Harry was lying on his bed looking up at the ceiling without any care for the time. Rionna popped into his room and said," Harry it is time for lunch." "I'm not hungry Rionna. Go away." He said morosely. "Harry I will get you a sandwich. Is it okay?" She asked. "Yes. Thank You. Rionna you're the best." He said. She popped away and came back in a few minutes with 2 ham sandwiches. He sat on his bed and ate them. After which he went to sleep, all the while thinking how lousy his 11th birthday was. He fell asleep. When he woke up it was dark outside, so he went down rubbing his eyes. He entered the lounge when the lights came on and everyone yelled," SURPRISE!" He stood stupified there for a while minute. The only thing he noticed was Hermione running his way and giving him a hug which really knocked him flat. "Woah. Mione." "Happy Birthday Harry. I love you so much." She said. "Uh so what is this?" He asked still stunned. "This is called a surprise party Harry James. Your Grandma, mom and sisters planned it. We weren't supposed to wish you the entire day and in the evening all of us were going to surprise you." She replied getting of him so that he could get up. Eveline came over and said," Happy Birthday Grandson dearest. So did you like my surprise?" She smirked. "Yes I did Gran." He replied sheepishly. "Good. Now go up and change. You have guests to meet." She ordered. Harry went upstairs and took a shower. After which he saw Hermione in his room. "Uh Hermione what are you doing in my room?" He asked nervously. "Picking out clothes for you to wear. Merlin knows what you'll wear if it were up to you." She replied. He looked at the clothes on the bed. She'd picked out a checked shirt, blue jeans and Converse. Along with a waistcoat and a black tie. "That is a nice outfit." He thought. "And it matches you too!"
"Yes I know Aztec. That's why I picked it out." She thought back.
"So Mione. I need to change." He said out loud. "So?" She asked. But understood what he was implying. Blushing, she nodded and said," I'll wait out for you." And left the room. Harry quickly wore his clothes and shoes. He stood in front of the mirror to see if he could do something about his hair. But gave it up as a bad job. He went out to see Hermione waiting for him. "Shall we?" He asked offering his arm to her. She smiled and took his offered arm and they walked down. As they walked down, they saw Lily standing with a camera. She clicked a candid picture of theirs. She showed it to them. Both of them were looking at each other and smiling.
Andrew came over and said,"Harry, Minerva is looking for you." Harry and Hermione went to meet her. "Happy Birthday Mr Potter. Here." Saying so she handed him a box with holes. He opened it and out came a black Labrador puppy. The puppy jumped up at Harry and licked his face. "Aww thank you Aunt Minnie." Said Harry in delight. "What are you going to name him Harry?" Asked Andrew. "I don't know Grandpa. Mione what do you think?" Asked Harry. Just then Sirius and Elizabeth came over. "Hey there Pup." Began Sirius but stopped short after seeing the black puppy in Harry's arms. "Uh what is that?" He asked. "A puppy. Isn't that cool, Uncle Pads? Aunt Minnie gave him to me." Said Harry delighted. Sirius rounded on Minerva. "Who told you to gift him a puppy?" He demanded. Minerva raised her eyebrow at Sirius' tone. She replied," I decided it on my own Mr Black. Is that a problem?" "No Minerva. Offcourse not." Harry and Hermione were watching the interaction with interest. "Why Uncle Sirius? What happened?" Asked Hermione. Sirius turned to Elizabeth and took the box from her. The box too had holes in it. He opened the box and the duo saw a golden Labrador puppy sleeping in it. "Aww thanks Uncle Sirius." Said Harry delighted. "Mum!" He called out. Lily asked,"Yes Dear?" "Can you come over here?" He asked. She came over with Eveline following her. "What is it Harry?" She asked. In response Harry showed her both the puppies. "Oh Dear. Who gifted them?" She asked. "Well, Aunt Minnie gifted the black puppy and Uncle Pads and Aunt Liz gifted the golden puppy. Isn't it cool?" He said. "Very Cool Harry." She replied. "So Harrykins you have two puppies to name. What are you going to name them?" Asked Andrew. "For the one Aunt Minnie gave me I think I'll call him Odin." The puppy in question woofed in agreement. "The one Uncle Pads and Aunt Liz gave me I'll call her Phoebe." The puppy who'd woken up gave a yawn and woofed in agreement. After which Harry and Hermione, each with a puppy in hand, walked to meet the others. Everyone cooed over the puppies. Jean and her sister in law Jennifer were watching Hermione with great pride as she interacted with everyone as she stood by Harry's side. "What are you looking at guys?" Asked Sirius and James as they sidled at their side. "Harry and Hermione." They replied. Both James and Sirius nodded as the quartet looked at the two kids.
