9

Chapter 9: The Birthday Boys

Thanks for all the reviews. This one came out of nowhere. I hope you like where my muse took me.

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Lily did send Sirius to Knockturn Alley to pick up an amulet for Harry. It would keep the bullies off him in school too. With muggles they would simply be caught trying to bully, or hurt her baby, and be punished accordingly. With magicals, it would work for most midlevel curses or lower and it would send the curse back at them. If someone magical got handsy they would get repelled. She was happy with that. She had him pick up a couple of spares, just in case.

Right now, her first priority was that she had to get rid of Arabella Figg. The woman was becoming a nuisance. She had already been walking past where the house should be many times, trying to find it. Sirius wanted to get the woman arrested for having so many kneazles, but Lily wanted her out of the neighborhood. That required some more finesse. She called Alex.

"What can I do for you, Lily?" the man asked as he came to the house. Lily had written down the secret for Sirius to show anyone they wanted in. She couldn't very well go to the street and give it to them. They had finally dispelled the rumors that Petunia had spread about Harry, thanks to the news of the woman's arrest. They didn't need new ones sprouting up about ghosts and such.

"Arabella Figg, I need her gone," Lily said, pointing down the street to where the cat lady was watching the area. "She's Dumbledore's spy," she added as an explanation. "I know he's back in town, but I don't know if she's told him anything," she finished. She really hoped the woman hadn't, or if she had she had seen Harry playing outside and reported that he was back and looked healthy. She didn't know.

"What are you hoping I can do?" the man asked, looking at the woman who was walking the neighborhood in her housecoat and slippers. She looked like a nosy bint. There were at least five cats at her feet.

"I want to buy her off, if we can. If we can't, then get her arrested for having so many cats. I really don't want to do that, but needs must," she said, a bit of a waver in her voice. Arabella had always been nice to her, but she needed to protect her baby. "You need to find out what she's told Albus," she added, concerned they might have to move after all.

"I'll see what I can do. Legally she can't do what she is doing, it's a breach of privacy. Especially on a minor," Alex said, going through his briefcase to see if he had anything that he could use. There was some that were possible, but not what he was looking for, so he pulled out a blank page and started writing. It would be an informal agreement. "Don't worry about Albus, even if he finds out, there is little he can do," he stated, knowing the law better than her. "Besides, he's too tied up in lawsuits to bother you for right now."

"Offer her one of our places free of charge," Lily said, thinking of the many houses the Potters had littered over the United Kingdom. "There's a small one in Coxford, Cornwall, that might do her well," she said, hoping that that little hamlet would be perfect for the retired woman. "Tell her that Harry is happy and well cared for. Tell her that Dumbledore isn't his guardian, that his guardian is here. Tell her about Petunia. If she doesn't agree with you, Obliviate her and have her arrested," she said, worrying her hands. She really hoped she was doing the right thing. She hated to have to be heavy-handed with one of Albus' chest pieces.

"Okay, Lily, sit tight, I'll deal with her," Alex said, moving to do just that.

"You're too kindhearted," Sirius said, looking at his best friend's wife. If it was him, he'd wipe the woman's memory and have done with it.

"You've seen me angry, and you can say that?" Lily asked, glaring at him in an insulted manner. "Don't you have some balloons to blow up?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. "The party is tomorrow," she added, pointing to the living room.

They were having Harry's first birthday party here at the house, then they were taking him to the zoo. That's where he said he wanted to go. So, Lily was going to hitch a ride in his head, and they were going to see the animals. Harry was excited that he got to have strawberry cake with chocolate ice cream then got to get out of the house.

Alex came back forty-five minutes later. He had a disappointed look on his face. Lily hoped that didn't mean that she was to be arrested.

"How did it go?" she asked as she let him in, making sure that the neighbors didn't see her at the door. If they did, they would just see the shadow of a woman.

"At first, she didn't take it, until I told her about Petunia," the lawyer said, with a frown. "Then she got upset and told me that she had warned Albus about how the woman was with Harry. She said that she hadn't seen the news. She thought the Dursleys were on vacation this whole time and that they had taken Harry this time."

"Can she see the house?" Lily asked, wondering if the Fidelius worked on squibs.

"She says that she knows it's there, but she can't see it," Alex explained. "Then she told me that Dumbledore was more concerned about strange wizards coming around then how his relatives treated him. She did say that she hadn't reported to him since he came back, so we're clear there. Something about he comes to her, and not the other way around," Alex said, looking a bit perplexed over that.

"No, that makes sense. She's a squib," Lily said, knowing that she probably didn't have a floo. And only used owls in an emergency. Or if she did have a floo, she might not have the money for the powder and only used it for emergencies.

