When Harry arrived home he found the house empty and quiet. He glanced at the clock that Ginny had that was similar to her mother's. Since he had his rightful name back, his worked again and pointed toward 'home'. Ginny had added Jason's the day before and his pointed to 'Quidditch'. Ginny's and Jamie's both indicated 'Diagon Alley'. Satisfied that everyone was where he or she belonged, he lay on the sofa to take a nap. Shortly after dozing off he heard his name being called.
"Harry! Ginny! Hello?"
Harry sat up and straightened his glasses. Glancing at the fireplace, he saw the head of Remus Lupin floating amongst the flames. He hurried to the fireplace.
"Remus! Great to see you. Come on in and I'll get you something to drink."
Remus's head and the rest of him stepped out of the flames. Harry noticed that his robes were no long shabby and patched. Instead he wore indigo colored robes that appeared to be brand new. He brushed his hair out of his eyes and grinned at Harry.
"I would have come by earlier, but it was a full moon two nights ago."
Harry embraced his former mentor and friend, "I understand, Tonks explained the other night. It's good to see you. Have a seat." He indicated to the sofa.
"Don't mind if I do."
Harry summoned two Butterbeers from the kitchen. Taking one for himself, he handed the other to Lupin.
"So, I understand you have a son now. From what Arthur was telling me, he sounds just like James," Remus remarked.
Harry smiled fondly, "He's a great kid, a little too curious and smart for my good. But he has a heart of gold."
"Like I said, just like James," he stared at Harry for a moment. "Like you would had been if you would have had a normal childhood." There was a slight hint of sadness in his voice.
"Yeah, well you didn't exactly have the easiest childhood either," he replied. "And I don't think either us of us turned out too bad."
"That may depend on who you ask," he laughed. "And I've watched Jamie grow up, she's amazing. Sometimes she reminds me of Lily and other times she is all Ginny. Although she has a lot of you in her also."
"Thank you," he smiled sadly. "I've missed so much with her. I don't know how I'll ever make it up to her."
"Just be there for her now, you have the rest of your life to make memories with her and the rest of your family."
The two men sat in silence for a few minutes. Harry was the first to break the silence, "So, what have you been doing for the last ten years? Whatever it is it looks like it's treating you well."
He grinned, "My life has turned out better than I ever let myself imagine it would. I have what I always dreamed of having; a family. Dora and Michael are the best things that ever happened to me," he smiled again. "I opened my own pub. I used the money that Sirius left me. Turns out I'm a pretty good bartender, I think it's because I enjoy listening to people."
Harry slapped him on the back, "That's fabulous. What's the name of it? I want to check it out."
"Actually you already did, it's the Wolf's Bane."
"Ahh, I should have guessed from the name," he smacked himself in the forehead. "It's really nice. I'll have to go back when I can just hang out for a while."
Remus looked at his gold wrist watch, "I have to head on back now, do you want to join me? I ran into Ginny and Hermione earlier and it sounded like they would not be done shopping until late."
"Sure, why not. I can't think of anything better than spending the rest of the day with an old friend. And I wanted to check out the twin's store, maybe I can do that also."
Harry noticed Remus's beaming face and thought he must be really proud of his business. They apparated together to the pub. Remus had to keep Harry from falling when they were greeted with shouts of "Surprise!"
The room was full of Harry's friends and family. Harry gazed dumbfounded around the room. On one wall a huge banner was hanging that read Happy Birthday, Harry! in ink that was flashing various colors. In all the excitement of the past two days, Harry had forgotten today was his birthday.
He looked at Remus, "Did you know about this?"
"Of course, its my pub. It was my job to keep you busy once Dumbledore let me know you had left Hogwarts and to get you here."
"Dumbledore knew too?"
"Of course I did Harry. I told the Fat Lady to let you in the tower without a password. I figured that would keep you busy for a while," Dumbledore answered from his spot near the huge cake with the Snitch zooming back and forth across it sitting on the bar.
"Wow, everyone did this for me?"
Jason, followed by Ginny and Jamie, came barreling at Harry before he had a chance to talk to anyone else.
"Were you surprised Dad?" Jamie asked with her eyes sparkling.
"I was completely shocked," he told her.
"Good, we were afraid someone," she looked pointedly at Jason, "would tell you."
"I didn't say anything," Jason pouted for a split second before he spotted Michael Lupin and Adam and Simon Weasley, "Happy Birthday, Dad!" he hollered as he ran off to join his new best friends.
Ginny and Jamie led him to a table in front of the fireplace that was loaded with gifts. On the way he spotted countless familiar faces. He laughed and waved back to the house elf, Doby, he had charmed himself to levitate above everyone so he could see Harry. "Mr. Harry Potter, sir, Happy Birthday, sir!" he squeaked excitedly.
It was one of the happiest days of Harry's life. He caught up with many old friends and met many children who had been born while he was gone. After talking to Neville Longbottom and meeting his wife, Bethany, and their children, Tyler and Betsy, he bumped into Lee Jordan.
Lee sent his shy looking daughter off to where Jamie and Georgia were gathered with several other kids who were all starting their first year at Hogwarts in a month. Harry remembered that Lee's wife, Angelina, had been one of the final casualties of the war with Voldemort. He still remembered the horrible night when Fred had told Lee the tragic news. Ginny and Harry had kept little Maggie at their house with Jamie until Lee had been able to care for her himself.
"Lee, how are you?" Harry inquired. "Maggie has become the image of her mum."
Lee smiled warmly as he watched his daughter, "I know. I don't think I would have survived without her. I wish Angelina could see her, she would be so proud of her." He turned back to Harry after quickly wiping his eyes with his sleeve, "Can you believe our little babies are heading off to Hogwarts this year?"
Harry shook his head, "No, I just hope they follow the rules a little better than we did."
Lee laughed, "That shouldn't be too hard!"
Fred and George soon called Lee over to discuss some business matters. Harry made his way to Ginny. She had her back to him so he snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
"Hi, Harry," she said as she turned to face him. "Are you enjoying your birthday?"
He beamed at her, "Of course, thank you. It's the best birthday I've ever had."
"Better than your 18th?" she asked with an innocent smile.
His cheeks flushed as he remembered that night, "That was a pretty good one."
Jamie and Jason ran up to them breathless.
"Mum, can I spend the night with Georgia, her mum said it was okay?"
"Dad, Uncle George said it was okay if I stayed with Adam and Simon tonight. He said all I had to do was ask you. Can I?"
They gave their permission and the kids ran off to rejoin their friends.
"Do you think that was planned?" Harry asked Ginny.
"Well, maybe. I kind of mentioned to Hermione and Katie that we hadn't spent any time just the two of us."
"Hmm," Harry looked down at his petite wife. "Hey, I don't think I opened a gift from you," he teased her.
"That's because its private, you can have it when we get home." she looked at him suggestively.
"Hey, everyone!" Harry yelled. "Me and Ginny are leaving. Bye and thanks!" He grabbed her arm and they apparated home.
The party goers laughed and continued visiting with each other. No one noticed the cloaked figured at the window. The wind blew his hood off to reveal his shockingly blond hair. He glared at the people gathered in the room, "Enjoy it while it lasts," he snarled. With a 'crack' he was gone.