Harry Potter and the Rise of the Phoenix

Chapter Nine ~ Birthday Surprises

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Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, dear Harry!
Happy birthday to you!

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Ron had a huge grin on his face as the wonderful smell of breakfast wafted through the house. His mum was cooking breakfast today. It had taken every single available Weasley to convince her to do it, but in the end the five boys and Ginny had won. It was Harry's seventeenth birthday, and they were determined to do everything in their power to celebrate it as best they could. And a good ol' fashion Weasley Birthday Breakfast was in order!

At the moment, Hermione and Ginny were in the bathroom the boys shared filling the last bucket from the bathtub faucet. Ginny had said Harry had enjoyed the wake up call last year, and that boy had certainly enjoyed doing it to him back in April! It was payback time! A simple charm made the water ice cold and Ron grinned wickedly. What was that old saying? Something about revenge being a dish best served cold? Well the key word here would be cold.

Ron looked at the door, thankful that Harry had had a decent night's sleep last night. His best friend had awoken every night thus far with nightmares, most often screaming. Ron woke up and talked to Harry every time he heard the shouting, but he also knew there were times he didn't wake up with his best mate. Ron hated thinking about those times. Harry just laying in bed, with no one but himself and his thoughts. It had to be hard on him.

But he hadn't heard anything out of Harry all last night. Granted, they hadn't gone to bed until eleven-ish, not that they were telling Quirke that. The woman wanted Harry in bed at 7:30! No teen can go to sleep at that time of the day! There had to be some kind of natural law against it! Ron hoped Harry was still asleep. It was almost nine, but he did tend to sleep in when given the chance.

"Ready?" Ron asked the girls, who nodded. Picking up his bucket, Ron led the girls into Harry's room. But Ron stopped suddenly, and Hermione ran into him spilling her bucket down his back. Ron didn't notice as Hermione used a spell to dry his clothes, because Harry wasn't in his bed! The blankets were piled in the corner and the sheets were a mess. A head poked out from around the side of the chair in front of the fireplace. It was Harry.

"Hey, guys," he said wearily. Ron put down his bucket and walked over to sit in the chair across from Harry. Hermione sat in his lap, chewing on her lip unconsciously. Ginny walked over and kneeled on the braided rug at Harry's feet, taking his hands in hers.

Harry looked horrid. His eyes were red, as if he had been crying, but there weren't any traces of tears on his face. Ron had the feeling it was just because he hadn't slept. Underneath his eyes were baggy and dark. The look in his eyes was a tortured one and Ron knew his best mate hadn't slept a bit last night. He was slumped back in his chair, as if trying to shrink away from them.

"Harry, are you alright?" Ginny asked carefully, kissing his hands softly.

"Not really," he replied.

"I didn't hear you scream last night," Ron told him, confused. Harry looked at him awkwardly.

"I waited up 'til after midnight before putting up a Silencing Charm," Harry told them. "I knew it was going to be a bad night." Of course, Ron should have guessed that Harry would do something like that.

"Was it?" Hermione asked tentatively.

Harry shrugged. "I didn't really give it a chance. One bad dream and I stayed up the rest of the night." Ron felt his heart breaking for his friend; life had really given him one crappy hand. "The nightmares are getting really old." Hermione let out a small cry, but she kept most of it in.

"Luv, why don't you lay down and take a nap," Ginny told him.

"No," Harry said with a very faint smile. "I can smell your mum's cooking. No way am I missing that!" Ron watched his little sister stand, pulling Harry up out of the chair and into her embrace. Harry put his head on her shoulder, exhausted.

"How 'bout you eat first and then take a nap?" Ginny bargained with him.

"As if I'd tell you no," Harry told her with a wry smile. "I'd do anything for you, Gin." Hermione smiled at the couple. Ron couldn't understand why Harry couldn't see that there was nothing wrong with the relationship he had with Ginny.

"Then let's eat," Ron said brightly. Hermione jumped up and holding his hand, led the way to the kitchen. Harry and Ginny followed behind, taking their own sweet time getting there.

