Harry awoke with a start, cold sweat beating down his face. He had had a nightmare, again. It was the fourth time he had awoken in one night. First his parents death, then Sirius, then Dumbledore, and now he was having nightmares of the Weasley’s and Hermione being killed too. This was just too much. Luckily each time he awoke Ron was snoring steadily in the bed next to him.
He was at the Burrow, as he had promised he would be, for Bill and Fleur’s upcoming wedding. The wedding oddly enough was going to be on Harry’s birthday. Bill and Fleur apologized to Harry about a million times, they apparently had forgotten but all the invitations were already sent so Harry told them he didn’t mind at all. He didn’t really, it was going to be better than spending his birthday alone of the Dursley’s. He enjoying his stay at the Weasley’s quite a bit considering he had spent almost two months of summer at the Dursley’s, because he knew Dumbledore would have wanted him to go back there like usual. He knew it was just like what Lupin said third year about his parents dieing to save him, it would be a pretty foul way to thank them if he had purposely put himself in danger. With Dumbledore, he felt it was no different.
Shaken out of his thoughts by a particularly loud snore from Ron, Harry checked the time. It was only 7:30 but he decided to get out of bed anyway, after all if he went back to sleep he might just have another nightmare. Harry got out of bed and dressed quietly to ensure he didn’t wake Ron.
When he got down stairs he found Ginny sitting with her legs curled under her drinking hot chocolate.
“Good morning, your up early.” She said a little more stiff than she meant to.
Things had been a little awkward lately between the two of them, because of the break up of course. Ginny knew it was coming, she predicted Harry’s usual pattern of trying to ensure he cut off everyone who cared for him in fear that they would die like so many others had. She couldn’t blame him for his worries, for it did seem that everyone he loved died trying to protect him, but she couldn’t help but be upset. Partially because she thought he was being stupid and partially because of her broken heart.
“Morning yea couldn’t really sleep.” Harry replied with a hint of pain in his voice. He knew Ginny had a right to be upset with him but he still loved her and didn’t want to break up with her as much as she didn’t want him to.
“Mum is making breakfast, she’ll get you some hot coco if you let her know you’re awake.” Ginny said obviously trying to break the awkward mood.
“Thanks, I think I’ll go get some.” Harry said as he walked towards the kitchen. He didn’t really want hot chocolate but he couldn’t stand being alone in a room with Ginny for very long.
Just then Hermione and Ron came down the stairs together.
“Morning Harry, Ginny.” Ron said and Hermione just waved.
“Hey mate, what are you two up to so early in the morning?” Harry asked.
“We’ve got to go to Hogsmeade for Mrs. Weasley, she wants us to pick up some things for the wedding, I can’t believe it’s only 2 days away!” Hermione answered.
“What do you need to get, can I come with you guys?” Harry asked, as he realized if the two left without him he’d be forced to spend all day alone with Ginny since the rest of the Weasley’s were always in and out of the house. Either because of work or wedding plans, and they were all getting the house ready for the reception.
“Er…” Ron said as he suddenly became very interested in his shoes, “Mum says she doesn’t want you going into Hogsmeade, cause she reckons it’s too dangerous for you to be out and unprotected.”
“What?!” Harry exclaimed, he was so tired of everyone always trying to protect him, he was going to have to be the one to kill Voldemort in the end anyway so why didn’t people trust him enough to take care of himself. And how come Hermione and Ron were able to take care of themselves but not him!
“Look Harry I know you hate this,” Hermione started, “and we don’t like it much either but it’s what Mrs. Weasley wants and you are under her roof right now so you should probably just do as she says, we’ll be back later, just calm down ok? We’ll see you guys at dinner, bye.” And with that the two left the room to talk to Mrs. Weasley and moments later they left for Hogsmeade via Floo Powder.
Harry spent the next 2 days helping de-gnome the backyard, talking with Ron and Hermione when they were actually home, and inquiring to the twins about their new products whenever they would stop in.
The night before the wedding day, and his birthday, Harry was surprised to wake up at 10:30, he realized this was probably do to the fact that he suffered no nightmares that night, and seeing as he was usually awoken by them so often he was really exhausted from lack of sleep. He awoke to discover that Ron was already out of the room, which only surprised him because he was so used to leaving the room before Ron woke up. He then realized that it was unusually that no one woke him, wouldn’t they need help setting up for the wedding, and he couldn’t hear much noise coming from down stairs.
Suddenly, Ron walked into the room. “Ah mate, you’re awake, good!” he said.
“Yea, why didn’t anyone wake me? Don’t you guys need all the help you can get to set up for the wedding?” Harry asked, as he got dressed.
“Er… well it didn’t take long cause everyone was home at the same time for once.” Ron said a little disbelievingly.
“Ok…” Harry was a little suspicious but decided to let it go as they began walking down the stairs.
“SURPRISE!!!!” Erupted from the room as Harry entered. He looked around and saw every thing was decorated with ‘Happy Birthday Harry!’ Everyone he knew was there too. The Weasleys, Lupin and Tonks, Hagrid, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Oliver Wood and all the old Gryffindor quidditch team, Fleur and her sister Gabrielle, Luna Lovegood, Lavender Brown, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Lee Jordan, Ernie Macmillian, the Patil sisters, and even Professor McGonagall.
Harry was so surprised to see so many people. He was especially surprised that some of them would come because of past disagreements, and that some of them were allowed out of their house by their parents in light of recent events. Nevertheless, he was extremely surprised and happier than he had been in a while, of course seeing so many people gathered to celebrate his birthday made the gaps left by people like Sirius and Dumbledore, noticeable and painful. But for the sake of his friends who had obviously done so much to put this together and keep it from him he put on his best smile and decided not to think about that.
“For Merlin’s sake! How did you guys pull this off?!” Harry exclaimed as Hermione ran to hug him. “Happy Birthday Harry!” She yelled excitedly as she hugged and kissed him on the cheek. Ron hid a slightly disgruntled look as he clapped Harry on the back. “Happy Birthday mate! How’d we pull it off? Well you’re pretty clueless sometimes so…” Ron said with a laugh. “Ron!” Hermione said sounding very much like Mrs. Weasley.
Harry had the time of his life, laughing and talking with everyone. He enjoyed catching up with the many people he hadn’t seen in a while. He was having a blast. And although he never cared too much about presents the mountain like pile in the corner of the room was very pleasing to his eye.
Bill and Fleur had explained it all to Harry. The wedding was never planned to be on his birthday, they told him that but sent out invitations for a surprise party instead, the wedding was in two weeks. Harry was surprised at the amount of work his friends did for him, and that it went off without a hitch. He just couldn’t believe he never suspected anything.
The whole day was amazing and so much fun. It went on until after midnight, but finally by 2 a.m. everyone had left and the Weasley’s, Hermione, and, although he had to fight everyone to let him help, Harry had finished cleaning up.
After he finished chatting with Ron about the party and all his amazing gifts, which were surrounding his bed, Harry laid down to go to sleep.
Two weeks later Bill and Fleur had a beautiful wedding in the backyard. And things settled back down at the Burrow. Now all Harry had to do was figure out how to get started working on the horcruxes.
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