6. BIRTHDAY SURPRISES
Two days later, Holly woke to what was clearly supposed to be a barked rendition of Happy Birthday, the bed quaking under Sirius' excited jumps. She smothered her laugh in her pillow, carefully peeking out from under the comforter as Sirius finished the last note with a happy yowl.
"Ugh, gross!" she commented a moment later when Sirius bathed the side of her face with his wet tongue, and pushed the canine away from her.
The dog Animagus let himself tumble from the bed, rising to his feet in his human form a moment later. "Good morning, birthday girl! Did I wake you?"
Holly rolled her eyes, smiling when Sirius slid back onto the bed and pulled her into a sideways hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Performing my most solemn duty and wishing my goddaughter a happy birthday, of course!" Sirius said importantly, his wide, cheeky grin ruining the effect a little. "And since the Malfoys are expecting an unwelcome guest, I wanted to see if you wanted to get out of here for the day. Remus and I have some plans for later, but it would be no problem to get started on them a little earlier."
"That sounds nice," Holly admitted before she sighed regretfully. "But I think I'd better listen to whatever Voldemort has to say first. Maybe he'll at least be considerate enough to keep it short."
"Here's to hoping," Sirius muttered, gently ruffling her hair. "Well, in that case, you better get dressed to greet your guests. The Malfoys had some surprise visitors this morning: myself and Remus, Hermione, your cousin Dudley and a Muggle named Simon."
"Simon and Dudley are here?" she demanded, getting up with some urgency. "And you left them alone with the Malfoys?"
"Things seemed surprisingly amicable when I left." Sirius shrugged, continuing to speak through the door when she disappeared into the bathroom. "And Remus's keeping an eye on them. Not that that'll be necessary with Cissa playing the perfect hostess; she won't have her husband or son thwart her in that mission."
"I think we'd still better hurry," Holly replied, coming out of the bathroom in one of her new summer dresses with a short white sweater pulled over it to ward of the chill of the morning. "Voldemort has arrived."
"My offer still stands, pup. You just have to say the word," Sirius reminded her, lightly kissing her forehead before he smoothly transformed back into his canine form.
She let her hand fall onto his shoulder, curling her fingers through the thick black fur as they walked together to where the Malfoys and their many unexpected or unwelcome guests were gathered. The atmosphere, when they entered the dining hall, was… not great.
"Draco?" Dudley demanded loudly and Holly could see the youngest Malfoy itching towards his wand. "That's really your name?"
"Shut up, Duddydums," Holly retorted, but then moved to hug her cousin. "What are you doing here? How did you even find me?"
"It's your birthday and we never got to celebrate that before so I thought…" Dudley shrugged his broad shoulders. "Anyway, me and Simon went to that bar you mentioned, The Drippy Cauldron or something, and we asked the barkeeper where we could find the Malfoys. Man, his eyes went so round I thought they were going to pop out of his head…"
"He was a bit surprised, but he still helped us to get here," Simon gave her the abridged version, smiling gently at her and pulling her against his lanky form for a brief hug. "Hey, Holly, happy birthday."
"Oh, yes, happy birthday!" Dudley echoed with a slightly sheepish wave.
Holly snorted, punching her cousin lightly in the arm before turning to their audience. "I'm sorry about this… this. I'm sure you didn't plan to have your home invaded by all my family and friends."
"On the contrary," Narcissa said cheerfully. "I invited Hermione and your godfathers and I'm certain that we will have enough birthday cake for your cousin and your other friend as well. But perhaps now would be the time for proper introductions?"
"Of course," Holly agreed readily, pushing her hulking cousin a step forward. "This is my cousin Dudley Dursley and this…" She turned around to look for Simon only to find him already at her side, gently reaching for her hand. "And this is one of my best friends Simon Turner. Dudley, Simon, I'd like you to meet Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy and their son Draco, whose lovely home you so rudely invaded, and my best friend Hermione Granger. Professor Snape, my Potions professor, my godfather Remus Lupin and… Snuffles. And this is Voldemort."
