The birthday
A quiet spring afternoon at the Potter-Evans home, kitchen filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies. Harry and Lucia are sitting at the table, working on a puzzle. Lily is in the kitchen drying dishes while James reads the paper. There’s a knock at the door.
Lily is frowning in surprise "Now who could that be?" She asks.
She opens the door to find her sister, Petunia Dursley, standing primly on the porch with a polite but stiff smile. In her hands is a rather plain cream-colored envelope. Behind her, Dudley peeks around, pudgy and pink-cheeked, holding what looks like a new toy elephant.
Petunia looking a bit awkward "Lily. James." Greeting her sister and brother-in-law
Lily looking pleasantly surprised of seeing Petunia "Petunia! Oh—hello! Come in?" She ask nervously not really sure what to do.
Petunia looking still a little embarressed shaking her head quickly "No, no—I won’t stay. I just came to... well..." She stopped talking for a moment.
She clears her throat and straightens her blouse, clearly uncomfortable.
"Dudley's birthday is next week. He’ll be turning eleven. Vernon thought it would be nice to do something… big this year, so we’re taking him to the zoo. London Zoo." Petunia said
Lucia’s ears perk up from the table and she subtly nudges Harry, who’s watching with quiet curiosity.
Petunia looking down at the envelope in her hand "I thought… well, Dudley insisted that he wanted Harry to come. He’s always going on about 'his cousin with messy hair.' Thought it might be good for them to spend a day together. And—since you’re family—it might be nice if Harry and Lucia came. If you’d like." She says looking not so pleased about her sons request.
She holds out the envelope toward Lily, who takes it gently, eyebrows raised in surprise.
Lily looking softly pleased "That's... kind of you, Petunia." She said giving her sister a soft smile.
James lowering his paper, amused "The zoo, eh? Been a while since we wrangled magical children near monkeys." He said trying to joke.
Petunia clearly ignoring the joke: "I thought Harry and Lucia might enjoy it. Dudley’s never really spent time with them properly."
Lucia beams and Harry looks wide-eyed between the adults, unsure whether to be excited or suspicious.
Harry quietly, to Petunia "Really? I can come?" He asked looking really exited.
Petunia glancing at him with a mix of discomfort and sincerity: "Yes, Harry. You and... Lucia." She said annoyed.
"Yesss, I love zoos!" Lucia said smiling widely.
Petunia manages a small smile before nodding curtly.
“Well. That's settled, then. It’s next Saturday. Morning. I’ll send the exact time." Petunia said still with a small smile on her lips.
She glances back at Dudley who’s now pulling at her coat and mumbling about snacks. She nods to Lily one more time and then turns to leave.
As the door closes, James looks over at Lily with a raised brow.
"Did we just get invited to a Dursley event?" James asked surprised.
Lily laughing softly as se answers her Husband "I suppose miracles do happen."
Harry and Lucia share an excited look and high-five.
"Do you think the snakes will be out?" Harry asks grinning.
Lucia looking mischievously as she said: "Maybe you’ll talk to them again and freak Dudley out!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Potter-Evans living room. The afternoon light filters in through the windows. Lucia and Harry are whispering furiously to each other on the couch while Lily folds laundry nearby. The envelope from Petunia still sits on the table. Finally, Harry stands up, clearly nominated to speak, while Lucia gives him an encouraging nudge.
Harry clearing his throat taking his courage to talk to his mother "Mum?"
Lily glancing up "Yes, love?" She gives him a sweet smile.
"Lucia and I were thinking... since Dudley’s birthday thing is at the zoo and all... do you think Aunt Petunia would mind if we brought two friends?" Harry asked looking nervous and shy at the same time.
Lily looks at him for a moment smiling, slightly amused: "That depends. Which two friends?" She asks while already knowing the answer.
Lucia jumping in quickly deciding to also saying something: "Draco and Aquila. They’ve never been to a Muggle zoo before. They’d love it."
Harry looking at her nodding earnestly "Yeah! And they’re totally normal. Really. Just two... normal kids."
Lily raises an eyebrow, recognizing the obvious overcompensation in their tone.
Lily speaking lightly: "Normal, huh? Not at all the Draco and Aquila who blew up half the garden hedge last summer?" She said trying not to laugh.
Lucia looking at her with an innocent smile "That was an accident. And it was only a small explosion."
"Besides, we won’t let anything weird happen! We’ll keep everything completely… unmagical." Harry said trying his best at talking his mother into bringing their friends.
Lily considers this for a moment, then sighs and reaches for the phone.
"Alright. I’ll call Petunia. But if she says no, that’s the end of it. And you will both have to tell Draco and Aquila they can’t come." Lily looked at Harry and Lucia as she said it.
