William (Bill) Weasley and Charlie Weasley arrived at the Burrow for Easter break, and the atmosphere was filled with excitement. This year, they had a special occasion to look forward to—Harry’s first-ever birthday celebration. The moment Bill and Charlie stepped into the Burrow, the energy in the house lifted even more, as all the siblings eagerly gathered around them, listening to tales from Hogwarts and catching up on the test news.
For Harry, though, this break felt different. It wasn’t just because his brothers were home; it was because for the first time in his life, he had a birthday to celebrate. Ever since he chose April 5th as his special day, Harry had been looking forward to it with a sense of joy he had never experienced before. Every smile from Mrs. Weasley and every ugh from his siblings made Harry feel like he truly belonged in the Weasley family.
On the first day of break, Harry could barely contain his excitement. The house buzzed with preparations, as Molly Weasley bustled around the kitchen, baking Harry’s favorite treats, while Arthur kept slipping away to check on the newly enchanted Weasley Cave, muttering something about "extra safety measures." Fred and George had been unusually secretive, whispering to each other about some surprise they had pnned for Harry’s big day.
Harry spent much of the day by Bill and Charlie’s side, listening to their stories from Hogwarts. Bill, as always, had a cool, calm demeanor, recounting his adventures with a mixture of charm and confidence that made everyone listen intently. Charlie’s stories, on the other hand, were wild and thrilling, especially when he talked about the magical creatures he had seen around the grounds. Harry hung on to every word, his eyes wide with fascination.
“Hey, Harry,” Bill said with a grin, ruffling Harry’s hair. “Got any pns for your big day tomorrow?”
“Not really,” Harry admitted, though he was glowing with excitement. “But I’ve never had a birthday before, so I’m just happy everyone will be here.”
“Well, don’t worry,” Charlie added, leaning in conspiratorially. “We’ve got something special in mind for you. You’ll never forget this birthday.”
Harry’s smile widened as he tried to imagine what they had in store for him. The entire family had been so warm and welcoming, making him feel like he’d always been part of their lives, and now they were going out of their way to make his birthday unforgettable. He couldn’t help but feel that this was everything he had ever wanted—a family, love, and a sense of belonging.
As the day came to a close, the Weasley siblings gathered outside, basking in the spring air. The sky had turned a soft shade of pink as the sun set, and the familiar sounds of the Burrow—the clucking chickens, the creaking of the windmill, and the rustling trees—filled the air.
Fred and George, ever the pranksters, had taken Harry aside earlier and whispered about "secret pns" they had for him, causing him to wonder what mischief might unfold on his birthday.
By the time everyone turned in for the night, Harry y in his bed with a wide smile on his face. Tomorrow was his day—his birthday—and for the first time, he would celebrate it with the people he cared about most. This was the beginning of something new, something wonderful. And as Harry drifted off to sleep, he knew that, with the Weasleys, this would be the first of many birthdays filled with love, ughter, and unforgettable memories.
Harry woke up early, barely able to sleep the night before due to all the excitement. The house was still quiet when he crept down the stairs, feeling a bubbling anticipation in his chest. None of the Weasley children were awake yet, but as he approached the kitchen, he saw Mrs. Weasley bustling about, preparing what seemed to be an unusually rge amount of food.
“Happy Birthday, Harry,” Molly said warmly when she noticed him entering. Her face lit up with a kind smile, and Harry felt a warmth spread through him at her words.
With a shy smile, Harry replied, “Thank you, Mom.”
He hesitated for a moment, watching as she waved her wand, sending pots and pans flying around the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring sauces. The sight was impressive, but what really caught Harry’s attention was how much food she was preparing. “Why are you cooking so much food?” he asked curiously. He had always imagined birthdays to be simple affairs—a cake, a few candles, maybe a gift if you were lucky. But this seemed like a feast.
Molly turned toward him, her eyes twinkling. “This is for the guests, dear.”
Harry blinked in surprise. “Guests? What guests?” he asked, his mind racing. He hadn’t expected anyone other than the Weasley family to be there for his birthday.
Molly chuckled softly, her wand flicking to send a rge bowl of batter flying toward the stove. “You’ll see,” she said with a wink.
Harry’s mind swirled with possibilities, but before he could ask more, Mr. Weasley came down the stairs, dressed for the day. “Good morning, Harry! Happy birthday, my boy!” Arthur greeted him warmly, giving Harry a pat on the back as he made his way to the kitchen table to collect the Daily Prophet.
