Harry's Birthday

Summary: It's Harry's sixteenth birthday, another birthday that James and Lily are happy to see.

AN: Sorry for the late publishing. The brainstorming for this took longer than I thought.

It was a beautiful morning on the last day of July. Lily quietly sipped her tea as she gazed out the window.

She enjoyed the peace and quiet of the house before her men woke up. Every year, they allowed Harry to sleep in as late as he wanted. Since entering his teens, Lily noticed he slept until noon most of the time. Like James, Harry was not a morning person. He was known for being incredibly cranky early in the morning.

Today, her baby was sixteen. "Where did the time go?" Lily asked herself. She could look around the house and still see Harry as a small child. They moved to Potter's Bar the summer after Harry started school. Lily had fallen in love with this house when she saw it.

There were different reasons why they decided to move to Potter's Bar. Lily needed room for a potions lab. James wanted space for a Quidditch pitch in the back garden.

Life in Potter's Bar was quiet. They loved the town with all the shops and restaurants. They allowed Harry to roam the village without an adult since he was fourteen.

Lily turned to the stove and began making pancakes. They were one of Harry's favorite breakfast choices and his choice for breakfast that morning. As a treat, Lily put chocolate chips in Harry's pancake.

The floo in the sitting room flared. Lily didn't need to know who it was that arrived.

"Good morning, Lily," Sirius greeted as he entered the kitchen. "What's for breakfast?"

"I'll let you choose what you want. I'm fixing some eggs and sausage to go with the pancake I'm fixing for Harry. I can easily add more." Lily turned to Sirius, giving him one of her looks.

"Thanks, you're a doll." Sirius helped himself to some tea and sat down at the table. James entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Padfoot," James greeted his oldest friend.

"Good morning, Prongs. Is the birthday boy still asleep?"

"Yes, I could hear his snoring from the door."

"Don't let him hear you say that," Lily warned. Harry always complained about Ron's snoring. James and Sirius wanted to tell Harry that he was just as bad, only a lot quieter.

The back door opened. "Hello, anyone home."

"Come in, Remus," Lily called.

"Good morning, Moony," James and Sirius said about the same time.

"Good morning. Is Harry still asleep?"

"Yes," they all said in unison.

Lily began putting food on the plates, asking Remus what he wanted for breakfast. Nobody turned down Lily's cooking.

She managed to teach Harry the basics over the summer. He can now make his breakfast and lunch for himself. He could get supper started if he needed.

"Can I go wake him up?" Sirius asked, jumping in his chair like a child on Christmas morning.

"I'm going, Black," Lily said firmly.

It had become sort of a tradition. James got him up on September first. It was Sirius who got him up for Christmas. But Harry's birthday was Lily's day.

She liked being the first person her son saw when he woke up on his special day.

She considered it her reward for the twenty hours of labor it took to bring Harry into this world, something she reminded the teenager of when he gave her grief.

She quietly entered her son's bedroom surprised to see that the clothes were off the floor. His desk was cleared off, except for his summer homework. His books were on the shelf, organized, except for the one on his nightstand.

Harry's back was to her when she sat down on the side of the bed. Gently she shook his shoulder.

"Harry, sweetheart. It's time to wake up."

Harry turned onto his back. He picked up his glasses, slipping them on.

"Morning, Mum."

"Good morning, sweetheart. Happy birthday. Sixteen already. Where did the time go." She ruffled his bedhead as she told him that breakfast was ready.

"I'll be down in a minute Mum."

Harry shuffled to the bathroom. He relieved himself and washed his hands before heading down to the kitchen. It was just Remus and Sirius. They didn't care he was wearing an old Gryffindor Quidditch shirt, pajama bottoms, and barefooted.

"Happy birthday, Cub," Remus greeted, alerting James and Sirius.

"Happy birthday, Pup."

James waited until Harry was in his seat and ruffled his hair.

"Happy birthday, Son."

"Thanks, Dad."

