Chapter Three- Surprises

Disclaimer: I don't own HP.

Author's Note: Much more upbeat chapter.

The next morning, Harry woke up late and walked down to the dining room to breakfast, only to receive a great surprise.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!" the entire room shouted.

With all of the events that had transpired that month, Harry had completely forgotten about his sixteenth birthday and was completely taken by surprise. He wasn't even sure whether to be happy, embarrassed or angry. Instead of doing any of these things, he just looked around at everyone dumbfounded. A great banner unfurled from the ceiling with the words "HAPPY SIXTEEN, HARRY!" written on it flashing in different colors.

After the cheering had subsided and Harry was thoroughly red in the face, he took his place at the table, which was filled with any and every delicious delicacy one could think of, beating even the spectacular feasts served at Hogwarts. He sat in between Ron and Hermione, who were just grinning at him like maniacs. He just glared at them, even though he was feeling quite good at the moment.

He had never had a birthday party of any kind before, much less a surprise one. There weren't an extraordinary amount of people there. His classmates couldn't come because they didn't know about the Order. But it was still a birthday party all the same.

After the extravagant feast, which included five courses, ending with a ten- layer chocolate birthday cake, which actually sang the birthday song, it was time for gift giving.

First Mrs. Weasley presented him with his regular gift that she gave him for Christmas, a hand knitted sweater and home made cakes and other goodies. Next came Fred (George was at their shop), who gave him a rather hefty gift certificate to their joke shop. Remus Lupin gave him a large book of advanced defense spells. Hagrid was there too. He walked up to Harry and gave him a gigantic hug and picked him up. Harry was rather nervous to open his present, so he did so with caution. Harry was surprised to find a toad inside the box. However, as it was Hagrid, it was not simply a harmless toad.

"It's a special kind of toad, see. It attacks intruders. It spits dangerous poison in their eyes and bites them." Explained Hagrid.

"Oh... How very... interesting. Thanks Hagrid." Harry said wondering what else it would attack.

Ginny gave Harry a Snitch and a new jar of broomstick polish. "Now that Umbridge is gone, I suppose I'll have to let you be Seeker again. I want to see you practicing hard to make up for not getting to practice last year," she added.

"Thanks, I definitely will." Harry replied.

Last came Ron and Hermione's gifts. Hermione got him a new quill that automatically refilled itself and a gift certificate to Flourish and Blotts.

"I would have gotten your school books, but I didn't know what classes you would be in," she explained.

"Typical Hermione," Harry thought. "Oh well at least she didn't get me a homework planner this time."

Ron gave him a chessboard and a book on chess strategy.

"I'm tired of me beating you all the time, mate. You should read that so I can actually be challenged," Ron said.

"Thanks a lot Ron. I'll make sure to kick your ass really soon," Harry responded.

After Harry finished opening gifts, people began cleaning up and wandering away. An owl flew in, dropping letters each on Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny's heads.

"Oh, good! Our OWL results have arrived!" Hermione exclaimed. She instantly ripped opened her letter, while Ron and Harry did very reluctantly.

Harry and Ron quickly read their own results before simultaneously switching letters to read each other's.

Harry's read:

Charms- Exceeds Expectations

Defense Against the Dark Arts- Outstanding T

ransfiguration- Exceeds Expectations

Potions- Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures- Exceeds Expectations

Divination- Dreadful

Herbology- Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy- Poor

History of Magic- Poor

Harry frowned. It wasn't his fault that he had failed the last two on the list. It wasn't his fault that Hagrid was being taken away during Astronomy and a Dark Lord was cracking into his brain during History of Magic.

"Wow Harry! Five above "Acceptable!" I only got three! Mum's going to kill me!" Ron stated in a panic.

Hermione had, naturally, gotten an "Outstanding" in everything. She looked quite pleased with herself. "Congratulations, Harry!" Hermione said modestly.

"Oh, I suppose they invented a new grade for you," Ron said. "From now on, you can get above "Outstanding." It's called "Hermione."

"Shut up, Ron!" said Hermione.

Harry looked at the rest of the papers in his letter. One was a book list. He had books for his six NEWT classes. Wait... six. This isn't right.

"Why am I in NEWT Potions? I only got an "Acceptable" in it." Harry inquired out loud.

"It's a mistake." Said Ron simply.

"Hogwarts doesn't make mistakes Ron. Why are you upset anyway Harry? Don't complain. You do want to be an Auror, don't you?" said Hermione.

"Of course I do! But Snape will know that I'm not even supposed to be in his class, which will make him hate me even more." Harry said.

"Oh relax Harry, Just be glad that you got into six NEWT classes. That's quite impressive!" said Hermione.

"Yeah. At least I don't have to put up with Trelawney anymore. I might actually go a whole year without someone predicting my death." Said Harry sarcastically.