Harry and Lucia exchange hopeful, nervous glances as Lily dials. A few moments pass before Petunia picks up.
"Hi, Petunia. It’s Lily... Yes, fine, thank you... Listen, Harry and Lucia were wondering if they could bring two friends along to the zoo on Saturday. Just—friends from school. Very well-behaved. No trouble at all… Yes, just the two... No, no allergies or anything. Completely ordinary." Lil said while being on the phone with Petunia.
Harry and Lucia lean in, listening intently.
Lily speaking again after a small pause: "Wonderful. Thank you, Petunia. I’ll send along their names."
She hangs up and turns to them with a sigh.
"She said yes. But if even one monkey starts levitating, you're grounded for a week."
Lucia looking at her grinning "We swear. Total Muggle mode!"
"We’ll be invisible. Like, in a normal way." Harry said.
They both race off excitedly to write to Draco and Aquila. Lily just shakes her head fondly and mutters under her breath:
"What could possibly go wrong at the zoo… with four magical children pretending to be
Muggles?" Lily muttered to herself going back to folding laundry.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London Zoo, late morning. The sun is shining, the place is buzzing with children and families. Petunia leads the group, clutching her purse like it’s the only thing anchoring her to sanity. Dudley walks ahead with a melting ice cream, grumbling about lines. Behind them trail Harry, Lucia, Draco, and Aquila—trying very hard to blend in.
Petunia glancing over her shoulder for the tenth time “Remember what I said. No talking about wands, spells, potions, or anything… odd. I don’t want Dudley’s birthday ruined by any nonsense.” She said, but already knowing something is going to happen.
Harry murmuring to Draco “So basically, pretend we’re all accountants.”
Draco looking at Harry and smirking “I don’t even know what that is.” he started laughing a bit after saying it.
“Perfect. You’re already halfway there.” Lucia said grinning at him.
Aquila clutches Draco’s hand, eyes wide with excitement as they pass flamingos. She tugs on his sleeve, whispering.
“Do you think that bird over there is enchanted?”
“That’s a real flamingo, Aquila. Not everything pink is magic.” Draco told her while whispering.
They pass the reptile house. Harry glances toward it and lights up.
“Ooh! Can we go in there?”
“Ugh, again? You went in there last time.” Dudley said groaning.
“It’s the only place that isn’t swarming with people. Plus, it’s cool and dark. Which is nice because my shoes are melting.” Lucia said trying to support her brother.
Petunia letting out a long sigh before answering: “Fine. But no talking to snakes, Harry.”
Inside the reptile house, the group spreads out. Dudley presses his nose against the glass of a giant boa enclosure, bored. Draco and Aquila admire a brightly colored frog with more fascination than strictly necessary, while Lucia peers into the darkness at a lizard perched on a branch.
Harry steps up beside a large python and leans in, murmuring almost to himself.
“Hey. You alright in there?” He asked whispering.
The snake blinks slowly and lifts its head… and nods.
Draco in a low voice, beside him “Harry…”
The glass vanishes in a blink. The python slithers forward slowly, calmly, out into the open.
“MUUUUUUUM!” Dudley screamed and started crying.
“OH GOODNESS—” Petunia shouted taking Dudley into her arms ignoring the other four.
Lucia grabs Aquila’s hand and pulls her back instinctively. Draco places himself in front of them like a shield. Meanwhile, Harry just stares at the snake, mortified.
“I—I didn’t mean to—” Harry said looking scared hugging Draco from behind.
“Thanksss… Freedom is nice.” The snake hissed.
Then it slithers away calmly, ignoring everyone.
Petunia turning crimson looking at Harry angrily
“WHAT DID YOU DO, HARRY?”
Harry looking nervous and panicked: “I swear I didn’t do anything! It just—just vanished!”
Lucia stepping in quickly to help her older brother: “Probably a faulty magical—uh, I mean mechanical! Faulty mechanical enclosure. Definitely a health hazard.”
“We should report that. Probably illegal. Very… very dangerous. We could’ve died.” Draco said holding harry close.
Petunia glares at them all as if trying to decide whether to faint or strangle someone. Dudley is crying. A zookeeper runs past screaming, “There’s a python on the move!”
“We are going home. Now.” Petunia said through gritted teeth.
As they exit the reptile house, Harry leans close to Draco.
“Well. That was… something.”Harry said.
“Next time, maybe don’t flirt with snakes.” Draco said while taking Harry hand.
“I wasn’t—!” Harry said blushing.
“Best Dudley birthday ever, honestly.” Lucia said cheerfully.
Aquila nodding with a bright smile “Do you think next year we can go to the aquarium?”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potter-Evans Living Room, late afternoon. Harry, Lucia, Draco, and Aquila have just returned from the zoo with Petunia. The door slams as Petunia storms off to her car, muttering about snakes, glass, and “ungrateful freakishness.”
