39 | BIRTHDAY SURPRISES

OVER the week, Winter planned everything for the twelfth of November. Not only that, but she had managed to hide it all from Harry — something she was rather proud of herself for doing. Though, it was no secret that Harry was extremely suspicious.

Nevertheless, his suspicions no longer mattered for it was the morning of November twelfth, and Winter could finally put her intense plan into action.

She was not kidding when she said she would give the pirate one hell of a birthday. Winter planned a lot of it with Uma, the teal-haired girl shocked by some of the plans which Winter suggested.

It only made Uma's previous statement of needing to date a royal AK that much more true. Because seriously, with everything Harry was going to be doing on his birthday, that hard-headed pirate better never complain about anything ever again.

Winter was woken up early on Wednesday by her alarm clock, the clock having been set for an hour and a half earlier than normal. Groaning, Winter cracked her eyes open glimpsing at the time. It was just past five in the morning.

She yawned, tiredly, turning to her window. Even with her curtains drawn, Winter knew it was still dark outside. The sun would not rise until seven, and it would continue to rise later as the frigid season of winter approached.

After a few moments of mentally waking herself up, Winter forced herself out of bed. As she made her bed, tucking the blankets in tightly — she was beginning to wake up more and more. With waking up came her excitement for the day ahead.

Okay, so maybe she was in love with Harry Hook, but that only made it more of a reason to make sure this day was perfect. Absolutely perfect, it had to be... for him.

Winter hated the fact that none of the VKs ever had a real birthday celebration, not since Evie's birthday when she was little. Apparently, as Winter had heard the story, when the VKs were younger and Evie had a birthday party, the Evil Queen (Evie's mother) did not invite little Mal.

And seeing as Mal was literally the only kid not invited, Maleficient (Mal's mother) obviously had an issue with that. So, she banned the Evil Queen and Evie from ever showing their faces around the Isle again and banished them to stay in their castle.

Somehow, Evie got the courage to leave the castle when she was fifteen where she and Mal actually became friends after that. Winter was not sure about all the details, but she was pretty sure that when the four VKs all became friends after they went on some weird adventure that involved retrieving Maleficent's staff.

However, it was because of that birthday party that all the villains decided to no longer give real birthday celebrations to their kids.

But this was not the Isle and Winter would try her best to make up for the lack of birthday celebrations in Harry's life. She only hoped Harry saw past his own stubbornness when it came to Winter showering him with gifts and liked it.

Humming as she finished her bed, Winter quickly scurried to the bathroom to get ready for the day. After a wash in the shower, Winter dried off and brushed out her hair.

She intended to wear it down for once. Once she was happy with how it looks, she walked to her closet and peered inside. She had already picked out the outfits that she had to wear a few days ago, so she simply took the pre-picked yellow sweater with denim jeans.

It was the first time in a hot second that she was wearing pants, and the converse that she wore with it was also rather odd seeing as she normally wore flats. Though, if everything went according to plan, then she would be thanking herself for her outfit choice later as there would be quite a bit of walking today.

After tucking the yellow sweater into her jeans, Winter shoved her hands into a plain pair of silky gloves.

Winter grabbed her satchel, taking one look at herself in the mirror before she left. Looking at her own reflection still sent chills down her spine and gave her an eery feeling. She was not sure why, but Winter labeled it off as her own stupid paranoia from Halloween.

Thank God that horrible holiday was over.

Still, Winter could not help feeling as though she was being watched when she looked into the mirror, but seeing as there was nothing watching her but her own reflection — Winter did not understand why she felt that way.

She cringed at her reflection, figuring she looked fine but still not getting a good feeling from the mirror. Turning away from the mirror, Winter shuffled out of the room. However, as she turned her back, she completely missed the way that her own reflection smirked and remained in the mirror frame even after Winter was long gone.

The reflection of Winter tilted its head from inside the mirror, raising a glove-covered hand against the glass. With a small snicker, the reflection of Winter disappeared leaving her room empty.

