The cold wind knocked on the front door of Number 4 Pivet Drive. Ice like rain flew swiftly from the sky. The roof chattered and clanged. But it was not the rain that woke 15 year old Harry Potter up that night. It wasn't the fact that he would be turning 16 in moments. It wasn't even the scar that rested on his forehead, which was so often his cause of pain and misery. No, none of these reasons were the true cause. It was a person, someone, who's face had been haunting him for the 5 weeks he had been out of school....

But why? Why was this girl's face repapering in his dreams?....

Slowly, he got out of bed and set his feet on the cold floor. he began pacing the room, quietly of course. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia mustn't hear....
He thought long and hard about the girl.
Yet, truly, underneath, He knew perfectly well why...

The girl's face was getting clearer each night, and it was always the same face.

He walked over to the window and sat staring out the window...almost wondering if she was doing the same....feeling the same.

Wiping his forehead of sweat, he walked back to his bed and laid down, still and straight, and listened to his own shallow breathing. He glanced at the clock. 11:58.
Two minutes till he was 16...

He couldn't help it. He got up out of bed and began pacing again, thinking of the girl in his dreams.

It was strange that even now, when he thought of the girl in his head, with the flaming red hair, and freckles, he got a familiar flutter in the region of his navel. He checked his watch and counted down the seconds until he would receive gifts from all his friends. He was getting extra special attention from his friends, possibly to comfort him of his godfathers death. But he hadn't gotten a single 'hi' from the girl...

Why?" he whispered to himself

He heard a creaking sound coming from the hallway. He dived into his bed as not to be caught by the Dursleys. After getting caught studying magic last week he couldn't afford to get caught awake...not unless he wanted to get locked in the cupboard under the stairs.

The door creaked open his uncle popped his fat head in looked around and then left again. Harry sat up in his bed trying to figure out why he was thinking about her so much lately.

Hearing his Aunt and Uncles door shut he climbed out of bed and looked at his clock..."Happy Birthday to me...". He wished she could be here with him, just so he wouldn't be alone.

A tapping on his window distracted him. Looking up he saw a crazy, fluttering owl hitting the window repeatedly.
"Stop it PIG!" he hissed, opening the window. He reached and out and retrieved the bird. For once, the owl calmed down and fluttered over to Hedwigs cage and snoozed off. Harry smirked. the owl must not be used to midnight journeys...

he opened up a brown letter.

Dear Harry,
How are you? i know you are probably wondering, why the hell am i sending this letter at midnight? well, wanted to be the first to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY! not every day you turn 16! anyways...hope your aunt and uncle aren't torturing you. suppose they aren't, considering you've been writing moody and them almost every single day. oh yeah, and me two! you won't believe who i have over...
Dean Thomas, Ginny's boyfriend! it's awful. she's serious about this one, she is. invited him over and everything. mum said yes, obviously. but just remember, she's got a load of older brothers. Fred and George keep starring at him and glaring. it's quiet funny. one day, when mum was looking, Fred sat at the table with a pair of knives and pretended to sharpen them whispering, "soon, soon." I choked on my bacon. Fred and George are doing good, they're business is a bang! mum wasn't too happy, but they REALLY are doing well. another package is coming with a present. talk to you soon!

Ron

He looked at the note somewhat upset....he had forgotten about Dean and Ginny. Then it hit him, he had just admitted to himself who the girl was.

Harry's look of happiness of getting a letter from his mate suddenly disappeared. Ginny had a boyfriend. Harry wondered why this should make him sad. He should be happy for her. It's not like he liked her did he?

right on schedule, a larger barn owl flew through the already opened window. Harry reached and grabbed the large package. on it there was a quick scribbled note.
Happy b-day Harry
RON!
Harry gingerly unwrapped the present and gasped at what was inside...

A wizard chess set. brand spanking new, set in copper, and beautiful. he was in awe. it must be worth a lot....
How could Ron afford something like this?
another bit of scrap parchment fell out
From the Weasleys
he gave a small laugh, "Of course, Fred and George must a helped. they must REALLY be doing well!"

He is still marveling at his gift when in flies another barn owl through Harry's open window. He grabs another package with a card attached to it. He opens the card and reads

Dear Harry,

How are you? i cant wait to see you next month summer has been going great mum and dad are doing very well. i hope you are having a good time at home (if at all possible). By the way did you by any chance get this letter before Ron's??? I hope you did we had a little bet going. well i hope you have a really extraordinary birthday Harry!

love always,
Hermione
P.S. I hope you like your sweet sixteenth present
Harry turns toward the give with the words love always in the back of his mind. he starts ripping open the brown paper and smiles as he pulls out three of his school books he will be needing next term and a big bag of candy.

Still looking at the gifts another owl comes in, with a large parcel, obviously from Hagrid.

Be careful the last time I got something from Hagrid it tried to bite my head off! Harry thought.

Harry set Hagrids parcel aside. "I think I'll wait till its light outside to open this...then I'll be able to see what's going to attack me". He decided as it was 4 in the morning that he ought to try and get some sleep. He was getting picked up by Hermione's parents to go to Diagon Alley. Then he'd get to see her...

A faint noise down stairs woke Harry up. at a quick look at the clock, he realized it was noon! with a strangled cry, he leapt out of bed and down the stairs. there was Vernon, his pudgy mustache, starring at Harry with hatred.
"Those people are here.." he said, gruffly pointing to the front door.
HERMIONE! there was Hermione, standing at the front door, shoes still on, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. they looked apprehensively at the Dursleys, but Hermione just smirked. Harry was so happy and relieved to see her!
Just then Dudley coughed and started laughing...
"you are still in your boxers!" he chortled.
Harry, turning bright red, looked down to see. he was in his underpants. in front of HERMIONE!

Harry hustled upstairs so embarrassed by what had just occurred. How could he have forgotten to get his clothes on!! He finally emerged 10 minutes later fully clothed and ready to go. "I am so sorry Hermione..."