33

The Great Surprise

Doe was sitting in the common room reading in one of the armchairs when someone came up behind her quickly and almost gave her a heart attack.

James had appeared out of nowhere and his sudden approach had her clutching at her chest.

" James, don't sneak up on people!" she told him earnestly.

He laughed, " Sorry Doe, I didn't mean to scare you"

She took a deep breath and turned to face him, "So, whats up Potter?'
James sat down in the armchair opposite hers and looked at her intently.

" So I have an idea and I need your help" he said matter of factly.

" Okay what?" she asked.

He smiled, " So as I am sure you know. Sirius' birthday is Saturday and I was thinking that the best way to celebrate would be a raging surprise party on the grounds near the Black Lake, and seeing as you are Sirius' other best friend, I figured you could help me plan it"

Doe nodded, " Yeah definitely. I'd love to help"

James smiled widely, " Really?"

Doe nodded quickly, " Yeah, anything for Sirius"

He grinned, " Excellent Meadowes, this is going to be great"

He got up and started to walk away, but Doe grabbed his arm to stop him.

" James?" She told him.

" Yeah?" he asked.

" I am not getting the alcohol" she said sternly.

James laughter boomed through the common room.

" I'll handle the firewhiskey, Meadowes. Dont worry"

Planning Sirius' party in secret ended up being harder than Doe had thought. James had handled refreshments and managed to inform all of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff without it getting back to Sirius. However, Doe was in charge of everything else, and it was hard to make sure Sirius didn't find out anything about it.

Seeing as Sirius' birthday was also on a Hogsmeade visit, James and Peter were taking him out to distract him from the set-up for the party. Remus was staying with Doe to help her set up.

In the late afternoon, they headed down to the grounds and Remus helped, as she magically strung balloons, streamers and fairy lights from the trees near the lake.

" Where do we put this?" Remus asked.

He and Lily were holding a large banner that she had bewitched to read 'Happy Birthday Sirius' in large flashing colors.

" Across those two trees" she said indicating to the two large trees where tables were set up for food.

" Aye aye Captain" Remus said with a wink.

" Okay so James sent me with these" Otto Bagman said with a smile. He was holding a large tub of what looked like small bottles of butterbeer and larger bottles of firewhiskey.

" He assured me that you would want to see them" Otto said with a grin.

" Oh I'm sure he did" Doe told him rolling her eyes at James' idea of a joke, " You can put them over there on that table"

" Okay, Ludo should be bringing the cake and food up any second" Otto told her.

" Thank you so much" she told him, and he waved her off carrying the drinks to the table.

In the next few hours everything came together really well. Ludo did return with both the cake from Honeydukes and the food from the Kitchens. He and his brother had managed to figure out how to bewitch music to play outside that could only be heard in radius of the party. It was extraordinary.

By the time that night fell, everything was in place and people began to arrive. Doe triple checked everything to make sure it was all in place. She could feel her control freak side starting to show.

" Everything is perfect, don't worry" Remus assured her.

" I know, I'm being silly" Doe told him.

He shook his head, reaching for her hand, " You're just trying to make it good"

" Sirius never had someone to do this," she told Remus, " his parents never threw him a party"

Remus nodded, " You're a good friend, Doe. He needs you."

Doe smiled, they were interrupted by Lily running over to them from the castle. Her long hair flying behind her in a red mass as she ran quickly.

" James….is….bringing...him… up...now" she said trying to catch her breath.

" Alright guys he's coming" Doe told the crowd behind them.

Everyone gathered around and a moment later they all saw the shapes of James, Sirius, and Peter coming towards them.

" Hell yes!" Sirius said happily seeing what was assembled before him.

" Happy Birthday" Doe chanted happily.

Sirius grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug, " Knew you wouldn't forget my birthday" he said and Doe felt bad for having to avoid him all day.

" It was James' idea" she told Sirius.

Sirius turned to James and gave him an affectionate clap on the back.

" Hey I just came up with the idea, Doe did all the work" James said.

He and Doe exchanged smiles.

" Alright enough you two" Sirius said with a shake of his head.

" Let us get to the real celebration here, me!" he said practically skipping to the firewhiskey.

" I assume you're not having any?" Sirius asked holding the bottle.

Doe shook her head.

" How are we friends?" Sirius asked in disbelief.

" You love me" she told him.

He shrugged, " I tolerate you"

Doe shoved him hard on the shoulder and he laughed slightly pulling her into another hug.

The rest of the party went off without a hitch. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially Sirius. Remus and Doe watched as he spun around the grounds, on his third cup of firewhiskey, making sure to talk to everyone and to dance to every song that played.

Even Marlene had wished him a happy birthday. Most surprisingly of all, Lily and James spent quite a bit of the party standing next to one of the large oak trees talking to one another.

" That's such a strange sight" Remus said coming over to Doe and handing her a butterbeer.

" I know" Doe said leaning against his shoulder, " What happened to hating each other?"

Remus shrugged, " People change"

" It still weird" she said staring at them.

The party continued until a little past midnight, when most of the younger students and the kids from other houses started to head back to their common room.

Doe stayed until it was just the Marauders, Lily, and Marlene.

" Well thank you for an unforgettable birthday" Sirius said. His voice was slurred slightly from the massive amounts of firewhiskey he had consumed during the night.

" You're very welcome, Padfoot" James said putting his arm underneath him to keep him steady.

" Let's do this every night" Sirius cheered raising his bottle again.

" I think you've had enough to last you awhile" James assured him.