"-DAY, HARRY! GET UP, GET UP!"

Harry gasped as a body landed on top of him; completely knocking the wind out of him and rousing him from his deep sleep. His eyes flew open and he looked at who was on top of him but was greeted to the usual blurry image his eyesight constantly gave.

"RONALD GET OFF OF HIM THIS INSTANT! HIS RIBS ARE STILL HEALING!" The shrill voice of Mrs. Weasley echoed into Bill and Charlie's old room.

Harry turned to his side to feel for where his glasses were and felt a pair of soft, female hands put the thin wiry frames onto his face. He blinked as Hermione and Ron's cheery faces came into view.

She was sitting beside him on the large bed he had been sharing with Sirius and Remus; dressed in a black summer dress that had yellow flowers dotted all over it. Ron was still laying on top of him in his usual blue jeans and worn grey tee. 'What's the occasion?' Harry wondered upon observing Hermione's strange dress. He then realized with a heavy heart that today was his fourteenth birthday.

Ron rolled off of him to the other side of the bed and Harry saw it was missing its usual two occupants.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Ron said gleefully with a large grin on his face.

"I got you this!" He pulled out a sunny yellow Chudley Cannons t-shirt from behind his back.

"I know it's not much but it's all I could afford at Hogsmeade. That place is bloody expensive."

Harry took the shirt in surprise. Not because Ron got him a gift but because he finally had a new shirt.

"It's brilliant, thanks Ron!"

Harry felt a little guilty upon looking at the shirt, though. Ron likely spent all the pocket money he had been saving up on this one shirt. As much as Harry loved it he almost wanted to hand it back to him.

"Here, Harry. I hope you like it." Hermione slipped a heavy hardcover book into his lap.

He looked down and took a sharp breath in.

'The Offical Guide to The Quidditch World Cup' was printed in bright gold letters on the sleek brown leather book cover. A design of a snitch holding up three goal posts was in the centre; complimenting the design nicely.

"'Mione! This costs like 40 galleons! You didn't have to get me this!" He said in astonishment; recognizing the book well.

Him and Ron had awed at it last year in a shop window; with Ron complaining on how pricey it was and Harry internally battling with himself over whether or not he should buy it. Hermione just smiled sheepishly back.

"So? I saw you two looking at it last year- you couldn't take your eyes off of it."

Harry let out a laugh mixed with a breathy exhale and stroked his palm over the cover. He was beginning to feel a little guilty at all the gifts so far but was very grateful for them.

"It's brilliant, 'mione. Thanks."

He then proceeded to look up at the rest of the occupants in the room. Mrs. Weasley was standing by the door with Mr. Weasley who was leaning on the frame with a proud smile. She held a green jumper in one hand and Harry felt excitement bubble in his chest.

He loved the jumpers Mrs. Weasley made for him.

"Happy birthday, Harry." Mr. Weasley said with a pensive smile.

"We got you this dear- I know it's another jumper but look!" Mrs. Weasley walked hurriedly over to the bed where he was sitting in and held it up in front of him.

"I put snitches on the front!" She said excitedly.

Harry beamed as he took in the sight of the knitted jumper. It had a big 'H' on it as it usually did but this time golden snitches were sewn around the letter.

"I love it, Mrs. Weasley! Thank you!" He said upon taking the jumper from her hands.

He looked around at everyone as he lowered the gift onto his lap.

"You all didn't have to get me gifts, you know…" He trailed off.

"It's your birthday, dear. Of course we did." Mrs. Weasley reached to him and caressed his cheek lovingly before grabbing the book, his new t-shirt, and his new jumper from around him.

"Now, I was told by your godfathers to immediately get them when you wake, so you better go downstairs." She said with a smile.

"I'll put these downstairs for you, dear. Hurry now!"

Harry nodded and got out of bed as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley left the room.

"Nice job showing me up, 'mione." Ron snapped as his mother and father were out of earshot.

"What?" She gave him a perplexing look as she stood.

Ron crossed his arms from where he was standing on the other side of the bed. His eyebrows were scrunched up in bitterness.

"Did you have to buy something so expensive? It makes me look like a bad friend."

Harry looked up at Ron with hurt.

"Ron…" He said quietly.

Ron was about to respond but Hermione beat him to it.

"It's not the price that matters, Ronald- it's the gesture!" She said defensively.

"Yeah, well your 'gesture' is more than I could ever give." He retorted angrily.

"Ron cool it." Harry said suddenly, his hurt turning to annoyance at how he was talking to Hermione.

Ron shot him a glare and looked away. Harry wasn't into this- not today. Ron was always so insecure about his wealth status even though Harry and Hermione constantly assured him it doesn't matter but he never listened.

