A/N: Hey everyone! I am so sorry for not updating yesterday like I said I would! I wanted to so bad, but my internet wasn't working at all! I'm at school right now. I tried going on my brother's computer and my dad's computer and their internet didn't work either, so obviously the whole house was down. I would have asked my dad to fix it but him and my mom just left to go on vacation to Brazil. Argh!! I was so mad, you should have seen me! Again, I'm sorry!

Thank you to The-Imortal, epholge, & JadeLMSkywalker for reviewing. Also thanks to epholge for telling me how to italicize, but I'm not sure if it worked. I love you guys!

I know the last chapter was a little depressing, as some people kindly pointed out to me, but unfortunately (for Harry) his dreams in this story are very depressing (at least in the beginning). Good news to the people who don't like the depressing parts is that this chapter and the next don't have any depressing dreams (at least not any with a lot of detail). Chapter 4 will have one again though, but I'll warn you guys ahead of time.

I hope you enjoy this chapter!





Right there, perched around his room, were at least half of a dozen owls staring back at him. Quickly overcoming his temporary stupor, Harry went around each one and untied their packages and letters and gave them each an owl treat. Looking quickly at the battered up digital clock next to his bed, Harry noticed it was past midnight meaning it was his birthday. He had completely forgotten about it until now; he obviously had other things on his mind.

Hoping opening presents would distract him a little, he grabbed the nearest letter. Opening it, he surprisingly noticed it was from all of the members of the DA. It seemed like all of the members had pitched in to get him a present and the card was signed by all of the members (except, he noticed, Marietta Edgecomb, the traitor to the DA). The new sixth years of the DA thanked Harry for helping them get an 'Outstanding' on their OWL's. Harry was both surprised and pleased that they all received an 'Outstanding' on their DADA O.W.L. He was yet to receive his own O.W.L.'s. Harry carefully unwrapped the box that was covered in what was undoubtedly charmed wrapping paper. The wrapping paper had little lions and badgers walking around, as well as snakes slithering around, and eagles flying around. There was a red, a blue, a yellow, and a green ribbon at the top. Ron always made fun of Harry for taking such care opening the wrapping paper of his presents; he'd always tell Harry to just rip it. Shaking his head with amusement, Harry looked down at the now unwrapped present. It was a defense book that was simply named '1001 Defense Moves by: Hilbert Littleton'. Flipping through it, Harry realized it must be charmed because from the outside it looked fairly thin and looked like it only had about 200 pages when it no doubt had a lot more. Setting it aside to look at more closely later, Harry grabbed the next package.

Harry noticed it was a very colorful box. It had neon yellow, green, pink, and orange swirls all over the surface of it. Realizing who it was from, Harry carefully and slowly opened the box as if expecting something to shoot out of it as soon as it was opened. Suddenly, ducking, Harry realized that he had been right: something did shoot out of it. Harry ducked just in time before what looked like a bright neon pink paint blob shot out and landed on the wall next to his bed. Harry swore out loud and was thinking of ways to try to explain to his relatives just why he had a big, bright, neon pink paint blob on his wall when he realized it was starting to move. After moving around for about a minute, it looked like an exact replica of Professor Umbridge with her sickly sweet smile. Harry just gaped at it, hoping the blob would form something else, because he honestly didn't want a smiling Professor Umbitch...err... Umbridge staring at him while he was in bed. Harry shuddered just thinking about that thing being permanent before he realized it was moving again. The vile blob that was Professor Umbridge started dancing. Harry didn't know if he should laugh or be disgusted. Before he had a chance to decide a second figure appeared next to Umbridge. To Harry's horror, a replica of his greasy haired git of a Potions professor appeared next to Umbridge on the wall and took her hand. He lifted the back of her chubby hand to his mouth and kissed it. Harry was pretty sure he was going to throw up if this kept going. Harry shuddered and laughed at the same time when Umbridge and Snape started dancing together. Harry didn't know a lot about dance, but to him it looked like they were doing the tango. It looked like Snape was going in for the kill and was going to kiss her and Harry thought that if he had to watch, he'd be scarred for life. As if reading his mind, the picture exploded with a powerful *boom*. The pink paint splashed all over everything including himself and Harry was trying to hear any noise in the corridor to check if his relatives heard. But fortunately, all he heard was a loud snore from Dudley's room. The pink paint fizzed and disappeared to Harry's delight. 'Okay, that was definitely the weirdest birthday present I've ever received' Harry thought still trying to get the image of Umbridge and Snape dancing out of his mind. Shaking his head in amusement, Harry decided to open the note that came with the package.

