Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and all related names. I do, however, own ten ceramic ducks in sports poses, and a copy of Harry Potter 4. My sister owns the rest of the books. I only own that book because she lost hers, and I had to buy one to complete the collection before the movie came out.

Chapter One

Happy Birthday

Number Four Privet Drive had never been as blissful in years. It was the end of July, and most normal households were enjoying their vacation in places like France, Italy and Spain. But Vernon Dursley never considered his household as normal, not at least in the past seven years. But today was different. It spawned a transition in the Dursley house. He stood still in the bedroom of his so-called nephew, trying to hide his delight. After all those years, he could live normally again. He immediately began planning. He would take Petunia and Dudley to his sister Marge's house, and then all of them would go to Germany to see the Linderhof Castle, or to France to see the Eiffel Tower. He could even coax Dudley into taking a hike in the Alps. Wherever the place, it was a time worth celebrating. He stroked his bristly mustache thoughtfully.

Harry James Potter was kneeling on the floor of the bedroom that had been his for seven years. His Uncle Vernon stood looming over him as he packed the last of his clothes. He checked his wall calendar one more time to be sure he was packing on the right day. All days of the month of July were crossed out, save for the last: his birthday. He was seventeen years old.

Around this time last year, Dumbledore had made a personal visit to the Dursleys, to pick Harry up and escort him to The Burrow. He had kindly notified his aunt and uncle that today, he would come of age and leave them. That day last year, before Harry begun his sixth year, had suddenly become quite cheery. Harry supposed today could've been merry as well, except the fact that Dumbledore was dead.

It was true, the whole wizarding world mourned the loss of one of the greatest wizards of all time, but no one was as affected as Harry. He had seen the murder firsthand. He had been Stunned, under his invisibility cloak, watching as the Death Eaters surrounded Dumbledore. His long-time rival Draco Malfoy had attempted to kill Dumbledore first, but not having the courage, Snape had come up, and finished the Headmaster off.

Harry's trunk was open on his bed. He had packed all his clothes in already, and Harry now turned to pack the few personal belongings he had. There was the album Hagrid, the school gamekeeper, Care of Magical Creatures Professor, and his good friend, had given him. It housed a few pictures of his parents. He didn't risk opening it in front of his uncle, who was still standing there, arms crossed, and waiting impatiently, for most magical things frightened his uncle. Pictures in the magic world moved, and Harry was afraid his uncle would freak and promptly send him out of the house immediately. So, he carefully laid it on top of some of his school robes. There was the Broom Servicing Kit Hermione, his close friend, had given him a few years back. He placed it right beside the album.

Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were his closest friends in Hogwarts. Just a few days ago, they had written letters to him, asking about how he was doing. Harry held the letters in his hand, and reread them one more time before packing them.

Harry,

Bill and Fleur's wedding is on August 3. Of course, you're invited. I think you already received the invitation. Anyway, where're you staying from your birthday until then? You're welcome to stay with us, and mum would be pleased. She keeps on worrying about you, and I tell her your fine and you can handle the last few weeks you have with your aunt and uncle. You are fine, aren't you mate? See you soon.

Ron

Harry chuckled to himself. Ron was still the same. He had written to him, saying that he would be staying with them, and that he could even help with the preparations for the wedding. Next came Hermione's letter.

Harry,

Advanced Happy Birthday! We'll meet in the Burrow, right? Ron says so. I'll give you your present personally there. Are you excited for Bill and Fleur? I am. Our last year in Hogwarts is coming up, and it's thrilling! It's our N.E.W.T.S. year! I'm so excited. Who do you think will be our seventh and last DA teacher? McGonagall should be able to find us a compatible one. See you there.

Hermione

"Hurry reading those letters," barked Uncle Vernon. "You have more things and that ruddy bird to call, too."

Harry nodded and placed the letters in his trunk. He received one gift today, as Ron's and Hermione's would be given to him personally. It was a package of some of Hagrid's famous rock cakes, and a scribbled 'Happy Birthday, exciting year ahead' from Hagrid. He had politely offered some to his uncle, but all Uncle Vernon did was too stare at them like they were poison. He packed them in as well. There was the Invisibility Cloak, which had helped his countless times. He placed his Firebolt, his gift from his late godfather, Sirius Black beside the trunk. Sirius had been killed in the Ministry of Magic two years before, and Harry sorely missed his presence. That left the trunk pretty much packed, and he glanced to the empty cage on his desk. And, as if on cue, Hedwig fluttered onto the windowsill, having finished her breakfast. She obediently entered the cage and Harry walked over and closed it.

"That's about it," Harry told his uncle.

"You forgot that locket over there," Uncle Vernon pointed a stubby finger at Harry's desk.

Harry turned and spotted Slytherin's Locket, the fake Horcrux, on his desk. He almost forgot. Dumbledore had risked his life for the locket, which turned out to be a fake. And then, for all their hard work, Dumbledore was killed in his beloved school. Great ending for all those years trying to defeat Voldemort, Harry thought sarcastically. At last, he was packed, and it was still ten in the morning.