"I happen to love my new shirt if you'd like to know." He said curtly upon standing.

Ron looked back at Harry with a frown.

"But-"

"Hermione is right. It's the gesture that counts. And just so you know, the price of a gift never automatically makes it a good one."

Ron blinked at him in confusion.

Harry huffed, looking away from his best friend as he put his slippers on that lay a few feet away from the bed.

"Remember that cake you made from scratch and sent to me last year?" He asked and Ron gave him a slight nod.

"It fed me for three weeks." He stated flatly and Ron looked at him with a slight blush.

"So yeah- Hermione's right." With that, he took off downstairs making sure not to go too fast and trip.

It seemed that he could never convince Ron how much he appreciated him but he hoped that comment nipped his insecurity in the bud. As he walked down the winding staircase, he heard his godfathers loud voices coming from the kitchen.

"-around, the cake will flatten!"

"I'm not stomping, I'm just bloody walking!"

"Well your 'walking' will ruin three hours of baking!"

Harry reached the bottom step with Ron and Hermione behind him and raised his eyebrows in shock.

His godfathers both had red checkered aprons on and were bustling about the messy kitchen. Remus had a bowl in one hand and was vigorously whisking a creamy brown mixture by the oven while Sirius gathered some sort of supplies from the cupboard above the sink. Many bowls sat on the batter splattered counters and the table was full of rags and used cooking whisks. Harry cocked his head to the side. They were baking?

"There's the birthday boy!" Sirius exclaimed excitedly as he looked to see who was coming downstairs.

Harry smiled sheepishly at him as he stepped off of the last wooden stair. Ron immediately went over to where Remus was standing by the oven and attempted to lick the bowl he was holding; gaining a sharp 'no, Ron' from Remus. Mr. Weasley then casually scolded his son from where he was sitting at the head of the table. Harry's heart began beating fast as Sirius quickly ran over to him and pulled him into a tight hug; earning a distressed sigh from Molly as she came out of the living room.

"You have batter all over you Sirius!"

"I don't think Harry minds, do you Harry?" Sirius pulled back with a cheeky smile and Harry shook his head with an even bigger smile than what was on his godfathers face.

This was a sight to see for sure- Sirius in an apron was downright comical. He glanced down at his striped blue nightshirt and his eyes were met with thick cake batter.

"Happy birthday, kiddo." Sirius said softly, and held his face in his hands ever so gently; a bit of batter getting onto his cheeks.

Molly let out an exasperated sigh from behind them and walked over to Remus.

"You've grown too quick, you know that?" He mused, getting a bit teary eyed.

Harry looked up at him guiltily. He still wasn't used to the look in the older man's eyes.

"Now love- don't get all emotional on us. You still have a cake to ice." Remus said from behind them; beginning to clean up the mess they had made with slight flicks of his wand.

Harry moved away from Sirius a bit letting his hands fall from his face and looked to Remus to see batches of flour and batter spread onto the cabinets and floor.

"Your making cake?" Harry asked curiously.

"Yeah kiddo, for you." Sirius replied whilst giving him a strange look.

"Oh… that's… th-thank you." Harry said quietly, looking back to Sirius momentarily before walking a bit farther into the kitchen.

It was so sweet that they were making him a cake but he felt a little bad they had gone through so much trouble just for him. Also, he didn't even know if he could eat it.

"You didn't have to make me a cake…" He said, looking back to Sirius.

"Nonsense. Every kid needs a birthday cake."

"Even if it's only 9 am?" Molly said with a sigh, leaning against the kitchen table with her arms crossed over her flower patterned robe.

"The boy hasn't even eaten breakfast yet!" She exclaimed.

Harry felt his stomach drop at those words. 'Boy' was a term often used by his uncle when he was hurting him and it didn't feel nice at all hearing it come out of Mrs. Weasley's mouth. Nor did it feel good that she had forgotten he couldn't even eat breakfast yet. He sucked his bottom lip in and looked down nervously. Sirius seemed to notice his apprehension though because he gently guided him over to the messy table and sat him down in one of the chairs. Harry then watched his two best friends began arguing over who got to lick the bowl when Remus was finished.

"Don't worry Molly, I'll save the cake for after supper." Sirius responded as he knelt in front of Harry.

"But…" Harry started with a blush. "Professor Snape says I can't eat solid foods yet." He said quietly.

Sirius raised his eyebrows in surprise; seeming to also forget about that little factor. He looked to his partner who held the same look as him; stopping in his tracks.

"Well…" Sirius said, giving Harry a reassuring smile. "We'll just try a few bites, how's that sound?" Sirius offered and Harry shrugged.

