Harry tiptoed quietly down the hallway of Sablewood House towards his Papa's bedroom. He knew it was early, probably earlier than he should have been up, but it was light out now and it was his birthday, so he didn't think Papa would mind being woken up. He had thought about waking up Uncle Moony up first. He was much more cheerful in the morning than Papa was, but Uncle Moony had been feeling sick and Harry had been told to let him rest yesterday, so he thought that he probably should today as well.
Carefully opening his father's bedroom door, he peeked in, giggling at the sprawled, lightly snoring form which was laying almost sideways across the bed. Harry frowned for a moment, trying to decide the best way to wake his father up. Smiling mischievously, he quietly shut the bedroom door, then ran across the room and jumped up onto the bed.
"Papa! Papa wake up!" he said gleefully as he pounced on his father's sleeping form. Sirius' eyes snapped open and he almost fell off of the bed as he was jolted from slumber by his son.
"Harry? What's wrong? What time is it?" he asked blearily, tiredly rubbing his eyes. That was one thing that Sirius had discovered since he started raising Harry, sleep was a precious and rare commodity.
"Nothing's wrong Papa. Guess what today is?" Harry said happily, snuggling down with his Papa now that he knew he had succeeded in waking him.
"Ummm... National Fizzing Whizbee Day?" Sirius said, trying to hide his smile.
"No Papa," Harry said rolling his eyes. Sometimes his Papa was so weird.
"No? Hmmmm... I know it's International Waffle Day," Sirius said. Harry sat up and put his hands on his hips glaring down at his father.
"Papa!" Harry said, frowning. Sirius smacked himself in the forehead.
"Of course... How could I have forgotten! It's Tickle Your Son Until He gives Up Day!" Sirius said, grabbing Harry and tickling him breathless.
"Papa! Papa stop!" Harry giggled. "It's not Tickle Day! It's my birfday!"
"Your birthday?" Sirius said feigning shock. Harry nodded vigorously.
"Mmhmm. I'm dis many now," Harry said holding up two fingers.
"Really? My goodness this is a special day then isn't it?" Sirius said with a smile playing about his mouth.
"Uh-huh. I get to have a party today. Uncle Moony is gonna be dere and Aunt Andy and Uncle Ted and Dora and Aunt Alice and Neville and his Gwan and Ronnie and his bwothers and Baby Ginny and Mrs. Molwy and Mr. Arthur and 'Fessor Dumbledore and 'Fessor Minnie and Hagwid. It's gonna be the mostest fun ever!" Harry said almost bouncing in excitement.
"That does sound like fun, Pup. What about me? Do I get to come?" Sirius questioned. Harry rolled his eyes,
"Papa! Of course you gonna be dere. You're my Papa," Harry said.
"Thank you Pup," Sirius said, placing a gentle kiss on the top of Harry's messy head.
"Welcome Papa," Harry said smiling and hugging his father.
"Well if we're going to have the mostest fun party ever, we had better get some breakfast so we can start getting ready. How does pancakes sound?' Sirius said standing up and stretching. Harry gave him a dubious look.
"Aunt Andy says you're not 'sposed to cook. It's a rule," Harry said seriously.
"Aunt Andy is silly and I'm hungry. We can put chocolate chips in them and whipped cream on top," Sirius said. He scooped Harry up, not bothering to throw a shirt on. He no longer slept completely in the nude as he did before James and Lily died, however, he seldom bothered with more than a pair of pajama pants.
"Can we have bwueberries too?" Harry asked.
"Of course you can, Pup. It's your birthday," Sirius said.
By the time Remus stumbled down the stairs thirty minutes later, having been awoken by the smell of tea brewing and pancakes and bacon cooking, Harry was sitting happily in his booster seat eating. Remus went over and ruffled his already messy head.
"How's the birthday boy today?" he asked, grabbing a cup and pouring himself some tea.
"I'm good. Papa maded pancakes with bwueberries and chocwate and cream. Dey're weally good! Are you feeling better today, Uncle Moony?" Harry asked, eyeing his uncle carefully. Uncle Moony told the best stories and Harry would be very sad if something bad happened to him.
