Chapter 21: Dreams and Denials

May 15, 2011, (Fourth year)

"Happy Birthday Megan." James woke his now 5 year old daughter up.

"Thanks Daddy." She said getting out of bed.

"Excuse me Master James." Trixy said coming into the bedroom. "But little Mistress Megan has guests. It's Mr. Ron and Miss. Hermione."

0000

"Happy Birthday!" the couple told the youngest Potter.

"Thanks guys." She said as she hugged them.

"Anything?" Hermione asked.

"We were hoping you knew something?" James told him.

"I don't believe this." Ron said for the umpteenth time. "My best friend leaves as soon as we graduate. A year later, my sister follows. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they eloped. It's been over three years now."

"Ron. I'm sure Harry has his reason." His fiancée tried to calm him down.

Just then, the floo network activated.

"Where's the birthday girl?" Sirius said stepping out carrying a four year old Vega.

"Right here Uncle Sirius."

"Lily? Are you sure she can't call me Uncle Pa…"

"I'm sure." Lily said. "We're not giving the kids any ideas at this young an age."

Just then, the others came in. Megan went to go "play" with her friends as the Hogwarts graduates talked. The kids were actually eavesdropping.

"Harry used to call me Padfoot." Sirius complained.

"If I recall correctly," Spica said, "It was his first word."

"Don't remind me." James pouted.

"Oh. C'mon James. You have to remember his second word." Remus told him.

"Oh yeah." Melissa said

"What was it?" John asked.

"Idiot." James told him laughing. "It was so funny. Sirius was so proud when Harry said "Padfoot". However, not even two minutes after he said it, he said "idiot" Well, actually, it was "idot." But you get the point. For about a week, the only comprehensible thing he could say was "Padfoot Idiot." Sirius begged him to call me "Dada" afterwards."

"At least he'd be able to say "Dada Idiot."" Sirius argued.

"Can we please stop talking about Harry?" Lily asked. "It hurts not knowing whether or not he's alive."

"I understand." James told her. "But we have to remember the funny times."

"I've noticed a pattern with your kids." Sara said. "Neither one of their first words were Mama or Dada."

"That's right." Melissa said. "Harry's was "Padfoot" and Megan's was "Harry"."

"Actually, it was more "Pafoo" and "Airwy."" Spica joked.

"Mummy." Megan came into the room, "Can we have some cake now?"

"Of course Megan." Lily said.

0000

"Blow out the candles and make a wish." Spica told her godchild as she stood in front of the birthday cake.

"I wish Harry was here" she whispered as she blew out all five candles

Everyone was clapping for her.

Lily started to cut the cake as Sirius reached to steal some icing. She slapped his hand and started to threaten him with the knife.

After the younger kids got their cake, Remus grabbed a slice and turned to Ron and Hermione.

"Ron! Hermione!" Remus called "Do you two wa…?"

He grew silent. When he saw who was with them, he dropped the piece of cake he was holding.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to see what was wrong. Ron and Hermione had their backs turned as they talked to a redheaded woman and a man who looked like a younger version of James.

"Hi." Harry and Ginny waved.

"HARRY!" Lily cried as she gave her son a hug that could rival Molly Weasley's.

"Wow. This wishing on candles stuff really works." Megan said before she ran to join her mother in the hug.

"Megan? MEGAN!" a voice yelled in her ear.

"AGGHH! VEGA!" a 15 year old Megan yelled.

"Morning sleepyhead." Ariel teased.

"What was the dream about now?" Vega asked with a smirk

"Dream?" Megan asked. It had only been a dream.

"I was dreaming about my fifth birthday party." She informed them.

Ariel and Vega quickly wiped the smirks off their faces. They were expecting a VERY different answer.

"You miss them." Ariel stated. It was not a question.

"Yes. So much." She said.

"Well, on a happier note," Vega said. "Yesterday, during the Hogsmeade trip, I explored the Proteus/Julia household while the rest of you guys were in the memories, and I found this."

Vega held up a book and handed it to Megan.

"An in-depth explanation on how to become animagi." she explained as Megan went through the book.

"This is amazing." She said. "Have you shown the boys?"

"Not yet." Vega said.

"We'll start this year." Megan said. "When you guys asked me what was my dream about, what were you expecting?"

"Oh. Nothing." The other two said innocently.

0000

Meanwhile in the common room,

"C'mon Colin. Admit it." Polaris said.

"Only if you admit that you like her cousin." Colin told him.

"I will do no such thing." Polaris informed him.

"Please. Each Quidditch match, you say something about her."

"Well, maybe next time I'll say something about you and…"

"Ok you two." Adam told his friends. "That's enough."

"How about you Adam?" Colin turned. "Why haven't we heard you admit anything?"

"There is nothing to admit." Adam told him.

"Please. We've seen you stare." Polaris argued.

"In class." Colin added.

"Quidditch practice."

"Meals."

"Quidditch games."

"Study time."

"Enough." Adam said to them. "How would you two know? Whenever I see you two, YOU'RE doing it."

"We do NOT!"

"At least I don't." Polaris said. "That's more than I can say for Colin who dreams of a certain girl."

"No I don't." Colin argued.

"This morning." Adam pointed out.

Flashback

Adam and Polaris woke up at the same time.

"Another day." Polaris sighed.

"At least it's Sunday." Adam mentioned

"Is Colin up yet?"

"I don't know."

The two boys got out of bed and went over to Colin's bedside. The removed the curtains to reveal a sleeping Colin

"I guess not." Adam said.

"I'd hate to wake him." Polaris said.

Colin looked perfectly content hugging his pillow. His face was buried in it. If one didn't know any better, they'd say he was kissing it.

Adam shook his best friend gently. Too bad his voice wasn't

"COLIN LUPIN! WAKE UP!"

Colin woke with a start.

"Huh? Where am I? Where did Megan go?"

The other two laughed.

"Here's Megan." Adam said taking the pillow from Colin and showing him it.

"Did you have a good dream Lover Boy?" Polaris asked as Colin blushed a BRIGHT red.

End Flashback

The two boys who were laughing a few minutes ago went back to laughing as Colin turned a bright red.

"Hey guys." The three girls came into the common room

"What's so funny?" Megan asked Colin as he glared at the other boys daring them to say something.

"Nothing." He said innocently.

TBC

"Ok guys. This is it." Megan said in the RofR.

"Let's do this." Colin said.

They all concentrated and with a POP, each child was replaced with an animal.