Truths
By Neurotica
Sixteen
It was a day to be celebrated and remembered by the friends and family of Harry James Potter. One year ago, lives were changed forever when this little bundle of joy entered their worlds and hearts. Priorities were different, daily routines were different, even the language used when one was around Harry was different (or Lily would teach you the finer side of her Charms use).
Today, the immaculate backyard that Lily Potter had worked so hard to perfect was decorated with balloons and banners. A large table sat against the two-story cottage holding a vast variety of food that would even satisfy Sirius' and James' never-ending hungers.
Currently, the backyard was empty, but within the hour, it would be full with the Marauders, the Longbottoms, and other members of the Order of the Phoenix.
Inside the magnificent home of the Potters, smells of freshly baked cakes, cookies, and sweets filtered through the walls. Pictures lined the walls. From Lily's first ultrasound to just three days before the birth of their son, to pictures of James and his friends, to family that had been lost in previous years. The Potters loved taking pictures. Lily preferred using a Muggle camera at times to capture the moment exactly as it was.
Speaking of Lily, she could be found putting the finishing touches on Harry's birthday presents. She and James had gone a bit overboard with the gifts, but neither gave a damn; it was their little man's first birthday, and they were going to spoil him rotten today.
As she put a ribbon around the toy broomstick James had insisted on buying, Lily heard two different pairs of giggling from above her. She smiled softly; she'd recognize their laughs anywhere... Lily placed the broom with the other presents, and walked up the stairs. Turning left, she found the source of the giggling two doors down from her and James' bedroom. She leaned on the doorframe and watched James tickle Harry through the bars of his crib.
"...And that, Harry, is how mummy and daddy fell in love," James said, leaning down to kiss his son's messy hair.
Lily smiled as she walked behind her husband and wrapped her arms tightly around his chest. "I do hope, my love, that you aren't filling our son's mind with horrid lies," she said, kissing James' shoulder.
James chuckled. "Oh, my dearest Lily flower, I would never dream of doing such a thing."
James turned to face Lily, wrapping his own arms around her. Lily leaned her head up to allow him to kiss her. But before they could become too wrapped up in one another, James felt something soft hit him in the back of his head, followed by the sound of happy giggling. James jumped, and as a result, smacked heads with Lily.
"Ow," Lily said, rubbing her forehead.
This ensued more giggling from behind James. They both turned to look at their son. He was standing in his crib, holding the bars, with a mischievous grin that he inherited from his father. James reached down to the floor and picked up a stuffed quaffle. He turned back to his son with a matching grin.
"Keep that up, Harry, and you'll be Gryffindor's star Chaser!" he said, ruffling Harry's hair softly.
Lily laughed. "No, no. Harry's going to pick up something less dangerous to fill his time. Aren't you, sweetie?" she said, taking Harry from his crib. He responded with something that sounded strangely like "dungbomb." Lily glared at James for a second, before leaving the room.
James followed in mock-outrage. "And what would you suggest he do, Lily?"
Lily didn't answer immediately. As she walked down the stairs, she looked over her shoulder to James with a grin and said, "Gobstones Club."
Two hours later, the party was in full swing. James, Sirius and Remus were getting a good telling-off from Lily for trying to spike the punch with firewhiskey. Harry was playing quietly in a playpen setup in the shade with Neville Longbottom.
"You know, Prongs," Sirius said as Lily walked away to speak with Neville's mother, Alice, and Fabian Prewitt. "You'd think that after all these years, she would learn to trust us just a little bit." He shook his head sadly.
Remus snorted next to James. "I am sure she would trust us, Padfoot, if we weren't always doing something she didn't approve of."
James laughed. "Very true, Moony. She's been telling me since we got married that the three of us need to grow up—"
"She's been saying that since second year," Sirius interjected.
"—but we, my dear friends, are Marauders. And, thus, shall never grow up!"
"Here, here," chorused Sirius and Remus, clinking their Butterbeer bottles together.