"I convinced her to take the house and move on. She's got a stipend from the government, so she will be alright," the lawyer explained. He took out a paper and showed her the agreement. "Are you sure you want to go this route?" he asked, it was not a small thing giving up property.

"That old house is not being rented or used, we pay more in upkeep than it is worth," she said, looking at the paper in her hand. Lily saw Arabella's signature on the document and was relieved. She didn't have to worry about her anymore, and Albus didn't remember where the house was. "Thank you, Alex, for doing this for us," she said, putting her hand on his arm. Because he had a suit on, it wasn't as cold as it could be, but it was still colder than the room temperature.

"It's what you pay me for," he said, putting the document in his briefcase and standing. "If you need anything else," he added, leaving it hanging. He really liked Mrs. Potter. She was making him money hand over fist. "Speaking of which, those authors will be getting their time in court soon. Expect there to be some income from the profits they got selling the books and the paraphernalia," he added with a Cheshire cat like grin.

"That's excellent news," Lily said, all but bouncing in place.

"Anything else?" Alex said, going to the entryway of the living room.

"I would like more magical children for Harry to play with," she said with a sigh. "I don't know how to go about finding them though." Sure, magic was great, but she didn't have any. She still needed to go and see Neville. It was his birthday today. Now, there was a thought. "Thank you again, Alex. I just had a thought. I'll see you later," she said, rushing away, a bit rudely.

"I'll just show myself out then," the man chuckled, doing just that.

"Sirius," Lily said, going to the room where the three males were blowing up balloons. The party favors were everywhere. They weren't even inviting anyone this time, since Harry didn't have any friends. It was just going to be the four of them, but they were doing up the whole house. "We have to get to the Longbottom Manor. Now. It's Neville's birthday," she said, flying in and floating in a pacing manner.

"What? Oh damn, I forgot that," Sirius said, looking at Harry who was watching them. "I remember where it is, so we can go now. Sure," he said, standing and stood Harry up. He looked him over and saw that he was clean and dressed in new clothes. He would do for a friendly visit. "Do you need to go potty?" he asked the little boy.

"No, I'm a big boy," Harry said, stomping his foot in annoyance.

"Just asking, sheesh," Sirius said, then looked to his friend. "Remus, can you follow? Or will you stay here," he asked, hefting the boy on his hip. He didn't know how well Remus would be received. The Longbottom matriarch didn't know him that well. Remus didn't run in their circles. He knew them growing up and he and Frank had to attend a lot of parties as children.

"I'll stay here," the werewolf said, picking up a deflated balloon and lifting it to his lips. "I have no desire to see Madam Longbottom," he added, remembering the stories Frank would tell of his stuffy mother.

"Okay, Lily, get in Harry," Sirius said and waited for her to do that. She did and Sirius disapparated.

They reappeared near the front gate of a large manor. It was ornate and looked to be hundreds of years old. It also looked like it need to be repaired in some places. It made Sirius, and Lily, wonder if the Longbottoms had fallen on hard times. The gardens were unattended, which was strange in and of itself, because Augusta was a topnotch gardener. Then again, she was getting older.

Sirius opened the large gates just enough to enter and then closed them again. He had been added to the wards as a teen. He walked up the long gravel pathway. It took them around five minutes and they were met at the door by an old woman, who was brandishing her wand.

"What do you want, Black?" Augusta Longbottom asked, pointing her wand to the floor for now, but not looking pleased to see the man. She had heard that he was acquitted but he was related to the ones that put her son and his wife in St. Mungo's.

"It's Neville's birthday," Sirius said like it explained everything. He wasn't sure where the hostility was coming from. She used to adore him as a teen. He had never done anything to her that he could think of. Then Harry leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Bellatrix," and he knew why Augusta was angry. Well, he wasn't going to pay for the sins of others.

"Yes, and?" was the response. Her wand was still held tightly in her hand, and she was still glaring at him like he was the devil himself.

"Tomorrow's Harry's," Sirius said, leadingly. He wasn't making any overt movements and was showing his usual friendly demeanor.

"Your point?" Augusta snapped, finally getting tired of his little game. If he was coming for her grandson, he was going to have to go through her. It was like she didn't even see the boy in his arms.

"This is Harry Potter in my arms. I was hoping the boys could celebrate together," he finally spelled it out to her. Was she really that blind?

Augusta looked at the child there, who was looking at her with a queer look on his face. It was like he couldn't decide why she was acting the way she was. That seem to sap the anger right out of her. What was she thinking? Sirius was a friend. He had never hurt her, or her son.

