Chapter 15

The Big Birthday Party

It was a rainy, cool early July day. Remus and Harry sat in front of the fire in the sitting room. Cassius was on an assignment somewhere and had been gone four days. There was a clock in the kitchen, similar to the one the Weasleys had, with everyone's name on it, and it pointed to where they were. Currently, Cassius' hand pointed to "Out of the Country." Harry and Remus didn't know where that was, it was a secret. Cassius was occasionally gone for days at a time. Harry's hand pointed to "Home." For the first week the clock was up, Harry got a jolt every time he saw the hand with his name on it, pointing to "Home."

Harry missed Cassius when he was gone but he enjoyed having the quality time with Remus and Tabby. Tabby spent most of her time as a cat, so they didn't talk much, but Harry and Remus talked often, about Harry, about Harry's parents, about Sirius, about Voldemort, about what Harry should be once he graduated, all kinds of things. Remus and Cassius both encouraged Harry to talk about whatever he wanted. Cassius added Guideline Number 6 - Harry could talk to Cassius or Remus about anything he wanted, whenever he wanted, and he could lose his temper, without affecting the fact that Cassius and Remus loved Harry.

This particular day, Harry and Remus sat quietly, enjoying each other's company. Remus wasn't feeling well, it was the day before the full moon, he looked grey and tired. Tabby had tucked Remus into his chair in front of the fire in the sitting room with a blanket and a cup of tea and orders not to move. She bustled about, adjusting his footstool, bringing him and Harry cookies.

"Harry, your birthday is coming up…would you like a party?" Remus asked after Tabby had gone back in the kitchen to make more tea.

"I hadn't thought about it…I've never had a birthday party." Harry realized with a start.

"Well, it's high time we did something about that! Birthdays don't happen everyday you know." Remus smiled.

"When is your birthday?" Harry asked, realizing he didn't know.

"August 2." Remus answered.

"Two days after mine?"

"Yes, I told your mum she ought to have made you wait but apparently babies don't take directions." Remus smiled.

"Why don't we have a joint birthday party? We could have it on the 1st." Harry suggested.

"But don't you want your own party?" Remus protested.

"No, I want it to be a joint one with you. That's what I want." Harry smiled warmly at Remus. "Just one big party…but… could I have my own cake?"

"Absolutely! We'll have to write up a guest list, figure out the menu, send out the invitations….Why don't you get us some paper and we can start the planning."

"Will do!" Harry rushed up to his room to get some paper and a quill. He paused at the doorway. He'd been at Windy Corner over a month and every time he entered his room it still gave him a small thrill.

Rain pattered on his window, and he could see the apple tree swaying slightly in the wind. The two comfy chairs bought in Hogsmeade sat in one corner near the window. Opposite them was his bed, which was unmade, per guideline number five. His school books were stacked on his desk, more books were in his book case. Hedwig sat on her perch by the window sleeping. Cassius had been ridiculously pleased that Hedwig liked the perch he'd made. "All owls like perches." Remus had teased him. Harry had put up his new posters and had a few pictures up on the walls. He had the one of his parents and Sirius on their wedding day framed and hung it over his desk. He would have to have one taken of him and The Guardians at the party. After the second week, Harry had started to call Cassius, Remus and Tabby The Guardians when he referred to them collectively, it was certainly shorter than listing their names. He ran back down to Remus.

"Ok, guest list." Remus started to think.

"Gramps, obviously." Harry wrote down the name

"Gramps?" Remus asked with confusion.

"Moody…I call him Gramps now. Because he's like a father to Cassius so he's like my grandfather. And since we started our Occlumency lessons last month, calling him Moody or Mad-Eye or Alastor just didn't seem right." Harry explained.

"I see." Remus said thoughtfully. He and Cassius had both noticed Harry calling Cassius 'Dad' a few times the past two weeks, ever since the first nightmare he had had at Windy Corner. They had decided not to say anything since Cassius didn't mind, although Remus felt a bit strange about it, since he remembered Harry calling James "Dada." Suddenly, Remus remembered a plump black-haired baby sitting on his lap calling him "Rem Rem." He smiled at the memory.

