On Sirius’ birthday at the end of September, Harry came into the Great Hall later than usual. Breakfast had already started and when James and Lily looked up to see Harry, he looked tired and a bit stressed. He was dressed in black robes, not completely unlike the school robes worn by the Hogwarts students, and he ruffled his hair in what looked like an attempt to wake himself up a bit as he headed towards the Head Table.
“Good mornin’ Harry!” said Hagrid happily as Harry sat down between him and Dean. Harry nodded and muttered a good morning to the both of them.
“You’re later than usual,” Dean pointed out a bit surprised.
“Yes, and not fully awake yet for that matter, so if you wouldn’t mind handing me that coffee Hagrid,” Harry said pointing to a pot standing next to Hagrid. He helped himself to some toast before he poured the coffee into the cup in front of him.
“Late night?” Dean asked. Harry nodded as he took a bite of his toast.
“Remus stopped by last night, and it got a bit later than any of us had counted on, I think,” he explained with a tired smile, an explanation that made James cry out in joy and disappointment at the same time.
“Did you hear that Evans? He knows Remus!” he exclaimed happily. “I cannot believe we missed Remus! I would have wanted to see how he is,” he then added as disappointed as he had been happy a second before.
“Really James!” laughed Lily. “You could at least decide if you’re happy or sad about it.”
“That’s just it, Evans. I don’t know. I’m happy that he is alive and well and that Harry knows him, but I’m disappointed that we missed him,” James said with such a confused look on his face that Lily forced herself to swallow the urge to remind him that it had been his suggestion that they spend the previous night at Hogwarts instead of with Harry.
“Did he wan’ anythin’ special?” they heard Hagrid ask while he shuffled a forkful of eggs into his mouth.
“No, only to hand over Sirius’ birthday present,” answered Harry.
“That’s right, I almost forgot it is Sirius’ birthday today,” said Dean. “I’ll have to remember to wish him a happy birthday when I have him this afternoon.”
“I wasn’t aware that you had him today,” said Harry.
“Yes, after lunch. And I have your girls now, actually,” said Dean smiling as the sound of hundreds of owls filling the Hall interrupted him and announced the arrival of the mail.
A beautiful snowy owl landed in front of Harry and hooted happily as Harry stroked her and gave her a piece of bacon. He relieved her of the letter she was carrying and handed her another piece of bacon before she flew of again.
Shortly after the owl flown off, Harry got up from the table and accompanied by Dean and Hagrid he left the Great Hall. Harry and Dean left Hagrid in the Entrance Hall and headed up the marble staircase to their classrooms, which James and Lily had learned, were on different floors but in the same general direction.
James and Lily hesitated for a while on whether to go with Dean and the girls’ transfiguration lesson or with Harry. They settled for Harry and spent the remainder of the morning watching him teach third and fifth year Slytherins, regretting that they hadn’t gone with the girls every time Manning asked another stupid question that Harry answered three times already.
When it was finally time for lunch James and Lily followed Harry down to the Great Hall and watched him as he sat down in his usual seat next to Dean and Hagrid. They smiled when they heard Hagrid talking about the lesson he just had, never ceasing to be amazed over the fact that Hagrid was a teacher. They had always liked Hagrid, and especially James had fond memories of him since his own Hogwarts days. He couldn’t imagine anyone being more suited for teaching Care of Magical Creatures, even though some of Dean and Harry’s conversations hinted that he hadn’t always been as comfortable in his teaching role as he was now.
After listening to the men’s conversation for quite a while James and Lily decided to leave them to themselves and head over to the Gryffindor table. Sirius and Alex had already eaten and left the table, but Lily and Millie was sitting together with a girl called Abby almost at the end of the table talking vividly to each other. When James and Lily reached them they realised that Lily was complaining to Millie and Abby about having to have double Herbology after lunch. They looked at each other and smiled. This was a conversation that Lily imposed on whoever would listen before every Herbology lesson.
“I just don’t understand why Herbology isn’t voluntary,” she complained.
