Happy Birthday, Harry!

"Harry! Wake up!"

Harry Potter looked up groggily from his bed. His friends Ron and Hermione were standing over him, their faces shining.

"Hmm?" he asked, grabbing his glasses and taking in their dress robes.

"Happy Birthday, Harry!" cried Hermione and launched herself at him. When she finally let him breathe, Ron thumped his back and wished him loudly.

Then they began to sing 'Happy Birthday to you' - Hermione clear and melodious, Ron loud and off-key.

"Quiet!" Harry hissed, "The Dursleys might wake up!"

"Oh, I've put a Silencing Charm around the room, Harry. They won't hear a thing. Now let's celebrate!" said Hermione, waving her wand.

Several things happened at once. Balloons and party decorations appeared. The room expanded itself. A table laden with a grand birthday cake and food and presents appeared. Dance music erupted and multi-coloured lights started moving around the room. Ron handed Harry a set of dress robes and dragged him to a curtained corner to change. Hermione's delighted laughter floated to their ears. Ron beamed at Harry.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes when he stepped out. Ginny was standing next to Hermione, smiling at him.

"Happy birthday, Harry," she said coyly and walked up to him.

"Thanks, Ginny," said Harry, resisting the desire to kiss her. You can't be with her. She'll be in grave danger...

Ginny, however, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely.

"Let's enjoy the night while it lasts, Harry," she said when they broke apart. Ron and Hermione stood smiling benevolently at them.

Harry nodded, too stunned to speak.

Ginny dragged him to the cake, which had sixteen candles on it.

"Make a wish and blow the candles, Harry," said Hermione softly.

Let my friends live happily...thought Harry and blew. His friends clapped and started singing again, though the singing was muffled this time, for they were trying to eat the cake and sing at the same time.

Harry couldn't help himself. His face broke into a wide grin as he received another round of hugs.

"Don't you want to open your gifts?" asked Ron quietly, nudging him.

Harry stared at the huge pile of gifts on the table.

"All are mine?" he asked, bewildered.

"Whose birthday is it? Let's see...Hermione? Nope. Ginny? Nope. Me? Nope. Who else is left?" Ron scratched his head and pretended to look around confusedly.

Harry swatted his arm and laughed as he grabbed a box and tore the glittering cover off it. It took him a long time to get through the whole pile. He turned to his friends, his throat tight.

"Thanks, guys..."

Ron, Hermione and Ginny seized him and dragged him away from the tables to the spot where the music was the loudest. They started dancing haphazardly. Harry laughed as he began moving his limbs crazily as well. They all kept falling over each other and laughing madly. Finally, they fell to the floor, panting.

Ron flicked his wand and a bottle and some glasses appeared.

"Ginny, it'd be better if you didn't try this..." he began, but he was cut off by her alarmed squeak.

"It's quarter to two! Mum will kill me! Bye, guys! See you later!" Hermione handed her a coin, which she grabbed and disappeared, blowing a kiss at Harry.

They sat quietly for some time. Then Harry said, "This is the best birthday I've ever had."

"Well, it is the most important," said Hermione.

"You're a man now, mate," said Ron.

Harry smiled.

"Yeah, if Voldemort did manage to kill me, at least I'd not have the regret that I never got a proper birthday party!"

They laughed, but fell silent again.

"So...we're leaving tomorrow?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah. My protection has expired. No point staying here."

"Where are we going? Bill's getting married next week...won't it be better for us to stay at the Burrow for a while?" said Ron.

"Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Well...I think Ron's right. We could stay at the Burrow till the wedding and then move to Godric's Hollow. I think it'll be easier for you to get your Apparition license from the Burrow, too."

"Fine, then."

Ron poured out the fire whiskey in three glasses and they raised a toast to Harry's long life.