Disclaimer: Anything you have heard of is not my property, it belongs to JK Rowling.

Harry Potter woke up exceptionally early on the 24th of July in 1991, he was very glad to as well, as he had been told by his parents over a week ago that today was the day that he would get his letter. The letter which would change his life forever, the letter inviting him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry had been waiting to go to Hogwarts since he first learned of it when he was three. He couldn't wait to actually get to do magic, other than the few times he had taken his dad's wand and shot a few golden sparks out of it before his mom found him and scolded him before turning around and walking out of the room with a prideful smile plastered across her face. Harry also couldn't wait to see Neville and Regulus every day even though Regulus and his dad would floo over from their home in London every other day.

Most of all though Harry couldn't wait to get away from his bratty, ten-year-old sister, Iothane Lilly Potter, Harry thought she was the scourge of wizardkind, a horrible beast to be locked up, yes he loved her dearly but she was SO annoying.

Harry groggily pulled himself out of bed and walked to his ensuite bathroom to get showered and ready for what promised to be an amazing, exciting day. Not only was he getting his letter today but his birthday was now officially only a week away. He got downstairs and checked to clocks, the first of which showed that is was 7:22 am, the second showed him that his dad had already flooed to practice in Montrose, Harry's dad James was the seeker for the world-renowned Montrose Magpies, he had led the team to another 7 British championships, bringing the teams to total to 39 and had doubled the teams European championships, bringing it to 4, the most by any British team ever. His dad was renowned as the best Seeker since Eunice Murray. Harry thought it was cool that his dad was an amazing Quidditch player, he liked the popularity, along with considered being one of the saviors of the wizarding world. He also loved that he got tickets to see every one of his dad's games, which he went to see with Regulus and Uncle Sirius and sometimes Neville or Uncle Remus, the games were perhaps the one thing he would miss while he was at Hogwarts, however, his dad had a few games during the summer and he could listen to them on the WWR (Wizarding World Radio). However, Harry was somewhat sad because his dad was one of the best players in the world, couldn't he skip a practice to be there when Harry got his letter?

Harry kept walking, eventually, he got to the bar top table right outside the kitchen where one of the manor's two dozen houselves immediately poured him some tea asked what he wanted for breakfast.

"Surprise me! It is a special day today!"

The little elf scurried away, worried that he would choose something that his master didn't much like, but his worries disappeared quickly, as Harry was very kind to the elves, even if he didn't care much for whatever the elf made. Harry heard feet coming in from one of the first floor parlors, where his mom and dad's bedroom was located.

"Today is indeed an important day, I remember when I got my Hogwarts letter, it was one of the most wonderful days of my life. Until Petunia decided it made me a freak…" His mom said, trailing off towards the end as she came up behind Harry giving him a big hug, before sitting down next to him.

"I know. I can't wait!" Harry said as the little house elf finished pouring some tea. Harry heard more feet coming over from the main staircase, he grumbled as he realized this meant that his little sister had finally decided to show his face.

"Wotcher dungbrains" his sister mouthed as she came into the eating room and sat in her own chair.

"Ugh, shut up, IOTHANE." Harry retorted, knowing his sister hater her first name, after this, his mother immediately put an end to their little squabble. Not long after this, a big grey owl flew in with a little letter tied around its ankle. Harry started jumping with joy whilst simultaneously hoping it wasn't just one of Regulus' pranks, to get back at Harry after he squirted toothpaste all over his pillow last weekend which he had spent at Grimmauld Place, Regulus' family's home in London. Once his mother came over with the letter and he saw the red wax seal with the Hogwarts crest emblazoned into it. He read the address on the front just to make sure. It read Mr. H. Potter, First Suite on the Second Floor, Potter Manor, Cairngaan, Scotland. Harry read the address what must have been seven times before his sister yelled.