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Harry sat at the kitchen table, smiling slightly. Mrs. Weasley had made a fine breakfast with all his favorites. On the outside, everyone was cheerful and excited, but there was an undercurrent of worry and gloom. Every time he yawned his friends traded dark looks and the others seemed worried about him too. He must look horrid if everyone was that concerned. Harry had been a bit puzzled about the gloom though, until he realized that one very important person was missing. Mr. Weasley had missed part of his birthday last year, but this year he would be missing it all. This was the first birthday since his death and only three weeks since Harry's attempted suicide. Those two facts alone would dampen anyone's spirits

Harry yawned again and Ginny stood up. Pulling out his chair with him still in it, Ginny stated in a no nonsense voice, "Time for your nap, young man."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry replied with a meek smile. The room chuckled at him as Ginny led him through the house and to his bedroom. "Thanks, Gin," he told her, kissing her cheek quickly.

"I love you, Harry," she told him quietly, before kissing his cheek in return. "Don't forget that." Harry watched her walk out of the room and waited until after it was shut before collapsing onto his bed. Visions from the previous night coming back.

He had waited up to welcome his birthday and at 12:01 AM, he had cast a Silencing Charm and had fallen asleep soon after. But he hadn't remained asleep. A nightmare worse than any before had awoken him, screaming, sweating, and twisted up in his sheets. It had completely spooked him, and not wishing to relive it, he had stayed up, sitting in the chair and looking into the fire he had started. Harry wasn't even sure what the nightmare had been about, most of the details had faded away within seconds of waking, and he was thankful for that. It was bad enough that his nightmares haunted his sleep, but when they haunted his waking moments, it made it hard to keep going.

Not that he was giving up! Not so soon at least! Harry would take care of the Prophecy and then he'd re-evaluate everything. No point trying to figure out anything when he didn't know what would happen before the end: who would live and who would die. He didn't even know if he'd survive the final duel. But he had to hope and trust that his friends would make it out as well.

Yawning, Harry straightened out the blankets, glad that he hadn't changed into clothes before breakfast. He settled under the covers, taking his glasses off and setting them on the table. Closing his eyes, Harry let out a deep breath and felt sleep claim him.

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He woke up several hours later, refreshed and ready for the party he knew they had planned for him. He dressed as quickly as he could and started the long walk to the kitchen. As long as he didn't move too fast or did too much, Harry didn't tire quickly. His stamina might not be up to snuff, but it was getting there. By the time September first rolled around, Harry hoped to be back to normal.

Harry stepped into the kitchen and the first person he spotted was Thia, preparing to dump a bag of flour on her brother's head. "Hey, Remus, watch your--Never mind." Remus had turned a second too late, flour now all over his clothes and making his hair look white.

"Thia!" he roared, turning on his sister. "That was so immature of you."

"Just as immature as putting frog spawn in my bed?" she retorted.

"What are you talking about?" Remus asked, genuinely confused.

"Don't give me that," Thia said with a mock glare. "I know you did it."

"But I didn't," Remus replied. "That was James' favorite come back, not mine. I practically lived with frog spawn in my bed from the first night of first year to the last night of seventh year. That could actually be the reason I don't like frogs..."

"But, if you didn't do it?" Thia turned around, looking at everyone in the room. "You! You traitor!" She was staring at Tonks, who looked at her innocently.

Ginny pulled Harry into the pantry, trying not to laugh too loud. "You wouldn't believe who really did it."

"Oh yeah?" Harry replied. "Who was it?"

"Hermione," Ginny said laughing even harder. "Thia will never guess it was her! It's great! Remus got her to do it! I can't believe she agreed, I mean, it's Hermione after all."

"Hermione enjoys pranks as much as anyone, as long as they aren't on her," Harry told her. He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her. "Thanks for making me nap."

"Happy birthday, luv," she replied with a smile. She kissed him again. They were still happily kissing when the pantry door opened.

"I'll get more--So sorry to interrupt," Thia said, her voice filled with amusement. "Just let me get another bag of flour and I'll leave you two alone."

"Who's in there?" Bill's curious voice came from the kitchen proper.

"No one you need to worry about," Thia said, shutting the door. Harry smiled at Ginny, before kissing her soundly. This was probably the best birthday gift a guy could ask for. The only problem was that the girl in his arms had six older brothers, five of whom were currently on the other side of the door and all had red hair.

"Is Harry in there?" Hermione asked lightly, betraying him to the wolves.

"The question becomes: is Harry and Ginny in there," Ron said lightly, his voice drawing nearer. Ginny broke the kiss and quickly stood on a shelf trying to reach something. Harry got the idea and held onto her waist, steadying her. The door opened and Ron looked in.

"Hey, Ron, catch," she said, throwing some chocolate chips at her brother. Ron caught them and looked at the couple dumbfounded. "I told Harry that there had to be chocolate somewhere in this kitchen, we just had to look hard enough."

