A Taste of Magic

Chapter 52: 52nd Course - A Proper Gathering

The door swung open silently, charmed so that it would make no noise. Two figures crept into the bedroom on similarly charmed feet, their steps making no noise. They fought down snickers and giggles and both stood beside the slumbering figure on the bed. They shared a nod and one flung the window curtains open while the other jumped on the bed.

"Happy birthday!" Sirius shouted as he let the sunlight in.

"Happy birthday!" Dora shouted as she jumped on the bed, shocking Harry awake. "Wake up! It's time to make this the best day ev-AAAAH!"

"I told them it was a bad idea," Andromeda sighed as she walked in but stopped at the sight. She watched with wide eyes as Dora and Sirius were belabored by an intensely irritated Hedwig carrying a very large pillow. The snowy owl screeched angrily as she chased a yelping Sirius and Dora around the room, thwapping them over the head solidly with the pillow she carried in her talons.

"Is this normal too?" Ted asked, smiling broadly at the sight.

"I've never seen it myself but from what I know of her capabilities, it doesn't surprise me," Remus said, his smile just as broad.

Harry sat there, blinking and yawning, still slightly fuzzy-headed by the sudden awakening. He put on his glasses and smiled as he also watched his owl chase his godfather and god-cousin-sister-person about the room, punishing them for their actions. "Good morning," he said happily.

"Happy birthday love," Andromeda said, sitting on the bed beside him. She gleefully accepted his hug and hugged him warmly in return. "Happy fourteenth!"

"Thank you!" Harry was really enjoying the warm greetings and the obvious care from the individuals there.

"How did you teach her that?" Ted asked, pointing at the one-sided melee.

"The Browns taught her, she's very good at it," Harry said. He helpfully tossed pillows to Sirius and Dora but despite being armed, they fared only a little better against the owl. It went on for some time before Sirius and Dora finally capitulated and Hedwig landed on Harry's head, hooting smugly, not quite gracious in victory.

"Ow, seriously, she hits hard," Sirius said, touching his face.

"This isn't over," Dora said, shaking her pillow at Hedwig, her hair turning pale white and also speckled when Hedwig yawned in reply.

"We wanted to surprise you," Sirius said sheepishly.

"I don't mind," Harry said brightly. "Hedwig doesn't like being woken rudely like that though."

"Noted," Sirius said dryly. He smiled broadly and sat beside Harry, hugging him too. "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you! This is already the best birthday ever," Harry said joyfully.

"And it's barely begun," Dora said with her own hug. "We're going to have so much fun today."

"I can't wait," Harry sighed happily.

After changing and doing the usual morning routine, he went to the kitchen where Kreacher and Winky were cooking. The two elves had fought with Harry about proper duties when he first moved in, though they had rapidly fell in love with Harry's cooking. His implacable kindness, and experience dealing with stubborn House Elves, had worn the two down and they just barely managed to negotiate in being allowed to cook breakfast at least on his birthday since Harry insisted on cooking for the rest of the day.