"Yes I am Harry. Thank you for asking. Your Papa has been cooking again hmm? Andy is not going to be pleased with you, Pads. You know she banned you from the kitchen after you managed to get spaghetti on the ceiling the other day," Remus said, sitting down next to Harry. "Although if those taste as good as they smell, I'll clean up and she'll never know the difference."
"Why is it both you and Harry seem to think that Andromeda has a say in what I do in my kitchen?" Sirius said, sliding a stack of pancakes in front of his friend. Remus grinned in answer before taking a bite.
"Because Harry and I both have a healthy fear of your cousin," Remus said taking a bigger bite. Merlin Sirius, these are actually good."
"I've been telling you that I know how to cook. I couldn't exactly have a lady friend over for dinner if I couldn't cook," Sirius said rather huffily. Remus raised an eyebrow at his fellow Marauder.
"You made women pancakes for dinner Pads? That's a rather unique way of romancing them," he said. Sirius chuckled.
"I made them fettuccini alfredo or shrimp scampi for dinner. I made them pancakes for breakfast the next morning," Sirius said grinning wolfishly. Remus rolled his eyes.
"So you know how to cook three things?" he asked.
"Four actually. I make a fantastic omelet. Either way, that's all I needed, Moony," Sirius replied. "Honestly, the women didn't spend a lot of time worrying about my talents in the kitchen."
"And here I thought you were becoming somewhat civilized Sirius and then you make a comment like that," Remus said.
"Papa's not symbalized Uncle Moony. He's a 'Mawauder," Harry said. "And Papa why do you want to have a lady over for dinner? They just make you eat you veggies, and dey are icky." His papa laughed his deep, barking laugh and ruffled Harry's hair before sitting down next to him and taking a bite of his own breakfast.
"You'll understand someday Pup. In fact someday..." Sirius began, only to be interrupted by the chime on the floo sounding.
"Little early for a social call isn't it?" Remus asked. Sirius grimaced.
"I swear to Merlin, if that's the auror office I'm giving Moody my resignation. He knows today is Harry's birthday," Sirius growled. He quickly mumbled the password to allow whoever was calling through. The disembodied head of Alice Longbottom appeared in the kitchen fireplace.
"Oh good you're up," she said. "Listen, I know it's sort of early, but do you mind if Neville and I come on over? We can help get ready for the party."
"You know you're always welcome Alice," Sirius said. Alice smiled in relief.
"Great. we'll be right there," she said. Her head disappeared from the fire only to be replaced a few minutes later by the spinning form of Alice herself with Neville held tightly in her arms.
"I'm really sorry for calling so early Sirius," she said stepping from the fire. "But I could not deal with that woman one more sec.."
Alice's speech was abruptly cut off as she tripped coming out of the fireplace. Sirius quickly reached out and caught her and Neville. Alice's eyes widened first in shock and then in embarrassment.
"I... um.. Merlin... I guess I did get here early," she murmured blushing as she took in the expanse of bare chest at her eye level.
"What?" Sirius said frowning, quickly stepping back as he realized what she was talking about. "Oh... oh... yes... well... I wasn't expecting anyone this early. I'll just go make myself more umm... clothed. I'll be right back."
Remus quickly hid a smirk behind his tea cup as Sirius beat a hasty retreat upstairs to his room and a still blushing Alice did her best to pretend that she wasn't watching him go. Sirius may not admit it to himself, and Alice was certainly not ready to rush into a relationship yet, but Remus couldn't help but sense the mutual interest the two had in each other, acknowledged or not.
"Uncle Moony may I pwease be scused so me an Neville can go pway. Pweeeease?" Harry asked.
"So Neville and I can go play Harry, and yes you may," Remus said, rising and quickly cleaning off the sticky child. Harry hugged his Uncle and scampered down from the table, grabbing Neville's hand.
"'C'mon Neville. I got new dwagons up in my woom. Let's go!" Harry said quickly dragging his friend from the room. Remus shook his head watching the two of them leave with a smile on his face.
