Happy...Birthday?
A month had passed and it was as eventful as one might imagine when spending time with the four boys. Lyra and Remus had grown particularly close to Professor McGonagall, their names often gracing the top of the class lists alongside Lily—and, much to everyone’s surprise, James and Sirius. The latter two had somehow balanced their academic success with an escalating series of pranks, earning themselves both detentions and an odd sort of friendship with McGonagall, who alternated between exasperation and reluctant amusement.
Sirius and Lyra also had come to realize that much of what they had been taught growing up in the Black household wasn’t as universal as they once believed. They were learning, slowly but surely, that many of their family’s views were not only outdated but deeply wrong. Words and ideas they thought were normal turned out to be anything but. The lesson had been a harsh one, but one they were determined to take to heart.
One particular instance of this learning curve happened on an otherwise ordinary afternoon.
"Who are we staring at?" Lyra asked curiously as she and Sirius plopped down beside their three friends on the grassy slope overlooking the lake. She followed their line of sight to where a group of girls stood, laughing together near the water.
"Peter has a crush on Rosalyn Crockett," James said with a grin, nudging Peter in the side.
Peter turned red, mumbling something incomprehensible while trying to hide his face.
"Rosalyn Crockett? Oh!" Lyra exclaimed, her expression lighting up in recognition. “She’s a mudblood, isn’t she?”
The words left her mouth so casually, as if she were stating a simple fact. The reaction, however, was immediate and startling.
James froze mid-nudge, his grin vanishing. Remus’s book snapped shut with an audible thud. Even Peter, who was usually too shy to speak up, looked up in shock.
“You can’t just say that word!” James exclaimed, his tone sharp and alarmed.
Sirius frowned, genuinely confused by James’s reaction. “Why not? It’s just a word. What’s the big deal?”
Lyra nodded in agreement, her brow furrowing as she looked between James and the others. “Yeah, we hear it all the time at home. It’s just what people say.”
Remus, who had been quiet up until now, sighed deeply, his expression a mix of disappointment and understanding. “It’s a slur,” he explained calmly, though his voice carried an unmistakable firmness. “It’s meant to make Muggle-borns feel like they’re less than, like they don’t belong here. And it’s wrong.”
Sirius and Lyra exchanged a glance, their brows furrowing as the weight of Remus’s words settled in.
“Oh, that’s not—” Sirius started, but his voice trailed off, his brow knitting in confusion. “We didn’t know.”
“We weren’t trying to hurt anyone,” Lyra added quietly, her voice tinged with regret. “We just… it was just something we always heard at home. It wasn’t meant like that.”
“Well, now you know. And that’s what matters,” James said, nodding his head firmly.
The group fell into an awkward silence for a moment, the weight of the previous conversation lingering. It wasn’t easy for anyone to move past something so deeply ingrained in their upbringing. Sirius shifted in his seat, clearing his throat as he tried to lighten the mood.
“Anyway, Peter,” he said with a playful smirk, “when are you going to tell Rosalyn how you feel?”
Peter groaned, his face turning bright red as he buried his head in his hands. “Never, if you keep embarrassing me like this!”
The tension broke as the group burst into laughter, the lesson lingering in the air even as they moved on. For Lyra and Sirius, it was a moment of reckoning—one of many that would shape the people they were becoming.
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“Lyra! Remus!” Lily greeted them cheerfully as she plopped down across from them in the Great Hall, her Charms textbook still clutched in her hand. “What did you get for Charms? I got an E! I can’t believe this,” she sighed dramatically, dropping her head onto the table.
“Hey, an E is really good—it’s one of the highest grades!” Lyra said encouragingly. “I mean, James and Sirius got an E for Charms too.”
Lily’s head shot up, her expression one of pure disbelief. “I got the same marks as James and Sirius?!” she shouted, earning a few amused glances from nearby students.
“Come on, Lily, it’s not that bad,” Remus chimed in, sharing a look with Lyra as the two tried their best to console her.
Lily narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What scores did you two get?”
Lyra hesitated, glancing at Remus. “We’d rather not say…” she said carefully, dragging the words out.
“You both got Os, didn’t you?” Lily asked, though her tone suggested she already knew the answer.
Lyra and Remus exchanged sheepish smiles.
“I’m not even angry,” Lily said, throwing her hands up. “Of course you two got Os. I couldn’t be happier for you both. But James and Sirius?” Her voice rose in pitch, and she looked genuinely distressed. “I’m on the same level as them! I can’t believe this!”
“You can’t believe what?” Peter asked as he and Sirius joined the table, both of them looking mildly curious.
“I can’t believe I got the same grades as you!” Lily exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air for emphasis as she gestured toward Sirius.
“Well, I’m flattered,” Sirius said with a smirk, standing and giving an exaggerated bow.
“You know,” he continued as he sat back down, “it’s not that surprising that I’d get the same marks as you, Evans. I’ve been reading these textbooks since I was six.”
Lily froze mid-rant, blinking at him. “What?”
“He’s not wrong,” Lyra chimed in casually, not even looking up as she reached for a slice of pie. “We were learning the first-year syllabus at six. By the time we got our Hogwarts letters, we were reading the fifth-year textbooks.”
Lily gawked at her, utterly baffled. “Are you serious?”
“It’s just part of being in the noble House of Black,” Lyra said dramatically, lifting her chin in mock arrogance as she mimicked the haughty tone of their mother.
Sirius burst into laughter, clapping a hand to his chest. “She’s got it spot on!”
Lily, however, still looked incredulous. “I don’t know whether to feel better or worse about this now,” she muttered, shaking her head.
“Better, obviously,” Sirius said smoothly, flashing her a grin. “After all, you’re in excellent company.”
