Chapter 2: Happy Birthday
Harry woke up to the rays of sunshine landing on his face. He yawned as he got out of his bed and headed towards his bathroom (one of his recent enhancements) at the other end of the room.
He was done in a matter of minutes, Harry had bewitched most of the items in his bathroom. The toothbrush cleaned his teeth by itself, the scissors and comb kept his hair neat and properly cut.
He opened the book by Salazar Slytherin. On the inside of this cover was a note.
If you are reading this message you are one of the few gifted enough to speak with snakes. This book will teach you all you need to know so that you can harness the full potential of your gift. The first few chapters are the hardest, and will test your will to learn. They will teach you how to read and write parseltounge. After those chapters are completed you will be able to decipher the marking and continue. The other chapters will teach you spells and incantations in parseltounge. These are very powerful spells and will help your ambitions for power, whether they be for good or for evil. If you manage to master these spells you will receive the location of another book, one that will further your knowledge and power.
Salazar Slytherin
Harry was intrigued 'this is the edge I've been looking for against Voldemort' he thought. Harry put the book on his bed, drank one of the many protein shake cans for breakfast and started his workout.
The few days leading to his birthday passed quickly, Harry managed to complete all his homework and focused a lot more on Slytherins book.
On his birthday Harry received a letter from Dumbledore.
Dear Harry:
Since it is your birthday I have decided to lift the no post ban for today and I have notified your friends. I hope you are utilizing this time and working on improving your skills. Enjoy your birthday.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
Just as he finished the letter a large barn owl followed by hawk, both with parcels attached to them entered the room through the window. Harry removed the packages from their legs and they left through the window.
The first was from Ron.
Hey Harry
Me and Hermione will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron at Six sharp make shure your there.
Your Friend
Ron Weasley
The second letter had a Gringnotts seal on it, Harry assumed that it was from Griphook. He opened the seal and read the letter:
Dear Harry:
I am pleased to inform you that I have taken care of all the paperwork required and the shop now belongs to us. I have also spent the past few days preparing our shop for its grand opening. I spent approximately 110 galleons on the redecoration and repairs, don't worry, it is part of the expenses of the business and no money will be taken from either of us. The grand opening is today and I hope you will be able to make an appearence. The store is located right beside Ollivanders, you shouldn't have any trouble finding it.
Your copy of the paperwork has been placed safely inside your vault.
With Regards
Griphook
Harry smiled as he put the letter away. He looked up to find that Hedwig had returned with package attached to her leg. She nipped his finder affectionately as he removed the package and opened it. The was a card inside and underneath the card was a gold watch. Harry removed the watch, he flipped it over and gasped when he found that it was a Rolex. 'Who would send me such an expensive gift?' Harry wonderd as he put the watch on his left arm.
He then proceded to open the card and read the note attached.
Dear Harry,
Hope this letter finds you in good health, I know your watch was broken in the Triwizard Tournament last year so Moony, Albus and I got you this gift. Hope you like it.
Im sorry that I can't visit you, ill see you at Hogwarts if I can.
Love
Snuffles
(Your Godfather)
Harry laughed at this. Snuffles aka Sirus Black is Harry's Godfather. He is on the run from the law because he is wrongfully accused for the murder of Peter Petrigew, who is alive and serving Voldemort. Only a few people know of Sirus's inocence, and because of that he had to hide and run from the Ministry of Magic most of the time.
After putting all the mail and packages away Harry started studying Salazars book. He looked at the watch and gasped it read 5:43 "im gonna be late." Harry quickly put on a pair of camel pants, a black sweater and raced down the stairs. He took the floo network to the Leaky Cauldron.
When he arrived Ron, Hermione and Lavender were waiting for him at a booth in one of the corners.
"Harry" Ron gasped "your so much bigger, what happened to you mate?" Ron gave Harry a quick hug.
"I've been working out, gained 10 pounds of muscle" Harry replied "Damn you've gotten taller." It was true Ron was well over 6 feet now, Harry himself was about 5'11.
"Happy birthday Harry" cried Hermione as she gave him a tight hug. Hermione didn't have bushy hair any more, it was straight, her brown hair went all the way to the middle of her back. She was very pretty now. She was wearing blue jeans and a blue blouse.
The last to congratulate Harry was Lavender, Harry watched her uncomfortably get out of her seat and come towards him. Her blond hair touched her shoulders, she was wearing a black skirt that was a bit shorter then her knees, a black blouse with a white sleeveless jacket. This drove Harry wild.