From down the hall, Winter was walking at a fast pace to get to the kitchens. Her and Uma had decided to wake up Harry with breakfast in bed, something that Winter was meant to be bringing to him in a little less than an hour.

Winter was hoping it would surprise him and Uma assured her that it would. Not only that, but Winter decided that she and Harry would be skipping class that day, something that was bound to put him in a good mood.

Winter was not too worried about it as all her work for this and next was completed, the only thing she was hesitant about was Fairy Godmother getting on her and Harry's case. More so Harry's because the Fairy Godmother would blame him for being a bad influence on Winter.

Which, honestly he was, but they both did not give a shit. Harry did not give damn because... well, he's Harry Hook — who cares if he's a bad influence?

For Winter, she knew that she was her own independent person, she chose her own actions and made her own story. Even if Harry was not the best influence, Winter was old enough to know right from wrong and carve her path of decisions.

Despite this, Ben assured Winter that he would keep Fairy Godmother off their case... along with Phil too because Lord knows what would happen if the crotchety satyr found them. Winter shivered just thinking about it.

As Winter walked across campus, it was still dark as she guessed. When she arrived to the kitchen, the cooks and servants were bustling, all getting breakfast ready for that morning. Winter was reminded just how fortunate Auradon Prep was to have real true chefs cooking for them and not have some crap-ass food like other bordering schools.

"Oh, Winter," Winter glanced at one of the many female chefs, "did you need something dear?"

This particular chef was named Ann-Marie, and Ann-Marie alike to many staff on campus liked Winter. The reason the two even knew each other (because most cooks tended to stay behind the scenes) was because of Winter's tendency to get up early and arrive to breakfast first.

It was not unoften that Ann-Marie would greet Winter while she was putting out food because Winter was one of the only students in the dining hall.

"Yes, uhm, do you remember—" Winter started only for the chef too cut her off.

"Oh! Of course, the breakfast for that dashing pirate who is in love with you!" Ann-Marie giggled causing Winter to sputter and blush.

She had asked Ann-Marie a favor of cooking a plate of sausage, bacon, eggs, and waffles with extra syrup and a candle on top for Harry. Ann-Marie agreed, but not before teasing Winter of him being her first boyfriend.

It took nearly thirty minutes for Winter to convince Ann-Marie they were not an item, but Ann-Marie was still stuck on the fact that they were the most adorable couple in love.

"I—uhm—I..." Winter was at a loss for words.

"Don't worry," the middle-aged chef winked, "I won't tell anyone,"

Winter gawked as the chef tittered away to grab the plate for Winter, Winter still having no clue what to say. Mostly because what do you say to that?

Before Ann-Marie came back a few minutes later with a tray filled with everything Winter had asked for, Winter had managed to sneak a scone that would serve as her breakfast for the day and down a small glass of coffee.

In the center of the tray, Ann-Marie brought was a stack of three waffles drenched in syrup, a tall single unlit candle sticking up in the center. Off to the side were two smaller plates, one filled with bacon and sausage and the other with scrambled eggs.

There were two cups on the tray as well, one a coffee mug filled to the brim with steaming joe and another that was a tall glass of orange juice. Winter knew that Harry did not like his coffee to have much creamer in it, so she made sure that there was only a little.

Enough to take the edge off of it, but an amount small enough that it left the natural bitterness. It wasn't only Harry, all of the VKs had some weird thing about their coffee being black for some reason.

Winter took notice to the lighter on the side of the tray, the lighter that would be used to light the candle once Winter got to the room.

Carefully, Winter took the tray from the chef, giving her a thankful smile.

"Thank you so much, Ann-Marie," Winter thanked her — causing Ann-Marie to nod eagerly and wave her off.

"Of course, now be a dear and tell me how that handsome boy kisses next time you see me..."

Winter shook her head, her cheeks colored bright as she turned and left. She could not bring herself to reply, hearing Ann-Marie's light laughter from behind her.

Winter was cautious with the tray as she walked across campus, making sure that nothing spilled. As she walked, she smiled at the sunrise — the sky doused in a ray of orange and yellows.

