Harry's Birthday Surprise

"Hey, Harry?"

Harry's eyes flew open. He was still in bed, under the covers.

"Who said that? Who's there?" He heard the rustling of robes and someone whispered,

"Alohamora."

"Who's there?" Harry asked again, struggling to focus his eyes. A tiny hope stirred in his chest. Sirius? He had come back!

But a witch moved into the moonlight. She had long hair that trailed to the floor. Harry could make out a mole on her upper lip.

"Tonks?" There was no mistaking that twinkle in her eye. "But wha--what are you doing here?" Harry asked, trying to fully wake.

"They sent for you. Come on now, not much time." Harry's heart took up faster. He shook his head as to clear his mind.

"Who sent for me?" Tonks looked up from packing Harry's trunk with her wand. She smiled at him.

"The Weasley's of course. They want you at the Burrow straight away. Got a bit of a..." But as she was talking, she lost concentration and a pile of spell books crashed to the floor.

"Oh no! Come on, Harry. I put your relatives under a sleeping spell, but I'm not very good at it, and I'm afraid we don't have much time. Hurry." They finished packing and tied everything onto their broomsticks. As they walked out into the hallway, Harry heard his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley snoring. It was as if their snores were magnified one thousand times. The sound echoed strangely throughout the house. Harry looked disgusted, but Tonks winked at him.

"Off we go then?" They kicked off their brooms into the warm, night air leaving the shuddering, snorting house way below.

They flew for what seemed like hours. Harry had flown to the Burrow once before, and he didn't remember the trip taking so long. Then again, he reckoned, the last time he had been with some of his best friends in a comfy Ford Anglia. High above the cities and towns they flew, wind whipping their hair. Harry felt almost happy for the first time all summer. It was nice to be out in the fresh air, stretching his long legs, flying after a month cooped up indoors. He was glad that Tonks flew ahead of him. Harry didn't want her to see the happiness in his eyes. It was worth it to have her long hair fly into his mouth every once and a while.

At long last, Harry recognized the top of the Burrow in a deserted clearing. They began their slow descent. Once they touched ground, Tonks and Harry untied all of his belongings.

"All right there. I'm leaving you at the door. My instructions were to return right back to Phoenix Headquarters." Harry opened his mouth. He had a million questions. But Tonks spoke again, softer this time. Her cheeriness fading.

"Take care, Harry. He would want you to smile. And if you ever need to talk, I'm an owl away." Harry felt a lump in his throat. A great affinity for Tonks rose in his chest. He was grateful it was Sirius's cousin who was sent for him.

"Thanks," he said. As she flew away, Harry silently dragged his trunk inside. He crept upstairs to Ron's room, and was greeted by his friend's normal sized snores. Harry fell into the opposite bed and drifted right to sleep.

*********

Morning. Sunlight streamed in through the window and rested on Hermione's cheek. She smiled pleasantly as the last of her dreams faded away. When she opened her brown eyes, she was staring directly at Crookshanks.

"Morning you lazy cat." She rubbed him behind the ears, and he purred loudly. Today would be Harry's surprise party. In fact, Harry was supposed to arrive sometime this very morning. Hermione's stomach set off squirming again at the mere thought.

Quietly, as though not to wake Ginny, Hermione crept out of bed and across the floor. Hidden behind her spell books was her birthday present to Harry. She only hoped it would please him and not upset him.

"Good morning," Ginny said, and it made Hermione jump.

"Ginny, you scared me. Did you sleep well?"

"Mmm-hmm," Ginny said with a mischievous grin on her face.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked, feeling her own cheeks flush with embarrassment. But she knew full well the source of Ginny's smile. Hermione had confessed her crush the night before, with the utmost of anxiety. Ginny had handled it well. She was glad that Hermione trusted her with this secret. They were close as girlfriends could be, but sometimes Ginny felt like she was second best compared to the boys.

"Don't worry, Hermione. Your secret is safe with me."

"Thanks, Ginny. Oh, I feel so strange. My stomach won't stop jumping, and I feel like I'm having a heart attack!" she wailed. Ginny's brown eyes softened.

"Come on up," she said giggling. Hermione climbed up to Ginny's top bunk and huddled down under her covers. It was warm underneath from Ginny's sleeping body, and the sheets smelled clean, like fabric softener. The two girls lay there like sisters. Hermione thought how nice it was to have a friend like Ginny. She never had a sister of her own, and there were things she could confide in Ginny that she could never say to Ron or Harry.

"So what are you going to say to him when you first see him today?"

"Oh, my. I have no idea. I'm going to try and act normal, I guess."

Ginny nodded.