"Just open it already, you're slower than a mountain troll." Harry realized he had been staring at it for probably a minute. He took his sister's statement as a cue to tear the letter open as fast as he could before a letter fell out, he bent down to pick it up and noticed several house elves peering at him hopefully from the kitchen. He unfolded the letter and read for the first page.

Hogwarts School

of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find the enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term Begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Harry was so elated to get his letter that he didn't even hear his sister's remark about being surprised he did make it into Hogwarts or something of the sort. Harry reread the note over and over, not stopping until he felt Regulus run up to him and give him a hug, he hadn't even realized that Regulus had already come through the floo. He immediately shoved Regulus off of him.

"I can't believe it, I actually made it, I actually made it, I can't wait to go and learn, wait, I don't' really care that much about learning, but dad said he still managed to have a lot of fun. Although FUN was surrounded by air quotes, whatever, I still can't believe I made it!" Regulus' mom, Marlene came into the kitchen and started talking to Lilly about something.

"I know dude, we all thought you were a squib!" This remark earned Harry a quick kick to the shin, soon the two boys were on the ground, Harry getting Regulus into a headlock before Mrs. Black put an end to it. Harry spent the rest of the day messing around with Regulus, the two of them pretending to be wizards, in duels, and heroes from the stories they used to read.

Harry woke up very excited on the morning of July 30th, today was many things, firstly it was his friend Neville's birthday, and his grandmother had planned a huge gathering at their home for a ton of friends and almost any of the purebloods their age that hadn't sided with Voldemort during the war. Secondly today was the day that Harry was going with his dad to get his school things, including his wand, and last but definitely not least, today was one day before Harry's eleventh birthday.

When Harry went downstairs, dressed in his robes, he was very happy to see the clock saying that his dad was, home, meaning he could spend the morning flying around with him a bit before they had to go to Neville's party with his mom and, Harry shuddered at the thought, his sister. Unfortunately, Neville's gran had been fooled, along with most of his parent's friends, into thinking that, little Iothane was an angel when in reality she was more of a devil. He got some breakfast and read a bit of the Prophet, which his owl, Hedwig, had brought in a couple hours ago. There was nothing really interesting in the Prophet, at least until he got to the sports section, where he saw that his dad had been selected to Britian's world cup team, this made Harry jump for joy, and he immediately ran across the bottom floor, and jumped onto his parent's four poster bed, careful to watch his head on the bar at the top of the bed, he had made the mistake of hitting his head on it one too many times and didn't wish to hit it again, he jumped on his dad he immediately began to yell.

"Dad! You made it! You made it! You made it!"

"What did I make?" His dad asked groggily.

"The World Cup Team!"

"Okay, I made it four years ago too, and it's in New York this year, you won't even be able to come to watch me." His dad said as he began getting up.

"Oh, yeah," Harry responded, looking crestfallen. "Can we at least go chase a snitch around the field in the yard for a while before going to Neville's house?"

"Sure, but let's get some food first." Harry and his dad went to get some food for breakfast then chased a snitch probably a dozen times, James obviously caught it every time, but Harry got somewhat close a few times. James thought about how sad Minevra would be, remembering the rule of no first years on quidditch teams. After Harry and James had been out in the sun chasing a Snitch for around an hour, James heard Lilly calling his name from the back plaza of the house. Harry and his dad returned to the hose to get a shower to wash off the sweat and grime, before having lunch as a family with Lilly and Ioth, people normally called her little Lilly or just Lilly, but at home, she was just called Ioth for obvious reasons. About an hour before the Potters had to leave Harry had to wrap his gift for Neville, he got him a dragon hide cap, because Neville had a nasty habit of falling off his broom and the cap would help a lot with possible head injury. After Harry had wrapped his gift, he headed off to get ready, then their family flooed to Grimmauld, because Sirius and Marlene weren't always very good at being on time for much of anything, as they were often rather distracted. (If you know what I mean.) They got there to surprisingly find Sirius, Marlene, and Regulus ready to go, and as soon as they got there they were off to Longbottom Hall.

