Title: Birthday Wishes

Author: Corking Mad

CHAPTER TWO: BIRTHDAY

"Happy birthday, Harry!" chimed all eight members of the Weasly family, plus Hermione, as he stepped through the fireplace. Smiling, he gazed about their family room, and felt, well, he felt many things, but the strongest emotion was love.

Harry didn't have much time to sort out any emotions because he was suddenly swept up into a giant hug from Mrs. Weasly. Just when he though he couldn't feel any better, Harry felt as though he would explode with happy, warm fuzzies. Much to Harry's chagrin, Hermione also threw her arms around his neck before he could catch his breath from the last one.

Harry couldn't do much more than stand around and beam with joy, so Mrs. Weasly sent him upstairs to unpack. Ron and Hermione followed him up to Ronald's Room. Upon seeing the sign, Hermione snickered. "I've never noticed that before," she said. "Would you like me to start calling you Ronald, Ronald?"

Ron blushed, but said, "You can call me anything you want," as he stared at the worn carpet.

Harry looked back and forth between the two, before laughing out loud and pushing open the door to Ron's room. Ron and Hermione abashedly followed him inside and helped him unpack his trunk. Mrs. Weasly called them down to lunch before he could make any insinuating comments about the two.

The afternoon was spent playing pick-up games of Quidditch, and lazing about under the shade of trees. To Harry, it was as though none of the forgotten birthdays mattered any more, because he was in a familiar place where the people welcomed him because he was the Harry that they all loved, not the Harry Potter that they all idolized. It was an extremely comforting feeling, and Harry wouldn't have traded this day for anything. He never would have imagine that it would get better. In fact, he almost didn't expect it too, for he had never felt so good before. But part of him knew that the generosity of the Weasly family would extend to gifts and the like. He could barely even imagine the ways he would thank them . then he realized that he didn't need to do something outrageous to thank them, all he had to do was show his appreciation for all that they had done for him. And he certainly had no problem doing that! Yes, he felt that he could certainly get used to lazing beneath the shade of a large tree for the rest of summer.

It wasn't long before Mrs. Weasly had everyone seated at several picnic tables serving her fine home cooking. Conversation was light, but meaningful, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was a feast to blow Hogwarts feasts out of the water, at least in Harry's opinion. He was content. With everything.

As soon as everyone was finished eating, Mrs. Weasly magicked out from the kitchen a huge birthday cake, complete with fifteen candles. All present sang without reserve, and no one could help laughing at the twins screaming "CHA! CHA! CHA!" in between each verse.

The cake was cut by Harry, and passed out. Delicious, really, chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, and colorful sprinkles covered the sides. The candles were amazing, especially for Harry, who had never experienced blowing out MUGGLE birthday candles, let alone wizard birthday candles. All in all, it was quite amusing watching a boy of fifteen learn that you couldn't exactly blow out the candles, you had to sing them a song.

And even more amusing it was to watch him learn that the Twins had pranked him once again - no singing was needed - all you needed to do was blow them out at a ninety degree angle.

Upon finishing most of the cake, Mr. Weasly magicked out Harry's birthday presents. He handed Harry a thin, flat package about 20 centimeters in length. He looked at it strangely, as though not sure what to expect. Mr. Weasly explained, "This is from Molly and me. You've been a Weasly-in- training for five years, and its high time we've made it official. Go on now, son, open it up."

Harry tore off the brown packing parchment and opened the box, only to find a clock hand with his name and picture on it. Mrs. Weasly rushed over to give him a hug, and Mr. Weasly shook his hand. What touched Harry the most was the fact that Mr. Weasly referred to him as son. He sincerely thanked his surrogate parents.

Next came Hermione's gift. No surprise here, as Harry unwrapped a book. However, this was no ordinary book. It was a fairly large, leather- bound book simply entitled 'Potter'. Hermione quickly explained, "Harry, it's a collection of stories from your parents friends of their days at Hogwarts. Its from Moony and Snuffles, too."

For once, Harry hugged Hermione first, much to Ron's chagrin.

Harry was next handed a perfectly square box about thirty centimeters wide. "It's from the Weasly brothers, all of us," replied Ron as Harry began to remove the wrapper. As soon as the last scrap of paper was removed, a bed, just like Ron's, grew to its full size. On top was a comforter and pillow in Gryffindor colors.

"Didn't think you'd enjoy orange, mate!" shouted the twins, "even though what you've got there will clash horrible with Ron's room," said George before Fred interrupted himby saying, "not to mention his hair!" This remark earned a smack on the back of Fred's head by Ron.

Ginny waited until the three boys calmed down before turning to Harry, saying "These gits told me that I couldn't be in on their gift, but that I was to keep it with the theme of 'You're now an official Weasly, Harry', so I've given you the only gift I know how to give," she paused, unsure of herself. "It's there, on top of your pillow." She looked down at her feet, knowing full well the reaction she would receive from her brothers.

At this statement all of six of Ginny's brothers stared at her with their mouths open. They never imagined that it would come to this - that - that - that - she would share her letters!

Harry walked over to his new bed, sat down, and reached for the large parchment envelope sitting on his pillow. Inside was a letter, written in a gorgeous purple script:

Dear Harry,

I'm sure by now you've heard about my letters. And all of the unwritten rules that surround them. (I'd write them down for you, but then they wouldn't be unwritten anymore.)

So, this is for you -

((Taped to the letter was a small certificate, about the size of a large index card, that said "To be redeemed for one week's worth of bed-making and letters. Happy birthday, Harry. Happy birthday.))

Harry, I'm warning you now that for the first time my letters might seem somewhat emotionally overwhelming. Don't worry, I wont' give you anything you can't handle. I mean, look, every last one of my screwball brothers dealt with what I wrote, so I think you can manage just fine.

Welcome to the Weasly family, Harry. I don't know my motives for saying this to you, and I don't even know what I mean by this, but you are more than a brother to me.

Love,

Ginny

PS. Acceptance of this gift will result in your socks being subject to my whims.

Harry's heart palpated. He quickly reread the letter, and then looked up. Everyone was staring at Ginny, who was still staring at her feet.

He cleared his throat. "I . It's . Um ." Ginny shuffled a foot, and sniffled. Harry realized that he needed to say something - fast.

"Thank you," he said, his voice warm and appreciative. The smile on his face was there, apparent in his voice. He walked over to Ginny and hugged her as he did Hermione. But he didn't let go.