DISCLAIMER: I PLEAD THE FIFTH, AND THERE AIN'T NUTTIN YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT! I AIN'T A RAT NEITHER, SO THE AUTHOR IS INCOGNITO, UNDERSTAND! ONLY THOSE WHO NEED TO KNOW, KNOW!

(A/N: DON'T ASK!)

Birthday Surprises

JULY 31ST

It was Saturday and thus Harry felt it appropriate that he should have been able to sleep at least past 6a.m, although his friends thought differently. Today was his birthday, and so Karen had told him that she wouldn't train him that day, but to expect her at 10 p.m for a Birthday Surprise. When asked what the surprise was she smacked him lightly across the head and laughed (like I'd ruin it for you!) She didn't even budge when he said he disliked surprises, she merely waved him off and told him he'd like this one.

The last few days Harry had noticed a great deal of improvement over his muscles, which was to be understandable since he had been training with Karen now for 16 weeks, and he could now apparate and shimmer without a problem. He actually preferred Shimmering because he could go farther distances without having to use as much magical energy. Not to mention he could shimmer other people with him as well, just by touching them, and he didn't have to worry about splicing them or himself. Apparating didn't allow you to do that, but it was a lot more precise then shimmering.

Harry had been able to talk to Trinity over the last few days, and had even told her about the band, and how they had insisted that since they now had a whole bunch of songs to sing, and couldn't decide which ones to use on August 26th that they should have people vote for the top five songs they liked. In order to do this, Brittney convinced Paris's mom to allow them to practice at her Smoothie Shop, that Mark informed Harry was going out of business. He invited her to their first practice there on August first. The kiss that they shared had been a tender subject, that they had skirted around until Harry hadn't been able to take it any longer.

"We need to talk about that kiss."

"Let's not and say we did."

"Trinity!"

"Ok, fine."

"Look I like you as a friend."

"Yes! A friend, that's exactly how I see you!"

"And that kiss..."

"It was hot...but..."

"I didn't really feel..."

"Anything behind it?"

"Exactly, it was like..."

"Kissing a friend. No passion behind it."

"Yes, the kiss was good, but meant nothing."

"I get horny when I'm drunk!"

"That's a little to much information for me, Trinity."

"Oh come on you prude, I thought I loosened you up a little."

"I'm not a prude."

"Well we could have a meaningless summer fling."

"Er... I think I'll pass."

"Ah...(laughter) why not Harry, it's a guys dream, all the making out you could want with no feelings attached."

"While it would be great, it will cheat us both in the end, besides, it would prevent me from dating other girls!" (Harry laughed here)

"Oh, well, I guess I'll have to find some other sweet, rich, famous, musician to have meaningless fun with."

"Yeah, I guess you will, but we can still be friends!"

"Definitely!"

888888888888888888888888888888888

He didn't have any plans with the band or Trinity and her gang, they had all said they had plans. So his only plans for that day were to relax in the hotel, maybe work out in the weight room, or go for a swim in the pool (after a hundred laps Harry wasn't a novice in the water anymore) but like most plans to laze around, this one was thwarted as well when loud knocking awoke Harry up at 5:30a.m. Thinking that ignoring it would make it go away Harry covered his head with his pillow to drown out the noise. But once Meg started Meowing with the rhythm of the pounding, Harry gave up and stalked angrily to the door.

"What the hell could you want at 5:30 a.m!" growled Harry as he flung the door open without even looking out the peephole to see who it was. Harry had thought it was the band members, because they had pulled this stunt before, but when Harry caught site of the four people in the hallway he realized he was mistaken.

"Geesh, get a chill pill, dude," said Jason as he pushed past Harry into the hotel room.

"Come on Harry, go get dressed so we can go!" chimed Mya as she floated past him and sat down on the couch and turned on the television, an episode of Scooby-Doo caught her attention.

"Harry, why aren't you dressed? You knew we we're coming right?" Asked Jessica as she sipped a cup of coffee in a Styrofoam cup.