It only took a few seconds to get to Longbottom Hall, and immediately once they were there that heard Agusta Longbottom yelling over the noise of almost a hundred people.

"Potters, Blacks. I am so glad you were able to make it. Harry, Regulus, dears, Neville is in the back, with some of the Prewitt.. er, Weasley boys. Ronald and those twins I think, the rest of you come with me." One of the many messed up parts of pureblood culture was that events such as birthdays were very seldom just birthdays, often as many as a couple hundred adults would be invited to stay in the house and drink and mingle, then all their kids would go someplace else and just do whatever and many guests didn't even know whose birthday it was, and only came to uphold social status. Harry and Regulus went to the back and when they saw Neville they each gave him a hug and said Happy birthday, they were a little late, fashionably late, as some muggles might call it. Harry saw a few other people back there, he saw Susan Bones, and a somewhat pretty girl with light brown hair, her name was Hannah Abbott. Suan he'd know for a long time and were basically brother and sister; his and Susan's families were almost as close as their families and the Blacks, or Longbottoms. Him, Susan, Regulus, and Neville were great friends. He also saw a few of the Weasleys, they were another pureblood family, but they weren't nearly as powerful as and not as rich as the Potters, Blacks or Bones'. He knew all of the Weasleys a little, him, Regulus, and The twins, Fred and George, who were a few years older than him, were pretty good friends. He saw them a couple times but the rest of the Weasleys he only saw on occasion, when his family went to dinner at Fabian Prewitt's house as he was their Uncle. Harry had never talked to their sister, she seemed really nervous and got a little red in the face whenever Harry tried to talk to her, though she was also a good friend of Ioth's. Harry also recognized Ernie Mcmillan and Daphne Greengrass who he knew but not very well and he had never had a conversation with Daphne though he did think she was rather pretty. Harry talked to Neville a lot but mostly just spent the time at the party plotting pranks with Regulus and the Weasley twins, none of the wich they were able to execute before the end of the party, he did, however, talk to Daphne once, he was pretty proud of himself for talking to such a pretty girl.

The party was over in a couple of hours and his dad and Sirius got him, Regulus, and Neville to bring them to Diagon Alley for school supplies. Harry's mom and little Lilly along with Marlene stayed behind to help Agusta tidy up the ballroom and some other areas of the manor where the guests were. Harry, Regulus, and Neville followed James and Sirius to the fireplace and flooed to the leaky cauldron. Tom the barman said hello and many people said hello and crowded around them to get a view of two of their worlds saviors and a few members of some of the richest and most powerful families within their society. Harry and Regulus ran to Quality Quidditch Supplies first thing, with Neville in tow, Neville, while he still loved flying and quidditch, was not as fond of it as Harry and Regulus were, Harry and Regulus worshipped quidditch and as soon as they saw the newest broom, the Nimbus 2000, they oohed and ahhed, pushing a few other kids away from the window to get a better view.

"That must be the fastest broom ever," Harry said.

"It's beautiful," Regulus said, fake tears welling up in his eyes, Harry nodded in agreement. It took James and Sirius a few minutes to pry the two boys away from the window, Neville, however, followed, rather easily, reluctantly, but without complaint. The boys were excited though as they followed into Gringotts bank, past the silver doors with the poem engraved into them, James reached the counter first and spoke to the goblin.

" Excuse me, sir," The goblin looked up. " We would like to access vaults 786, 787, and 834, and yes we have the keys right here," James said as he held up the keys.

"Very well, follow me." They all clambered behind and into a cart, knowing what was going to happen next, yet the children were still quivering in excitement. Seconds after the doors of the rickety old, wooden cart closed, it took off, down a hill, and around a couple loops, under a waterfall then around some more loops, before finally coming to an abrupt halt before a hallway full of doors, the plaque above the door reading 775-800.

