Chapter 4 "Birthday Bliss"

The next week flew on by, mainly with Harry forcing laughter and fake smiles. He had been staying up late because he couldn't fall asleep at night, mainly from flashbacks of last month's visit to the Department of Mysteries, so he slept intermittently throughout the day. One morning Harry woke up to find Ron not in his bed, obviously careful not to wake him up, because he looked like he hadn't even changed out of his pajamas. He slowly got out of bed, dressed, and slumped off towards the kitchen for breakfast.

He opened the door, head down, and when he didn't hear anyone greeting him or any light from the fireplace, he looked up...

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" they all yelled in unison. Ron, Hermione, the twins, Ginny, Bill, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, Lupin, Mad-Eye, and Tonks. Harry was shocked and embarrassed for jumping at the sound of their excited voices. He was so happy that he was actually having a birthday that was remembered by other people. But his rush of happiness and joy was soon gone as quick as it came. He was celebrating his birthday, but the person he wanted to be there the most, wouldn't be making it. His head dropped, but covered it with a forced smile. After all of the thank-you's, he opened his presents. He had gotten a ton of his favorite sweets from Ron and Ginny, a Quidditch book from Hermione, another sweater and pies from Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, some of Fred and George's joke items (which would be very useful, as he had gotten 2 boxes of the Skiving Snackboxes), a book called Hectic Ways to Ruin Your Arch-Enemy's Life from Bill ("I thought you could use it in case of emergencies" winked Bill.). He also received some sort of dark arts detector from Mad-Eye, which actually turned out to be a mini-Foe Glass disguised as a pocketwatch, some more books on Quidditch, which included useful tips on Seeker diversions from Tonks, and from Lupin, he received two things. He opened the first, and larger one, which were Defense Against the Dark Arts books and the other one, was a card that said:

Harry,

Congratulations on becoming sixteen! I have something else for you, but it's a little more personal that I'd rather give to you alone!

Happy Birthday!

Remus

Then they did something that no matter what made him feel horrible, a huge grin and wave of happiness washed over him. Harry had never heard this song sung to he, Harry, before. They sang him his first "Happy Birthday". He looked around and saw everyone smiling at him. It finally ended when the twins and finished their very slow, but happy version of it. He looked in admiration at his cake, along with all sixteen of the magical candles, which were very colorful. The flames were different colors of the rainbow and blew sparks everywhere every few minutes. He could barely blow them out over his huge smile.

Everyone ate the delicious cake made by Mrs. Weasley. It was a vanilla and raspberry cake. In the middle was raspberry cream. It was decorated in red with yellow icing letters. Harry appreciated it so much, that he regretted ruining the beautiful dessert. It was a huge cake, but by the time everyone was through with it, there was nothing but crumbs leftover.

After a very long party, Mrs. Weasley chivvied them all out of kitchen around midnight. "Come on children! It's time for a good night's rest, we've had our fun, but now it's time for bed!" her patience running low.

Everyone reluctantly left the room, Harry along with everyone else, but was held back by Lupin's pale looking hand. Harry had forgotten there was something left for Lupin to give him.

"Oh, sorry Prof--Remus! I forgot there was something else you wanted to give me." said Harry a little more eagerly than he had meant.

"Here's your other present. I knew you'd appreciate it, but I didn't want to give it to you with the others around." He handed Harry his wrapped present. Harry unwrapped a box, which was covered in brown paper. He opened the box, and his heart started to beat very fast at the sight of the present. He was choked from holding back his emotions. He was staring down at a picture of Lupin, his dad, and Sirius, who looked like they were probably in their 7th year. They were all gazing up at Harry waving, with huge smiles on their faces. Lupin looked much younger with not one gray hair on his head, his dad with his same ruffled black hair, and Sirius with his handsome face that had not yet seen the days of Azkaban. Harry had no words, for he couldn't speak. He just stared at the picture with deep appreciation, but then realizing that Lupin was still there, he quickly forced out, "Thanks Remus....it's...it's perfect! Where did you find it?"

"I knew you would like it," he said with a kind smile. "I found it in a box of old pictures, and when I came across it, I just knew you would want it. I found more, but they all had Peter in them. And I didn't think you'd appreciate it as much with that...that...man in the photo. Well, seeing as it is almost one in the morning, I think it's best you go get some rest now."

Harry slowly walked up the stairs, noticing that Mrs. Black was no where to be seen. He guessed they somehow must have gotten her down. He quietly opened the door to his bedroom to hear Ron's loud, raspy snores from his bed. Harry quietly changed into his pajamas and carefully set his new picture on his night stand. But even an hour after heading upstairs, Harry was wide awake. He lay in his bed, laying on his side, watching Remus, James, and Sirius, beaming at him and waving frantically from their frame.