"That never worked when I tried it." They both collapsed into giggles. After a while, their stomachs started rumbling.

"Let's go down and see what Mum is making. You know she's putting out an incredible spread if Harry's coming." Hermione and Ginny climbed down and threw on dressing gowns over their pajamas.

"I hope she doesn't put herself out too much," Hermione started to say, but then stopped short. They were outside Ron's room in the hallway. A lot of excited talking was coming from inside the door. And there were definitely two male voices. Hermione grabbed Ginny's hand so hard that she winced.

"Oh my God," she whispered under her breath. "He's already here!" Hermione looked at Ginny with fear in her eyes, but Ginny just smiled.

"So let's go say hello." Before Hermione knew what was happening, she was being pushed through the door right into Ron's sunny bedroom. Harry was sitting on the floor with a sheepish look on his face, but Ron was up and about, looking more cheerful than he had in days.

"Morning you two! Look who snuck in! Gave me the scare of my life." Harry made a little wave with his hand, looking embarrassed. Hermione was relieved to see that there was less anger on his face than there was last summer. Right now he just looked resigned and tired.

"Hi Ginny, Hermione." Hermione's heart skipped a beat. That's enough now, she admonished herself. It's just Harry. Get a grip!

"Hey Harry!" Ginny said and gave him a quick hug. Harry turned red. His flashing green eyes met Hermione's.

"Hi Harry," she said quietly. Concern was written all over her face, but she held back her questions. She could tell Harry was grateful. Instead, she sat cross-legged on the floor beside him. He turned to her and smiled..

"Thanks for your letter," he said. She concentrated on looking normal.

"So, Harry, how did you get here?" Ginny asked. Hermione thanked her mentally.

"Yeah," said Ron looking confused. "I never did ask you that, did I?"

"Tonks came and picked me up last night and we flew here on our brooms." There was a short, uncomfortable silence. Then Ron said,

"Erm, I'm starved! Let's go down and see what Mum made. I think I smell sausage." Ron clapped Harry on the back. "It's great to have you here." Harry made an attempt at a smile. Hermione hung back until it was only her and Harry in the room.

"Harry, um, how are you feeling?" she asked, and then immediately wished she hadn't. A pained look passed through his eyes, and then was quickly covered up with an awful, fake smile.

"Okay," he said shortly. Then nothing. Hermione wanted to cry. Was he ever going to open up to her again? She remembered the talks they used to have. Maybe they were never going to happen anymore. Maybe she had better forget about giving him that birthday present. It might upset him too much. She took a deep breath.

"Well, we better get downstairs. I know Mrs. Weasley will want to see you." Harry nodded and went down the stairs. Hermione followed him, her heart breaking.

******

Mrs. Weasley squealed when she saw Harry.

"My heavens!" she gasped "They didn't tell me you were arriving this early! Oh, dear, I haven't even scrubbed the bathrooms yet. Ginny, Hermione, you two can help me with that. Oh my. Harry. You are looking peaky. Sit, sit. Let me fix you some breakfast." Harry squirmed under Mrs. Weasley's microscopic stare. He could tell she was searching him for any signs of malnourishment, unhappiness, illness. It made him very uncomfortable.

"Well, hullo, Harry!" Mr. Weasley walked in through the back door looking tired.

"Hello Mr. Weasley," Harry said as he swallowed some porridge. Ron and Ginny said hello around their breakfast as well. Mrs. Weasley gave him a peck on the cheek. Mr. Weasley sat down next to Harry.

"Been out with the Order, dad?" Ron asked casually. But Harry could tell he was trying to see if Mr. Weasley would slip any information.

"Yes. Very important business we have now, keeping the world safe, you know," Mr. Weasley said, winking at them. He turned his kindly stare onto Harry. Harry wished people would stop looking at him. He found it so much harder to hide his tears when they did.

"So Harry, I was wondering if you would help me with something later today." He dropped his voice conspiratorially. "I have a little something in the garage I'd like you to see." Harry stared at him blankly. Was this Order business? Something top secret? Harry started to get excited.

"Muggle artifacts," Mr. Weasley said, now grinning widely. Harry stifled his disappointment. He spooned some more porridge into his mouth.

"Sure, Mr. Weasley. Anytime." Harry thought he saw the others at the table laugh as if they knew something he didn't. He decided to ignore them. For now, he didn't want to be let in on any jokes.

Mrs. Weasley put them all to work straight away. While Ginny and Hermione scrubbed the floors and bathrooms, Ron and Harry were sent out to de-gnome the garden. It was one of Harry's favorite chores, so he accepted it gratefully. He knew they would be too busy wrestling with the little gnomes to do any talking.