“And that position is of course not influenced at all by the fact that you are really bad at it,” teased Millie.
“Maybe, but I mean who really needs to know how to grow bobutuber when you can buy the essence of it in a store anyway?” Lily insisted.
“Not everything you learn how to grow in Herbology can be bought in a store, Lil,” Millie said reproachfully.
“Whatever,” Lily said frowning. “I’m just glad that after the OWLs are done I won’t ever have to take Herbology again.” Millie and Abby exchanged a look of amusement before Abby changed the subject.
“If we leave the subject of Herbology for a moment, I heard a very interesting piece of gossip yesterday,” she said leaning in towards the girls. “You know how Manning always goes on about how beautiful she is and how Nott is all over her,” Abby started. Millie and Lily nodded.
“Well apparently he haven’t asked her to the ball yet, and if my sources are correct, he doesn’t plan to either!”
“Really? Now that is interesting,” said Lily and shot of a glance towards the Slytherin table were Manning sat with a grim expression on her face.
“But why?” asked Millie looking really surprised.
“The rumour is that he is planning to ask someone else,” Abby said in a hushed voice. “A Gryffindor,” she added.
“Really Abby, you shouldn’t believe everything people tell you!” Lily said scowling. “I mean what Gryffindor in their right mind would say yes?” she added as they got up from the table. Abby however did not let go that easy and kept insisting that her sources were very reliable while they walked out of the Hall. They had just reached the front door when a voice called out from behind them.
“Malfoy! Could I have a word with you?”
For a second James and Lily almost expected it to be Nott that called, but as they turned around they instead saw a thickset Slytherin looking rather dumb and very nervous. Millie and Lily exchanged an incredulous look whilst Millie left her friends and went over to the boy.
“Well…you see….I was…I was kind of…wondering if you…wanted to go to the ball with me?” the boy stuttered. James and Lily looked at him as he tried to straighten himself up trying to look taller than he was and they couldn’t help but to think that he reminded them of someone.
“No Crabbe, I already have a date,” said Millie kindly and when she saw the disappointed look on his face she added, “sorry.” Upon hearing the boy’s name James didn’t feel the least bit sorry for him even though he looked really disgruntled and sad. He couldn’t help but to marvel at the thought of the Crabbe family living on at all and found himself wondering who in their right mind would marry into that family.
After giving Crabbe a forced smile Millie hurried back to Abby and Lily waiting at the door. The tree of them rushed outside and as soon as the door closed behind them Millie shuddered with discontent.
“I cannot believe you said sorry!” Abby exclaimed. “Blimey you were nice!” she then added.
“Well there’s really no reason to be mean about it,” said Millie plainly.
“True! Crabbe may be an idiot with a walnut for a brain, but even idiots can get hurt,” Lily added as they reached the greenhouse where the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw students already were beginning to enter.
The rest of the day went by quickly; then again it was always fun to watch Lily having Herbology. Millie’s comment about her being bad was really an understatement. It was her absolute worst subject and even Millie refused to team up with her during classes, which meant that Herbology lessons usually included some mishap or other for Lily, more or less amusing for those who watched.
This lesson was by no mean different and after the lesson Lily was once again ranting over the subject, saying that she would rather wrestle any creature in the forbidden forest than have another go in the greenhouse.
“That coming from the girl that tamed Peeves and already would have an O at NEWT level in Care of Magical Creatures,” whispered a couple of girls laughingly behind her, careful not to let Lily hear them knowing very well that her mood was not one to play with after Herbology.
It wasn’t until later that evening that Lily’s mood lifted. Still it was earlier than usual after a double Herbology lesson and by the time Harry came into the Gryffindor common room carrying a bag full of birthday presents for Sirius, she was once again back to her usual pranks and jokes. Sirius was already celebrating on the cakes and butterbeers that his sisters had brought him from the kitchens when their father came in, but he still lit up in a grin when he saw his father and the many presents he brought.
