Between Riddle's occasional lessons, summer homework, their short vacation getaway, and just some peaceful relaxation the summer seemed to pass in a blur. Before any of them knew it July had come and nearly gone, meaning it was time for their birthday party.
At times Harry felt he would never get used to such a thing. Seeing Sirius, his parents and sisters, a cousin he never had in the previous world, and a gathering of friends was almost too good to be true.
There was laughter and cake, Luna with her typical oddness, and Ginny accidentally putting her elbow into a piece of dessert. Sirius pulled a mild prank, resulting in glitter covering everyone and everything, earning him a growl from Lily and an impromptu chase around the house by her husband. The children, on the other hand, laughed while Hermione began picking the tiny bits out of her hair.
Shortly after gifts began to be ripped open and while Harriet had clearly received a larger number of them, mostly books and other study tools, it was Amy's which earned James another glare from his wife.
"I thought we agreed not to buy her a broom every year" the woman hissed as the Weasleys crowded around the other redhead and her new Nimbus 2001.
The man's attention, however, was primarily on his daughter currently hopping around in excitement. "Oh come on Lily it wasn't that much, plus it isn't even the newest broom."
That comment earned him a much harder glare followed by her response, "And we are not buying her that. I don't care if she sets this one onfire. No new brooms for at least a few years, do you understand?"
Glancing over, and seeing the look in her eyes, the man flinched before quickly nodding, "Yeah, yep of course no new brooms for at least two or three years, and then we talk about it first."
"Bloody right we will…"
For Harry, he received much of the same as the previous year. Trinkets and books of various qualities and a more advanced elemental study guide sent via mail from his personal instructor, it even included handwritten notes in the margins.
They had nearly finished with the unwrapping when Lily picked up on package that had arrived via mail and paused with a frown on her face.
"Harry… why is Pandora Malfoy sending you mail?"
Shit
****
"It's… nothing really."
Lily frowned, while nearby Sirius cracked a grin, "Didn't know you and my niece were so… close." He had meant it as a tease, but the growl received from the boy's parents quickly had him backpedaling.
Harry, seeing the ensuing argument, was quick to try and diffuse the situation, "It isn't like that. She's just… weird. She sends me birthday or Christmas gifts and we've talked a few times during the school year."
"What sort of gifts?" This time it was James who asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
The teen did his best to shrug nonchalantly, "Just… weird stuff you know? Like pictures."
"Pictures?"
"Y-yeah, of me, I mean it's weird and all but whatever."
All the adults were now staring, "Harry… that doesn't sound healthy or normal. It sounds like…"
"A stalker, it sounds like your damn niece is stalking my son Sirius!"
The older man flinched, "It… it isn't my fault. Not like I went to Cissa and said, 'hey could you ask your oldest daughter to follow my godson around and be as creepy as possible?' You know I wouldn't do that."
There wasn't really a word for the sound that emanated from James Potter in that moment, "Uh excuse me? You would absolutely do that!"
Once more the younger male had to interrupt, "Look it's not… a big deal alright? Sure, she's odd and takes creepy pictures of me but she's harmless. I've dealt with a lot worse than her before so if the most dangerous thing in my life is a Malfoy who doesn't understand personal space or normal conversation then I'll handle it."
"We'll handle it" Amy easily corrected as her sister nodded in agreement. "You've done enough for one year Harry, enough for one lifetime. You can let your overprotective sisters handle things now."
The warmth in his smile put them all at ease.
****
With the awkward conversation out of the way the rest of the group birthday went by quickly. Tonks and her mother had stopped by, which led to an awkward apology from the Auror and a further uncomfortable conversation with James and Lily about interviewing their son without adult or lawyer present.
The gifts to all three children were various but mostly predictable. Quidditch supplies and trinkets for Amy, books and school supplies for the two raven-haired teens. Even Riddle's gift was a large text, one containing more advanced elemental techniques and spells.
Mostly it was just time to be spent with friends and family, time that wasn't spent worrying about school or life and death situations. There were no threats or foreboding terrors looming over their heads.
Just teenagers laughing and relaxing with each other and the adults in their lives, happy as the sun was bright.
****
Although there had been insistences the boy-who-lived ignored them in the end and opted to open the 'surprise' gift in the privacy of his own room. It had been a bit embarrassing before and the last thing he needed was teasing about receiving something weird from a Malfoy.
It was bad getting the awkward gifts in the first place.
Still, the envelope was much smaller than the last, meaning pictures were unlikely as was any large physical object.
Maybe it was just back to the creepy love notes? The thought had Harry pausing in his careful opening of the seal, contemplating just how far he had come when 'creepy love note' was the best possible option.
Continuing, he slipped a single piece of parchment, blinking in surprise at the fact it was completely blank when the silence was broken by a soft voice.
"Hello my love."
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