A/N: For those who were upset that Ginny caught the snitch: IT WAS HARRY'S FIRST DAY ON A BROOM! Even though he is extremely talented and a natural – almost supernaturally so according to canon – he still had to practice a lot. He isn't perfect. No one is.

Harry raced out of Number Four. He looked around and saw the motorbike that he had heard from inside – luckily his window had been open because otherwise the silencing that Professor Dumbledore had set up would have prevented him from hearing it.

The motorbike stopped in front of Number Four and the rider got off. He took off his helmet and glasses and Harry could see who it was: Sirius! With a yell, he rushed forward.

Sirius was laughing as Harry threw himself forward. He picked him up and swung him around. "Happy Birthday, Harry. Ready for a day of fun?"

Harry nodded enthusiastically. He ran back inside and grabbed the backpack. He was about to run back out but stopped. "Aunt Petunia, my godfather arrived. I will be back later tonight."

Petunia, who had been drinking tea in the kitchen, nodded. Before Harry ran off she said, "Tell … your godfather … that motorbikes are rare in this neighbourhood. It would be best if a car or some other method of travel was used in the future. I do not need Vernon to become upset because of the noise and bother, nor do I need the nieghbours complaining."

Harry thought about it for a moment and then nodded. "I'll tell him. Thank you, Aunt Petunia." He really was thankful: Keeping Vernon from becoming the git he was in the past was important. If it would keep him quiet, Harry was happy to pass on the message.

Petunia felt a stab of pain at the sincere thanks the boy had given. She was not comfortable with him, but even if she wasn't aware of it she disliked him a bit less now than in the past. She could inform Vernon that she had prevented the boy's … people … from upsetting the nieghbours with the motorbike.

Sirius and Harry both had maniacal grins as Sirius drove out of Little Whinging. Harry was going to spend his birthday with Sirius and Remus and Sirius was just joyful that he got to spend time with the son of his best friend.

Sirius yelled over to Harry, who was in the side car, "Hold on!" Harry gripped the sides of the car tighter and looked around in anticipation. Sirius stabbed a button on the motorbike's console and the sound of the motorbike was cancelled. He pushed another button and it began to rise up into the air.

Harry was in awe! He looked around as they leveled out, and heard Sirius whooping. He added his own cries and the two had quite a lot of fun on the trip.

Harry asked Sirius over the sound of the air streaming around them, "Where are we going?"

Sirius replied, "You'll see!"

Harry laughed in anticipation.

On a quiet street in Crawley, a sharp retort like a shotgun blast was heard – but only by one resident on the street. Hermione Granger looked out of her window and saw a man get off a large, purple, triple-decker bus. She had seen this bus when Harry had gone home on the Saturday before. She rushed to the door.

When she opened it, a tired looking man with a few scratch-shaped scars on his cheeks was walking up to her door. He looked up and smiled. She opened the door, "Mr. Lupin! Welcome! Come in!"

As he entered he said, "Remus, please. How are you doing, Hermione?"

She smiled in joy. "Excellent! I'm really looking forward to today." She quietly added, "I've never been to a friend's birthday party before."

Remus gave the girl a fond look. "I know the feeling. Before Hogwarts, I hadn't either. Are you ready to go?"

"Let me tell my mother." Hermione ran to the home office, where her parents kept their records and papers. "Mother! Remus is here to take me for Harry's birthday!"

Mrs. Granger looked up and smiled at the joy on her daughter's face. She quite liked the fact that her quiet child now had people her own age to spend time with. She also liked the man she had met in Diagon Alley. "Okay, Poppet. Tell Harry we wish him a Happy Eleventh."

Hermione quickly hugged her mother and ran to her room to get Harry's and Neville's gifts. She ran down and slowed before she walked back into the sitting room. She calmly walked in and said, "I'm ready."

Remus walked up and said, "Let me explain apparition to you."

Neville nervously got down on his knees before throwing a pinch of floo powder in the fire. He called out, "The Burrow."

He put his face in and yelled out, "Hello?" A young girl came into view. "Hi. I'm Neville. Mr. Lupin said this was where we were going to be for Harry Potter's birthday. Is this the right place?"

