======Birthdays======
=====Overview and Significance=====
A birthday is the annual celebration of the day a [[witch]] or [[wizard]] was born. In the [[Wizarding World]], birthdays are marked with customs similar to those in the [[Muggle]] world, including parties, cakes, and the giving of gifts. The most significant birthday for a young [[witch]] or [[wizard]] in [[Great Britain]] is their seventeenth, as this is when they legally come of age. Upon turning seventeen, they are permitted to use [[magic]] outside of [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] and are eligible to obtain a license for [[Apparition]].
=====Traditions and Customs=====
Birthday celebrations range from small, private affairs to larger parties.
  * **Gifts:** It is customary to give presents. Gifts can range from simple items like [[sweets]] and books to more elaborate magical objects. [[Harry Potter]]'s birthdays are notable as he rarely received proper presents or acknowledgement before entering the [[Wizarding World]].
  * **Cakes:** Birthday cakes, often magically enhanced, are a common feature. [[Rubeus Hagrid]] famously brought [[Harry Potter]] a slightly squashed, sticky chocolate cake for his eleventh birthday, the first one he had ever received. [[Molly Weasley]] is also known for baking impressive cakes for her children and for Harry.
  * **Parties:** Celebrations can be held at home, such as at [[The Burrow]]. [[Harry Potter]]'s seventeenth birthday party was a significant event, although it was overshadowed by the looming threat of [[Lord Voldemort]] and was ultimately cut short by an attack from [[Death Eater]]s.
  * **Howlers:** In a less common and unpleasant tradition, [[Neville Longbottom]] once received a [[Howler]] from his grandmother after she learned he had lost the list of passwords to [[Gryffindor Tower]], an event occurring around the time of his birthday.
=====Notable Birthdays in the Series=====
Several birthdays are pivotal to the plot of the series, particularly those of [[Harry Potter]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Eleventh Birthday (31 July 1991):** This is arguably the most important birthday in the series. [[Rubeus Hagrid]] finds Harry at the [[Hut-on-the-Rock]], tells him he is a [[wizard]], and gives him his [[Hogwarts]] letter. This event marks Harry's entry into the [[Wizarding World]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Twelfth Birthday (31 July 1992):** [[Dobby]] the [[house-elf]] visits Harry in his room at [[Number Four, Privet Drive]], leading to a disastrous pudding incident. Harry is subsequently locked in his room by the [[Dursleys]]. He is later rescued by [[Ron Weasley]], [[Fred Weasley]], and [[George Weasley]] in their father's [[Enchanted Ford Anglia]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Thirteenth Birthday (31 July 1993):** For the first time, Harry receives birthday cards and presents from his friends in the [[Wizarding World]], including a [[Pocket Sneakoscope]] from [[Ron]], a [[Broomstick Servicing Kit]] from [[Hermione Granger]], and a copy of //The Monster Book of Monsters// from [[Hagrid]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Fourteenth Birthday (31 July 1994):** Harry receives four birthday cakes from [[Ron]], [[Hermione]], [[Hagrid]], and [[Sirius Black]]. His birthday occurs while he is staying at [[The Burrow]] before the [[Quidditch World Cup]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Sixteenth Birthday (31 July 1996):** Harry celebrates his birthday at [[The Burrow]] with the [[Weasley]] family and guests [[Remus Lupin]] and [[Nymphadora Tonks]]. The mood is somber due to the ongoing [[Second Wizarding War]].
  * **[[Harry Potter]]'s Seventeenth Birthday (31 July 1997):** A crucial day. The [[Order of the Phoenix]]'s protection over Harry at the [[Dursleys]]' home expires. The "[[Seven Potters]]" plan is executed just before midnight. A small party is held at [[The Burrow]] on his birthday, during which the [[Minister for Magic]], [[Rufus Scrimgeour]], visits to deliver the contents of [[Albus Dumbledore]]'s will. The party is interrupted by an attack from [[Death Eater]]s during [[Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s wedding reception later that evening.
  * **[[Neville Longbottom]]'s Birthday (30 July):** Neville was born one day before Harry. According to the [[Prophecy]] made by [[Sybill Trelawney]], he was the other boy to whom it could have referred, as his parents had also thrice defied [[Lord Voldemort]].
  * **[[Tom Riddle]]'s Birthday (31 December):** [[Lord Voldemort]]'s birthday falls on New Year's Eve. [[Albus Dumbledore]] notes that he was conceived under the influence of a [[Love Potion]], and thus was incapable of understanding [[love]].
  * **[[Dudley Dursley]]'s Eleventh Birthday (23 June 1991):** While not a wizard's birthday, it is significant because the family trip to the zoo for his birthday is where Harry first discovers he can speak [[Parseltongue]] by communicating with a [[Boa Constrictor]].
=====Related Concepts=====
  * **Deathday:** A [[Ghost]]'s "deathday" is the anniversary of the day they died. [[Nearly Headless Nick]] celebrates his 500th Deathday with a large party in the [[Dungeons]] of [[Hogwarts]] on [[Hallowe'en]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * J.K. Rowling shares her birthday with her most famous character, [[Harry Potter]]. Both were born on 31 July. (J.K. Rowling interview)
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//, [[Hagrid]]'s cake for Harry is famously misspelled as "Happee Birthdae Harry." (film)
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//, Harry's birthday cake at [[The Burrow]] is shaped like a [[Golden Snitch]]. (film)