Lily groaned, dropping her head into her hands as the rest of the group dissolved into laughter.
“Wait, something’s not right…” Lyra said, her voice cutting through the laughter like a sudden gust of wind. She glanced around the room, her brow furrowed in concern. “It’s strangely peaceful.”
“Yeah, it’s quiet,” Remus agreed softly.
“A little, too, quiet,” Lily added, her words trailing off as an unsettling silence settled over the room. The sudden absence of noise was jarring, almost unnatural.
Just as the tension began to grow, James suddenly popped up from behind Lily, startling everyone. “Boo!” he shouted with a wide grin.
“Potter! Can you not do that?” Lily shouted, clearly startled, her heart racing as she jumped back from the unexpected scare.
“What are you wearing?” Lyra asked, raising an eyebrow as she took in James’s outfit. He was clad in a flowing black cape, and two fake fangs protruded from his mouth, giving him a ghoulish appearance.
“I’m a vampire,” James said with a smug look that clearly said duh.
“It’s Halloween,” he added, gesturing toward the table where a few pumpkins, candy, and cobweb decorations lay scattered. “What else would I be?”
“Oh... so that’s what all the decorations are for,” Lyra said, turning to Sirius with a raised eyebrow.
“What? Don’t tell me the both of you don’t celebrate Halloween?” Peter asked, his voice curious.
“Nope,” Sirius said with a firm pop of the ‘P’.
“Mother says it’s a foolish holiday, and dressing up for it makes you look like a bunch of imbeciles,” Lyra said dramatically, throwing her hands in the air with exaggerated flair. Her words dripped with mockery, mimicking the icy tone of their mother.
Sirius let out a bark of laughter, leaning back in his chair as his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Yeah, we tried to sneak out and go trick-or-treating once,” he added, glancing at his sister. “We thought we were so clever. Had our costumes hidden in a pillowcase and everything.” He shook his head, the grin faltering slightly as he continued. “Mother found out before we even made it to the door. Locked us in our rooms for a whole week. No meals, just house-elf scraps.”
Their friends sat around the Gryffindor table, exchanging uneasy glances. James's usual boisterous demeanor was muted as he fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve, while Remus’s brows knit together in concern. Peter stared down at his shoes, the weight of the story sinking in.
“You guys… it’s funny,” Lyra said with a small, hopeful smile, breaking the tension. “You can laugh, you know.” Her voice was light, but the way her eyes scanned their friends betrayed her discomfort.
“It’s not funny,” Lily said softly, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity. She leaned closer to Lyra, reaching out to pull her into a gentle hug. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Lyra blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter, her mirth ringing out through the room. “Why are you apologizing?” she asked, pulling back and looking over at Sirius with amused disbelief. “We’re fine, aren’t we, Sirius?”
“Perfectly fine,” Sirius confirmed with a smirk, though his tone carried a touch of defiance. “If anything, it made us funnier.”
The twins’ laughter seemed to ease some of the tension, but the pity in their friends’ eyes lingered. It was subtle, but it was there—a mixture of sadness and helplessness. Lyra and Sirius didn’t need or want that. They didn’t need reminders of what they’d survived; they needed a reason to laugh, to forget.
“You know what? How about we pull a prank later!” Lyra exclaimed, her voice bright and playful, trying desperately to shift the conversation.
“And how are you going to do that?” Remus asked, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“I’m sure you’ll come up with something, won’t you, Remus?” Lyra said with a playful shrug.
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear this conversation,” Lily said, rising from her seat. “I have to go meet Severus in the library.”
She bid a warm farewell to the group—everyone except James.
“Nice to see you too, Evans!” James called out as she walked out of the Great Hall, his voice loud enough to draw the attention of a few nearby students.
“James, it’s been a month and you still haven’t got her to like you. I’d give up if I were you, mate,” Sirius said, patting James on the back with a smirk.
“Nope, I’m not going to because I’m a Potter,” James said dramatically, striking a heroic pose as if he were a superhero. He puffed out his chest, put his hands on his hips, and gave a mock-serious expression, his wand slightly tucked into his sleeve.
The group exchanged amused glances, their jaws slightly agape at the ridiculous display. Sirius raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed, while Remus shook his head with a bemused smile. Peter leaned back in his chair, trying to suppress a laugh but failing miserably. Lyra, however, wasn’t buying it.
“Everyone agree to do the prank without James?” Lyra asked, her voice steady and flat as she gave James a deadpan look.
“Yep.”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely.”
James’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he leaned forward slightly, his voice raising just enough to be heard over the quiet murmurs of agreement. “Wait, what? No, come on guys!” he pleaded, his desperation evident.
“Fine, only because you’re our friend,” Sirius rolled his eyes playfully, though a grin tugged at his lips. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms as if enjoying James’s flustered reaction.
James slumped back into his seat with a dramatic sigh, his arms flailing a bit before he muttered under his breath, “You lot are impossible.” His voice was low enough that it was more for his own benefit, though everyone could still hear him.
“James, you said the same thing last week when we told you not to put dung bombs in Professor Flitwick’s classroom,” Lyra said, rolling her eyes.
James huffed indignantly. “It was funny!”
“Was it funny when you got detention?” Remus asked with a teasing smile, raising an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair.
James scowled at him, his cheeks slightly flushed. “Fine, whatever, you were right.”
“Besides, I wasn’t the one who made it,” James continued with a grumble, pointing a finger at Remus and Lyra. “You two made it! And you didn’t even get detention!”
“True,” Remus admitted as he crossed his arms. “But we were smart enough to make sure we weren’t caught.”
Lyra shot him a look, her lips curving into a small, amused smile. “And we didn’t set it off directly, either.”
“Which makes it genius,” Sirius said with a nod of approval, his grin widening.
James leaned forward again, his frustration growing. “You know what? One day, I’m going to get you back for all this.”
“Of course you will,” Lyra said with a playful smirk, patting his back as if to reassure him. “In another decade or so.”
“Very funny,” James muttered, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. “But for now, I’ll settle for seeing this prank go horribly wrong.”
“Which it won’t,” Sirius said confidently, lounging back with a self-assured grin. “We’ve got it all figured out.”
“Right,” James said, giving a mock eye-roll. “Because last time you had it all figured out, I ended up with detention.”
“And we had a good laugh,” Sirius quipped with a wink.
James shook his head, his jaw tightening slightly. “You’re insufferable.”
“Thank you!” Sirius replied cheerfully, raising his goblet in a mock toast.
“Anyway,” Lyra interrupted with a pointed look, “back to the prank—what are we thinking?”
The group fell into a brief silence as they exchanged thoughtful glances. Peter leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concentration. “What if we use the old… disappearing ink trick? That could drive them crazy.”
“Not bad,” Remus said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “But we need something more unexpected—something that’ll cause chaos but not get us caught.”
“We could prank Snivellus in front of everyone in the Great Hall?” Sirius suggested, his grin wide with mischief. “Drop a bucket of paint over his head or something?”
Lyra turned to her brother, arching an eyebrow. “What part of *not get us caught* did you not understand?”
Sirius shrugged, utterly unapologetic. “Details, details.”
“Plus,” Peter chimed in, fiddling with the hem of his robes, “we already pranked him last week. Remember? The hair-changing potion in his shampoo? He looked like a rainbow for three days.”
“Oh, that was brilliant,” James said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. “The green stripe really brought out his eyes.”
“And the purple streak matched his perpetual scowl,” Sirius added, his laughter bubbling up again.
Lyra rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “As entertaining as that was, we need to spread the chaos around a bit. Can’t have Snape hogging all our attention.”
Remus nodded in agreement. “Exactly. We’re creative. Let’s think bigger—something clever but subtle.”
“What about Filch?” Peter suggested hesitantly.
Sirius snorted. “Filch? He’s so paranoid he’s practically pranked himself half the time.”
“That’s true,” Lyra said thoughtfully. “Though there’s always the chance we could use that to our advantage…”
James straightened, a spark of interest lighting up his hazel eyes. “Go on, Lyra. What are you thinking?”
Lyra tilted her head, her lips curving into a sly grin. Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she leaned forward and gestured for the group to come closer. They all huddled in, their curiosity piqued.
Lowering her voice, she began to whisper her plan, her words laced with excitement. The more she spoke, the more their faces lit up, especially James, who was practically vibrating in his seat with enthusiasm.
“That’s brilliant!” he exclaimed, unable to contain himself. Without thinking, he jumped onto his seat, fists clenched at his sides in triumphant excitement.
Heads from every corner of the Great Hall turned toward them, the sudden outburst drawing a wave of curious glances. Even some of the professors at the head table paused mid-conversation to glance in their direction.
“Will you get down?” Lyra hissed, her eyes wide with a mix of embarrassment and irritation as she reached up to grab his arm. She pulled him down with more force than necessary, causing him to stumble slightly before plopping back into his seat.
James rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, glancing around at all the stares. “Sorry,” he muttered under his breath, though a mischievous grin still lingered on his face. “It’s just—it’s so good!”
Lyra rolled her eyes, leaning closer to him as she whispered fiercely, “If you keep shouting about it, it won’t stay a secret for long!”
“Right, right,” James whispered back, though his grin only widened.
Sirius shook his head, barely stifling a laugh. “You’re hopeless, mate. How you’ve managed to stay alive this long is beyond me.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” James replied, leaning back with an unapologetic smirk.
“Anyway,” Lyra interjected, shooting James a warning glare before addressing the rest of the group, “we’ll need to move quickly if we want this to work. And, for Merlin’s sake, keep a low profile.”
Remus chuckled softly. “You’re asking *him* to keep a low profile?” He gestured toward James with a raised brow.
“Point taken,” Lyra said with a sigh, shaking her head. “Just… try, okay?”
“I make no promises,” James said with a wink, causing the others to groan collectively.
They leaned back in their seats, already envisioning the chaos their plan would cause, excitement buzzing between them as the details began to fall into place.
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After dinner, the group sprawled on the floor of the Gryffindor common room, the five of them laughing uncontrollably. The warmth of the fire crackled in the hearth, but the real heat was coming from their bubbling excitement.
“Did you see him when he was chasing the mop?” James laughed, rolling onto his back in hysterics.
“GET BACK HERE YOU BLOODY MOP!” Sirius mimicked Filch’s voice, slamming his hands down on the floor in exaggerated frustration. His impression had everyone in stitches again.
“I swear, if he ever catches us, he’s going to lock us up in the dungeons,” Remus said with a grin, trying to keep his voice even, though he, too, was on the edge of laughter.
“He’d probably banish us to the Forbidden Forest first,” Peter chimed in between chuckles.
“Or worse, make us scrub the floors,” Lyra added, snorting as she tried to hold her sides.
Their laughter was cut short as Professor McGonagall stepped into the common room. The warmth of the fire dimmed in comparison to her imposing presence.
“Mr. Potter. Mr. Black. Miss Black. Mr. Lupin. Mr. Pettigrew,” she greeted sternly, her eyes flicking between each of them.
“Professor,” the group replied in unison, their mirth quickly replaced with a sense of unease.
“Do any of you know about the… incidents that have been happening all day?” she asked, her voice calm, but her eyes sharp. “It is seemingly suspicious that when these events occurred, you five were nowhere to be seen.”
James opened his mouth to speak, but Lyra gave him a sharp look, silently warning him to hold his tongue. After a brief hesitation, she stepped forward.
“Well, we’ve been in the common room all day, Professor,” she said calmly, her voice even and unshaken. “We were working on our Transfiguration essays.”
McGonagall raised an eyebrow, her expression impassive as she turned her gaze to Remus. “Is this true, Mr. Lupin?”
“Yes, Professor. We were here all day. James even managed to get his essay done,” Remus nodded with a small, reassuring smile.
“Very well,” McGonagall said slowly, though her tone remained firm. “If I ever find any evidence that ties you five to today’s events, you’ll be scrubbing cauldrons until the end of the year. Is that understood?”
The room fell silent as the weight of her words settled.
“Yes, Professor,” the group replied dutifully, though there was a brief flash of amusement in James’s eyes. He fought a grin that threatened to creep onto his face.
McGonagall’s lips twitched as though holding back a smile, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Have a good night.” She turned to leave, her robes sweeping behind her.
Once she was gone, the group let out a collective sigh of relief. Lyra leaned back against the couch, a small smirk playing on her lips.
“That could have gone worse,” James said with a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
“We definitely need to be more careful next time,” Peter said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“But,” Sirius added with a wide grin, “that was probably the closest we’ve come to being caught in a while.”
“Yeah, and you have to admit, this has to be one of the greatest pranks we’ve managed to pull so far,” Lyra added, her face lighting up with pride.
“You’re right,” Sirius agreed, his grin softening as he nudged her playfully. “Thanks for the early birthday gift.”
“Sure, whatever,” Lyra replied with a dramatic eye roll, though the corner of her mouth twitched in a barely-contained smile.
“Wait, it’s your birthday?” James suddenly sat up, his curiosity piqued.
“No,” Lyra said, her tone dismissive. “Our birthday is in three days.”
“Three days?” Remus looked between the twins, his brows furrowed. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Because it’s not a big deal,” Sirius answered with a casual shrug.
“And we don’t want it to be a big deal,” Lyra added, crossing her arms as though daring anyone to argue.
“But it is a big deal!” James frowned, leaning forward as if trying to understand their logic. “It’s your birthday! That’s huge!”
“It’s just another day,” Lyra replied, her tone neutral but firm.
“Still,” James said, his voice softening slightly. “We’re your friends. We want to celebrate you.”
“That’s sweet, James,” Lyra said, her expression softening just a fraction. “But we’re not used to—” She cut herself off abruptly, her gaze dropping to her hands.
“...We’re not used to birthdays being a thing,” Sirius finished for her, his voice unusually quiet.
“Well, maybe it’s time to change that,” Peter said gently.
“You don’t have to—” Lyra started, but James cut her off with a wave of his hand.
“Nonsense! We’re throwing you a party. A proper Gryffindor celebration,” James declared, his determination shining in his eyes.
“No, you’re not,” Sirius said, his tone now firm and final, a sharp contrast to his usual playful demeanor. His voice held no room for argument, and the room grew quiet for a moment as everyone absorbed his words.
“We’re going to celebrate it how we usually do,” Sirius continued, his gaze steady. “With a slice of cake, a candle, and just the two of us.”
“No presents. No parties. Understood?” Lyra added softly, her tone matching Sirius’s seriousness. Her arms were still crossed, but her expression was softer, worn down by years of sticking to this quiet tradition.
James sat back, his usual confident smile faltering as he took in their resolve. “You can’t mean that,” he said gently, though the disapproval was clear in his voice. “It’s your birthday. You deserve more than that.”
“I know what we deserve,” Sirius said quietly, his jaw tightening slightly. “And this is enough.”
James leaned forward, his frustration evident. “It’s not just another day,” he argued, his voice filled with earnestness. “You’re not alone anymore. You’ve got us.”
“And that’s exactly why we don’t need to make a big deal out of it,” Lyra said firmly, her gaze steady on James. “Look, we are not celebrating our birthday, and that’s final. I’m gonna head up. Goodnight.”
“I’m gonna go too,” Sirius added, following closely behind his sister.
The room was quiet once more, the tension thick in the air. James sat back in his chair, staring at the empty space where they had been, his frustration giving way to quiet disappointment.
"What's going on?" Marlene asked as she, Mary, and Lily walked up to the group.
"It's nothing," James grumbled, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "Sirius and Lyra don’t want to celebrate their birthdays."
Marlene frowned, exchanging a concerned look with Mary. "Why not? Birthdays are important."
"I know," James said, exhaling sharply. "But they’ve always kept it low-key. No parties, no presents. Just them, a cake, and a candle. That’s how they’ve always done it."
Mary crossed her arms, her brow furrowed in thought. "That seems... sad. They should have the choice to celebrate, at least with friends."
"That's what I said!" James exclaimed, frustration creeping into his voice. "Whatever, we’re gonna go. Goodnight, guys," James said as he, Remus, and Peter headed upstairs.
As the girls watched James, Remus, and Peter walk up the staircase, the room fell into a thoughtful silence. Lily shifted uncomfortably, her gaze fixed on the empty space they left behind. After a moment, she broke the silence.
"We can’t let them celebrate their birthdays alone. We’ve got to do something."
Marlene gave a gentle nod of agreement. "I know, Lily, but what if they don’t want to be bothered? Maybe we should just respect their wishes."
"Marlene's right, Lily. We should just let them be," Mary added, her tone cautious yet supportive.
"No," Lily said firmly, shaking her head with determination. "I’m not letting them celebrate it alone. What about a surprise party—nothing too big, just the eight of us."
