Birthday Wishes
Harry had managed to fall asleep, only to be woken up a few hours later. Something was tapping at the window and Harry knew what it was.
�Hedwig,� Harry whispered, �where have you been?�
She hooted softly. Harry untied a package from her leg and opened it. There was a letter and something wrapped in old Daily Prophet papers. Opening the letter, Harry recognized Ron�s handwriting.
Dear Harry,
Happy birthday! Here�s your present. It�s a portable birthday candle. Fred and George developed it. You�re supposed to make a wish and blow it out. Be careful though. You know Fred and George. It might be a trick. Mum just sent an owl to Dumbledore asking if you can stay with us. I�ll let you know.
Ron
Harry wasn�t taking any chances. He picked up the candle and unwrapped it. There was a note from Fred and George wrapped around the candle.
Dear Harry,
Don�t worry. This isn�t a trick. It�s our way of saying thanks. The money you gave us has really helped. We�ve developed a ton of new stuff. We spent a month on this candle. We hope it works.
Fred and George
Harry now turned his attention to the candle. It was white and seemed to glow. As he looked at it, it stood up straight and lit itself. But it was no ordinary flame. It was bright green, and about two inches tall.
Harry thought for a moment. What would he wish for? He stared at the flame. Then it came to him. He knew what he wanted.
�I wish,� Harry whispered, �that I will never have to come back to this awful place.� He blew out the candle.
Harry jumped as his aunt walked in the room. He glanced nervously at the candle. It was gone.
�Come downstairs,� Aunt Petunia said. �We need to talk to you.�
Harry followed her nervously. This couldn�t be good. As he walked into the kitchen, Dudley squeaked and ran. Uncle Vernon looked nervous about something.
�Sit down, boy,� said Uncle Vernon. �Now you listen carefully. We�re going to visit Marge. You�re going to stay with Mrs. Fig. I�m sure those.... people are going to come get you there. You make sure you tell them. I don�t want them in here again.�
Harry knew what Uncle Vernon meant by �those people.� He meant the Weasleys. Obviously the incident with the fireplace was still fresh in his mind.
�Anyway,� Uncle Vernon continued, �go upstairs and pack your school stuff. We�ll drop you off at Mrs. Fig�s house. And remember, no funny business! You know perfectly well that she doesn�t know about you. Now, hurry up. We�re leaving is ten minutes.�
Harry almost skipped as he hurried to his room. He was leaving! When he got to his room, his eyes fell on Ron�s letter. Would his wish come true? No, it couldn�t. There was nowhere else for him to go.
Harry put his stuff in his trunk and pulled it down the stairs. It was no easy task. He dropped it on his toe twice on the down. After his trunk was down, he rushed back up to get Hedwig. When he got back, the Dursleys were pulling the trunk out toward the car. They were obviously eager to get rid of him.
Harry climbed into the backseat and set Hedwig next to him. It took his aunt and uncle a while to talk Dudley into sitting next to an owl. Finally, they were speeding away from the Dursleys� house. Harry couldn�t help looking back and wondering if he would ever see that house again.
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