"I didn't believe her, dentists don't approve of chocolate," Harry admitted, helping Ginny down. "But she was right, as usual."

"Oh," Ron said, still befuddled. Harry led Ginny out of the pantry and sat down next to Hermione. Ginny sat on his lap, glaring at each of her brothers in turn, daring them to say something.

"So, Hermione," Harry said casually, deciding that one good turn deserved another. "Do you still have that frog spawn? I need some for that Potions assignment Snape gave us." Thia looked at Harry suddenly and then at Hermione. Harry was surprised however when she turned toward her brother.

"So, corrupting the young are we?" she said with a smile.

"I hardly consider it corrupting," Remus said with a serious look on his face. "Ron and Harry have done a rather good job of it themselves. I was just, pointing the way... nudging her along the correct path... giving her guidance where needed... lighting her--"

"Okay," Thia said, putting a hand up to silence him. "I get the point. I always knew James and Sirius corrupted you beyond repair; I guess it would make sense that James' son and his best mate would do that to sweet little Hermione."

"I resent that," Remus muttered.

"Me too!" Hermione agreed. "No one's corrupted me!"

Harry and Ron traded a quick glance, which turned out to be a very bad thing to do, because both boys busted out laughing. The people in the room started to laugh with them, but their laughter soon died out, while Ron and Harry kept laughing. They tried to calm down before everyone thought they were insane. Harry carefully looked away from Ron and concentrated hard on the ceiling.

"'Mione, we 'corrupted' you," Ron informed her.

"'We could all have been killed--or worse, expelled.'" Harry said in a good impression of Hermione's voice. "Honestly, Hermione, we didn't corrupt you, we got you straightened out. Who in their right mind would think getting expelled would be worse then death?"

"Remus would," Thia answered the rhetorical question.

"Hey! I never considered... oh, yeah, I guess I did, didn't I?" Remus asked lamely. "Best luck of my life, getting pranked and hurt by Sirius on that first train ride. I always wondered what would have happened if that spell had turned my hair yellow instead of backfiring and making my skin transparent."

"I'd forgotten that," Thia said thoughtfully. "I still wish I knew how he did it. That would be one cool spell."

"I bet it would sell bloody well too," Fred told George conspiratorially. "Turn your friend's skin clear. Just add a few drops to his drink and Voila, clear skin!" Everyone roared with laughter, until Mrs. Weasley came bustling in.

"Did anyone take the cake out of the oven when the timer went off?" she asked the group, looking at Thia and Ginny questioningly.

"I didn't hear it go off," Ginny finally said truthfully. Looking at the timer, Harry saw that it had indeed gone off.

"It was done ten minutes ago," Mrs. Weasley chided, taking the cake out of the oven. It was ruined; ten extra minutes in the heat had not done it any good.

"Sorry, Harry," Ginny told him softly. "It's my fault."

Harry looked at her, surprised. "It's only a cake," he said shrugging. "It's not important." The Weasley brothers all looked at him as if he had grown an extra arm out of his forehead.

"Harry, we've been best mates for six years," Ron said seriously. "How you can say that cake isn't important is beyond all I understand. Nothing is more important then cake on your birthday."

Harry shrugged. He had a good comeback to that, but... he didn't want to bring up the Dursleys or painful memories, so he held his tongue, about that at least. "I can think of at least one thing," Harry told them, kissing Ginny on the nose. Ginny grinned up at him, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"There is still more than enough time to cook another one," Thia said after a moment. "No harm done."

"But I'm using the oven for the meal after this," Mrs. Weasley informed her.

"There's a great bakery in the village," Hermione told them. "A really nice couple owns it and I'm sure they'd make a cake for us if I asked them."

"I don't know," Mrs. Weasley said skeptically. "Cakes should be made, not bought."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Hermione said. "They're practically family. Mrs. Rietveld used to baby-sit me after school everyday. Oh, can we go! I want to see her!" Hermione was practically bursting with excitement and Mrs. Weasley couldn't say no to that.

"Fine," she said. "But Thia, Tonks, and Remus have to go with you. And you seven can't split up. Do you understand?"

"Wait, so we get to go too?" Ginny asked.

"All four of you can go," Mrs. Weasley said. "It'll get you out of my hair for the day!"