"You're jealous," Simon said, looking evenly at the Dark Lord, who was indeed glaring at them, and squeezed Holly's hand when she turned to him in alarm. "You don't have to be."
"Simon," she hissed. "This isn't the time and you shouldn't… this isn't safe."
"You don't have to worry," the brown-haired boy replied with a reassuring smile. "And neither does the Dark Lord, but I think you would feel better if he could get his jealousy under control."
"And what would you know about my feelings?" Voldemort snapped, seeming to grow as his dark aura permeated the room.
"Oh, I think quite a lot," Simon replied lightly. "I'm an empath, you see."
"Impossible," Lucius interjected. "There hasn't been an empath in at least three hundred years."
Simon shrugged, carefully pushing Holly into a chair when she started to feel dizzy from the pain in her scar. "My mother is an empath as was my grandmother so I don't think your information is entirely accurate. Holly, focus on me."
He dropped into an adjacent chair, grasping both her hands, and resting their foreheads together.
"What are you doing?" Voldemort demanded testily and Holly couldn't suppress her whimper at the new surge of pain.
"Your emotions are hurting her. I'm trying to shield her from them, but it would really help if you could try to adopt a more positive mindset," Simon answered, projecting calm and reassurance and safety at her.
It helped a little as did Sirius, who pressed his warm, furry body against her side, and Hermione, who moved to embrace her from behind. But she only felt she could start to breathe again when Voldemort seemed to get a rein on his temper and the constant white-hot pain from her scar subsided.
"I was under the impression that you had fixed this, Severus," the Dark Lord commented, almost idly, when they were all seated around the breakfast table.
"Professor Snape's potion does work, but not when you're bombarding me with all that negativity," Holly protested before the Potions Master could defend himself. "You don't get to blame him for your bad temper."
"I get to blame whomever I like," the red-eyed man replied. "That's one of the perks of being a Dark Lord."
"Is that why you're here, then?" Holly demanded. "To blame others for your shortcomings and to give me a headache?"
"Holly, why don't you cut the cake?" Narcissa interjected, a little too brightly, motioning to the three-tier birthday cake with fresh berries, dark chocolate mousse and sixteen birthday candles. "Happy Birthday!"
There was a chorus of Happy Birthdays from the rest of the room, followed by hugs from her friends and even a rather stiff handshake from the youngest Malfoy before Remus encouraged her to blow out the candles and cut the cake.
"I brought muffins for you," Dudley said, producing a rather crumpled looking pastry box from somewhere. "Might have eaten one or two on the way, though."
Holly rolled her eyes, but still had to laugh at the rather unimpressive and unappetizing looking remains of Dudley's offering. "Falling back into old habits, Dudley?"
"No!" Dudley shook his head rather forcefully. "No, you know I wouldn't. They're still good, see, and I left the ones with the letters for your name... That's the second 'L' – I think it got a little smudged when we used that fireplace thingy, but…"
"Dudley, it's okay," Holly interrupted him with a laugh. "I was only teasing you. Here, have a piece of cake."
She put a generous slice on a plate for Dudley before cutting several more slices for the others around the table until a pitiful whimper at her side made her look down. "Don't look at me like that, Snuffles. Chocolate isn't good for you."
Remus chuckled, reaching down to pat Sirius' head. "Oh, he still thinks that doesn't apply to him. All proof to the contrary, of course. You still remember the last time, don't you?"
Sirius just whimpered again, beseeching them with his best puppy dog eyes, which changed to a look of betrayal when they didn't give in. He turned around with a very human sounding huff, making for the oriental carpet in front of the decorative fireplace.
"Don't you dare shed on my rug!" Narcissa exclaimed, her wand already in her hand. The glassware on the table shattered and with a loud crack the table split along its middle, bursting apart as if struck by lightning.
"Now who needs to get a rein on their temper?" Voldemort said into the silence, a smirk on his handsome face as he repaired the damage with a casual flick of his wand. "Narcissa, Miss Potter, why don't you sit down. I think I might have the solution for this little conundrum."
