Harry woke the day of his ninth birthday to a pounding on his door. He stood and stumbled to the door pulling it open only to be drenched in water.
Quite awake, Harry looked up to see his godfather standing before him, a large smile plastered on his face.
'Must you give me a shower while I'm still in my pyjamas? I'm quite capable of doing it myself thanks.'
'Sorry Harry, but it's you birthday! You're officially nine years old today.'
'I know, but I'd have been quite happy if my present was to sleep in.'
'Ah that's no fun! C'mon and have some breakfast and then you can open your presents.' Harry groaned and grabbed his dressing gown before hurrying down the stairs after Sirius. Remus was already at the table, the Daily Prophet in hand, toast in the other.
'Happy birthday Harry!' Remus greeted.
'Thanks Remus.'
'Why're you all wet?'
'Sirius.'
'Here, I'll dry you.'
'Thanks.'
'You're welcome.' Harry sat down and pulled a plate of toast towards him, spreading marmalade on it.
'So, when do I get my presents?'
'Eager now that you're awake hey?' Sirius teased.
'Shut up Sirius.'
'I guess we could give you your gifts now...' Sirius trailed off. Harry looked up, excited. 'Alright, I'll go collect them.' Remus chuckled as Sirius left the room.
'You certainly know how to get what you want. I can't wait until you arrive at Hogwarts.' Harry grinned and finished his toast as Sirius came back into the room carrying two packages.
'These are from Remus and me both.' Harry nodded and opened the first one. It was a pile of pictures of the three of them and Harry's parents.
'We thought you'd like some more to add to your ever growing album,' Remus commented. Harry nodded as he shuffled through the pictures. After a few moments of looking through the pictures, Harry
moved to the last gift. He unwrapped it to see the words 'Broom Servicing Kit for All Ages' written in big purple letters.
'Whoa...' He breathed as he flipped the box over and read what it included. 'This is great! Thanks so much!' Sirius grinned and ruffled his hair.
'You're very welcome!'
'Why don't you go get that album of yours and we'll help you add the photos,' Remus suggested.
'Okay.' Harry dashed up the stairs and grabbed his already full photo album, sprinting down the stairs. To most kids, photos for their birthday would be a huge disappointment, but to someone like Harry who had never known his parents, they were greatly appreciated and treasured.
'Let's get these put in their proper places.' The three spent the remainder of the morning organizing the album. They had a long lunch break in which they laughed a lot and filled themselves to the maximum.
After lunch, Sirius had Remus put some protective charms around the cottage's back garden so Sirius and Harry could play one on one Quidditch. After five gruelling hours of Quidditch, Harry landed saying he was tired, hungry and cold.
'Why don't you go have a wash while I try to get your godfather out of the sky and make dinner, yeah?'
'Okay,' Harry made his way slowly into the cottage and up the stairs to the bathroom. He had had such a great time in the air playing Quidditch, but he had to admit, five hours was a long time. He pulled his clothes off and stepped under the spray of the shower thinking of his gifts.
The pictures were one of his favourite gifts. You couldn't replace his parents, and pictures were the next best thing to get to know his parents, along with stories from his godfather and Remus.
Of course, he couldn't forget the whole trip to Belgium. It was probably the best gift he had ever received. He also just realized he hadn't had a nightmare that night. Maybe Belgium was doing him some good?
'Padfoot, get down here and come help me prepare dinner!'
'What if I don't?'
'Then I'll hex you into oblivion!'
'Oi, that's not nice!'
'Neither is not taking part in preparing you godson's birthday dinner!'
'Fine, I'm coming down now.' When he didn't come down, Remus gave an exasperated sigh.
'Sirius, please!'
'Hold your hippogriffs; I'm just doing one more lap!'
'I'm going inside now, if you're not down in five minutes, I'm locking you out and you'll have to sleep as Padfoot all night.'
'I have my wand though!' Remus grinned.
'Are you sure about that?' Sirius looked down to see Remus sprint to the cottage door. Sirius, amusement bubbling up inside him, urged his broom to go faster and he passed Remus and flew straight into the cottage.
'Ha! Now you can't lock me out!' He punched the air triumphantly. Remus only smiled.
'I know, but I got you inside didn't I?' Sirius deflated faster than a balloon coming in contact with a pin.
'You tricked me!' Sirius exclaimed aghast.
'I believe so. Don't look so offended! I wasn't a marauder for nothing, was I?' Sirius just shook his head as Harry came bounding down the stairs.
'I'm hungry!' He announced.
'This is why you should've come in sooner. Now we've a hungry nine year old on our hands.'
'Don't worry, I'll keep him occupied,' Sirius led Harry into the sitting room.
'Don't destroy anything, but if you do, fix it before I see it!'
'Sure thing boss!' Remus grinned before he realized he had been tricked as well. Sirius just got out of cooking.
'Sirius!' Remus' shout was followed by loud laughter from up stairs.
'Oh I'll get you Sirius Orion Black. Just you wait. You've yet to see the wrath of a Lupin werewolf.'
Remus started on dinner, plotting ways to get Sirius back. I could always add Harry to it. It seems as if he was in on it, the way he was laughing along... But it's his birthday... Ah well, he can't always have a quiet day in his life when he's residing with a Black and a Lupin.
Remus grinned.