Once she got to the hallway of the dorms, there were a few students tiredly walking out of their rooms — none of which took notice to Winter. Stopping outside of the Sea Three's door, Winter squared herself, debating on how to knock on the door.

Finally, she decided to tap her foot against the door as she did not want to chance trying to balance the tray in one hand and dropping it.

Winter knew she was a few minutes early, but she hoped that Uma was ready anyway. Uma had told her earlier that Harry was a pretty light-sleeper and that he would probably start waking up the second Winter knocked on the door.

It was for that reason that Uma had to be extremely quiet while she got herself ready and woke Gil up that morning. Uma intended for her and Gil to wish Harry a happy birthday before they left to leave Winter and Harry alone for most of the day.

Uma knew her best friend well enough to realize that he would prefer spending the majority of his birthday in the company of Winter. He had spent his last seventeen birthdays in the company of his friends and family on the Isle anyway.

Winter waiting for only a few seconds before the door swung open revealing Uma who was all dressed and ready for the day. Uma had taken her braids out a few days ago leaving her hair flowing in long teal waves down her back.

She intended to re-braid the strands soon but figured she would enjoy her natural hair for a few days at least.

She smirked at Winter, giving the girl a nod before snapping her fingers at Gil who was standing by the light switch with a large grin. The room was dark with the only light currently coming from the open door and the small amounts seeping through the drawn curtain.

Harry groaned from under his blankets, waking up upon hearing the shuffling of noise. It was not all that loud, but he was too light of a sleeper for this not to bother him. He huffed, sticking his hands under his head, not bothering to open his eyes before he was speaking in a tired groggy voice.

"Oi, we ain't need to get up yet..." Harry muttered loud enough for Uma to hear, "pipe down, will ya?"

Uma rolled her eyes as Gil flicked the lights on causing Harry to hiss and groan. Winter stepped into the room, Uma closing the door behind her.

She watched with an amused smile as the pirate sat up from the bed with a glare, his eyes rounding on the room to see who was behind waking him up. However, whenever his eyes landed on Winter and the tray in her hands, his annoyed expression went to one of astonishment and disbelief.

"Oi, this be a dream, ain't it?" Harry said more to himself than anyone else.

Uma rolled her eyes while Gil shook his head, clapping loudly.

"No way! Happy birthday!" Gil exclaimed as Winter walked to Harry with the tray balanced.

"Happy birthday, Har," Uma leaned on the doorframe with a smile gracing her features.

Harry said nothing, watching in utter shock as Winter approached his still form on the bed. Harry was sitting up, his back resting against the headboard — his shirtless nature on full display.

Winter was blessed with the sight of Harry's eyes without eyeliner, a sight that was rare to see. Normally, Harry adorned that pirate makeup that made him look equally as terrifying and roguishly handsome.

Far from a prince and yet Winter would have it no other way.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Winter chirped, ignoring the shivers that went down her spine as Harry took in what she was wearing.

Harry noticed it was different from what she normally wore and that her hair was down. The beautiful brunette stands that he loved and wished he could run his hands through. Okay, so maybe Harry had something for hair as he most definitely loved it when people ran their hands through his own dark locks.

Winter hummed lightly as she put the legs of the tray down and set it on Harry's bed a small way from him. Quickly, she took the lighter, watching as a small flame lit at the end. She quivered at the sight of the flame, the natural opposition to herself.

She ignored the instinct to put it out and instead raised her shaky hand to the candle and lit it. Harry noticed this odd disposition but was unable to say anything for in the next second the lighter was off and Winter was smiling while motioning to the burning candle.

Harry looked to the candle questionably. He knew there was some sort of tradition with the candle he just could not for the life of him remember what it was.

Winter saw the look on Harry's face, her gut-wrenching when she realized the pirate did not know what to do. She really hated how the Isle had treated her friends.

"You make a wish, but don't tell anyone and then blow it out," Winter said gently as Harry's blue eyes flickered to her.