The four teens and three adults hurried out of the kitchen, eager for their little adventure. They set out, Hermione leading the way. She set a fast pace and Harry knew that he wouldn't be able to keep it up for long.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry called ahead to her. Hermione stopped and turned around, waiting for Harry, Ginny, and Thia to catch up with the other four.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"How far is it?" he asked delicately.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Harry," she apologized. "It's not that far, but I'll slow down. I haven't seen the Rietveld's for over a year. I can't wait to introduce you guys to them."

Harry smiled as they continued to walk, which was, as promised, at a much slower pace. About twenty minutes later they reached the small village. Toward the middle of Main Street Hermione entered a small bakery. The smells of fresh baked cookies, pastries, and cakes wafted over them and Harry saw Ron's mouth drop at the array of sweets displayed.

"Grandma Rietveld!" Hermione called out. "Guess who's here!"

"Hermione Granger!" an older woman exclaimed happily. She brushed flour off her hands onto her apron. "Come here, girl, and give me a hug! It's been too long!"

Hermione gave her a hug, reaching over the counter. "I was here at Christmas, but you had left to visit your son."

"We heard about the car accident that friend of yours was in," the older woman said, sounding concerned. Harry shifted uncomfortably. He had forgotten that that was the excuse her parents had given for their abrupt departure. "We didn't hear which one though. Was it your Ron or Harry?" Hermione blushed and looked back at her friends. "Oh, I didn't even see you folks. Who are these people? Hermione, you have to introduce me to them."

"This is Ron," she said, grabbing Ron's hand and winking at Mrs. Rietveld. The older woman grinned back at her. "This is his sister, Ginny, and my other best friend and her boyfriend, Harry. Actually, Harry was the one who was in the car accident; his luck hasn't changed a bit. He broke his leg in a game, and just got the cast off. Is there a chair he could sit in? It was a long walk."

"You poor boy," Mrs. Rietveld exclaimed, pulling a chair out from the back for him. "Sit. And what about the adults?"

"Remus is Harry's guardian, and Tonks," Hermione said pointing, "is his new wife. They got married on the third."

"Well, congratulations," she told them sincerely. "Looks like you have a fine catch there, young lady."

"Oh, I do," Tonks assured the older woman. Remus blushed slightly, but otherwise ignored them.

"And this is Thia, Remus' sister," Hermione finished.

"It's a pleasure meeting all of you," the woman said happily. "Let me pull the tray of cookies out of the oven and then I'll be able to chat, okay?"

"Sounds good to me," Hermione agreed. "Where's Grandpa Rietveld?"

"Delivering an order of pastries," the woman answered before bustling into the kitchen.

"Now I know why you're so good at lying," Harry mused out loud. "What sport was I playing?"

"I wasn't lying," Hermione replied defensively. "You did break your leg in the last Quidditch game, so I'm only stretching the truth. Would you rather have me tell her the real story?"

"Good point," Harry admitted in defeat.

"Hermione!" an elderly man called in greeting. Hermione rushed over and hugged him. "To what do we owe this surprise, pretty one?"

"Actually, Grandpa, I need a cake, because we burnt the one we tried to make," Hermione confessed. "And, I know for a fact that the best cake maker in the world lives right above this shop."

"So, have you asked my wife yet?" the man replied with a laugh.

"Not yet, I thought I should get you on my side first," Hermione replied with a conspiratorial smile.

"Whoa!" Mr. Rietveld said, stopping at the sight of the others. "I always knew you'd have a following of young men, pretty one, but not men as fine as these young fellows."

"Grandpa, don't tease," Hermione chided him, blushing a deep red.

"I'm not, now introduce me to these young men and I'll decide if I need to worry about you or not!"

Hermione went through the introductions a second time. The older man gave Ron a shrewd look when he realized that he was Hermione's boyfriend. He finally smiled and shook Ron's hand.

"We've heard a lot about you, Mr. Weasley," he said seriously.

"Grandpa!" Hermione said, stopping him. "Don't you say anything!"

"I was only going to tell him about all the times--"

"Patrick!" the man's wife chided him. "Don't you finish that!" The man nodded his head in submission and smiled at Hermione. "So, you need a cake, dear."

"Yeah," Hermione said quickly, extremely thankful for the change of subject. Harry traded a look with Ron, they would find out more about that later. "It's Harry's birthday today, and we forgot to take the cake out of the oven."

"Burnt to a crisp?" Mrs. Rietveld asked.

"Yes," Hermione replied. "So, I was wondering if you'd make him one."

"How old are you turning, Harry?" the woman asked him.