"Vaults seven hundred and eighty-six and seven hundred and eighty-seven."They all got out of the cart and followed the stubby, waddling goblin down the hallway a bit, before stopping before vault 786, when Harry's dad turned to him and handed him a key.

"What's this for, isn't our vault down near the dragon?" Harry asked with a very puzzled expression on his face.

"The family vault is. However, me, Sirius and Mrs. Longbottom, realized that now that you are Hogwarts age you should have your own trust vaults, for buying things, on the train, or in a couple of years, when you can go to Hogsmeade during the weekends. You'll still get an allowance, just it will be put directly into your vault, okay?" Harry nodded a bit as James went on explaining, and seemed to understand and agree. The boys got out enough money to buy their school things, and a few treats then they got back into the cart, to head a little further down until the cart stopped in front of the plaque for vaults 825-850. At this point, James handed Neville his key and Neville got out behind the goblin and James nodded for him to go ahead, while the rest of them stayed back. As Neville left, Sirius noticed that Neville's face appeared very nervous and a little scared, Sirius gave a little laugh at this. When Neville got back to the cart, he nearly jumped into the cart before it turned itself around and headed back to the surface to deposit the boys at the main building, shortly before heading back to bring another couple clients to their respective vaults. After returning to the surface the boys walked excitedly back through the vast marble building, looking at the goblin clerks, counting and weighing their gems. James and Sirius, walking behind them laughing about some story from going to Gringotts when they were little. Eventually, the boys made it to the doors, and burst out of them, only to be blinded by the sunlight, and retreating back into the bank like vampires. Once James and Sirius coaxed them back outside they decided it was probably about time to read the second page the came with their Hogwarts letters, the page that said what they needed as far as supplies go, Harry began to read his as they walked toward Madam Malkin's Robe Shop.

Hogwarts School

Of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Uniform

First Year students require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One plain pointed hat (black) day wear

One pair protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

Course books

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (grade 1)

By Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi

By Phyllia Spore

Magical Draughts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

By Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A guide to Self-Protection

By Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment

1 Wand

1 Caldron (Pewter, Standard Size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS

ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

After Harry read the last part all four of the boys/men loudly sighed. All five of them were very into Quidditch, and this came as very disappointing news to all three boys, as it was something their parents had neglected to tell them. The group made their way to Madame Malkin's robe shop, as they entered a rusty, old bell let out a soft twinkle and a kind voice spoke up from behind another customer, with greasy, slicked back platinum blonde hair and an air of power surrounding him.

"I'll be there in just a moment boys, feel free to have a seat, and one of you can come to stand over here, I assume you'll be needing robes for Hogwarts?" The adults nodded in confirmation, as Harry stepped up to the platform next to the blonde boy. Only then did he notice who this boy was, it was Draco Malfoy, one of the worst people Harry had ever met, even though he had only met him once (at the current Minister for Magic's induction ceremony).

"Malfoy, it's good to see you here"

"I wish I could say the same for you, Potter, it's a shame your daddy married a mudblood, we could've been good friends." Draco retorted snottily, but quietly as to not make it possible for to hear. After hearing this statement it took all of Harry's power to not beat the snot out of the weasel right there, but luckily for him, Madame Malkin chose that very instant to speak up.

"Okay, that'll be all for you Mr. Malfoy, please move to another customer can be dealt with." Malfoy then said goodbye, surprisingly politely and left with his mother. All Harry was thinking at that moment was himself hoping that Malfoy was better mannered once Harry got his wand, then he realized he would probably end up hexing the pompous peacock at every opportunity either way.

The boys all got their things and left, going to the next store, Flourish and Blotts, to get one of the most important, and in the boy's eyes boring, supplies, their books. The boys needed a total of eight books, though Harry seemed hesitant to go in when James asked him why Harry responded.