Sirius slinked back over to the table, butting his head into the backs of her knees to make her fall back into her chair, licking his rough tongue over her shaking hands and then resting his head in her lap. She buried her hands in his fur and then looked up at Narcissa.
"I'm sorry about destroying your plates, Narcissa, but I'm not sorry about defending my family," she said softly before turning to Voldemort. "And I don't think I have any interest in another one of your so-called solutions."
Voldemort's red eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone remained surprisingly civil when he answered and she could feel only a twinge of annoyance over her scar. "You may be forgiven for making assumptions, at least today. Happy Birthday, Miss Potter."
He pulled a rolled-up copy of the Daily Prophet and an official looking envelope from his robes, handing both to her. She hesitated a moment, but then accepted them, slowly unrolling the paper and feeling almost like she was having a déjà-vu when she found the Azkaban photo of her godfather screaming soundlessly at her. The headline, though, was very different:
Sirius Black found innocent
by Rita Skeeter
The story of Sirius Black - convicted 15 years ago to life without parole for betraying the Potters to their deaths and murdering 13 Muggles and one Peter Pettigrew, famed for the unprecedented escape from Azkaban almost three years ago to the day, and vanished without a trace ever since - took another surprising twist late last night when the allegedly dead Peter Pettigrew was delivered to the Ministry of Magic, very much alive and with a striking confession on his lips…
Holly didn't read any further, instead tearing open the letter that bore the seal of the Ministry of Magic with shaking hands:
Dear Ms. Potter,
we were reliably informed that you might know the whereabouts of your godfather Sirius Orion Black, who was declared innocent this morning due to new evidence.
Please extend to him, on behalf of the entire Ministry of Magic, Minister Fudge and myself, our sincerest apologies for his wrongful imprisonment in Azkaban and express to him our dismay for this miscarriage of justice. Mr. Black has been cleared of all charges and we will be glad to discuss with him an appropriate amount of indemnification at a time of his choosing.
We'd be very beholden if you could relay this information to him.
Sincerely Amelia Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement
PS: Happy Birthday!
She felt tears prick at her eyes only realising that she was twisting her hands in Sirius' fur when he gave a pained yowl, startling her out of her stupor. "Sirius, look. Look at this! You're free! Pettigrew confessed everything!"
She excitedly thrust the letter in front of his nose while Remus picked up the Daily Prophet, breaking out into a happy laugh when Sirius suddenly turned back into his human form and pulled her into his arms, swirling her around with a beaming smile on his face.
"Woah, are you a werewolf?" Dudley interrupted their speechless celebration, his eyes round in wonder. It only made Holly laugh harder, Sirius' barking laughter ringing out a moment later.
"No, that would be me, Mr. Dursley," Remus replied easily, his wide grin making him look years younger. "Sirius is an Animagus."
"Animagi can change into their animal forms at will whereas werewolves have no choice but to turn on nights of the full moon," Hermione explained to Dudley, who still seemed rather confused.
"You don't look like a werewolf," Dudley pointed out and Remus chuckled good-naturedly while Snape scoffed, drank down the rest of his morning tea and then left with only a cursory nod towards Voldemort.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Remus replied, pulling Sirius into a hug of his own and giving him a soft peck on the lips when he deposited Holly back in her chair. "Congratulations. This has been long overdue."
"Thanks, Moony," Sirius murmured, leaning against the werewolf for a few moments. "Still doesn't seem real. I'm free? I'm really free? I can go out there and they won't arrest me on sight? I can walk into a shop or eat dinner at a restaurant without using some elaborate disguise and still fearing for my life?
"I can't believe my name has finally been cleared, Moony, that I could walk into the Ministry right now and they'd probably trot out the apology committee instead of calling the Dementors… That Peter will finally get what has been coming to him." Sirius shook his head as if to dispel any negative thoughts. "But I don't want to think about that rat today."