"No I bloody well didn't," snapped Harry as Trinity pushed past him.

"Yeah, about that, I though it'd be funnier if he didn't know," explained Trinity snatching the coffee away from Jessica and taking a sip, "And I was right, it was funnier."

"TRINITY!" Cried Jason, Mya, and Jessica together.

"What is going on?" cried Harry exasperated.

"We're taking you out for your birthday! Karen told us where to find you, although it took a lot of begging to even have her admit she ever even heard who Harry Potter was," said Jessica.

"It's Jameson!" sighed Harry.

"Please, dude, we know who you are, it all makes sense now," said a slightly irritated Jason.

"What all makes sense?" Asked Harry curiously.

"Oh I don't know," said Mya sarcastically, "How about you have a motorcycle and you're only 16, and not a resident of the US, which isn't really legal."

"Or the fact that you know Karen Parker," said Jessica.

"Not only that you know her, but she's willing to bail you out of jail and pose as the FBI to do it so no trace of it could be found," said Jason smirkingly.

"Then in the car she said you were suppose to be responsible, that she was putting her career on the line for you," Said Jessica taking her coffee back from Trinity.

"She was rather upset you didn't tell her you made friends, let alone with our kind, which I hope she meant by Wizard and Witches," said Mya thoughtfully.

"We had no clue where you were staying, and not even Trinity's house elves could find out, which was a first," Said Jason seriously.

"I could have sworn I had met or seen you before," said Jessica lightly observing Harry, "But I just couldn't put my finger on where."

"That whole thing at the police station, and now that I think about it you almost slipped when giving your name," said Mya thoughtfully.

"Then the fact that you were emancipated was what should have tipped us off, I can't believe we were so stupid," sighed Jason shaking his head, "I mean a week before we met you, that article ran in the 'Andromeda Press' about how Harry Potter, "The-Boy-Who-Lived", had been Emancipated by his late Godfather."

"Then, I saw your scar, and everything fell into place," said Jessica mildly.

"Don't you have anything to add, Trinity?" scathed Jason.

"No," she returned calmly, "I've known who he was from the beginning."

"Fine, so you figured it out," said Harry complacently, "But I do have my reasons."

"Yeah, you said that Karen was the only on who could turn you in," said Jessica suspiciously,

"What did you mean by that?"

"I meant that noone but her, well now you guys as well, know that I'm here, and if she wanted she could contact Dumbledore to tell him where I was," said Harry rubbing his temples slightly.

"So, what? You ran away?" Asked Jason raising his eyebrows.

"No, I took an unauthorized vacation," sighed Harry, at their confused looks Harry tried to explain, "I was tired of the press bugging me, I was tired of people following me in order to "protect me" but never succeeding in that, I hated being treated like a child one minute and expected to be an adult the next, I didn't have control over anything in my life, they were going to ship me off to my Godfather's house, the last place I saw him happy and alive, without even asking if I was alright with that, I was constantly kept in the dark over matters they deemed inappropriate for me, but if given that information it would have prevented stupid mistakes, and I was tired of them telling me who I was and who I was meant to be, I needed to get away, I needed to free myself from their expectations and responsibilities, to find out who I was and who I wanted to be, I needed to get away from them, so I left," Harry shook his head, "I'm 16 years old, and people expect me to save the world, and no matter how much they may believe in me, I don't believe in myself, because I've never been able to say I can make it on my own," Harry sighed, "So I'm sorry I lied to you, but if It got out I was here, they'd come and drag me back to Britain, or worse Voldemort would get wind and attack me instead."

"Harry, we understand," said Mya gently, "We're not mad," Jason cleared his throat, "Ok well Jason is, but that's because he's stupid."

"Hey!" Yelled Jason, "I'm just saying, do you realize how many parties we could have gotten into if we had Harry Potter with us?"

Harry couldn't help it he laughed. "That's why you're mad? Because you think I could have gotten you into some parties?"

"Not could have, would have! Everyone in America loves Celebrities! You would have been on hundreds of guest lists!" Huffed Jason as he crossed his arms. Although Harry could tell he wasn't really mad.