"I'm seventeen," Harry replied proudly.

"Happy seventeenth birthday," the couple said together.

"Thanks," Harry replied, a bit uncomfortable.

"What is your favorite type of cake?" Mrs. Rietveld asked. Harry shrugged.

"Chocolate," Ginny replied for him. "With a strawberry filling, if you can?"

"Is that what you want?"

"Anything really," Harry replied. "I don't discriminate." Ginny elbowed him softly in the stomach. "Yeah," he gasped out. "My better half says yes."

"Wise choice there, young man," Mr. Rietveld concluded. "That young lady of yours looks as if she's got a good right hook."

"No, it's her left hook you need to watch out for," Harry told him. "When her brothers mess around with her, they remember why they shouldn't real quick." Ginny smiled smugly and snuggled closer to Harry.

Hermione chatted away with the Rietvelds, while everyone listened and watched them make the cake. They had moved into the back room, where the kitchen was and were sitting around a large oaken table enjoying the benefits of their host and hostess' generosity and talents. Ron, who looked like he had died and gone to bakery heaven, was enjoying what could have been either his fourth or eighth pastry, Harry had actually lost count. Every so often Hermione would stand and get something for one of the bakers. Harry listened to the chatter, while everyone talked to one another.

With the cake in the oven, the older couple sat at the table with their guests. They asked Hermione how her year had gone, and Harry was surprised at how well she changed the magical experiences into muggle ones. It must be the years of practice.

"We've got to thank you boys," Mrs. Rietveld told Harry and Ron honestly. "You've helped Hermione grow up into an amazing woman." Harry and Ron exchanged looks; if anything, they had 'corrupted' her as Thia had put it earlier.

"There's more to life then rules and books," Mr. Rietveld answered their confused looks. "Laughter and friends are a huge part of life. Not to mention, school day sweethearts." He looked at his wife and smiled at her.

"They met when they were thirteen," Hermione said dreamily. "They were married five years later."

"And we haven't looked back," Mr. Rietveld said with a huge grin at his wife. "Fifty-three years ago, I married the prettiest woman alive. And she still is." Harry watched, as all the women in the room went dreamy eyed. There was a loud and annoying buzzer and the ladies were rudely taken out of their daydreams.

Everyone watched as the old hands of Mrs. Rietveld skillfully decorated the chocolate cake. After spreading the strawberry filling between the two sheet cakes, she put on a thick layer of chocolate frosting hiding the red filling.

"What should I decorate it with?" she asked, looking quickly at Harry before gazing at Ginny.

"Well, it should say 'Happy Seventeenth Birthday, Harry' with an exclamation point and in green," Ginny said with authority.

"Hey, maybe I want school colors?" Harry teased her.

"You had school colors last year," Ginny argued back. Harry rolled his eyes, and nodded for her to continue. "Can you draw a lion?"

"I sure can," the older woman replied. "Why a lion?"

"School mascot," Hermione answered. "Not to mention, Harry knows to let his girl rule, just like lions let the lionesses."

"Hey, that's low!" Harry argued in his defense. He tried to think of a way to refute it, but he couldn't think of one thing. "Okay, so it's true. Can you blame me though?"

"Nope," Ginny told him cheerfully, kissing his nose quickly. "Then a big lion on the side, and have it roaring."

"That's a tall order, but I think I can manage it." And with that Mrs. Rietveld started the decorations. At one point, Mr. Rietveld went to go help customers and Hermione helped another set, gossiping with them.

"Do you know everyone in this village?" Ron asked when she returned.

"Just about," Hermione replied, sneaking a bite of frosting.

"I saw that, Miss Granger," the older woman chided gently.

"It's kind of hard not to, I went to school with the kids and worked in here whenever I could," Hermione explained.

"I was told Grange is in here!" a female voice called to the back. "Where is that bookworm?"

"Stine!" Hermione yelled back, sprinting to the front of the store. Harry, Ron, and Ginny followed behind not sure what was going on. Hermione was hugging a tall, athletic looking girl with blonde hair. Letting go, she turned to her other friends. "Stine, these are my friends from school: Ginny, Harry, and Ron. Guys, this is Stine, a former bookworm turned athlete."

"It's so good to finally meet you three," Stine said warmly. "I've heard a lot about you from her letters and during sleepovers when she's actually home. So, Grange, this is your Ron? Well," she said, in a stage whisper, "you picked a good looker. Is the other one free?" Harry blushed in embarrassment and Ginny reddened in anger. "I'm just kidding, Ginny. Hermione was so thrilled when you guys started going out. She wrote a four page letter telling me how thrilled she was. Oh, wow, I'm hyper, and I haven't even had any of Grandma Rievteld's cookies!"