Harry added Hermione, Ron and the rest of the Weasleys to the list. Remus suggested Stevens, Cassius' best friend, and Clara, his girlfriend who was Remus' best friend. They added Tonks and Kingsley. Tabby suggested her sister, Professor Sprout, and McGonagall and Dumbledore. Harry added Hagrid. They had started to discuss the menu when Cassius walked into the sitting room, he looked tired and had a few days growth of beard on his face.

"Hello family!" Cassius smiled and ruffled Harry's hair as he passed. He pulled Remus out of his chair and quickly sat down, pulling Remus into his lap. He rested his chin on Remus' shoulder. "What's new?"

"We're planning a birthday party for Harry and me." Remus said as Harry waved the guest list at Cassius.

"Really? Who's on the list?" Cassius asked. Harry quickly read the names off.

"Is there anyone else you want to invite, Dad?" Harry asked.

"Nope, can't think of anyone." Cassius answered after thinking for a minute.

A couple weeks later, the day of the big party arrived. Harry had been on pins and needles, so excited for his first birthday party. The Weasleys, Hermione and her parents arrived around 11 am to help set up. When the other guests started to arrive for the party, Cassius still wasn't home – he hadn't come home for dinner the night before. He'd wished Harry a happy birthday in the morning, and Harry knew he had planning to be home for his actual birthday dinner but…as the hours went by, the hand on the clock that had Cassius' name on it still pointed to 'Work.' Harry, Remus and Tabby had a nice dinner together in spite of Cassius' absence. The morning of the party Harry had raced down the stairs, hoping that the hand hadn't moved to 'Out of Country' or worse – 'Mortal Danger.' The hand still pointed to show that Cassius was at work. Harry had sighed but Remus had assured him that Cassius wouldn't miss the party. Once Ron, Hermione and the rest of the kids had helped set up the tables, Tabby had shooed them away to the swimming hole to play.

It was just before Noon and Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred and George were splashing and racing each other in the swimming hole. Suddenly, Harry spied Cassius and Kingsley Shacklebolt striding out of the house – it was far away but he could see the sun shining on Cassius' blonde hair. He started to race towards the house. He was oblivious to the other guests watching him as he ran across the yard. He hadn't realized just how worried he had been that something bad had happened until Cassius arrived.

Cassius was talking to Mrs. Weasley but broke off as Harry barreled into him. "You're here!" Harry shouted. He flung his arms around Cassius, landing against him with a wet, squelching sound. Cassius staggered back a step.

"Oh, Harry, did you think I would miss the party?" Cassius' arms tightened around Harry's back.

"You didn't…come home…and…I thought…you're…." Harry spoke into Cassius' shirt, trying to catch his breath.

"I'm wet." Cassius said wryly. Harry pulled away.

"Sorry." Harry remembered suddenly that he was dripping with water and Cassius' shirt was now sticking wetly to his chest where Harry had pressed against him. Cassius pulled his wand out and did a quick drying spell on Harry and himself.

"Glad you made it. Although Tabby was actually going to hold lunch for you." Remus walked up next to them. Cassius kissed Remus quickly.

"So, what have I missed?" Cassius asked Harry.

"Not much, the party just started, not everyone's here yet." Harry grinned. "Come on, you have to meet Charlie and Hagrid." Harry took hold of Cassius' left hand and pulled him over to where Charlie was talking to Hagrid about dragons. Charlie was just telling Hagrid that Norbert was doing fine.

"Charlie, Hagrid, this is Cassius." Harry said proudly.

"I remember you from school, although I don't think we ever talked." Cassius said, extending his right hand to shake Charlie's.

"Hi, I remember you too. It's nice to actually meet you." Charlie said as he shook Cassius' hand.

"Hi, Cass." Hagrid greeted Cassius familiarly.

"You know Hagrid?" Harry looked up at Cassius.

"He was one of my few friends at Hogwarts." Cassius answered, squeezing Harry's hand.

"I'm glad Harry's with you and Remus now. Those horrible muggles…" Hagrid trailed off and took a drink of his beer.