"Well, I suppose I would have, but what makes you think I would have taken you?" Asked Harry innocently.

"Hey!" Said Jason as the three girls laughed.

"Ok, guys, we've been here for almost an hour, and Harry's still not dressed, let's go!" Said Trinity bossily.

"Where exactly are we going?" Asked Harry suspiciously as Trinity pushed him towards the bedroom.

"It's a surprise!" Laughed Trinity.

"I hate surprises," said Harry seriously as she shoved him into the room and shut the door.

"Too bad," she laughed.

Changing quickly Harry pulled on a red tee-shirt with the emblem "Whoever said 'Nothings Impossible' never tried nailing jell-O to a tree" and a pair of faded blue jeans.

Leaving the hotel room after making sure Meg had both food and water, the five teens made their way down to the lobby. Laughing slightly at a joke Jason had just told about a one armed prostitute and Rookie Auror as they left the elevator.

"Mr. Jameson?"

Harry turned around towards the voice stopping as he saw a somewhat pale women, in her mid-thirties by the looks of it she was wearing a slinky black dress, and her red hair was pulled up into an elegant bun. To Harry he thought it odd that this woman not only was dressed as though she was going on a fancy date, but also that she seemed to know who he was.

"Yes?"

"Hello, I'm Brigit," She held out her hand and Harry slowly took it. "I'm here to offer you a chance."

"A chance at what?" Asked Harry suspiciously.

"My employer wishes to invite you to a high-stake poker game," She smiled brightly.

"Er, no thanks." Said Harry shaking his head, "I really only gamble with my life."

The woman smiled, "Yes, I heard about your run in with those two vampires, I do hope that your cat is alright?"

"How did you..." Started Harry, his fingers lightly touching his wand discreetly.

"How I know is not important, but what is important is that you've sparked the interest of my employer, and he does not lightly extend an invitation," She clasped her hands together.

"Well, I am sorry to disappoint but I'm going to have to decline," Said Harry turning around in order to leave.

"My employer will not be pleased, he may even decide to extend the invitation in person," Called the woman as Harry and his friends made their way outside.

"Nice car," Said Harry.

"Thanks, when my first boyfriend broke up with me, I couldn't stop crying, so my dad decided to buy me a car, but not just any car, he had it specially made so it would be one of a kind, like me," Said Trinity climbing into the car, "I think it's a mix between a Viper and a Lexus convertible."

"When did that happen?" Asked Harry.

"When I was twelve," shrugged Trinity.

As Jason, Mya, and Jessica piled into the back of the car they scrambled for their seatbelts. Harry sat down in the front seat and slowly reached for his seatbelt, although he was paying more attention the they panic in the back seat then actually fastening his own.

Trinity started up the car and just as Harry snapped his buckle into place, she peeled out of the hotel parking lot. The loud screech of the tires permeated the air loudly, and the smell of burning rubber was overpowering. And if Harry had looked back he would have seen two long strands of tire burns.

Trinity was speeding down the road, weaving in and out of traffic at a dangerous speed.

"IT'S CALLED THE GAS PEDAL, YOU ASS!" Screamed Trinity cutting around a SUV in front of her, She had to pull into the oncoming traffic in order to achieve this. Trinity turned the music on and it was overpowering to listen to the heavy beats. She sped through yellow lights and breezed through stop signs.

"HOW DID YOU GET A LICENCE?" Yelled Harry over the music.

"LOTS OF BRIBING ON MY FATHERS PART!" Screamed Trinity back.

"IT'S GREEN YOU STUPID BITCH!" Yelled Trinity as the pulled up to a stop light.

After a terrifying ride Harry found himself luckily alive. Jason, Mya, and Jessica gingerly piled out of the car looking a little worse for wear. While Trinity happily climbed out of the car applying a new coat of lip gloss to her lips.

"Where are we?" Asked Harry looking around.

"Dude, you're joking right?" Asked Jason incredulously. "We're at Disney Land! The Happiest Place in the World!"