"Why are you hyper?" Hermione asked, leading everyone to the back.

"Besides seeing you for the first time since Christmas?" Stine asked, Hermione nodded while sitting down. "Well, simple really. Michael finally asked me."

"He did?" Hermione cried, jumping up and hugging her friend again. "About time, that lazy git!" The two old friends started chatting hurriedly, and Harry learnt that Stine had had a crush on this Michael chap for a long time and he had just gotten around to asking her out on their first date.

"Done!" Mrs. Rietveld cried in triumph. Harry was extremely impressed by the artwork. On a slant covering the left half of the cake were the words Ginny specified. The whole right side was filled with a pride of lions; two lions and two lionesses. All the lions were roaring, and Harry noticed little things that set each one apart. One lionesses' fur had a reddish tinge to it while the other was browner. The lion nearest the brown lioness had a red mane, while the one near the reddish lioness had a dark, almost black mane.

"That's us," Harry said with a smile. "Thanks!"

"Don't worry about it, son," the older woman said fondly. "Have a good birthday party."

"With the company I have, I can't have a bad one," Harry assured her. They left the little store, Hermione still chatting with Stine, though she did promise to visit the older couple again. At the edge of the village Hermione said goodbye to Stine and they started the long walk back to her house. Remus was carrying the cake and talking to Thia behind them. Tonks was up ahead talking with Ron and Hermione who were holding hands. Harry had his left arm wrapped around Ginny's shoulders. It was late afternoon; they'd been down in the village a lot longer then he had thought.

As they were walking up the driveway, Tonks turned to look at Remus. "Hey, I'll race you, old man!" She took off and Remus followed, shoving the cake at Thia as he passed her. Thia grabbed it protectively. Tonks was laughing wildly as Remus raced after her, trying to catch up. Near the doors, Remus caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her around. Laughing they went into the house, leaving the others to catch up.

"Your brother is insane," Harry told Thia casually.

"I know, but not as insane as Tonks," Thia replied with a smile.

"Ron, give that back!" Hermione screamed at the running form of her boyfriend. "He took my wand!" she shouted before running after him.

"Nor as nutters as Hermione," Ginny said. "I don't know why she puts up with him."

"Got to wonder why any girl puts up with us guys," Harry said, pretending to be philosophical. "They must be more 'nuttier' than us. It's the only explanation." Ginny swatted at his arm playfully and then stopped him with a kiss. Thia continued walking, laughing her head off. But Harry didn't mind, Ginny was kissing him and that was all that was important. He was happy and nothing else mattered. Merlin, he was happy!

"We should go in," Ginny said, when she broke the kiss. Harry continued kissing her neck, making her giggle. "Harry, we need to go in. They'll send a search party out for us pretty soon."

"Alright," Harry agreed reluctantly. "Let's go." They walked the last of the way to the house slowly, taking their time, and enjoying each other's company. On the front porch, Ginny stopped him again, kissing him once more.

"I'm glad you're still wearing my necklace," Ginny said, running her fingers along it. "I like seeing it on you."

"I'm never taking it off again," Harry said softly. "I took it off before that Hogsmeade trip and I wish I would have had it with me. A year ago today, I started to realize a few things. First, you were female. Second, you were a pretty female. Third, you were a pretty female that I could talk to. Fourth, you were a pretty female that I could talk to and who laughed at my jokes and didn't freak when I cried. Fifth--"

"Hush," Ginny said, putting her fingers up to his mouth to silence him. She kissed him one more time before heading inside. The house was oddly quiet, but Harry didn't think anything of it. Ginny was holding his hand and had a beautiful smile on her face. They entered the darkened living room, and Harry thought they were going to snog. What happened next though, drove all thoughts of snogging from his head.

"SURPRISE!" everyone cried, as the lights turned on. Harry felt his heart stop for a split second, and then he laughed.

"You set me up," he accused Ginny. She smiled at him innocently.

"I didn't hear you complaining when I was distracting you," she said in a sweet and innocent voice. "And anyway, it wasn't my idea. It was Remus' to begin with and it evolved from there." On tables along the room were mountains of food. In the center of the food sat the cake, surrounded by sweets of all types.

