New Memories
As soon as a crack could be heard from outside the cottage, Harry was rushing outside, dragging Draco alongside him. Looking around the front of the property Harry spotted them, first a woman with bushy brown hair, then a series of snaps as several Weasleys appeared. Ron was first, then Fred and George, then Arthur, and finally Molly with Ginny hooked on her arm.
The large group upon seeing the couple began to hurry toward them. A chorus of “Happy Birthdays” could be heard as they approached. Hermione immediately went to hug Harry and Draco soon after with Ron nearly following suit. He almost hugged Draco but instead decided to go for a handshake. Molly followed, enveloping both boys in warm hugs with her husband following with handshakes. Ginny gave Harry a quick hug and a small nod in Draco’s direction. And finally, after enveloping the birthday boy in a large hug, the twins draped their arms around Draco’s shoulders and began to walk towards the front door.
Cutting everyone off and blocking the door Harry said,” before we all go in, I’ve got to warn you all. There are some people you lot aren’t familiar with yet,” “Well thank you for thoroughly confusing us all,” Fred laughed. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” and with that Harry opened the front door and led everyone into the kitchen. In the kitchen, everyone was already standing and awaiting the arrival of the Weasleys and Hermione.
A large gasp could be heard from Molly Weasley as she almost dropped the food she had brought. Similar small gasps could be heard from the rest of the group as they took in the very much alive, Lily and James Potter. “Harry,” Hermione said cautiously, “what have you done?” Harry looked at her confused. “What do you mean? I haven’t done anything. They’re real if that’s what you’re asking,” Harry quickly defended. No one seemed to be quite convinced by Harry’s statement. “Oh for Merlin’s sake you lot,” Draco said exasperated. He then walked up to the group silently standing before them and decided on Regulus. He poked a finger in his face. “Now was that really necessary, Draco,” he asked frowning. The younger man simply shrugged and said, “you lot can move. No one’s petrified anyone in place.”
“Alright Prongs this is getting much too awkward, you’ve got to do something,” Sirius said. “Me? Why me,” James quickly questioned. “Well you are the supposed dead one,” Remus pointed out. “Wait,” the three men turned towards the two voices. “Prongs,” George questioned, “As in the Marauder, Prongs,” Fred asked. The older men simply nodded their heads. “Harry you slimy git you never told us your dad and godfathers were the Marauders,” Fred exclaimed. “Messrs. Prongs here at your service,” James said while bowing with a large grin on his face. “ Padfoot here, the best Marauder at your service, and that there,” he said pointing to Remus next to him, “is Messr. Moony, our most attractive Marauder,” Sirius finished with a wink.
At this point, the twins were positively bouncing with excitement. “S-so your parents are alive? How in Merlin’s name,” Hermione questioned. “Oh, it’s a long story sweetheart. Perhaps a story for another time since it is Harry’s birthday today, “ Lilly said. Hermione looking like she still wanted to know, nodded her head and kept quiet. “Well we wouldn’t want to spoil the day,” Molly said and with that, she moved to put the food she had brought into the kitchen.
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Harry, Draco, Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny were all in the backyard playing a small game of quidditch with Hermione sitting under a tree reading. Harry, Ron, and George are on one team with Ginny, Fred, and Draco on the other. They had been playing for the past hour while the adults had been catching up inside the cottage. Suddenly the back door was swung open by none other than Sirius Black. “I cannot believe you lot,” Sirius yelled incredulously,” how dare you play quidditch without us.” Everyone began to fly down to where Sirius, Remus, Lily, James, Regulus, Molly, and Arthur were all standing.
James and Sirius quickly joined teams, James on Harry’s team and Sirius on Draco’s team. The game had been close, lasting nearly 2 hours. Harry’s team won by exactly 10 points, thanks to James mere seconds before the snitch was caught. Needless to say, the respective team was not happy. Sirius was already yelling and complaining that James had cheated and that his goal should not have counted. Draco who had been quite sour about their loss quickly forgot about his mood the second he saw the grin spread across his boyfriend’s face. “You know Potter, I should be mad at you right now. But no you must have that stupid grin on your face,” Draco complained while walking closer to Harry. With his grin only growing in size Harry retorted,” there’s no possible way you could stay mad at me, love. I mean look at me!” Draco only chuckled and leaned in for a quick peck on the lips.
