The hot July sun bore down on the massive two-story house, and outside, a hippogriff splashed in the waters of a lake.

There were two men lazing on the front porch, one at least ten feet tall and sporting a bushy beard and hair, the other maturely handsome and dark-haired, his grey eyes relaxed as he tilted his chair back on two legs. "I think he likes it here, Hagrid. You should bring him by more often."

The large man gave a nod. "Oy, tha' he does. Can't thank you enough for watchin' him while I was in France."

Sirius Black smiled. "He was no trouble at all. Had a lot of fun with him, actually. Ever since I gave the motorbike to Harry, I don't get to fly around much anymore."

Rubeus Hagrid chuckled. "Married life does tha', it does."

There were suddenly two more people in the yard, and Sirius stood. "Remus, it's about time. Harry and Neville are going to be here any minute."

Remus Lupin, a pair of wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, carried the armload of packages onto the porch and handed them off, while a young woman with blue-streaked hair and a black dress followed him with even more. "Wotcher, there, Sirius, that's the fragile one."

Sirius jerked his head towards the front door. "Evie's in the kitchen, still working on the cake. It all has to be perfect, you know her."

"Oy, there, Dora, how are you?"

Hagrid rose as Nymphadora Tonks Lupin planted a kiss on top of his nose. "Fine, Hagrid. And how was France?"

He nodded. "Fine, fine. Oy, Remus, how are you?"

"Fine, Hagrid. Are you ready for the school year?"

Hagrid beamed. "You bet. I've got all new books this year. Wha' about you? Are you coming by this year to teach all about Wizard and Werewolf Interaction?"

"Absolutely. The Ministry won't stop sending me out."

"That's because you're the best Ministry Appointed Werewolf Spokesman they've ever had."

"I'm the only Ministry Appointed Werewolf Spokesman they've ever had."

"That's beside the point." Tonks kissed his cheek. "Now, help me get these presents inside."

They entered the house, Hagrid ducking to avoid the chandelier, and walked through the sitting room. There was already a pile of packages on the table near the windows, and the smell of fruit and ham filled the air.

"Uncle Remus!"

Lupin caught the dark-haired boy as he ran to him, tossing him into the air and catching him again. "And how is Alphard?"

Alphard Regulus Black crinkled his nose. "It's not fair. I want it to be my birthday, too. Everybody gets a present today but me."

Hagrid frowned. "I thought your Uncle Severus brought you a new potions set this morning?"

Alphard crossed his arms. "Mummy took it away. She's angry because I burned a hole through the bedroom floor."

Remus sank to an armchair, holding the boy on his lap. "Again?"

Sirius made a face, waving it off. "Oh, don't listen to her. She's just snarky because of the smell." He looked to the others proudly. "Alphard has been making his own dungbombs."

Tonks snorted. "He's only six!"

Sirius beamed. "But it's in his blood! Isn't it, son? He is a future Potions Master, just like his Uncle Severus, aren't you?"

Alphard shook his head defiantly, and he jumped down and threw his arms around his father. "No! I'm going to be just like you. I'm going to be a dog and I'm going to sneak around Hogwarts just like you and Uncle Remus did and play jokes and be the handsomest in the school and I'm going to make Mummy angry with those dirty songs you sing."

Sirius's eyes positively shined. "And you probably will."

"Can I show Auntie Dora the exploding Sneakascope you bought me?"

Sirius glanced over his shoulder, lowering his voice. "Yes, of course you can. Love. Go and get it. But don't let your mother know."

Alphard was down and flying to the stairs, his chubby legs taking them two at a time.

Sirius breathed. "Ah, he's so rambunctious." He shook his head. "I don't know where he gets it."

Every eyebrow in the room lifted, and Remus gave his oldest friend an extremely dubious look.

Sirius leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs. "Harry and Draco made the front page."

Remus nodded. "I saw that. They make quite the team."