As they worked silently, side by side, Harry's thoughts began to drift. Was it just his imagination, or had Hermione been acting strangely this morning? She had seemed less curious than usual. Last year she would have asked him a million questions. But this morning, Harry could tell she was holding something back. Why?

One particularly pesky gnome bit down on his finger, momentarily distracting Harry from his thoughts. Once the little bugger was safely thrown over the wall, Harry concentrated again on this morning's events. Something had happened when Hermione sat down on the floor beside him. He didn't want to admit it. He really didn't want to admit it, but when she looked over at him, it was as if his insides were slowly being drenched with hot syrup. It filled him all the way to the top of his head. What was this warm, burning sensation? Even now, he pictured Hermione coming out to the garden, sitting beside him. In his mind, she was smiling softly at him, running a hand through his hair. Would she pull him to her chest, comfort him? Could she fill this void that once was his heart? Whoa, Harry thought. Better get a hold of yourself, Harry. He turned his face away from Ron, just in case he had learned Occulemency over the summer.

"Well, Harry, looks like you've done a great job out here," said Mr. Weasley as he approached the boys in the garden. Harry looked up at Mr. Weasley from down on his knees. The older man was kindly, staring down at Harry with a fatherly benevolence.

"But," he continued. "I'm feeling quite refreshed after my nap. Would you mind taking a walk with me? I have some great new artifacts I want to show you." Ron sniggered.

"Go on Harry. We've got this garden just about finished. I'll go in and see what other slave labors Mum has in store for me." Harry nodded at his friend and followed Mr. Weasley into the shady garage.

It was dark inside and smelled like mold. Harry could tell right away that Mrs. Weasley must hardly ever step inside the garage. Besides being quite dirty, it was filled with all sorts of items that were probably considered illegal by the Ministry of Magic. They spent the afternoon looking over Mr. Weasley's collection. Harry was surprised to see a ten-speed bicycle that was charmed to fly, but not as surprised as Mr. Weasley was when Harry showed him how it was actually used. He showed him how to wind a watch, use a calculator, and how to play a harmonica, though Harry wasn't very good at it. They looked at juicers, can openers and a very old sewing machine.. All throughout the afternoon, Harry didn't once think about Sirius. It was nice to stand in the cool garage, laughing at Mr. Weasley's puzzled expressions. For the first time in his life, Harry felt what it would have been like to have a father.

The sound of huffing and puffing interrupted Harry's explanation of a cassette tape.

"Arthur, you know I won't step foot into that hole of yours. But you've hogged Harry quite enough this afternoon, and I think his friends are starting to miss him." Mr. Weasley winked at Harry while his wife spoke.

"Alright, Molly dear. We're coming." Harry blinked rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight. The heat of the day bore down upon them. Mrs. Weasley smiled at him, and Harry realized that he was about an inch taller than her now.

"Harry, the others are waiting for you in the living room. Why don't you go inside and grab yourself a drink?"

"Okay Mrs. Weasley." As Harry crossed the yard, he could hear Mrs. Weasley begin to admonish her husband.

"Honestly, Arthur...don't think I'm going to testify for you when they send you to Azkaban for smuggling all of these things!" Harry shook his head and laughed to himself.

After gulping down a tall glass of ice-cold water, Harry wandered into the hall. Suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over him. Maybe he should just head upstairs and lie down. The others won't mind, he convinced himself. But he had to walk through the living room to get to the stairs, and Mrs. Weasley had just said they were in there, waiting for him. Damn, he thought. Well, I'll just make any excuse. But as he walked into the living room, all thoughts froze.

SURPRISE!!!

Harry stared in disbelief. The living room had been decorated for a party. Streamers and balloons were floating at him from every corner. Someone had charmed the ceiling to shower down confetti. There was a table set up with drinks and food. But most amazing of all were all the people. Harry looked around at all the faces smiling at him. Ginny was there, of course, with Ron and Hermione. But so were Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnett and Katie Bell. Fred and George Weasley waved at Harry from the corner. Neville Longbottom was smiling widely at him, as were Seamus and Dean and a few other boys from Gryffindor House. Even Luna Lovegood was there, although instead of looking at Harry, she was intently inspecting the bottom of her shoe.

Harry goggled at everyone; he was speechless. Slowly a smile began to spread across his face. He felt emotion well up in his chest. For the first time all summer, he was happy. He was actually happy.

Suddenly, Hermione broke away from the crowd. She ran right up to Harry and threw her arms around his neck.

"Happy Birthday, Harry," she whispered. Harry hesitated, and then hugged her back. Tightly.