He nodded, now recalling that was indeed what was supposed to be done.

"Aww," he hummed, putting this hand under his chin in a pondering manner, "Well, in that case,"

Harry mentally wished for the thing he wanted most at the moment, and what he wanted most was not so much of a thing but rather a who. A who that was the girl who was sitting on his bed next to him, the gentle girl of winter.

With that thought in mind, Harry blew out the candle earning cheers from around the room.

"Woohoo!" Gil cheered while Uma grabbed his arm and started forcing him toward the door.

Both had grabbed their backpacks for class, Uma winking at her friend before leaving. She and Gil had given him their gifts last night, a hat from Uma, and a feather from Gil. They would see Harry later; however, but for now, they would leave Winter to it.

Once they were out of the room, Harry wasted no time in digging into the breakfast, moaning at how good it tasted. The bacon was extra-crisp, the sausage juicy, and the waffles fluffier than usual. Not to mention his coffee was just the way he liked it and the orange juice was sweet.

"Aye," Harry said in between bites of his sausage, his eyes keenly watching Winter walk around his room. He truly did love what she was wearing, especially the way the jeans were hugging her legs. "Ya better have eaten already..." Harry pointed his fork at her accusingly.

"This day is not about me, Harry," Harry perked at the name Winter called him, the girl had decided she would call Harry by his preferred name for the day. "It's about you!"

Winter did not call Harry by his full name of Harold to be mean necessarily, she simply found it amusing how much it irritated him to be called by that. Then again, Winter knew firsthand how annoying it could be to have someone call you by your full name when you did not want them to.

However, Winter also had different reasons other than irritation for people at Auradon to not call her by her full name. It was not because she disliked her full name, she just knew that it was a rather odd, especially here in Auradon. Therefore, her reason was more out of embarrassment and shyness than anything.

Harry narrowed his eyes at Winter. "I ain't care, did ya eat?" Winter huffed, crossing her arms. "Don't pout at me, lass,"

"Yes, dad, I ate when I got your food," Winter stressed the name dad sarcastically.

Harry smirked, taking a slow bite of his bacon.

"Oi, I know it's daddy to yeh, baby girl—"

"Oh my God, Harry!" Winter gasped, her face flushing as she turned away from the cheeky pirate who fell into a loud bout of laughter.

He cackled as Winter shook her head, deciding that she could no longer handle this.

"Oi come 'er," Harry called, getting over his laughing.

Winter rolled her eyes but obliged as Harry stabbed a piece of sausage with his fork. Opening her mouth to say something, Winter did not even get a word in as she practically choked on the sausage she was forced fed.

Although, she did need to admit it was pretty dang good sausage. Finally she was able to get her lips around the fork, glaring at Harry who once again snickered while she bit off sausage.

She pulled away chewing, swallowing the meat before her voice came out sarcastically.

"Ha, ha," she shook her head but suddenly remembered what was hiding right under his bed a few inches away from her feet.

In an instant, she reached under Uma's bed and pulled out a wrapped gift. The sight of it caused Harry to stop laughing, his jaw-dropping.

"Wha' the—?" He stuttered. "Has that been there all night?" He was in disbelief. "And I told yeh not to be gettin' me any gift!"

Winter shrugged, walking toward him with the gift outstretched. She knew out of all the places he wouldn't have bothered checking under his own bed. "Yep, Uma hid it there a few days ago and I don't care, I got it for you, so suck it up. Besides it's nothing big..." Winter said, not bothering to mention how Harry had a variety of other gifts waiting for him throughout the day.

Harry grumbled, shaking his head but taking the wrapped present from her anyway. He was at least happy about the fact that it was nothing big or expensive. Actually, scratch the expensive part because Harry did not know what was inside yet.

As much as he loved being spoiled, the fact that Winter was the one showering him in gifts when it should be the other way around really put a damper on Harry's pride. It was easier on the Isle when gifts were practically unheard of.