"What are you doing with Harry Potter?" she said, finally tucking her wand away. "Where is the telltale scar?" was her second question as she came closer.

"I'm his godfather, and there never was one," Sirius explained, holding Harry up to show his forehead off. "Those books are wholesale lies and we're suing the pants off the authors," he added, showing the light scar that was there. "We think it was Dumbledore trying to build Harry into a hero," he stated, putting Harry down. "Harry, say hi to Madam Longbottom."

"Hello, Madam Longbottom," Harry said, holding out his hand. He knew you were supposed to do something else with old women, but he couldn't remember it right now, so she was getting a handshake.

"Pleasure, young Harry," she said, shaking the hand with short quick shakes. Her lips were pursed a bit, whether with displeasure at Harry's lack of manners, or to not laugh, Sirius wasn't sure.

"Where's Neville?" Sirius asked, looking around like the boy was hiding nearby. He was sure the kid was shy, having a grandmother like this one. Frank had been shy as a kid too.

"He is in his room," Augusta stated, like that is where young children belonged, which to her old-fashioned ways was probably true. In her day the rich had nannies and the children hardly ever left the nursery or schoolroom. She had a house elf that did the same. Frank was raised that way, and he was the bright star in her life. Even as he was now. She looked forward to the day that he woke and was her baby once more.

"Can Harry go and play with him while we talk?" Sirius asked, waving to his godson, who was still watching the adults talk.

Harry's face took on a hopeful expression. He never had a friend before, and there was no Dudley to chase him off. That and his mummy was here to tell him what to do and say. It would be good.

Augusta folded and nodded. She called her house elf, "Twinky."

The elf popped in and saw they had company, which was strange on itself. "Yes, ma'am?" she said as she had been taught. Madam Longbottom didn't like elf-speak, so she made them use short normal sentences to answer her.

"Take young Harry to play with Neville," she ordered, waving to Harry.

"Yes, ma'am." Then the elf took Harry's hand and led him into the house. They would go the long way since she was not allowed to pop anyone. It was one of the rules. Unless it was an emergency, no popping anyone.

"Your name is Twinky? That's great. I think the Yanks have a snack cake with that name. What are you? You look kind of like a goblin, but they are scarier than you are. You look nice," Harry said, and he continued to asked questions as his voice faded the further he got into the house.

Sirius went into the receiving parlor with Madam Longbottom. He wasn't worried about Harry. Lily was with him. "We're celebrating Harry's birthday tomorrow and wanted to invite Neville to join us. He can stay with us tonight and we'll bring him back the day after tomorrow," he said, taking a seat and waiting for her to pour a cup of the tea that just appeared. "Actually, we'd like Neville to spend a lot of time with Harry," he added, thinking weekend sleepovers.

"Who is 'we'?" she asked as she doctored the tea to his taste, remembering it from his youth. "I need to know who he will be around, before I say yes," she said, putting a sugar cube in the cup.

"Me, Harry, and Remus," he said, not sure whether Lily was going to make herself known. He knew that if she did, she'd do it on her own terms.

"Where are you staying?" was the next question. She handed him the cup.

"In the muggle world," was his answer as he took the cup. He took a sip, and it was just the way he liked it. She had a good memory.

"The muggle world?" she asked with a gasp. "Whyever are you there?" It was unfathomable to her that people moved to the muggle world on purpose. How could they live so primitively?

"We're hiding from some people. They can't find us there," Sirius said truthfully. It wasn't her business who they were hiding from. Or where they were at. If Lily said it was okay, he'd give her the secret. For now, all she needed to know is that her grandson was safe.

"Augusta Longbottom!" came the yell that reverberated throughout the manor. Even the teacups shook with the force of it.

"My word," Augusta said, dropping her cup and putting her hand to her chest. The tea spilled in a pool at her feet and drenched her satin slippers.

Sirius cringed. He knew Lily was pissed about something. It must be something bad to make herself so known.

"Just what to you think you are playing at?" was the question as a very pissed off Lily came flying into the room. Her hair was flying behind her like a banner.

"Lily?" Augusta asked, her voice as shaky as her hands. "What?" was the weak question.

"What are you doing trying to scare the magic out of Neville? You know better than that. He's a green wizard," Lily shouted, her hair was flying around her, and she looked like a banshee again.

"Lily, calm down," Sirius tried to get her to stop before she gave the old woman a heart attack.

"I will not," Lily said, floating up higher and higher.

"Mummy," Harry said, from the doorway. He was standing there, holding Neville's hand. "Why are you yelling at Madam Longbottom?" He knew that his mummy was mad at something Neville said, but he didn't understand what. Neville had been telling them about the time he almost drowned in the lake, and then his mummy got really mad.