"I suppose you'll walk to wherever you're going," Uncle Vernon said.

"I thought of flying, actually," Harry responded, gesturing to his Firebolt.

"What if you're seen?" Uncle Vernon lowered his voice. "You will not be seen taking that horrible form of transportation your lot uses in front of my house."

"Fine," Harry said. "I'll take it somewhere else. Like, in the open field."

"I thought you weren't allowed," Uncle Vernon grinned mischievously. "So I guess you have to wa—"

"I've come of age," Harry cut in. "I can do whatever I want. I can hex you right here. No Underage Wizardry laws can stop me now." Harry patted his jacket pocket. His wand was there.

Uncle Vernon looked slightly abashed. His eyes darted to the pocket, as if afraid the wand would magically jump out and hex him by itself.

"You—you couldn't," he protested, terrified. "We took you in. We clothed you. We let you go to that— school."

Harry was enjoying this. What a way to say goodbye to his uncle.

"Fine," Harry confided. "I won't, if you're nice to me. But I think I'll jinx Dudley on the way out."

It was at this point Harry was sure Uncle Vernon turned pale. But, a moment later, the doorbell rang. He could here his Aunt Petunia walking in the hall to open the door. Harry heard the click that signified that door had opened. There were a few moments of silence.

"V-Vernon," Aunt Petunia called.

For a fleeting moment, Harry and his uncle locked eyes, with the same element of surprise in them. Harry wondered if his uncle was thinking the same thing. Uncle Vernon turned toward the door. Harry tried to push past his uncle towards the door, but his uncle was too large. When they got to the landing, Harry's assumption was correct.

Ron Weasley looked the same as ever. As usual, he had grown quite a few more inches during the summer, but his flaming red hair, and his freckles, and the clueless grin he always had, were the same.

"I guess that solves the transportation problem," Harry whispered to his uncle.

Ron glanced up to the landing of the stairs, and grinned. Aunt Petunia looked mortified.

"Hey Harry," he called. "We came to pick you up. Happy Birthday."

Harry lugged his suitcase down the steps. He took one last look at the hallway, and the cupboard under the stairs, where he spent most of his years before Hogwarts. He stepped into the sunshine, and handed Ron his suitcase. To his surprise, his relatives had come out to send him off. Dudley was now as tall as his dad, and they looked much alike, except that Dudley was obviously younger.

"Goodbye then," Harry told his relatives. He waved at them with the hand that held Hedwig's cage. The remained silent as they stood on their doorstep.

Harry turned to the car the Weasleys had brought, and put his broom in the trunk. Hedwig would stay with him. In the front was Mr. Weasley, waving at the Dursleys, who did not wave back. Fred and George were also in the car, and Harry was sure he saw Dudley whimper as he spotted the twins. As Harry was about to get into the back of the car with George and Ron, his aunt stepped forward.

"Wait," she said.

Harry was surprised. He stepped out. She was holding something bundled in an old kitchen towel.

"T-take care of yourself," she nonchalantly told him. "Here's something for your birthday."

Harry was still in shock as he unwrapped the gift. It was a small diary.

"It was your mother's," Aunt Petunia explained. "It's yours now."

Harry nodded, took one last look at the Dursleys, and closed the door. He was silent until they had finally left Privet Drive.

"How're you doing, Harry?" greeted Mr. Weasley from the front.

"Great, Mr. Weasley," Harry replied. Hedwig's cage was on his lap, and she hooted happily. Harry was sure they felt the same way. The confinement of the Dursleys was gone. And now, they were free. Harry held the diary in his hands. How did his aunt get hold of his mum's diary? And it looked like it was fished from the attic. Why was it given to him only now?

"Is that your mom's diary?" Ron asked.

"Yes," Harry replied. "I was never told she had a diary. And she didn't seem like one who kept one."

"Ron," said Fred from the front, imitating Mrs. Weasley's voice. "You know better than to intrude on things like that."

"You shut up," Ron responded, but he dropped the subject anyway. "Hey, Harry. Happy Birthday."

Ron reached into his pocket and took out a crudely wrapped gift. Harry thanked him and unwrapped it. It was a small penknife, shaped like a small box, about the size of a thumb.

"Not just any penknife at that," said Ron. "I've heard about the Muggle penknives. This one has about just anything to help you in a situation."

"How'd you get one of those, Ron?" George asked.

"Oh, I got it on bargain," Ron replied. "With part of my savings."

"Thanks a bunch Ron," Harry grinned. "I'll put it to good use."

"Try it out now," Ron suggested. He was blushing.

"Anything, right?" Harry confirmed. "What about a dagger?"

Ron pointed to what looked like a division.

"You flip that open and you tell it what you want," Ron said.

"Okay. Dagger," Harry said as he flipped it open. Sure enough, there was a small dagger.

"Try something harder," suggested George.

"Fork," Harry said. It was a fork when he reopened it.

"That's neat," Fred was looking back.

"Lighter," Harry tried.

"Oh come on," Ron said. "Not everything."

But sure enough, when the penknife was opened, there was a small tongue of flame.

"We're here," Mr. Weasley announced.

