Chapter Two

The Strangest Birthday

            Harry Potter awoke with a start. The pain coming from his scar was worse than ever now. He could barely move. After a few minutes the pain receded and he finally remembered something. Today was his birthday, and on his desk were presents from Ron Weasley and Hermione granger, who were Harry's best friends. They attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with him. Also, Harry had received presents from Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, and his godfather, Sirius Black. He eagerly unwrapped them. From Ron, he received a book; How to Keep Your Broom in Tip-Top Shape, from Hermione, an autographed photo of Viktor Krum. How did she get this? Harry wondered. Then he saw a letter from her. He picked it up quickly and read:

            Dear Harry:

            Hello, how is you summer going? Mine is fine. I visited Viktor over holiday. That's how I got you your present. Please don't tell Ron though, I'm afraid he would be rather jealous.

            I have to ask you a question, but please, can you keep it a secret? I think I'm growing fond of Ron.

            "I already guessed that a long time ago," Harry said to himself. He continued:

            What do you think about me asking him out? Please don't get jealous, but of course you wouldn't because you like Cho.

            "Is it that obvious?" Harry asked himself.

            Well, please send me an owl as soon as you can. Happy Birthday1

Love from

Hermione

            Harry quickly searched his desk for a quill, his inkbottle, and some parchment. When he found some he wrote:

            Dear Hermione,

            Hello, my summer is going as usual. Don't worry I won't tell Ron about you visiting Viktor or the question you asked me.

            About the question, isn't it obvious that he likes you? I think you should ask him. And by the way, is it that obvious I like Cho? I hope not.

            Well, thank you for the present,

            Harry folded the letter he had written and laid it aside. Then he picked up Ron's letter to him. It read:

            Harry-

            Hello. How's your summer going? Mine is fin except that I think that Hermione went to visit Krum over holiday. Do you think she did? I hope not because I'm quite fond of her. What should I do?

            Well, I hope you like your present.

Happy Birthday,

Ron

            Harry picked up his quill and got another piece of parchment. But before he started to write, he remembered his promise to Hermione and after careful thought, he started:

            Dear Ron,

            Hello. My summer is going as usual. The Dursleys are treating me like normal.

            About Hermione, just do whatever you feel. The worst that could happen is she might never talk to you again.

            Well, hope all is well, thanks for the present,            

            Harry folded up this letter and woke up his owl, Hedwig. He told her to deliver the letters to Ron and Hermione. She nipped his finger affectionately and set off.

            Harry watched her fly away until he couldn't see her anymore, then he decided to go downstairs to breakfast.

            When he got there he was surprised. He saw Dudley, his cousin, cooking breakfast. Dudley, cooking! Harry knew almost at once that he was imagining things. He reached up and touched his face to make sure he had his glasses on, which he did. But what really startled Harry was the fact that Dudley was smiling. Smiling! Then Dudley said, 'Happy Birthday Harry! Your presents are in the sitting room."

            Harry almost sprinted there. When he got there he saw his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. They were both smiling as Aunt Petunia said, "Happy Birthday Harry! Here are your presents. We hope you like them."

            Harry looked around in bewilderment. Dudley had never gotten as many presents as he had.

            "Go ahead," Uncle Vernon said. "Open them up."

            As Harry picked up a present, Dudley asked if he could open "just one" present, which, Harry was more than obliged to let him do. The present he opened was a flask of Butterbeer. "Butterbeer?" Harry said unexpectedly.

            "We thought you might like it," said Aunt Petunia.

            "Oh yeah, I do. Thanks," said Harry. He finished unwrapping his presents. Among them were; a book entitled, Great Quidditch players of Ireland and Britain, the flask of Butterbeer, and a "Play-On-Your-Own Quidditch ball set.

            "I'm going upstairs to put this stuff up. Thank you," Harry said as he rose from the ground.

            "You're welcome," Aunt Petunia replied.

            Harry raced up the stairs at a record pace. Almost immediately after he reached his room, he sat down to write a letter to his godfather, Sirius Black. He wrote:  

            Dear Sirius,

            Hullo, how are you? Things are pretty weird here.

            This morning I woke up with my scar hurting. But before that I had a dream like I was someone watching Voldemort kill my parents. Then I saw him point his wand to me, and I saw a flash of green light come out of his wand and then I woke up.

            If that's not strange enough,h this morning the Dursleys gave me presents. I got a flask of Butterbeer, a book called, Great Quidditch Players of Ireland and Britain, and a load of other stuff. But how could they have gotten to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to get this stuff? Got any ideas?

            I'll send this with Hedwig when she gets back. She's off delivering letters to Ron and Hermione right now,

Hope all is well,

Harry folded the letter and set it aside. He couldn't wait for Hedwig to return so Sirius could get his letter.

            Harry decided to read his new book while he waited. As he did, everything left his mind and he fell asleep.