Dudley's Birthday
Sirius was furious with the way these Muggles treated his godson. They forced him to clean their house, work in the garden, and cook most of their meals. In return he got little food, a cupboard to sleep in, and hand-me-down clothes. He was frequently belittled and yelled at. Once Vernon hit him! Sirius bit his hand for that, granted he was kicked in the ribs afterward but Vernon hadn't tried anything physical with Harry since.
The cupboard Harry slept in was small but Harry insisted on keeping Sirius with him through the night. They both slept on the bed with Harry clinging to Sirius like a koala. Sirius was rather pleased with this since Harry had only had a thin, ratty blanket to keep him warm before Sirius came along. Now he could at least keep the boy from shivering through the night.
Dudley's birthday started off like any other, Petunia banged on the cupboard door and yelled at Harry to wake up. Harry untangled himself from Sirius and shuffled out to make the Dursleys' breakfast with Sirius trotting faithfully behind him. There were presents stacked high on the table, all for Dudley.
The fat boy ran into the room and deliberately stepped on Sirius's tail before he started counting his presents.
"Happy birthday sweetums!" Petunia said kissing his cheek.
Dudley grunted in reply. "Thirty six! That's two less than last year." He scowled.
Harry "accidentally" dropped a bit of bacon on the floor. Sirius snapped it up while Petunia was pointing out the present Dudley had missed.
"That's still less than last year." Dudley whined.
Sirius felt a flash of annoyance. He highly doubted that Harry's birthday was acknowledged at all in this house, but his spoiled brat of a cousin was complaining that he got 37 presents instead of the 38 he got last year. Sirius ignored them as Petunia promised to get Dudley another two presents.
He focused on watching Harry instead. The small boy was serving the Dursleys their breakfast and got a couple bites of eggs and bacon for himself. He smiled down at Sirius, usually he got a piece of toast for breakfast but apparently Vernon and Petunia were feeling generous today. Harry ate quickly and fed Sirius while Dudley tore open presents Sirius was sure would be broken by the end of the week. Sirius wasn't really paying attention while Petunia went to get the phone. He was spaced out when she came back too, Harry was scratching behind his ears and it felt fantastic. He became aware again when Dudley's friend Piers walked into the room with his mother.
Half an hour later Harry and Sirius were in the back of Vernon's car with Piers and Dudley. Sirius was laying on the boys' feet due to the small space in the car. Piers kept jabbing him with his toes. He couldn't do anything without getting Harry into trouble though. Before they left Vernon had pulled Harry aside and warned him that if anything strange happened he would be punished and if Sirius acted up or bit anyone they would take him to be put down. Still, he could only take so much. Sirius growled in warning while Vernon ranted about motorcycles.
"Shadow hush, please." Harry whispered, reaching down to pet him. Reluctantly, he quieted. Piers smirked.
When they finally reached the zoo, Sirius was the first one out of the car. Harry dug his fingers into his fur when he saw how many people were there. It was a sunny Saturday so the place was crowded. Still, Sirius was determined to make sure Harry had a decent time. A woman at the entrance to was selling ice cream. Dudley and Piers got large chocolate ice creams and Harry got a cheap lemon pop. He dropped a small section for Sirius, it was actually pretty good.
Harry and Sirius walked a little way apart from the Dursleys as they looked at the animals. Harry kept a hand in Sirius's fur the whole time and didn't meet anyone's eyes, he did seem to be enjoying the animals though. They ate in the zoo restaurant, Sirius was allowed in since he was wearing his service dog jacket, and Harry was given Dudley's knickerbocker glory to finish because his "didn't have enough ice cream." As always Harry dropped a little for Sirius.
After lunch they went to the reptile house. Harry was standing in front of the largest snake in the place, Dudley had left it alone when it wouldn't move, when he started hissing quietly to the snake. Sirius looked up in surprise. Harry was a Parselmouth? That was... new. Sirius noticed Piers turning to look at them. He put a paw on Harry's leg and whined softly to get his attention. Harry looked down at him. "Is something wrong, Shadow?"
"DUDLEY! MR. DURSLEY! COME AND LOOK AT THIS SNAKE!" Piers shouted.
"Out of the way, you." Dudley punched Harry in the ribs. Harry fell hard on the floor next to Sirius, who started looking him over for injuries.
Harry smiled slightly. "I'm okay." The boy glared up at Dudley and Piers leaning up close to the glass. Suddenly the two boys leaped back howling in horror. The glass in front of the boa constrictor's tank had vanished. The snake itself slithered out and slid quickly past Harry. Sirius could hear it hissing quietly as it went.
For a little while afterwards Sirius hoped that Harry wouldn't be blamed. Unfortunately, on the drive back Piers said, "Harry was talking to it, weren't you Harry?"
Harry just held onto Sirius a little tighter.
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Boy and dog were lying on the bed in Harry's cupboard together much later. It was dark and Sirius knew Harry was waiting until the Dursleys were asleep so he could sneak out and get them both some food. Part of Harry's punishment was that he couldn't have any meals. Sirius could still eat, but his meals had been reduced. Not completely taken away- Petunia was worried that if they didn't feed him he'd try to eat the furniture or something.
"What do you think boy? Are they asleep yet?" Harry whispered.
Sirius went to the door and sniffed trying to tell. He cheated a little and sent some of his magic out. He went back and nudged Harry gently to let him know that the coast was clear. Harry made a small sandwich and fed Sirius some of the meat. After they returned to the cupboard, Harry hugged Sirius tight.
"I love you Shadow. You're my only friend."