The Birthday Letter
July 31 1991 6:30 am
“Mary!” Sirius had apperated into Mary’s loft, “Mary, Mary!” Sirius yelled as he barged into her room.
“Bloody hell! Black, boundaries!” She reminded him.
“Never mind that,” Mary gave him a look, so Sirius backed behind the other side of the door. “Look what just came in the mail for Harry!” Sirius slid under the door the best letter a wizard could receive, with flawless penmanship and a vibrant wax seal. Harry’s Hogwarts Letter.
“Shit, is he really 11 already?” Mary said, staring at Dumbledore's wax seal, trying to remind herself that this letter contained joy. Mary had received one too many letters with that seal containing the worst news imaginable. Mary remembered the first time she got one of those dreadful letters. Sweet loyal Benjy Fenwick. Benjy was in the year below Mary at school, they were quite good friends. They would study together in the library, Benjy would quiz Mary, and Mary would give him her old class notes. Which she got from either Remus or Lily. The two grew even closer in the order as they were often sent on missions together and if they needed to they would go into hiding together as well. They had only been in the order a few years, but it was the first of many. And it was Mary’s first regret.
“Mac, Mac?” Sirius was all up in her face waving his hand, “Come on we’ve got to go give it to him!” So they left for Remus and Sirius’.
Harry and Remus were sitting at the table eating Moonycakes, which is what they called Remus’ chocolate chip pancakes. “Auntie Mac! What are you doing here?” Harry said, getting up to greet her with a hug.
“It’s your 11th birthday! You didn’t think I was going to miss the most important day of any young wizard's life?” She said ruffling his hair.
“The letter,” Remus whispered to Sirius.
“Oh, right.” He said, getting it out of his pocket.
“Harry, happy birthday.” Remus said as his partner handed Harry his letter.
“Is it really?” Harry asked, almost thinking it was a prank, but he knew they wouldn’t prank him about this.
“Hogwarts shopping!” All three adults cheered in unison as if they had been practicing this since before he was born.
“I get to go to Diagon Alley?” Harry had never been in any part of the wizarding world for his safety. Though he knew everything there was about it and about his ‘fame’.
“Indeed you do.” Remus said glad to see Harry so happy and excited.
“And this year, you get to pick out your own birthday present!” Sirius added, Harry’s face lit up with joy.
Sirius and Remus had been to Diagon Alley a few times since they had taken in Harry, once to get supplies for basic protection spells when they moved and to the ministry to get the floo set up. Sirius had been a few times for prank supplies and wizard candy, he always took requests from Harry, and he got the profit from his cousin to stay in touch with the other world. Remus had been a few times for his potion but sometimes Sirius would go instead. Mary however had not been since 81. After the death of the Prewett Twins who she was not close to but was fond of in school and in the order, Mary started to withdraw herself from the wizarding world. Showing up to less meetings, going on less missions, she even had a muggle job, but James and Lily were the last straw. The day Remus and Sirius talked to Dumbledore and told her to hideout in the muggle world, that was Mary’s last direct interaction with that world. She lived completely as a muggle except for her boys, and she hid her wand under a floorboard and hadn’t used it since that night.
“I think that’s everything.” Mary said double checking the list with every thing they bought.
“Not everything-” Remus said as he watched Sirius approach with Harry’s present.
“Happy birthday Harry!” Sirius said, holding a big cage with a curtain over it. He held it out for Harry to take off the cover.
“An owl!” Since Harry was off to Hogwarts they thought it was time.
“What are you going to name her?” Remus asked.
“Hmm…” Harry thought for a while before choosing, “Hedwig.” Harry finally said.
“Excellent name.” Mary said looking at Sirius, who was trying not to cry, having a proud guncle moment.
The four continue to walk until Sirius stops dead in his tracks. “Please Moony!” Sirius pleaded with their puppy dog eyes.
The other two knew exactly what he was thinking, “Please Moony!” They pleaded in unison.
“Fine, we can get ice cream.” Remus answered, trying not to look amused at their faces
“We love you Moony!” The three said in perfect unison again. They headed to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor. Florean was Mary’s friend Alice’s Uncle, everytime Mary would visit Diagon Alley with her friends, they would sit at the same table in the back with their free ice cream ‘cause of the Alice discount. They saw Neville sitting at his mom's table alone, so after they got the full price ice cream headed to sit with him.
“Hiya Nev!” Harry said, greeting him, Neville responded with a shy wave.
“I can’t believe florean remembered your order, Mac, when was the last time you came here?” Remus asked, impressed by the old man.
“I think it was the summer after 7th year.” Mary replied, watching the two 1st years to be. They reminded her so much of Alice and Lily”
August 31, 91
The four of them joined Mrs. Augusta Longbottom (their friend Frank's mother, who terrified them) and Neville for a last evening before school dinner “Are you excited for Hogwarts Harry?” Augusta asked Harry, trying to make polite conversation.
“Yes, ma'am, but I’m gonna miss my friends from school.” Harry replied politely.
“You can always visit over break.” Remus suggested.
“Yeah, and we can have the Grangers over for Christmas dinner again.” Sirius added.
“Maybe, Hermi is going away to a boarding school in Scotland so they might want to do something with just them.” Harry added.
“Maybe she’s secretly a witch and you’ll see her at Hogwarts.” Mary said to Harry a little too loud. Harry thought it was a nice but unlikely thought, but Augusta looked appalled at the insinuation that a muggle could pass as a witch. Pureblood BS. Neville laughed though.