"Happy birthday Harry" she said and gave him a quick hug.
"Thanks for coming guys, I wanted to keep it small" Harry said "lets go tour Diagon Alley before we start the party, I have some business, and a surprise for all of you."
With that Harry lead them all towards Ollivanders, with Ron badgering him about what the surprise could be.
When they arrived Harry went towards a store called House of Beasts. It was a gigantic store, and was almost as big as the entrance to Gringnotts itself. The outside walls were coverd with black marbles, two pillars about 4 feet thick and 40 feet high dressed the entrance to the store through two red oak doors about a third of the pillars height. Written in gold letters on the wall of the store was "House of Beasts" which Hermione was the first to notice.
"Oh, I've never seen this store before, must be new!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What's up Harry? Why'd you bring us here?" Ron asked, giving Harry many inquisitive glances.
"I'll tell you in a second, patience buddy...patience" Harry replied with a grin. Lavender hadn't spoken a word most of the day and Harry could sense that she felt out of place with the three friends. "Come on guys, lets go Lavender" Harry said ushering them all into the store.
The inside was much larger then the entrance to the store, the floor was a marble green marble, which extended to cover all the walls. The store was divided into many different sections which started with black wooden desks for the sales representatives and behind the desks were brochures, pictures and other various information on the animals in the section. At the very end of each section was a black marble door. On the left there were two security wizards dressed in black standing next to the entrance.
"Hello Mr Potter" the taller of the two said.
"Hello"
"The manager wishes to see you in his office, it's right next to yours" The other security guard interrupted shaking Harry's hand.
"Um...where is my office?" Harry was feeling embarrassed at not knowing the layout of his own store.
"Oh how foolish of me sir, I forgot that this is your first time in the shop. The staff wing is right behind us through that black door." The taller of the two replied "Walk right to the end and you will see to doors, the one on the right is yours and the one on the left is the managers."
"Thanks, ill be right back guys, I have to finish some business, in the meantime look around." Harry said to the guards and then his friends who were all very confused at the conversation which just took place. "Ill explain everything when I get back."
"Oh and could you give them VIP passes and maybe get a clerk to show them around?" Harry said to the guards as he left through the black marble door behind them.
The floors of the staff section were hardwood and the walls were grey stone. Numerous doors were spread out on each side, Snakes, Birds, Hounds, Security were just a few of them. He made his way to the end of the hallway where there were two black doors, the one on the right had a plaque on it:
Harold J. Potter
President
The one on the right read:
Griphook
Manager and Vice President
Harry opened the doors leading to Griphooks office, he was greeted by a familiar raspy voice. "Ah Harry, so good to see that you made it" Griphook shook Harry's hand as he led Harry to a chair in front of his desk. The room had shelves filled with paperwork all around it, and in the middle was Griphooks desk, it seemed a lot like Griphooks old desk at Gringnotts.
"Let me start by getting you up to speed with our establishment. I started by selling many of the creatures that the previous owners had in their store, many of them were not profitable, like cats and owls. I replaced them with the most rare, powerful and most of all profitable creatures on this planet. Our selection of creatures is limited at the moment, but as business flourashes, so will our inventory. I have a section devoted to Pheonixes, there price starts at 30 000 galleons. Then we have a section on Serpents, the only serpent we sell are dragons, which start at 600 000 galleons. Then we have Hippogryphs and Gryphons which start at 7000 and 10 000 galleons respectively. And lastly we sell Cerberus, which are 3 headed dogs, they start at 7000 galleons."
"Just a quick question, I don't think we should sell these creatures to just anybody, especially under present circumstances" Harry interupted 'I don't want Voldemort or his deatheaters getting there hands on any of these animals.'
"I agree Harry, I sell the dragons only to various Ministries of Magic around the world, Gringnotts, and our most recent partner Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Dumbledore will arrange our contract with you personally once you arrive to school" Griphook replied.
"That sounds good" Harry said 'I guess Hogwarts is kicking up their security.'
"We don't keep any of the animals on sight, customers place orders with us and the animal is shipped to their desired location. All the employees know who you are and what your place is in our company. I will be sending you a report of our success around christmas, and all profits are being wired to your account in Gringnotts." Griphook continued, he then got out of his chair and led Harry to his office "this is your office, it can only be opened by you, or anybody you give written permission."
The office was a lot nicer then Griphooks, the chairs were made of wood with a gold trim around the edges and had red felt cushioning. The desk matched the chairs and had his name imprinted in gold at the front. The floor was white tile.
