A/N hey... forgot to put that disclaimer on the first chap... so, here it is:

I am not making any money off this. I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters that you recognize. I wish I did, but I don't. They belong to JK Rowling; bless her and her writing talents. So please, don't sue. This is what I do with what spare time I have. And that's not much at all (sadly).

There. Now that that's done, on to chapter Three!

Chapter Three: Birthday at Grimmauld Place

After getting dressed, Harry looked in the mirror. He spent ten minutes trying to get his hair to lie flat before giving up. Grabbing a profit hat that he bought from Muggle London, he put it on backwards. Harry figured the fact that it hid his lightning bolt shaped scar an added bonus.

Harry sat down on the bed, wondering what to do with himself. He didn't want to go back downstairs yet. As if in answer, something on one of the nightstands caught his eye. It looked like a letter and it had his name on it. Harry picked it up, recognizing the writing. He quickly opened it and started reading.

Harry,

If you're reading this, it means I've died. I hope I died fighting, and not of boredom. Little bit of dry humor there. Listen, Pup, don't start feeling sorry for yourself or think it was your fault. Because whatever happened, it wasn't. I do what I do, not what someone else wants me to do.

I've had a great life and with any luck, I'm with James and Lily right now. At least I hope I am. The one thing I'll regret is not getting to know you any better than I did.

I'm leaving you with a few gifts and a piece of advice. My first gift to you is my motor cycle, Faith. I know you'll take good care of her. Next, I'm leaving you Grimmauld Place. It doesn't look like much, but it'll be home for you. I'm also leaving you all the gold in my Gringotts vault. The only thing I ask is that you take care of Moony. He's the last Marauder. Make sure he always has somewhere to live and take him shopping, for the love of Merlin! Drag him if you have to, Pup!

Now, finally, my advice to you. Don't take anything for granted. Life is too short to be looking over your shoulder all the time. Fall in love, get married, have a dozen kids (Merlin help us when you do have children). I know the perfect red head for the job. And don't push people who care about you away. You'll need them in the final fight against Tom Riddle. Live everyday like it's your last.

Remember this: Your parents love you and are proud of you. Same goes for me.

Love, Sirius "Padfoot" Black

Harry wiped the tears from his eyes and refolded the letter, putting it in his back pocket. The he went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face. As he was patting his face dry, Harry heard someone call his name. He hung up the towel and walked out of the bathroom. Remus was standing by the door with a smile on his face.

"I got elected to come and get you. Everyone's downstairs waiting." Remus said, a twinkle in his eye that hadn't been present just a few hours ago.

Harry shrugged and followed Remus downstairs and into the living room. As soon as the duo entered the room, shouts of happy birthday hit him. Harry laughed and looked around the room. All of the Order of the Phoenix was there, as were Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood. Hermione, Ron and Ginny were grinning at him.

Harry spent the duration of the party going from one person to the next, talking and laughing. They all sat down to dinner and enjoyed conversation, then had cake and presents. Hermione, in typical fashion, gave Harry a book entitled 'Everyday Charms for Housework'; he also got a four book set from Bill, 'Curses and Their Counter-Curses'; and a set of Auror training books from Professor McGonagall. He got Quidditch gear from Ron; Dragon hide clothing from Charlie; a pensieve from Professor Dumbledore; Weasleys Wizard Wheezes from the Twins; a hand for the Weasley clock; a practice snitch from Ginny; and a Wizarding watch from the D.A.

At the end of the day, Harry was ready to call it a night and head off to bed. After thanking everyone, he headed upstairs to his room. Once there, he spotted something that wasn't there before. A Trunk. Just as he was about to take a closer look at it, Remus spoke from the door.

"It was your dad's. He wanted you to have it." Remus then threw a set of keys at him. "On there you'll find the keys to the trunk, the house, Padfoot's vault and Faith. In the trunk you'll also find the keys to the Potter family vault and Potter Mansion."

Harry looked from the trunk to Remus and then back to the trunk. "I think I'll wait to see," he said, before walking to the bed and sitting down.

"You okay?"

"Not really, but what else is new?" Harry replied, sighing.

Remus joined Harry on the bed and studied him for a few moments before commenting.

"You know, Harry, you really should be doing something to channel everything that you're feeling."

"Are you volunteering to let me hex you into next week?"

Remus laughed and replied: "No, but I know someone who can help you, the Muggle way."

"The Muggle way? You sound like a television add." Harry laughed.

"Yes, the Muggle way, and don't be such a brat."

"What do you mean, The Muggle way? What way is that?"

"Would you be willing?"

"I guess. Couldn't hurt, right?"

"I'll talk to my friend tonight and see if I can set something up for tomorrow. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good. But you should see if Ron, Hermione and Ginny are interested. They might like to join."

"I'll let you talk to them, after you see what you're up against."

"It isn't going to kill me, is it, Moony?" Harry asked, suspicion laced in his voice.

"Of course not. What kind of Guardian would I be if I let you do something that could kill you? Feeling pain, though, is out of my hands."

"Listen, Werewolf, I could easily hex you into next week."

"I know," he replied, getting up and heading to the door with a laugh. "I'll let you know the plan tomorrow morning. Bright and early."

A/N Sorry about taking so long. Things have been pretty crazy. The next update won't be that far behind (I hope) but no promises. Until next time!

Alex James