That night, as Sirius said goodnight to Harry, he prayed to Merlin that Harry wouldn't wake in the night. He was losing precious sleep time. Living with a rambunctious eight soon to be nine year old wasn't exactly peaceful. Even though Harry had become clingy and more withdrawn, he was still as wild as ever.

As Sirius climbed into bed, he sent one last request to Merlin that he be able to sleep through the night. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit his pillow.

No sooner than Sirius had fallen asleep, he was woken by a loud cry. Sirius groaned and rolled out of bed, glancing at his watch. He had been sleeping for three hours, but it felt like three minutes. He trudged to Harry's room and opened the door.

Harry was thrashing about in his bed, worse than any other night Sirius could remember. Sirius, becoming worried, hurried over to his godson's side, stepping on a block and cursing quietly as he kneeled beside the bed.

'Harry, wake up.' He shook his godson, trying to wake him. Sirius, not knowing what else to do after failing to wake Harry, grabbed the glass of water on Harry's bedside table and dumped it on his godson's head. Harry yelped and sat up quickly, glaring at Sirius, though it wasn't as intense as it could be and ended fast. Harry looked down at his bed sheets and sniffed.

'C'mon Harry, let's go get something to drink.' Sirius took the child's hand and led him down the stairs to the kitchen. After they both had a Butterbeer in their hands, Sirius led Harry to the sitting room where they sat down on a sofa.

As they sipped their butterbeer, Sirius tried to think of something to say. He didn't know what would be appropriate and especially didn't want to insult or offend the boy, so he kept his mouth shut.

Once both had empty bottles, Sirius set his on the table and suggested,

'Harry, why don't you go up to bed now?' Harry shook his head, looking at the ground.

'Harry, you need some sleep.'

'Can I sleep in your room?' He asked quietly. Sirius winced and cursed in his head. He was trying to avoid this.

'How about I stay in your room until you fall asleep is it that okay?'

'Why can't I stay in your room?' Sirius winced again and ignored the question, picking Harry up. He carried the boy to his room where he placed him in his bed and tucked him in. Sirius then sat on the floor against the bed and said,

'I'm staying here; now try to get some sleep, okay?' Harry nodded and closed his eyes. As Sirius waited for Harry to fall asleep, he flipped through a photo album he found on the floor. It was the one Sirius and Remus had given Harry for his seventh birthday. It was filled with pictures of the three and Harry's 

parents. At this thought, Sirius realized that Harry's birthday was approaching. This gave Sirius something to think about as he waited for Harry to fall asleep.

He got an idea, but fell asleep before he could think of the details.

'Remus mate, could you come over for a while? Thanks,' Sirius pulled his head out of the fire and went over to the table where Harry was finishing his breakfast.

'Done, okay. Why don't you go play up in your room for a bit while Remus and I talk?' Harry nodded and ran up the stairs to his room. As Sirius waved his wand to wash the dishes, the fire turned green and Remus fell out.

'So what was it you wanted to talk about?' Remus asked as they both sat at the kitchen table.

'I've an idea for Harry's present, but I need help with the details, and I want to know if you'll participate.' Remus pretended to look offended.

'Of course I'll help and be a part of it. Now what is the idea?'

'I was thinking we take him somewhere he's never been for a week. Like a holiday.' Remus looked impressed.

'That's actually a very good idea Padfoot. It might help with the nightmares too. How'd you think of it?'

'Oh you know; I'm just really smart like that.' Remus snorted and said,

'Of course you are. So where are we going to take him?'

'I don't know. I was thinking we could rent a cottage somewhere in Belgium or something.'

'Why Belgium?'

'Well, you know... Actually, I have no idea why Belgium. It just seemed like a good idea. Anyways, we could make it a sort of tradition. Each year at his birthday we rent a cottage somewhere new.'

'I like it Padfoot. I still can't believe you thought of it though.'

Sirius threw an orange at him.

'Harry, hurry up. Are you done packing yet?'

'Almost, hold on a moment.' Sirius and Remus were waiting for Harry at the fireplace. Two days before Harry's birthday and they were leaving for the cottage they had rented in Belgium.



Harry came thudding down the stairs, a bag packed with his clothes toys and other essential items being dragged behind him.

'Harry, your bag is going to rip if you drag it like that,' Sirius said amused. Harry shrugged.

'Where are we going exactly? You still haven't told me.'

'We're aware,' Remus said smiling. 'Don't worry, you'll love it. Now, just to be safe, you're going to floo with Sirius. We don't want you to end up in say, Belgium.' Sirius snorted. Harry glanced suspiciously between the two.

'Okay...' he said slowly.

'C'mere,' Sirius said stepping into the fireplace. 'Remus is taking care of our bags.' Sirius hoisted Harry into his arms, took a pinch of floo powder Remus had offered and addressed Remus,

'Well, see you there Remus.' And in a loud, clear voice Sirius said, 'Seventeen, Forestwood Bay.'

After a few seconds of spinning, Sirius and Harry tumbled out of a fireplace in a room with blue walls, white sofas and chairs and a light coloured table.

'Welcome Harry, to Belgium!' Sirius said just as Remus fell out of the fireplace. Harry's jaw dropped as he looked at his godfather.

'Are you joking?' Sirius grinned and shook his head.

'We're going to be staying a week here. Happy birthday!' Harry closed his mouth and jumped at his godfather, giving his as strong a hug as he could manage. He then turned to Remus and gave him the same thank you.

'So, this is my birthday present? We're staying here, in Belgium for a week?' When Remus and Sirius nodded, Harry asked,

'Who thought of this?'

'Why, I, mini marauder, thought it would be a fantastic idea to stay in dear old Belgium for a week, to celebrate your birthday.' Harry stared blankly at Sirius before saying,

'You're not telling the truth, are you? You thought of this? Not Remus?' Sirius pretended to frown and said,

'Don't you have more faith in your dear old godfather?' Harry laughed and hugged his godfather again.

'Thanks, both of you.'

'No problem kiddo, now let's go pick our rooms.'



After a tour of the cottage, the three had each picked their own room for the week stay.

Harry had picked a dark green room with yellow curtains and bed sheets. His window looked out onto a beach.

Sirius had picked the room beside Harry. It was painted deep purple with green bed sheets and curtains. His window also looked out onto a beach.

Remus' room was across the hall from Harry and Sirius' rooms. It was painted blue with light blue bed sheets and curtains. His window view looked out onto a small valley.

All in all, the three greatly enjoyed their first day in Belgium.