"I took the liberty of ordering in a desk set for you, you can decorate the rest as you please" Griphook said.
"Great, you've done a wonderful job Griphook, ill finish the contract with Professor Dumbledore when I get to school, I'd better get going my friends are waiting outside, ill come buy everyday of the summer if I can and help you out." Harry shook Griphooks and ran down the corridor back out to the main lobby.
He saw his friends talking to a salesman at the Pheonix section. Harry ran over to them, all the clerks greeting him as he went by.
"How do you like it?" he asked.
"Pretty chillen Harry, I can't believe this is your store!" Ron was the first to answer "Im proud out you buddy, but why did you do it?"
"I need to be independent guys, I don't want to live off my parents money for ever, anyways this was an opportunity of a lifetime, I had to" Harry replied.
Hermione walked up to him "I'm really proud of you to Harry, I was wondering if I got come buy here on my own and learn about the animals?"
"No problem, ill arrange it with Griphook, my partner."
Harry looked over at Lavender and she also came up to him. "You've done a great job here Harry, people won't be underestimating you from now on." she said flashing Hairy the seemly that made him melt.
They all spent the next hour looking around the store. Ron and Hermione were reading a pamphlet on Dragons, while Harry and Lavender were talking a few feet away.
"If it isn't the mudblood and the weasel" came a the familiar cocky voice of Draco Malfoy as he walked up to Ron and Hermione "did you have to sell that pathetic house of yours to gain VIP access to this store" Draco indicated at the VIP tag around his neck. "Funny to see you two without Potter, finally managed to tear your selves away from him?"
Ron's face was red with anger as he moved to strike at Draco. Draco looked a lot stronger now, he was still pale and slightly skinny, but there seemed to be a new aura around him that made him look menacing.
"Malfoy, just shutup before I have you thrown out of here" Harry was now by Ron's side, with a hand on his shoulder just to calm him down.
"Don't think you're the king of the world Potter, what makes you think you can throw me out of here. Anyways im actually going to buy a creature, this is the only store in Britain that sells rare animals." Draco replied, removing a green bank card from his pocket and flashing it in front of Harry's face.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lavender started laughing in Draco's face.
"What's so damn funny?" Draco asked, anger was clearly visible on his face.
"Well, ill answer your first question. No, I don't think im king of the world, but I am the owner of this store, and that gives me the ability to kick any mother fucker I want out. I wouldn't sell you anything if you were the last spoiled brat who hid in his daddy's shadow left on earth Malfoy." Harry replied menacingly, now only inches from Draco's face. "Oh and on your way out be sure to let your daddy know that we don't serve Deatheaters."
At that the two guard wizards appeared and escorted Malfoy out of the shop.
"Bloody terrific Harry" Ron patted him on the back as the group of friends walked back to the Leaky Cauldron.
"You really shouldn't let him get to you Harry" Hermione said "Yeah Harry, he's just looking for attention" Lavender added.
Harry nodded his response and sat down at their booth. Tom the inn keeper had made sure nobody disturbed the gifts at the table.
They sat at the booth and Hermione handed Harry a present that looked an awful lot like a book. Harry tore it open.
"Hogwarts a History, thanks Hermione" Harry gave her a hug over the table. 'The hell am I gonna do with this' he thought to himself as he put the book away.
Ron was next, he handed Harry another book Wizards that influenced the 20th Century "sorry didn't have time to wrap it"
"Not like I use the paper" Harry chuckled as opened the book to where the bookmark was "Harry Potter, maybe ill learn something about my self I hadn't discovered. Thanks a lot Ron."
"Happy birthday mate"
"I saw this on display the other day and I thought it would look great on you" Lavender said as she pulled out a package from her purse.
Harry opened it up to find a silver earing in the shape of a snake. He put it up to his ear, and much to his surprise the snake bit into his ear and curled itself into a circle. He didn't feel the bite, but he let out a gasp when the snake moved.
"You don't like it?" Lavender asked looking hurt.
"It just caught me of guard, thanks Lavender" Harry gave her a hug which convinced Lavender.
They talked and ate for a while before everybody had to go home. Harry was the last to leave, making sure he had all his presents with him. Arriving at the Dursleys exhausted Harry ran up to his room, jumped into bed and fell asleep. He didn't notice the gold letter on his counter, or the cat slipping out of the Dursleys yard and into the night.