Harry,

Happy Birthday! To show our gratitude to our number one investor

or rather our only investor

we proudly present you with the Ultimate Animated-Blob package.

It's our newest invention and you're the first person to try it!

Besides us of course.

It comes in pink, green, orange, and yellow! And refill kits are now also available so make sure you keep the box!

Just be careful when you open the box, you might want to duck.

'That teaches me to open the card first' Harry thought.

We also included some candy in your present that your fat cousin, Bubbly, was it? would love to'accidentally' find.

Enjoy!

Talk to you soon,

Gred and Forge

Trying to fight back his laughter, Harry put the card inside of the colorful box filled with all types of colorful candy that Harry was sure he didn't even want to think about trying, and put it aside reaching for the next package, this time making sure he opened the card before the present.

Opening the letter, Harry instantly recognized Ron's squiggly handwriting.

Still grinning from Fred and George's present, he began to read.

Harry,

Hey mate! Are those fat Dursley's treating you alright?

I don't know if you've heard but dad got a promotion! Isn't that wicked? We got to go shopping and actually buy books that are new!

No wonder he got a promotion, I don't think the ministry is doing so well. The 'Daily Prophet' is basically worshiping you and Dumbledore.

I got the best news! I talked to McGonagall 'cause she was over here a few days ago, and I asked her whether you're still off the Quidditch team, she gave me the weirdest face, and I quote her,

"Mr. Weasley, do you honestly think that anything that....that....woman did or said last year is still in effect this year? You must be thicker than I thought!"

Isn't that wicked? Well except that she called me thick, but I mean that you're on the Quidditch team again?

Well considering that good news, I obviously had to get you a present to celebrate that fact!

See ya soon, mate!

Ron

P.S. Oh yeah, Happy Birthday!

By the end of the letter, Harry's grin almost reached his ears. Deciding that since it was Ron's present, Harry ripped the paper off and opened the small box. Before Harry could see what it was that was inside, a golden blur went whizzing by his head. Startled, Harry looked around to where he thought the blur went. He saw it was buzzing by his closet, and Harry immediately recognized what it was. But his grin quickly faded when he noticed the window was still open. Not wanting his new present to fly out the window, Harry jumped off his bed and closed it with a snap. Next, Harry went towards his new toy and tried to grab it but it was obviously smarter than Harry gave it credit for, and it flew off around the room. For more than five minutes, Harry tried grabbing it, only to have it fly out of reach again. Harry had a sudden idea and just stood still. His new toy flew closer and closer to him as if taunting him to catch it until it was directly in front of him. With reflexes quick as lightning, no doubt from years of being a seeker, Harry snatched it right up tightly into his hand.

Laughing softly, Harry sat back on his bed and put his new Golden Snitch into the box that came with it. "Wicked Ron!" Harry spoke under his breath, still grinning.

Putting the box aside and throwing away the wrapping paper, Harry was about to reach for the next gift, when a hiss startled him and he jumped off bed his taking his wand off his night table. Harry stood in an attack position for a whole minute before thinking he just imagined it and sitting back on his bed. Again reaching for his next present, Harry was 100 percent sure he heard hissing this time, but it sounded like words. He was sure he heard a distinct ~Let me out~. Reaching for the box with the holes on it, Harry slowly opened it. What he inside, made him gasp. Inside of the box was the most beautiful snake he'd ever see. It was a tiny snake, not even a foot long, but the color was the beautiful thing about it. It was all silver with beautiful gold stripes on its body. Harry was still staring at it, when the snake gracefully slithered out of the box onto Harry's bed. ~Finally~ That effectively snapped Harry out of his stupor.