He felt sick all those times he had to eat Mrs. Weasley's soup and didn't really know if the eating plan would go well. He was very happy he had Professor's Snape potion to help his nutrition but honestly, he missed food.

"Do you have the potion?" Harry asked, looking to Sirius's pant pocket for a moment.

Professor Snape had gone back to his own house after Sirius and Remus's arrived; deciding to leave without a goodbye while Harry was napping. Harry felt a little hurt at that but still felt extremely grateful his potions professor had done so much to help him. Weirdly enough though, he sort of missed his sulking face walking around.

Sirius nodded.

"We can use it for breakfast but then I want you to try and eat lunch and supper, alright?"

"Sirius." Remus said suddenly.

Sirius turned to look at him. Remus was giving him a warning look and Sirius sighed with a shake of his head. Harry stared at them both in confusion- what were they on about? He looked to his friends who were standing beside Remus and Ron gave him a small shrug.

"How about you go get dressed? Then we can go to Hogsmeade and buy you whatever you want." Sirius rubbed both of his arms encouragingly.

Harry took a sharp breath in and shook his head. The idea of Sirius and Remus doing so much for him was getting a little overwhelming now.

"You don't have to do tha-"

"We want to. Who else would I spend my galleons on, this git?" He gestured to Remus with his thumb and the other man scoffed.

"Nice." He said and went back to making what looked like red icing; holding a smirk on his face from Sirius's little jab.

Harry tried to give Sirius a grateful smile.

"Okay, up you go! Ron, Hermione, want to come to Hogsmeade for the day?"

Ron went to respond but was cut off by Mr. Weasley.

"Actually, I think it would be good for Harry to have some quality time with you both. Ron and 'mione can help me set up decorations while you guys are out."

Harry's head snapped over to Mr. Weasley as Ron let out an annoyed groan. Hermione shoved him.

"Decorations?"

Sirius nodded to Mr. Weasley.

"Your right, Arthur- that sounds like a great idea."

"What decorations?"

Harry didn't know why he was so adverse to the idea of them celebrating his birthday but this now was all sounding like way too much.

"It's a surprise- Now go upstairs and get dressed." Sirius stood and brought his head in towards him to kiss it quickly.

Harry looked away in embarrassment and stood up. Sirius's kisses always made him feel fuzzy inside and he didn't really know what that feeling was.

"Could I have my new shirt Mrs. Weasley?"

"Course dear! Let me grab it." She hurriedly went into the living room and grabbed the yellow Chuldey Cannons shirt Harry had received.

Ron smiled sheepishly at Harry as he took the shirt. Harry gave him a forced smile back and began walking upstairs rather slowly as he was wanting to hear what they were all saying when he left. All that he heard though was Sirius and Remus arguing about when to take the cake out. Harry sighed as he reached Bill and Charlie's old room and threw his shirt on the king sized bed.

They had already done so much for him- why were they doing more? he thought with disdain. He didn't deserve all these things. It felt like this every birthday he had since Hogwarts- but this time he felt even guiltier if that was even possible. He caught on that they were planning some sort of party for him and he didn't want anyone bending their backs for something as simple as his date of birth.

Harry went over to his school trunk and began pulling out a pair of black jeans Mrs. Weasley had just washed for him. As he went to close the trunk though, a red little cloth bag in between his books and his black raincoat caught his eye. Desolately, Harry reached for it. Tears sprung to his eyes immediately. He didn't even have to open the bag to remember what was inside.

Right as Harry arrived home from school the month previous, his uncle and aunt started going into one of their usual rages the second they were in the privacy of their own home. But this time, they targeted Harry's dear feathered friend Hedwig. His aunt had grabbed her too-small cage from him right as he walked through the door yelling something about how they don't need the filth of birds ruining their impeccable home. Harry was confused at that seeing as she had been living with him since he was 11 and how he never let her roam, but his thoughts were overridden by the sight of his aunt Petunia walking his bird over to the living room fireplace. Harry remembered Hedwigs alarmed expression clearly to the day as she got closer to the flames and the memory made him want to puke; her wide eyes boring into him as she got further and further away from him.

Harry had immediately chased after his aunt into the living room and snatched Hedwig's cage from her bony fingers- earning a swift smack to the face right after. Hedwig then started squawking loudly which enraged his aunt even more. In that moment though, he didn't give a shit if he was hit. He shot out of the living room and pulled the front door open with them right on his heels; opening Hedwigs metal cage with haste once he reached the driveway. He would literally die for his owl and couldn't stand to see her hurt or killed so with a thick swallow, Harry shook the cage and let her out to the wind. He was too caught up in the moment to give her a command on where to go though, and just shouted 'Go, Hedwig!' into the air as she flew away. That was the last words he ever said to her and the last day he ever saw her. It was also the day his aunt and uncle completely lost it.