Harry woke up to the rays of sunshine landing on his face. He yawned as he got out of his bed and headed towards his bathroom (one of his recent enhancements) at the other end of the room.
He was done in a matter of minutes, Harry had bewitched most of the items in his bathroom. The toothbrush cleaned his teeth by itself, the scissors and comb kept his hair neat and properly cut.
He opened the book by Salazar Slytherin. On the inside of this cover was a note.
If you are reading this message you are one of the few gifted enough to speak with snakes. This book will teach you all you need to know so that you can harness the full potential of your gift. The first few chapters are the hardest, and will test your will to learn. They will teach you how to read and write parseltounge. After those chapters are completed you will be able to decipher the marking and continue. The other chapters will teach you spells and incantations in parseltounge. These are very powerful spells and will help your ambitions for power, whether they be for good or for evil. If you manage to master these spells you will receive the location of another book, one that will further your knowledge and power.
Salazar Slytherin
Harry was intrigued 'this is the edge I've been looking for against Voldemort' he thought. Harry put the book on his bed, drank one of the many protein shake cans for breakfast and started his workout.
The few days leading to his birthday passed quickly, Harry managed to complete all his homework and focused a lot more on Slytherins book.
On his birthday Harry received a letter from Dumbledore.
Dear Harry:
Since it is your birthday I have decided to lift the no post ban for today and I have notified your friends. I hope you are utilizing this time and working on improving your skills. Enjoy your birthday.
Sincerely
Albus Dumbledore
Just as he finished the letter a large barn owl followed by hawk, both with parcels attached to them entered the room through the window. Harry removed the packages from their legs and they left through the window.
The first was from Ron.
Hey Harry
Me and Hermione will meet you at the Leaky Cauldron at Six sharp make shure your there.
Your Friend
Ron Weasley
The second letter had a Gringnotts seal on it, Harry assumed that it was from Griphook. He opened the seal and read the letter:
Dear Harry:
I am pleased to inform you that I have taken care of all the paperwork required and the shop now belongs to us. I have also spent the past few days preparing our shop for its grand opening. I spent approximately 110 galleons on the redecoration and repairs, don't worry, it is part of the expenses of the business and no money will be taken from either of us. The grand opening is today and I hope you will be able to make an appearence. The store is located right beside Ollivanders, you shouldn't have any trouble finding it.
Your copy of the paperwork has been placed safely inside your vault.
With Regards
Griphook
Harry smiled as he put the letter away. He looked up to find that Hedwig had returned with package attached to her leg. She nipped his finder affectionately as he removed the package and opened it. The was a card inside and underneath the card was a gold watch. Harry removed the watch, he flipped it over and gasped when he found that it was a Rolex. 'Who would send me such an expensive gift?' Harry wonderd as he put the watch on his left arm.
He then proceded to open the card and read the note attached.
Dear Harry,
Hope this letter finds you in good health, I know your watch was broken in the Triwizard Tournament last year so Moony, Albus and I got you this gift. Hope you like it.
Im sorry that I can't visit you, ill see you at Hogwarts if I can.
Love
Snuffles
(Your Godfather)
Harry laughed at this. Snuffles aka Sirus Black is Harry's Godfather. He is on the run from the law because he is wrongfully accused for the murder of Peter Petrigew, who is alive and serving Voldemort. Only a few people know of Sirus's inocence, and because of that he had to hide and run from the Ministry of Magic most of the time.
After putting all the mail and packages away Harry started studying Salazars book. He looked at the watch and gasped it read 5:43 "im gonna be late." Harry quickly put on a pair of camel pants, a black sweater and raced down the stairs. He took the floo network to the Leaky Cauldron.
When he arrived Ron, Hermione and Lavender were waiting for him at a booth in one of the corners.
"Harry" Ron gasped "your so much bigger, what happened to you mate?" Ron gave Harry a quick hug.
"I've been working out, gained 10 pounds of muscle" Harry replied "Damn you've gotten taller." It was true Ron was well over 6 feet now, Harry himself was about 5'11.
"Happy birthday Harry" cried Hermione as she gave him a tight hug. Hermione didn't have bushy hair any more, it was straight, her brown hair went all the way to the middle of her back. She was very pretty now. She was wearing blue jeans and a blue blouse.
The last to congratulate Harry was Lavender, Harry watched her uncomfortably get out of her seat and come towards him. Her blond hair touched her shoulders, she was wearing a black skirt that was a bit shorter then her knees, a black blouse with a white sleeveless jacket. This drove Harry wild.
