A loud deafening noise exploded in the room. A little boy tumbled out of the bed and landed on his back. Begrudgingly shaking his head, he knew he would need to think of a way to get back at who ever was responsible for this early morning wake-up call. He got up from the floor and toppled back into bed, pulling the covers over his head, blocking out the light and his room.

"C'mon, kiddo. Wake – up." The little boys father yelled from the doorway. "Today's the day."

"Go 'ay." Came the muffled reply. "Don wanna." His speech was slurred from tiredness. He would get back at his father for this, he swore to Merlin. With the help of his Godfather Padfoot, and his uncle Moony, the Marauders would once again strike this man. His father should have known by now never to mess with his young, it was always a losing battle.

"Harry James Potter. If you don't get your arse up out of bed now, I swear to Merlin I'll have Snape tutor you in potions during summer holidays until you attend Hogwarts."

Harry shuddered at that thought. He had met Severus Snape on a couple of occasions when his dad would take him to visit Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he could honestly say the greasy git of a potions master hated him, and the feeling was mutual. They had gotten off on the wrong foot the minute Harry had said 'hello' to him. The man sneered, and told Harry that if he wanted to live to see his first day of school that he would not approach him again. Harry never did. James later explained the rivalry amongst the two.

Harry jumped out of bed, and glared angrily at his father. "If you had any love for me, you'd leave me be, and let me sleep. Do you know what time it is?" He asked. His small fists clenched tightly, looking like he was ready to pound something.

James noticed the fists, and was preparing for one of Harry's famous temper tantrums. He had to admit that if it was anybody's fault for those it was his. The minute he came home from the hospital with Harry in his arms, he started spoiling the boy rotten. At last, he could not take the blame alone for that. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew spoiled the boy just as much as he did and how could he forget all the staff members at Hogwarts (minus Snape of course). Harry was just an adorable kid that even with most of James' features he was still Lily's boy through and through. His attitude was just as hot tempered as his mother's, but his soul was beautiful. The little boy that he had raised was a caring boy, who held no prejudices against anyone as long as that person was honest and loyal.

"If you even think of throwing a tantrum, you will not go to the next game I play in. Instead I will have Snape tutor you in potions until the game is over. Now get dressed and meet me downstairs." James walked out of the room before Harry could reply. He knew the boy would do as he was told, any command that was threatened using Snape would be done fast and efficiently.

Harry watched his father's retreating back; he was left alone now in the middle of his room, with a gob smacked expression on his face. He could not believe his father had used the 'S' word twice in less than two minutes. How could his father possibly be mad at him this early in the morning? He wasn't even up yet to warrant such a response out of the man. Harry's eyes sparkled with the realization that his father must have found what he and Sirius had done the night before. It was funny, and at least this time it wouldn't turn his dad's skin blue for three days. "Happy Birthday to me." Harry grumbled as he came back from his musings, and went to get changed. "Here's your present son, a cauldron, so you can mix potions with Snape." Harry already had a feeling how this day was going to turn out. Which would mean that he would miss his birthday visit with his mom. Every year for as long as Harry could remember, his father would take him to visit his mother, they would stay there for awhile, Harry giving his father his privacy and his father would give him his privacy to.

"Harry, you have thirty seconds." James' voice could be heard from downstairs. Harry mused at this he wondered if the neighbour's could hear his father yelling too, his voice was so loud. He could see Mrs. Weasley making breakfast for her large family and dropping all of the sausages when she heard shouting from their house. It was a funny thought.

Harry rushed in getting dressed, and than went to the loo to do his morning routine. He rushed down the stairs and gave his father a lop – sided grin. When he saw the look on his father's face he bowed his head. After a couple of seconds, which felt like minutes to the young boy, he chanced a quick glance up at his father through a black fringe that fell past his eyes.

"Looks like it's time for another haircut." James joked as he ruffled his son's hair. Harry's hair was like his, it would grow long, and than it would only allow a certain amount to be cut, before it grew back, James figured it was all inherited from centuries ago.

"I like it this way dad." Harry protested, as he ran away from his father trying to find some refuge in the kitchen where he could smell a delicious aroma that was wafting through.

"SNUFFLES!" Harry cried as he flung himself into his Godfather's arms. Sirius was fast enough as he turned around from his cooking and caught his Godson in his arms.

"Happy Birthday, Lil Prongs." Sirius said as he let go of Harry, and went back to his cooking.

"Since when do you cook?" Harry asked as he sat himself at the table. He looked curiously at his Godfather. For as long as Harry could remember Sirius Black was never one for cooking.

"Just felt like it today." Sirius grumbled into the pot. "You excited?" He asked avoiding the question. It was not cooking that he was doing Sirius was making a potion, a potion that would allow Harry to have one wish and allow for that wish to come true. That was his birthday present to the boy. He knew Remus and Peter were both planning something together and later on when James and Harry returned from their excursion they were going to come over later with their own surprise for the boy, and even to him it was still a secret, neither Peter or Remus would tell him what they were planning.