"We're glad he's here too. Although he does have a terrible temper." Cassius said with a wink, winding his arm around Harry, which had the effect of pinning Harry to his side because Harry hadn't let go of Cassius' hand. Harry grinned giddily at Hagrid and Charlie.

"Guess that shows you're related." Charlie said with a smile. He, like everyone else, had heard of Cassius' temper.

"Harry is so happy here. He loves you and Cassius." Mrs. Weasley said to Remus as she looked over at Harry and Cassius.

"Yes." Remus smiled as he looked at Harry and Cassius who were now in the middle of a tussle, Cassius had his arm around Harry's neck and was messing up his already messy hair. "I won't lie, Molly, I'd like to say he's happy like this all the time, but there have been some difficult moments – Harry's got a lot to deal with…but we love him."

"That makes all the difference – it makes me sick to think how he was treated by those muggles." Molly said fiercely. Harry had escaped Cassius' hold and was trying to jump up on Cassius' back to reach Cassius' hair to mess it up. On his third try, he made it. "How long have you known that Cassius and Harry were cousins?"

"I've only known a little longer than Harry. Cassius told me shortly after Sirius died. He'd known for 4 years…" Remus said, getting cut off as Tabby's magically amplified voice carried across the yard.

"Lunch is served. Come over to the table!"

As she walked towards the table, Mrs. Weasley wondered why Cassius hadn't told Remus before – and why he hadn't taken Harry in before this summer – but then he was a Malfoy after all – he would have had a reason.

Cassius walked back to the table with Harry still on his back, followed by Charlie and Hagrid. While they had been talking, Stevens, Clara, Bill and Fleur had arrived, along with Professors Sprout and McGonagall and Dumbledore.

"Sit here, Harry." Tabby pointed to the chair she was standing next too. They were all sitting down at a big round table out in the yard. Harry made Cassius and Remus sit on either side of him. Lunch was a festive affair, Harry felt like his face would break off, he was smiling so hard. He watched everyone talking and laughing around the table. He looked over at Cassius whose usually smooth blond hair was doing a very good imitation of Harry's own messy black hair. Cassius winked at him and then stood up. Everyone at the table quieted down at once.

"I'm not one for making speeches, however, in honor of the first ever party at Windy Corner, I was informed by Tabby that I had to make one." Cassius looked over at Tabby who nodded briskly. "So, I'd like to welcome you all to our home, we're very glad you could make it…what else?"

"Say something about the birthdays!" Tabby hissed, narrowing her brown eyes.

"Oh, yes, the reason we're having this party is to celebrate the birthdays of the two most important people in my life, Remus and Harry." Harry beamed with delight. "To Remus and Harry." Cassius raised his glass.

"To Remus and Harry!" Everyone raised their glasses and then drank. Harry felt like he would burst with happiness.

After everyone had finished lunch, Remus and Harry opened their presents. Remus received mostly books, Dumbledore got him a muggle book about dealing with teenagers. "Does it have a section for dealing with 32 year old teenagers?" Tabby asked Remus. Remus laughed as Cassius looked insulted. The Weasleys gave him a jumper with an R on it. Remus hugged Molly as he thanked her. Clara and Stevens got Remus a thick book of chess strategies. Harry noticed that Cassius was eyeing it with interest.

Harry got many different gifts. Professor McGonagall gave him a book of Quidditch tactics. Professor Sprout gave him a book on rare plants. Hagrid gave him a saddle for Buckbeak. Dumbledore gave him a penseive. "You seem to like mine, so I thought you might want one of your own." His blue eyes sparkled. Moody gave him a beautifully bound copy of the auror rules. "You've already done more than many aurors, it's high time you knew the rules." Moody growled. Stevens and Clara gave him a Chudley Cannons practice robe, Harry noticed Ron looking at it enviously, he made a mental note to let Ron try it on later. Hermione gave Harry a new set of quills for school, along with ink and a new blotter. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley gave him a new jumper, and Fred and George gave him some tricks from their shop. Ron gave him a book of spells that Harry knew he could use if the DA continued the next school year. Ginny gave him a hand-knitted scarf. He thanked everyone with a hug. Finally he opened the last present, which was a Quidditch set from Cassius and Remus.