Remus looked around the backyard as he sipped his drink. People were all over the place, chatting happily and laughing. It was a definite relief to see this after the hard few months the Order had been having. Benjy Fenwick and Dorcas Meadowes, two very important Order Members and wonderful people, had been the latest casualties to Voldemort and his Death Eaters. And things were getting worse; there was word that Voldemort had been targeting the Order personally. No one was sure how he had gotten the names of his enemies, but Voldemort was picking them off one by one.
They all needed a break from the war, and just have a good time. Who knew what the coming months would bring? Besides Lily and James always knew how to throw a good party.
With another sip of his Butterbeer, Remus turned back to his friends. They were discussing possible ways to sneak dungbombs into Moody's cloak.
"Hey," Remus said, interrupting their plan of attack, "has anyone seen Pete lately?"
James looked around the backyard, his smile fading into a slight frown. "He said he'd be here. He had to do something first, wouldn't say what, but he should have been here by now."
James wasn't blind—well, without his glasses he was, but that is another story. The point is, he'd begun to notice Peter's lateness, disappearances, and absences from many gatherings as of late. It made him wonder what Peter was up to... what he had gotten himself into. He didn't dare voice his worries aloud to his friends—he hadn't even told Lily. The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced that Peter just had a new girlfriend, and was nervous about introducing her to his friends.
"Wormy!" Sirius said loudly.
Peter had just walked through the backdoor, looking pale and shaken. He was grinning, however, and held a small, clumsily wrapped package.
"Hey," he said, walking to his friends. "Sorry I'm late, Prongs. B-but I had to be, er, s-somewhere."
James opened his mouth to comment, but Lily cut him off. "Peter! You're here!" she said, crossing the yard to where the Marauders stood. "We haven't seen you in ages! Where have you been?" She hugged Peter and he winced slightly. No one but James noticed.
Peter pulled from Lily's embrace and swallowed nervously. Again, only James noticed. "I—uh—well, you know, er... around." He gave a shaky laugh. James narrowed his eyes.
"Well, come on! We've got presents to unwrap and a cake to eat!" Lily said happily.
She had spoken the magic word. Sirius' eyes widened, and he cried, "CAKE!" as he sprinted across the backyard to Harry and Neville, bouncing up and down like a two-year-old on a sugar high.
Lily sighed wearily and linked her arms with James and Remus as they crossed the yard. "What are we going to do with him?"
"I believe that the hospital wing is in desperate need of cleaning, Lily. It has not been properly sanitized since James and Sirius' last detention. This is according to Madam Pomfrey, of course." Albus Dumbledore had just arrived, his blue eyes sparkling happily, and a large smile on his face.
"Albus! We weren't sure if you would be able to make it!" Lily said cheerfully as she dropped James' and Remus' arms to shake Dumbledore's hand.
"I would not have missed it for the world, Lily," Dumbledore said inclining his head.
"Smashing timing, sir! We were just going to have cake," James said, shaking Dumbledore's hand next.
Dumbledore chuckled and looked around. "Well, what are we waiting for?" he asked, rubbing his hands together.
Later that night, once the backyard had been cleared of people and cleaned of debris, Lily walked into the living room and sat on the sofa next to James with a content sigh. Sirius was seated across from them in his usual recliner, hands behind his head, legs crossed, and eyes closed. Remus was leaned against the sofa next to Lily, staring drowsily into the roaring fire. Peter left right after the cake had been eaten. He said he had to leave for... somewhere. Through all the excitement, nobody noticed the painful squeak he emitted as he clutched his left forearm.
"Well, Harry's fast asleep. I think he was a bit exhausted after today," Lily said to the room in general.
James nodded happily, reaching his arm around his wife and pulling her closer. "Yeah, and just think," he began dreamily, "we get to do this every year from now on."
Remus chuckled, still looking into the fire. "You mean, you're going to let him ride you in Animagus form on his sixteenth birthday?"
Sirius laughed. Lily felt the corner of her mouth twitch. She didn't like the idea of Harry on the back of any animal—not even if it was James—at such a young age. Lily Potter was rather protective of her son.
"Absolutely!" James replied happily. "New Potter tradition: Animagus riding for the kiddies!"
Lily finally laughed and curled into James. "At least you waited until everybody left. I don't feel like explaining that my husband is in Azkaban, because he became an illegal Animagus at the age of fifteen to help his werewolf best friend to my co-workers on Monday."