Harry leaned back in his seat when Lily brought his plate of breakfast to the table. Sitting it in front of him, pressing a kiss to his head, then waved her wand towards the plates filled with eggs, sausage, and toast, sending them to James, Sirius, and Remus.

James knew Harry's pancakes had chocolate chips while his pancakes were plain. He reached over with his fork to try and take a piece of Harry's pancake.

"Don't even think about it, Dad," Harry warned.

"So, what are the plans for the day?" Sirius asked.

"Ginny is coming over, and I think we're going into the village," Harry said. "Or we might go into London. She told me I can pick where we go."

"Just make sure wherever you go, you take the medallion," James said, cutting up his sausage."

"I will," Harry assured him.

"Molly wouldn't let Ron or Ginny leave the Burrow without taking them. That's what Arthur said the other day."

"When Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and I went to London?" Harry asked.

James nodded. "Just make sure you have it."

"I will." Harry took a sip of the tea Lily sat in front of him with a glass of orange juice. "When is Hestia coming back?"

"Next Wednesday. She hates she's missing your birthday. She will make it up to you when she returns," Sirius said.

Hestia had to go to Wales to finalize the sale of property that belonged to her mother and to finalize the last of her mother's estate. All of it went to her as the only inheritor. It was taking longer than she thought, especially since she was getting things transferred to England.

"Ginny's birthday present is tickets to see the Holyhead Harpies play. I was wondering, to appease Molly, would you and Hestia go with us?"

Sirius smiled. "Of course, I would love to see Red's reaction to seeing her favorite team play."

"She's seen them play before. But isn't Gwenog related to Hestia?"

"Their cousins, why?" Sirius asked.

"I thought we could arrange something for Ginny to meet her," Harry said, popping a piece of sausage in his mouth.

"I think we can arrange that."

When everyone finished breakfast, they took their plates to the sink.

Harry knew what was coming. Sirius and James always tried to tackle Harry and tickle him on his birthday. He tried avoiding it, but he failed every year.

"I'm going upstairs. Breakfast was good, Mum." Harry kissed Lily's cheek as he made his way out of the kitchen.

Sirius and James shared a look as they approached Harry. Sirius tackled him to the ground and began tickling his godson. James joined after giving Sirius a head start.

They hit all of Harry's ticklish spots: under Harry's neck, his underarms, sides, his stomach, and down to his feet.

The sound of Harry's laughter filled the house.

"Okay, stop, stop," Harry stuttered. Sirius's fingers kept ticking, remaining on the most ticklish part of Harry's body, his stomach. It wasn't until Sirius got tired and removed his hands to stretch Harry took the opportunity and bolted to his room, narrowly missing his mother.

The sound of the door to Harry's room slamming shut and James and Sirius's laughter filled the house. Lily sighed as she started baking the cake for the party.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

After tormenting the birthday boy, Lily sent James and Sirius outside to set up the backyard. Harry decided to have a small gathering with just the Weasleys, Sirius, Remus, and Tonks.

Hermione was currently in France. She had sent Ron Harry's present to give him for her.

Lily decided they would eat outside since the weather was nice. She went shopping last Friday while running errands, dragging Harry with her so he could have a say in the menu.

Lily prepared the ground beef for Shepherd's pie. She was fixing it how her mother always made it.

She turned the light on in the oven to check the cake she was baking. She had given Harry the choice of shop-made or homemade.

"Homemade. I would rather have your cake than shop-made."

Lily wasn't surprised when that statement was followed by 'and make it chocolate.' The cake recipe was another one of her mother's recipes.

It was the first thing she ever baked and the first thing she made for James. She made it for Harry's birthday every year.

She had a while to cook yet. They weren't getting together until five.

The floo flared in the sitting room, making Lily pause. She knew who it was when a familiar voice called out, "Anyone home?"

"In here, Ginny," Lily called.