"Wow!" Harry couldn't believe his eyes.

"It makes up for 15 years of no birthday presents from us." Remus said, explaining the grand present. Harry hurled himself at Remus, hugging him tightly, he was so overwhelmed he couldn't speak.

"It's got a spell on it so the snitch and the bludgers won't leave the boundaries of Windy Corner when they're loose." Cassius said quickly, when Moody opened his mouth to question the safety.

"We expect you to support us in our old age by being a professional Quidditch player. So you need to practice." Remus smiled as he rubbed Harry's back.

"We could do a game, I think we have enough for two teams!" Charlie said excitedly. "Harry and I could square off." He grinned widely. Ron looked very excited at the prospect of playing with Stevens.

A few moments later, Harry, Ron, Bill, Charlie, Tonks, Kingsley, Ginny, Fred, George, Fleur, and Stevens were flying around the newly made pitch, it was smaller than a regulation pitch but no one minded – Dumbledore and Moody had conjured up hoops for the goals at each end. They were playing with one less Chaser than normal because there weren't enough players. Cassius was still standing on the ground talking to Remus and Mrs. Weasley. He was holding his broom in one hand and was making placating gestures with his other hand. Moody walked over to join the conversation. Harry got impatient.

"Dad! Dad!!" He yelled down, not noticing almost everyone turning to look at him in astonishment. Cassius turned to look up at him. "Come on!!" Harry motioned with his arm. Cassius nodded and turned back to Moody, Mrs. Weasley and Remus, saying something before mounting his broom and kicking off from the ground.

"What was that about?" Harry asked as Cassius came level with him.

"Remus and Molly are worried someone's going to get hurt with the bludgers – a couple of mother hens – honestly - it's Quidditch!" Cassius said with an exasperated grin.

"It's too bad Mum is rubbing off on Remus." Fred said with shake of his head. "I was hoping he'd get her to relax."

Harry laughed. The teams were sorted out. Cassius bewitched their shirts so the teams were easily identified. The game began. Cassius and Stevens battled for the quaffle a few times, Harry watched from where he sat looking for the snitch. Ginny did a good job as chaser also, scoring a goal against Bill. Fred and George were thrilled to be beaters again.

"Albus, did you hear Harry call Cassius 'Dad'?" Professor McGonagall said as she settled down to watch the game.

"Yes, I did, Minerva…Remus had told me Harry does it, although he and Cassius are both unsure if Harry really aware of it."

"I think he does know. He calls Moody 'Gramps', he explained it to me." Mr. Weasley said with a smile from Dumbledore's other side. "It appears Harry has a family now."

"He has adjusted quite well to his new home." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I am glad – these past two months have assuaged a little of my guilt about letting him live with the Dursleys so long."

The game was over a couple hours later. Harry had caught the snitch which broke the tie score. Cassius was an excellent chaser, Harry thought he probably could have played professionally.

"You realized I let you win, Birthday Boy." Charlie grinned and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Thanks!" Harry grinned back.

"You're good." Charlie said.

"So are you." Harry didn't believe Charlie let him win, after working with dragons for years, Charlie was probably a little rusty chasing the snitch. It'd been a real challenge.

Just then Tabby and Professor Sprout came out of the house, both carrying cakes. Harry managed to blow out all 16 of his candles on his cake – he wished that everyone there would stay safe from Voldemort.

Tabby had taken pity on Remus and had put 3 big candles on his cake for each decade, plus 6 candles to make 36. The candlelight illuminated Remus' prematurely lined face as he leaned over to blow out his candles. He blew them all out but wouldn't tell anyone his wish.

Harry remembered to have a picture taken of him and The Guardians before Moody left with his camera. He also had one taken of just him and Remus and Tabby so that he could have that at Hogwarts, he knew he wouldn't be able to have one of Cassius.

More of the party in the next chapter!

Author's Note: Sorry if Remus got short-changed in the present department – I couldn't think of any good gifts for him. And anyway, Cassius is going to give Remus his gift in private, if you know what I mean. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge! :-)