Harry, pretending not to see the signs of his daughters’ earlier rule-breaking expedition sat down in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace and smiled at his son who was seated on the hearthrug in front of him. James and Lily moved closer to watch as Sirius started to unwrap his presents, eager to see what he had received. He got a new book about Quidditch from Hermione and Ron, a broom-cleaning kit from Remus, a home-knit sweater and pastries from his grandmother not to mention countless Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes products from the twins. Those however seemed to interest Millie and Lily more than they did Sirius.
When Sirius was done opening the presents from his relatives Harry leaned in and gave him another package.
“This is from me and your mother,” he smiled. “Something we thought you could use.”
James and Lily watched in anticipation as Sirius unwrapped the last present. It contained a very unique wizard chess set “ unlike anything that James and Lily seen before.
Instead of the usual pawns and knights and bishops, standing and walking on the board, everyone in this set was riding brooms, hovering an inch or two over the chess board. Even the queen was sitting on a broom, although she was sitting on the side in a very ladylike, and from broom-riding perspective, very unpractical way. Sirius practically beamed when he looked at the gift.
“We thought it was about time you had your own set instead of having to borrow everyone else’s,” Harry said looking at him. “Especially since your sisters tell me how good you are at wizard chess,” he added with a smile and ruffled Sirius’ hair.
Keen to break in the set Sirius immediately called on Alex to play with him. Before they began to play however Harry grabbed Alex and pulled him aside. James and Lily watched attentively as Sirius prepared the board with his new wizard chess set, impressed with the quality of the it. In the corner of their eyes they saw Harry and Alex talking together before Harry patted him on the shoulder, said good night to everyone and left.
“What did dad want?” asked Sirius curiously as Alex sat down in front of him. Alex looked at him and gave him a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
“My parents have agreed to let me have a broom,” he said looking almost ecstatic. Sirius looked up at him and smiled.
“See I told you dad would persuade them,” he then said before they both turned their attention to the chess board before them.
********
The following evening there was once again chaos in the Potter residence. Ginny and Harry were going to spend the evening at Ron and Hermione’s and Christopher was going to sleep over at Kevin’s.
As usual his half of the things he was going to bring went missing half-way through the packing. By the time everything was packed and Luna and Colin had picked Christopher up; Ginny and Harry were running quite late.
They dressed and got ready as fast as they could master and arrived at Ron and Hermione’s only half an hour later than they had planned. The second they stepped out of the fireplace they were greeted by a bushy haired redhead announcing their arrival with a high pitch scream of joy.
“Hello Cathy…I’m sorry I mean Catherine,” said Harry holding out his arms for the little girl to leap into.
“Hello Uncle Harry,” said Catherine with a grin throwing herself in her uncle’s arms. “And it’s ok, I forgive you for saying Cathy,” she added in her usual matter-of-factly manner of speaking. James and Lily laughed glad to see that the girl was just as they remembered her from the Burrow.
“I’m glad, I would be heartbroken if you didn’t,” laughed Harry lifting her up into his arms giving her the opportunity to say hello to her Aunt Ginny as well.
While the girl greeted her aunt, James and Lily took the opportunity to look around the room they were now in. It was a living room on the ground floor of a house that they could tell from the staircase in the far side of the room, had at least one more floor to it. It was dominated by a large lounge set facing the fireplace and the many doors leading to other rooms. The complete lack of books and bookcases in the room told them that at least one of those doors probably led to a study, at least if they had understood Hermione’s personality right.
Hermione was the first one to enter the room through one of the many doors in the room. She smiled and hurried up to Ginny to give her a welcoming hug. She went on and embraced Harry even though he was still holding Catherine, which generated a few protests from the girl. As soon as her mother let her and her uncle go however she shot off one of those smiles that James and Lily thought looked so much of her father’s.
“Mummy, Uncle Harry called me Cathy, but he said he was sorry so that’s ok,” she told her mother making James and Lily almost fold with laughter just as Ron walked into the room.
“Daddy, daddy, Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny is here,” Catherine exclaimed as soon as she saw her father.
