Chapter 5: Harry's Second Birthday

As Harry's second birthday approached, the manor buzzed with excitement. Sirius had planned an intimate gathering, inviting a few close friends from the Order to celebrate the occasion. The house now brimmed with warmth and light, filled with laughter and joyous preparations for the little boy's special day.

-At Hogwarts-

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office at Hogwarts, contemplating a small, intricately wrapped package on his desk. He had spent the last few days pondering over the perfect gift for young Harry. The child, though still very young, was no ordinary boy. He had already shown remarkable intelligence, and Albus wanted to give him something meaningful. As he picked up the gift, he thought about the significance of birthdays and the simple joy they brought, especially to a child who had already endured so much.

Dumbledore smiled to himself. "A small gesture," he mused, "but one that carries a great deal of love and hope." He knew he had made the right choice. With a flick of his wand, he sent the package ahead to the manor, ensuring it would arrive just in time for the festivities.

-At the Manor-

Sirius and Emmeline Vance were busy decorating the drawing room. Streamers of red and gold adorned the walls, and a large banner reading "Happy Birthday, Harry!" hung prominently above the fireplace. Harry, his eyes wide with wonder, toddled around the room, his stuffed hippogriff clutched tightly in his arms.

"Dada, what's that?" Harry asked, pointing at the colorful decorations.

Sirius crouched down to his level, ruffling his son's unruly hair. "Those are decorations for your birthday party, Harry. We're going to have a wonderful celebration with our friends."

Harry's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Party? With cake?"

"Yes, with cake," Sirius laughed. "A big, delicious cake just for you."

The first guests to arrive were Kingsley Shacklebolt and Minerva McGonagall. Kingsley, carrying a large box wrapped in shimmering paper, greeted Sirius with a warm hug.

"Happy birthday Harry!" Kingsley boomed, his deep voice filling the room.

Harry giggled and reached for the box. "What's in there?"

Kingsley knelt down, his eyes twinkling. "That, Harry, is a surprise. You'll have to wait a bit longer to find out."

McGonagall stepped forward, her usually stern face softened by a rare smile. "Happy birthday, Harry," she said gently. She then looked at Sirius. "The decorations are lovely, Sirius. You've certainly done a wonderful job."

"Thank you, Minerva," Sirius replied. "And thank you both for coming. It means a lot to us."

As more guests arrived, the room filled with lively conversation and laughter. Mundungus Fletcher, looking slightly more disheveled than usual, slunk in quietly, trying to avoid the disapproving looks from the others.

"Hello, Dung," Sirius greeted him with a nod. "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it," Mundungus muttered, holding up a small, hastily wrapped parcel. "Got a little something for the lad."

Sirius accepted the gift with a polite smile, though he kept a watchful eye on Mundungus as he moved through the crowd.

Harry's eyes lit up as he saw the growing pile of presents. He clapped his hands in delight. "Presents! For me?"

"All for you, Harry," Emmeline said, kneeling beside him. "But we'll open them after we sing 'Happy Birthday,' alright?"

Harry nodded eagerly, his face glowing with anticipation.

Soon, it was time for the birthday cake. A large cake, decorated with bright colors and a tiny broomstick on top, was brought out to the center of the room. Everyone gathered around, singing "Happy Birthday" with joy and enthusiasm. Harry, his face beaming, blew out the two candles with a little help from Sirius.

After the cake was served, it was time to open the presents. Harry sat on Sirius's lap, eagerly tearing into the brightly wrapped packages.

The first gift he opened was from Kingsley. Inside was a miniature Quidditch set, complete with tiny, enchanted players zooming around. Harry's eyes widened in amazement.

"Wow! Look, Dada!" Harry exclaimed, holding up the tiny broomstick.

Kingsley grinned. "I thought you might like to start practicing early, Harry. Who knows, you might be the youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history."

The next present was from Emmeline Vance. It was a beautifully illustrated book of magical creatures. Harry flipped through the pages, his eyes wide with wonder at the colorful pictures and moving illustrations.

"Thank you, Emmeline," Sirius said. "Harry loves stories."

"I'm glad you like it, Harry," Emmeline said softly. "There are lots of exciting creatures in there. Maybe one day, you'll see them for real."

Mundungus's gift was next. Harry unwrapped it to reveal a set of enchanted marbles that sparkled and glowed in different colors.

"Marbles!" Harry said, fascinated by the shimmering spheres.

"They're magic marbles, lad," Mundungus explained. "They'll keep you entertained for hours."