"That's the spirit Harry," said Ron. "I won't have her either, but I somehow managed to get 'Exceeds Expectations' in Potions though, so I'll be there to put up with Snape with you. I also have Care of Magical Creatures and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Oh well. At least I didn't do worse than Fred and George. I just tied them."

"Oh, it's fine Ron." Said Hermione exasperatedly. "I'm sure your mother won't be as upset as you think she will be."

"And I'm sure that she will," said Ron.

"Let's just drop this you two," said Harry. "Look, I've got another letter in my packet."

He opened it up. It read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen to be the new team captain for the Gryffindor house Quidditch team. Please note that tryouts for your team will be held on the second Saturday of the upcoming school year.

Congratulations,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress

"Wow Harry! That's fantastic, it really is! Congratulations!" exclaimed Hermione. "I know that you'll be great."

Ron looked rather put out. Harry thought of the time Ron had seem himself as Quidditch captain in the Mirror of Erised. However, Ron was determined to be happy for his friend.

"Good job mate." he offered. "I can't wait until the new season starts."

"Well, well, well. What's going on here? Did your NEWT grades come in?" inquired Mrs. Weasley.

"Yes Mrs. Weasley," Hermione answered. "We've also received our booklists and Harry has been named Quidditch captain."

"He has!" said Mrs. Weasley. "Congratulations!" said while hugging him. "I'm sure that you will be excellent. "Ginny has been named a prefect. This is a cause for celebration and another feast! I'll start preparing dinner now." She walked away happily.

Fred walked in just then. "Ah, NEWTs, I presume?" He stole Ron's grades. "Three OWLs? Excellent! Taking after George and I, are we? Though I must say, I expected more from a prefect!"

"Go fuck yourself, Fred," interjected Ron.

"With pleasure," retorted Fred as he walked away. "By the way," he added, "I'm headed off to Diagon Alley to go back to the shop. Would you like to come?"

"Of course," Hermione said before the other two could answer. "I need to get all of my schoolbooks so I can memorize them all by the time school starts. Let's go guys. We can Floo."

"Umm...okay," they said. They didn't have too much of a choice now. They went upstairs to get their money.

While walking to his room, Harry bumped into Ginny.

"Oops, sorry," he said.

"That's alright."

"Congratulations on making prefect."

"Thanks very much. Congratulations on being Quidditch captain. When are tryouts?"

"Second Saturday after school starts. I expect you to be there."

"I will."

"Hey, we're going to Diagon Alley to get our school stuff. Want to come?"

"Sure. I'll be down in a minute."

When they all got to Diagon Alley, Hermione frantically ran for Flourish and Blotts to buy books.

"Oh great. I suppose I should follow her to make sure she doesn't hurt herself trying to carry all those books. Let's meet at the ice cream parlor in two hours, then we can decide what to do from there," Ron suggested.

"Good idea," Harry agreed. He was left with Ginny.

"Where shall we go first?" Harry asked Ginny.

"I need some more potion ingredients. Let's head for the Apothecary."

Harry and Ginny walked around together and got all of their school supplies until they were to meet Ron and Hermione. Then they headed for the ice cream parlor. The others weren't there yet. Harry wondered if they had even gotten out of the bookstore. Harry ordered two extra large chocolate milkshakes for himself and Ginny.

"Oh Harry, you didn't have to," she said.

"I know I didn't have to. I wanted to."

Harry studied her. She had grown so much since her first year. She wasn't just his best friend's little sister anymore. She was a woman, a beautiful woman.

She looked at him, too. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of green. He leaned over and kissed her. It was a quick, gentle, innocent peck, but it was a kiss all the same. Ginny was quite startled by this and quickly pulled back.

"I'm sorry," said Harry.

"No, don't be sorry, Harry. I was just a little surprised, that's all." Ginny said.

Then, she did something even she herself didn't expect. She kissed him, but this time it was not so innocent. This time, Harry pulled back. "Ron and Hermione are coming," he said.

Ron was quite right about Hermione. They both had large bags full of books in each hand.

"A little help here," Ron said.

"Are we ready to go back home?" Ginny asked.

"Hell no!" Hermione said. "I've only just gotten out of the book shop, but I suppose we should go back in case Mrs. Weasley is wondering where we are, and I don't think that I can carry anything else."

They then headed back to Grimmauld Place to enjoy Mrs. Weasley's excellent feast, with plans to return to Diagon Alley the next day.
Author's Note: I didn't mean to turn it into a romance, but it just sort of happened. This chapter is longer, but still not as long as I had hoped. It's easy for me to write, just hard to write a lot about one thing at one time. Maybe I should do one-shots instead. Thanks Lazy-anji and Nataliaah. Want to get thanked? Review!