"James is too good to go to Azkaban, Lillian," Sirius stated cockily. Lily glared at him—she hated being called Lillian.
"No, Padfoot, that will be you," Remus said with a laugh, looking at Sirius.
"Me? Why the hell would I go to Azkaban, Moony?"
"Because you're a git," Remus said conversationally, turning his head away and looking out the window.
A pillow flew across the room and hit Remus directly in his head.
By midnight, Sirius and Remus had both gone home, and Lily and James lay awake in bed.
"Well, Mr. Potter, I do believe today was perfect," Lily said quietly.
James smiled and kissed the top of Lily's red head. "I do believe you are correct in your assumptions, Mrs. Potter."
"And next year is going to be even better."
"And the year after that... and after that..."
Lily kissed James' chest with a smile. "Yeah," she said dreamily. "Good night, James."
"Night, Lil. Love you."
"Love you, too," Lily said sleepily.
That night it was decided by Lily and James Potter that their life was going to be perfect. They would watch their son grow to be a magnificent man. They would have grandchildren running around when they were old and grey. And as for the near future, the couple had discussed having a second child...
Three months later, Lily and James Potter were murdered. Their dreams died along with them.
"Moony, grab those balloons, will you?" Sirius whispered as he peeked down the hall to Harry's bedroom.
The birthday boy was still asleep. Remus crept out the backdoor carrying a dozen red and gold balloons in each hand, which he tethered to the ground with a wave of his wand. Sirius followed him, closing the door quietly.
Remus and Sirius were attempting to recreate the decorations from Harry's first birthday. They had everything from the large tables of presents and food, to the banner that hung between a pair of trees reading: Happy 6th Birthday, Harry! Dumbledore had even sent a letter that morning stating that he would drop by if he had a moment.
This backyard wouldn't be nearly as full as the Potter's had been five years previous, but Sirius and Remus were determined to give Harry a wonderful birthday, regardless.
By ten o'clock that morning, the decorations were complete. Sirius and Remus looked around reminiscently, smiling. Both were thinking the same thing: that Lily and James should be here to celebrate with them. This, of course, led to thoughts on the best way to barbeque a rat. Sirius was just thinking that a nice teriyaki glaze would work wonders when Remus spoke.
"We should get Harry up now," he said, looking back to the house with a smile.
Sirius grinned in a way Remus had come to fear, and said, "Allow me, Mister Moony."
Remus closed his eyes and sighed. "This won't be good..." he said, following Sirius inside the house.
Silently walking the path the Harry's bedroom, Sirius transformed into the shaggy black dog Remus had learned to love—unconditionally, he told himself repeatedly.
The dog pushed Harry's door open with his paw. Harry was curled up on his side clutching a stuffed wolf and dog, still sleeping. Remus looked closer at Harry's face and smirked. The dog in front of Remus hesitated for only the slightest second before he leapt onto the bed with a loud playful bark.
Remus laughed aloud as Harry rolled over and smashed a water balloon over Sirius' dog head. Harry, Sirius, and Harry's bed were all soaking wet. The dog growled playfully, pulled Harry's blankets to the floor with his teeth, and turned back into Sirius.
"That, Harry, was bloody brilliant." Sirius laughed. "You're getting better, I must say. We really thought you were asleep."
"Perhaps you did, Padfoot. But, Harry, a little advice: next time try not to smile before smashing water balloons over your oblivious godfather's head," Remus said with a wink to Harry.
Harry smiled as he sat up. "Okay," he said as Remus performed a quick drying spell on all things wet.
Once dry, Sirius grinned again. He sat down next to Harry on his bed. "Happy Birthday, Harry," he said, pulling Harry into a tight hug.
Remus noticed a surprised but pleased look on Harry's face as Remus repeated the greeting.
Sirius stood from the bed, his arms swinging happily and eagerly at his sides. "Well, come on, kid! We've got some surprises for you!"
Harry smiled widely as Sirius took his hand and led him from the bedroom. Remus instructed Harry to close his eyes once they reached the kitchen. When they were positive Harry was not peeking, Remus opened the backdoor and followed Sirius and Harry outside.
In the middle of the backyard, Sirius placed a hand on each of Harry's small shoulders and said, "Okay, Harry, open your eyes."
Harry did, and he was stunned beyond words. He had never had a proper birthday that he could remember; the Dursleys usually gave him a toothpick or just forgot about his birthday altogether.
There were stacks of presents on the table against the cottage. Harry wondered who they were for. He turned slowly around the backyard, finally laying eyes on the banner. Harry wasn't able to read just yet—Remus had only started to teach him the week before—but he recognized his name in gold letters.
He looked up to his guardians and asked quietly, "Is this for me?"
Sirius grinned widely. "No, they're for me," he told the boy, earning Remus' slap at the back of his head. "Of course they're for you, Harry."
Harry shrugged sheepishly, not believing anyone would do this for him. But he knew that Sirius and Remus loved him and they would do nearly anything to make him happy.
"Harry, I don't know about you, but I am dying to know what all those presents are," Remus said, smiling.
Harry looked back to the mountain of presents wrapped expertly, but unlike every other six-year-old boy, he didn't run and begin to rip them open.
Sirius noticed his hesitation, and mentally cursed the Dursleys—this had to be their fault. He gently led Harry to the presents across the yard. Sirius picked up one of the gifts and handed it to Harry.
Harry smiled shyly and peeled off the corner of the wrapping paper carefully; it was very nice wrapping paper, and he did not want to tear it and make a mess.
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Harry, just rip it open! That's the best part of birthdays!"
"Thought the best part of birthdays was the cake," Remus said as he sat on the grass next to Harry.
Sirius chuckled and sat as well. "Well, it is, but ripping open the wrapping paper and making a mess is a very close second. So, come on, Harry! Let's see what you've got!"
Harry grinned and quickly ripped the Quidditch wrapping paper to shreds, sending the mini players flying for safety, and uncovered a book: A Kid's Guide to Quidditch Throughout the Ages. It was filled with pages of flying witches and wizards, described Quidditch techniques a child could easily understand, and showed all of the different Quidditch teams in the history of the noble sport.
"Wow," he murmured softly. He looked to his guardians with a smile. "Thanks."
Sirius and Remus grinned in return. "Once we get through the rest of these, we can have that delicious cake sitting over there!" Remus said leadingly.
Harry's smile widened as he began to rip through his birthday presents. There were so many he could hardly keep track: new toys, books, clothes, a practice set of a quaffle, bludger (charmed to slow down and chase, but not strike, the player), and a golden snitch, and a set Chudley Cannons child-size robes. The Cannons were James' favorite team; Sirius preferred the Montrose Magpies, while Remus favored Puddlemere United.
Two hours later, once the wrapping paper was cleared, and the cake demolished, Sirius was continuing the tradition of "Ride the Animagus" with Harry when Albus Dumbledore walked through the door with Remus. The sight before them was amusing, to say the very least. Harry was laughing wildly atop the shaggy black dog as they ran through the backyard, occasionally jumping over things.
"And as you can see, sir," Remus said with a laugh, "we are doing our very best to keep Harry safe and sound whilst he is in our care."
Dumbledore chuckled as Sirius leapt for a bird. "I believe you and Sirius are doing an admirable job, Remus. Harry seems to be adapting superbly to his new home."
Remus smiled widely, turning to Dumbledore. "Thank you, sir. That means a lot."
Sirius came to a halt, panting, as Harry jumped off his back.
"Hello, Harry," Dumbledore said. "A very happy birthday to you, young man."
Harry smiled breathlessly while Dumbledore held out a large package wrapped in shimmering purple paper with a large yellow bow on top. "Thank you, sir," he said, taking the gift.
Harry sat on the ground as Sirius transformed back into himself. "Wow, Harry," Sirius said, panting heavily, "you really know how to give a dog its exercise."
Remus and Dumbledore laughed. "You're just out of shape, Padfoot. Perhaps you should cut back on the butterbeer and chocolate frogs—you're starting to get a gut." He patted Sirius on the stomach as he knelt next to Harry.
Sirius looked at Remus, in mock-annoyance. "I, my dear friend, am in pristine shape, thank you very much."
