Forgotten Birthday

"You know it's nice to spend time with Sirius but not when he is pissed," said Harry entering the library.

"What happened, again?" said Chris surprised, looking up from her book.

"Lupin," sighed Harry, sitting beside Chris. "He was trying to get Order jobs."

"But he barely healed, yesterday," said Chris.

It almost had been a week, after Harry's arrival.

"That's why Sirius is angry," said Harry.

"Though he is very nice, you know," said Chris. "He was the one who talked me out of my sulking attitude. He told me to be around my friends and be happy."

"He knows?" Harry looked surprised.

"Yeah, I told Sirius, Aurelia and Remus about the legend," Chris closed the book. "But I haven't said anything about the prophecy."

"Er — thanks, well, I told Sirius about the Prophecy," Harry said.

"Good, and how did he react?"

"He said he will be with me till the end," said Harry grimly.

"He said the same to me," smiled Chris. "So did Aurelia. You know Harry, living here was a great experience. Sirius is like a friend, who talks to you coolly even about the difficult topics; Aurelia is strict sometimes but cool most of the times, she cares about everyone but doesn't panic that much, even in this situations she is so composed and calm. Then there's Remus, you know, somehow I felt he got me more than anyone. He truly understood when I said that I'm scared — I was scared after killing those people and I am scared that I will hurt others around me if I lose control over my anger again. He understood, he didn't look surprised or shocked or anything, he just understood and that was so comforting — What?"

Chris looked back at Harry and found him staring at her with a small smile on his face.

"You are — nothing," Harry shook his head.

"What?" Chris looked at him curiously.

"Nothing," Harry laughed. "You are looking happy, that's all."

"That's it?"

"Yeah — what were you reading anyway?"

"Unnatural magical beasts."

"Unnatural?"

"Like Basilisk."

"Oh!"

*****

"Another Order meeting?" Chris asked entering the kitchen, next night.

"Yes," sighed Aurelia. "The situation is getting out of hands. So many people are missing and —"

"There have been another couple of dementor attacks," Lupin told Harry and Chris. He had completely healed, now. But after the fight with Sirius, he didn't take any new job. "And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north. The Dark Mark had been set over it —"

"Honestly, I'm surprised he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the Death Eaters; Regulus, only managed a few days," said Sirius bitterly, while cooking dinner.

Aurelia and Lupin exchanged some dark looks, so did Harry and Chris. Chris decided to change the topic but at that moment, Tonks entered the kitchen looking distracted. But as soon as she saw Remus sitting on the table, she froze. Remus looked startled as well then quickly looked away.

"Tonks, have dinner here," said Aurelia in a way, which sounded more like an order than a request.

"No — I — well," Tonks was staring at Remus, who was pointedly staring at the opposite wall. "Molly invited me to dinner. I think I will go there."

"But you just said Arthur that you are not feeling well," said Aurelia raising her eyebrows.

"I — I will manage," Tonks' voice trembled, her eyes still at Remus. She looked close to tears.

"Tonks, are you okay?" Harry stood up suddenly.

"Ye-yeah, I'm — I'm fine," Tonks looked at Harry surprised. "Or, I'll be fine."

"Doesn't look like that to me," said Sirius, without looking at anyone.

"Sirius!" Aurelia chastised.

"What?" Sirius turned to face them. "I told the truth. This is going on for almost a month now. Anyone here really thinks Tonks is going to be okay? Anyone? Remus?"

"This is not the time to discuss this, Sirius," said Remus quietly.

"Oh? Then pray to tell me, what would be the appropriate time for this conversation?" Sirius snapped.

Chris and Harry exchanged startled looks. Sirius was really pissed.

"Sirius?" Aurelia tried again but Sirius looked at her, challenging her to go on and Aurelia sighed. "Tonks, sit down. I think we all need to talk."

"I don't want to talk," said Remus angrily.

"But why?" said Chris suddenly and was surprised that she told that out loud. "Er — sorry. I didn't mean to —"

"But your question wasn't invalid, Chris," said Tonks looking angry now.

"This is — this —" Remus looked down, not meeting anyone's gaze. "This is not right. I am too old, too poor . . . too dangerous. I don't deserve —"

"You deserve to be happy, Remus," said Aurelia softly.

"But Aurelia, Tonks deserves somebody young and whole," said Remus pleadingly. "I am not good enough for her."

"Tonks can decide what's good for her and what's not, thank you very much," said Sirius rolling his eyes. "Stop making decisions for everyone around you."

"I am not," snapped Remus looking at Sirius. "You know Sirius, you know what I am capable of — I will not able to live with myself if I do something horrible to her —"

"Do you really think someone young and whole will care for Tonks as you do?" said Aurelia. "Do they really have a heart like you? And can Tonks love them like this? I doubt it."

"Yes, so stop pitting yourself and accept —" Sirius stopped as three owls soared into the kitchen, two of them holding up the third, which appeared to be unconscious. They landed on the table in front of Chris. The middle owl, which was large and gray, keeled right over and lay motionless. There was a large package tied to its legs.

"What the —? Errol?" Chris gasped and quickly untied the package from his leg then checked him carefully. Then pulled out a potion and dropped a few drops of it in a goblet full of water and held it in front of him. Errol opened one bleary eye, gave a feeble hoot of thanks, and began to gulp some water.

The other two owls were a barn owl and Chris' own owl, Leon. They both had parcel's tied to there legs.

Chris realized everyone in the room was staring at her. Then two more owls flew in, one Harry's snow owl Hedwig and another handsome looking tawny owl. Suddenly Harry jumped up in realization and without saying anything dashed upstairs. More surprised, Chris untied one of the packages and her face broke into a huge smile. It was a colourful birthday card with a present box from Luna. Chris opened the card and saw Luna had painted a picture of her own and Chris'. Inside the box was a handmade tiara. Chris looked at the clock and saw it was half-past midnight, her birthday.

"Here!" Harry re-entered the kitchen, panting, a box in his hands. "Happy Birthday!"

"It's your birthday, Chris?" said Sirius shocked. "God, we should be celebrating."

"I am very sorry, Chris," said Aurelia looking guilty. "With everything —"

"It's cool, really," said Chris dismissively. "Even I forgot it's my birthday. I will take these upstairs, you four continue."

"Chris —"

"Potter, help me carry these," Chris ordered Harry then turned to her owl, Leon. "Leon, bring the other owls to my room, I will give you some treats."

Harry quickly gathered the packages with Chris, while Leon led the other owls to Chris' room.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, now.

"Remus," called Chris before leaving the kitchen. "Before you take any decision for yourself, I just want you to know that still in our school, there are many students who proudly say that you were the best teacher we had. My point is, even the people who don't know you personally respect you, despite the fact that you are a werewolf. So you can't expect the people, who are close to you, will not care for you."

"Yeah, I think you're normal," piped up Harry. "You don't need to pity yourself because everything you have today, you have earned them fair and square."

Sirius and Aurelia smiled at Chris and Harry. Chris smiled back then left.

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To be continued. . .