"Would you like some breakfast Alice?" Remus offered politely. Alice shook her head and sat down in the chair Sirius had vacated when she had floo'd.
"Oh we ate before we left, though I wouldn't say no to some tea. Merlin knows I need it after having breakfast with Augusta. Which, incidentally, is the reason why I felt the need to come over so early. I know she loves Neville and she's only trying to help, but she's driving me completely mad. She was off on a tangent this morning because she is worried that Neville is a squib. Honestly, he's only two! What does she expect him to do turn a teacup into a toadstool?" Alice said, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"Hasn't he done any accidental magic yet?" Remus asked frowning slightly as prepared a strong cup of tea for her.
"He did a few little things before Frank... died, but he hasn't so much as floated a block since then," Alice said. She took the tea from Remus and sighed. "I'm worried about him."
"I'm sure it's an emotional time for both of you, Alice. Give him some time and don't push him. He'll be fine," Remus said comfortingly, reaching out and patting her hand.
"You always have known how to make people feel better Remus. Thank you," Alice said smiling across the table at him.
"Anytime Alice. I'm always here for my friends," Remus said returning her smile. "So... how have you been Alice?"
"I..."Alice began, looking down at her tea as her eyes began to tear up. "It's been hard. I miss him so much and sometimes I almost forget he's gone. I expect him to come striding through the door and scoop up Neville and laugh that quiet laugh of his."
"It must be incredibly hard," Remus said. Alice gave a jerky nod.
"I keep telling myself that it will get easier, and that I have to keep going... to move on. We promised each other that, you know. When the war was at its worst and things were looking so hopeless and we found out about You-Know-Who being after Harry and Neville, that if one of us should... not make it, the other wouldn't wallow that we would go on and live and be happy. I don't know what I would've done without Sirius to take my mind off of things... and Augusta too she has helped so much. I still wake up at night though reaching for Frank and he's not there," she said her voice thick with the emotion she was trying to repress.
"I'm so very sorry," Remus said, taking her hand once more as Sirius strode into the kitchen.
"Everything ok?" he asked, taking in the sight of Alice's watery eyes and Remus' concerned expression. Alice nodded, quickly wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"It's just been a difficult morning. I'm sure it's nothing this cup of tea won't fix," she said taking a drink of the hot liquid.
"Somehow I'm not sure I believe that Ali. Augusta means well, but she's driving you batty. I know you want Neville to be around his family, but I still think that the two of you need to get your own place," Sirius said. "You need a fresh start."
"I'm starting to think you're right Sirius. I just hate to leave her alone. Neville and I are all she has," Alice said, absentmindedly picking up a fork and taking a bite off of the plate of pancakes which Sirius had left on the table earlier when she had called. Her eyes widened.
"Oh my Wizard God! These pancakes are fabulous," she said, taking a second bite.
"Now you've done it. Sirius' ego did not further boosting Alice. He already considers himself a master chef and he can only cook four things," Remus said.
"Sirius cooked these?" Alice said, feigning shock. "You better hope Andy doesn't find out you've been cooking in here Sirius."
"Honestly... What is with everyone? It is my bloody kitchen! I can cook in it if I want to," Sirius said, throwing his hands up in frustration.
"Uncle Moony! Papa said a naughty word!" Harry said.
"Gwan says we don't say dat," Neville lisped, his little face serious.
"You gotta give Uncle Moony another knut for da jar Papa," Harry added, shaking his head sadly.
The adults had failed to notice the two young boys re-enter the kitchen, each carrying a stuffed dragon. Remus had to hide behind his tea cup once again to keep from laughing at his friend.
"Harry is right Pads," he said once he was under control again. " That's another knut in the swear jar."
"I give up! "Sirius sighed as he tossed Remus a knut. "Obviously, I have lost all control of my life and, apparently, my kitchen."
"Admitting it is the first step in accepting it Sirius dear," Alice said impishly. Remus didn't even bother to try to control his laughter at his friend's expense this time.
