Harry decided that he would open his fan mail later- because that's all it was. People who loved Harry the name, the boy-who-lived-yet-again, not the person.
Hedwig was a good owl trafficker. She knew the owls that his friends used and put those on the bed, the rest next to the trashcan. She was too good to him. Not that she was a person or anything. She just had person-like attributes. Maybe it could be described as personification.
He dropped onto his bed with a plop and opened his usual sweets from Mrs. Weasley, the dear.
Next was a package. It had holes on the top. Must be some sort of animal, Harry thought.
On top of the gift was a card.
Dear Harry (the card read),
Happy birthday! Aren't you glad this day is finally here? The day that you can curse your relatives to bloody hell without any repercussions? I am! Because you're going to be here soon and then I don't have to stay out of every room except my own. If I go in most rooms, there's Hermione and Ron- snogging, as usual. No matter where I go! It's cruel and unusual. If I go into the kitchen or anyplace else, there's my mum, wanting me to learn how to cook or degnome the garden. Or, just for kicks, George and Fred apparate into my room and tease me about how depressed I seem to be because you're not here. Not that I am depressed or anything. It's just degrading that I can't do a thing around here.
Anyway, you might be wondering about your birthday present. It's an African Green Snake- Bill found it in his suitcase when he returned from Egypt. Actually, more like I was doing laundry and cleaning- because I'm worked like a slave here- and I found it. I knew that if Bill found it he would just send it back, but when I saw it, I thought of you.
You may be wondering why, am I right? See, the thing is that lately I've been having these strange dreams about the chamber. In it, you are talking to the snakes, and they are talking back. But it's friendly talk. And I stand and wait for you while you do.
Anyway, the point is that I thought you might need someone to talk to- you know, if I'm not around or something like that.
Take good care of her-I'm sure she'll tell you herself if she gets hungry or something like that.
Adios, mi mayor amigo (Bye, my best friend),
Ginny
P.S.- Charlie's teaching me Spanish. Am I doing well do you think?
Definitely good, Harry thought. At least she's learning a language. That will be great for travel. I'm glad she wrote me. I miss her.
Hey, you, that big hairy thing, I'm hungry! Feed me now!
A/N: You can find the snake at http: