Chapter 1
It was the year 1991, June 24, Cecilia’s birthday. She was turning 11. It has been a year since the dubbed ‘world tour’ and there have been a few differences and changes.
Once they arrived back at Spinner’s End, life went back to the way it was before. Hagrid dropped off Hallow. Everyday Harry and Cecilia did their chores and found ways to entertain themselves. When no one was looking, they would practice their magic and spar under heavy wards.
Severus’ Potions were now sold worldwide, and he was kept plenty busy making extra money. However, Saturdays and Sundays he never touched a cauldron for he would rather spend his time with the kids, Which Harry appreciated very much.
Sirius finally accepted his old job at an aurors office and spent many days working, however whenever he had free time, he would show up at Spinner’s end and surprise everyone. Sirius also learned to hate Monopoly, yet never failed to challenge them to a game when he did show up. When he had days off, Harry and Cecilia would both go to his cottage and spend the night.
Remus after spending time learning more of the muggle world got a muggle job in a convenience store and eventually moved into a small apartment complex in Great Hangleton. He would visit whenever he was invited and just generally spend time with the family.
The biggest surprise was when Remus informed them that his neighbor in the complex was none other than Helen and Rigel. Helen found herself a job in St. Mungo’s as a healer and would often leave Rigel with Remus and sometimes Severus.
On the days when Rigel would come over, they would behave as children do for the most part before having Rigel pause time and they focus a little on their abilities. Harry can now say that he can wield a sword better than a wand at this point. On February 24, the day Rigel turned 11, He cried happy tears and thanked Harry for everything. Harry on the other hand thanked Rigel for giving him this second chance.
On this Monday morning, Cecilia was dressed in her favorite outfit and was fussing over her hair in front of the mirror. To anyone else she might’ve given off the impression that she was excited, but Harry knew his sister better than that.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked her, looking at her through the mirror as he put his own hair into a low ponytail and patted his new robes.
“Nothing. It just my hair won’t...” She trailed off as she concentrated on doing a half up half down hair style before taking it out and attempting a braid.
“Ceci, there is something bothering you.”
She gave up on her hair and sighed. “In my previous life, my 11th birthday ruined my life. I never got my Hogwarts letter. Do you think I will get it?” Cecilia did not look at him as she picked up her brush and slowly untangled her hair.
She did not see the look of disbelief he was sending her. “You literally do magic all the time, I will be surprised if you don’t get the letter, but I know without a doubt that we will be going to Hogwarts together.” Harry nudged her and this time locked eyes with her. “Besides, it is your birthday, I know for a fact that nothing will ruin today.”
Cecilia sent him a smile before making two small braids on either side and tying them together at the back of her head, she clipped a bow right in the middle before turning to Harry.
“Ok, I am ready now.”
Harry smiled right back and ruffled her hair before sprinting out of the bathroom.
“YOU BITCH!”
Harry laughed as he made his way back to his room and heard Severus yell from downstairs. “Cecilia, you are too young to be speaking that way.”
More laughter from downstairs and then Sirius yelling. “Get him Ceci! Harry Deserves it I believe you.”
That was another thing that was different. The relationship between Severus and Sirius is different. Harry doesn’t think they are friends yet, but they no longer just tolerate each other. It was a good kind of weird that Harry just won’t question.
Once Harry grabbed his bag from his room, he made his way downstairs. As soon as he reached the bottom Hallow was the first to greet him. Hallow had grown big, a little smaller than Sirius in his dog form. Hagrid took such good care of him and sometimes when they needed a dog sitter, they would send Hagrid a letter and Hagrid would happily accept watching over the year-old pup.
The first time Cecilia met Hagrid she gripped Harry’s shirt tightly and only relaxed when she saw the way Hagrid treated Hallow and how much Harry obviously liked him. Nowadays though, Sirius will take over watching the pup.
As Harry approached the Dining room, He caught the end of Sirius telling Severus about his last day at work with Severus holding a cup of coffee to his lips and rolling his eyes.
“Good morning, Uncle Sirius, Good morning, Dad.”
This was also something new, a few months ago Harry jokingly called Severus Dad only for Severus to sit down with him and gave harry permission to call him that. Harry spent a day or so avoiding him before finally coming to terms that yes. Severus has been a dad to him all this time.
“What up buddy. You ready to deal with the Malfoys?” Sirius said, frowning just slightly while mentioning the Malfoys.
This year Narcissa almost tore Severus’ hair out if he did not agree to let her host Cecilia’s birthday party this year. The party was going to be at Malfoy manner at noon, so they had a couple hours till they needed to floo there.
“Yep.”
To be honest, Draco was still a brat, but Cecilia wore him down a little over time. Draco Malfoy now at least respects half-bloods and knows not to jump in judging people right off the bat, but he is still a brat in Harry’s opinion.
Severus raised an eyebrow at them. “We don’t have to deal with the Malfoys. They must deal with us.”
Sirius barked a laugh. “Truer words have never been spoken.”
Just then there was a knock on the door.
“I got it!” Cecilia said from the stairwell, running down them and booking it to the door. Her hair once again fixed.
“Don’t run in the house!” Severus grunted. He sighed as he put his coffee down and stood up. As Cecilia opened the door to reveal Remus, Helen, and Rigel.
“Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!” Helen said, bending down to place a kiss onto her head.
Remus walked in after and bent to give her a hug. “Happy Birthday love.”
“Hey Ceci.” Rigel greeted, walking in last and closing the door behind him. “Happy Birthday.”
Cecilia smiled wide. “Thank you everyone. I am very excited for today.”
“Hi RG.” Harry greeted as Rigel rounded the corner.
Harry and Rigel shared a fist bump, and Cecilia threw her arms around them both. One Camera flash later Helen was holding the magical photo and copied it three ways, handing one to each kid.
“Are we ready to head out?” Severus asked, holding the floo powder in one hand and walking towards the fireplace.
Sirius was the first to react, getting up and grabbing a handful before walking into the Fireplace and yelling out ‘Malfoy Manor.’ Sirius was so weird whenever Helen and Rigel were around, but Harry just chalks it up to the fact that Helen is a very beautiful woman.
Remus placed a hand on his shoulder. “Do you want to go by yourself, or would you like me to accompany you?”
“Myself, don’t you know I am a Big Boy!” Harry said
“Harry you’re the only one still ten, you are literally the youngest, and the smallest.” Cecilia teased.
Harry instead rolled his eyes and playfully shoved her before grabbing some powder and walking into the fireplace. “Malfoy Manor.”
As he emerged from the green embers he coughed once and stepped out of the way, Sirius was waiting with Narcissa Malfoy and a cleaned-up Draco Malfoy.
“Hullo Harry.” Draco said, giving a little wave.
“Hullo Draco.”
“Welcome Harry dear, how are you?” Narcissa said instead.
Harry did a small bow and smiled at her. “Good morning, Aunt ‘Cissa. I am doing well. Excited for Cecilia really.”
“I hope you will like the party too young man; I worked really hard.” She said in a teasing voice.
“I am sure I will.”
Just then the green flames reappeared, and Remus stepped through with Hallow held in his grip. “Alright down we go.” Remus said while putting him down.
“Damn you look like shit.” Sirius said and immediately Hallow turned to him and growled. “HA! You ain’t scary. Don't even try.”
“Is that the dog you say is yours?” Draco let out, walking forward a bit. “I thought you were lying!”
“Nope, this is Hallow.” Harry said, hugging Hallow around his neck and petting his head.
Draco stood back for a minute or so twiddling his thumbs.
“You can pet him too you know, he is very nice.” Harry sighed.
Draco moved to stand next to Harry. “What do I do?” he asked nervously.
“Just hold out your hand, let him sniff you first, then if he likes you, he will let you pet him.”
More green flames and out stepped Helen holding Rigel's hand.
Harry spun around, and stepped forward, leaving Draco alone with Hallow.
“Narcissa, this is Helen Smith. A good friend. Helen, this is Narcissa Malfoy. A good friend of Severus. And this is Rigel Smith her son.”
If Harry hadn’t known Narcissa well enough he would have missed the shock on her face as she looked at Rigel. Okay there might be something weird going on.
“Aunt ‘Cissa, Rigel is my Best Friend.” Harry said, just to let her know that Rigel is completely harmless.
Narcissa nodded at them and smiled. “Welcome. I am pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
One more time did the flames turned green and out walked Severus holding Cecilia by the hand.
This time did Narcissa's polite smile turned genuine as she welcomed Severus and Cecilia.
“Cecilia dear, Happy Birthday Darling.”
“Thank you, Aunt ‘Cissa.”
Afterwards, Lady Malfoy led the group towards the pavilion where it was decorated beautifully.
A little too much if you asked Harry. After all it was the Malfoys.
The party soon started where Narcissa introduced many games for the kids to play and even games where the adults were able to join. At some point the kids convinced the adults to play musical chairs and the last two remaining were Sirius and Narcissa.
Everyone was able to tell that they were cousins at that point because the two fought over that last chair. Literally.
Narcissa won of course, which had everyone laughing.
After they sang Happy Birthday did something truly magical happened. Four owls, each different shape and size swooped in from the same direction and circled the sky twice before dropping some unexpected gifts in the form of letters.
Harry caught the one he assumed was aimed at him, it read ‘To Mr. H Potter. At Malfoy Manor.’ Dumbledore must’ve had a heart attack at this.
The Hogwarts acceptance letters arrived, and Harry felt so happy. Severus was looking at him with pride and Cecilia was crying.
Yes.
Today was definitely a good day.