The redhead entered the kitchen, a tin in her hand. "Mum sent these. She went overboard. Bill told her he asked Fleur to marry him. She's been baking since."

Lily stifled a giggle. "Well, at least I won't be like that. I happen to like my son's girlfriend. I would be delighted if they were to marry one day."

Ginny blushed. "Thank you, Lily."

"You're welcome," Lily said over her shoulder as she walked to the stairs. "Harry! Ginny's here!"

"Coming."

"What do you plan on doing?" she asked as she walked back into the kitchen.

"I'm letting the birthday boy pick," Ginny replied. She smiled when Harry came downstairs and entered the kitchen.

"Hi, stranger," she greeted her boyfriend. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks. We just saw each other yesterday," Harry reminded her.

"Right." They turned to Lily.

"Be back around four," she told them. Harry kissed her cheek as they headed out the back door.

"Bye, Mum," Harry called over his shoulder.

"Do you have the...?" She trailed off when Harry held up the medallion

She watched them go out the door. She laughed when she heard, "BYE, DAD!"

She put the finishing touches on the shepherd's pie. Opening the oven, she pulled the cake from the oven moving it to the counter. Then she put in the shepherd's pie to bake. She inhaled the smells of her cooking, sighing contently.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Lily walked into the family room for a rest. The cake was cooling, the icing was made, and the shepherd's pie was in the oven. Approaching the bookshelf where she kept the family photo albums, Lily pulled out the blue one. She settled into an armchair, opening the album.

In this photo album were pictures of Harry. She watched as her son grew up from the newborn in her and James's arms to the loving teenager he was today. The most recent picture of Harry was taken in the spring. Harry was home for the Easter holiday. She would need to take an updated picture.

She knew she was lucky to have a son like Harry. He was known for his kindness at school, everyone bragging to her how kind and sweet Harry was. He was kind, sweet, and gentle.

He used to be quiet and shy as a kid. But he was now talkative. James joked that Harry never stopped talking. He definitely got the sass and sarcasm from James.

Harry was built just like James and was almost at James's height of 5'10. The last time he was measured, he was 5'8. He was taller than her. She was 5'1. He wasn't the skinny little boy he was. He was slim, at the weight he needed to be. His weight was something the healer and the Muggle doctor Harry saw were concerned about, but not anymore.

Harry had put on more weight this summer. Most of it was in muscle. He was more physically active than most teenage boys.

While Harry was a mixture of his parents, he was his own person. Lily knew Harry had an unquenchable thirst to prove himself. He took after James in DADA but was terrible at potions.

He wasn't a straight-O student like Lily had hoped.

Harry had an Outstanding in Defense. His other classes were Exceeds Expectations, even in potions.

If there was anything Lily wished Harry didn't inherit, it was her temper. In truth, Harry was a mixture of her and James.

He had a mix of their tempers. Like Lily, Harry was dangerously quiet. Like James, it took a light to light his fuse. When you did, Lily shuttered at the thought.

But Harry was smart enough not to lose his temper with his parents. The one time he had told Lily to 'bugger off' ended with him being grounded for a week and working with Lily in the potions lab. He had apologized as soon as the words had left his mouth. He and Lily had a long talk while working in the lab.

After that, Harry was careful about what he said to his parents. He was even careful about what he said to Remus and Sirius. Harry was thirteen when this happened. Lily was grateful that Harry was still the respectful, kind, and caring boy she knew.

Lily flipped through the album, smiling at the pictures. She felt sad that Harry was almost an adult.

She sometimes looked at Harry and still saw a little boy. But her little boy was grown up. Even though he didn't need her as often anymore, he still needed her.

"He'll be seventeen next year," she whispered, letting a few tears flow. She wiped them quickly when she heard the front door open.

"We're back," Harry called from the back door.

"I'm in the family room," Lily called back. She looked up as Harry and Ginny came into the family room.

Harry groaned at the stack of photo albums.

"Not the pictures, Mum." Lily had to laugh at her son's face. She decided to ask Harry a question regarding a selection of pictures.