"Right, and why is that?" Asked Harry curiously.

They all just looked at him in shock. "Dude it's Disney Land! It just is!"

"Ok," said Harry sarcastically, "That explained a lot."

"Harry it's an amusement park," Said Trinity giddily.

"Here for our amusement?" Asked Harry raising an eyebrow mockingly.

"Come on Harry, you've had to of ridden a roller coaster before," said Mya happily as they entered the park.

"No, not really," said Harry looking around the deserted park, "Um, are they even open?"

"Of course they are Harry, I rented out the entire park!" Trinity said laughing. "It's your birthday and I didn't want you to have to wait in line!"

"You didn't have to do that," said Harry seriously observing her somberly.

"Are you kinding? She does this every year for each of our Birthdays! Well not renting out Disney Land, she rented out Sea World for Jessica's birthday," Said Mya happily, "My Birthday's August 7th and she's taking us to Chicago to see Drowning Pool in concert, you're coming right?"

"Oh, er..." started Harry, this was the first he had heard of it.

"Of course he is!" Said Trinity waving her off, "Now Harry, I also invited your other friends."

Suddenly Harry was attacked by Paris and Brittney.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!" They screamed together.

"Er, thanks..." said Harry rubbing his ear to clear it from the ringing. Dylan, Mark and Chad also greeted him with birthday wishes as they came into view as well. "So we have the park all to ourselves, just the ten of us?"

"No, my parents are here as well," Said Chad offhandedly, "Wouldn't let me come alone."

"My Mom and two little brothers are here," scoffed Dylan.

"My parents are here, and my cousin Gina, she's 13," Said Mark rolling his eyes.

"My dad's here with my little sister Emma, she's five," Said Mya, "My mom was to sick to come."

"My mom's here," said Brittney.

"My dad and little sister Nicole, are here as well," said Paris, "My mom needed to open the Smoothie Shop today."

"How about you Jason? Jessica?" Asked Harry.

"Here alone," said Jessica.

"Me too, my parents had to work," said Jason mildly.

"So where are they?" Asked Harry looking around.

"The parents are basically wandering around the3-D movies and helping the little kids ride the Tea cups and all," said Trinity, "We'll meet up with them at lunch!"

"LETS GO RIDE SOME RIDES!" Screamed Mark and Chad loudly.

It was a quarter to Ten when Harry arrived back at the hotel, he was just about to enter his hotel room when Karen Shimmered in behind him.

"Hello Harry!" She said Happily handing him a hanger with a bag on it.

"What's this?" asked Harry suspiciously.

"A tux," she said simply.

"A tux?" Asked Harry unzipping the bag.

"Yes, you need to wear it, it's a rather formal place," she said pushing Harry into the hotel room.

After changing into the tux and having Karen help him tie his tie, she shimmered them away.

"Where are we?" Asked Harry looking around the beautiful room.

"New York, New York!" Giggled Karen.

"Why?" Asked Harry looking around at the people dressed in tuxes and fancy dresses.

"To see a musical," she said. "I thought you might like "Annie" it's about an orphaned girl who is to be adopted by a self-centered Billionaire."

"It's a hard-knock life for us,

It's a hard-knock life for us.

'Stead of treated we get tricked,

'Stead of Kisses we get kicked.

It's a hard-knock life."

(Annie the musical)

"That was great," said Harry as the song played over and over in his head, "I mean I really didn't want to see a musical, but that was wonderful."

"You know Harry not a lot of people laugh when they hear, "Jab her with a safety pin. Yank the whiskers from her chin, make her drink a mickey-fi," Said Karen smiling, "But to see your eyes light up during that was wonderful."

"I related to it I guess," shrugged Harry, "Thank you Karen."

"No problem, I expect you tomorrow, no matter what surprises may await you," said Karen shimmering away, before Harry could question what she meant by that.

Sighing Harry opened the door to his hotel room. But Harry was only able to see Fawkes before he was scooped into a hug.

"Harry, thank Merlin you're alright!"

"Remus?"