"I don't need to go in, I'm just going to use Mom's old books, they are already annotated and we still have them, I saw them in the second library last week." This comment made James and Sirius laugh, then he explained how he was fine with that, however, he still needed to get the books on the list so that Lilly wouldn't notice when all of the first-year books were gone. Harry seemed pleased with this answer and trudged into the store. Harry gathered his books and gave them to his dad to pay for while he went back off to look around. He ended up meeting many people from Hogwarts, including one muggle-born girl, with rather busy hair, named Hermione Granger, she seemed nice, but was nervous about going into Hogwarts, having not grown up around magic, Harry told her about his mom, growing up muggle, then told her about how his mom was a top potions master in the magical world and is widely accepted as one of the brightest witches of the century, this seemed to cheer the timid girl up a fair bit and left Harry feeling rather happy and .

Once the group finally managed to snake their war out of Flourish and Blotts, they worked down the same side of the alley, past Quality Quidditch supplies, where James and Sirius were barely able to control the boys as they fought for another glance at the Nimbus 2000. Past Florian Fortescue's ice cream parlor. Harry rather like Florian, as he always gave them free ice cream, saying it was the savior of the world special, Harry's mom seemed mad whenever he accepted the ice cream, but his dad didn't care, Florian, however, wasn't outside at the moment, so Harry continued walking without any ice cream. After the adults made a quick stop at Gambol and Japes Jokeshop, they crossed the street and entered Potage's Cauldron Shop. In the cauldron shop, the boys all gathered their pewter cauldrons, however, Regulus wanted a gold one and it took James a good twenty minutes to explain that gold and pewter cauldrons cannot simply be swapped out. After the cauldron shop, the group made their way back up the other side of the street until they came to a shop called Eyelop's Owl Emporium, where the three boys picked up some extra food for their owls. They next went into the next store down, Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, where they picked up a set of brass scales, their telescopes, and their pointed hats as well as a few other odds and ends that weren't mentioned in the supply lists, but they thought would be good to have. After exiting the shop, they made their way to the second to last stop, Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary.

The group stepped into the shop and James and Sirius immediately tensed up. Following the adults eyes, the boys quickly saw a pale, batlike man, with greasy black hair. As the group marched by to get their set of phials for potions they hear the adults mumble under their breath "Snivellus" and the reply "Black, Potter". The boys wanted to ask who that man was, but they decided against it, and just went to grab three sets of crystal phials. After exiting the shop James and Sirius visibly relaxed and turned to the boys, who were already giddy with excitement and pumped them up to go and get their wands.

The group stepped over the threshold, into Ollivander's wand shop, and as the door closed behind them an elderly old man came out from behind the counter.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, I was wondering when I would see you, you two as well, shall we begin with Mr. Longbottom?" Neville stepped forward very nervously, but seemed to loosen up a bit when the old man rushed back behind his counter to grab a long thin box off one of the shelves, as he returned, whilst mumbling to himself, he handed the wand to Neville and instructed him to give it a swish, Neville did as he was told and five or six, long, slender boxes flew off the shelf. "No, no, I don't believe so", Mr. Ollivander muttered as he returned to get another box from his shelves. This continued two or three more times, until a burst of golden sparks, shot out of the end of the wand whilst being swished.

"Ah, yes, it would seem this is the one, thirteen inches, unicorn hair, and cherry, very much like your father's may I add. Okay, Mr. Black." For Regulus, it only took three tries before the golden sparks erupted from the tip and Mr. Ollivander shouted.

"Ahh, well done Mr. Black, Ash, ten and a half inches, phoenix feather core, very powerful, yet quite loyal, Mr. Potter." Harry stepped up to where Mr. Ollivander was standing and took hold of the first wand, it began to violently shake, and Harry tossed it towards Mr. Ollivader, where it promptly set the old man's eyebrows on fire. Mr. Ollivander ended up giving Harry thirteen unsuccessful wands to try, and just as Neville and Sirius were nodding off and Regulus was beginning to think Harry may be a squib, Mr. Ollivander came back from the very back of his shop, muttering "I wonder, I wonder." He then handed Harry a wand that immideatly shot out a glorious shower of golden flames and sparks, unlike any wand they had tried out so far. This made Neville and Sirius shoot straight up, suddenly awake and made Regulus promptly shut up. Mr. Ollvander, however, seemed deep in thought.

