A/N: Sorry for not updating in so long. I had to concentrate on preparing for Hell Week--I mean, Finals Week. But I have survived and come out an upperclassmen. I'll try to mend my hideous updating habits.
On the morning of July 31st, Harry was shaken awake several hours earlier than he would have liked by Charley. Apparently, it was his turn to go out and round up the horses. Once the horses had been fed and watered, Harry went inside for breakfast. No one paid him any mind, except for Serena, who assigned him a long list of menial and backbreaking jobs.
He bitterly took the list and began to work. Harry was disappointed that no one had remembered his birthday, yet furious with himself for hoping that someone would. It would have been nice to have a birthday party, or at least a cake for once in his life.
Grooming and tacking up the horses took longer than usual, so by the time Harry had mucked out the barn, cleaned the animals' troughs, dusted the tack room, untacked the horses and let them out, it was getting dark. Exhausted, Harry began the walk back to the house. He hoped Serena had made something good for dinner...
When he stepped into the living room, Harry saw that the entire house was completely dark. Great. The others had probably eaten dinner without him. This day was not improving at all.
"Serena?" he called out. "John? Is anyone home?"
Somewhere near his right, Harry heard a small gasp of pain.
"Steve, that was my foot," said a hushed voice Harry recognized as Serena's.
"Should we jump out yet?" asked Ron.
"Soon as I can find the damn light switch," muttered Billy.
After a few moments of silence, the lights clicked on. Ron, John Tunstall, and the regulators all jumped out from behind various pieces of furniture, screaming, "SURPRISE!" Dazed by the sudden light, Harry squinted around. A heap of parcels and a large cake sat on the kitchen table.
"Let's not wait for the grass to grow, Mr. Potter," John said with a smile. "Blow out the candles and make a wish."
As the candles went out, everyone cheered again. The cake was cut, then a tub of homemade strawberry ice cream was passed around. Harry started to open his presents. He got some Quidditch supplies from Ron, a set of books from Hermione, a bag of Zonko's tricks from Sirius, a cowboy hat and a silver belt buckle the size of his fist from John and the regulators. Serena's present was last. She announced to Harry that he was now the owner of his favorite horse, Thunderbolt.
The party moved outside. A strangely dressed band screamed "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" to Harry, then broke into some loud, happy tunes. Harry couldn't understand the lyrics, as the band was singing in Spanish, but soon was halfway dancing to the music.
"Like that band?" Serena asked loudly over the music.
Harry nodded. "What kind of music is this?"
"Mariachi," Serena said.
As a new fast song started, she walked to Chavez and dragged him to the center of the yard. First, the pair slowly followed each other around in circles. Then Serena took Chavez's right hand, resting her left on the small of his back.
Harry's jaw dropped as he watched them dance. Serena and Chavez became one spirit as they stepped and twirled, wiggled and pranced. For a finale, Serena wrapped a leg around her partner's back for support as she lowered herself toward the ground; Chavez gracefully caught her.
As the band and party guests applauded, Serena curtsied, trying not to show how hot and bothered she was feeling. Half-formed thoughts about consummating her relationship with Chavez jogged through her mind.
John, obviously scenting danger, suggested they take a break from dancing to crack open the pinata.
It didn't take long for the pinata to break. Harry thought as he scrambled to collect the candy showering from it that this had been the best birthday of his life.
