The Great Hall was buzzing with life by the time he and Rose and finally made their way downstairs. Albus was starting to get a little sulky again. He wished he could spend his birthday with his father, who would treat him to a special game of Quidditch one-on-one, just the two of them, first thing after breakfast. Over the years, Albus had gotten to cherish this one activity the most, and he missed Harry even worse than usual.

At the Gryffindor table, he was spotted by Teddy Lupin, who pulled him down beside him.

"Eat up, eat up. Why the long face? It's Christmas!", Teddy chuckled, and then twisting his hand in mid-air, he produced a long package and handed it to Albus, adding quietly, "And happy birthday by the way."

Albus looked up, surprised that he'd remembered.

"Thanks", he smiled. "Everyone else seems to have forgotten..."

Teddy laughed. "Just you wait."

"Why?" asked Albus, but Teddy had already begun digging into enormous mouthfuls of pudding.

Halfway through lunch however, he thought he understood what Teddy'd meant. A small, highly excited owl had zoomed straight into his shoulder, knocking over his glass of pumpkin juice in the process. He held up the wet bird.

"Hi Pig." he greeted, untying a box three times the owl's size from its legs. It was from Uncle Ron of course. Albus opened the wraps to find a large box of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes Joke Emporium Accessories – an assorted collection of their best-selling products, ranging from bags of Puking Pastilles to small vials of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, as well as Albus' favourites – Dehydrated Pigmy Puffs from their Instant Pets (Just Add Water) series, and luminescent, everlasting, unpoppable balloons. There was a small letter too, in Hermione's small cramped writing, which wished him a very happy birthday and ended with a strange postscript.

P.S – If Hagrid sends you rock cakes, try soaking them in water first.

No sooner had he finished reading this, than a large tawny owl swooped in and landed beside Pigwidgeon. Albus recognised it as a Ministry owl, which meant that his father was probably out working late again. The bird held out his leg rather magisterially, waiting to be relieved of its burden. Albus undid the soft lumpy package hastily, and slid out a second letter from between the strings and opened it. Making sure neither Teddy nor Rose was watching him, he put the letter on his lap and read it quickly.

Dearest Albus,

I received this from your namesake on my first Christmas at Hogwarts. It had once belonged to your grandfather, and has been passed down from father to son in our family for generations. And since James has been kind enough to rescue a certain map of mine from the confines of my desk, I believe it's only fair that this go to you. Use it well.

A very happy birthday and Merry Christmas to you.

Love,

Dad

P.S – Do not open the parcel at the table.

Albus' heart skipped several beats. He couldn't wait to finish breakfast and rush back to the dormitory. But just as he was shovelling the last bits of treacle tart into his mouth, a large snowy owl landed on his packages, bearing nothing but a letter. It was from Hagrid. Albus slit it open.

Dear Albus,

I gave your father an owl for his birthday once and I reckoned I'd do the same for you. I know your ferret wasn't allowed at Hogwarts, and owls are dead useful creatures. I hope you like her.

Hagrid

P.S – Your father used to call her Hedwig.

P.P.S – Come down to tea sometime. I have a fresh batch of rock cakes ready.

Albus looked up. "Hedwig", he called softly. The owl blinked and looked at him seriously. He stroked it gently and fed it the last crumbs of tart off his plate. Rose had finished too, and the two of them got up from the table. Teddy was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Victoire. As they moved away from the hall, Albus now clutching three packages, the owl fluttered gently onto his shoulder.

At the staircase, they bumped into James, who had been mysteriously absent all morning, and was now wearing a scarlet jumper similar to Albus'. James grinned and pointed. "I see you got one too." His eyes travelled to Albus' arms and he asked curiously, "What else have you gotten?"

"Uncle Ron's and Hagrid's presents." Albus replied quickly, shifting a little. James shrugged. "Well, here's mine" he said, handing Albus a box of Chocolate Frogs. Albus was an avid collector of Chocolate Frog cards.

"Thanks" Albus smiled, adding "I've left yours in the dorm."

"That's alright." James breezed, "I'm hungry!" and raising his hand airily, dashed towards the Hall. Albus watched his brother's receding figure, and espied a corner of a parchment sticking out of his bulging pocket.