"Thanks for the support Moony," Sirius said sourly.
"Anytime Padfoot," Remus said cheerfully, raising his teacup in a silent toast.
"Aww... Poor Sirius. We've picked on you too much this morning haven't we?" Alice said. "How about if I take Neville and Harry up to Harry's room and get them ready for the party? You and Remus can clean-up and start decorating."
The three adults quickly set to work. Alice took Harry and Neville upstairs and gave Harry a bath and changed them both into the outfits they would wear for the party. She'd shrunken Neville's and had brought it over in her pocket. Meanwhile, Remus and Sirius had made short work of the kitchen and had gone outside to set the garden up for the party. They were just putting up the last of the tables when Alice and the boys joined them.
"Tada!," Sirius said. "How's it look?"
"Very nicely done gentleman, although, the dragon is crooked," Alice said, pointing at the paper dragon which Sirius had enchanted to fly in circles over the cake table.
"It is not. My dragon is perfectly straight thank you very much," Sirius said.
"Ewww! Now there is a phrase I never want to hear out of your mouth again Sirius Black," the laughing voice of Andromeda Tonks floated over the garden towards them.
Sirius, Remus, and Alice turned to see Andy and her family standing on the terrace that led down to the garden. In Andromeda's hands was a magnificent green dragon cake which was even occasionally shooting out little bursts of steam through it's frosting nostrils. Harry clapped his hands in delight and made a beeline for his Aunt Andy.
"Is dat my cake Aunt Andy?" Harry asked, nearly jumping up and down with excitement.
"Yes poppet. It is. 'Dora and I made it special, just for you," Andromeda said, smiling down at him.
"You did?" Harry asked, his eyes round.
"Yes, and guess what else? It's chocolate," Andromeda added.
"Yay!" Harry squealed jumping up and down. Neville joined him and the two boys were soon giggling and chasing each other around the yard. Laughing, Andromeda and Ted quickly made their way to the others, while Nymphadora went chasing after Harry and Neville.
"Here Andy, let me take that," Sirius said, taking the cake and placing it on the cake table before turning to hug his cousin. he then shook hands with Ted.
"Hello Sirius, Remus, Alice," Ted said, smiling jovially at everyone.
"Morning Ted," Sirius replied. "How're things at St. Mungo's ?"
"Much, much quieter now thankfully. How is the auror office?" Ted replied. Sirius shrugged.
"Things are starting to calm down a bit finally. I get a new partner on Monday," he answered.
"I'm hardly new Sirius, just new to you," Alice said. Ted raised an eyebrow.
"You're starting back on Monday? Healer Jenkins clear that?" Ted asked. Alice sighed, rolling her eyes.
"No, I'm going back to my stressful and dangerous job without healer clearance. I'm not stupid Ted. Of course I got cleared first," Alice said.
"Just checking Alice. Wouldn't want my favorite little Gryffindor to get hurt," he teased.
"You haven't called me that since you were head boy and I was an ickle firstie who you'd just saved from a group of Slytherin fourth years," Alice laughed. "Honestly, I'm all grown up. I'm a mother for goodness sakes."
"Ahhh, but you will always be feisty little Ali Fawcett to me. You were giving those fourth years what for as I recall. At the time I wasn't sure if I was saving them or you," Ted chuckled.
"Definitely them. She was vicious. Remember in second year when her and Lily gave James and I devil horns?" Sirius said. Alice giggled.
"We thought they were very fitting. I still don't understand why you wanted to get rid of them," she said. Sirius shot her a look of disbelief.
"They were pink Ali. Pink! James and I were manly men. They were ruining our machismo," Sirius said. Remus snorted.
"Don't let him fool you. They were actually considering keeping them until Sabetha Monkton told them that she thought it made them look sexy," he said. Sirius made a face and shuddered.
"Ugh... she was hideous.," he said. Andromeda glared at him.
"Sirius! What a terrible thing to say. Her sister was in my year. I remember Sabetha when she was a little thing. She was not that bad," Andromeda said.