“I see that, love,” said Ron grinning at Harry who grinned right back at him.
Just as she had done at the Burrow, Catherine continued to talk happily throughout dinner. This time however names were no longer her main interest. Instead she had taken up a vivid interest in unicorns and had apparently decided not only to learn all there was to know about them, but also to teach everything she had learned to those around her. Hence they were now told all about how the unicorns’ fur changed from gold to silver to white as they grew older, how their hooves were golden and how they preferred girl’s company to boy’s.
When they were all done eating and had moved into the living room Catherine had actually managed to tell them all she knew about unicorns. For some reason she didn’t start a new subject but settled for crawling up into Harry’s lap where she sat commenting on whatever the adults were talking about.
“I can’t believe that the Chudley Cannons have actually advanced to fourth place in the series,” exclaimed Harry addressing Ron. “I mean who would have thought it even possible five years ago!” To James’ and Lily’s mild surprise Ron virtually beamed at this.
“We owe a lot to Benson and Gladstone, since they came on the team as beaters the team has started to play a completely different game,” he said smiling.
“Well if you ask me I’d say they owe you for that,” said Harry. “It was, after all, you that recruited Benson and Gladstone to the team in the first place,” he added. Ron’s face got a bit redder, but he looked very proud and did not argue.
“Let’s face it Ron, the team is lucky to have you as their recruiter,” Ginny said smiling at her brother. “Since you started to work for them they have gone up seven places.” James gave out a low whistle. He would have never thought the Chudley Cannons had it in them and found himself once again being deeply impressed by his son’s best friend. Ron grinned proudly at his sister before he turned his attention back to Harry.
“So Harry, anyone worth recruiting at Hogwarts at the moment?” he asked inquisitively.
“That would be Eddy. He is really an amazing keeper, not to mention already a Chudley Cannons fan,” Harry responded with a smile.
“Maybe I should come and have a look at him play sometime,” Ron said thoughtfully. “When is their next match?” he then asked.
“The day before Halloween, Gryffindor against Slytherin,” said Harry with a smile.
“Uncle Harry,” interrupted Catherine suddenly apparently finding the subject of Quidditch being boring. “You’re a teacher,” she stated plainly.
“Yes dear, I am,” affirmed Harry to the girl in his lap.
“Then you know everything, like mummy,” Catherine declared knowingly.
“No Catherine, I’m sorry to say that I don’t know everything,” said Harry straining himself very hard not to laugh.
“So mummy is the only one that knows everything?” Catherine asked confused.
“Yes!” answered Harry and Ron simultaneously, for which they were rewarded with a reproachful look from Hermione. Catherine however nodded as if this was the most natural thing in the world and began to play with the rim on Harry’s collar.
“Hermione,” Ginny said. “Tell us how things are going at the ministry. Any new progress?” she asked. Hermione lit up when being asked about her work and proceeded immediately to telling them the latest development regarding the regulations of House Elves. She was just starting to delve into the newest law and its implications when Harry interrupted her.
“Speaking of House Elves, are Ron and I still members of spew?” Harry asked in a mock casual voice, glancing at Ron who suddenly began to cough in a manner that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Hermione however did not seem as amused.
“Harry you know very well that it was S.P.E.W. not spew! And the situation of the House Elves is nothing to make fun about or to look on lightly!” Hermione scolded. “The work I do is extremely important and it is a scandal that the wizarding community isn’t more interested in the welfare of the House Elves.” She said without even catching her breath once making Ron bite down on his fist to prevent himself from laughing. Even Ginny who at first had given Harry a very reproachful look for getting Hermione started was now having trouble straining from laughter. Hermione however was too worked up to notice the others amusement but just went on.
“…and that is not to mention how hard it is to work for the promotion of Elfish rights when your own brother and sister-in-law have two House Elves working for them! Especially when that brother-in-law is the famous Harry Potter!” she finished giving both Harry and Ginny accusatory looks. Harry and Ron were by now so amused that they could hardly strain themselves from laughing out loud something that seemed to get Catherine very confused.