“Aw look Georgie,” Fred cooed. “They're so domestic it pains me, Freddie,” George joked. “Oh bugger off you two,” Harry laughed. “Oh but that would be too much fun, right Ginny,” George asked as the youngest Weasley approached. “But of course, and what kind of birthday would it be if we didn’t tease you just a bit,” Ginny jokingly asked. By then, everyone was laughing so much that they failed to notice the tables being floated just above their heads.
“Harry, darling move out of the way your mother is trying to levitate the tables where we’re standing,” Draco warned putting a hand on Harry’s waist. Harry becoming conscious of what was happening above him, quickly moved to get out of the tables’ path. As soon as the table had a clear path it landed softly on the grass. Looking over towards the cottage Harry could see Molly levitating a second table out to where the first had been placed by his mother. Everyone had realized that they were needed so they began to head inside the cottage to see what could be done to help.
Soon all the adults were levitating out the lights and the plates of food. The smell of warm cooked food began to fill the cool evening air. Harry’s mouth began to water at the comforting smell.
The second the table was ready everyone found their seats at the long table. This was the longest table Molly has ever fed, so she sat looking rather proud of her hard work splayed out on the table.
With everybody seated, the food began to be passed around as people piled up their plates. Light chatter began to spread around the table with George and Fred casting multi-colored sparks at Ginny. Draco who was sitting next to Harry was talking with Regulus, Hermione, and Lilly. Harry was talking to James, Remus, and Sirius, and Molly and Arthur were talking quietly amongst themselves.
The table was perhaps the liveliest place he has ever been making this his best birthday. Harry took in a deep breath and simply basked in the moment. “Are you alright there, Prongslet,” Sirius asked. Harry smiled at the nickname and said,” Better than ever. I think this is the best birthday I’ve ever had. Thanks to you lot.” Everyone who was sitting at the table heard and turned to smile at him.
“Aw don’t get all sappy on us Harry,” George joked. “We wouldn’t want to all start crying now,” Fred continued. Harry only laughed at the twins shaking his head.
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Having headed inside, the group was surrounding a tall 3 tier cake. The cake had small red sparks charmed to fly off the top and there was a small golden snitch circling the entire cake. With Harry standing in the middle, everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday' to him. As Molly passed around the slices, everyone found their way back to the living room to sit down. With most of the older adults sitting on the furniture, everyone else sat sprawled on the floor.
Long after the last person had finished their cake, the conversation topic seemed to have leaned over to the topic of Harry. Everyone had taken to sharing stories of the boy whose birthday they were celebrating.
The twins spoke of Harry visiting their shop when he could and seeing what his donation was being used for. Molly and Arthur shared about the sweet letters Harry would send sporadically throughout the year to check in on them. Remus shared about one of their many DADA practices in Harry’s third year and the complicated spells he was able to master. Mainly Ron, but also Hermione shared a variety of quips Harry came up with for Umbridge in their fifth year. Ginny spoke of the complicated maneuvers Harry would teach her for Quidditch. Draco even shared about the origami animals Harry would attempt to make for him just as he did in their third year. Sirius then described all the many things Harry would sneak out of Hogwarts to bring to Snuffles.
Finally, James and Lily were the only ones left with stories of the young man before them. James whispered something into Lily’s ear and grinned at her reaction. So James decided to share a story about Harry with the rest of the party. The story was of Harry’s very first broom which he adored at the ripe age of 1 though they were made for ages 3 and up. James and Lily happily shared stories of the destruction that baby Harry wrecked on their small house in Godric’s Hollow.
Eventually, the time had come when Hermione and the Weasleys had to leave. So Harry, Draco, Lily, James, Regulus, Remus, and Sirius walked them all to the front to make sure they left safely. Goodbyes began to be shared as Harry individually thanked all of them for making his birthday so special. And with that they all appareted back home.