Birthday Surprises

Chapter 13

Sunday, July 21

Almost three whole weeks had passed since Harry, Sirius, and Remus came to live in the Potter Manor. It already felt so much more like a home than Privet Drive ever did and was infinitely more beautiful to wake up to. Even the July summer was rather cool and cheerful yellow daffodils stood outside the house, courtesy of Remus who had found gardening quite therapeutic. The greenhouse looked much better, its weeds having been removed and new plants having been potted.

Harry and Sirius spent time flying or playing games with Remus or practicing new spells. Harry was proud of the progress he was making and it made him even more satisfied when Sirius or Remus praised his efforts. But the third week of July ushered in disturbing news. There had been an attack on the muggle Junior Minister. Though there still hadn't been any attacks in the wizarding world, there was a dull sense of foreboding at the stalling game that Voldemort was playing.

Hedwig had brought him letters from both Hermione (who was holidaying in her grandmother's for the whole summer) and Ron, who had written quite a bit about Fleur Delacour, who was engaged to his older brother, Bill and was visiting them at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley had passed along the message that he was invited to the Burrow whenever he wanted to. Though Harry was touched by her kindness, he graciously declined. He wanted to spend as much time with Sirius as was possible. They had fifteen years to catch up on anyway.

So it was quite a surprise when during lunch that Sirius announced they were going on a holiday of their own.

"You mean like a vacation?" asked Harry, bewildered. He had never been on a holiday before.

"Yup. I figured a week's getaway to the south of France would be your birthday present this year," said Sirius, grinning.

Harry's mouth fell open. A vacation as a birthday present? Even Dudley had never gotten something as big as that for his birthday.

Remus cut through the fog in his head. "Is it safe, Sirius? And does Dumbledore know about it?"

"It's totally safe!" said Sirius, dismissively waving his hand. "We'll be out of the country and Harry will be with me! And no, I didn't plan on telling Dumbledore about it."

Remus gave a long-suffering look. "Sirius, you cannot possibly–"

"Come on, Remus! Harry deserves to live a little. What good would it be if he stays cooped up like this? And till when? Till Voldemort is gone? That could be forever!"

"But Harry will be safe! Isn't that more important?" said Remus.

"You sound like Dumbledore now. Harry was mighty safe with the Dursleys. But was that good for Harry?" said Sirius, cuttingly.

Remus replied politely but firmly, "No, but this is different! This is intentionally–"

Harry was watching both of them argue, still with his mouth slightly agape.

Sirius spoke over him. "And besides, we'll be travelling the muggle flying way! There will be no chance of Voldemort coming at us, then."

Harry finally found his voice. "We'll be going by aeroplane?"

Sirius grinned excitedly. "Yes! I found this travel thingamabob in the town when I went there last week–"

"When did you leave to town without us knowing?"

"–and I made an enquiry and found they have tour packages to France!"

"Sirius!" said Remus in a louder voice. "Please, think sensibly. You could be followed, you could be ambushed–"

"Now really, Remus," said Sirius, rolling his eyes. "I will be there with Harry and I would never let harm come to him."

Remus sighed as he rubbed his eyes. "Why do you always have an answer for everything?"

Sirius grinned as he turned to look at Harry. "What do you think, Harry? Do you want to?"

Harry was torn. He really wanted to go on a vacation of his own; all his friends had been overseas at least once in their life. But Remus was right too. With Voldemort out in the open, was it really safe?

The few seconds that Harry hesitated, he saw the disheartened look in his godfather's face and hastened to reply, "I really, really want to, but I agree with Remus."

Sirius looked crushed and even Remus looked up startled. But Harry continued, "We should go under disguise and also inform Dumbledore."

The grin that broke into Sirius' face was magnificent and he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Excellent!"

Remus shook his head with his lips pressed, admitting defeat.

oOo

Sirius and Harry had gone into town and spent a day shopping for their holiday in France. Remus had later apologized as he would not be making it to the trip. He had looked at Sirius meaningfully and Sirius had nodded.

Remus had been tasked with getting tickets for both Harry and Sirius. When Harry asked his godfather why Remus wasn't coming with them, he had smirked knowingly. "Remus is going to be spending time with uh… someone else."

Harry's eyes widened as he realized the implication. "You mean like a girlfriend?"

Sirius laughed. "Don't tell Remus that I told you."

"But who is it? Why doesn't he say anything?" asked Harry.

