Chapter 11: A Happy Birthday

The days dwindled by and most of Harry's days were filled with Quidditch in the Orchard (even before the sling was removed) and playing chess against one of his friends. Much of the time was spent lying around in the living room as Hermione had commandeered one day for homework and forced them to finish it all then.

 And of course there were quite a few meetings out at the lake with Ginny who seemed to have been inducted into the trio. Harry found he could talk to her about many things he'd never share with Ron and Hermione. He found this slightly puzzling but decided to ignore it and enjoy the new friendship.

 Soon it was July 31st and everyone was up early, rushing around very quietly to avoid waking Harry. They had plenty of time considering that Fred and George had slipped him one of their newest creations shortly after dinner the night before, a small toffee they'd come up with to induce sleepiness.

The cake was baked and decorated by Molly that morning. Everyone was thrilled to be giving Harry his first birthday party since he had been a year old. Harry walked into the kitchen to hear a roar of,

"SURPRISE!"

Harry didn't know what to think as they came out carrying a cake lit with candles, that read Happy Birthday Harry. Harry was very surprised by all this. He blew out the candles making a wish as he'd observed Dudley doing at his many birthday parties. Everyone helped themselves to a piece of cake. Harry was overjoyed to be surrounded by all the Weasleys, Hermione, and Sirius.

 They finished eating their cake and suggested that Harry should open his gifts. Harry received tons of samples of 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' from Fred and George and Ron had given him a book on famous Quidditch players. Hermione got him refills for his broom-care kit.

Sirius handed him a worn brown package, telling him to keep it a secret. Harry opened it partially to reveal a tattered copy of Learning to Be an Animagus. The margins appeared to be full of notes by the marauders.

"Thought you might find it useful," said Sirius, winking at Harry.

 After opening the rest of his gifts, Harry spent the rest of the day flying around in the orchard. Sirius joined them for awhile but had to leave shortly. Later that night Harry walked out to the orchard. No one but Harry had noticed that Ginny's gift had been the only one missing. As he had predicted, Ginny was sitting out by the lake.

"Here," she said, handing him a package. He opened it up to see a large album.

 "I hope you like it," said Ginny shyly. She'd spent many days digging in the attic and had even ventured into the ministry files one day when her father had allowed her to tag along at work.

 Harry sat down and began to look at the pictures in the first large album. There had been two in the box. There were pages upon pages of pictures. There were pictures documenting his parents' lives along with many certificates and a few tattered letters.  

"Ginny," he said, practically speechless, "I- Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," she replied, "Do you really like it?"

"Of course!" Harry was amazed at all the work she seemed to have put into this. There were so many things in here, insight into his parents' lives. He flipped pages looking wistfully at some of the photos.

Harry gave a sort of gasp and Ginny new he'd found that bare-bottom picture amongst them. To think Hagrid had been able to track that one down for her... He'd even given her a list of people she should owl for photos.

"Awww," said Ginny playfully snatching the picture.

"Hey," said Harry jumping up, "give that back."

"Gotta catch me first," taunted Ginny, dancing out of his reach. Finally, he grabbed for it and they fell to the ground, collapsing into giggles. Harry put the photo in the album and they sat there for awhile.

 Ginny noticed that Harry seemed distant.

"What's wrong?" she asked, with a look of concern.

"Nothing, It's just that I keep thinking about the trial tomorrow," replied Harry.

"Don't Worry Harry," said Ginny, "You'll win for sure. They have plenty of evidence. You wont have to go back there- ever."

"I'm just wondering where they'll send me," said Harry.

"Don't worry," replied Ginny, "I'm sure Dumbledore will take care of it."

"I guess," answered Harry. "Hey, what's that?" he asked, pointing to a tattered book by her.

"Oh," she replied, "Poetry. I have Dad bring me home some of the muggle ones from work that they have lying around. This one is all by Emily Dickinson. She's one of my favorites."

"Cool," said Harry, "She's pretty good."

"You read poetry?" Ginny said eyeing Harry.

"Yeah, the books were the only things left untouched in Dudley's old room when I moved into it. It gave me something to do," Harry replied sheepishly.

"I think it's great," she smiled, "If only Ron were capable of reading.."

 He smiled and picked up the other album that had been in the box and flipped it open.

"It's empty," he said dumbly.

"Not completely," replied Ginny, "Ron and Hermione helped with this part. Flip to the first page."

To Harry:

A book for you to keep all the memories from your life.

We hope it's full of happy ones-

And we'll be there for all of them.

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Hermione, Ron, & Ginny

"Thanks," he said, at loss for speech once again.

"We mean it," said Ginny, "You're important to us Harry."

 They soon grew tired and headed up to their appointed beds. As Harry lay in bed one phrase repeated in his mind, like a mantra, "You're important to us."

 He had people who cared about him and as far as he cared, nothing else mattered right now. Thoughts of the trial pushed away, he drifted off into a long awaited dreamless sleep.