And like a switch the anger stopped. "What Neville's family did to make him do magic, is as bad as what your Aunt Petunia did to make sure you didn't do magic," she explained, kneeling in front of both boys. She ran her hands down their faces. Neville shivered at the cold, but Harry just smiled.

"So, they were bad? Are they going to jail like Aunt Petunia?" he asked, looking at Augusta like she was a meanie-head. He firmed his grip on Neville's hand.

"Unfortunately, there are no laws here like there are in the muggle world," Lily said, her tone sad. She looked at her godson and then fire returned to her eyes. "I want to take Neville home with us," she said standing up and looking at his grandmother.

"I can't let you do that," the woman said weakly. While she thought the boy a burden, she didn't just want to be rid of him. Then again, she didn't know if he had any magic. He hadn't shown any sign of any yet. No matter what they had done to scare it out of him, not a spark.

"It is obvious that you can't take care of him. He is my godson," the see-through woman said, standing in front of the two boys. "He will be with those that love him, and he'll have Harry."

"I do love him," Augusta protested, looking affronted. "Everything I did was because I love him."

"If he doesn't show he has magic, will you have him cast out?" Sirius asked, knowing the answer. Too many families felt this way.

Augusta just pursed her lips instead of answering. She knew the answer would win her no favors.

"Let me take him for the weekdays, and I'll send him home on the weekends," Lily said, thinking the boy could go to school with Harry. They'd have to get some records and papers for him, but she'd be more than happy to do that.

"I… Neville, do you want to go and live with Lily and her son?" she asked, thinking the boy would say no. Who would want to give up living the life of luxury to live with muggles? "She lives with muggles," she said, making sure the boy knew.

"Yes, ma'am," Neville said without a single thought. He would rather be around people then locked in his room most of the time.

"Very well," Augusta said a bite in her tone, and then called the house elf again. "Twinky."

The elf popped in and was wringing her hands. "Yes, ma'am?"

"You will be responsible for Neville when he is with these people," she said, her tone defeated. She was just too old for all of this. Lily's ghost scared some years out of her. She felt like she should see a healer. Her hands were still shaking.

"Twinky, we'll call you when we get to our home," Lily said, nodding to the elf. They could use an elf around the house. If only for the extra security.

"Yes, ma'am," the elf said, and she popped away.

"We're going to have to get bunk beds," Sirius said, going to the exit of the room. "Madam Longbottom, you don't look well. Do you need me to call someone?" he asked from the doorway. He didn't want the woman to go and die on them. That would be difficult to explain. He was just glad they didn't have to fight further. Then again, they thought the boy a squib.

"If you would call my brother-in-law," the frail looking woman said, staring at Lily like she was a vengeful ghost. "He is at his home. The address is on the mantel," she said, waving to the floo in the room.

"I'll call him," Sirius offered, and Lily just glared at the floo, like she was going to lay into the man as soon as he emerged. He was the one who pushed Neville into the lake to try and scare the magic out of him. She was beyond peeved at him. What would he do next? Drop him out a window?

"Mummy," Harry said, taking her hand, "you look angry again," he said, nodding towards Neville who was looking fearful.

"Fine, but that man is going to hear from me one day," she said, going into Harry's head.

"Where did she go?" Neville asked as he looked around the room.

"She's in my head," Harry laughed, squeezing the other boy's hand. "She stays there when she doesn't want to be seen," he explained, then giggled when his mummy said something about evil gits.

"Madam Longbottom, it might be in everyone's best interest if you didn't mention Lily," Sirius said as he started ushering the boys out of the room. "She is trying to stay out of others' radar," he said, looking at her pointedly.

She didn't know what a radar was, but she got the gist. "Very well," was all she said, her color coming back to her. "Neville, behave yourself and I shall see you on the weekend," she called out a bit disappointed that the boy hadn't offered to hug her. "Actually, I will tell Twinky when you may return. I feel under the weather," she said, thinking that she would use this time to recover.

"Yes, ma'am," the seven-year-old said, still holding on to his new friend's hand and going where the soon to be seven-year-old led him. This was the best day of his life.

They quickly swung by Alex's office to get some paperwork for Neville made up. He said he'd swing by the Longbottoms in the morning to get everything straightened out and all the documents sorted. With that, they went home and ate the strawberry cake and chocolate ice cream. They'd have a different cake and ice cream tomorrow. They partied until bedtime.

"Happy birthday, Neville," Lily said as she tucked him in that night. She slipped one of the amulets over his head.

"Thank you, Aunt Lily," said the very happy boy.