Hagrid picked up the Daily Prophet from the coffee table and glanced at the picture on the front of two handsome young men, one messy-haired and wearing glasses, the other blonde and pointed-faced, smiling at the camera.

AURORS RAID MAKES BIG BANG

By Luna Longbottom, Lead Reporter

The Ministry of Magic is recognizing the efforts of two of its Aurors, Draco Snape and Harry Potter, both the top-ranking Ministry Auror Program graduates, for the single most successful raid in eleven years. During an investigation at the residence of one Lukas Frankenheinz, the two arrested four known illegal potions experts and the witch thought responsible for the Muggle attack last Wednesday in London. Potter and Snape together managed to hold six other convicted dark wizards at the scene until members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad could arrive.

Undersecretary to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement Ronald Weasley released a statement Friday to commend both Aurors, and a dinner will be given in their honor this Sunday at the Ministry's Alastor Moody Memorial Banquet Hall. Presentation of the award will come from Minister of Magic Arthur Weasley, who has continued to gain support during his campaign to dispel the rift between Werewolves and Wizards.

CONTINUED PAGE 3

Hagrid gave a chuckle. "Those two. I remember when they couldn't stand the sight of each other, and now," he shook his head.

"Sirius?"

He looked up. "In here, Darling."

A woman came from the kitchen, black hair twisted up on top of her head, pale skin that contrasted against her dark red blouse, and large blue eyes that defied her age. She beamed as she saw Tonks. "Finally!"

Tonks embraced her, and they laughed, and she ran her fingers through the other woman's streaked hair. "You know, sometimes, I miss the pink."

Tonks made a face, and suddenly her hair was a violent rosy shade. "Better?"

Evelyn Black giggled. "I love it. Remus! Give me a hug." He obeyed, and she kissed his cheek. "I started to think you weren't coming. Everyone else is running late, too."

He nodded. "There's a horrible mix-up in Diagon Alley. Seems three goblins got into a little row with one of the security trolls. Kingsley said he'd be here as soon as the smoke cleared."

Evie nodded. "Ah, I see. Well, in the meantime, who wants tea?" They all agreed, and she disappeared into the kitchen, then returned with a tray filled with cups. "Oh, did Sirius tell you we went wand-shopping yesterday?"

Remus raised his eyebrows. "Oh, really? And what is the result?"

Sirius dumped sugar into his cup. "Willow, ten inches, Unicorn hair."

Tonks gave a whistle. "Nice."

Sirius gave Evie a peck on the cheek. "Just like her mother's! How about that?"

Evie smiled at him, and pointed to the mantle. "We've got her picture up there too, first time she used it."

Tonks studied the pictures along the mantle, and grinned. Evie wore her old-fashioned wedding gown in one, and Sirius was with her beside the waterfall where they'd been married almost twelve years before. Another held the picture of Evie holding a small bundle, Sirius beside her, sporting a bandage over his forehead where he'd passed out and smacked the corner of the dresser. The one next to it showed a young girl on the bed with Evie, holding a chubby baby as Sirius beamed from ear to ear beside them. Above the fireplace was a massive oil painting, Sirius standing by a red velvet armchair, Evie sitting in it, between them a little girl, so resembling her mother it was uncanny, and a chubby dark-haired boy with sparkling grey eyes, undeniably the son of Sirius Black.

"She'll be starting Hogwarts this year, you know." They turned and looked at Sirius, who was staring at the pictures with glistening eyes. "I can't believe it. Eleven years, gone, like that."

Tonks sat on the couch next to Hagrid. "She'll be fine. Where is she, anyway?"

Evie rolled her eyes. "Where do you think? She practically lives down there with him. Every time he comes by, they disappear." She shook her head. "I'll tell them to come up." She walked into the foyer and opened a door under the stairs, and walked down.

"So how's the book coming?"

Sirius looked at Remus and shrugged. "Alright, I guess. The last one was better, I think."

Tonks smiled. "Who'd have thought that the most notorious murderer in history would break the bestseller record of one Gilderoy Lockhart?"

