Chapter Three
Birthday Wishes
The date was July 31, 1981. The Potter's house was buzzing with excitement and joy. For today was their Son's first birthday. Everything needed to be perfect. Harry sat on the living room floor clutching his new favorite stuffed animal dragon. The wings of the miniature sized beast fluttered up and down, tickling the boy's chin. He glanced up just in time to see the front door open and his father come in carrying two paper bags.
"Hey, there's the birthday boy. James placed the bags on the coffee table before kneeling down in front of Harry. What is this? James reached out stroking the dragon's head. Did you open up one of your gifts already? I thought I hid them all."
"I gave it to him. Lily entered the room. She was dressed in a new dark purple dress. A lacy black sweater covered her shoulders. I couldn't wait another minute to give it to him."
James smiled. He stood up once more and walked slowly over to her. "You look amazing." His fingers ran through her long fiery red hair. Their lips locked together while all four hands swirled in different directions. It had been a long time since either of them felt this good. However, now was not the time. There was still decoration to put up, and a meal to prepare. All of this had to be completed by five.
"James, we can't! Not right now."
"You know how fast I can be. Just give me five minutes." James's hand was unzipping her dress, while the other grazed against her chest.
"James! Our son is watching." This was true. Harry abandoned the stuffed dragon and crawled over by his parent's feet. A tiny hand clutched the bottom of his father's jeans.
"Okay, two minutes!" James teased.
Lily blushed but she picked Harry up and began kissing each of his cheeks. "I know you are fast, but two minutes?"
"Isn't that all it took for this little guy?"
Lily nudged him playfully. "You are a child! Now Harry needs a bath and I'm going to get started on dinner. Remus said he'd be over by four.
"Alright fine, be mean! But I'll be thinking about what we could have been doing." James took Harry up the steps for a bath. Lily zipped her dress back up and entered the kitchen once more.
Two hours later the house was surrounded by different colored balloons. A smell of meatloaf and fresh steamed vegetables was thick in the air. While a clean and dressed Harry sat on the couch. A green party hat with confetti drawn on it was perched on top of his head. Something exciting was going to take place but what it was, Harry was unsure. His mother ran back and forth in the kitchen, setting the table, and looking at her appearance in a near by mirror. The clock had just chimed four thirty when there was a knock at the front door. Harry crawled off the sofa making his way behind it to hide.
"James, the door!" There was no reply though from her husband. Lily groaned in frustration as she walked to the front door. On the other side of the door stood two men. The one on the right had short blond hair and wore faded grey paints with a heavy sweater that seemed too big for him. The man on the left was the exact opposite. He was tall and lean with long black stylish hair. A brown polo shirt was paired with ripped denim jeans.
"Sirius, Remus, I'm so glad you both are here."
"Why wouldn't I come, after all he is my godson!"
"That's a very nice dress Lily." Remus smiled awkwardly.
"Thank you Remus. Come in." Both boys entered the comfortable clean house.
"I brought beer!" Sirius pulled a bottle out of the bag he carried showing Lily.
"To a one year olds birthday party?" Lily glared at him.
"Not for Harry, for everyone else in the room that is not one year old."
"So I guess that means you can't have one mate!" James was coming down the steps, still in the process of buttoning his white shirt.
Sirius smiled. He reached a hand out to James who slapped it on queue. "So where is the little guy?" Sirius asked looking around the room unable to see him.
"He was sitting on the couch playing last time I checked. Lily faced the couch but no one was there. James! Where is he?"
He shrugged in confusion, which did not help the situation. None of them had to look very far before Harry's head poked out from behind the sofa. The four adults started to chuckle. Harry watched each of their expressions. Once he was sure he was not in trouble, a smile formed on Harry's face.
"Harry, get your little ars over here, and say hi to your godfather." Sirius laughed and stretched both arms out wating for Harry.
"Can he walk yet, Lily?" Remus asked.
Oh he's able to but usually crawls instead."
Harry's eyes widened and stayed focused on Sirius. He used the edge of the couch as a support to pull himself up on his two feet. With two quivering legs, Harry walked slowly over to Sirius's open arms. A round of applause broke out for Harry's performance. Sirius grabbed Harry lifting him high in the air and making him fly. "Happy birthday Harry!" Sirius rubbed his nose against Harry's.
"Now don't hog him, Sirius!" Remus took Harry from Sirius hugging him tightly. After being passed around twice to each person and getting smothered with wet kisses, the evening continued. Dinner went on with out a single problem. The four friends caught up with life events and Lily shared some of the adorable things Harry did all week. Tea and birthday cake was eaten in the living room while Harry opened gifts. Stacks of new toys, clothes, and boxes were thrown around the room. But by far the best gift was a toy broomstick Sirius had given. A perfect size for young Harry and it even hovered in the air a couple feet. Lily disproved but James would not let Sirius take it back. Harry zoomed around the room with some guidance. He laughed and giggled the entire time. The broom had only been out for a half hour when it nearly broke. After Harry had a turn, Sirius and James decided to see if they could ride it. Of course it was impossible seeing as they were too big.