Marlene sighed, watching as Lily’s eyes lit up with excitement and she began to skip off to make her plans. "Lily, I don’t think that’s a good idea."
Mary frowned, watching her friend with concern. "This is going to go horribly."
Marlene let out a soft laugh, though it held a hint of worry. "That’s an understatement."
The two girls watched as Lily rushed off, her mind already racing with ideas. The sound of her footsteps fading down the hall brought a moment of silence between them.
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Their birthday had arrived, and the morning had started off strange. The usual quiet of the Gryffindor dormitory was replaced by muffled whispers and hurried footsteps. Lyra found herself standing in front of the boys' room, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Lyra? What are you doing here?" James asked, his voice still groggy, clearly just waking up. His messy hair stuck up in all directions, and his expression was a mixture of confusion and sleepiness.
"Honestly, I’m not sure," Lyra said, plopping herself onto Sirius’s bed with a sigh. "Lily practically kicked me out of our room."
James blinked, rubbing his eyes. "Why would she do that?"
"How would I know," Lyra said with a shrug, leaning back against the headboard. She stared at the ceiling for a moment before glancing over at James. "She just said it was time for something... I don’t know."
James sat up straighter, his confusion deepening. "Something? What do you mean?"
Lyra shook her head. "I have no idea. She just said it’s time and then threw me out."
Sirius stirred from his spot on his bed, sitting up groggily. His expression shifted as he recognized Lyra’s presence. "You? What are you doing in here?"
"I was exiled," Lyra said with a wry smile. "Lily decided it 'that it was time'."
Sirius leaned back against the wall, still rubbing his eyes. "That sounds... ominous."
James groaned softly, running a hand through his messy hair. "That’s putting it lightly." He flopped back onto his bed with a sigh.
"Okay, will you all go and get ready? I’m hungry and I need my breakfast," Lyra said dramatically, clutching her stomach as if it were in pain. The boys burst into laughter at her antics, shaking their heads as they got ready to head down to the common room.
As they descended the staircase, they entered the warm, bustling space of the Gryffindor common room. However, what they weren’t prepared for was the overwhelming sight that greeted them. Banners and streamers lined the walls, balloons floated above, and a festive atmosphere filled the room. Before they could react, Lily’s excited voice rang out:
"Surprise!" she shouted, her smile wide and full of pride.
The twins stood there in stunned silence, but not in the way one might expect.
"Lily, this is..." Lyra began, her voice faltering as her eyes scanned the decorations in disbelief. "It’s too much. I can’t—" Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed off, running out of the common room.
Sirius stood frozen for a moment, his expression unreadable. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, his disapproval evident. Without another word, he turned to James, Remus, and Peter, who all stood awkwardly by the doorway, clearly not sure how to react either.
With a stiff nod, Sirius left without a word, his stride purposeful as he chased after his sister.
"Lily," Marlene began, her voice hesitant, "maybe this was too much."
Lily’s expression shifted from joy to concern, her smile fading slightly. "I just wanted to make them feel special. I thought—" she trailed off, swallowing back a lump in her throat.
Mary gently placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. "We know you meant well. But maybe next time, something smaller?"
Lily nodded softly, taking a deep breath as she watched the twins disappear into the corridor. "Yeah... smaller."
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James, Remus, and Peter had split off, the three of them running around the castle in search of Sirius and Lyra. After what felt like hours, Remus finally stumbled upon them. He was walking down a quiet corridor when he heard low whispers. Curious, he followed the sound and turned the corner to find both Sirius and Lyra sitting on the cold stone stairway, quietly eating their breakfast.
"Why are you guys eating your breakfast here?" Remus chuckled as he approached. "In the middle of an abandoned hallway?" he added, raising an eyebrow.
"Says the one who disappears off to the library for hours at a time," Lyra half chuckled, taking a bite of her toast with a smirk.
Remus laughed softly, shaking his head as he sat down beside them. "Fair point. But honestly, this seems a bit extreme even for you two."
Sirius glanced up from his plate, his expression relaxed, though a flicker of discomfort remained in his eyes. "Yeah, well, sometimes breakfast tastes better in solitude."
Lyra nodded in agreement, brushing a crumb from her lap. "It’s not that big of a deal. Just needed space."
Remus leaned back against the stone wall, observing them quietly. "Space from what exactly?" he asked softly, his tone gentle but probing.
Sirius exchanged a glance with Lyra, a silent understanding passing between them. "From... everything," Sirius said eventually, his voice quieter now, laced with frustration. "From all the looks."
"What looks?" Remus asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.
Sirius let out a heavy breath before continuing, his tone sharp. "The way you all look at us whenever we talk about something that happens at home. Like we’re some kind of broken project that needs fixing." His voice trembled slightly with anger, and his eyes darkened as he spoke. "It’s like... you all look at us like we’re weak. Like we can’t handle things on our own."
Lyra picked up where he left off, her voice rising in intensity. "You guys have that look of pity on your face, like we’re fragile. Like we’re going to break if you so much as touch us the wrong way. And it’s frustrating!" Her words were laced with emotion, her hands clenched tightly in her lap as she spoke. "Like we need to be coddled or treated delicately because of what happened at home."
Remus sat there in stunned silence, his lips pressing into a thin line as he absorbed their words. He couldn’t deny the truth in what they were saying, but the weight of their emotions hit him hard.
"I didn’t mean to—" Remus began, his voice barely above a whisper, but Sirius quickly cut him off.
"Save it, Remus," Sirius said sharply, his tone firm, though it softened just slightly when he noticed the guilt in his friend’s eyes. "Look, we—we shouldn’t have reacted the way we did back there in the common room."
