The Year and Day that Changed Everything

July 31 1991

Poke

Poke

Poke

"Go away Calla"

"Waaakkkeee uuuuuup"

"Mmmmm sleeping"

"Buuut it's your Birthday!"

This however provided no motive to Harry his Birthday would last over a dozen more hours and his bed was more than enough for him at the present time. "Caalllaaa go away I'm sleeping" Harry threw the covers over his head as an attempt to block intruding fingers.

Before Calla could retry her efforts Harry's Door slammed open "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!" before Harry had time to prepare himself two tiny bodies where bouncing upon him "Up! Up! We want pancakes!"

"GRRR two little monsters want pancakes for breakfast! Maybe I want two little monsters for MY BREAKFAST!" Harry pounced from under the covers tackling his brothers, pretending to eat them as they tried to flee. "Come help me sis there's too much of them for just me alone!" Calla bounced onto the bed just as Nick had escaped only to shout in surprise as his sister caught him and proceed to pin him to the bed with tickles.

The adults where awoken to the sounds of giggles an delighted squeals, Lilly turned to her husband the early sun flicking across her face "I was right three is enough"

"Love we have four"

"Exactly curse you and your one more, you jinxed me" Lilly then smiled and rolled over the kids where entertained she could sleep in for once

:D D: :DD: :D D: :D D: :D D: D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D

The smell of pancakes and sweet maple syrup soon removed the adults from their bed. Birthday wishes where called out as the adults sat down at the breakfast table. It was ordinary during the summer holidays for Harry to cook breakfast this he claimed was so he could keep up in his home economics. The true reason was that, though his mother wasn't a disaster in the kitchen, when it came to cooking she lacked the confidence and joy that some possessed and she paled in comparison to Harry who had spent more years cooking for a family then his mother had lived.

No one complained with the arrangement and soon the table was laden with pancakes for the twins soon followed by a full English breakfast and topped off with croissants. All the time his Parents watched on in amazement at the things that his school seemed to teach him.

Breakfast was soon interrupted by the arrival of the marauder bachelors as they liked to be called, Sirius burst on in and didn't even bother with greetings as he piled His plate with sky high with pancakes. Only once seated and his mouth his he speak "Mmm eollo ood foo urry dishes"

"Sirius where are your manners? Happy Birthday HARRY!"

"Thank you Uncle Moony want some breakfast? You better hurry before Sirius eats it all"

"Don't mind if I do cub" Harry watched Remus plonk himself down and begin to pile his own plate Harry watched him for half a minute before resuming his own meal. Remus was so different to his other self, less stressed and almost bouncy studious but more open and less ashamed of his condition.

But then again most Werewolves' where less ashamed these days, when the newspapers are full of young Harry Potter hugging his werewolf uncle while his father watches on happily as dozen of werewolf children interact with his kids most people soon get over the monster within. After all with The Boy Who Lived leading the campaign for Werewolf equality the cause had improved greatly, now recognised as a medical condition instead of a species Werewolves where given more rights and a cure was being openly researched though little to no progress had been made, Wolfsbane Potion was readily available from most healers though the cost was more than most could afford but most importantly werewolves where allowed to attend Hogwarts openly, though strict rules were in place.

The world had changed much in the last few years.

Sirius was first to break the morning silence after stuffing himself full he swallowed his last mouthful and turned to his godson "So what's the plan? Massive party? Trip to Asia? It's your eleventh birthday Pup what's going down?"

Harry beamed back to his godfather "School supplies!"

"Excellent!" Sirius clapped him on the back… "Yer First wand is the best thing you'll ever own"

Lilly pursed her lips her idea of school supplies was mail order everything she could and sneak Harry in to get his wand… James had fought hard against this idea though her fears where no entirely unfounded, Harrys past three trips had all been disastrous, James argued that Hogwarts was fast approaching and if Harry didn't soon become accustomed to the attention it could affect his schooling.

Lilly had conceded but a trip on his birthday the one day a year besides Halloween where he was most watched was not her idea of a good shopping day. Her only consolation was that they had rallied every trusted family member to accompany then, the Pettergrews, the Longbottom's, the Bones' and the Tonks' where all to meet them as… protection for lack of a better word

"So when do we leave?"

"Now" Lilly stood promptly hoping to miss the midday rush "The Others will meet us there I told them to be there early"

James swallowed his last mouthful of coffee and lead his family out of the kitchen towards the fireplace, where one by one they flooed to Diagon Ally

:D D: :DD: :D D: :D D: :D D: D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D D: D: :D D: :D D: :D D: :D

"HARRY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Red hair clouded his vision as Suzan attached herself to him hugging him for dear life.