His eyes lit up when he opened the gift only to find a cool t-shirt waiting inside. Since the mall shopping trip, Harry had grown a love for graphic t-shirts. Before, he would only wear a ragged chained tank top under his redcoat or black rest, but after he had got a few different graphic tees, those were some of his favorites to wear.

This one he had just gotten had a skull with crossbones, something that was right up his alley concerning style. It brought a smile to his face, the pirate easily reaching over and pulling Winter to his side.

"Thank ya, lass," he said in a genuine tone, Winter squealing as she was suddenly forced to his side.

Harry placed a lingering kiss on her temple, intending to wear this new tee along with his hat and feather. He would probably wear one of his new dark jeans and converse with them. As stupid as it sounds (and Harry would never admit it out loud) the converse were more so to match with Winter.

They may have not been a couple (yet) but Harry still made it very clear when they were out together that he had some type of "bro claim" on her. Not to mention, he was always touching her in one way or another, either by putting his arm around her or simply holding her to his side.

Winter, on the other hand, was trying to remind herself to breathe as she was flush up against a shirtless Harry. Literally, Harry Hook had the best body of anyone Winter knew, he was lean but still packed with muscle. Not to mention his serious six-pack of abs that were harder than a freaking rock.

Winter was having a hard time not falling into her innermost desire and feeling up his body. Like seriously, she actually wanted to lick his abs. She was Winterfell Frost for Pete's sake, and Winterfell never wanted to lick anyone's abs.

"You're welcome," Winter squeaked, closing her eyes as Harry buried his head in her neck, inhaling.

"Is something wrong, duckling?" Harry smirked, feeling how rigid she was in his grasp.

He already knew what was the matter, the cheeky bastard.

"Nope, nothing at all, just maybe you should start getting ready," Winter said breathlessly, keeping her eyes firmly shut as Harry pulled away from her neck and stared at her face.

He snickered at how tightly she was closing her eyelids.

"Fer wha'? Class don't start for a while, we have some time to—"

"We're not going to class today," Winter said in a rushed manner causing Harry to pause.

"Really?" He asked in a shocked tone.

"No," Winter shook her head before rambling, "I mean unless you want to, then, of course, we can—"

Harry scoffed, "Of course I ain't want to go to class, I'm just shocked you be the one ditchin' is all..."

Winter shrugged sheepishly, finally opening her eyes and meeting the blue that was Harry's own set of eyes. Their faces were inches apart, noses nearly touching.

"Well, I kind of have a whole day planned for you," Winter admitted causing Harry to sputter, "I just — I want this birthday to be absolutely perfect for you," she expressed, pulling away from Harry's side and fumbling with her fingers nervously.

However, she quickly caught herself and stopped the pointless antics. She breathed, resting her hands calmly on her legs, looking up to meet Harry's shocked face. She was the Ice Princess and princesses don't fumble with their fingers (as much as Winter wanted to).

Harry was marveled. No one — and Harry meant no one — had ever gone out of their way to plan something so incredible for him. Harry never thought he would ever be so lucky, even after the barrier came down he never imagined this was what would await him.

But here she was, this beautiful girl in front of who was making him fall hopelessly in love. Here was Winter Frost, saying she was determined to make him have the perfect day, and yet all Harry needed to have the perfect day was to have her smile at him once.

God, how she had so much power over him in such little time was amazing.

"Lassie," Harry was really trying not to tear up here, he would absolutely not cry — nope, no way, "why are ya so good to me? I'm just some lowlife VK, ya know,"

"Harry Hook, don't you ever say that about yourself. You are way more than just some lowlife VK, now get ready because you are about to have the birthday of your life!" Winter declared firmly, looking to Harry with such an intensity it had him reeling.

"God," Harry breathed, standing from his bed as Winter did the same.

Without warning, he picked Winter up and spun her around before crushing her to his chest. It made Winter gasp as he kissed her cheek.

"Yer too good to me, me little duckling," he rubbed her back, as Winter rested her head over his shoulder.

