The Great Hall became a blur as the two boys chased each other, turning the grand room into their own personal playground.

Just as they were about to collide, a small voice cut through the chaos. "Immobulus!" The spell took hold, freezing both the boys in their tracks.

Professor Flitwick appeared before them, his stern expression marred by a hint of amusement. "Ten points from Ravenclaw for disturbing the decorum of the Great Hall," he scolded.

But Ben's mind was elsewhere, for he knew that the worst was yet to come.

With a crack and a pop, the red envelope burst open, unleashing a loud, familiar Irish voice that echoed throughout the hall.

"Happy birthday to the brightest star in me sky! May your future be as bright as the leprechauns' pot of gold, and may your laughter be as contagious as a Banshee's wail. You are loved beyond measure, me darling nephew. Happy birthday!"

Ben let out a sigh, but just as he was about to relax the voice came back even louder,

"And now, a tune for me favourite nephew,"

--(Singing with a strong Irish accent)

Oh, little one, so tall and brave,

You've grown up so fast, it's hard to save.

Happy birthday to you, my little lad,

May your day be filled with treats, not bad.

We've watched you grow, each passing year,

And we're so proud to have you here.

You bring happiness, with your smile and laugh,

And we're grateful for each moment we've had.

So blow out the candles, on your birthday cake,

And make a wish, for goodness sake.

For every candle symbolizes a dream,

And we hope and pray, they all come true, it seems.

May your day be bright, as the morning sun,

And may the happiness, never be done.

May you dance and sing, and have lots of fun,

For this day is all about, you, my son.

And now, let's raise a glass, and give a cheer,

For the birthday boy, who's another year.

Happy birthday again, love ya, now go have some fun,

And don't be shy, for this day is just begun.

So here's to you, on this special day,

May all your dreams, come true, in every single way.

And if life gets tough, and you need a hand,

Just remember, we'll be here, to help you stand.

So enjoy your day, and don't you pout,

For this birthday song, is what it's all about.

We love you so, and we always will,

Now go and have fun, and fulfill your dreams still."

--

'She never misses a chance, does she?' Ben thought, his mind consumed with frustration.

"A very Happy Birthday to you Mr Brown, I hope you have a wonderful day," said Flitwick as he lifted the spell and the Great Hall erupted in a chorus of birthday wishes for Ben.

Everyone in the Hall was looking at him, some were cheering, some were laughing at his misery and some were even feeling pity for him.

Ben felt his face turn red, he turned to Michael,

Michael approached him, looking sheepish. "Um, sorry?" he said, scratching his head.

"It's okay," Ben replied; not knowing how to react to this situation, Ben let out a deep sigh and went back to his seat.

As he took his seat, Ben couldn't help but wish he could disappear under the table. But his thoughts were interrupted by Aquilla, who urged him to open the largest present.

Ben was no longer sure what to expect now, with trembling hands, he tore away the wrapping paper to reveal a delicious-looking, whiskey-spiced carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting and green fondant shamrocks. He knew instantly that it was from his mother and supposedly his favourite.

"Happy Birthday, mind if I have a slice of that cake too?" Michael asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.

Ben looked up, locking eyes with the younger boy. The tension between them was palpable, but then a small smile graced Ben's lips as he nodded. "Of course, go ahead."

"Happy Birthday, Ben!" Terry Boot chimed in, trying to diffuse the awkwardness. "Can I have a slice as well?"

The other Ravenclaw first-years soon joined in, their eager expressions mirroring their ravenous appetites.

As Ben tore open the remaining gift boxes, his eyes lit up with glee as he found an abundance of chocolate frogs and other wizarding sweets. His relatives had also gifted him with new hats and robes, and even a few toys that he distributed among his friends as he had no use for them. His aunt had sent him a copy of "Quidditch through the Ages", a book that Ben couldn't imagine himself having the time to delve into it at the moment.

Although the gifts were not exactly what he had expected, Ben was filled with gratitude for the thoughtfulness behind them. He made a mental note to write heartfelt letters of thanks in the evening, expressing his appreciation for the love and support of those around him.

However, Ben didn't let his good spirits fool him. He made a promise to himself to teach his aunt a lesson in the future, for the sake of all future gifts. After all, one could never be too prepared for the whims of a witch in the wizarding world.

---

"Ahoy, drinking away your sorrows, are ya Hagrid?" Ben called out as he approached the towering figure of the beloved giant.

"Aye, just a bit of leftover brandy I'd bought for Norene," Hagrid replied, his voice tinged with sadness. "But now she's gone, so far away," he added, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

Ben had gone down the castle as he couldn't take it anymore; everywhere he went, people were pointing or staring at him. He didn't enjoy being in the spotlight and it made him quite uncomfortable.

As he approached Hagrid, he found the half-giant seated on the steps outside his door, accompanied by his faithful companion Fang.

The location of Hagrid's hut was a prime piece of real estate in Ben's opinion. With the dense Forbidden Forest on one side and the picturesque Black Lake on the other, the hut was nestled in the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands, just a stone's throw away from one of the greatest wizarding schools in the world.

Ben basked in the serenity of the moment, relishing the sound of the rustling winds blowing through the forest and the glistening waves hitting the shores of the Black Lake. The peace and quiet away from the bustling halls of Hogwarts Castle was a pure blessing.

"Here, let me grab a dram of that," Ben said, reaching for Hagrid's brandy bottle.

"Whoa there, lad, I canna be givin' ye that. It's far too strong for ye," Hagrid replied, moving the bottle out of reach.

"Ah, come now, Hagrid. I can handle me drink. And it's me birthday today, after all," Ben pouted.

"Happy birthday to ye then, but ye're still not getting a sip of this brandy," Hagrid said, his tone firm.

"Touché. But I've got me own bottle, don't ye worry," Ben countered, pulling out a bottle from under his robes.

"Where did ye get that, lad? Ye shouldna be drinkin' at yer age, it's not good for ye," Hagrid said, his eyebrows raised in surprise as Ben downed the bottle in one go.

"Ah, relax, Hagrid. It's just a bit of ale, only a mite stronger than Butterbeer," Ben said, putting the empty bottle back into his robes and swapping it for a fresh one. "Now, how about a bit of roasted snout? These were Norene's favourite, ye know," he said, pulling out a piece of mammoth snout from his robes.

This was the real reason he had come down to Hagrid's hut. To save some gold. Although he could easily purchase cooked food from the store, it was just a frivolous waste of septims and was many times more expensive than raw meat.

"Ah, I'll bring out a special condiment for yer birthday then," Hagrid said, leading Ben into the cosy interior of his hut.