Title: June Twenty-Fourth
Characters: Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, Albus Potter
Rating: PG
Word count 250
Summary: Albus' birthdays have a special meaning to Harry.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: My submission for sortinghatdrabs at LJ. Edited a little.


JUNE TWENTY-FOURTH

Albus was standing at the long table, stealing glances at all the colourful presents in front of him with a small smile. Harry's gaze left Albus, landing on Hermione, who was ushering everyone towards to their seats. Harry couldn't see little Hugo anywhere, and wondered if Mrs. Weasley was taking care of him again.

"It's time for Albus to open his presents!" Ginny said cheerfully from beside him. She was holding a sleeping Lily in her arms, and Harry smiled at the sight.

Harry watched them sing the Happy Birthday song, recalling a conversation he'd had with Hermione on Albus' first birthday. That had been exactly two years ago, on June twenty-fourth.

"I don't like this day, June twenty-fourth," Hermione had said. Harry suspected she might be tipsy.

"Why?" Harry asked.

She looked at him with an unreadable expression. "That was the day Pettigrew resurrected Voldemort."

To this day, Harry didn't associate June twenty-fourth with Voldemort's resurrection or the man himself. Cedric Diggory was the one on Harry's mind on Albus' birthdays. Harry thought about Cedric's stolen life when Albus was cutting the snitch-shaped cake with Ginny's help. He thought about Cedric's friendly smiles when an excited Albus opened all his presents. He thought about Cedric's ruined future when everyone said goodbye and when he tucked his son into bed.

Albus' birthdays were becoming less about Albus and more about Cedric. He reminded Harry of Cedric, and as a result, Harry thought about Cedric a lot.

End


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