Some Things Just Never Change

*A Wonderful Birthday* Chapter 1 BEEP.....BEEP.....BEEP! Harry woke up to the noisy sound of his old alarm clock, and instantly forgetting the wonderful dream he was having. He then, quickly reached over and pushed the snooze button.

Unable to fall back to sleep, he looked over to see the time. It was 8:00am. Harry now remembered that today was July 31st....his birthday! He was now 18, and officially out of Hogwarts. This was amazingly, the first time he got sleep before his birthday.

Harry sat up and put his glasses on. He was startled when he noticed a familiar house elf, standing at his window. "Dobby?!" Harry exclaimed, while confused to why he was there. "What are you doing in my room? I thought you would be in Ireland with the rest of the house elves, on vacation!"

"Dobby has some things for Mr. Harry Potter!"

"What things?" Harry questioned.

Dobby turned and handed Harry some packages. Harry studied the packages and turned them over. Harry smiled as he read the names Ron W., Hermione, and Hagrid on them.

"Dobby thought, sir, since he kept Harry's letters away from him before, that he would deliver today's mail to Mr. Potter, personally."

"Thanks, Dobby, but you didn't have to go through all of that trouble just for me." Harry replied.

"Oh, no! No trouble at all! Dobby would gladly do anything for Mr. Potter, expecially after what he has done for Dobby!" He cried.

"By the way, how did you get in here?" Harry asked the house elf.

Dobby pointed to a magical ladder that leaned against Harry's dusty window. Then the elf turned to the clock on Harry's wall, and shoved his hands over his face.

"Dobby is late and must leave right away!" Dobby told Harry.

Harry was about to ask the house elf what he was late for, but Dobby had already scampered down the ladder and out of sight.

Harry reached down and quickly grabbed the package that was from his good friend Ron. He tore open the seal. Inside was what appeared to be a letter from Ron, and a wrapped piece of clothing-(or so it seemed to be). Harry read the letter first:

Dear Harry, I reminded mum that your birthday was coming up and she just HAD to make you another sweater! I also am giving you an old Chudley Cannons book of techniques. Hope you like it! Happy Birthday! Ron Weasley

Harry undid the wrapping on the sweater. It was in exactly the same style as his other sweater, which he could no longer where because it was given to him years ago. This sweater had a large golden 'H' in the middle, and brooms and wands to the sides. He folded, and laid the sweater next to him. Then he reached back into the package and pulled out the Chudley Cannons book. The cover was bright orange and had a picture of the Chudley Cannons Quidditch team flying around on it. Harry smiled, remembering how Ron's room used to be covered in things like this.

Harry set the book and the sweater down next to his alarm clock, planning to read the book once he was finished opening his presents. Then he turned and grabbed the next package, ready to tear it open as well.

He checked and read that the package was from his other friend, Hermione. It was oddly, quite large. He, again, tore open the seal. He grabbed what he thought was a letter from Hermione and read it.

Dear Harry, Victor and I- "I wonder where this is going?" Harry muttered.- were walking past a used magic books sale. I thought I would pick some up for you. Oh! and Victor wants to meet you in Diagon Alley tomorrow because he thinks you should play on his team! I hope you have a happy birthday! See you soon. Hermione G.

Harry reached back into the package and pulled out two huge, and quite dusty books. One was titled Wizard and Witched of All Ages and the other, titled Famous Quidditch Plays Throughout History.

Harry was very glad that he now had the two Quidditch books to teach him better plays. And, he would NEVER pass up a chance to play on a major team! He never felt more surprised in his life (or so he thought). He set the two books next to his new sweater.

Harry was suddenly interrupted by a familiar hooting. He turned and saw his white owl, flapping her large wings quite slowly. Hedwig was carrying a small envelope under her beak. She flew in from Harry's window and purched on his bed post. Hedwig dropped the envelope next to Harry.

Harry read the label on the envelope, Hedwig hooting agressively, apparently asking for an owl treat. The envelope was from Sirius, his godfather. Harry could faintly feel something small and hard inside the envelope. Harry began to fill up with curiosity. He quickly ripped it open, while Hedwig started to become even more impatient. Inside was a tiny golden key. He felt around inside the envelope and was able to find a folded letter from Sirius. He unfolded the letter and read:

Dear Harry, How are you doing? Are those Muggle Dursleys still treating you badly? Well, my gift to you will bring all of that to an end. The key is to your new flat (or apartment)! It's not luxurious and it's still in the Muggle world, but, it is near the street pond and is VERY close to the Diagon Alley entrance- "YES!" Harry yelled out, then pushed his hand over his mouth, remembering that Dudley's room was across the hall and that Dudley was probably STILL asleep!- I figured you would like that fact. I hope you enjoy it there because I practically emptied my vault just to pay for it, and I had loads of trouble counting Muggle money. I hope to see you soon. Have a wonderful birthday! Your Dear Friend, Sirius

Harry was then overwhelmed with joy. The thought of leaving the Dursleys was actually more of a dream than anything he had ever dreamed! He wanted to tell the whole world at that exact moment what he was about to do, and what his godfather had done for him.

At that moment, Harry remembered that he still hadn't opened his gift from Hagrid yet. He placed the tiny key safely in the dresser on the other side of his bed.

He reached over to open the package from Hagrid, but by now, Hedwig was screaming and he didn't want to wake Dudley, who usually was very lazy and slept till 1:00pm during the summer!!! So, Harry reached over to the bag of owl treats on the top of his dresser and handed one to Hedwig. She finally stopped screaching and flew into her cage for some water.

Finally, Harry was able to open the gift from Hagrid. He reached in and grabbed the letter which read:

Harry, I'm saving up me money ter.....er..... buy somethin' for Madame Maxime. So, I decided ter make some of me good old fudge! Happy Birthda', Harry. R. Hagrid

He wondered what Hagrid was planning on buying for Madame Maxime. Harry had already told himself that he would never eat Hagrid's fudge again. So, he decided that for his last time to see Dudley he would sneak him the fudge. It was so hard that it would probably be fun to watch Dudley try to eat it.

Harry put the fudge also, in his dresser. He got out of his bed and got dressed. He knew this wasn't going to be the type of birthday that he was used to.