After they finished greeting everyone, Harry and Hermione took the puppies to his room and let them sleep. They came down and went to meet their friends. "Hey Aztec. Happy Birthday!" Exclaimed Ron hugging him. He got a hug from all the Weasley's and Ginny gave him a kiss on the cheek. Draco gave him a bro hug and a wrapped gift. Harry opened the gift to see a new Puddlemere United Jersey. It was his favorite quidditch team. "Thank you Dragon." Said Harry happily. The Weasley's gave him a Puddlemere United beanie, while Ron and the twins added Chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Luna and Star gave him a dream catcher while Neville gave him a book on Herbology. After which James came and said," Harry presents." There was a huge pile in the middle of the living room. Harry asked," Dad is it okay if I open them after everyone leaves?" "Sure thing Harrykins." James smiled. Then the kids led by Bill and Charlie thought of playing a quidditch match. But before they could do anything, the adults announced,"Dinner." All the kids groaned. James placated everyone by saying," Your parents have agreed for all of you to stay the night here. Tomorrow morning first thing we'll play a match. Done?" All the kids hooted in agreement. Just when they were about to sit for dinner, the doorbell rang. Rio popped in saying," Master James and Mistress Lily, Miss Petunia Dursley is here." Lily flew off the dining table with James in pursuit. They skidded to a stop in front of Petunia. "Tuney you came. You didn't reply to our owl." Said Lily accusingly. "Sorry Lils, James. I lost track of time. Where's Harry?" She replied with a apologetic smile. "He's at the dining table. Where's Dudley? And Vernon?" Asked James. A small boy of around 10 peeked shyly round Petunia's legs. "Hi Dudley. Come." Said Lily. "Vernon is at work. He couldn't make it. He said that he'll be here the next time." Said Petunia. "It's okay. At least you're here. Come let's go for dinner." James and Lily escorted Petunia and Dudley to the dining room. The conversation was going on in full swing. As the trio walked in, the conversation ceased. "Petunia dear. So glad you could make it." Said Molly and Minerva. "Hello ladies. So sorry I'm late. " Smiled Petunia as she sat in the ladies group. Harry and the others made place for Dudley in their midst. "So Dud. How've you been?" Asked Fred. "Just peachy Fred." Replied Dudley with a smile. The elves served them food after which the talk turned to quidditch. "Dudley the others are staying the night. Will Aunt Tuney let you stay too?" Asked Harry. "I don't know Harry. We'll ask her later." Replied Dudley. "Don't worry, I'll ask her." Said Harry.
Post dinner Petunia gave Harry her gift. "Thank You Aunt Tuney. Also can Dudley stay the night? Everyone else is. They're just going home to get their things." Said Harry. "Lemme think. Off course he can Harrybear. I'll use the Floo to take him home and back." Replied Petunia with a smile. "Thank you Aunt Tuney." He hugged her and ran off to tell everyone the news. Petunia laughed at his reaction. "So why didn't Vernon really come Tuney?" Asked Lily. "The Minister sent him to a Conference at the German Ministry. He'll be back tomorrow." Replied Petunia. "Don't worry Tuney. Ol Verni should have this pat down. He's not the senior undersecretary to the Minister for nothing. Also he was one of the top level Aurors. So nothing can happen to him." Said James cheering her up. "I hope you're right James." Said Petunia. She removed her wand and said,"Expecto Patronum." Her mouse came out and she said," Go to Vernon and tell him that I miss him." The mouse flew out of the window. Minutes later a squirrel came in. "I miss you too Tuney. Wish Harry a Happy Birthday for me. Love you." Saying so the squirrel disappeared. Just then the others and their kids came in. The Weasley's went first with Molly saying that she'll be sending her brood in half an hour. The Lovegood's and Longbottom's followed. After which the Malfoy's went. They were followed by Minerva and the Black's. Petunia and Dudley went next. Last were the Greengrass's. Hermione gave Harry a fleeting hug and went through the Floo, after promising to be back in a few minutes to help him open his gifts. True to her word, she was back with her overnight bag. The duo went to the living room and she asked Rio to bring her a pencil and a pad of paper. When Harry looked at her quizzically, she replied," So that you can send Thank You notes. Honestly Harry." Harry shook his head ruefully and smiled. "Okay, so first Aunt Minnie, she gave me Pheebs. Uncle Pads, Odin." Hermione jotted that down quickly. "Uncle Arthur and Aunt Molly, Puddlemere United Beanie and Hound and the twins gave me Chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Dragon gave me a Puddlemere United Jersey. Uncle Lucius and Aunt Cissa gave me a new pair of Adidas sneakers. Diana and Empress gave me a dream catcher. Uncle Xeno and Aunt Pandora gave me novels. Mogul gave a book on Herbology while Aunt Alice and Uncle Frank gave me another Jersey. You gave me a hug and a kiss, while your mom and dad gave me a 100 galleons to spend. Asena and her mom gave me another 100 galleons while Aunt Tuney and Dudley gave me a wand holster. Prof. Dumbledore sent me a baby Phoenix who's sleeping upstairs, we have to name him by the way, Hagrid gave me cookies which he baked. Aunt Jen gave me a diary. Gran and Grandpa gave me 4 new Adidas shoes while Gran Walburga and Grandpa Orion bought me a hotel in London called The Ritz. Mum and Dad brought me new clothes while the elves gave me socks. They're amazing by the way. Even Goldbooth sent me Candy." Hermione finished jotting down what everyone sent. "Wait I almost forgot. Uncle Remus sent his gift. He sent me clothes for Odin and Pheebs. Aunt Dromeda and Uncle Ted also sent me shoes and 3 tee shirts." After this they wrote notes for all and sent them with Harry's owl who he decided to call Hedwig. After a minute of silence the others piled out through the fireplace. Just then Rionna popped in. She said," Master Harry. Everyone's room is ready for the night." "Thank You Rionna." Said Harry and she bowed and left. "What did Rionna mean Harry?" Asked George. "Well since y'all are here every other day, Mum and Gran thought that y'all should have your own rooms. That's what the elves were setting up." He replied. They all screamed in delight. They walked up to the 3rd floor of the Manor where Rio and Rionna showed them their rooms. "You're next to my room." Thought Harry. "The 2nd floor?" Hermione asked. "Yes." He replied. "But that floor is for the family." She said. "So? You are family." He replied and blew her a mental kiss. "Oh Harry." She said and blew him a kiss back.
Since everyone was tired they fell asleep, each thinking of the match which was to be held the next day. Except for Harry and Hermione. They were thinking of names for the baby Phoenix which Prof. Dumbledore sent. "You know what?" Said Harry after an hour. "What?" Asked Hermione. "I think we should sleep over it." He said. "Or maybe we can call him Godric?" She said. The Phoenix chirped in agreement. "See, he likes it." Said Hermione. Satisfied they both fell asleep.