"He's still rather uncomfortable about it, poor sod. He didn't actively date when we were in school, because of, you know, his problem. Even after Hogwarts, he convinced himself that people like him weren't meant to date."

"Bet it's someone really special to make him reconsider his opinion," mused Harry.

Sirius grinned. "It is."

oOo

Wednesday, July 24

"Okay," Remus said as he handed a yellow envelope to Sirius. "Your tickets are here. I have already exchanged your muggle currency and it's in this envelope. What else? Have you informed Dumbledore yet?"

"Ah right…" said Sirius, uncharacteristically nervous. "I was hoping to do that now."

"Now?" exclaimed Remus, aghast. "You mean you haven't let him know yet? Your plane's leaving in less than six hours! And you need to leave within three if you want to make it in time!"

"Right… So let's not waste any more time dawdling," said Sirius, nodding as he walked over to the mantelpiece and took a pinch of the Floo powder and threw it into the fireplace. "Headmaster's Office!"

Sirius stuck his head into the fire and quelled his urge to cough. He saw the familiar office and Dumbledore was sitting on his desk, lost in his thoughts as he held something small in his hand.

"Dumbledore," he said politely, by way of greeting. Dumbledore quickly turned to see him and Sirius was momentarily amused by his surprise.

"What brings you here at this time of the day, Sirius?" he asked as he turned in his seat to look at Sirius properly.

"Well, you see…"

"Is Harry alright?" interrupted Dumbledore, with a worried frown.

Sirius huffed. "Of course he is! Why won't he be?" Why did everyone think he was not fit to keep Harry safe?

"Then what is the matter?" said Dumbledore, curiously.

Sirius took in a breath – it was best to do it quickly. "We, that is to say, Harry and I are going on a holiday to France, for a week."

Predictably Dumbledore shook his head. "Sirius, I cannot possibly allow…"

Sirius had practiced his speech for this very same eventuality. "Dumbledore, please. I'm not asking for your permission. I am merely informing you because Remus thinks we should not keep information of our whereabouts from you."

"Very wise of him," said Dumbledore sagaciously.

"That's Remus to you!" nodded Sirius. "Look, I have already made all the arrangements. We leave this afternoon since we're flying the Muggle way. It will be perfectly safe and you know I'll keep an eye on Harry."

"It's not a question of whether you can keep him safe, Sirius," said Dumbledore slowly.

"Harry needs a break! He has never gone on holiday before thanks to those bloody relatives he calls Aunt and Uncle. You want to treat him like a child whenever you decide to keep him in the dark. But when it comes to living like one, it's not acceptable? He deserves to have some semblance of normalcy in his life."

Dumbledore was staring at him and after a moment sighed. "I assume no amount of convincing on my part is going to discourage you."

"Too right you are!" proclaimed Sirius victoriously.

"Then, I think you will agree that it will be prudent of you to check in with Remus or me every day, just in case."

That was not a bad suggestion at all. Sirius nodded, "We can do that. I'll give one of my two-way mirrors to Remus, so it won't intrude too much with our time there."

"Very well. I wish you and Harry a safe journey."

Sirius grinned. "Thank you. See you in a week."

oOo

"He agreed?" asked Remus incredulously as Sirius stood up from the fireplace.

Sirius put a hand to his heart and said with mock-hurt. "Is that how much faith you had in my powers of persuasion?"

"I admit I thought it would take a lot of time to convince Dumbledore," said Remus.

"He was rather distracted when I first saw him, now that I think about it," said Sirius, casually. "But yes, I am a little surprised myself that he agreed so quickly."

Remus was looking at him worriedly when Sirius beamed. "Oh, cheer up! It'll be fine. Besides, you get the house all to yourself for a week. I have no qualms and I'm sure Harry wouldn't mind if you decided to invite your lady-friend over for the week."

Remus blushed and stammered. "What–no–That won't be–We are not that close yet."

Sirius, very observantly noted the hopeful 'yet'. He took a piece of parchment from the mantelpiece and quickly wrote something down. "Here's the address, if you change your mind. It's not like I don't trust Tonks and I hope we'll be seeing more of her soon."

Remus was muttering, "I'm not ready to get serious with her. She doesn't deserve to be with someone like me!"

"That's what you say," said Sirius, quite seriously. "She seems perfectly happy with you though. I think you should give it a chance."

And before Remus could reply, Sirius left the room, whistling the same Pink Floyd tune that had been stuck in his head for the whole day.

oOo