She was forced to stand on her toes to do this though, the girl biting her lip as she did so. Again, Winter was forced to remind herself to breathe.

Shirtless Harry. Abs. Abs. And more abs. Jesus, what could he do to her? He was so strong and so hot and rugged.

Winter felt hot all of a sudden, something which was more than odd for her. Here was the issue. While she may feel warm internally, on the physical outside the temperature tended to drop the more dramatic her emotions became.

Thankfully, Harry did not notice the drop in the temperature as it was not too dramatic.

With that, they pulled away from the hug, still standing within close vicinity of each other. Immediately, Harry's eyes flickered down to her lips, Winter shrinking at the look in his eye. She momentarily looked at his own pair of full lips, imagining just how skilled that mouth of his was.

She envisioned that Harry was able to do sinfully amazing things with his mouth, his tongue, in particular, being rather talented. It made chills spiral down her spine.

Why was the image of Harry licking his lips playing on replay in her mind? What the hell, get yourself together Winter!

Winter quickly looked away from Harry, cutting off any potential intentions of kissing. The closest they had got to kissing was when he covered her neck in love bites a few weeks back. Nothing like that had happened since, but the memory was still heavily imprinted on Winter's mind.

She could still feel the flutter of that talented mouth on her neck.

As though sensing what she was thinking about, Harry smirked while gazing at her neck in an almost suggestive manner. Before he could act on his own impulse, Harry spun on his heel and walked to the bathroom.

"I'll be out in a few minutes, dearie," Harry hummed before whistling and closing the door with a wink.

Winter huffed, walking over to the couch and falling back on it. She threw her arm over her eyes, shaking her head. What was this pirate doing to her?

Crumbling her from the inside out, that's what.

It was a short ten minutes later when the bathroom door opened. Winter was casually splayed across the couch, reading a news article off of her phone. Apparently, Charmington had just been hit with a bad pandemic of the influenza.

It was nothing to worry about, more so an annoyance than anything.

"Oi, ya want to see me in me birthday suit?" Harry questioned in an innocent tone causing Winter furrow her brows in confusion.

She put her phone down, mouthing the words 'birthday suit' to herself. She had no clue what a "birthday suit" was. Perhaps it was one a nice suit of sorts meant to be worn on a birthday. Winter did not know but she was quite curious, so she sat up and turned toward the bathroom.

"Sure—What? AH! Oh my god!" Winter yelped when she was greeted with the sight of a very naked Harry leaning casually against the bathroom doorframe.

His towel was strewn across his shoulder, his muscular body on full display. Winter stared at an area that definitely was supposed to be covered, abs that led to dark hair leading down in a solid v-shape before presenting something Winter had never actually seen in real life.

Actually, no, because over the summer Winter had seen two naked guys that came in the form of her cousin and Alexar. She still remembered when she walked in on the two banging and was invited to join by her cousin's boyfriend, Alexar, who at the time did not realize Winter was Soren's cousin.

Winter briefly wondered if Soren had told Kristoff and Anna about Alexar yet.

However, back to the topic at hand, Winter was currently gaping at Harry's not-so-little friend. She really was not sure what was average and was not, but if she had to guess, the pirate in front of her could be described as a bit larger than normal.

After seconds of being speechless, her eyes comically wide and jaw nearly touching the ground — she took notice of the Chesire smile on Harry's lips.

When she realized just what she was doing, Winter screeched and covered her eyes before falling back onto the couch.

"Harry! Cover that up, what is wrong with you?"

"On the contrary, duckling," Harry sounded more than amused, "ye seemed to be rather content admiring me. Would ya like a picture?"

"Harry!"

Harry laughed, slowly walking to his dresser. Harry had to remind himself to stay calm, as much as the thought of Winter staring at him naked wanted to give him a boner — he knew that she was definitely not ready for something like that.

Not only had they never even kissed before but Harry was positive she was still a virgin considering she had only had her first kiss not even two weeks ago.

He scowled at the thought of Jay stealing her first kiss. He and Jay may have been on better terms now, but the pirate was still upset with the rotten thief.