The girl replied happily, "Yes. Mr. Lupin and Mr. Black are bringing over Harry and one of his friends. Come on through."

Neville took his face out, stood up, threw another pinch and yelled, "The Burrow!" and stepped into the fire. He was still wobbly coming out, despite having years of traveling this way. The girl said, "Hello, I'm Ginny Weasley."

Neville smiled a bit hesitantly, "I'm Neville Longbottom. Is Harry here yet?"

She shook her head. "Come on, everyone is in the kitchen."

Neville followed the girl. As they entered the room she yelled to everyone, "This is Neville Longbottom. He's one of Harry's friends."

Neville looked around the room as was intimidated by all of the people. It was like a sea of red hair. Or at least a beach with several rocks colored red. Or …

The woman in the room interrupted his chain of thought, "Hello, Neville! I'm Molly Weasley. Welcome to the Burrow. These are my children." She named them all.

The twins came over. "Hello! Don't listen"

The other continued, "to our Mother. Our names"

"are Gred"

"and Forge."

"I am the better looking one so I am Gred."

The other looked at his twin and protested, "No, I'm Gred. He's Forge!"

The first twin said, "Note he didn't protest I'm the better looking one."

Before they could continue Mrs. Weasley yelled out, "Boys!"

Neville was strangely comforted by the casual attitude. He grinned a little. "Well, I'm just Neville."

The twins crowed together, "Hello, Just Neville! Welcome to the Madhouse!"

A man and a girl appeared on a dirt road in front of a field of corn. "Welcome to Ottery St. Catchpole, Devon; the location of the home of one of your future classmates and his family, The Weasleys."

Hermione looked around and saw the strange looking house. She was amazed as Remus led her up the path to the house. "That's amazing! How does it stay up?"

Remus grinned a little. "Magic, of course."

Hermione was awed by the magical nature of the property she found herself on. It was so different than the area she lived in or London or really anywhere else she had seen.

The two arrived to the front door and Remus knocked. A boy that looked Hermione's own age answered. "Hello, Mr. Lupin!" Remus cleared his throat. "Remus! Come in." He looked at the girl and asked, "Who are you?'

Hermione put her most confident self forward. "I'm Hermione Granger. And you are?"

The boy flushed. "Sorry. I'm Ron, Ron Weasley. Harry told us about you. Everyone's in the kitchen. Come on."

Hermione smiled at Ron. "Are you going to Hogwarts too? I start this year."

Ron nodded with some enthusiasm. "Yeah! I'm hoping for Gryffindor. My family's been there for ages. Where do you think you'll be going?"

Hermione was a bit flustered as he replied, "I want to get into Gryffindor as well. It seems the best house. I guess Ravenclaw wouldn't be a bad choice either. How do we know which one we'll be in?"

Before Ron could answer, one of the boys in the room they were entering interrupted. "Oh, you can't know yet! It's a secret!"

Another boy said, "It's tradition!"

The first boy said, "Suffice it to say, read everything you can …"

"about trolls and such creatures!"

The twins forgot that they were under the watch of their mother at that moment. "Boys! What have I told you about saying such things? You're likely to scare the poor girl before she even gets to Hogwarts!"

The oldest boy in the room said with a bit of formality. "Please do not listen to my brothers. They like to joke." He glanced with a stern expression towards the twins. "Hello. I am Percy. These are my siblings: Fred, George, Ronald, and Gine …"

The girl yelled out, "Hey!"

Percy paused and continued, "Ginny. This is our mother, Mrs. Molly Weasley. This is," Percy was interrupted again by Hermione herself.

She ran over and hugged the dirty-blonde haired boy. "Neville!"

Neville grinned at her and said, "Hello, Hermione." He looked around, "This is a friend of mine and Harry's, Hermione Granger."

Mrs. Weasley bustled over. "Hello, Hermione and Remus. It's nice for you to come. Welcome to the Burrow."

Hermione smiled at the matronly lady. "Thank you. I'm glad to be here." She looked around. "Where's Harry?"

Remus replied, "Sirius is bringing him. He decided to use his motorbike he just got back from our friend, Hagrid." He looked at his watch. "He picked him up about … 10 minutes ago or so, most likely. So it will be close to half an hour before they arrive."

