The couple of weeks leading to Harry's fifth birthday and Remus' transformation passed quickly, almost too quickly. Sirius couldn't believe that over a month had passed since he been able to rescue Harry from the Dursleys. He thought his puppy was doing well, all things considered. In truth, though, Sirius hadn't entirely known what to expect from the abused and neglected child.

Outbursts over small things? Tantrums? Nightmares--from what he had endured from his relatives, and perhaps from the aftermath of Voldemort's failed killing curse? Sirius had spent a great deal of time spying on the Dursleys, but he hadn't been able to get inside the house (here, Wormtail's rat body might have been more helpful).

Sirius knew that Harry might be out of the cruel environment, but healing would take time. Fortunately, most of the time, he was a happy kid.

They had returned to the park several times, and the swings were Harry's favorite source of entertainment. He could stay on them for hours, kicking his legs as Sirius pushed him higher and higher.

Sirius grinned as he thought of one of his gifts for Harry. A child's broom that would rise up to six feet in the air, and packed with protective spells to keep him from getting hurt. Not that the kid would need them! Recalling Lily's letter before she died, he remembered that even at a year of age, Harry was meant to fly.

Not that this should be at all surprising, given James' talent on a broom. His best friend and brother had been an incredible Chaser, but he could have played any position with ease. Well, perhaps not Seeker, since his muscular build wasn't ideal for that role, but had James wanted to, he would have found a way.

Sirius knew that he and Lily were looking down at him and Remus and Harry. Lily was probably rolling her eyes at the sheer amount of protections Sirius had paid for on the broom, but by Merlin, the kid was not getting hurt on his watch!

"You don't need to wait until I am human again before giving Harry his presents," Remus protested, only for the hundredth time, as they wrapped the gifts.

It was July 30th, and Harry was fast asleep on the couch, having just settled down for his nap. He always slept for three hours, so they knew there would be plenty of time before he rose.

"He wants to wait, Moony," Sirius insisted, placing a piece of tape on the package containing a set of Wizarding Chess pieces.

A child's version, of course. Ones that were enchanted to help the new learner, instead of someone who had been playing for years. When Harry turned eight or so, he could advance to the regular version, but Andromeda had insisted that this was the best for children.

"It seems a shame to go without presents on his birthday," Sirius added, "but I don't suppose he's had anything by the way of a proper celebration before."

"Damn Dursleys," Remus muttered.

Sirius snorted. If Remus started swearing, it meant he was angry. Unlike Sirius, who rather enjoyed swearing more than he should. At least, he'd managed not to do so around his puppy.

"Next year, there will be a proper party on the day of his birthday," Sirius assured him. "I think it's best for Harry for it to be just us, this year, but I certainly don't want it to become the norm for him."

He was wise enough to realize that inviting dozens of kids who Harry had never met, who likely knew him as the Boy-Who-Lived, would be a recipe for disaster. Sirius wasn't entirely sure how to deal with the fact that all wizarding children knew his name and what he had done, all while he had no idea. Harry was too young to know, of course, but Sirius had to impress upon the parents that any child who wished to be Harry's friend had to keep quiet about that.

The other option would be to keep Harry from all children until Sirius thought he was old enough to know and Voldemort...but that would be at least three years from now.

Sirius sighed, and Remus gave him a knowing smile.

"You're thinking that everyone his age already knows who he is," he murmured, turning his attention to wrapping a box of children's quills.

"Sure you can't read minds?" Sirius joked.

"It's all over your face."

Sirius sighed again. "It's going to come out, somehow."

"Not if we're careful about who he spends time with and impress secrecy upon their parents," Remus countered.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Children aren't known for their ability to keep secrets of that nature."

"Should we tell him sooner, rather than later?" Remus asked, softly.

Sirius shrugged. "Let me give it some thought. You too, Remus. You know I value your insight when it comes to Harry."

Remus lay down the partially wrapped quills to place a hand on Sirius' shoulders.

"Of course."

"Even if I was always the favorite when James and Lily were alive," Sirius added, with a wicked grin.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with your letting him ride on your back as a dog as well as a human, I'm sure," Remus noted, dryly.

"Well, now, I had to use whatever gifts I had to make Harry like me best!" Sirius chortled. "'Sides, it was a ruddy good time, walking around as Padfoot with a one-year-old on my back."

"I've always wondered...did he pull at your fur?" Remus asked, smiling broadly.

"Oh sure, and if I had been purely dog, I likely would have growled, maybe even bit him. Good thing I kept my mind, and had over five years of managing the instincts," Sirius explained, with a shrug. "It certainly stung a bit, but you can hardly get a baby to understand to be gentle. And it was worth it."

"Think you'll let him do it again?"

Sirius considered. "If he wants. I expect he's small enough that he could fit for another year or so." He grinned. "We'll have to take pictures."

"I wouldn't dream of letting it go undocumented," Remus assured him.

A half an hour later, all of Harry's ten gifts were wrapped, and both hidden and magically concealed in a hall closet. Not that Harry would go looking this year...next year, though, he might.

"We'll have Christmas to think about soon," Sirius noted. "I should start looking at the catalogs. They'll be out soon."

Sirius half expected Remus to caution him not to spoil Harry, but he didn't.

Perhaps, he was looking forward to seeing his face upon seeing--and opening--all of the presents.

Next year, when he would have his first proper party, there would likely be even more.

Author's note:

I have not updated as much as I would have liked. Both this story and my other one are going through a difficult time. Doesn't help that I have a lot going on around my house! I will try to update more frequently, but I can't promise weekly updates (for now).

Next up: Harry turns 5'