Harry awoke on July 31st feeling better than he had ever felt on his birthday. He looked over and saw it was 8:00 AM, so he decided to get up. He hastilly dressed and went down to the kitchen. He had known Sirius was alive for a week now, but he still found it unbelievable. Therefore, seeing Sirius and Remus sitting there, talking, still choked him up. Hearing his choked sob, both men looked up.
Sirius sighed. He hated seeing his godson so upset, let alone over losing him. Therefore, he was glad his return helped harry. However he knew the prophecy was weighing hevilly on Harry's mind, still.
While Sirius was lost in thought, Remus said, "Happy Birhtday, Harry. Is something wrong?" Harry sighed.
"It's just that my life is never normal. I lose almost everyone close to me, Voldemort is after me, and now, even though it's wonderful, Sirius coming back from the dead, something everyone says is impossible, it's just a lot to take in..."
Sirius and Remus sighed. They had no clue how to comfort the boy, whom they both loved as their own. Finally, Sirius spoke up.
"Harry, if you ever want to talk, I'm here. Ok?" Harry nodded; just having Sirius back helped a lot. Pushing the unplesant thoughts to the back of his mind, the smiled.
"Well, let's try to forget about that for today. Ok?" With that, the conversation turned to more plesant topics.
A few hours later, Harry, Ron, Sirius, the twins, Ginny, Bill, and Charlie went out to play Quidditch. However, Harry was unaware that meanwhile, Remus, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, Hermionie, and a few others were preparing his own surprise birhtday party. About an hour later (with Harry, Ron, Sirius, Fred, and Ginny's team having one one game and winning the second), Hermionie came out to watch the game. Seeing this signal, Ron commented, "Hey, guys, why don't we get something to eat?"
Harry laughed at this, chalking it up to Ron's huge appitite. Howeer, as he entered the kitchen he was thrown for a loop. There were red and gold streamers everywhere, and all his closest friends, whom he considered family, were there- Ron, Hermionie, the other Weaslyes, Remus, and Sirius. It meant the world to Harry thaty they still stood by him even though he must be a murderer or be murdered. On the verge of tears, Harry couldn't speak. His 16th birthday was his first ever party.
After refreshments (including a huge cake depicting Harry catching the snitch on his Firebolt), Harry was pressured to open presents. From most of the Order, he recieved various books on defense. From Ron, he got new seeker gloves. From Hermionie, a book called Professional Seeker Moves. Ginny had gotten him a pendant of a stag, which Remus and Sirius mentioned looked exactally like James in Animagus form. Finally, there were 3 gifts left. Two from Sirius, and one from Remus. He opened the one from Remus first. Inside he found a book. It was a hefty volume, entitled How to become an Animagus. harry looked over at Remus, who smiled.
"It's the book that James and Sirius used to help me," he said with a shurg. Next, he went to Sirius's first gift. It was a large box contaning several items: a pocketwatch, with an elaborate "J" and "L" entertwined on the face, a necklace with 3 pendants-stag, dog, and wolf- on it, and finally, a golden snitch, engraved with J.P. With tears in his eyes, Harry looked at his godfather.
They belonged to James, I thought you should have them," Sirius said, tears in his eyes, as well. However, there was one gift left. It was a plain envlope, with two pieces of paper in it. The first one read,
Dear Mr. Sirius Black:
As you know, you are wanted for a count of murder in the second degree of James and Lily Potter, and the murders in the first degree of Mr. Peter Pettigrew and 12 muggles. We also realize you never recieved a trial. This past Saturday, the 26th of July, we have captured Mr. Peter Pettigrew. Under the influence of Veritous Serum, he has confirmed that he did, indeed, frame you and that you are innocent of all charges aganist you. You are now a free man, and will be compensated by the Ministry in the amount of 500,000 Galleons for your 12 wrongful years in Azkaban.
It has also come to our attention that, per conditions of James and Lily Potter's Last Will and Testament, you are the legal gaurdian of one Mr. Harry Potter. If you choose to accecpt this, it is your responsibility to inform Mr. Potter and make living arangments.
We are truly sorry for any mental strain or physical harm this wrongful accusation has left upon you.
Sincerely,
Casi Jones
Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Harry silently passed the letter to Ron, and looked at the second parchment. It was short, and read:
Harry,
Read the other paper first. Back yet? Good. Ok, remember the first time we met? What I said? I believe that I asked you to live with me when my name was cleared. I also believe your reaction was rather... enthusiastic. Well, the offer still stands. Let me know.
Sirius
Harry was in shock. Silently, he looked up at Sirius. Sirius simply nodded. Harry dropped the letter and ran to embrace his Godfather, the closest thing to a father he had ever known. He wasn't sure he could speak.
However, Ron interupted the solemn moment by yelling, "Oi! Fred and George didn't get him anything!" Before Harry could insist that they didn't need to buy him anything, a large bucket appearedover the heads of everyone other than Harry and the twins.
"Yes he did!" Yelled Fred. Each of the buckets dumped a large amount of glittering substance onto their victims. "He got immunity from that!"
The rest of the afternoon passed in shouts of heartfelt laughter.
Well, another chapter up! Enjoy!