1Disclaimer for all chapters: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

AN: sorry for the delay. My computer has been really messed up.

Chapter Five: Birthday Bash and Smashing

It was the 30th of July. Tomorrow would be Harry's 17th birthday. However, the soon-to-be birthday boy hadn't even taken notice of it.

He had been completely out of it most of the time, either staring into space, with images of the horcruxes and what he had seen in Dumbledore's pensive cursing through his mind, dwelling on recent nightmares and visions, pouring through all his old school books, or looking through his photo album, always lingering on the picture of him and Ginny, sitting by the lake at Hogwarts.

Ron had punched him once, once he found out about his and Ginny's break-up. He had then proceeded to apologize, and place a glamour charm on the new bruise. Ron had realized then where the other bruises had come from, but had neglected to inform anybody, even Hermione, of his new insight.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, and George huddled near the pond behind the Burrow. Harry's birthday would be the next day. They doubted Harry had ever had a real birthday party, and were currently in a heated debate over how to make this one, the best he would ever have.

"Lots of big bangs, eh Gred?"

"Oh yes, Forge. What about those Blueberry Jam Balloons?"

"Or the Screaming Streamers?"

"I think just a big cake would be good. You don't want to make a mess. I don't think your mum would like that."

"Can I jump out of the cake?"

"Excellent idea, Gin! Right Forge?"

"Precisely, my dear Gred!"

In the end, they decided on a small party. However, it was to be full of pranks, and all the other good party stuff they could think of.

However, thought it wasn't said out loud, they all knew, in the back of their heads, that Harry was very unlikely to participate in the festivities.

Molly was already getting ready to bake a large, triple layer cake. The ingredients for all of Harry's favorite foods were sitting on the counter. A mass of balloons and confetti was hidden in the shoe closet. All of the presents were underneath Ginny's bed, as that was the place they figured Harry was least likely to go.

Harry didn't sleep that night, instead opting to sit and watch the clock, counting down the minutes until he was 17. Almost every birthday had been spent the same way, sitting alone and watching the time. The only exceptions had been the summer before his first year, when Hagrid had broken into the small hut that they had been staying in, and last year, when he had had a small birthday party with the Weasleys. This year might also be counted as different, he reminded himself, as he wasn't really alone. Ron was snoring in the bed beside his. He saw the minute hand on the clock reach the twelve, and took out his wand from under his pillow. He thought for a second, and then put a silencing charm around his bed. That way, he thought with satisfaction, he wouldn't have to listen to Ron snoring in his sleep, and Ron wouldn't have to listen to him screaming in his nightmares. He fell asleep to the silence and beauty of an early summer morning sunrise.

He hadn't slept for 4 hours when he was awoken by shaking. He blearily opened his eyes and found himself fact to face with 8 Weasleys, plus Hermione, who were all crowding around him. They were shouting about something, but he couldn't seem to hear them. He opened his mouth, then remembered: the silencing charm! He was of age! It was his birthday!

He took out his wand again, and muttered the counter spell. He started slightly as all the previously muted noise blasted at his ears. He looked around him. Bill, Charlie, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were all standing around him. There was a pile of presents by his bed, and they were all wearing party hats, which seemed to flash different colors, (courtesy of Fred and George).

"Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes Party Bash Smash Flash Hats, Harry!"

"Want one?"

They held a hat out to him. He blinked, and accepted the hat with a quiet "thanks".

He then looked up in alarm, as the name of the product registered itself in his drowsy mind.

"Smash?"

"Yup! They give pre-programmed birthday beats!"

"Watch"

The hats then came off of their heads and floated over to Harry. They proceeded to organize themselves into a sort of fist, and punch him in the shoulder, shouting:

"ONE"

"TWO"

"THREE"

"FOUR"

"FIVE"

"SIX"

"SEVEN"

"EIGHT"

"NINE"

"TEN"

"ELEVEN"

"TWELVE"

"THIRTEEN"

"FOURTEEN"

"FIFTEEN"

"SIXTEEN"

"SEVENTEEN!"

with each punch. They then formed a cake, and "Happy Birthday" rang out, the candles flashing all the while.

After he had opened 3 books on defense, a bag full of pranks, several hand-knitted pairs of socks, a bottomless bag, and various other gifts, everyone headed downstairs for cake and food.

Remus and Tonks stopped by at lunch. Tonks handed Harry a badly wrapped package of sweets. Remus took Harry aside and handed him a rather large package.

"Open it later. It's basically a bunch of your parents' old things. I thought you might like to have it. There's also something in there that James wanted to give you when you were of age. You'll find it. Good luck on... whatever you're leaving to do, Harry, and be safe."

"I will."

"So you're of age now, eh?"

"Yeah."

"James should be doing this, or Sirius... but... I don't need to give you "The Talk", do I?"

Harry laughed. "No, no, don't worry about that, Remus."

The werewolf smiled at him, and then gave him a hug.

"We love you Harry, always remember that."

Harry nodded, and watched as Mrs. Weasley handed Remus and Tonks pieces of cake, and they headed out the door.

AN. How was that? Really sorry about the delay. Like I said, I had computer problems. Please Review! I want to know if this is totally hopeless, or whether I should attempt to continue it.