'Very curious, Mr. Potter, very curious, holly wood, eleven inches long, and with a Phoenix feather core, an unusual combination of wood and core, yet the core itself is the unusual part. The phoenix that gave that feather also gave another, the other one, is in the wand that gave you that scar.

With this new and shocking information, the group promptly left the store, thanking Mr. Ollivander and apparated back to Potter Manor. Once inside the adults took Harry and Regulus' wands (for security purposes) and promptly found the women and Iothane in one of the parlors, Mrs. Longbottom, immediately had to leave, and took Neville home with her, James pulled Lilly aside to tell her about the day and give her the information on Harry's wand. After they came back, they decided the Blacks would be staying the night, as they would come over early to assist in preparations for Harry's Party the next day anyway, this made Harry and Regulus very happy, buy Iothane nearly threw a fit because Ginny and Astoria couldn't come over. Harry fell asleep quickly, thinking happily of the day to come, yet once asleep he had nightmares of that fateful night ten years ago.

Harry woke up the next day, very energized and excited, he was finally turning eleven, Harry was excited, however, he quickly realized that because he was one of the youngest people in his year, because he had a very late birthday. Harry sat up in bed and jumped off his four-poster bed, being careful to not hit his head, again. Harry was immediately hit with a big hug from Regulus, who, immediately pulled back, realizing that he had done something somewhat odd, especially for a boy like him. Not long after that Harry's dad and Sirius came in and each gave Harry a hug. When Harry got downstairs, for the feast the elves had prepared for his birthday, he got a big hug from his mom and a glare from his stoic-faced little sister. He had a wonderful breakfast, with tea, and eggs Benedict that had been prepared for him by the elves that knew him best. After dinner, he was given a gift from his mom and dad. He was confused why they were giving it to him now, instead of at the party later. However, he opened it and saw and it made a little more sense.

"Wow, it's the new Nimbus 2000!" He exclaimed, before jumping at his dad and giving a huge bear hug. Before thanking him profusely and almost forgetting, he jumped up on his mom and also thanked her. After he got down, he went to 'thank' his sister and ended up 'accidentaly' tackling her to the round which got a big laugh out of Sirius and Regulus, then Mrs. Black came through the fireplace with a smaller box and gave Harry a little hug before handing it to him and going to give Sirius a small kiss on the cheek. Harry opened the second gift and found it was the special broom servicing kit that was made specifically for the Nimbus models. He gave each member of the Black family a hug (even Regulus) and he proceeded to beg his father to go out back and play a quick game of Quidditch. His father agreed and soon the four men were off with Harry teaming up with Sirius as the chase for his team, and Regulus the chaser for his dad's team, because he and his dad were both seekers, they were rarely on the same team. Harry's dad got the snitch, though considering that he was the number one player in the world it was pretty close and Regulus was already better a chaser than his dad, not because Sirius lacked the skill necessary rather, he just spent most of his school days, chasing after girls than he did, practicing chasing. After they finished their game they walked back to the house, where they found Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Black and Mrs. Weasley, a nice woman who's brothers were very close friends of the Potter's and the twins, Fred and George's, mother, all setting up decorations for the couple hundred party guests that would show up in a few hours.

Harry and Regulus went up to the fourth floor, where they had a larger open area and played a couple rounds of exploding snap, before being interrupted by a large commotion coming up form the third floor, knowing the party had already began, Harry figured it was just HIS friends were coming upstairs, he realized he was wrong when he saw Iothane coming up the stairs.