Remus nodded, his lips pressed tightly together as he listened. There was a long pause before Lyra spoke, her voice quieter than before, almost hesitant.
"It’s just that..." she started, trailing off as if unsure of how to put it into words. "We don’t celebrate our birthdays for a reason."
Sirius continued where she left off, his voice steady and deliberate. "We’re used to grand, over-the-top birthday parties. Our family throws them every year—just another way for them to brag and pretend like we’re the perfect family." His words were heavy with distaste. "But we’re not perfect. And those parties… they’re suffocating. Fake."
Lyra nodded in agreement. "So, we started celebrating differently. In the middle of the night, just the two of us. No one else. No parties, no gifts. Just a quiet moment to acknowledge that another year has passed."
Remus listened intently, his expression softening. "I didn’t realize…"
"We know you didn’t," Sirius said quietly, his voice softening even more. "It’s just something we’ve always done. And when you all decided to throw that… that thing in the common room, it felt like we were back at those parties."
Lyra nodded slowly, her gaze distant. "Yeah. The way we celebrated, it was the only thing we had any control over." Her voice was a whisper, carrying the weight of countless nights spent in silence and solitude. "At those parties, everything was dictated—what we wore, how we smiled, who we talked to. It wasn’t about us; it was about maintaining the perfect image."
Sirius gave a small, bitter laugh. "Exactly. At least in those moments, in the middle of the night, it was just us. We could be real. We didn’t have to pretend to be anything other than what we were—flawed, messy, and trying to survive."
Remus sat quietly, his heart aching for them. He knew there was nothing he could say to erase the pain, but at least he could listen.
"It’s the only time we have to breathe," Lyra said softly. "That’s why it’s important."
Sirius gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "It’s not about needing the world to feel sorry for us. It’s about keeping what little piece of control we have left."
Remus reached out gently, placing a hand on Sirius’s arm. "I’m sorry, I really am. If I had known what Lily was planning, I swear I would have stopped it."
Sirius glanced at Remus, his expression softening slightly. "You couldn’t have known, Remus. It’s not your fault."
"But I should’ve known," Remus insisted quietly. "You don’t have to explain it to me. I just wish I’d done something sooner."
Lyra gave a small, almost weary smile. "We know you wouldn’t have done it on purpose, Remus. It’s not about blame. It’s about understanding."
Remus smiled back, though his eyes remained thoughtful. "It won’t happen again. I promise.”
The three sat in a moment of quiet, the weight of their earlier conversation lingering in the air. Finally, Remus broke the silence.
"I’m sorry again," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
Sirius let out a soft sigh, a gentle smile touching his lips. "Remus, we’ve told you—"
"No, not about the party," Remus interrupted gently, his gaze fixed on the twins. "I’m sorry about making you feel… feel like you’re weak or if I treated you like you were fragile."
Lyra gave him a small, understanding smile, but he continued, his voice thick with emotion.
"It’s just—" Remus paused, his hands fidgeting slightly before gripping the fabric of his robes tightly. "You two have had no one but each other to lean on for so long. And now… now I guess we all just wanted you to know that you could lean on us. That you don’t have to feel like you have to solve everything alone."
Sirius lowered his head slightly, his jaw clenching, the vulnerability flickering in his dark eyes. Lyra took a deep breath, her expression tender, yet pained.
"Though I guess," Remus continued softly, "it came out more like pity."
The words hung in the air, heavy and bittersweet. Silence fell again, but this time, it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a shared understanding, the weight of unspoken feelings finally acknowledged.
Sirius glanced at Remus, his voice barely above a whisper. "You don’t have to apologize for caring."
Remus gave a small nod, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I care. More than you know."
Lyra reached out, gently squeezing Remus’s hand. "We know you do, Remus. And we’re grateful for it.”
"Look, let’s get going before James sends an army of people to find us," Sirius said with a small chuckle, breaking the comfortable silence.
Remus and Lyra shared a quiet laugh, the weight of the earlier conversation lifting just a bit. Remus stood up, offering his hand to Lyra. She smiled, her eyes soft, before taking it. Remus pulled her up gently.
As they walked through the hallways, Sirius and Lyra slowly eased back into their usual selves—laughing, teasing, and making light-hearted jokes.
James spotted them from a distance, his face lighting up. He bolted toward the trio, wrapping his arms tightly around the twins.
"We’ve been looking everywhere for you!" James exclaimed, pulling them both into a hug.
Sirius chuckled, patting James on the back. "We were fine, you know. We weren’t going to vanish into thin air."
Lyra laughed softly, leaning into James’s shoulder briefly. "Yeah, we just needed a moment."
James pulled back slightly, looking at them with genuine concern. "You sure you’re okay?"
"Yeah, we are," Sirius said with a grin, his usual confidence returning. "Thanks to Remus."
"Good job, Remy," James said with a teasing smile.
"Remy?" Remus asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Yeah… no, we’ll work on a different nickname. Let’s just stick to Remus," James said quickly, waving his hand dismissively.
Turning back to the twins, James’s expression grew more serious. "I’m sorry, though. I shouldn’t have told Evans about you two celebrating alone—"
"James, it’s fine," Lyra interrupted softly, giving him a reassuring smile. "Really.”
"Yeah," Sirius added, nodding firmly. "Look, we’re fine now and that’s all that matters."
James glanced between them, his guilt still evident, but he finally relaxed a bit at their words. "Okay, good. Come on, Peter’s waiting for us at the Great Hall. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him look this worried."
Sirius and Lyra shared a quiet laugh, the tension easing.
"Lead the way, Potter," Lyra said with a smile, falling into step beside Sirius as they started down the hallway.
James grinned and started walking toward the Great Hall. "Alright, let’s go. I hope he saved me some food, I’m starving."