"Suzan let go you saw me yesterday!"

"I know but it wasn't you birthday yesterday!"

"No it was mine!" Neville walked up to the group leaning on a brand new cane in his left hand, dark polished wood ending in a silver handle shaped like a toad in mid leap.

"Hey Neville still can't believe your chose a toad of all things"

"Shows how little you know toads are great familiars for people who wish to for a job in Herbology"

Peter Jr attached himself to Harry as Samuel greeted Calla in a similar fashion as his sisters.

The adults greeted each other in a much more subdued manner appropriate with having been altogether just yesterday.

The group only then noticed a small gathering of early risers staring them down. The group closed in around the kids hiding them entirely from view. Harry wouldn't stand for this, the problem with his public appearances of past was because he was hidden, People wanted to see him talk to him know about him, this he hated but he understood it.

Unintentional as it was he was a ray of hope he had saved them. It wasn't till he lived through a war that he came to understand the horror of war, as he listened to Hermione cry out in pain, at the mercy of someone who didn't understand the concept. At that moment he had known true terror and as he clutched that broken mirror pleading for a dead man to save them did he understand what he was to others. He was Dobby pulling the entire Wizarding world out of Voldemorts clutches.

Harry shoved past the wall of bodies and calmly approached the stunned group. Walking up to an elderly witch who gave him impression that she had lost much and now was just waiting to die, he stuck out his hand "I'm Harry Potter" the elderly witch smiled

"Ellen Coyle" She shook his hand gently smiling softly

"Pleased to meet you Mrs Coyle, Enjoy your breakfast!" Harry moved on from one person to another their shaking hands, introducing himself, his parents too shocked to intervene while the patrons seemed to respect that they too would get a turn so no one swooped him.

Harry moved from person to person not stopping or hesitating once, he introduced himself to everyone made sure to stop and say at least more than his name, never repeating himself, he talked to everyone the same whether they be Witch hag or even vampire. "Well it was nice meeting you all but I must buy my school things bye!" Harry walked past the stunned group to the back entrance, he was soon followed but an impressed father and an outraged mother who wanted to scold him but knew she couldn't.

Entering the Ally is was all but deserted, so a large group dew large attention and was immediately recognised. The shoppers that noticed quickly approached, Harry politely shook hands with every bold shopper always making sure he continued walking, this let people know he was more than happy to meet them but at the same time it told them he had his own agenda for the day.

The group quickly entering Gringotts

Enter stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn,

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

On finding more than treasure there.

Harry stopped to read the eerie script, the thought had not escaped him that a piece of Voldemorts soul might be right under his feet awaiting the chance to bring his body back.

The bank was empty of all humans and parent after parent was lined up before the groups where lead into different tunnels and sent to their own vaults, The Potter's trip was uneventful with no sighting of mystery packages or soul encrusted cups.

Back into the daylight the streets was starting to buzz with early shoppers as the very large group squeezed their way into, Madam Malkins Robes for all Occasions,

Madam Malkin herself greeted them pleased to see such a large group entering her shop "Hogwarts dear?"

Harry stepped up in front of his mother "YES! Us three!" he then grabbed Neville and Suzan by the arms pulling them forward "We're so excited!" Malkin gave a little start upon recognising the party but otherwise she showed no outward sign of awe .

"Yes dear it's always an exciting time you first years" She smile nodding before directing them towards the back "Come this way and I'll get you fitted"

Ted Tonks most impressed at finding one individual who remembered Harry was a child chirp it "Ahhh yes my daughter Dora.."

"Tonks"

"Is starting her Auror training in the fall I was hoping you may supply the uniforms? Perhaps something with a little more protection?"

"Dad you don't ha…"

"Why of course Sir a variety of protective martials are on the back go ahead and browse" Mr Tonks nodded his head and dragged his daughter off ignoring her protests.

The other adults just as impressed soon caught on to Ted's meaning, "Ah yes I think I'll go follow Ted I should really see about a new pair of battles robes" James strode off before turning back "What about you Lord Black need new robes?"

Sirius grimaced at the title but followed his adopted brother toward the back isles "Most certainly LORD Potter" and they disappeared from sight

Most of the other adults wondered off with the smaller children as the Hogwarts three where taken out back to be fitted. Neville Suzan and Harry chatted away as they were fitted talking about nothing important, they were there quite a while when the bell chimed again announcing the arrival of yet another customer.

