A/N: Hey...I just got my laptop fixed after weeks of waiting. So I hope you all can forgive me for such a long wait. Sorry. :o(

Disclaimer: No, I don't own anything except for a few socks and such. Only some of the things you don't recognize. :o).

Chapter 5: Twelve Months of Life

Harry just stared up at the walls and ceiling of his home where things were being put up. There were decorations, and balloons, and all sorts of party assortments. Lily and James Potter were holding their wands, casting spells to put everything up. Today was a special day. It was Harry's first birthday!

"I hope he understands how special today is," James said, indicating Harry to Lily. He wore black and red robes over black sweat pants and a red colored shirt, all with his blue and white sneakers. His black hair was as untidy as usual, but he wasn't wearing his glasses. "God, I love him. He's the greatest thing that's ever happened to us, Lils. He and you are the two greatest things that have ever happened to me in my life."

Lily, whose hair showed not even a slight trace of messiness, smiled. "Well the same go for the both of you. You are my world." When she smiled again, she turned, and her long black robes swayed in the air a bit. Underneath, she wore khaki colored pants and a black t-shirt with medium sleeves. Her dark hair was flowing straight, down to her shoulders, and only a slight wave to it.

"Well, in any event, today is Harry's first birthday!" While James said this, Harry continued to gape at the home. There was a myriad of decorations and balloons and his parents using their wands to put everything up. Before long, they had the whole house done up in decorations, some which moved or sparkled, some even speaking to Harry. James turned to the Muggle radio and turned it on.

Harry began dancing furiously, shaking and jumping inside of his playpen. "Daddy! Look, I dance!" he cried out to James, who turned around and laughed. He walked over to him and picked him up, dancing with him. In the middle of their song playing, they heard a voice coming from their study, so James and Harry walked over to go check it out. When they walked in, the sight that greeted them wasn't all that unusual for the family.

"Hello, James!" said just a head, sticking out from green flames sitting in a fireplace. He had blonde hair, which was half gray as well. He had a long, crooked nose with half-moon glasses resting upon them. His eyes looked down upon Harry, and he smiled brightly. "Harry! You've grown so much, my boy. Happy birthday!"

Harry smiled back shyly, green eyes shining through. He said in a small voice, "Thank, sir." Then when the man in the fireplace laughed, Harry darted behind his father's legs and hid there, only peeking out a bit.

James shook his head, smiling the whole time. "Greetings, Albus. What brings you here? Are you interested in staying for the party perhaps?" He looked down towards Albus Dumbledore, one of the greatest wizards who ever lived, and waited for a response.

"Actually, it's something quite a deal more serious than that." His eyes shadowed over and he had a grim expression on his face. "I don't think this is the right time to discuss it. Today is such a happy day after all!"

"It most certainly is, you old coot!" said another voice, and Lily ran in towards the fireplace. She bent a bit and kissed Dumbledore on his nose. "We've missed you so much! Where on earth have you been?"

"One does become busy with many things. And I've spent the last week at my old friend Nicholas' house. So now that I've returned, and Harry's first birthday is upon is, I thought it best to come visit!"

"And so you were right," said another deep, familiar voice, only to belong to Sirius walking into the study. He was followed by Alysha, Remus, Holly, and Lindsay. They all came in and in turn, greeted Dumbledore. After some time of persuasion from all of the guests, Dumbledore came fully through and no longer was only a head.

They enjoyed the dinner that Lily made. It consisted of delicious baked chicken, mashed potatoes (which Harry managed to get all over himself, of course), mixed vegetables, and a great birthday cake.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Harry! Happy birthday to you!" Everyone sang to Harry, and he giggled happily, staring at the cake with burning candles. With some help from Lily, he blew out all of his candles, and the cutting began.

"When do we open presents?" Remus asked, looking rather boyish himself at that moment. He was practically jumping up and down, and smiling and laughing so much that everyone was surprised by his actions.

James blinked. "We, Moony? Don't you mean, when does Harry open presents?" He sat back in his chair and laughed as Remus seemed to calm down a bit.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." His eyes still shone with a boylike look to them, and he enjoyed his cake along with everyone else in the house.

A short time later, the time that everyone, but especially Harry and Remus, had been looking forward to finally came. Alysha took Harry's hand and led him into the family room, with everyone else at their heels. There lay a large pile of gifts of all shapes and sizes. Harry stopped short and stared at the pile in amazement, not knowing exactly what they were there for.

They went through the ritual of unwrapping each present, thanking that person, and writing them down so that they could send thank-you notes. It was quite a scene, with the diversity of presents that Harry was receiving. Sirius and Alysha got him an Exploding Snap game, which wasn't of much use to him yet, but could be stored for as long as needed. Holly and Remus bought him a whole set of new clothes, and a new wizard's hat, which was red and gold. Lindsay had gotten him one particular toy, which at the time was a teddy bear. What was special about it was that every time it was torn in any way, it could repair itself. And it was able to sense boredom from the child. If it did, it would change into a new toy. Dumbledore hadn't gotten a present; he promised to bring something when he had a chance, it was short notice, after all. Though Peter wasn't attending the party, he did send a present. It turned out to be a beautiful necklace designed for a man with a protection charm on it, and luck.

The last presents, though, came from Lily and James. James, from himself, gave Harry something he wouldn't be able to use for years to come; he gave his Invisibility Cloak. From Lily and James both, though, came two broomsticks. One was a small, toddler-sized version of a Cleansweep Five. The other was a regular sized Nimbus One Thousand. These were both great brands and amazing brooms. James, having been a wonderful Quidditch player himself, hoped the same of Harry.

After all the present opening was completed, everyone prepared to leave. Much time had passed since the party began, and everyone enjoyed themselves greatly. Apart from Dumbledore, who had left a while before due to business, everyone was still in the house. They each bid their farewells, and promised to get together soon again. They each left, and went off to their homes.

"I hope you enjoyed today, baby boy. I love you more than life itself, honey. Sleep well, Harry," Lily whispered to Harry while she was tucking him into his crib. James had gone to bed a few minutes before, and Lily was ready to do the same. Harry was very tired from that day's excitement, so he had no trouble falling asleep. Lily smiled happily at her son, and walked off towards her bed.



A/N: Again, I apologize for the delay. I was forced to wait quite a few weeks for them to return my laptop. Thank you for your patience. :o) I'll get a new chapter up soon, because I'm going on vacation in a few days. Enjoy reading, please review. Or don't. I don't care, I'm writing this for myself anyway.