“That… didn’t sound good.” Lily said while setting down her tea.
Narcissa gracefully raising an eyebrow “Why does it feel like something escaped?”
The kids enter—Lucia looking way too pleased, Aquila still bouncing with energy, Draco trying to act composed, and Harry… clearly waiting for someone to yell.
“Alright. Who wants to explain why Petunia just hissed something about a python and a disappearing glass wall?” Lily said while clearly looking at Harry.
Lucia raising her hand immediately just like she would do in class “You’re going to be so proud. Harry talked to a snake—again—and this time the glass actually vanished, and the snake said thank you!”
“Harry James—” Lily started.
“I didn’t mean to! I just said hi to the snake! It blinked and then the glass was gone! I didn’t even have a wand!” Harry said looking displeased.
Draco nodded wile saying: “It was very sudden. Very dramatic. I was impressed.”
Aquila joining in softly, like it’s the most magical thing ever “And the snake said thank you.”
Narcissa sighs and rubs her temples as she said: “Of course it did. Merlin help us.”
“Sweetheart, are you alright?” Lily asked kneeling down so she is on the same height as Harry.
“I didn’t get in trouble, did I? Petunia was really angry, but I didn’t mean to do magic. It just… happened.” He said looking anxious.
“No, darling. You’re not in trouble. Magic sometimes reacts to our feelings—especially at your age.” Lily said smiling warmly at him while taking him in her arms.
“Were you two being careful?” Narcissa said looking at Draco an Aquila.
“Of course, Mother. We didn’t even say the word ‘wand.’ I said ‘mechanical malfunction’ like a proper Muggle.” Draco answered honestly.
“And I said ‘health hazard!’ Petunia looked like she was going to faint from the vocabulary alone.” Lucia answered.
The two mums exchange glances. Lily stifles a laugh. Narcissa just closes her eyes in weary grace.
“Alright. No more public outings without at least one of us present.”Lily told them.
Narcissa nodded in agreement. “Agreed. You children are hazards to normalcy.”
Harry muttering to himself “Was kinda fun though.”
“Speak for yourself. I think Dudley’s still crying.” Draco said grinning.
“Do you think the snake made it to the petting zoo?” Aquila said looking cheerfully.
“Absolutely not.” Lily answered.
“I want to write about it for my summer essay. ‘The Time My Brother Accidentally Freed a Snake.’” Lucia said happily.
“Can we not?” Harry said not looking happy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potter-Evans House, Harry’s Bedroom, that night. The house is quiet. Soft rain taps against the window. Harry sits on his bed, hugging his knees, still in his clothes from the zoo. The door creaks open slightly.
“Harry? You still awake?” Lily asks softly, looking into he room.
“...Yeah.” Harry answered sounding sad.
She walks in, holding two mugs of warm cocoa, and sits beside him, handing him one. Harry takes it but doesn’t drink right away. He’s clearly been thinking.
“Rough day?”
Harry nods his voice small “I didn’t mean to make everyone mad.”
“Sweetheart… you didn’t make anyone mad” Lily said.
“Petunia was yelling. Dudley was crying. People were staring. I didn’t even do anything—at least, I didn’t try to. I just… I was talking to the snake, and then the glass—just disappeared. Like it heard me.” Harry said not quite looking at his mother.
“Magic has a funny way of listening to us when we don’t expect it.” Lily said smiling.
“She called me a freak. Again.” Harry said while string into his coca.
Lily’s face falls, and she gently places a hand on his back, rubbing in small circles like she did when he was little.
“You are not a freak. You are magic, Harry. Brave, kind, thoughtful—and sometimes a little too curious for your own good. But never a freak.” Lily said
“Then why does it feel so wrong when it happens?” Harry muttered.
“Because you’re surrounded by people who don’t understand it. But one day, you’ll be in a place where magic isn’t something to be hidden—it’s something to be celebrated. And you won’t have to lie about who your friends are, or what you can do.” Lily said while sighing.
“Like Hogwarts?” He answered after a moment.
“Exactly like Hogwarts.” Lily answered smiling.
“Draco said the snake said ‘thank you.’ No one ever thanks me for anything.” He said quietly
Lily reached over to tuck a lock of hair behind his ear while saying: “That snake saw the real you. Just like I do. And one day, a whole world of people will too.”
Harry leans into her, finally letting her pull him into a hug. She holds him close, resting her chin on his messy hair.
“Thanks, Mum.” He said muffled.
“Always, love.” She told him.
They sit like that for a while—mother and son, in the quiet safety of their room, away from the noise, from Petunia’s sharp words, and from the world that still didn’t quite understand him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Potter-Evans house, past midnight. The house is dark and still. Rain still patters gently on the roof. Harry is curled up in bed under a blanket, staring at the ceiling, clearly not asleep.