Hermione some quick mental calculations. "Isn't that a bit far to arrive in thirty minutes? That's got to be … at least 200 miles!"

Remus just smiled and said, "You'll see."

Harry was thoroughly enjoying his ride in the sidecar attached to Sirius's motorbike. He looked around and saw a sight he had only seen just days before. He whooped.

Sirius landed outside of the large, oddly-shaped house and turned off his motor. He turned and saw several red-heads, plus extras, running over. Apparently they had heard him coming. He'd have to get that silencing charm for flying fixed.

Harry jumped out and took of the helmet and goggles. Just then, the gaggle arrived. Hermione glomped him even as the Weasley twins and Ron were pounding his shoulders. "Happy Birthday, Mate! Welcome back!"

Harry looked around and saw Neville. "Thanks. Happy Birthday, Neville."

The Weasleys looked at Neville with surprise. "It was yesterday." Ginny unobtrusively left to tell her mother.

After a quick meal, the Weasley children led their visitors to the paddock to get brooms. Hermione looked at the broom she was offered with a bit of nervousness. Neville was just as nervous. Ron was oblivious.

"Hey, it's a great thing Sirius brought extras! We can all play together!"

Harry saw Hermione's look. "Is it entirely safe? I haven't read anything about flying a broom." Neville quietly agreed.

Harry grinned. His friend was very much into books. Neville apparently was just nervous. "It's easy! Come on. We can show you how to do it."

Sirius, who had retrieved his own broom and was off to the side, called over everyone. "Okay, for those who are new and those who haven't been to Hogwarts, we will have a proper flying class." Ron made a face at the word, "class."

The Weasley Twins protested. "We already know how to fly!"

Sirius grinned. "I know. Think of it as a refresher." He looked around. "Okay, line up the brooms on the ground in a row!"

The Weasleys and visitors did as he asked. Harry was between Hermione and Neville with Ginny next to Hermione and Ron next to Neville.

"Okay, everyone put your hand over your broom and say, 'Up!'"

Hermione's and Neville's brooms did not come up as the others did. Hermione's moved a few inches. Neville's just twitched.

Harry looked at the two, one after the other. "I think this is just a matter of confidence. Think of it like … a horse! Or something like that. Be confident."

Hermione calmed herself. She had ridden horses before. In a definite tone she called, "Up!"

The broom came a bit slowly up but reached her hand firmly. Neville, however, only had a slightly better reaction than before. "Come on, Neville. Tell it who's boss!"

Neville's face took on a stern look – he tried to emulate his Gran's tone at her most domineering. "Up!" The broom rushed to his hand and smacked into it.

Remus walked down the line, checking grips. He changed Neville's hands a little – he was holding it too tightly and too high up.

Sirius called out, "Very good! Now, put your leg over it and sit on the broom while holding it firmly!"

All of the children moved to comply. "Now, to go up give a little kick. Don't push too far up or down! We don't need any accidents."

Neville kicked and he started to rise. Sirius called out, "Hold it level! That's it!" Neville's broom stopped rising. Hermione took a deep breath and repeated Neville's actions. Her broom also slowly rose (she had it more level to begin with). She took several deep breaths – she didn't like heights.

"Very good! Now, push down slowly on the front and land."

Neville pushed a bit firmly and his broom moved quickly. He jerked back and overcompensated. Sirius yelled out, "SMALLER MOVEMENTS!"

Neville pushed it flat and stopped moving up. Sirius let go of his breath. "SLOWLY. Okay, slowly push down!" Sirius was relieved that an accident had been averted. He didn't need anything to ruin the mood.

Finally Neville slowly descended and landed. Sirus said, "Okay move off the brooms."

Neville did so and then gasped in relief. That was terrifying!

Hermione was a bit better. The Weasleys were all calm. As a matter of fact, they were all grinning at the newbies.

Sirius said, "Once more!" Neville groaned.

However, after a bit of practice both Neville and Hermione were calmly flying around – at a low level. Neither felt comfortable flying around like maniacs in the way that the Weasleys and Harry were.

Finally Ron called for a Quidditch game. Sirius looked at the time and said, "No time for a full game today. We'll have to do that next week. Your father and a few others are coming in about an hour. How about something else?"

