Disclaimer: I, unfortuantely, do not own the characters you recognize from Harry Potter.

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Chapter Two: Birthday Surprise

It had been awhile since Harry and Hope had met at the park that night. Today was July 31, Harry's sixteenth birthday. After Hope heard how Harry had never really celebrated his birthday, she prepared a surprise birthday dinner for him. She told him to be at her house at six o'clock because she wanted him to meet some of her friends. Instead, when he showed up, he would be having a dinner with her family.

She spent all day in the kitchen trying to prepare for tonight. She cooked for hours on the actual dinner then went on to bake and decorate a nice looking cake. She wanted tonight to be special.

After going upstairs and changing, she heard the doorbell ring, followed by her parents answering. Hope sighed and hurriedly set the table before meeting them in the living room.

"Hey Harry!" Hope exclaimed going over to give her friend a hug. "I hope you don't mind but there has been a slight change in plans."

He gave her a look but nodded for her to go on.

"Well, instead of going out with some friends, we are going to stay in and eat with my parents. Does that work for you?" She asked while leading him to the dining room.

He nodded but looked shocked. She laughed and sat down next to him and across from her parents. She lifted the tops to the containers and revealed a large amount of food.

Harry looked at Hope as if she had lost her mind. He didn't' understand why anyone would go through the trouble for him. He waited for her to remove all the lids and then start serving herself before he did the same.

Dinner was a relatively quiet event. Harry didn't say anything unless anyone asked him a question. Hope was a little worried that he didn't like the food, or her family, or something, and decided when they went walking later she would ask him what was wrong.

After dinner, Hope's mother declared that she and her father would do the dishes which left Hope and Harry free to go walk. Her parents followed her to the door where they said goodbye and let the teens outside. They started walking down the street to the park where there were a lot of trails.

The two teens walked in silence for awhile, then Hope decided to ask what was bothering Harry.

"Hope, you went through all that trouble for me tonight, and you don't really even know me," he said, looking down at the trail.

"Harry, I've known you for about a month. I may not know all your secrets, like where you come up with those stories that you tell John, but you've became a really good friend. I don't want to know everything about you, because that takes away the mystery of who you are. I do want you to acknowledge the fact we are friends and friends do things for each other."

"I know, Hope. I really did appreciate it, but it was a surprise. I'm going to miss you when I go back to school."

"Well, at least it will only be a year. Tell me about your other friends."

Harry laughed. "Well, Hermione is the brains in our group. She's the one who keeps Ron and I in line when we are trying to slack off rather than do homework. We've been in some tight spots that we wouldn't have gotten out of without her."

Hope giggled. "Let me guess, she's at the top of all her classes, and takes all of the classes she possibly can?"

He nodded and then started in on Ron. "He's someone you know you can fall back on. Even when we weren't talking two years ago, he still tried to help me out in a weird kind of way. He's bloody brilliant at chess though, and is daft because he doesn't realize Hermione fancies him."

Hope shook her head while still laughing. "He sounds like the type of person who is always good to have around in tense situations. As far as not being able to tell that Hermione fancies him, well, that's a guy for you. Can't see what is right in front of their faces," she said while running ahead of him.

"Hey! That wasn't nice nor is it true!" He retorted, running after her.

"Can't catch me can you, Harry?" She called through the laughter between both of them.

"Oh, I bet I can!" He challenged, picking up speed. After a few minutes, he had caught up with her and they sat on the grass while trying to catch their breath.

"See, you just had the first birthday ever where you had fun," Hope said with seriousness in her voice.

"And it's all because of you, Hope," He said, standing up and putting out his hand to help her. "I honestly have to say this is the best summer I've had ever."

"Do you have to leave to go to your friend's house in a week? I mean, you will get to see him all summer. And I know John is going to miss you and Jeffery."

Harry laughed. "Yes, Hope, I have to go. Ron's family and I meeting during the summer is a tradition almost. I would say I could leave Jeffery with you, but you consider him a filthy snake, so I wouldn't think it wise."

Hope made a face. "Take him with you. I don't want to see that thing for a year!'

The laughter coming from both of them carried on for awhile longer while they joked and played around. As they were nearing the end of the trail, a series of pops sounded around the two before a cold voice spoke with coldness.

"Hope Collins, it's a pleasure to finally get the opportunity to meet you.

"Bloody Hell, where did you all come from, and who are you? While we're playing twenty questions, what do you want?" Hope's voice held a little fear as she addressed the fifteen people standing around her in black robes and white masks.

"I'll be the one asking the questions tonight. As far as yours, I'll answer one…" The man who spoke earlier said, tracing a finger down her cheek. "…what we want, is you, Hope Collins."

"Stay away from her, Malfoy," Harry's voice rang out as he pulled out his wand, causing Hope to jump back.

"What is that?" She exclaimed. "What is going on?"

"Harry Potter. What a pleasure to meet you. Sadly, we're not here for you, so kindly move aside and let us have the girl."

"Why would I hand over an innocent girl to someone like you? Go back where you came from. Tell Tom he can't get what he wants," Harry spat, stepping in front of Hope to act as a shield.

"Potter, you've gotten away based on pure luck every time. You're luck will run out soon enough, but for now…" Malfoy countered, pulling out his wand and waving it. Harry had to move to avoid getting hit and pulled Hope down with him.

"Harry, what is going on?" She asked, this time her voice full of fright.

"Hope, those stories I told John were true. Magic is real and these people are really bad wizards. You have to get out of her but how, I'm not quite sure yet."

"Why do they want me, I can't do magic," she asked, as Harry shot a red colored curse at one of the figures and blocked another.

"You're wrong there, Miss Collins," Malfoy said from behind, causing her to jump. She looked for Harry only to realize two of the figures were holding him.

"What do you mean?"

"You can do magic. You come from a very famous magical family and were supposed to die fifteen years ago. The job was, unfortunately, left unfinished, so now we'll complete it, painfully."

"I still don't understand," Hope whimpered, backing away from the man.

"Too bad, we're going. Drop Potter and let's get out of here before someone shows up."

Malfoy grabbed Hope's arm and with a loud crack, all of them were gone, leaving a shocked and confused Harry lying on the ground.

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A/N: New Update Day! With church, and homework and school and band practice all on Wednesday, I'll actually update of Friday's so that it's easier and I have more time!

Thanks to the people who reviewed, and also to Nita for betaing!

Kayla