“Hermione, he’s teasing you,” sniggered Ron. “You are really easily bated sometimes, you know that?” When hearing this Catherine who had been looking anxiously from her rather upset mother to her highly amused father immediately seemed comforted that all was as it should be. She leaned back in Harry’s lap and once again started to play, this time with the hem of Harry’s sleeve.
“We know what you do is important,” said Harry smiling stroking Catherine’s long bushy hair and making Hermione calm down although she still looked a bit annoyed. “We’re just not smart enough to understand all the legal stuff you do,” he then said making Hermione smile and turn slightly pink.
“And our House Elves are paid, by the way. But then again you already know that, don’t you?” he added this time making Hermione look almost guilty about her outburst. James and Lily looked at their son is surprise. They couldn’t remember ever hearing of anyone paying their House Elves. Then again they had been surprised to find out that their son had a House Elf in the first place, let alone two.
The conversation left the House Elves’ rights and James and Lily listened while they talked about everything between heaven and earth. As the evening turned into night they watched Catherine grow more and more tired and finally falling asleep resting her head against Harry’s chest.
When Ron saw his daughter sleeping he got up from his chair and took her from Harry’s lap.
“Where are we going, daddy,” Catherine asked sleepily and only half awake when Ron lifted her up.
“To bed, love,” Ron answered her.
“But I’m not tired,” yawned Catherine, rubbing her eyes.
“No, but I am,” said Ron smiling. “You can keep me company, can’t you?”
“Ok, daddy,” Catherine said leaning her head on her father’s shoulder and falling right back to sleep.
“She’s not used to being up this late,” Hermione said glancing at Ron carrying Catherine upstairs. “But really Harry, you should have said something, she’s been sitting in your lap for hours now. That must have been tiring.” It was more a statement of facts than a question but Harry just smiled and shook his head.
“Actually I kind of miss having a soon-to-be five-year-old in my lap,” he said catching Ginny’s eyes. Hermione smiled alongside James and Lily.
“I guess it was a while ago that Christopher was five,” she said. Harry and Ginny both laughed.
“Actually I was thinking about Millie,” Harry said gently.
“After all, first year we had her she was nearly glued to Harry’s lap,” Ginny explained to Hermione as Ron came back into the room.
“I remember that,” he said smiling at Harry.
“Yes well, she needed it,” said Harry pensively. “It’s not easy being five years old and lose your entire family in one go,” he added.
“I guess not,” said Hermione. “You’ve…You’ve never talked so much about what it was like back then,” she said hesitantly. Harry looked at Ginny then at Hermione before he spoke.
“You know how five-year-olds seem to think everything that happens is somehow related to them?” he asked and waited for Ron and Hermione to agree. “Millie was no different; she thought that her parents’ being taken from her was somehow her fault. That she’d done something wrong. It took quite a while to convince her that wasn’t the case,” Harry explained.
“During which she spent most of her time in Harry’s lap,” concluded Ginny with a slight smile.
“That was before the nightmares started,” Harry then added.
“The nightmares?” Ron asked.
“About green monsters trying to take her away,” Ginny said quietly.
“Draco and Pansy, in their Death Eater outfits,” Harry explained. “When her memory of them faded, she was left with nightmares of green monsters.”
“That must have been tough,” Ron said. Harry shrugged his shoulders a bit, but didn’t answer.
“She was lucky to have the two of you,” Hermione certified.
“Not as lucky as we were to have her,” responded Harry with a smile. Ginny smiled too, meeting Harry’s eyes. She reached out and took Harry’s hand in hers, playing with it slightly.
The four of them continued to talk for a while longer before Ginny and Harry finally got up to leave. Before they stepped into the fire Harry made Ron promise to come to watch Gryffindor play Slytherin, and to seriously consider recruiting Eddy for the Chudley Cannons.
“Because honestly Ron, that keeper you have isn’t cutting it, now is he?” he said just before he left making Ron frown and laugh at the same time.