He pulled out some boxers putting them on before calling to Winter over his shoulder.

"I ain't naked anymore," he laughed as Winter hesitantly peeked through her fingers, only to see Harry's back facing her as he tugged on some black slim jeans.

She watched in silence, fully aware of Harry's amusement. His jeans hung low on his waist but seemed to hug him all the same. He whistled while grabbing his new graphic tee and putting it on, Winter silently admiring the way it looked on him.

She was right when she picked it out, he looked hella hot in it.

Walking to the bathroom, Winter watched quietly as Harry ran his hands through his hair and messed with it until it was in its usual messy style. She also watched as he applied his usual ring of eyeliner, though he did not put it on quite as thick as usual.

"So, ya done ogling me?" Harry asked as he came back into the bedroom, and grabbed one of his new pairs of converse that he had yet to wear.

Winter got them for him at the mall, they were nothing special — just a pair of all-black low converse. He had yet to wear them, but he figured now was as good of a day as any.

Winter's heart stopped as Harry turned to face her, his normal pirate look gone and replaced by a dark punkish grunge style. It suited Harry hardcore and Winter found herself sucking in drool.

Of course, she would fall for the tall, dark, and handsome type... literally.

"Shut up," Winter shook her head as Harry snickered and walked to his plate of breakfast before shoving the last piece of his waffle in his mouth.

He hummed while licking his fingers after, taking no note to how Winter bent down and reached under the couch. Harry only saw her when he turned around, raising his brows at her rear which was high in the air as she searched under his couch.

"While I ain't complaining about the view," Harry tilted his head, checking out her rear with no shame, "I must ask what in hell ye be doin'?"

Winter flushed as she came back from under the couch with yet another wrapped gift, this one smaller but more solid than the last one. She noticed Harry checking out her butt and quickly stood up while tuning so her front was facing him.

Harry smirked, but it turned into a scowl when he saw the gift in her hands.

"Oi, ya did not get me another present,"

"Ha, but I did, and you need to accept it because I already bought it," Winter skipped over laughing and handed it to Harry.

He huffed while taking the gift, his eyes narrowing at her.

"I told ye not to be gettin' me all these here presents. I mean, ye be spoilin' me rotten, and trust me, I already be rotten enough," Harry said, but unwrapped the gift nonetheless.

He gasped when the box of a video game was revealed, this game being Hitman Strike, a video game that had come out a little over three weeks ago and was already very popular. Apparently, Harry and Gil had both been wanting this game since they heard about it as many of the other guys in class had already bought it.

More than that, the game was simply one that the two would enjoy playing. However, seeing as they did not have much wealth at all, it was not something they could afford to spend the money on.

Winter remembered him ranting to her about it one day in the halls.

Harry held onto the game tightly, feeling ready to pass out from happiness. His pride melted away as he jumped in excitement, hollering in glee.

"Oi, ya justs about done it now, lass," Winter yelled as Harry once again wrapped her in his arms, spinning her wildly and peppering her faces with dozens of kisses.

"Ah, Harry," Winter laughed as Harry continued his onslaught before releasing her and looking to the video game longingly.

"I ain't know how teh thank you, duckling," he said in a soft tone, something not at all like him.

Winter shrugged with a smile. His happiness was thanks enough.

"Uhm, you don't, it's your birthday, Harry," Winter rested her hands behind her back, nudging her head in the direction of his television and game console. "Now, I know you're dying to play it, so go ahead,"

"I thought ye had a whole birthday plan?" Harry crossed his arms, tilting his head looking adorably confused.

He was not complaining because playing this new game certainly sounded like the best day ever, but he was curious.

Winter smiled, "This is part of the plan, I figured you would want to play the game for a little bit, so it's all part of the plan!"

Harry shook his head, leaning down and placing another kiss on her cheek before racing toward the game console and beginning to set the game up. Wordlessly, Winter sat next to Harry on the couch, already going over everything that was to take place that day.

It had to be perfect.