Answer: It is midnight when the story opens. Harry is lying quietly on his bed, trying to write an essay about witch-burning for his Hogwarts classes without waking up his aunt, uncle, and cousin, all of whom would be horrified to know that he was engaged in any form of magic while in their house. Harry realizes that it is now one o'clock, an hour past his thirteenth birthday. Since the Dursleys have never celebrated his birthday, Harry does not consider this event remarkable. Harry reminisces about his parents' death at the hands of Lord Voldemort, and on his own encounter with Voldemort the previous spring at Hogwarts. Harry feels relieved to have lived to see his thirteenth birthday.
Harry notices an odd flapping thing coming toward his window, and he soon sees that it is three owls, his own loyal, snowy Hedwig, a second unfamiliar owl, and held up by the first two, Errol, his friend Ron Weasley's feeble family owl. The owls deliver birthday cards and gifts from Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid, his three closest friends. From Ron, Harry receives a pocket Sneakoscope and a letter describing a family trip to Egypt. From Hermione, he receives a Broomstick Servicing Kit (which Harry greatly appreciates, since his favorite sport, Quidditch, is played on broomstick). From Hagrid, he receives a schoolbook entitled "The Monster Book of Monsters." Lastly, Harry receives a letter from Hogwarts requesting forms from guardians allowing the students to venture into the wizard village of Hogsmeade; Harry knows that he will not be able to persuade his uncle or aunt to sign the form. Nevertheless, Harry glances again at his cards and falls asleep that night feeling, for the first time ever, that his birthday was a special occasion.
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