Harry clenched the cloth bag tightly; the frayed yarn strings that held it closed swirling around his hand. It was still half full of the treats she loved so much and he wished he had at least given her one before she went to Merlin knows where. Harry just hoped she had found a good home. Maybe a big tree with new friends; or even with nice muggles who liked to own owls. He frowned angrily and put the treat bag hastily back into his trunk- shoving it under a bunch of his textbooks. This was too much to deal with at the moment for Harry.

He took his nightshirt off quickly then his pants; pulling on his black jeans and leaving his upper half bare momentarily. He thankfully could wear jeans now as the pain in his behind was dwindling. Harry walked over to the bed and grabbed his new shirt off the white comforter; smiling slightly at the orange and red logo in the middle of it. He tried his best to ignore the scars and still rather present wounds that littered his pale skin and threw the shirt over his head. For Harry, the scars he bore was a constant reminder of how weak he really was.

Harry then walked over to the full length antique mirror that stood by the window and stood in front of it awkwardly. He turned ever so slightly; observing his side profile in the mirror with a rejected frown. He was still so scrawny. He wanted so badly to fill out like Ron and Dean were- what with their growing muscles and slight facial hair as they quietly blossomed through puberty. But puberty hadn't hit Harry yet; much to his annoyance. He still felt he looked like a small twelve year old. Harry's eyes darted to his arms and he raised them to flex his nonexistent muscles; racking his brain for a potion or maybe a spell that would make him look a little buffer.

"All dressed, Harry?"

Harry turned and blushed madly as he saw Remus leaning against the door frame. He held a polite smile on his face; his apron was now off (thankfully- as he didn't suit the whole 'baker' look) and donned a pair of brown checkered tweed pants and a green dress shirt.

Harry nodded silently. 'He definitely saw that' Harry thought with wild mortification booming in his chest.

"I have your potion here if you want to take it." Remus walked into the room and handed it to Harry.

Harry took it and uncorked the vial hurriedly, wanting to change the subject as fast as possible. He glanced up and saw Remus give him a reassuring smile. He liked that Remus gave him an option to drink his potion unlike Professor Snape, honestly. He knew if he chose otherwise his godfathers would make him take it anyways, though. Still, it was a nice gesture

"Thanks." Harry downed it and rubbed some off his bottom lip.

Remus suddenly sat on the king sized bed next to Harry, and patted the spot next to him.

"Can we talk for a moment, Harry?"

Harry bit his bottom lip as he stared at the spot on the comforter Remus just patted down. It had been three days since his godfathers had found out his shameful secret and he had been dodging their attempts to talk ever since. It was just so weird. Talking about the physical abuse made him feel a little uneasy and weak but the sexual abuse was a totally different topic. He knew fully well that's probably what his godfathers wanted to talk about, too. He wasn't stupid- he knew full well how taboo the actions had been- but why did that mean he had to let them out?

"Why?" Harry asked anxiously, beginning to scrape his fingernail against a cuticle as he stared at the weathered man with an uncertain expression.

"I just want to talk, son. You're not in any trouble."

Harry felt his stomach flip. He had been called 'son' before by teachers and Mr. Weasley but it was much different being called son by someone who was an acting father figure towards him. He felt absolute love for the older man brew in his heart but pushed it away in fear it would be taken away.

"Don't want to talk." Harry mumbled, looking away from Remus and settling his eyes on the four paned window at the other side of the room.

"It's not about anything like that, Harry."

Harry gave him an untrusting look. 'Right…' he thought. 'That's all anyone ever wants to talk about nowadays…'

Despite his uncertainty he sat down beside his godfather while looking up at him.

"I can tell your feeling rather nervous about your birthday, do I have that right?"

Harry let out an annoyed sigh and looked away with a minor eye roll. 'Why is everyone trying to get inside my head?'

"I'll go with that being a yes." Remus noted and turned his body to Harry; one leg resting more into the bed.

"I just don't like you feeling that way about a day such as this."

"'Such as this?'" Harry repeated while squinting his eyes ever so slightly up at his godfather.

"Did you know that today, fourteen years ago, I was holding you for the very first time?" Remus said suddenly.

Harry was taken aback. Remus chuckled softly and looked down for a moment.

"The maternity ward at St. Mungos was almost full with how many people showed up to meet you. Your dad decided to owl almost every friend we had while Hogwarts and wow, your mum was livid when the matron came screaming at her for how many people were lining the halls."