The soft chattering died instantly beyond the fitting rooms and it wasn't until three seconds before he entered the rooms did Harry remember who else had been school shopping on his eleventh birthday. And then a young, skinny and slightly scared Draco Malfoy walked in avoiding all eye contact he hopped on the stool furthest away from the two boys and didn't move an inch as the shop assistant measured him.

Madam Malkin re-entered the room looking flustered "Yes you three you're done, your parents are waiting for you" the three jumped down quickly to escape the fourth and joined the other entering the most tense silence all the adults stood stiffly eyeing down the new comers. Two tall blondes stood in the corner, not cowering, but failing at drawing as little attention as possible, it baffled Harry, Malfoy Sr had always been arrogant and threatening towards himself as a child. Then it hit him that he wasn't alone or with the Weasleys who were nothing to the Malfoys, He was protected.

12 adults plus Tonks, Four where Auror's another an high ranking Law official and a werewolf where but half of his protection the Malfoys where intimidated the first time Harry had seen them so since he had defeated the dark lord.

Harry expected them to leave immediately, he was sure his mother wanted to, but they didn't almost every adult paid for extra and mostly expensive items, robes and wand holders where purchased, dresses and dress robes. After Ted was done he made a point to join his wife holding her waist defiantly daring his brother and sister in-law to reproach their marriage, they did not dare.

Harry understood the move perfectly it screamed to the Malfoys, you do not scare us, without your dark lord you are nothing and we will not leave because of you. Harry understood it well a very Slytherin move considering. The last to pay was Sirius and he made a point of having his charged to the Black account before he exited the building without looking back, a most insulting move clearly state that his own relative wasn't worth a second glance.

Just as he was ushered out of the shop he caught a glimpse of a small girl timidly peering at him from behind her father's legs.

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The rest of the shopping was uneventful, after much pleading Harry had convinced his Father that he needed a two compartment trunk to hold all his Muggle things, aka his skateboard, Harry making the most use of this second compartment raked up a ton of extra books, his pile would have impressed Hermione with books filled with subjects not yet covered by his classes, some not covered at Hogwarts at all aka healing spells. Harry didn't know this but the betting pool had him a favourite for Ravenclaw.

Harry wasn't really paying attention to the outside world he was still back at the shop thinking about the little Malfoy girl, he had begun counting the extra live that her had created buy changing the future ten… he counted at least ten that he knew of, who knows how many more he may never of hear of?

Harry managed to get a large pot of ink the changed colour and some gold ink along with his other stationary supplies. Harry wasn't really paying much attention to the shopping, he did stop and admire the trusty Nimbus 2000, but mostly he allowed the adults to lead him from place to. Harry's attention was snapped into the present when he walked into an all too familiar owl shop

"Who's getting an owl?"

"I am" piped in Suzan "Honesty! Harry weren't you listening just now?"

Harry scratched the back of his neck "Errrrr no?"

"Honestly Harry she just spent the last ten minutes arguing that you have Kitten and I have Trevor so she needed an owl" Never proceeded to slap him across the Head "honestly mate if I'm forced to listen to her so are YOU!"

The look he received form Suzan was Snape worthy. Harry stalled going in, up to the last possible moment, his first real friend awaited him as he passed the threshold and it took every ounce of his strength to casually browse the other owls before gazing once again into the amber eyes of his trusty snowy owl.

He reached up allowing the owl to perch on his arm, levelling their eye he stroked her feathers softy. She was not the owl he knew she didn't recognize him for squat he was just another human, not a lifelong friend from a forgotten past. Harrys heart broke form the inside out this was just the beginning, Ron and Hermione would be the same unrecognisable to the person they may become, maybe they were already so altered that they could never become the person they once were. Harry stood rooted to the spot as he stroked the owls Feathers not wanting to stay but not having the power to move, he just stroked the pure white feathers in her preferred spot, at least that hadn't changed.

"Oh Harry she's Beautiful!" Suzan approached his right the earlier argument already disappeared from her mind.

"Yeah she is you want her?" Harry continued to stroke the soft white feathers, better Suzan get her then someone like Malfoy.

"Nah see stands out too much…. If someone wanted to steal my mail it would be too easy" Harry jerked his head to the right shocked that an eleven year old had even considered such a thing "Do you like him?" Suzan held up a rather average barn owl, maybe a tad darker than normal.

"Errrr you do know nobody is interested in an eleven year olds mail… right?"

Suzan narrowed her eyes colour flaring in her cheeks "I think that as a COUSIN of the boy who lived that yes my mail may be of interest to a few people" Harry watched her as she marched of, thinking she was overacting just a tiny bit too much today.

