MIRROR OF ERISED

36. The Birthday - 1

PREVIOUSLY IN - MIRROR OF ERISED

More students join the study group.

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It was finally 31st of July. Harry was buzzing with excitement. It would be the first birthday with his parents after 11 years of separation. He got up as usual at 6:00 AM and went down to go for his usual morning run with his father and godfather. He had told them the previous night itself that he didn't want to miss out on the usual running schedule. This running every morning had increased their stamina from what it was at the beginning of the holidays.

Harry had the biggest change in his physical appearance over the past one month. He had grown taller by at least an inch and a half and the physical and core strengthening exercises that Remus taught him made him grow a bit more muscle. They came back in after their running and exercising and went straight to their rooms to take a shower.

Harry's mouth was watering when he saw the food on the table. All of them were his favourites. He sat to the right of his grandfather, who was sitting at the head of the table. "Happy Birthday, Harry." He said with a smile. "Thank you, Papa." He said politely as he returned the smile. Dorea came from behind her grandson and hugged him. "Happy Birthday, sweetheart." She said and kissed him in his messy mop of hair. "Thanks, gran." He said and grinned at her.

James, Lily, Sirius, Remus, Lyall and Hope, William and Rose Evans, and the McKinnons came in to the dining room when Harry was half way done eating his breakfast. All of them gave him a hug and wished him a very happy birthday before sitting down for breakfast. Soon after Harry finished eating, an alarm sounded, indicating that some one had come through the floo system. Harry ran to get their guests, knowing that it'll be his friends.

Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, Neville, Draco, Blaise and the rest of his study group mates were slowly appearing through the fireplace when he came into the room to greet them. Dorea, who had finished eating with her grandson, had followed him into the floo room. "Okay, kids. What do you want to do first? Swimming's only after lunch." She said. "We'll go play quidditch. What's say guys?" asked Harry. There was a shout of agreement as all the quidditch players, whether they were in the team or not, had got their brooms.

"Okay. Leave your bags here. You'll find them in Harry's room when you return." She said grinning. "And no flying inside the house." She added sternly. The kids nodded at this. They kept it in a corner so that no one trips and falls when they come through the floo and ran out carrying their brooms.