Sirius gave Mundungus a wary look but thanked him nonetheless. "Thank you, Dung. Harry seems to like them."

Mundungus shrugged. "Just something I picked up along the way."

The next gift was from Minerva McGonagall. It was a set of building blocks that could rearrange themselves into different shapes and structures. Harry immediately began stacking them, his small hands moving with surprising dexterity.

"These are amazing, Aunt Minerva!" Harry exclaimed, forming a small castle.

McGonagall smiled warmly. "I'm glad you like them, Harry. They should help with your creativity and problem-solving skills."

As they worked, McGonagall took a moment to observe Harry. He was busy explaining something about his new toys to Emmeline, speaking in surprisingly clear and complete sentences for a child his age. She smiled.

"He's quite advanced for his age, isn't he?" McGonagall remarked to Sirius. "Forming full sentences already."

Sirius grinned. "Well, he's definitely James's knack for surprising people."

McGonagall nodded approvingly. "His parents would be proud of him. And of you too, Sirius. You're doing a wonderful job raising him."

"Thank you, Minerva," Sirius said softly. "I just want to give him the best life possible."

"You are," McGonagall assured him. "He's surrounded by people who care about him deeply. That makes all the difference."

Finally, Sirius handed Harry the small package from Dumbledore. Harry carefully unwrapped it, revealing a beautifully crafted wooden box. Inside, nestled in a bed of velvet, was a delicate silver pendant shaped like a phoenix.

Harry held it up, his eyes wide with wonder. "What's this, Dada?"

Sirius smiled, his eyes misty. "It's a very special gift from Professor Dumbledore. It symbolizes hope and rebirth, just like the phoenix."

McGonagall, who had been watching from nearby, stepped forward. "It's a beautiful gift, Harry. The phoenix is a powerful symbol. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, there is always hope."

Harry looked up at her, his young mind taking in her words. "Hope," he repeated, clutching the pendant tightly.

As the evening wore on, the guests slowly began to take their leave. Kingsley and Emmeline lingered to help with the cleanup, while Mundungus slipped out quietly, muttering something about an urgent errand.

Harry, exhausted but happy, clung to his father's leg. "Dada, can I keep my phoenix?"

"Of course, Harry," Sirius said, lifting him into his arms. "It's yours to keep forever."

Emmeline smiled at the sight. "It's been a wonderful day, Sirius. Thank you for letting us be a part of it."

"Thank you for coming," Sirius replied. "Your presence means the world to us."

Kingsley clapped Sirius on the back. "You've got a great family here, Sirius. We're all here for you, whatever you need."

As the last of the guests departed, Sirius settled Harry into bed, tucking the silver pendant under his pillow. He sat by the bedside, watching his son drift off to sleep, his heart swelling with love and gratitude.

Emmeline, Kingsley, and McGonagall gathered in the kitchen for a final cup of tea. Sirius joined them, glad for a few more moments of companionship.

"It was a wonderful party, Sirius," Emmeline said, taking a sip of her tea. "Harry looked so happy."

"I'm glad you all could be here," Sirius replied. "It means a lot to us."

"He's growing up so fast," Kingsley remarked. "And he's such a bright little boy."

McGonagall nodded. "He's surrounded by love and care. That's what matters most."

After finishing their tea, they began to make their way to the door. "Thank you for the lovely evening, Sirius," Emmeline said as they stepped outside. "We'll see you soon."

"Take care, all of you," Sirius replied, giving each of them a warm hug. "And thank you again for making Harry's birthday so special."

As the last guest bid farewell and the night settled into a likeable stillness, Sirius lingered by the window, gazing out at the moonlit grounds. The memories of the evening, of Harry's laughter and the warmth of their friends, filled him with a deep sense of contentment.

Lost in thought, Sirius found himself drifting back to his Hogwarts days, a time when James and Lily were alive, and mischief was always just around the corner. He chuckled softly at the memory of their youthful escapades, the pranks they played and the laughter they shared echoing in his mind.

"I hope I'm doing everything right with Harry, James," Sirius whispered to the night air, a pang of longing tugging at his heart. He missed his dear friends terribly, their absence a constant ache that never quite faded. But in moments like these, surrounded by the love and laughter of the present, he felt their presence close by, guiding him as he navigated the complexities of parenthood.

With a wistful smile, Sirius turned away from the window, the moon casting a silvery glow across the room. He tiptoed to Harry's bedside, tucking the covers snugly around his sleeping form. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to his son's forehead, whispering a silent promise to always be there for him.