A soft creak comes from the door, followed by a quiet shuffle. Harry blinks and turns his head as a pale blond head of hair peeks through the door.
“Draco?! What are you doing?” Harry whispered while sitting up.
Draco grinned while walking to him.“Saving you from your tragic moping, obviously.”
Harry whispered, clearly amused “Are you insane? What if my mum catches you?”
Draco: “She likes me.” He pauses for a moment. “At least a little.”
Harry rolls his eyes, but a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.
Harry: “You didn’t have to come here you could have stayed in the guest room.”
“You were sad. I could tell when we got home.” Draco answered while he crossed the room and flopped down on Harry´s bed.
Harry: “I was just… thinking. Petunia—she—"
“She’s awful. You don’t need her to like you.” Draco said not letting Harry finish his sentence.
“I know. But it still kind of hurts.” Harry whispered.
“Well, if it helps, I think you’re brilliant. The snake did too.” Draco answered after a moment.
Harry lets out a soft laugh. Draco grins, pleased.
“See? There’s that laugh. I’ve missed that.” Draco said pleased.
“You're ridiculous.” Harry answered.
Draco said while being mockingly dramatic “And you are tragic. It’s very Romeo and Juliet in here.”
They both giggle now, and Harry scoots over to make room as Draco shifts up under the blanket beside him. The bed is just barely wide enough for two ten-year-olds, and they end up squished together—but neither of them seems to mind.
“Tomorrow, we’ll steal biscuits from the kitchen. I saw a whole tin.” Draco told him.
“Deal.” Harry smiled while aswering.
There’s a long pause as the rain continues to fall outside, soft and steady.
“You don’t have to be okay all the time, you know.” Draco told him quietly.
Harry whispered: “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I always will be.” Draco said smiling sweetly at him.
Harry closes his eyes, finally feeling safe and warm, and for the first time that day… he starts to drift off, with Draco’s hand resting lightly on top of his.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Potter-Evans household, early morning. Light rain taps softly against the window panes, and a golden-gray light filters through the clouds. The house is hushed in the comfort of sleep, the kind of stillness only found on quiet mornings.
Lily walked slowly down the hallway, her hands wrapped around a warm mug of tea, dressed in a worn oversized jumper and fluffy socks. Her auburn hair was pulled up into a loose bun, strands falling softly around her face. She smiled faintly to herself, thinking of waking Harry and Lucia for breakfast.
As she reached Harry’s bedroom door, she paused, noticing it was slightly ajar. A flicker of curiosity crossed her face. Normally, Harry was meticulous about closing it completely. She pushed it open gently, peeking in—
—and froze.
The room was dim but cozy, the curtains only slightly open. There, nestled on the bed in a tangle of blankets and limbs, were Harry and Draco.
Harry lay on his side, his face peaceful in sleep, his hand curled loosely against his chest. Behind him, Draco had curled up close, one arm around Harry’s waist, their foreheads nearly touching. Harry’s free hand rested lightly over Draco’s arm, as though it had found its way there in sleep.
Lily’s breath caught. For a moment, she simply stood in the doorway, watching.
It wasn’t shock she felt. Not really. It was something softer. Something deeper. A mixture of realization and understanding. She knew, of course, that something had shifted between the two boys. She wasn’t blind—she’d seen the looks, the quiet laughter, the way Harry’s eyes lit up when Draco entered a room. But seeing them like this… it was different. It was intimate in the most innocent way.
She stepped into the room quietly, her footsteps light. The mug in her hands still steamed faintly, forgotten now. She set it gently on the nightstand, her eyes never leaving the boys.
“My baby’s growing up…” Lily whispered to herself.
Her voice trembled just slightly, the way it does when a mother sees her child in love for the first time. Not in the loud, dramatic kind of love, but the quiet, aching kind that settles into your bones. The kind you fall into when you're young and think it might just be forever.
She knelt beside the bed and reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from Harry’s forehead. He shifted slightly, murmuring something incoherent, but didn’t wake. Draco only tucked closer, instinctively seeking warmth.
Lily smiled to herself. There was something so natural about it, so comfortable. They didn’t just look close—they looked like they belonged next to each other. Like this had happened a hundred times before. Like the world outside didn’t exist when they were like this.
She adjusted the blanket around them carefully, tucking it gently over Draco’s shoulder.
As she stood up to leave, she hesitated, glancing back one more time. A soft, bittersweet smile curved her lips.
“Take care of each other.” Lily said in a small voice.
And with that, she pulled the door nearly closed behind her, leaving them in the quiet warmth of early morning, the soft patter of rain outside the only sound as the house slowly woke.