“Thanks, Dad,” Harry said, his grin widening.
Arthur sat down with his newspaper, opening it with a rustle as he sipped his tea. Harry could hear faint noises from upstairs now—the creaking of floorboards and the sound of footsteps—signaling that the rest of the Weasley children were beginning to stir. One by one, they made their way downstairs, all still groggy from sleep but full of smiles as they greeted him.
Fred and George came down first, and with wide grins, they cpped Harry on the back and shouted, “Happy birthday, Harry!”
“Yeah, and prepare yourself for the best birthday ever,” Fred added with a mischievous glint in his eye.
George winked at Harry, adding, “It’s gonna be unforgettable.”
Ron came next, his hair sticking up in all directions as he yawned and stretched. “Happy birthday, Harry,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. Ginny followed close behind, practically bouncing with excitement as she hugged Harry and wished him a happy birthday, her face glowing with happiness.
Soon, the whole family was seated around the table, and Harry couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. This was nothing like any birthday he had imagined—he had gone from never celebrating his birthday to being the center of attention in a family that genuinely cared about him. His heart swelled with joy as he sat there, surrounded by the Weasleys, his family.
The Lovegoods were the first to arrive, carrying a strangely wrapped parcel that seemed to hum with magic. Luna, as usual, was wearing a dreamy expression and her radish earrings swung gently as she bounced over to Harry.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" she said, passing him the odd-shaped gift with a smile.
"Thanks, Luna!" Harry replied, accepting the gift, intrigued by its unusual shape and Luna’s characteristic quirkiness.
Mr. Lovegood, who followed behind her, gave Harry an enthusiastic handshake. "A very happy birthday to you, young Harry!" he said in his deep voice, and Molly warmly invited them both inside.
Before Harry could examine the gift, the firepce in the living room fred up with bright green fmes. Out stepped Auror Gilbert Moore, dusting off his robes as he wished Harry a Happy Birthday in his gruff but kind manner. Right behind him came another Auror, Oswald Tadpol, who looked a little more serious but still managed a friendly smile as he congratuted Harry.
And then came Remus Lupin.
Whenever Remus visited, Harry felt something strange. He could never quite shake the feeling that Lupin was watching him a bit too closely, almost as if he was searching for something, and today was no exception. As Remus approached, offering Harry a gift wrapped in simple brown paper, Harry saw that same curious, lingering look in his eyes. It made him uncomfortable, but Harry tried to shake it off, smiling and thanking him anyway.
"Happy Birthday, Harry," Remus said, his voice gentle yet serious, and he ruffled Harry's hair with affection before stepping back.
The firepce fred again, and this time Healer Grace from St. Mungo’s arrived, carrying a neatly packed gift. She had only a few moments to stay, as urgent work awaited her at the hospital, but she wished Harry a warm happy birthday before vanishing back into the green fmes.
Not long after, Cedric Diggory and his family arrived. Cedric, always kind and full of energy, grinned as he passed Harry a wrapped present. "Happy Birthday, Harry!" he said, giving him a pyful nudge.
"Thanks, Cedric!" Harry replied, his excitement growing.
With everyone now assembled, Harry stood in front of a rge cake Molly had baked, the room buzzing with cheerful conversation. When it was time to cut the cake, everyone gathered around the table, eager to see who would get the first slice. Molly stood beside him, beaming, and when Harry finally cut the first slice, he pyfully gave it to her.
"To Mom," he said with a smile.
The room erupted in ughter, and Molly gave Harry a tight hug, her eyes misting over slightly. "Thank you, dear," she said, clearly touched.
The rest of the afternoon was filled with ughter, food, and the Weasleys’ contagious joy. Everyone enjoyed Molly’s cooking, and Harry felt happier than he ever had before. The gifts, the presence of his friends, and the warm atmosphere made him feel like he truly belonged to a family.
As the evening drew on, people began to leave, one by one. The Aurors and Healer Grace had work to return to, and the Diggorys also bid their farewells after thanking the Weasleys for their hospitality. Harry couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed by how many people had come just to celebrate his birthday. It was a strange, wonderful feeling.
But before the night ended, Luna and Cedric lingered behind with Harry, Ginny, and Ron. “Do you want to py Quidditch?” Cedric suggested, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
Harry grinned. “Absolutely!”