"Padfoot. You're ignoring me!" Harry started whinging. His face scrunching up.

Sirius looked over at the small boy. For eight years old he could pass for six. He figured Harry must have inherited that from Lily. She was also on the short side.

"No I'm not, you're imagining things kid." Sirius said, his mind shifting over to Lily. Today was the day she passed away, even though it was a happy occasion moods would usually change from moment to moment around the house. They all missed Lily, and at times even with all the love in the house that Harry received, he knew that Harry still missed his mother and always wished she were there.

"Than what did I just say?" Harry asked.

"You said…" Luckily Sirius did not have to reply to that as his response was interrupted by James' shouting at the boy.

"Harry I have breakfast and lunch ready, don't bother Sirius, the mutt needs to be left alone at the moment let's go now, or we won't go at all."

"Bye Padfoot. See you later." Harry waved goodbye and jumped off his seat making a beeline for his father.

"Here." James said handing Harry his cloak. For July it was surprisingly cool out that day, and the last thing James needed was his son to get sick.

"Dad what does it feel like to fly." Harry asked. He asked this of his father a lot. He loved watching his dad fly catching the golden snitch; he always looked like he was free, and while there he could touch a little bit of heaven.

"It's the most amazing feeling in the world son." James replied.

After that nothing was said. The two walked out the side of the manor into a hill area that was covered in white lilies. A small grey tombstone with the words: LILY EVANS POTTER was etched into it.

Harry ran to that little area and from his pocket he pulled out a picture. "I made it for you." He said ever so quietly. He unfolded it and held it to the tomb. "It's a picture of me, dad, Padfoot, and Moony. And here's you in between the clouds, you're watching over us." Harry refolded the picture and placed it on the tombstone.

James who was watching from a far came closer and stretched the blanket on the ground.

Harry came to join him and they had a wonderful breakfast together. After they finished eating. Harry quickly folded the blanket and grabbed the picnic basket. He knew the routine already. He had his moment with his mother and now his father needed his moment with his wife.

James sat down carefully by the tombstone. "My beautiful Lily. You should see how much our son has grown. He has your beautiful magnificent eyes, and personality. Everyday he will do something that reminds me of you. Don't get me wrong; he has a mischievous air about him as well. The Marauders are rubbing off on him too. I suspect by the time he goes to Hogwarts he'll be giving Dumbledore a run for his Galleons. He'll be as much trouble as the four of us were. I miss you my angel. I think about you all the time. I wish you were here with us, but thank you for giving me our son. He is my heart now. There will be nobody that will replace you. I love you." James held his wand high into the air, and two white doves sprung out and flew into the sky. Above the clouds, until they were out of sight.

"Ready to go." James asked Harry as he gave his son an enormous hug. His last present from Lily.

"Ready." Harry said as they made their way to the front of the manor.

James led Harry to the walkway and went to the shed to retrieve the brooms. "Here they are." James switched the contents in Harry's hand for the broom.

When they got a little closer Harry noticed a small figure leaning on the gate. From her appearance he knew who she was immediately.

A small little girl with her red hair in pigtails stood leaning on the wrought – Iron Gate. A broom clutched in her hands. She waved to the two men excitedly.

James waved back, while Harry glared menacingly at her. "I nipped it off my brother Charlie, he won't notice it's gone because dad took him to the ministry today, to show Charlie what he does at work." The little girl said exuberantly.

"That's nice Ginny." James said. "We're glad you could make it." He smiled his biggest smile at the small girl.

"She's not coming with us." Harry said while still glaring at the girl.

"Excuse us for a moment." James said to the youngest Weasley child. He grabbed Harry by the arm and pulled him off to the side. "That was highly rude of you." He seethed. He had not taught Harry manners like the one he just displayed.

"I don't want her to go. It was rude of her to just show up." Harry retorted.

"She's coming and that's final." James spoke up.

"Please Dad. I'll make you a deal. Take Neville Longbottom, take Seamus Finnegan, even take her brother, my best friend Ron, just please don't take the girl." Harry clung to his father's cloak begging for him to understand.

"It's settled Ginny is coming."

James walked back to the smallest Weasley, who looked like she was swimming in her pink cloak, and smiled fondly at her, if it was going to be anything like his and Lily's relationship, his son was in for one wild ride. He just hoped and prayed that Harry's happy ending would include her in it. As he heard his son's feet pounding on the stone cobbled pavement behind him, the words "Please don't take the girl." Were not lost on him.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well That's it for Don't take the girl.I hope you enjoyed the story. Please review, they mean the world to me. Now I can hopefully go back and work on Promise to Stay.

Love to all,

Hedwig11445