but Charlie! He surprised me so much that I shrieked and dropped the platter of potatoes I was bringing to the dining room table, but he managed to catch it with only a few sliding off onto the floor, so there was no harm done! (He says that being a dragon handler means that he has really fast reflexes!)

Arthur, that sneaky, sneaky man, arranged the whole thing with Charlie as a birthday surprise for me. Well, I'm simply delighted, of course! And he's been given leave for the entire weekend, so he'll be staying here at the Burrow, along with Bill. It's just wonderful to have him here.

I had their presents, and I also received an owl with a package from the rest of the children. The twins sent me one of their ridiculously extravagant joke cards that they made themselves. These have become rather a tradition for my birthday, and each year they strive to make them even more ridiculously elaborate. It's come to the point that I always brace myself and even cringe a little when I open it, because I never know what will pop out, usually quite noisily and straight at my face. This year's card was charmed so that when I opened it a miniature glittering dragon flew straight at me, snapping at my nose! Charlie was absolutely delighted with it. Percy sent me a lovely silk scarf that he must have nipped in to buy at Madam Malkin's, when we were in Diagon Alley buying books for Hogwarts last month. Arthur says it brings out the green in my eyes. Thank you, Percy, it's lovely! Luna sent me some doilies that she had crocheted, and Ginny sent me a couple of knitted thread placemats, 'for you and Dad to have for special dinners for just the two of you, now that we're all away at school.' Both girls did a beautiful job; I'm quite proud of them. Ron sent me something personal he'd made himself, too.

I had been feeling that this would be a sad birthday, with Ginny and Luna off to school this year. But it turned out to be one of my best ever, and now I have all weekend to enjoy Charlie's visit.

Comments

[alt_percy]

Glad you liked the scarf, Mum. Ginny helped me pick it out.

That's wonderful about Charlie visiting. Say hello to him from all of us at Hogwarts, won't you?

What did Ron send you? He took the post to the owlery, so I didn't see what he'd put in the package.

[alt_molly]

Yes, indeed, the scarf is splendid, thank you!

Oh, as for Ron, just a little personal thing, you understand. I'm sure he'd prefer I kept it just between the two of us.

Order Only

[alt_molly]

I don't know what to make of what Ron sent me! Minerva, it was his scribbled first draft of that punishment essay you assigned: 'Why I Ought Not Damage School Property.' He's in some kind of snit with me, that's the only conclusion I can draw.

Somehow, I suspect he never read the letter I sent to him apologising for sending him the Howler.

Re: Order Only

[alt_bill]

Want me to write to him, Mum, to try to sound it out?

Re: Order Only

[alt_molly]

Well . . . I think I'll let things be a little longer. I hope he'll come around eventually on his own.

[alt_sally_anne]

I didn't know it was your birthday today. Happy birthday, Mrs Weasley.

[alt_molly]

Thank you very much, dear. It's been a truly lovely one.

Oh, by the way...I also wanted to thank you for that resource you suggested to me, for the barter network, you remember? I did investigate it, and it's worked out quite well. You were so very clever to think of it, and I'm happy to have been able to put your idea into action.

[alt_sally_anne]

Oh, thank you. I'm glad it's worked out.

[alt_luna]

I'm glad you liked the doilies, Mrs Weasley. I got the pattern from one of my roommates, and they were quite fun to make.