Suzan was back at his side bubbly again within five minutes declaring happily that she was getting her owl "Duff"

Harry was about to utter his disbelief but reframed, he didn't want to test her already bipolar mood much more today.

A few sweets where purchased from a neighbouring shop next was… wands.

Ollivanders was a Harry remembered it before the war, after it had never been the same the old wandmaker had still been there but months locked away at the Malfoys had taken its toll.

"Ah Lilly Evens!" the potters jumped as they walked in "Sorry its Potter now isn't it?" Lilly nodded but had no chance to reply "Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charms" "Ah James Potter you on the other hand, favoured a mahogany wand. Eleven inches, Pliable, a little more power and excellent for transfiguration." James potter didn't even make an attempt of a reply this show was for Harry not him, Ollivander did it with every first year to his understanding.

_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_

Ollivanders shop was too small to fit the entire party, it was agreed that one child would enter at a time with their parents. A plan that was causing a lot of hassle after Harry spent close to half an hour before he exited with a giant smile on his face

"Neville your next!" Harry just gave Neville a small tap on the back as they passed each other. His Happy mood not spreading to his parents

"Brother wands? That's not good is it?" James whispered to his wife both unsettled by the fact itself and how excited the old wand maker seem at making such a comparison between his son and the most evil wizard in recent history.

"Let's just keep this to ourselves" was her only reply.

_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_

It was barely 11 in the morning when Lilly Potter managed with much entreating to get the group back to Godrics Hollow.

The stampede of children weren't in the house for more than a few minutes before they were redirected outside so the adults could prepare for yet another birthday. Harry didn't know why they bothered sometimes it was only yesterday that they were all gathered eating cake and singing for Neville's Birthday.

Harry had managed to gather his trumpet, broom and skateboard before being pushed outside and was now enjoying his foresight because the entire group was being exiled from indoors. Last birthday had given him a small halfpipe and he was trying to convince Suzan that after an hour of practice he was sure she could manage lunching from the top.

Neville was lazily floating on Harrys broom, more stable in the air than on his Harry was both proud of him and sadly reminded once again that everything is different. That nobody was who they once could have been. Calla and most of the younger kids where playing a round of wizard hide and seek, basically the same as muggle hide and seek only they were all holding a little ball that made them invisible.

"Harry I can't do this!" Harry turned his focus away from Nick who was seeking by using his own ball as a detection device and looked at Suzan on his board, hovering preciously over the halfpipes edge.

"Suzan you can stop procrastinating" Harry walked over and jumped up on the side of the halfpipe, "it easy see?" and with one little push she went flying down the side halfpipe screaming profanities at him, its wasn't till she had gone up and down each side twice and was slowly coming to a full stop, that she realised she had managed to stay on.

Harry just laid down on the halfpipe his legs dangling off the edge, he pulled out his trumpet smiling as he brought the mouthpiece to his lips and started a slow Happy Birthday tune to himself.

"Hey Harry?" Neville floated over as Harry finished the very last notes of his slow birthday march

"Hmmmm?"

What house are you going to be sorted into?"

Harry cocked his head to the side laying he trumpet flat on his stomach "I don't know nobody does" Neville looks of disappointment caused Harrys temper to flare slightly he loved his cousins deeply but often they acted like he had all the answers. "And frankly I don't care"

Suzan who had gained enough confidence to try again nearly fell off the edge without Harrys help "What?!" she squawked "How can you not care?"

Harry looked at the indignation plastered on her face and sighed "What's the difference? Will I stop being me if I go into one house over another? Will you stop being my cousin if I end up in Ravenclaw? Will the twins stop being my brothers if they end up in Hufflepuff? Will Calla suddenly love cats if she goes into Gryffindor? Will you suddenly hate all muggles and bow down to the likes of Malfoy and Lestrange if you go into Slytherin? No of course not your house changes nothing about you it's just a way of splitting up classes into manageable groups"

"So you wouldn't mind going into Hufflepuff"

Harry turned to Neville aggregated now "Of course not" He huffed "Hufflepuff stands for hard work and loyalty, Hard work is essential to success and true loyalty is the test of a true friend" Harry turned over to look as his brother who was hunting down the last hidden child, his little sphere flashing red indicating that the hider was nearby he was getting closer he put his trumpet to his lips as allowed the slow tune of Taps to softly ring across the backyard as Nick closed in on his twin taping the balls together making Ralf appear out of thin air.