As the two immature men continued to play with the toy broom stick, Lily and Remus were in the kitchen cleaning up. With the help from her wand, Lily washed each plate and Remus stood behind her waiting to dry. The day had been perfect just as she had hoped. Harry got spoiled with gifts from each of the Potter's friends, even Peter who could not make it but sent his gift with Sirius. But more importantly, she and James managed to not argue once with each other. It had been her biggest concern not to make a scene in front of their guests. Ever since Snape came over late one night, their arguments have been more.
"Is everything alright Lily?" Remus asked studying her closely.
"Everything is great, why do you ask?"
"I don't know. You just don't seem like yourself today. I thought maybe there was something on your mind." Remus finished drying another dish and added it to the pile on the counter.
"Well, nothing gets by you does it Remus?" She turned around quickly a smile on her face.
Remus could smell her sweet perfume. She stood dangerously close to him. Her sparkly eyes seemed to look right through him. Remus could feel his heart pound underneath his sweater. "So do you want to talk?" He tried with all his might to stair directly at her face and no where else. With out any sounds, she simply nodded her head slowly. He took her small delicate hand and walked out on to the back porch. The air was hot and sticky. Up in the sky the sun was only just starting to lower giving the sky some extra color. Remus stood uncomfortably waiting for her to start the conversation.
"Can I trust you with a secret? The words came out fast and Remus stood frozen wondering what his response would be. He vaguely heard himself mumble a yes before Lily went on. About a year ago I got an unexpected visit from Severus Snape."
That name, that retched name! Why did it come up so often? "Snape? Why, what did he want?"
"I'm not sure. I didn't give him enough time to tell me, and now I regret it. Who knows what he wanted? But what if he was in trouble, what if he just needed to talk?" Lily blurted out.
"Then I'd say he lost that privilege a long time ago! Lily, the man is on the dark side now. He can't be trusted."
"Oh, you sound like James and Sirius! Has it been proven?"
"Dumbledore believes it and that is saying something."
"That old man!" Lily waved a hand as if pushing the name aside.
"The both of you are not teenagers anymore Lily. Severus Snape went bad. It's not safe for you to talk with him."
"Remus, I know you are right, but I'm concerned."
"You have more pressing matters to be concerned about Lily, let Snape figure his own mess out."
"I know but what if…" She was cut off though.
"Lily, don't worry about him okay. You have a life now. A fantastic life with James, my best friend. Not to mention Harry."
"You're right. You are absolutely right. It's time to let go of the past and move on, right?"
Right." Remus agreed but didn't sound so confident in his answer.
"Thanks Remus!" Lily put her arms around Remus tightly. He enjoyed the warmth from her body and smell in her thick hair. As their embrace continued, James came out looking for them.
"Lily, I just wanted to know where…" He stopped dead when he saw them.
"James! You scared me." Both had jumped apart.
"What's going on?" James glared at Remus.
"We were just talking." Remus told him.
"Well, it's getting late Remus, you should probably get going." Lily suggested.
"Yes, I expect I should." Remus cautiously walked past James. However he did not make it out of the entire house safely. James was on his tale with Lily following right on his heel.
"Oh James please stop! Nothing happened; you are getting the wrong idea." She shouted after her husband. They all met up in the living room where Sirius sat comfortably on the sofa, Harry in his lap.
"We wondered where everyone went." Sirius bounced Harry on his knee while staring at each of his friends.
"Moony! Don't leave quite yet!" James barked. Remus stopped dead in his tracks as he was told.
"I was just comforting her, honestly since when have I given you a reason not to trust me."
"There have been moments!" James yelled.
"This is ridiculous! Lily began, James we were talking like two old friends and Remus saw that I was upset so we hugged. That's all!"
"What did I miss?" Sirius asked looking between James and Remus.
"Then what were you two talking about?" James persisted.
"Since when are you the jealous type?" asked Lily.
Harry began to fidget in Sirius's lap. The fighting from all corners was getting loud and out of hand. But Sirius paid little attention to Harry's discomfort. He was intrigued.
"It's not my place to say. Remus spoke bravely. She never said I could tell you."
"We talked about Severus, okay, are you happy. Nothing can remain a private conversation with any of us."
"Oh Merlin, did that jack ass come over here again?" James cursed.
"What do you mean again? Asked Sirius feeling completely lost. You are still seeing him?" He said angrily.
"I am not seeing him Sirius! Besides this is nobodies business." As the fight went on, Harry slid off Sirius's lap walking away from the screaming. He found his toy broom stick and drug it out of the room with him. With the back door open it was a perfect time for an escape. His curiosity pulled him straight out the door and onto the porch. The world was huge. So many sights, smells, and places to explore. With his broom, he believed it would take him anywhere, and anywhere sounded better than here. The party hat fell off his head and rolled under a near by chair. An excellent day for flying if only he remembered how the toy worked.
Inside was still the same no changes had occurred. Sirius was up and standing right in the middle of a fight that had nothing to do with Remus and Lily hugging, but a much deeper story no one new. "WAIT! Lily screamed, her hands flying up in the air. Sirius where is Harry?"
"What? I don't know, he was sitting on my lap and then I…oops."
"Oops! You did not just say that! Why weren't you watching him?" Lily was frantic. She felt terrible. Her perfect day was ruined and now Harry was missing.
"Well, he's not mine son! You shouldn't trust me with kids." Sirius hissed.
"The back door is still open." Remus pointed out.
"My baby!" Lily ran followed by Remus, James, and then Sirius.