"Harry, we seem to be missing some pictures. Do you know where they are?" she asked.

"No idea," Harry replied, hoping he sounded convincing.

He had hidden the embarrassing baby pictures in a box on a shelf in his bedroom. They were all of Harry in different stages of undress.

Why James and Lily wanted a picture of a naked baby Harry, he didn't know.

Harry grabbed Ginny's hand, dragging her outside to sit under the swing in the backyard.

Lily laughed as she began to put the finishing touches on the meal and transfer the food to the table on the patio.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Laughter filled the backyard as James and Lily began a birthday tradition. Everyone went around the table to share their favorite Harry memory from the year. It was something they did before the presents and after they ate.

Sirius went first, claiming it was his right as Godfather. James and Lily didn't argue with him.

"My favorite memory with Harry this year is when James, me, and Harry all went on a four-day holiday, just us. I enjoyed riding the rides at the amusement park, except for the one roller coaster. It's my favorite because it was the first time I saw Harry act like a teenager for a long time."

"Why didn't you like the one roller coaster?" Tonks asked curiously.

"Harry had gotten sick on that ride," James answered.

"Next," Harry called, wanting to change the topic.

"My favorite memory is," Remus began, tapping the table. "Easter holiday, after you and James got better from the stomach flu. You and I made breakfast for everyone one morning. It was the first time I spent time with you without anyone else around in a long time."

"Fred and mine are shared. Is that okay?" George asked Lily, who nodded. He continued. "Our favorite memory is when Harry introduced us to Sirius, Remus, and James as the Marauders."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Harry asked no one in particular.

"Okay, my turn," Tonks said, "Mine has to be Christmas when Harry stood up to Mad-Eye. I never knew anyone who told him off and lived to tell about it."

That prompted laughter from the adults. Arthur went next, telling the story of discovering Harry and Ginny under the mistletoe in the drawing room at Grimmauld Place. The kids were included in the Christmas party, and Arthur went looking for them to tell them it was time for the passing party.

"It's my favorite because you made my little girl very happy. I couldn't think of someone else better for my daughter than you."

This made Harry and Ginny both blush.

Molly shared about Ron and Harry's gnome-throwing contest. They hadn't been home from Hogwarts very long. It had entertained Molly so much she was dying laughing watching the boys. She even laughed when a gnome hit an unsuspected Sirius and Bill.

The image the story produced prompted more laughter, even from Sirius. He said he thought Harry had a good arm and should have been a chaser instead of a seeker. Once they were done, it was Ron's turn.

"My favorite memory is us hiding from Hermione when OWLs got closer." This prompted laughter from Fred, George, James, Sirius, and Arthur.

"Where did you hide?" Sirius asked through his laughter.

"Anywhere we could think of," Harry told him.

"I liked the late-night chats we would have. Before we went to bed." Ron's statement prompted laughter from James, Sirius, Fred, and George.

"We sound like a bunch of girls," Harry noted.

"My turn," Ginny called. She turned to her boyfriend and smiled. "My favorite memory is a late night we spent sitting by the fire. Neither of us could sleep. We snuggled under a blanket by the fire and talked. It was something I pictured doing when we got together."

The women present awed. Ron added, "Was that when you and Harry fell asleep on the couch?"

"Yes," Harry replied.

Lily and James shared a look before James motioned to Lily to go first. "My favorite memory is my birthday and Mother's Day. You made both so special. He sneaked into my quarters and cooked breakfast for just the two of us. You even picked Lilies for me along with my present. I wonder how I got lucky with a son like you."

"Because you deserve it, Mum."

Lily leaned over, pressing a kiss to Harry's forehead. She whispered, "I love you."

James cleared his throat, "Now, my favorite memory is when we went to the beach, and Harry and I buried Sirius in the sand."

"I thought we forgot about that," Sirius grumbled.