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"Hey," Lyra said softly as she stood at the door of her room.
"Lyra!" Lily exclaimed, her face lighting up as she rushed over to her. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that, I should have just—"
Lyra cut her off with a gentle hug, pulling her friend close. "Don’t worry, I forgive you. You didn’t know."
Lily hugged her tightly, holding on a little longer than expected. "I should have asked first. I wasn’t thinking."
"It’s okay," Lyra whispered, her voice steady but soft. "Really. You had good intentions."
They stood in silence for a moment, just holding each other, the weight of everything finally starting to lift.
"Thank you," Lily murmured.
"Anytime," Lyra replied with a smile, pulling back just slightly but keeping a hand on Lily’s shoulder. "We’re good."
Lily smiled softly, her expression warm. "Oh, is Peter okay?" she asked with genuine concern.
"Nope," Lyra said with a light laugh. "By the time we found him in the Great Hall, he was a mess. It took an hour to get him to stop crying."
Lily chuckled, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Poor Peter."
"Yeah, poor guy," Lyra said, shaking her head, still amused by the memory.
"I'm gonna change out of my robes," she added, turning towards her room. "I promised Sirius I'd meet him downstairs."
Lily nodded with a soft smile. "Alright. I’ll see you later then."
"See you," Lyra said with a small smile as she stepped into the bathroom, the door closing softly behind her.
Just as the door clicked shut, Lily called out from the other side, her voice gentle. "Lyra, I’m really sorry, again."
Lyra paused for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips. "It’s okay, Lily. You don’t need to keep apologizing."
There was a brief silence before Lyra added, "I appreciate it though."
"I just wanted you to know," Lily said quietly, her voice filled with genuine remorse. "I feel horrible."
"I know," Lyra said softly, offering a comforting smile. "Lily, it really isn’t your fault. You didn’t know."
"I just—" Lily began, but Lyra interrupted gently.
"Lily, it’s fine. I promise," Lyra assured her.
"Okay," Lily said again, her voice warm and steady now. "I’m gonna head downstairs. Take care."
"You too," Lyra replied with a small smile, watching as the bathroom door clicked shut once more.
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Lyra descended the stairs to the common room, her steps light and steady. She spotted Sirius sitting on the couch, staring into the fire with a distant look.
"Hey," she greeted softly as she approached.
Sirius looked up and gave her a small smile. "Hey. You ready?"
"Yeah, let’s go," Lyra said with a nod.
The twins silently slipped out of the common room, making their way through the empty hallways of Hogwarts. Their footsteps were quiet, the familiar sense of comfort settling between them as they navigated toward the kitchens.
As they stopped in front of the hidden entrance, Sirius walked up to a painting of a fruit bowl, gently tickling the pear until it twisted into a door handle. The door swung open, revealing the warmth and bustle of the Hogwarts kitchens.
House elves bustled about, their eyes lighting up as they saw the twins enter. "Oh, Master Sirius, Mistress Lyra!" one of them exclaimed, bowing low. "What can we get you? Anything at all—delicious pastries, fresh fruit, warm drinks!"
Lyra raised her hands gently, a small chuckle escaping her. "Oh, no thank you. We just need a slice of cake," she said politely.
The house elf beamed. "A slice of cake it is! Coming right up!"
Lyra smiled as the house elf scurried off, returning moments later with a simple slice of chocolate cake balanced carefully on a tiny plate. The elf placed it down with a small flourish, its wide eyes gleaming with pride.
“Thank you,” Lyra said softly, her smile genuine as she took the plate. The elf gave a low bow before disappearing back into the kitchen. Lyra turned to Sirius, who was leaning casually against the wall, watching her with a smirk.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Always,” Sirius replied, pushing himself off the wall and slinging an arm around her shoulder as they made their way out of the kitchen.
The twins walked through the long, dimly lit hallways of Hogwarts, their footsteps echoing faintly in the stillness. The castle had settled into its usual evening quiet, the kind that felt both eerie and comforting. The flickering torches cast warm, golden light onto the stone walls, illuminating their path as they wandered in companionable silence.
The plan had been simple: find a secluded spot where they could celebrate their birthday in solitude, just the two of them. No parties. No interruptions. Just them.
But as they strolled, Lyra suddenly paused mid-step, her brows furrowing in thought.
“Sirius,” she began, her tone quiet but laced with determination.
Sirius stopped, turning to face her with a raised eyebrow. “What is it?”
She hesitated, biting her lip, before a small smile crept onto her face. “I have an idea,” she said, her voice soft but resolute.
That was how, barely fifteen minutes later, Remus found himself standing at the door of the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory, blinking in confusion at the sight before him.
Sirius and Lyra stood there, both looking decidedly sheepish, with a slice of cake balanced precariously on Sirius’s hand.
“What are you two doing here?” Remus asked, stepping back to let them in. “I thought you went to celebrate your birthday.”
Before they could answer, James’s voice echoed from behind. “Remus, who is it?”
James and Peter appeared a moment later, James’s brows furrowing as he caught sight of the twins. “Lyra? Sirius? What are you doing here?”
“Will you let us in so we can explain?” Lyra replied, rolling her eyes as she brushed past him into the room.
The boys exchanged curious glances before following her inside, Sirius trailing behind. The room was warm, the air tinged with the faint scent of parchment and firewood.
Lyra set the cake on a small table, turning to face the others with her arms crossed. “Look,” she began, her voice steady, “we were going to celebrate it, just the two of us. But…”
Sirius stepped forward, his expression softening as he picked up where she left off. “But we decided to start a new tradition,” he said, glancing at Lyra for confirmation. She nodded.