Harry tried to process what Remus was saying. He had never heard a story about the day of his birth before. Well, his uncle used to tell him that his mother had thrown him in a dumpster after having him but he later found out that was a lie once he turned 11 and Hagrid showed up to let him in on the truth. He felt emotion begin to bubble up in his chest and he looked away from the older man. Thinking of his parents made him extremely sad; he missed them terribly; missed what he barely even knew. Memories were there, very fragmented ones at that- but they were there. Like the laugh of a woman above him while red hair tickled his cheeks or a face that looked so close to his scrunching up playfully.

"It's a day Sirius and I both remember fondly. Because today, him and I were both deemed godfathers to an amazing little boy who grew up to be an even more amazing teenager." Remus put his hand at the back of Harry's head and rubbed his thumb over his hair softly.

"I just wish you could be as happy on this day as we are." He said quietly.

Harry still hadn't looked back up at him. He was afraid if he did so, he would start crying. This day was beginning to get more and more emotional by the second.

"Birthdays aren't my favorite." Harry whispered coarsely as emotion bubbled in his throat.

"Why not?" Remus prodded gently.

Harry paused.

"Makes me remember my mum and dad are gone…"

It really had only been three years now that Harry even registered that he had parents- parents that loved him and parents who actually were alive, breathing humans. When he was a kid he sort of just chalked it up to himself being an item; as if he was made in the back of the nearest department store. But when Hagrid had told him the truth about his parents and talked about them so intimately; Harry realized he was somebody's child.

"Oh Harry… come 'ere." Remus pulled him into the side of his torso quickly.

Harry, as always, wanted to fight the comfort he was being given but broke at the gentle rubs that were cascading around his lower back. He choked out the cries that had been threatening him for a few minutes and burrowed his face into Remus's dress shirt. They were thick sobs; as if he had been holding this all in for days.

"They loved you so much, you know that?" Remus mused thickly, sounding as if he was getting teary.

That just made Harry cry harder. He hung onto Remus's shirt suddenly, feeling as if might fall off some sort of metaphorical edge. That was the last thing he wanted to hear, honestly. He hiccupped loudly and clenched the green fabric in his fist. It was almost five minutes before either of them spoke.

"I know how much it must hurt not having your mum and dad around on such a special day, but we're here Harry. And we can make it just as special as your parents would have made it."

He began running his scarred fingers through Harry's messy black hair while he continued to cry.

"Seeing as we knew them so well, I mean." He added softly.

"How about we buy you a new broomstick? I know your dad surely would have done that on your birthday."

He pulled Harry back slightly as if he wanted to face him but the teen burrowed back into his chest briskly fearing Remus would push him away if he saw how ugly he was when he cried. That idea did sound nice, though- despite his hesitation on people getting him gifts. He wanted a new broomstick for a while now but was too afraid to buy it. Harry had plenty of galleons; enough to last him a lifetime but due to his upbringing, he was afraid to make frivolous purchases. Honestly, if he had the choice, he would have given all his money to the Weasley's. (He tried once but Ron quickly shut that idea down).

"Or we could go for some butterbeers?" Remus suggested upon getting no response.

Harry shrugged; his sobs beginning to die down. Remus then planted a kiss on the top of Harry's head.

"We can even just stay here today if you'd like, Harry. Go and spend some time in the sun and play a game of gobstones or something."

Harry shook his head.

"N-No…" He replied; his voice slightly muffled. "Sirius seems really *hiccup*excited about going to Hogsmeade- I don't want *hiccup* to make him sad."

Remus let out a quiet chuckle.

"He does seem rather cheery about spending a day in town, doesn't he?"

Harry nodded.

"Well maybe that means he has something special planned." Remus said with a hint of secrecy as he successfully pulled Harry back to look at him.

Harry bent his head to try and hide his face best he could.

"Like what...?"

Remus bent his head and kissed Harry's forehead lovingly. Harry blushed again.

"My lips are sealed."

Harry frowned as Remus brushed away the stray tears off of his face. He was hiccupping between intervals of breaths but other than that his crying had ceased.

"Wh-why are you two always *hiccup*so nice to me?" The teen asked suddenly.

Remus's face hardened and Harry immediately regretted what he had said. His regret faded though as Remus took his face into both of his coarse palms and smiled at him in adoration.

"What a silly question-" He let out a breathy laugh.

"Because we love you, Harry James Potter. And because you deserve every ounce of kindness in the world."

The attachment that so often threatened to spill over finally did and Harry let himself slowly fall onto his godfather's shoulder from where he was sitting next to him.

"I love you too." He whispered almost inaudibly.

But Remus, heard it very clearly.