"Then what do you want to do?" Remus asked with an understanding nod.
"Celebrate my goddaughter's birthday, of course," Sirius declared, dropping a kiss onto her forehead. "And something else that has been long overdue, if you think you could excuse Remus and I for a few hours, pup?"
"I'll manage," Holly promised, a little curious, but then decided that she didn't need to know right now as long as Sirius was happy.
Remus smiled at her, reassuringly patting her shoulder and offering a polite goodbye to the room before the two former Gryffindors Disapparated. Holly took a deep breath, listening for a moment to the conversations that had started around the table – Dudley and Draco seeming to have found some common ground talking about sports, Hermione trying to sate her innate curiosity by interrogating Simon about his empathy, Lucius and Narcissa discussing something in quiet tones.
She mentally steeled herself before glancing towards Voldemort, whose eyes were already focused on her. "Thank you. I don't really know what else to say so just… thank you."
"It's one of the conditions we agreed upon," Voldemort reminded her. "I merely moved up the time line by a few days."
"Still," Holly insisted, not quite sure how to finish her thought. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Miss Potter." He smirked at her, inclining his head in a nod. "I'm glad my gesture of good will was well received since there are some details we need to discuss concerning the wedding."
"Okay," Holly said, trying not to sound as unwilling as she felt.
"Perhaps we might take a walk through the gardens?" Voldemort suggested, continuing at her nod. "After you've finished your breakfast and unpacked the rest of your presents of course."
"An excellent cue, my Lord," Narcissa interjected. "Holly, why don't you start with our present? And don't worry about the plates – they were easily repaired after all."
Narcissa summoned a package from a small pile of presents that had been set up on a side table, floating it over to Holly. She caught it, the shiny golden wrapping paper making a merry crinkling sound.
"Open it," Simon encouraged her kindly when she hesitated over the elaborate bow. "They think you'll like it."
Holly puffed out a slow breath before carefully plucking off the bow and then peeling apart the edges of the wrapping paper to reveal a large, square box in creamy white. When she lifted off the lid and folded apart the thin packing paper, she saw a set of fine dress robes in silky black, with delicate stitches in fine silver thread along the edges and a detailed emblem where her school robes sported the Gryffindor crest.
"These are wonderful. Thank you, Narcissa, Lucius," she murmured, her fingers tracing over the crest. "But what's this?"
"The Potter family crest," Lucius replied, looking for a moment as if he wanted to add something, but then leaving it at that.
"Oh," Holly mumbled, carefully studying the stitched emblem; it showed a rather fierce-looking lion with a full mane that was sharpening its claws on a birch tree, a gleaming silver sword embedded in the wood between the lion's paws. "I've never seen this before. I didn't know I had a family crest."
"All the old houses have them," Narcissa explained. "In fact, I had them incorporate the Black family seal as well on Sirius' request. If you just tap the robes with your wand…"
She leaned forward slightly to demonstrate, the crest changing to depict a black unicorn on a silvery background, dark vines twining around its legs as it reared up. With a second tap of Narcissa's wand, the two crests joined, forming a new combined coat of arms; and with a last tap, the emblems disappeared, leaving only smooth dark silk.
"As I said, every young witch should have a proper set of dress robes," Narcissa said with finality as Holly murmured another thank you. "Would you like to unwrap Draco's present next?"
"You got me a present?" Holly asked the Slytherin student in surprise, a little reassured when he still sneered at her.
"I was actually taught some manners growing up, Potter," he replied, throwing her another square-shaped present, smaller but much heavier than the one she had received from the older Malfoys, and wrapped in the same golden wrapping paper.
"And just imagine how pleasant you could be if you actually used them," she answered with a too-sweet smile, carefully undoing the Spellotape and lifting up the lid of the box.
Inside the box, she found a large jar of handle polish, another jar with tail-twig moisturiser, a small leather case with an assortment of clippers, polishing cloths and detanglers and finally a thick tome entitled Broomcare for Beginners – 13th edition, with 23 new spells and charms!