Standing next to the couches and chairs and all around the room where the people who cared enough for him to be here. Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, and, to Harry's great surprise, Snape were in one corner of the room. Hagrid was next to Shacklebolt and Mad-Eye Moody, dwarfing the large men. Every last Weasley was here, except Percy of course and sadly not including Mr. Weasley. Hermione stood in Ron's arms next to her parents, smiling at him. Remus, Tonks, and Thia stood nearest the cake, obviously the ones in charge of putting it in its place. Bryant, Druce, and Althea saluted him with raised glasses of butterbeer. Nettle, Zane, and Quirke smiled at him as his eyes passed by them. Arabella Figg was scratching the ears of her favorite cat Mr. Tibbles. Emmeline Vance stood next to Madame Bones and Mrs. Longbottom, the ladies nodding their heads regally. Members of the D.A. were scattered among everyone: Neville, Justin, Cho, Blaise, Luna, Zacharias, Michael, Susan, Lavender, the Patil twins, Seamus, Dean, the Creevey brothers, Ernie, Sephra, and Hannah to name a few. Even Harry's old teammates Oliver, Katie, Alicia, and Angelina were huddled in a corner. Order members Harry knew by sight were there along with a few more Professors. The Diggories were there along with Fleur. Even Viktor Krum showed up.

Harry couldn't believe how many people were in the room; how many people wanted to wish him a happy birthday. It was overwhelming, to say the least. He wasn't prepared for this. Suddenly memories of the last time he was among a crowd this large came to mind. Death Eaters, thirty or so, surrounding him, and at the center sat Him. Their cruel and sadistic laughter rang in his ears. The true laughter in the room faded as Harry's face turned to a ghostly white color and he closed his eyes.

"Shit," Snape swore. "Get him in a seat." Ginny half led, half carried Harry to the nearest chair. Harry was deep in the memory, unaware of what was going on.

"What's happening to him?" Mrs. Weasley asked worriedly as Snape pushed through the crowed.

"Flashback," he answered tersely as he shoved her out of his way.

"Why?" Ginny asked confused.

"Who knows," Snape answered, pulling out a vial from the depths of his robes. Uncorking it, he waved it under Harry's nose. The boy pulled a face and then started to cough and sneeze. "Smelling salts," Snape responded to Ginny's unasked question. "Potter, look at me, focus on me," he commanded, grabbing the sides of the boy's head and turning it to look at him. "Potter, focus." Slowly, Harry's eyes started focusing on Snape's face. "Where are you?"

"I don't know," Harry replied groggily.

"What day is it?"

"I don't know, lost track a long time ago," Harry answered with a shrug. Snape swore under his breath.

"Who's surrounding you?" he asked, knowing the answer.

"Death Eaters and Him," Harry replied, a slight tremor in his voice.

"Look around you, boy, tell me who you see," Snape commanded, forcing Harry's eyes back open. "Look." Harry looked and he saw the concerned faces of people that loved him. "Are those Death Eaters?"

"No," Harry answered, his mind coming back to the present. "Oh, shit, this didn't just happen," he said, closing his eyes, hoping it would go away.

"I'm afraid it did," Snape replied sourly. Harry felt a blush creep onto his cheeks.

"Are you okay, Luv?" Ginny asked from where she was kneeling in front of him.

"Yeah," he answered ruefully. "Just a bit overwhelmed, you know?"

"Let's move everything outside," Mrs. Weasley said in her commanding voice. "There's more room out there; it's just too crowded in here." Everyone nodded, those over seventeen started to float food dishes outside, while those underage carried them out. Bill, Charlie, and the twins maneuvered the tables through the house. Once everyone, but Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Quirke, Snape, and Mrs. Weasley had left and Harry realized they weren't going anywhere, he sank back in the chair and rubbed his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Harry finally said. "I didn't mean to freak out there."

"Oh, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said, before hugging him. "There is nothing for you to be sorry about. We should have thought about that before inviting everyone."

"No," Harry said quickly. "Thanks for that, I mean... I never would have thought that many people would come for my birthday party. There's got to be thirty people here."

"Including the three of us," Ron told him softly, "there're sixty-one people." Harry looked at Ron, his eyes bugging out of his head.

"Sixty-one," Harry replied under his breath. "Wow."

"Ready to go outside and eat?" Hermione asked him.