The group raced out to the Weasleys' makeshift Quidditch pitch, brooms in hand, the cool evening air filled with excitement. As they kicked off the ground and soared into the sky, Harry felt a thrill run through him. This birthday, with friends and family, was unlike anything he had ever imagined. It was perfect.
Harry had never experienced anything quite like this. As he sat in the middle of the Weasleys’ cozy room, surrounded by brightly wrapped gifts, his heart swelled with gratitude. Every single package was a testament to the love and warmth he had found with the Weasleys—a family he hadn’t even known existed for most of his life. He carefully carried all the gifts to his room, which he shared with Ron.
Ron, always eager when it came to surprises, couldn't wait for Harry to start opening his presents. “Go on, mate,” Ron said, grinning ear to ear. “Open mine first!”
With a smile, Harry picked up the box from Ron, already guessing what it might be. Sure enough, it was filled with delicious chocotes. “Thanks, Ron! This’ll be perfect after dinner!” Harry said, ughing as Ron immediately eyed the chocotes, already eager for a share.
Ginny, standing beside the bed, grabbed her gift from the pile and handed it to Harry, insisting, "Open mine next!" But before he could tear into the wrapping, she added with a mischievous grin,
Harry raised an eyebrow but nodded, when he open Ginny’s gift, he was met with something so special it nearly brought a tear to his eye. Inside was a family photo, beautifully framed, with all the Weasleys beaming and waving. And there, right in the center, was Harry himself, standing beside Ginny.
"I’ve always wondered where that photo from Diagon Alley went!" Harry said, touched by her thoughtfulness. He pced the frame on his nightstand, where it could be the first thing he saw every morning. “I love it, Ginny. Thanks so much.”
Then came Bill’s gift—a rge, heavy book. Harry’s eyes lit up when he saw the title: Advanced Potions for Practical Purposes. Bill knew about Harry’s growing interest in potion-making, and this book would allow him to experiment even before starting his formal lessons at Hogwarts.
Next came Fred and George, who predictably gifted Harry an assortment of pranking supplies. “You’re gonna need these, mate,” Fred winked. “It’s time we teach you the Weasley way of mischief.” George added, “Just wait until you try the Exploding Toffee!”
Charlie’s gift was extraordinary—a dragon-hide jacket. It was beautifully crafted, the kind of present that left Harry speechless. "This must’ve cost you a fortune!" Harry excimed, knowing how rare dragon-hide was.
Charlie shrugged, grinning. “Dragons are my thing. Figured you should have something tough like this.”
Arthur Weasley gave Harry a practical set of sturdy shoes and a new wizard’s cloak, perfect for their adventures in both the Muggle and magical worlds. “A proper cloak for a proper wizard,” Arthur said proudly.
Molly Weasley, of course, had knitted Harry a sweater, just like the ones she made for all her children. It was soft, warm, and maroon, with an ‘H’ stitched in gold. “You’re part of the family now, Harry,” she said, kissing the top of his head.
Even Percy, despite his usual seriousness, had gifted Harry a book—A History of Magical Government, which Harry pretended to be excited about, though the title didn’t exactly thrill him.
Healer Grace’s gift was another thoughtful one—A Guide to Medicinal Pnts and Healing Herbs, which would surely come in handy someday. The Aurors, Gilbert Moore and Oswald Tadpol, had gifted Harry books as well, all about magical w enforcement and dueling spells. Cedric and the Diggorys had given Harry a new broom servicing kit, which would be perfect for keeping his broom in top shape for Quidditch.
Finally, Harry opened the Lovegoods' gift, which turned out to be several books on magical creatures, some of which Harry had never even heard of. "You'll love these!" Luna said with a dreamy smile. "They're all about creatures that most wizards don’t know exist."
After opening all the gifts, Harry sat back in awe, looking at the mountain of books, clothes, and thoughtful trinkets. Ron, however, seemed unimpressed by all the reading material. “Honestly, mate,” Ron said, shaking his head, “all those books. I’m the only one who got you something useful—chocote!”
Harry burst out ughing, and so did the others. “You’re right, Ron. Chocote is definitely the most practical gift here,” Harry said with a grin.
Without hesitation, Harry tore open Ron’s chocotes and passed them around. The Weasley children gathered close, sharing in the sweets, and the room filled with ughter and warmth once more. As Harry sat there, enjoying the simple joy of being surrounded by friends and family, he realized just how lucky he was. This wasn’t just any birthday—it was his first real birthday, and it was everything he could have ever hoped for.