"Happy birthday Harry" she said and gave him a quick hug.
"Thanks for coming guys, I wanted to keep it small" Harry said "lets go tour Diagon Alley before we start the party, I have some business, and a surprise for all of you."
With that Harry lead them all towards Ollivanders, with Ron badgering him about what the surprise could be.
When they arrived Harry went towards a store called House of Beasts. It was a gigantic store, and was almost as big as the entrance to Gringnotts itself. The outside walls were coverd with black marbles, two pillars about 4 feet thick and 40 feet high dressed the entrance to the store through two red oak doors about a third of the pillars height. Written in gold letters on the wall of the store was "House of Beasts" which Hermione was the first to notice.
"Oh, I've never seen this store before, must be new!" Hermione exclaimed.
"What's up Harry? Why'd you bring us here?" Ron asked, giving Harry many inquisitive glances.
"I'll tell you in a second, patience buddy...patience" Harry replied with a grin. Lavender hadn't spoken a word most of the day and Harry could sense that she felt out of place with the three friends. "Come on guys, lets go Lavender" Harry said ushering them all into the store.
The inside was much larger then the entrance to the store, the floor was a marble green marble, which extended to cover all the walls. The store was divided into many different sections which started with black wooden desks for the sales representatives and behind the desks were brochures, pictures and other various information on the animals in the section. At the very end of each section was a black marble door. On the left there were two security wizards dressed in black standing next to the entrance.
"Hello Mr Potter" the taller of the two said.
"Hello"
"The manager wishes to see you in his office, it's right next to yours" The other security guard interrupted shaking Harry's hand.
"Um...where is my office?" Harry was feeling embarrassed at not knowing the layout of his own store.
"Oh how foolish of me sir, I forgot that this is your first time in the shop. The staff wing is right behind us through that black door." The taller of the two replied "Walk right to the end and you will see to doors, the one on the right is yours and the one on the left is the managers."
"Thanks, ill be right back guys, I have to finish some business, in the meantime look around." Harry said to the guards and then his friends who were all very confused at the conversation which just took place. "Ill explain everything when I get back."
"Oh and could you give them VIP passes and maybe get a clerk to show them around?" Harry said to the guards as he left through the black marble door behind them.
The floors of the staff section were hardwood and the walls were grey stone. Numerous doors were spread out on each side, Snakes, Birds, Hounds, Security were just a few of them. He made his way to the end of the hallway where there were two black doors, the one on the right had a plaque on it:
Harold J. Potter
President
The one on the right read:
Griphook
Manager and Vice President
Harry opened the doors leading to Griphooks office, he was greeted by a familiar raspy voice. "Ah Harry, so good to see that you made it" Griphook shook Harry's hand as he led Harry to a chair in front of his desk. The room had shelves filled with paperwork all around it, and in the middle was Griphooks desk, it seemed a lot like Griphooks old desk at Gringnotts.
"Let me start by getting you up to speed with our establishment. I started by selling many of the creatures that the previous owners had in their store, many of them were not profitable, like cats and owls. I replaced them with the most rare, powerful and most of all profitable creatures on this planet. Our selection of creatures is limited at the moment, but as business flourashes, so will our inventory. I have a section devoted to Pheonixes, there price starts at 30 000 galleons. Then we have a section on Serpents, the only serpent we sell are dragons, which start at 600 000 galleons. Then we have Hippogryphs and Gryphons which start at 7000 and 10 000 galleons respectively. And lastly we sell Cerberus, which are 3 headed dogs, they start at 7000 galleons."
"Just a quick question, I don't think we should sell these creatures to just anybody, especially under present circumstances" Harry interupted 'I don't want Voldemort or his deatheaters getting there hands on any of these animals.'
"I agree Harry, I sell the dragons only to various Ministries of Magic around the world, Gringnotts, and our most recent partner Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Professor Dumbledore will arrange our contract with you personally once you arrive to school" Griphook replied.
"That sounds good" Harry said 'I guess Hogwarts is kicking up their security.'
"We don't keep any of the animals on sight, customers place orders with us and the animal is shipped to their desired location. All the employees know who you are and what your place is in our company. I will be sending you a report of our success around christmas, and all profits are being wired to your account in Gringnotts." Griphook continued, he then got out of his chair and led Harry to his office "this is your office, it can only be opened by you, or anybody you give written permission."
