The Psychic Runaway

Prologue- Harry's Wish

Five minutes. Just five more minutes until his birthday, and yet Harry felt neither excited nor much older than he really was.

Of course, it wasn't like Harry had cause to be worried. The last fifteen birthdays had passed without incident, so there wasn't much of a chance that this one would be any different. It was just that, well, Harry was turning sixteen. This was a most special birthday, and there was no party, no anything even related to celebration. Even Hedwig had abandoned him that night, off hunting for another one of those rats she always found.

Four more minutes.

Harry sighed. At least his friends had sent him some presents to enjoy- some Bertie Botts and chocolate frogs from Ron (along with a scrawly letter); a subscription to the Daily Prophet from Hermione (as well as a letter); a handknit pair of kneesocks from Mrs. Weasley; a rather-distorted looking (but still tasty) cake from Hagrid; and even a little lottery ticket from Lupin which "rest assured Harry, is not a means to imply that neither I nor you are/should be gamblers, but a means to provide you with some hope. You seem to be in want of it."

Three minutes.

Harry sighed again. Even with all these expressions of generosity, Harry still felt empty. Especially as one got older, birthdays were meant to be days of happiness, days where people that cared about each other gathered to celebrate someone's aging another year. Yet sixteen years had already passed, and still Harry's never had a birthday party. What kind of shit was that?

Two minutes.

But I guess it doesn't matter too much, Harry thought to himself as he laid there on his bed. I'm almost getting too old for parties. And plus it's not like I'll be seeing my friends again in two months anyway.

There was a pause as his thoughts dwindled.

Oh hell, Harry suddenly resolved. What am I saying? I'm probably the only kid in Britain- no, the world- that hasn't had a birthday party yet. And there's no way I'm going to let that continue. Starting next year until I'm dead I'm going to have the biggest bash of the century, whether the whole world comes to it or not. With that, Harry's thoughts relapsed again, this time on plans for his seventeenth birthday party.

45 seconds to go.

Harry suddenly sat up. What am I doing?! he exclaimed as he got up. I'm sitting here with not even some birthday candles to blow out.

30 seconds to go.

Harry dug around in his trunk for Hagrid's cake (thankfully sent to not arrive until today), and quickly lit the candles.

20 seconds.

Suddenly Hedwig swooped in to land on his shoulder. While Harry appreciated the company, he also became slightly annoyed at having to relight the candles again (and having a rat dropped in his lap).

10 seconds.

Harry closed his eyes, and began racking his brain for a wish. What did Harry want most in this world?

5 seconds.

He certainly wanted Sirius back again, but even magic couldn't do that.

4 seconds.

He could always ask for money, but he had plenty in his Gringotts vault to last (for awhile, anyway).

3 seconds.

He could ask for a new car (hey, a boy could dream) but in the wizarding world Harry wouldn't need one; thus it would be a waste of a wish.

2 seconds.

Damn it all- think! Harry chastised himself. Certainly there's something you want to wish for!

1 second.

Suddenly a light came on his brain. Of course- that's perfect!

The most awesome wish firmly in his mind, Harry blew out the candles just as it became August 1^st, 12:01 a.m. The first day of Harry's sixteenhood.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief, and happily stroked Hedwig under the chin. "What do you think, Hedwig? I'm all grown up now," he smiled. Hedwig cooed and rustled her feathers in response. "You're right, Hedgwig," Harry said as he successfully offered her a piece of cake. "Not yet. Just one more year to go." With that, Harry took a piece of cake himself, and happily ate it as he thought about his wish.

Suddenly Harry yawned. "Oh man- who knew I'd be this tired? And on my birthday," he said. "Sorry, Hedwig, but no more partying for tonight, okay?" Hedwig gave a hoot as Harry got up and put her back in her cage. With that, Harry flopped back on his bed, took off his glasses, and rested his eyes. He even began humming the birthday tune, which lifted his spirits even more.

"Oh yeah," Harry said to himself as he eventually nodded off to sleep. "This party thing is definitely going down on my to-do list."

*End Prologue*