"She stalked him Andy. Anytime he went out with another girl she would follow him around looking murderous. When Sirius and I dated in fifth year, I never went anywhere alone," Alice said. "That girl was terrifying."
"I wonder what ever happened to her," Sirius said.
"You didn't hear?" Alice asked. Sirius shook his head.
"She married Gus Puddifoot. They opened some sort of tea room in Hogsmede a couple of months ago," she told him.
"She married Puddifoot? That nerdy bloke from Hufflepuff?" Sirius asked incredulously.
"Applying oneself to their studies does not make one nerdy Mr. Potter-Black. Augustus Puddifoot was an exceptional student."
"Minnie!" Sirius said grinning, as he turned and swept his former professor up in a hug.
"Hello Sirius," Professor McGonagall said resignedly. She had long ago come to the realization that she was never going to get Sirius to call her anything but the detested nickname. Truth be told, she honestly didn't mind the name coming from her favorite student, although she would go to her grave with that secret.
"Welcome to Sablewood House," Sirius greeted the rest of the Hogwarts contingent. "Albus, Hagrid how have you been?"
"Excellent Sirius, thank you very much," Professor Dumbledore cheerfully returned.
"Fessor Dumbledore! Fessor Minnie! Hagwid!" Harry shouted as he came running over with Neville and 'Dora in tow.
"Hello young Harry, and a very happy birthday to you," Professor Dumbledore said, crouching down to speak with his young friend.
"Tank you Fessor. I'm verwy glad you could come," Harry said, just as Andromeda had taught him to do.
"As am I," Professor Dumbledore replied, his blue eyes twinkling. "I'm sure your friend Ron is quite happy to be here as well."
Harry turned to see the Weasley family making their way over to the others. Their arms were laden with food and presents. Harry could hardly contain himself as he ran over to his friends.
"Ronnie!" he cheered. Ron smiled and waved.
"Hi Hawwy!" he greeted. "Happy Birfday!"
"Tank you," Harry said. "Papa? Can we get the bwooms out now? Pwease?"
"Yes you may, but don't leave the garden with them and make sure you share," Sirius said.
"Ok Papa," Harry said, grabbing Ron and Neville's hands. "C'mon."
Several hours later, Harry had opened his mountain of presents and thanked everyone quite politely, thanks to Andromeda's teaching. The dragon had been reduced to a few pieces of cake on paper plates. Most of the adults were sitting in chairs on the veranda drinking tall cool glasses of pumpkin juice and watching the son set. Sirius, however, stood leaning against a tall oak tree near the edge of the garden watching his son play. It was times like this that Sirius truly saw James in the boy. He protected Ron from Fred and George's friendly tormenting, was the voice for the sometimes shy Neville, and even took the time to make sure that Baby Ginny was not left out. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned expecting to see Remus. Alice stood there instead.
"You ok?" she asked with concern shining in her eyes. Sirius nodded.
"He's a great kid isn't he?" he said, nodding at Harry. Alice smiled.
"Yes he is," she agreed. "He's been very good for Neville." Sirius nodded again.
"He's so much like James sometimes that it hurts," he said quietly.
"You miss him don't you?" Alice asked.
"He was my brother. He knew me better than anyone, than I know myself," Sirius replied. "I think I will always miss him."
"I... I miss Frank too," Alice said quietly. "There's just such an emptiness where he used to be, Sirius. I .."
"Ali..," Sirius began.
"I know Sirius... I know that I need to move on. I'm just not sure I'm ready to," she said. Sirius pulled her into a comforting hug.
"Take the time you need to mourn Frank Ali. You loved him and I know that you are hurting. Just promise me that you won't mourn him forever that you will move on eventually," he murmured. Alice looked up into his intense grey eyes and nodded.
"I promise Sirius, as long as you promise me that you'll be here to help me," she said quietly. He smiled gently down at her, releasing her from the hug, but keeping an arm around her shoulders.
"I'll always be here. I couldn't be anywhere else," he replied. She smiled at him and leaned her head on his shoulder as together they stood and watched the children play.
