I do NOT own any part of Harry Potter. This is merely fanfiction

This story was written for the House Competition by Moonlight Forgotten (Year 4)

Round 7

House: Gryffindor

Position: Year 1

Category: Drabble

Prompt: Sing Happy Birthday to someone.

Words: 431

Harry was starting to think it was his worst birthday so far. At least while he was at the Dursleys, he knew they hated him and didn't expect them to care about his Birthday. But he thought those days were over. He thought he now had friends who were like family who would care about his birthday. But none of the Weasleys nor Hermione had bothered wishing him a happy birthday or even sending him so much as a birthday note. He tried not to let it bother him, but it hurt more to be ignored by the people he loved than it did to be ignored by the Dursleys.

Maybe they just forgot, he tried to make a case for them.

But they'd remember if they cared, argued a nagging thought inside of him.

Just then, Ron's owl flew through his kitchen window, carrying a letter. Harry's hopes rose up. Maybe that best friend of his was finally wishing him a Happy Birthday. He eagerly took the note from the Pigwidgeon and read it. He deflated like a bubble when it turned out to be a note from Ron urging him to come over, as he needed his help urgently. He wanted to worry about Ron and if everything was alright with him and his family, but he couldn't help feeling disappointed. Nethertheless he left for the Burrow.

Harry knocked on the Burrow, but heard no answer. Worried that they might actually be in trouble, he let himself in only be jumped with various shouts of, "SURPRISE". The room was filled with guests including the Weasleys, Hermione, and a few other friends like Neville and Luna. There was huge banner reading "Happy 18th Birthday Harry James Potter" in the living room.

"You didn't think we'd forget your birthday did you?" asked Ron as he embraced Harry.

Harry's mood was lifted up in an instant and soon they were in the kitchen in front of a chocolate cake that Mrs. Weasley had baked.

"Alright, let's sing Happy Birthday to the birthday boy," called Mr. Weasley.

As they were singing him Happy Birthday, Harry berated himself for ever thinking that they had truly forgotten his birthday. It was the first time in his life that he ever had a crowd of people sing Happy Birthday to him and it meant so much. It was also the first birthday in which he had no longer had to worry about things like mistreatment at the Dursleys or Voldemort. What he initially thought of as his worst birthday ended up being his best birthday ever.