"If you're going to borrow someone else's broom – without their permission! – you might at least be courteous enough not to leave it worse for wear," the youngest Malfoy informed her with a glare from narrowed silver eyes. "And why didn't you fly your own broom?"
"I lent it to Ron over the holidays," Holly replied with a soft shrug. "Can't use it anyway in a Muggle neighbourhood and my relatives…"
"Mom would have freaked," Dudley agreed wisely, patting her back a little too forcefully. "But I think riding a broom sounds pretty neat – could I try it sometime?"
"Sure." Holly laughed, carefully closing the box again and putting it aside. "Thank you, Draco. It's a very useful gift and I'll be happy to polish your broom as a thank you -"
She broke off when the Slytherin swallowed wrong and erupted into a coughing fit, throwing wide, panicked looks between her and Voldemort. "That's not… That's clearly not… Never! That's never going to happen, I swear."
Holly furrowed her brow, looking around the table to try to make sense of Draco's strange behaviour. But Voldemort remained inscrutable, a hint of jealousy trickling over the curse scar before it was washed away by something like amusement. Lucius and Narcissa both looked equal parts worried, uncomfortable and amused. Dudley was just confused and Hermione was blushing furiously.
"What?" she hissed to her best friend.
"Innuendo, Holly," Hermione whispered back, trying to communicate something with her wide brown eyes.
"I think Draco is a little worried that your words might have been perceived as having a sexual connotation," Simon explained, calmly taking a bite from his cake.
"But that wasn't…" Holly exclaimed, blushing now as well and glaring at Draco and Voldemort in turn. "We were very clearly talking about brooms! Actual brooms! You will not make this something it was not and now we will all drop this subject!
"Gladly," the youngest Slytherin murmured and Voldemort grinned, acquiescing with a gracious wave of his hand.
"Here, Holly, open my present next," Simon said kindly, handing her a bonbon-shaped present in sunny yellow wrapping paper with colourful butterflies.
She opened the card first, reading it carefully and then undid the two bows, shaking a small flashlight into her hand. She smiled, turning to hug him and feeling him sent a wave of reassuring emotions her way.
"I'll try to remember that," she whispered, closing her eyes for a few moments. "Thanks for coming today."
"You were always a lot stronger than you knew," he reminded her, speaking very softly. "And I think he might not be all you've been taught to expect. I do see goodness in him – even if he himself might have forgotten all about it."
"I wish I saw that, too," she murmured, glancing furtively at the Dark Lord. "Though I don't know if that would really make it easier."
Simon chuckled, his deep blue eyes full of understanding and good-natured teasing. "But when have you ever taking the easy way? I'm sure you'll figure it out and I'm glad to help if you ever need me. You know that."
"I know," Holly said, pulling back and putting the flashlight on top of Draco's present. "I'll have to ask Sirius to charm it so that it'll work around magic. Muggle electronics don't really do well in magical environments."
"I know the spell," Hermione said. "I'll do it for you once we're back in Hogwarts."
"Thanks," Holly said and then explained to the assembled purebloods what a flashlight was and what it was used for.
"I don't think you told us yet how you two met," Lucius asked after her explanation.
"Dudley used to beat us both up," Simon replied easily.
"You beat up a girl?" Draco demanded, sending the muscular young Muggle an aghast look. "You're twice her size!"
"I was a spoilt, ungrateful brat with no self-esteem and shitty role models, of course I beat her up," Dudley answered, his voice filled with self-loathing.
"You grew out of it, though," Holly reminded him gently. "And to be fair, running from you and your so-called friends has been excellent survival training… and I wasn't always nice to you, either."
"You did sic that boa constrictor on me," Dudley agreed and Holly rolled her eyes.
"He hardly touched you!" she protested. "And you were being a jerk to both of us."
"That's true," Dudley admitted good-naturedly, absently finishing another one of her birthday muffins. "Can I have another slice of cake, do you think?"