"Yeah, let's go."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harry sat in the valley of two mountains. One mountain contained bunched up balls of colorful wrapping paper. The other mountain contained birthday gifts. Sixty-one people at his birthday party meant a lot of gifts. Ginny sat behind him, her head rested on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his waist. Ron and Hermione sat next to him, Mrs. Weasley, Remus, Tonks, and Thia on the other side. Looking at these people, Harry realized that he was part of a family. Looking at the sea of faces watching him open his last present, Harry knew he had more friends then he had ever imagined possible.

This last gift was by far the most intriguing. The large present was wrapped in a gold and silver, magically swirling, paper and had only the words "To Harry" on it. Moody seemed to find nothing wrong with the gift so Harry opened it, his curiosity piqued. The paper fell away to reveal a box of red and gold. Harry lifted off the cover and removed the packing surrounding the object inside. When he finally saw what it was, his jaw dropped. He lifted a Pensieve out of the box and stared at it. There was a card at the bottom of the bowl and Harry set the Pensieve down to read it.

Harry~

For when you have too many thoughts and memories crammed into your mind. Use it well and in good health.

Harry remembered those words very clearly. Dumbledore had told him that the first time Harry had seen the old man's Pensieve. That event seemed like an eternity ago, he had been so young and naïve back then. And only two and a half years had gone by!

"What is that, Harry?" Neville asked from where he sat.

"This is a Pensieve," Harry answered, awe in his voice. Pensieves were rare and expensive. What was Dumbledore thinking, giving this to him? No doubt it would be handy, but what was Dumbledore up to? What was the hidden motive?

"Those are expensive," Hermione stated quietly. "Who'd give a teenager that?"

"Dumbledore," Harry answered frankly.

"How do you know?" Ginny asked surprised. "There wasn't a name on the card."

"That's what he said to me the first time I saw his," Harry answered, indicating the words on the card. He placed it back in the box and floated it to the far side of the presents. The wounds Dumbledore had caused were still too new and fresh for Harry to accept the gift willingly. He wanted to put as much distance between himself and it as possible. "That's it, right?"

"That's it," Mrs. Weasley agreed, banishing the wrapping paper. The sun had set a long time ago, but fairy lights lit the outside garden and back porch. Everyone wandered off to talk amongst themselves. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny along with a few D.A. members stayed near the pile of gifts, sorting through them and talking. Harry listened to the chit-chat, glad that his friends could still have normal conversations that didn't involve the war, Him, imprisonment, or suicide. It was little things like that Harry was most thankful for. Sure these gifts were great: wonderful defense books, Quidditch supplies, Quidditch memorabilia, a chess board a new watch, chocolate, a new journal from Ginny, and lots of other things. Yet, in the long run, these things didn't matter. By far, the greatest gift was the presence of sixty-one people that cared enough for him to be here, with him. It was a very comforting thought.

A few hours passed and Harry found himself yawning every so often. His perfectly good old watch told him that it was nearly midnight, just a few more minutes until the new day. He wasn't surprised to see people heading back into the house to collect traveling cloaks and other personal items. Ginny noticed this as well, but instead of accepting it, she yelled out "Hey, wait! We haven't sung yet!"

"You don't have to," Harry said quickly. He had realized earlier that they had forgotten, and was rather thankful for it. He wasn't thrilled with the idea of sixty-one people singing to him. Ginny smiled at him impishly and waved her arms to get everyone to circle around. Once everyone was there, Ginny started the song.

"Happy birthday to you!"

Harry felt his scar twinge in a burning pain, but it was gone quickly.

"Cha-cha-cha!" the twins added to everyone's amusement.

"Happy birthday to you!"

He felt his scar burn again, this time not leaving quite as soon.

"Cha-cha-cha!"

"Happy Birthday--"

He reached a hand up to his scar, the pain almost unbearable.

"--Dear Har-ry!"

It was almost as if he was in the middle of a vision, it hurt that much.

"Cha-cha-cha!"

Or else, it felt like He was nearby, but that couldn't be. There were the wards and the Fidelius Charm protecting this place.

"Happy Birthday to you!"

His scar felt like it was burning and would split open at any moment. Harry realized that his knees were about to collapse.

"Cha-cha-- Harry, are you alright?"

But, of course he wasn't. He wasn't even there, but hundreds of miles away inside Voldemort's head.

"Hello, Potter," Voldemort said in his head. "Happy belated birthday. I'm afraid it passed midnight a minute ago." A huge crowd of Death Eaters surrounded a Muggle house, Harry paled as he recognized the immaculate lawn.

Number four, Privet Drive.