Ron was disappointed, but he had an idea. "Catch the crab apples!" He flew over to a crab apple tree at the edge of the field. The little fruits were used by Mrs. Weasley for thickening in jams.

He grabbed several fruit and flew back. "Someone will throw them and we try to catch them. The most catches wins!"

Hermione and Neville volunteered to be the throwers, thank you very much. The rest took turns racing to catch them after they were thrown. Those waiting their turn would cheer for one participant or the other.

Very soon, it was apparent that Harry was the best at this game. When it started, he was a good but could be beaten. Within the hour, though, none of the Weasleys could even come close, even Ginny who had been the best before Harry got into the feel of it.

Even when Hermione and Neville both threw at the same time, Harry accurately judged which had to be caught first and caught both as long as at least one throw was higher than twenty feet.

When it was all done, Harry was exhilarated and everyone else was awed. Fred volunteered, "It's too bad first years aren't put on the house teams. You'd make an excellent seeker!" It was interesting to note that there was no twin-speak when he said it, though George nodded emphatically in agreement.

Finally, Mrs. Weasley called everyone in. They put away the brooms and trooped over to house. Inside, both Weasley parents were present as were Professors McGonagall, Dumbledore, and a very, very large man Harry hadn't met yet. Sirius, however, had. "Hello, Hagrid! The bike runs great! Thanks for taking care of her."

The large man chuckled deeply, "T'wasn't no problem. I 'ad her cleaned up when I heard you was gettin' out." He turned to Harry. "And, here he is! Harry Potter! You look jus' like your Dad but ya got yur Mum's eyes."

Harry was nervous – it was a very large man – but not too nervous. "Hello, Sir. How do you do?"

The giant man laughed. "None o' that, now! I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys a' Hogwarts. Call me Hagrid. Everyone does! I haven't seen ye since ye were a lit'le tyke!"

After everyone had said hello Professor Dumbledore said, "We heard that there was going to be a celebration today!" Just then, Molly Weasley came back into the room floating a very large cake.

It was a huge thing. On it, written in frosting, were the words "Happy Birthday, Harry and Neville!" Neville was shocked that his birthday had been included.

After a couple of different birthday songs, Neville and Harry blew out the candles and the cake was served. Several gifts were passed out. It was mostly candy from the Weasley children, Hermione had bought him a Quidditch through the Ages book, Remus had a gift certificate for more clothes from Madam Malkin, and Sirius had bought him a Dragon-skin coat. Hagrid gave him a carved flute. Professor McGonagall had given him a note which excused him from one detention. She smirked when she voiced the opinion that if he was like his father, it would be needed. Professor Dumbledore gave him some nice boots that would go well with his Hogwarts uniform.

Neville, with no one being really prepared, received similar items from the Hogwarts staff, the books on Herbology from Hermione and Horticulture from Harry, and two gift vouchers from Remus and Sirius. He remarked that he really didn't need the candy. Harry shared his anyway as it was too much.

A good time was had by all. Afterwards, several games were played by the various people.

At a certain point, Albus motioned Remus outside for a quiet word. Arthur had given permission to use his shed.

Albus led Remus out to the shed and conjured two comfortable chairs. Remus was curious, "What's this about, Albus?"

Albus locked the door with a charm and then said, "I wanted to speak to you about an employment opportunity."

Remus was surprised. "At Hogwarts? I thank you for your confidence, but most parents wouldn't be happy to have someone with my condition teaching."

Albus replied thoughtfully, "Actually, that isn't a bad idea. Something for the future, maybe." He lost his thoughtful tone and said, "Actually, it isn't at Hogwarts. It's for a friend."

Remus was leery. "And my condition has no part of it?"

Albus chuckled, "Actually, my friend considered that a positive."

"Please explain, Albus."

"Before we continue, I would need a secrecy oath. The matter at hand is of a most delicate nature."

Remus trusted Albus, so he gave the oath. Albus nodded, and then explained about the Philosopher's Stone. "So, when Nicolas asked me for a fresh perspective I cogitated on the problem. Having recently been in your company, I thought about you. You are an extremely honest man. Your condition makes it very dangerous for anyone to attempt to use mind magics to steal information. In other words, you are a perfect choice to devise defense for the Stone."