"And when we went to the coast. Harry and I went to an arcade alone. It was nice spending time with just my son and no one else."

"One." Harry ticked it off with a finger. "There are pictures of Sirius buried in the sand. Two," another finger joined the first one. "I remember that I creamed you in Air hockey."

"Alright, that's everyone. Time for cake," Lily announced.

She brought out the cake and lit the candles as everyone started to sing Happy Birthday.

"Make a wish, sweetheart," Lily said.

Harry thought for a second and then blew out the candles. He knew not to share his wish, for it wouldn't come true.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Presents followed the cake after everyone ate their slice of cake.

Harry began opening his presents, thanking each person he went to without prompting from Lily.

James got him a book called The Professional Guide to Quidditch Captain, new arm and shin guards, and seeker gloves as a combined congrats on being captain present and a birthday present.

"I had that book when I was Quidditch captain. That is the new edition."

Lily got him new jeans, shirts, and a Quidditch jersey from his favorite team, Puddlemere United.

Sirius had gotten him a book on Quidditch plays and a broom servicing kit. He told him Hestia had something for him that she'll give him when she returned.

Remus and Tonks got Harry a collection of Defense books for Aurors.

"I read some of them during my last two years of Hogwarts. I felt they helped me. They'll help you as well," Tonks explained.

"Thanks," Harry replied before he tore into his gift from the Weasleys. Molly had knitted him another jumper, this one in Gryffindor red. Fred and George said he could pick out anything he wanted from the joke shop.

Lily approved of Harry giving Fred and George his Tri-Wizard winnings. She knew he didn't want it, even tried to give it to Amos. He refused to take it. When Ron told him what happened to Fred and George's savings and how their dream of opening a joke shop was gone, Harry talked it over with James. He gave them the winnings. Plus, Sirius and James made a deal with Fred and George. They would also invest in their joke shop on the condition they finish their education.

The joke shop was a success. The business was booming.

Ginny had gotten him two Gryffindor T-shirts, one with Seeker and the number 7. The other one had Potter and his number 7, as it was the standard for seekers. She also had gotten him a toy snitch to play with.

"Thanks, Gin," he leaned over and kissed her cheek as James snapped a picture.

Hermione had gotten him a couple of books on NEWTs. Ron had got him a Quidditch book.

"Thanks for the presents, everyone. Anyone up for a game of Quidditch?"

"Yeah!"

The boys ran to the garden where the Quidditch pitch was, Ginny and Harry behind them.

Harry only stopped to kiss Lily on the cheek, "Thanks, Mum." She patted his cheek.

"You're welcome, baby."

Harry ran to the broom shed for his broom. He soon was in the air with his friends, father, and Godfather.

Lily watched as her son and husband raced each other on their brooms. She smiled when Harry won. Then she watched as they picked teams.

She smiled, thankful she and James were able to see this day.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Harry looked over everything he got for his birthday. James got him tickets to the Puddlemere United and Chudley Cannons match. James included the tickets to the Holyhead Harpies match Harry was taking Ginny to for her birthday.

"Thanks, Dad," Harry murmured as he hugged his father. James ruffled his hair before he left the room.

Harry stepped into the bathroom for a shower and to brush his teeth. He was going to bed early that night due to a stomach ache.

He must have eaten too much at dinner.

When Harry returned to his bedroom, he found a vial of stomach soother and a glass of water. After downing the potion and taking a drink of the water, he laid down.

He had just closed his eyes when he felt someone tucking the blanket around him. Soft lips pressed a kiss to his forehead.

"Thanks for the potion, Mum," he said softly.

"You're welcome, baby. Wake me if you need another. Good night, sweetheart."

Lily pulled the door to a crack and headed to her bedroom. Harry slept throughout the night, dreaming of Ginny's birthday in a few weeks.

He hoped that it went well. This was Ginny's first birthday with him as her boyfriend. He didn't want anything to ruin her day.

AN: Have a request for what you would like to see? Please send me a PM or write a review.