"Why are YOU up here?" Harry said, somewhat angry that his annoying little sister was going to join them on the fourth floor.

"Mom said I had to hang out with you guys during your party too, something about bonding, also Ginny and Astoria are going to be up here too." This cheered Harry up a bit, if Astoria was going to be here, her sister, Daphne would probably also be there. Not long after Harry heard more people coming up the stairs he looked up from his game of chess to see Fred and George Weasley, who were rather conspicuously holding a rather large cardboard box. Harry asked what was in there and Fred came over and whispered in his ear.

"Fireworks, and other important materials." This made Harry even more excited, he couldn't wait to see the look in his father and Sirius' faces when the fireworks went off, however, he could definitely wait to see how his mom reacted. Cringing at the thought of how angry she was going to be, he looked up again, just as the other two redheads darted up the stairs, Ron said hi in a kind of awkward way, and his little sister just kind of stood there, petrified and staring at him, until Lilly pulled her away. Ron sat down and started talking to Regulus about wizards chess, while Harry was discussing how to get the fireworks down to the party without being seen, he ended up with an idea, but it would be hard, and he realized that it would involve sharing one of his dad's larger secrets with Fred, George, and Regulus, he decided against and just said he was stumped. A few minutes later Neville came up the stairs and excitedly said hi and Happy Birthday to Harry then smiled wide when he saw the fireworks. Neville was one of those people who enjoyed to watch the pranks unfold, but he wasn't quite daring enough to help with some of the more risky pranks, he was also a bit of a stickler for the rules, so that didn't help much. The next person to get up the stairs was Hannah Abbott, she didn't know Harry that well, but was good friends with Neville and the Longbottoms, she said a quick hello to Harry then went and sat down and began talking to Neville. Next came Susan Bones, she was probably the closest thing he had to a sister, except for his real sister, but she didn't count because, in James' head, you had to like them for them to be considered family. Susan's family was really close to Harry's so they had known each other for a long time. Susan lived with her aunt because her parents had been killed during the war, but she still seemed like a pretty happy soul. She came over and gave Harry a bone-crushing hug, and wished him a happy birthday, she talked to him for a little bit, before going to talk to Hannah. While he was occupied talking to Susan, the Greengrass' had managed to make it up without him noticing. Astoria had darted away quickly, but Daphne was waiting for Harry to finish talking to Susan.

"Hey, Harry, happy birthday!"

"What… oh, Daphne, um…thanks."Harry responded a little nervously, which was odd since he was rarely nervous about much of anything. Daphne gave him a little, awkward smile and walked away. Nobody else came up for a while, Harry and Fred continued planning pranks and Regulus was playing a game of chess with Ron whilst George was commentating, Neville was talking with Susan and Hannah, Daphne was just kind of sitting around, talking with the little kids a bit, joining in the conversation with Neville, Susan and Hannah a but, and sulking a bit. A while later Ernie Macmillan came up, Harry didn't know him too well but he seemed pretty cool, and Harry would've liked to be better friends with him.

Not long after Harry and Fred had finalized the plan and had gone to pull aside George, and Regulus as Ron was a bit of a wimp and Neville seemed busy with the girls. Right as they were getting ready to go down to the third floor, Neville decided to try and stop them, but he also wanted to talk to Hannah and Susan a bit more and he had to admit I was going to be hilarious.

Harry and the crew made their way across the third floor, and down to the second, but right before they got to the chosen balcony, overlooking the ballroom.

"You know moms gonna kill you."

"Damnit Iothane, just go back upstairs, Mom won't care, it's my birthday."

"Oookkkay." Harry sighed as he motioned the group to crawl forward as he had seen in an old-timey muggle movie his mom took him to watch one time. Once there Fred and George positioned the fireworks in the railing, and got the detonator out of the box and hooked it up, the boys crept back and Harry counted down from ten, and at zero he slammed his hand down on the button, launching the fireworks into the party below.