Chapter 4:

Gifts, Parties, and Mysterious Strangers

The next week at The Burrow had been full of adventures and fun, the boys woke up extra early every morning to train for Quidditch.

"I wonder who the new captain is going to be is going to be" Harry said, "I think it'll be you mate," Ron stated "You've been on the team since your first year here you'd defiantly make a wicked captain."

Something dawned on Harry, maybe he would actually become the captain of the team... 'That would be so great' he thought to himself, 'It would take a lot of preparation, hard work, and responsibility.....but it would be great.' After all, Harry was turning sixteen in two days, but no one seemed to mention anything, maybe they had just forgotten about his birthday, oh well, it was nothing special really.

"Boys!" Mrs. Weasley called from the kitchen, "Yeah Mum!" Ron hollered back, "Could you both be ever so helpful and degnome the garden for me" she said sweetly. "Yeah, Yeah we'll degnome the garden" Ron said grumpily.

So they started, Harry remembered when he used to think the little buggers were funny, he now thought that they were annoying little gits, he flung one into the far off field.

After they were done, the two boys went inside and sat down, "I wonder where Hermione is" Harry said, "Oh, you know her, she's probably talking to Ginny or reading some book." Ron said. "Or you know, she could always be eavesdropping on boys who were talking about her" Hermione said slyly.

"We were just wondering where you were while we were out degnoming the garden." Harry said. "Well I was talking to your mother Ron, I asked her if we could go visit Fred and George's shop and buy our school things tomorrow." Harry had never seen the twins' shop before so he eagerly asked "And what did she say?"

"Well.....she said yes of course!" Hermione stated brightly. The rest of the day flew by and before Harry knew it, it was morning at The Burrow and they were leaving for Diagon Alley. Hermione went first "Weasley Wizard Wheezes!" she said loud and clear, then Ron went, and he followed. He saw the Weasley's den spinning around him and he landed in the twins' shop (thankfully this landing was not as rough as it had been back in The Burrow.)

The shop was amazing! There were rows upon rows of colourful practical jokes, anything you could possibly imagine. There was a whole shelf of candies that could change the victim's appearance! Harry saw all of the things they had been working on the previous year; Ton Tongue Toffees, Skiving Snack Boxes, Fake Wands, Portable Swamps, Canary Creams, and their fabulous fire works. It was wonderful.

After they all had filled their pockets with practical jokes (yes even Hermione), they went to get everything that they needed for their sixth year at Hogwarts. After they were done Harry and Ron went to Quality Quidditch Supplies and Hermione was supposed to meet them at the ice cream parlour in half an hour.

"Harry," Ron asked "What are you getting Hermione for her Birthday?"......"Er....I haven't decided what I should get her yet, I'll probably get her a book, she really wanted that one...what was it called again...er...oh yeah....Legends From Long Ago." Harry said, "What about you?"

"Well common I'll show you" Harry followed Ron into a small Jewelry shop and Ron pointed out a very beautiful necklace. It was a locket, and the shape was a star, it had one single jewel in the center that was sapphire, it was stunning really. "Wow" Harry said, "It's....it's....I'm sure she'll love it."

"Yeah, and it can hold more than one picture inside!" Harry looked in awe at the beautiful necklace, he really had never seen this side of Ron before, he actually cared, this was a very very thoughtful gift. "This is really special you know? I doubt Krum even gave her anything like this, and he really liked her."

Ron's ears turned red and he mumbled "Yeah...well it's...well...umm...er...it's...not everday the girl you- I mean that's your friend turns sixteen right?" Harry didn't want to make him any more uncomfortable so he simply took no notice to the sputtering of words and said "Yeah I suppose you're right."

Once he bought the necklace they left the shop, and went to the book shop down the street where Harry bought Hermione the book she had wanted. Then they went to meet her at the ice cream parlor.

What Ron said was replaying in Harry's head....it's not everyday your friend turns sixteen....well it was Harry's sixteenth birthday today, and no one seemed to take any notice, but he couldn't blame them really what with all the different things going on, his birthday just didn't seem important.