~Hello~ Harry hissed to the little snake. If snakes could jump, Harry was sure that's exactly what this one did.

~You speak our tongue~ the snake hissed looking at Harry for the first time.

~Erm...yeah~ Harry hissed not sure what else to say to a snake. Harry reached for the note that was attached to the box and recognized Hagrid's almost illegible handwriting right away. Harry bit down on his bottom lip to keep from laughing and opened the note.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! I hope those dirty excuse of muggles are treating you alright, if not, make sure to tell me and I swear I'll show 'em. I'm sure your cousin would like some ears to match that tail of his.

Grawp mentioned you and especially Hermione a few times these past few weeks.

Harry snorted at this.

I hope you like your present. I figured you needed someone to talk during these times. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened to Sirius, Harry. He was a fine man.

Enjoy your birthday and I'll see you in September!

Hagrid

After finishing the letter, Harry smiled sadly at the parchment, not really seeing it.

~You okay?~ Startled, Harry looked down at the beautiful silver snake.

~Oh, yeah, just fine~ Harry hissed back scathingly.

~Snippy, snippy, are we?~ The snake hissed haughtily slithering down Harry's bed.

~Hey, where are you going?~ Harry asked the snake surprised.

~Well, I'm so sorry for worrying you, but you do realize I've been stuck in that box for a long time since that giant furry human put me in it~ the snake hissed back sarcastically.

Harry gasped. Of course! The snake has been stuck in that box for so long, it must be hungry or at least thirsty. ~I'm so sorry! I completely forgot. Do you want something to eat, or drink? I don't know, what do snakes eat? Mice, right? Wait, no maybe not...you're too small. How about worms and stuff?~ While Harry was busy rambling, he didn't notice the amused look on the snake's face (as much amusement as a snake can show) and that it slithered back in front of Harry.

~First of all, we don't actually drink, as you humans call it, we sometimes sit in water though. Next, yes we eat worms and stuff, whatever that means.~ Harry had to fight back a laugh.

Harry jumped as if remembering something important. ~Oh, do you have a name? Did Hagrid name you?~

~No, and who's 'Hagrid'?~

~Hagrid is the man that I believe you called the 'giant furry human'?~ Harry said with a raised eyebrow trying to bite back a laugh again as he answered the snake. ~Well, I can't really think of a name off the top of my head, but you are a male, right?~

If at all possible, the snake looked offended and answered with an indignant ~Yes~

Harry laughed at this and if possible, the snake looked even more offended. Seeing this, Harry hissed a quick ~Sorry~.

Biting back a yawn, Harry looked over at his battered up clock and surprisingly saw that it was almost four in the morning. Turning back to the snake, Harry hissed. ~Well, will you be okay if I left you outside for the night? That way you could eat because I don't have any worms or bugs in my room~ "At least I don't think I do." Harry added to himself.

At the snake's consent, Harry carried it downstairs and left him out in the garden for the night, promising he'd come get him in the morning. After tiredly climbing the stairs, Harry lazily took the rest of the presents off the bed telling himself he'd open them the next day, and climbed in, immediately falling asleep upon his head hitting his pillow, but unfortunately for him, not a very peaceful sleep.



A/N: Please review and tell me what you think! Did you guys like Harry's presents so far? Also, I'm taking suggestions for Harry's pet snake's name. I was thinking about 'Ziggie?', does that sound okay? Tell me if any of you really hate it, okay?

Next Chapter: Harry's really, really good presents are coming up! Also, you'll get to see Aunt Petunia freak out!