Remus chuckled, letting the argument drop. "Go on, Harry. See what Professor Dumbledore brought for you."
Sirius and Remus laughed as Harry ripped open the wrapping paper with as much—if not more—eagerness as he had with the others. Once the paper was out of the way, Harry gazed at what lay before him: a vast number of wizarding sweets. Everything from cauldron cakes to cockroach clusters.
Sirius peered at the haul of sweets happily. "Not bad at all, Harry. Any licorice wands in there?"
Remus smacked him in the back of the head. "They're Harry's, Sirius," he stated in deflating sternness as he peered at the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans hungrily.
Harry gazed up to Dumbledore, delight written all over his young face. "Thank you, sir," he said again.
Dumbledore smiled back. "You're quite welcome, Harry. I do hope you will enjoy. And just between you and me, keep the sugar quills away from your guardians," he said with a wink. He turned to Sirius and Remus. "I am sorry to say that I must take my leave. The owls should be arriving with letters for the new school year and I must see to them."
Sirius and Remus stood and shook Dumbledore's hand and thanked him for coming.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," he said just as he had five years previously.
Remus led the headmaster inside while Sirius and Harry went through the candy. Before he stepped into the fireplace, Remus glanced outside to be sure Sirius was occupied.
He took a deep breath and said, "Sir, before you go... Have you heard anything about Peter since we last spoke?"
Dumbledore looked through his half-moon spectacles at Remus' anxious face. "I am afraid not, Remus." He put a hand on Remus' shoulder. "But I do believe it will not be long before he commits another mistake and makes himself known. And at that time, we will catch him."
Remus nodded in disappointment. They hadn't seen neither hide nor hair of Wormtail since Dumbledore informed them the rat had been on Privet Drive. After exchanging goodbyes, Dumbledore Flooed back to Hogwarts, leaving Remus with his thoughts.
Perhaps Wormtail had simply gone back into hiding; it was exactly the sort of thing a coward would do, and Remus had no doubt that once Wormtail received word of Sirius' release, he would be scared out of his puny little mind.
There was still the question, however, as to why Wormtail had gone after Harry in the first place. Maybe Dumbledore was right—Wormtail had simply wanted to finish what Voldemort started five years ago. But why now? And what was Wormtail's next plan?
Remus walked to the kitchen door and watched as Sirius chased Harry around the backyard. He watched the remaining members of his family and swore never to let any harm come to either of them. He would do whatever it would take to keep Sirius and Harry from pain and danger.
Sirius and Harry lay on Harry's bed, flipping through A Kid's Guide to Quidditch Throughout the Ages. "So did you have a good birthday, Harry?" he asked lazily as they watched a Cannon's Chaser smash into the ground.
Harry smiled and turned his head to Sirius. "Yeah, it was the best birthday ever!" he said happily.
Sirius smiled and put an arm around Harry. "Good. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
"What are we going to do tomorrow?" Harry asked curiously.
Sirius closed the book and placed it on the bedside table. "I thought you and I could explore the forest a bit. Maybe do a bit of flying in the clearing a few miles from here."
Harry nodded sleepily and curled up against Sirius. Remus walked into the room quietly, a plain brown box behind his back. He cleared his throat quietly. Sirius and Harry turned to him and smiled. "Come on over, Remus. There's plenty of room," Sirius said, moving over a bit for his friend.
Remus walked to the end of the bed, sat, and pulled the box from behind him. Harry and Sirius looked at it questioningly. Remus said quietly, "I forgot this in my room when we took your presents outside. I thought you might like to open it before you go to bed," he said to Harry.
Sirius raised an eyebrow—he didn't recall there being another present... Harry sat up and took the box from Remus with a smile. He opened the lid and pulled out a dark colored stag. Sirius looked over the stag and smiled his approval to Remus—it looked just like James' Animagus form. Sirius was sure Remus had charmed the eyes to be that hazel color.
Harry smiled. "What should I name it?" he asked, looking over the antlers.
"What do you want to name it, Harry?" Sirius asked.
Harry thought for a moment before smiling again. "Prongs," he said simply.
"Prongs is a great name for a stag, Harry," Remus remarked quietly. "A great name."