They saw Hermione saving them seats, and they went and sat with her. "Sorry we took so long Hermione, we had to do some Birthday shopping" Harry said. "Ooohh who's birthday Harry?" Hermione asked curiously. Harry was hoping she'd ask that "Oh for you of coarse, you are going to love your gifts" He gave a fake sigh "too bad you have to wait a few more months before you get to open them."

Ron snorted; Hermione gave Harry a mock angry look and said "You wait until your birthday comes Harry James Potter!" Harry opened his mouth and was about to say, well it is my birthday, but he decided it was best if he kept his mouth shut. He decided to go for a walk, everyone forgetting was starting to irritate him for some reason, he thought them of all people would have remembered.

"I'm gonna go for a short walk I'll be back soon." Harry said dully, "Oh I'll come with you mate!" Ron stated cheerfully, but Hermione grabbed his arm and whispered something in his ear that made him change his mind, and for that Harry was glad. But what Hermione whispered....he would never find out.

(Ron's PoV)

"I'll come with you mate!" he said a bit too cheerfully, but Hermione grabbed his arm and whispered "Just let him go, I think he believes we've actually forgotten"

"Alright alright" Ron sat back down and watched Harry walk off. "Blimey Hermione, Mum said to make it seem like we forgot, not make him feel down right awful" Ron said smiling, "Yes, well at least he'll be even more surprised when we get back to The Burrow" she said, then a mischievous grin spread across her face, "so can I have a peek at what you bought me?"

Ron was taken aback by this question and was actually considering letting her see his gift, he opened his mouth and closed it again, 'it's really not fair, why does she have to be so darn pretty?'

He thought to himself, 'It's manipulative that's what it is!' he continued to gaze at her in a dazed fashion

(Hermione's PoV)

'What the heck is he staring at!?' Hermione asked herself, 'Uh oh I better not have something on my face' she started to rub her nose to see if there was anything on it. She didn't know why she tried to impress him so much.

'He's just so cute' she thought to herself 'NO!!! no no no no no no no!!!! He is your FRIEND you idiot! What do you think you're playing at!?'

Though she did wonder what he got her for her birthday, she hoped it was something nice and thoughtful, but knowing Ron it would probably be the book she'd been asking for. He did get her that perfume once though.....that was nice.

(Harry's PoV)

Harry started to walk back to the ice cream parlor, he could faintly see Ron and Hermione sitting at the table, they were just sitting there staring at each other.... 'I really don't know what's gotten into them lately' He thought to himself, he'd have to ask them later.

It was unusually foggy and deserted, he could only see outlines of the two now, all of the foggy emptiness seemed to appear out of now where, suddenly someone grabbed him by the shoulder, he turned around to see who it was.....it was that man again!

"I....I don't know what you want from me" Harry managed to say, "I do not need anything from you, I am here strictly on my master's orders, he is the one that needs you." The man spoke with a very cold voice.

Fear spread through Harry and he tried to escape but it did him no good, then, Mr. Ollivander appeared just outside of his shop, "Harry? Are you in need of any assistance?" He asked politely.

"Yes! Hurry, there was a" he stopped, quickly spun around, and saw that the man has disappeared. "No....no I don't need anything...thanks."

He kept walking toward Ron and Hermione who were still staring at each other and he wondered if he should tell them about the man in the cloak, but decided he would tell them when they got back to The Burrow.

They traveled back to the twins' shop; the twins were also going to The Burrow so they went first. Harry watched and Ron and then Hermione disappeared into the green flames. He picked up a handful, stepped into the flames and yelled "The Burrow!" he saw the shop spin around him, and once again he found himself in the Weasley's den.

It was strangely empty....where could the twins Ron and Hermione have gotten to so quickly? He was going to walk out of the room when many people jumped out from behind furniture and yelled "SURPRISE!"

Harry was so startled by this he stumbled backwards into the coffee table and ended up on the floor, 'De Ja Voo' he thought to himself. Fred and George helped him up and said "Wow, our furniture don't really like you mate, Happy Birthday!"

Everything was decorated with colourful streamers and balloons, there was a large pile of gifts in the corner, a beautifully decorated cake (Mrs.Weasley made it of coarse), and tons of food.

He had one of the best nights he'd had all summer and it ended with a display of Fred and George's wonderful fireworks.

Harry drifted off to sleep and for the first time in many months, his sleep was full of wonderful dreams, of the days of summer to come.