Summary: This takes place after DH ends (not including the epilogue which I will not be following in this). The magical world is trying to pull itself together and re-unite after Voldemort's ruling year of terror. All students of Hogwarts must re-take the prior year, so Harry gets to actually have his 7th year. Can Harry have a peaceful future? This is going to be Harry/Draco pairing as the story progresses.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Harry Potter. He and all things related belong to JK Rowling; all credits go to her.

Chapter 1: The Letter

"Damn-it…for once could he just leave me alone and let me sleep," Harry grumbled, awakened by a most annoying and persistent knocking. "But no, I have to get up and make breakfast for everyone." Waking a little more and afraid Uncle Vernon would hear what he just said; he bolted out of bed and reached out to open the cupboard door, only to meet thin air.

'Wait a minute…bed…?' He thought as he gained full consciousness and was finally able to see his surroundings. He realized he was in his bedroom, in his house (formally Sirius's) and not back at the Dursley's. "Argh, stupid dreams" he muttered irritated.

Once again he had been dreaming of being a young boy, living in a cupboard with the Dursley's. These dreams often visited him lately. Maybe it was because it was the first summer he didn't have to live with them.

Sitting back down on the bed, Harry stretched and then started to lie back down when he heard it.

'Tap. Tap. Tap.'

"What?" Harry sat back up, listening for the sound when he heard it again.

'Tap. Tap.'

Finally, Harry looked to the window and saw an owl tapping impatiently against the glass. Getting up, Harry went over and opened the window. The chestnut owl swooped in, flew over to his desk and landed, promptly holding out his leg with a letter attached to it.

"Aren't we in fine spirits tonight Terfel?" He asked the beautiful owl that was grazing at him. In response, Terfel nipped at Harry's fingers and he went to detach the note away from him.

Placing the letter temporarily on the desk, he opened a drawer and removed some treats for Terfel and laid them next to him to eat. As Terfel snacked on his reward for delivery, Harry opened the letter.

Harry,

It was great to hear from you, mate! So you really got that old hag's picture down? Amazing! Mum said it couldn't be done.

Can't wait to see you tomorrow! Sorry I haven't been around too much lately, but with the burial services and Georges suicide attempts…well free time isn't on my side right now.

But we all plan to be there tomorrow for your birthday, Ginny even convinced George to leave the shop. Hermione is coming to. She's much happier again now that her parent's memories have been fully restored. Luna and Neville are coming as well.

See you tomorrow, Harry!

-Ron

Smiling, Harry refolded the letter. Finally, a normal birthday. No Dursley rescue, no Voldemort threats, just a nice simple holiday.

With thoughts of the day ahead, Harry laid back down in bed, quickly drifting to sleep with thoughts of family, friends and chocolate cake.

Bounding down the stairs, Harry flung open the door and was greeted with a chorus of "Happy Birthday, Harry!"

Opening the door wide, he let everyone inside. "Hi guys, Hi Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied with a huge grin on his face. The Weasley family entered, followed by Hermoine, Neville, and Luna. Entering last was Andromeda Tonks carrying young Teddy Lupin on her hip.

"Hello Mrs. Tonks," Harry said smiling even broader upon seeing Teddy. Andromeda passed Teddy over to Harry, seeing how eager he was to hold him. "Harry I told you before, its Andromeda or Dromeda, not Mrs. Tonks to you."

Muttering a halfhearted apology, Harry took Teddy in his arms, holding him slightly awkwardly. After shutting the door, he turned to follow the others into the now refurbished drawing room. Along the way, he stumbled a bit to avoid running into Ron who was looking at the shadowed space where Mrs. Black's portrait used to hang.

"It really is gone," Ron said in amazement.

"Yeah, actually, truth be told I had a bit of help from Hermione on that. She found an old spell called 'Professio Amotio.' It seems Sirius and everyone was looking in the wrong places and trying the wrong things."

"Yeah, and trust Hermione to find the solution," Ron said with admiration.

Harry smiled again. Ron and Hermione really had come a long way from when they had first met back when they were all eleven. Upon entering the drawing room, Harry placed Teddy on the large fur rug in the center of the room.

As soon as he stood back up, he felt a pair on small arms wrap about him. "So do I get to give the birthday boy a kiss?" Ginny asked as Harry turned around to return the embrace.

"Mmm, won't say no to that," Harry replied as Ginny pressed her lips gently against his. As Harry wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her close, he felt her tongue brushing lightly against his lips, asking for entrance. Not denying her, he opened his mouth, his own tongue slipping out to meet hers.

"Ahem," came a cough. Looking up, Harry saw Arthur Weasley looking uncomfortable at catching his daughter in a heated kiss. Blushing, Harry pulled back looking about at everyone else who was also looking at him with assorted emotions from shock, embarrassment and teasing grins. Ginny just grinned coyly and sat down in a plush armchair.

"Well, now that we got that gift out of the way, let's get this party started!" Bill said grinning at everyone.

And that is what they did. For the next several hours, they joked, laughed and ate cake. Even George joined in a little, even though he needed help with his cake. Unfortunately with the multiple slashing attempts at his wrists, he had a hard time holding things for more that a couple seconds.

After a while, as Harry was opening his presents, the Floo flashed and Kingsley Shacklebolt, newly appointed Minister of Magic, stepped out.

"Minister Shacklebolt, sir, how are you? What are you doing here?" Harry stammered.

"Harry, I think by you saving the wizarding world and helping restore order, you have well earned the right to call me Kingsley," Kingsley said with a smile. "I came to say Happy Birthday and to deliver you this letter."

Harry stood and took the letter gingerly from Kingsley's outstretched hand. The letter was marked with the famous Malfoy crest.

"Its from Draco Malfoy," Kingsley stated when Harry looked up at him questioningly. "Due to the fact that he is still on magical probation, he is unable to send post directly by owl. It must first go through the ministry before further delivery to make sure its safe. Since I wanted to see you I figured I'd just deliver it myself. And yes, the letter is harmless, and safe to open." He added upon seeing Harry flip the letter around in his hands a worried expression on his face.

"What would Malfoy have to write to me about?" Harry muttered to himself as he opened the letter.

Potter,

I really don't know why I am sending a letter to you of all people. But regardless I am. Happy Birthday, Harry Potter. May your future be brighter than your past.

Draco Malfoy

Blinking in confused shock, Harry closed the letter and shoved it in his back pocket.

"So what did the Ferret want?" Ron demanded.

"He wished me a happy birthday," Harry replied, half dumbfounded, half confused as hell.

Ron looked at him in suspicion. "What is he up to now?" He asked.

Harry shrugged. Everyone else was also looking at him. "So," He asked jovially, trying to distract them from what just happened. "Where were we?"

END CHAPTER ONE

Authors Notes:

'Professio Amotio' means 'art removal.' Not perfect, but I figure it should work okay.

Terfel is an original owl I created, Harry's new owl after Hedwig. The name is Welsh for 'Stubborn Prince'