Harry looked out the window, and the familiar structure of the Burrow was eminent. They drove all the way to the garage and got out.

"Hasn't changed much," Ron said humbly.

"It's just fine," Harry smiled.

"You can go in right ahead, Harry," Fred told him as he reached for the trunk. "George and I will take care of it."

"Right this way, Harry," gestured Mr. Weasley to the door.

Harry walked to the door, and opened it first.

"Surprise!" yelled about a dozen voices. Small fireworks exploded through the room.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. The dining room of The Burrow was decorated with streamers and a feast was set. Near the stairs, a poster that read, "Happy Birthday Harry!" was pinned. Mrs. Weasley, looking as affectionately toward him as usual, was holding a birthday cake. Around the room where Hermione, holding a large gift; Ginny, smiling at him; Charlie, wearing a hat and the one who seemed to have sent the mini fireworks and Bill, with his arm around Fleur. Also present were Luna Lovegood and Remus Lupin, his former Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, Nymphadora Tonks, and Fleur's sister, Gabrielle, whom Harry had saved in the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year.

"Thanks," Harry said breathlessly. He was overwhelmed. Everyone started pressing toward him, each trying to give his or her gift to Harry first.

"Now everyone," Mr. Weasley raised his voice over the shouts in the room. "Harry has just arrived. Let him catch his breath."

Harry didn't mind. It was the best birthday he had ever had. Mrs. Weasley held the cake, covered in white icing, up to him,

"Happy Birthday, dear," she smiled as he blew the candle.

"Here you go, Harry," smiled Hermione. Harry unwrapped her gift. It was the latest edition Firebolt Servicing Kit, complete with specialized polish, brushes, and a complete user's guide.

"Wow Hermione," Harry was awed. "Thanks."

"Open mine next, Harry," Ginny said.

Harry opened Ginny's gift, which was in bright lavender wrapping paper. It was a survival book in the wilderness of Europe.

"Just in case," Ginny said. But she wasn't smiling. Harry got what she meant. Last year, he ended his brief relationship with her because he thought Voldemort would use her against him. She now probably knew he was set to recover the missing Horcruxes, and she wanted him ready.

The other gifts were just as great. There was a Ye Ole Cornucopiae of Charms: Beste for Repelling the Viciouse Snurtbrackse Book from Luna, a pair of dragonhide gloves from Charlie, a handy device for protecting your treasures from Lupin and Tonks, who were now engaged and a formal hat from Mrs. Weasley. Bill and Fleur gave him cologne from France, and Gabrielle gave him a wand polishing kit. Mr. Weasley gave him a cloak to match the hat his wife had given him while Fred and George gave him a box full of merchandise from their shop.

"Our best for one of our best customers," Fred said proudly.

"Thanks so much everyone," Harry said.

After the hearty meal prepared by Mrs. Weasley, everyone had settled in the living room for some dessert.

"I hope you read the book, Harry," Luna came over in her signature dreary voice. "The charms are, should I say, interesting."

"I will, Luna," Harry replied.

"Happy Birthday again, Harry," Lupin came forward. "Tonks and I have to depart early. Something in the Ministry."

"Bye then," Harry said. "Thanks for the gift."

"See ya now," Tonks waved as they opened the door. "Take care of yourself. We'll see you at the wedding."

"How was your summer, Harry?" Hermione asked as the three of them sat on the carpet in the Weasley living room, holding their Butterbeer bottles.

"Okay, I guess," Harry responded. "But we still have the other half of summer, don't we?"

"Before your surprise party, all the talk in the house was about Bill and Fleur's wedding," Ron said.

"Aren't you excited, Ron?" Hermione asked.

"Yes I am, but that's all we talk about," Ron repeated.

"Long time no see, 'Arry," Fleur came over to greet him. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and it gave her some sort of regal look.

"Actually, it was just a month or so," Harry told her.

"Veely? It 'as seemed so long," Fleur tittered. "You vill be one of ze groomsmen in ze vedding, oui?"

"Really?" Harry asked. "I'd be honored to."

"Trés magnefique," Fleur said happily. She walked back toward Bill and sat on his lap. They shared a good, long kiss.

"What do you have there in your hand, Harry?" Hermione pointed to the diary Harry had kept with him since they arrived.

"It was my mother's," Harry explained. He hadn't opened it yet, for fear of something he couldn't identify.

"You better keep it my room, then Harry," Ron said. "You're sleeping with me again."

"You're right," Harry sighed. He excused himself and ascended the stairs to Ron's room. He placed on top of his trunk, closed the door, and bumped into Ginny.

"Hey, Ginny," Harry greeted.

"Hey, Harry," she blushed. She fixed her hair behind her ear. "Are you going to find them?"

"The Horcruxes?" Harry said. "Yes, but maybe after the school year. It is N.E.W.T.S. year after all."

"Take care of yourself," Ginny said.

"I will," he replied softly.

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A/N: This is my very first fanfic, so PLEASE send me some reviews, and I wouldn't mind constructive criticism. My sister changed Fleur's dialogue a bit, and she was the one who put in the French, so don't go thinking I know French.