The office was a lot nicer then Griphooks, the chairs were made of wood with a gold trim around the edges and had red felt cushioning. The desk matched the chairs and had his name imprinted in gold at the front. The floor was white tile.
"I took the liberty of ordering in a desk set for you, you can decorate the rest as you please" Griphook said.
"Great, you've done a wonderful job Griphook, ill finish the contract with Professor Dumbledore when I get to school, I'd better get going my friends are waiting outside, ill come buy everyday of the summer if I can and help you out." Harry shook Griphooks and ran down the corridor back out to the main lobby.
He saw his friends talking to a salesman at the Pheonix section. Harry ran over to them, all the clerks greeting him as he went by.
"How do you like it?" he asked.
"Pretty chillen Harry, I can't believe this is your store!" Ron was the first to answer "Im proud out you buddy, but why did you do it?"
"I need to be independent guys, I don't want to live off my parents money for ever, anyways this was an opportunity of a lifetime, I had to" Harry replied.
Hermione walked up to him "I'm really proud of you to Harry, I was wondering if I got come buy here on my own and learn about the animals?"
"No problem, ill arrange it with Griphook, my partner."
Harry looked over at Lavender and she also came up to him. "You've done a great job here Harry, people won't be underestimating you from now on." she said flashing Hairy the seemly that made him melt.
They all spent the next hour looking around the store. Ron and Hermione were reading a pamphlet on Dragons, while Harry and Lavender were talking a few feet away.
"If it isn't the mudblood and the weasel" came a the familiar cocky voice of Draco Malfoy as he walked up to Ron and Hermione "did you have to sell that pathetic house of yours to gain VIP access to this store" Draco indicated at the VIP tag around his neck. "Funny to see you two without Potter, finally managed to tear your selves away from him?"
Ron's face was red with anger as he moved to strike at Draco. Draco looked a lot stronger now, he was still pale and slightly skinny, but there seemed to be a new aura around him that made him look menacing.
"Malfoy, just shutup before I have you thrown out of here" Harry was now by Ron's side, with a hand on his shoulder just to calm him down.
"Don't think you're the king of the world Potter, what makes you think you can throw me out of here. Anyways im actually going to buy a creature, this is the only store in Britain that sells rare animals." Draco replied, removing a green bank card from his pocket and flashing it in front of Harry's face.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Lavender started laughing in Draco's face.
"What's so damn funny?" Draco asked, anger was clearly visible on his face.
"Well, ill answer your first question. No, I don't think im king of the world, but I am the owner of this store, and that gives me the ability to kick any mother fucker I want out. I wouldn't sell you anything if you were the last spoiled brat who hid in his daddy's shadow left on earth Malfoy." Harry replied menacingly, now only inches from Draco's face. "Oh and on your way out be sure to let your daddy know that we don't serve Deatheaters."
At that the two guard wizards appeared and escorted Malfoy out of the shop.
"Bloody terrific Harry" Ron patted him on the back as the group of friends walked back to the Leaky Cauldron.
"You really shouldn't let him get to you Harry" Hermione said "Yeah Harry, he's just looking for attention" Lavender added.
Harry nodded his response and sat down at their booth. Tom the inn keeper had made sure nobody disturbed the gifts at the table.
They sat at the booth and Hermione handed Harry a present that looked an awful lot like a book. Harry tore it open.
"Hogwarts a History, thanks Hermione" Harry gave her a hug over the table. 'The hell am I gonna do with this' he thought to himself as he put the book away.
Ron was next, he handed Harry another book Wizards that influenced the 20th Century "sorry didn't have time to wrap it"
"Not like I use the paper" Harry chuckled as opened the book to where the bookmark was "Harry Potter, maybe ill learn something about my self I hadn't discovered. Thanks a lot Ron."
"Happy birthday mate"
"I saw this on display the other day and I thought it would look great on you" Lavender said as she pulled out a package from her purse.
Harry opened it up to find a silver earing in the shape of a snake. He put it up to his ear, and much to his surprise the snake bit into his ear and curled itself into a circle. He didn't feel the bite, but he let out a gasp when the snake moved.
"You don't like it?" Lavender asked looking hurt.
"It just caught me of guard, thanks Lavender" Harry gave her a hug which convinced Lavender.
They talked and ate for a while before everybody had to go home. Harry was the last to leave, making sure he had all his presents with him. Arriving at the Dursleys exhausted Harry ran up to his room, jumped into bed and fell asleep. He didn't notice the gold letter on his counter, or the cat slipping out of the Dursleys yard and into the night.
