It was June 6th, 2015, and James Sirius Potter was excited.

It was still a few months before the start of his much anticipated first year at Hogwarts, but something else had James's juices flowing.

It was the day of the running of the 2015 Belmont Stakes and James was anticipating the possibility of the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

American Pharoah had won the Kentucky Debry and the Preakness Stakes and was favored to win the Belmont Stakes and end the Triple Crown drought.

Harry, James, Albus, Lily, and Ginny had all gathered around the TV in the living room to watch the race.

As race time approached, James and Lily were having an animated discussion about American Pharaoh's Triple Crown hopes.

"Today is the day, " said James confidently, "American Pharoah is just a great racehorse. He's the one to win a Triple Crown and end the drought."

"I don't see it, " said Lily doubtfully, "There's a reason there's never been a Triple Crown winner in our lifetimes or even in mom's and dad's lifetimes. Because it's hard! Think about that piece we saw earlier about great racehorses who couldn't finish the job. Real Quiet in 1998. Smarty Jones in 2004."

"It may not have happened in our lifetimes or even in mom's and dad's lifetimes, " countered James, "But it has happened. It happened three times in the 1970s with the GOAT racehorse Secretariat winning the Triple Crown in 1973 and Seattle Slew and Affirmed going back to back in 1977 and 1978. In my heart of hearts, I believe today is the day. I believe American Pharoah is the one to end the drought and give us a Triple Crown winner in 2015."

"My gut feeling is that it's not meant to be, " said Lily skeptically.

"Then let's bet on it, " proposed James.

"Okay then, " suggested Lily, "How about this: if American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown, I will get you two birthday presents instead of the normal one on your next birthday. If he doesn't, then you have to get me two birthday presents instead of the normal one on my next birthday."

"I accept, " said James a nanosecond later.

James put out his right hand and Lily shook it with her right hand.

American Pharoah would get off to an early lead in the Belmont and not relinquish it.

James and Lily had their ears perked up at the final call.

"And they're into the stretch, and American Pharoah makes his run for glory as they come into the final furlong. Frosted is second with one-eighth of a mile to go. American Pharoah's got a two-length lead. Frosted is all out at the sixteenth pole. And here it is! The 37-year wait is over! American Pharoah is finally the one! American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown!"

'YES!" screamed James at the TV as the race ended, "AMERICAN PHAROAH IS A TRIPLE CROWN WINNER IN 2015! YOU LIKE THAT! YOU LIKE THAT!"

"Congratulations, James, " said Lily sincerely, "I know how badly you wanted to see a Triple Crown winner. And good job on predicting American Pharoah to be the one. I predicted against it, but watching American Pharaoh win that Triple Crown gave me goosebumps."

"How could it not?" said Ginny, "We saw today what greatness is all about."

"I had great feeling about it going to the race, " said James cheerfully, "I just knew American Pharaoh wouldn't let me down."

"It was awesome to see, " said Harry brightly, "I say this calls for a toast."

Harry left the room for a few minutes and returned with five glasses and a bottle of Jim Beam.

Harry filled all five glasses with Jim Beam and handed one each to James, Albus, Lily, and Ginny while keeping one for himself.

"A toast to American Pharoah for becoming the first Triple Crown winner of all of our lifetimes, " said Harry.

Harry, James, Albus, Lily, and Ginny all raised their glasses and said, "American Pharoah!" in unison and then drained their glasses.

"Well, Lily, " smirked Harry, "It looks like you owe James an extra birthday present this year."

"I do, " acknowledged Lily instantly, "I lost the bet fair and square and I'll own it. You know I'm a girl of my word."

"You always have been, " said Harry proudly.

...

On James's birthday, when it came time for Lily to give James presents, she first presented him with a rectangular object she'd wrapped in scarlet wrapping paper that depicted gold lions.

James eagerly ripped away the wrapping paper to find a book.

This book had a picture of Secretariat the racehorse on the cover and a title in bold blue letters. Triple Crown Legacy.

"WOW! said James as he caught sight of the picture of Secretariat.

Looking inside at the Table of Contents, James saw that the book was a profile of every Triple Crown winning horse ever.

"I love horse racing, " said James fondly, "I'll really enjoy reading about those Triple Crown winners I'm not as familiar with while reliving those I am. Thank you a lot, Lily."

"I knew you'd like that book, " said Lily with a genuine smile.

"Speaking of the Triple Crown, " said Harry clearly, "Lily, you remember that you owe James a second birthday present because of the bet you lost with him on American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown."

"I do, "confirmed Lily, "Let me go get it."

When Lily returned, she was carrying a portrait. A portrait of American Pharoah. A beautifully painted, majestic, perfect portrait of American Pharoah crossing the finish line at the Belmont Stakes. At the bottom of the portrait in small black letters were the words American Pharaoh 2015 Triple Crown Winner. Lily handed the portrait to James.

"Merlin's beard, it is perfect!" said James in an awestruck voice, "So perfect that it gives the feeling of being right there at Belmont Park. Did you paint this yourself, Lily?"

"Yes, I did, " said Lily proudly, "I actually started working on this in my room on the night of the Belmont Stakes. If I was going to give you an extra birthday present, I wanted it to be meaningful."

"Lily, it is beautiful, " said James sincerely, "You've always had a propensity for making good artwork, but this takes the cake. I can both see and feel the time, effort, meaning, and attention to detail you put into this."

James actually started to tear up in appreciation of his sister's work.

"Lily, thank you so much for the thought and effort you put into this. I can't fully put into words how much this gift means to me, but I want you to know how much I appreciate it, " said James meaningfully.

"I'm really glad you like it so much, " said Lily genuinely, "When I knew I owed you a second birthday present this year, I decided to go all in on it."

"It shows, " smiled James, "This portrait is both the best birthday present I've ever received, and the most meaningful birthday present I've ever received."

James and Lily just smiled warmly at each other.