_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_-YAD-_

It was 1 pm before the children were allowed back inside grumbling about a late lunch they entered the house with amazing smells flooding their noses telling them that the wait was well worth it.

Harry felt a little guilty he had noticed a few times that the adults put more effort into his birthday than the others, he wasn't sure if it was because out of the lot the Potters where the most wealthy, or if it had to do with the fact that he was the boy who lived, the most frightening thought to Harry was that maybe they knew that one day he would die fighting Voldemort and that they were just counting his birthdays as a blessing, Harry felt horrified that his parent might be going through life preparing themselves for his death.

Lunch was spectacular food lined the dining table, roast meats had been placed on islands of roast vegetables with gravy moats, fresh bread rolls and pitchers of ice cod pumpkin juice nestled in between the main courses. Though the table had been magically extended it was still a tight for the whole group to fit but Harry loved it, it was both worse and better than being at the Weasleys. Though the groups was lager and more overbearing then the Weasleys at times it was purely his own. He was always a bit of an outsider as a child playing happy family with someone else's family, but this was his family one he had grown up with a bunch of misfits and hopeless cases connected together by something stronger than blood.

After eating food that put Hogwarts to shame the party spilled out into the living areas, Harry spotted a mound of presents packed haphazardly net to the fire place but knew better than to ask to open them. He wasn't allowed until the last of the guest arrived, most notably Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Neville Grandmother was expected as well, much more pleasant now that she wasn't the guardian of her only grandchild. The children split into groups and played exploding snap or chess, the adult discreetly started pass around the liquor congratulating themselves, and for the first time Tonks join the adults and happily engaged Remus in conversation about his work with werewolf rights.

It was almost four before Dumbledore, the last guest, arrived through the floo and wished Harry a Happy Birthday. The normal pleasantries where exchanged Dumbeldore declined all forms of alcohol and retrieved a lemon drop for himself. Finally after receiving the approval from his mother Harry sat down and opened his presents.

Most where just a collection of his favourite candies that he cherished mostly for the fact that he now had a group of people who knew his likes and dislikes and didn't just buy overall favourites like chocolate frogs. Then came the more personal gifts trinkets and such not overly grand but slightly personalised like a maintenance kits for both his skateboard and his trumpet plus sheets of both muggle and magical music, fancy writing utensils and colour changing ink plus some art supplies to see him through Hogwarts.

When all the presents where opened and Harry had relayed the proper amount of gratitude plus some he excused himself to take his pile of gift upstairs. His mother stopped him "Harry are you not going to open our present?" Harry looked at her confused there were no more presents. She huffed at his clueless face she continued "stick out your right hand, further, further a little to the left, there you go" Harrys hand connected with something smooth and invisible. His dads cloak? Gripping it he pulled in off whatever it was hiding.

A golden cage glittered in the firelight but its beauty was made dim by its inhabitant, a beautiful snowy owl perched inside her eyes glowing as she watch her human stare at her adoringly. "She beautiful"

"We saw you eyeing her off back in Diagon Ally you hadn't asked for anything but we could tell that you had already bonded to her"

Harry turned to his mother tears on happiness in his eyes "Thank you, but I can't take her to Hogwarts I already have kitten"

"Well I think we can bend the rules just this once my boy!" Dumbledore stepped in with a jolly smile as a wink in his direction "what's one more owl at Hogwarts nobody will even notice!"

Harry leaped of the ground and encircled his mother in one arm and his farther in another "Thank you you're the best!" Lilly wiped away a hidden tear while James ruffled his son's hair.

"Go put away your things son then we can have a quick game Quidditch before tea and cake. Releasing his son he loaded Harry up with all his new possessions and sent him upstairs.

Harry struggled with his bedroom door, depositing his many gifts messily on his bed he gently carried Hedwig to the window still and opened both his window and the cage door allowing her a chance to spread her wings. Returning to his bed he started to organise them into manageable packing piles when he noticed that his father had placed his invisibility cloak in his arms with everything else, he let the smooth fabric flow through his fingers before turning around resolved in returning it to his farther before he became too attached.

He was stopped in his tracks by Hedwig who was holding out her leg with a small unassuming note attached, Harry read in several times before believing its contents

Happy Birthday Harry I'm leaving you my Cloak

It's not for messing about or playing pranks

It's for your safety Hogwarts holds many wonders

But many dangers as well and not all of your fellow

Students will welcome your presence

This Cloak is passed from farther to son

From generations ago to generations to come

Use it well

Love Dad

Harry tucked the note inside the cloak and immediately placed both inside his trunk.

Best Birthday Ever.

Not even going to defend myself