“From today onwards,” Lyra continued, “we’ll celebrate our birthday with a slice of cake, a candle, and just the five of us. No parties, no presents. Just cake. And us.”
For a moment, there was silence as the weight of Lyra’s words settled over the group. Then James’s face broke into a wide grin, his hazel eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Really?” he asked, his voice filled with eager disbelief.
“Yes, James,” Sirius replied, his tone tinged with mock exasperation but softened by his trademark smirk.
James’s grin grew even wider as he leaned forward slightly. “You do realise what this means, don’t you? You’re going to be stuck with us forever. For. Ever,” he emphasized, drawing the words out dramatically.
Lyra rolled her eyes, though the corners of her mouth twitched in amusement. “Yes, James, we know,” she said with playful sarcasm.
“Good,” James declared, leaning back with a triumphant nod. “Because I’m going to sing you a birthday song every single year. Even if we’re all old and gray, sitting in rocking chairs somewhere, you’re still getting the full James Potter performance.”
Sirius snorted, shaking his head. “You’re insufferable, James.”
“Whatever, Sirius. You’ll thank me when my dulcet tones become the highlight of your golden years,” James shot back, unfazed.
Lyra gave an exaggerated groan, though the laughter in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Potter,” she said, brushing off his theatrics.
As the banter died down, Peter, who had been watching the exchange with wide-eyed amusement, suddenly perked up. “Wait,” he said, pointing at the cake still sitting on the table, “does this mean we get to eat the cake too?”
Sirius laughed, clapping Peter on the back. “Of course it does, Peter. What’s the point of cake if we can’t share it?”
Peter beamed, visibly relieved, as Remus stepped forward with his wand. With a flick, the small flame atop the cake danced and flickered.
“Shall we?” Remus asked, his soft smile belying the affection he felt for the group.
They all crowded around the table, leaning in as the warm glow of the candlelight illuminated their faces. The cake seemed insignificant in size compared to the enormity of the moment.
"Happy Birthday, Sirius," Lyra said softly, her voice a gentle hum in the quiet dormitory.
"Happy Birthday, Lyra," Sirius replied, his smile warm and genuine, his voice matching her serenity.
The flickering candlelight cast a soft glow across their faces, illuminating the room with a golden hue. The dim light made the surroundings seem even more intimate, as though the world outside had paused for this small moment of celebration. The silence was serene, only broken by the occasional flicker of the candle and the faint sound of their breathing.
For a moment, it felt as though the entire room held its breath. Time seemed to stretch, and in that stillness, an image flashed before their eyes—a memory, half-formed and fleeting. A vision of the twins, no older than six, huddled together on a chilly winter night, sharing a simple cake with candlelight between them. It was a tender, almost dreamlike memory, brought back by the shared glow of the flame.
Together, they leaned forward, their breath synchronized as they exhaled in unison, extinguishing the candle’s soft flame. The glow slowly faded, leaving the room in near darkness save for the pale glow of the moonlight filtering through the windows.
Then the quiet gave way to the sounds of celebration.
James, Remus, and Peter burst into cheers, their voices overlapping in a joyful symphony.
"Happy Birthday!" James exclaimed, his voice ringing out with the enthusiasm of someone who lived for moments like this. He clapped his hands together, creating an echo that filled the small room.
“Brilliant!” he added with a laugh, already reaching for the cake as if the excitement had made him ravenous.
Peter followed suit, his grin widening as he eagerly reached for a piece of cake. “Now, can we eat the cake, please? I’m starving!”
“Yes, Peter, we can eat the cake now,” Lyra laughed, her voice warm and full of amusement.
The room erupted in laughter as the five of them gathered around the small table, eyeing the lone slice of cake that barely seemed enough to satisfy them all.
“Alright,” Sirius said with a smirk, picking up a fork and dividing the slice carefully. “We’ll figure this out. One piece at a time.”
“Don’t forget to share the crumbs!” James joked, trying to snag a piece a bit too early, only to have Sirius swat his hand away.
Remus chuckled softly, his hand steady as he passed pieces around with measured precision. “Okay, this half goes to Sirius, that half to Peter, and the middle slice—” he paused, looking between Lyra and James with a playful expression. “You two can fight over the middle.”
“Oi!” James protested, while Lyra laughed.
Peter, looking at his modest portion, gave a disappointed sigh. “This isn’t nearly enough,” he complained, but even as he said it, he popped the piece into his mouth with a grin.
“We could always go to the kitchens and get more,” Sirius suggested with a mischievous grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
At that, the room burst into laughter once again. James clapped his hands together eagerly, already plotting their next adventure. “Brilliant idea, Sirius! Let’s do it!”
“Are you sure the House Elves will appreciate us raiding their cake stock?” Remus asked, his calm voice barely hiding the amusement behind it.
“House Elves love a bit of chaos,” Sirius insisted with a wink. “It’s tradition.”
Lyra shook her head, laughing as she stood up, grabbing her cloak. “Let’s see how much mischief we can get into before someone realizes we’ve disappeared.”
Together, the five of them snuck out of the common room, weaving through the dimly lit hallways of Hogwarts. The night was theirs to explore, to cause a bit of harmless trouble, and to build memories that would last far beyond their years at school.
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In the suffocating silence of Grimmauld Place’s garden, Walburga sat alone in the darkness, a slice of cake clutched in her trembling hands, a single candle flickering atop it. The garden was still, cold, and empty—void of life.
She stared down at the cake, the flame casting long, wavering shadows across her hollow expression. Slowly, she blew out the candle, the flame extinguishing in a breathless puff.
“Happy birthday, my stars,” she whispered to herself, her voice soft and tender, like a secret shared between her and the universe.