Remus was amazed. "Why not help secure it yourself?"

"I am too obvious a choice. Nicolas and Perenelle picked me to ask for advice because I was Nicolas' student and it wasn't suspicious that I would visit him. But I am well known to be his student. If I tried to secure it, only Hogwarts would be safe enough because anyplace else and the wards might be overcome. And I do not wish to open the door to Hogwarts hosting an item which might attract the wrong sort of attention. Secrets have a way of getting out."

Remus paused and considered Albus' statement. He had a point. Finally he answered, "I am more than willing to help, but once it's safe it should be done. It will obviously be a temporary job."

Albus shook his head. "Nicolas and Perenelle recognize that they have become too predictable in their methods. They, and I, think it would be advisable for someone who is incorruptible and unable to be attacked mentally to make decisions as to procedures. And before you protest the issue of money, both consider it important that whoever makes decisions in this matter is well paid to prevent temptation. Considering the item, money is the least of their concerns."

Remus thought about it and finally, "Okay. I will do it. What are my guidelines?"

Albus chuckled. "Whatever you want them to be. The only requirement is that you tell no one that you are the person in control of this. You cannot tell Sirius, nor Harry, nor any other. In all respects, it will appear that you live your life as you will. If you have a few less issues with money, whose concern is that? If necessary, tell them that you are making money as a consultant. If it becomes an issue, I will vouch for you. I would prefer for Nicolas and Perenelle to not be involved other than being able to reach you when they have need of accessing it. It will be at least a year before that will be the case."

Remus thought hard for a moment. "I will need to cultivate a reputation as someone searching for magical relics, largely unsuccessful but with some small success. With that, a visit to the Flamels will be as unsuspicious as you like."

Albus, knowing what he knew from his own world, smiled in triumph. "Very good. I can help with that."

Remus grinned, "I will consider it a prank of epic proportion. The Cloak and Dagger has a certain grand feeling about it."

Albus nodded and smirked in return as he took an envelope out of his robes. "Information and authorization for Gringotts. I am certain that a visit to Gringotts allowing Harry to spend time in his family's vault should give sufficient cover." He stood up. "It is time to return to the festivities lest we be missed."

No one had noticed that the two had left as Sirius had begun a game of Exploding Snap with Harry, Ron and Neville. The twins had cornered Ginny and Hermione into doing the same. The adults were chatting.

The Hogwarts staff was enjoying the last day before the big push for the new term. The first full staff meeting would be the next day.

Finally, it was time to go home. Arthur made arrangements to meet on Friday regarding the Will. Sirius was going to drive Harry home but he told Sirius about his Aunt's request. Sirius pouted. Harry would use the floo at Mrs. Figg's to return home.

Sirius grinned at Hermione. "Hermione, I'll be taking you home instead of Remus."

Hermione was very nervous at Sirius' expression.

At that moment, Quirinus Quirrel was making his way to Wool's Orphanage. Through judicious use of eavesdropping and gossip, he had pinpointed this as Dumbledore's destination after leaving the Flamels.

His master was upset at having to go to this location, but it was necessary. However, he tripped an alarm ward accidentally and Aurors apparated in. He got out just in time.

It was evening. A motorcycle's engine was heard through the quiet neighborhood in Crawley. It drove up to the stately home of the Grangers. After it stopped, a short figure gingerly got out of the sidecar. Removal of the helmet and goggles revealed the daughter, Hermione. The children who were peering out their own windows were a bit jealous of the girl. The motorbike looked cool.

After she had gone in, her father and mother had come out and spoken to the driver of the motorbike. Mrs. Granger went back inside, Mr. Granger and the man stood chatting and pointing at various things on the motorbike. It WAS a classic, so the men who observed this quite understood. The women decided the visitor was quite attractive.

Maybe it was time to invite the neighbours over for some tea.

OMAKE: Wulfric watched the screen with disdain. A perfect missed opportunity to trap Voldemort and to test Harry Potter. His tormentors spent time enjoying Harry's escapades, but none could see the Greater Good being damaged. He was so anticipating it all going wrong.

The large amount of damage that he had done that was being corrected was not something he even spent more than a passing thought or two on.