A/N: I am jumping forward in time with this chapter. I hope you enjoy! All thoughts are shown in Italics.

Previously:

Harry thought that he had misheard her. Did someone want to talk to him? He grinned so big that it almost split his face in two. He let go of Severus' hand and vaulted himself at Mia, throwing his arms around her neck, sending them both spilling to the floor.

Mia's laughter could be heard as she and Harry rolled around on the floor. They stopped after a few minutes and Mia picked up his owl and handed it to him.

"What is his name, Harry?" Mia asked.

Harry looked at Mia and handed her the letter book Sev had given to him. He then spelled out S…E…V… using his tiny hands. Mia used the letter book to look up the letters.

Mia smiled at him and they sat down together to look at the book.

Severus and Jane watched the two children interact. Severus visibly relaxed at the site. Maybe Harry would be all right after all.

Chapter 6: Happy Birthday Harry

Severus stood detached at the inconspicuous corner of the garden, his watchful eyes taking in the scene before him. The inconsequential chattering of the people milling about ... the squeals and giggles of the children ... the clattering of silverware and glassware ... the annoying chirps of the birds singing from their perches ... Like a radio dial being turned down, all these sounds slowly faded ... until all he heard was a voice ...

Time is fleeting. One minute there is snow on the ground, and the next there are flowers blooming. The cool whips of winters are replaced with the scorching sun on a summer's day. A wrinkled hand lifted to his forehead, shielding his eyes from the bright light; his squinting eyes take in the festivities before him, as he marvels at the turn of events that has occurred since Christmas. He has exceeded my expectations and I could not be more proud, he mused with a smile.

With an economy of movement, his eyes shifted from the smiling old man sitting at the table to the recipient of said man's gaze. His eyes rested on the boy with dark hair, whose own eyes were beaming brightly as an elderly woman --- Jane introduced her as a distant aunt --- ruffled his hair affectionately.

So many changes ... some good, some bad ... so much loss, but also so much gained ... Since when did he become maudlin. I blame this completely on him. If not for him, I would not be in this situation in the first place. In an attempt to shake off the uncharacteristic sentimentality, he squared his shoulders and looked away from the reason behind his troubling thoughts. Panning the Grangers' backyard, he took in the motions that matched the sounds that were slowly becoming audible again. Loudest of those

sounds was that of a toddler throwing a tantrum, and he scoffed as he saw the mother shove the ice cream cone in the little imp's hand to shut her up. If someone would have told him that six months ago he would be standing in the backyard of a muggle watching her serve cake and ice cream to a group of toddlers, he would have hexed them into oblivion. The toddlers themselves presented him with a conundrum.

Another voice broke into his thoughts ... a smaller voice this time ... one he's heard only a few times but one he instantly recognized ... not as loud and strong as the first one, but perceptible nonetheless ...

There she goes, he thought amusedly, following her with his eyes as she ran recklessly around the table, her eyebrows drawn together as she chased after the boy.

Unconsciously, Sev's gaze was drawn back to Harry, who was giggling heartily as he watched Hermione.

That was Mia ... his Mia. He covered his mouth with his hand to prevent the bubble of laughter from escaping his lips at the sight of his friend shoving another little boy who tried to prevent her from catching up to the blonde. He shook his head in awe. That's how she is; who she is ... you would not see her coming. A loyal friend to the end, he could tell just by looking at her. Mia has been a great companion, a friend, someone to discover things with ...She loved learning and books, and would spend countless hours reading to me. Severus diverted his attention to Harry's friend for a moment.

Mia. A little girl who blew into his life like a cyclone. A loyal friend to the end, he could tell just by looking at her. She was feisty and opinionated, even at four. She is definitely someone I wouldn't want as an enemy ... fiercely protective and righteous, she doesn't tolerate bullies, which explains why she's, at this very moment, chasing after Draco, who had mischievously grabbed a toy from a boy named Neville. I must admit that I do respect those qualities in any friend.

Draco. He thought amusedly as he scanned the yard for the head of blonde hair. He caught his eye and nodded to him. I can't believe that they have become friends in just a few short months. I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about introducing them at first. Granted they are the same age, but Draco has definitely been brought up differently from Harry. I thought for sure that Lucius' influence would have affected Draco, even at such a young age, but it was a pleasant surprise to discover that Draco did not hold his father's predispositions. Maybe it came from the fact that his father ended up in Azkaban when the Dark Lord fell, and Draco and Cissa had barely escaped the raid with their lives. Cissa ended up in St. Mungo's and Draco has been staying with Andromeda since then. It was only then that I felt comfortable introducing him into this world that he now existed. He eyes moved gracefully from Draco and landed on Albus.

Albus. The man who twinkles. That man could blind you if you look at him for too long. He always seems to know everything beforehand. There is nothing that surprises the man at all. I would like to take him by surprise just once, but I doubt that will ever happen. He seems like a gentle Wizard, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. In his case however, I believe his intentions are good. He may not always take the most direct route in getting someplace, but somehow the ends always justify the means. He searched the

garden for the person that he felt he could truly be himself with. She turned and they locked eyes. She gave him a gentle smile.

Jane. A mother to the very end. She is bustling around making sure everyone has cake and ice cream. She asked me what my favourite flavour of ice cream was. No one has ever done that. She is beautiful, but her beauty not only comes from the outside, but also the inside. That would explain why Mia behaves as she does. His eyes rested upon Jane, her warm laughter reaching hisears as she spoke with Marie ... Only Jane would have thought to invite Harry's first protector...a person who was important to him. I think we could all learn something from this muggle librarian.

The biggest change, however ... the most important person that's brought me here, to this point, is him

Sev held himself rigid, the unfamiliar tingling sensation running up and down his spine holding him rooted in place. He dared not move.

I cannot believe that he did this for me. I cannot believe that someone cares enough about me to take my feelings into consideration. I know he seems mean and scary to other people, but to me he is kind. He gave me hope. He makes me feel safe and warm. He gave me my owl.

With every word he heard, the voice got louder and clearer, almost deafening him, as if it were speaking directly into his ear. His head snapped abruptly a few degrees to his left and his gaze fell upon Harry. The boy was looking at him intently, his mouth curved in a smile that mirrored the warmth and sincerity in his eyes.

Thank you, Sev, he heard the voice speak again as he saw the boy slowly nod his head in a manner of reverence and affection. Again, that foreign tingling warm sensation overcame him, but another voice seemed to be urging him to give in to the affection. You're welcome, Harry, he acknowledged sincerely albeit somewhat stiffly, and he was taken aback to see the boy smile in response. There was a silent understanding that passed between the two as they stared at each other across the garden. Severus granted the boy something he rarely grants anyone ...a genuine smile ... a smile that made a certain wizard's eyes twinkle like mad.

Just as it should be, the soft voice said with contentment, and both Harry and Severus concurrently turned to the Headmaster, whose twinkling eyes shone brilliantly as he stared back at them. The wise Wizard winked at them, relaying a silent message, and then he turned toward an approaching Jane.

AN: Thank you to all of you that have taken the time to read and review this story. Please do so again. This chapter was a little out of my comfort zone to write, so please no flames. I worked especially hard on it. Thanks, Bethany

A/N 2: I am fully aware that Harry is still very young and had not practised magic until he was 10 in the books. This said, please note that I have chosen to exercise literary liberty in this fanfic.