Sirius waved her off. "Ah, everyone wants to know about Azkaban and what to expect when they die and what Dementors looked like. It's not as if I'm still young enough to dive into Auror training, now is it? Besides, those five books have done more than ensure an early retirement."

"How does Evie feel about the Ministry wanting her to come back to St. Mungo's?"

Sirius shrugged. "She likes working from home, you know her. But with the little one leaving for school, she might very well take them up on their offer. I think I can handle Alphard myself, but with them both here, I'd be far outnumbered without Evie." He frowned, looking over his shoulder. "Where are they? She should be back by now."

Ten seconds later, there was a boom that shook the house.

"LILY EILEEN BLACK!"

The four jolted from their chairs and raced down the steps to the basement, and froze at the sight in front of them. Sirius clapped his hand over his mouth to stop his laughter, but a hoot escaped anyway.

Evie's hair was no longer in a tight twist, but was hanging limply to one side, the hair comb dangling loosely. Black soot covered her face and body, and smoke was still trailing through the room, along with pieces of the ceiling floating down every few seconds.

In front of her stood a girl, amazingly sporting the same hair and skin as her mother, with massive blue eyes that danced, even though it was clear her mother was livid.

"I only wanted to see if it would work," she said in a smooth, calm voice.

And from the shadows came a man, tall and foreboding, with a crisp white shirt and a black vest charred and burned, and moved his black hair out of his even blacker eyes.

"Extraordinary, Lily," he said in a smooth, coddling baritone. "Next time, concentrate more on balancing your tone without uttering the incantation so loosely, dear. You will find the result just as powerful, but without the mess."

Evie jerked the comb from her hair and threw it to the floor in disgust. "Severus, we have had six owls from the Ministry this week about underage magic! It is not going to do any good for me to tell her how wrong it is if you keep encouraging it!"

Severus Snape came forward and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "Now, Evelyn, she is merely experimenting. She has an inquisitive mind! To hinder that would practically be a crime. Besides, Arthur Weasley has better things to do as Minister of Magic than to punish innocent children for their curiosity. I believe he is coming today? And I am sure even he would be thrilled to know what your daughter has accomplished."

Evie crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

Sirius came forward, stepping between them. "Oh, Evie, let her alone, she's just playing! Isn't that right, Sweetheart?"

Lily Eileen Black nodded, smiling up at her father. "Yes, Daddy."

"And Severus is kind enough to prepare her for Hogwarts! Who better than the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor to teach her how to hold her own?"

Severus looked at Evie and raised his eyebrow.

She shook her head, pointing at them. "Don't start the teaming up thing. Don't. Because she is still in trouble. You always team up against me, especially when it comes to her. And I'm sick and tired of it."

Lily put on her most innocent face, and the voice to match. "But Mum, can't I just stay a little longer? Uncle Severus is teaching me a really neat one, called Levicorpus…"

Severus Snape cleared his throat loudly.

Lily's face fell. "Oh, yeah, I wasn't supposed to tell you that."

Evie had closed her eyes and was breathing steadily. "Lily, get upstairs and get out of those filthy clothes. Harry and Neville will be here any second."

Lily tilted her head. "But Mum…"

"Lily Eileen Black, I will not tell you again!"

The girl was instantly passionate, beseeching her mother dramatically. "But I only wanted to spend time with Uncle Severus! It's so important for me to learn all these new things, because if I do, then I can do my best at Hogwarts and make you and Daddy proud!" She made her eyes as large as she could and lowered her chin.

Evie stared down at her daughter, shaking her head. "You are remarkably like your father."

Severus Snape nodded. "Yes, she is." He gave a small smile. "You should be proud."

Sirius grinned at him. "Thanks, mate."

Evie dropped her arms. "Lily, last time, upstairs. Go now."

"Daddy?"

Sirius opened his mouth, but one look from Evie silenced him.

Lily made a face and looked up at the man behind her. "Do I have to, Uncle Severus?"

Severus Snape looked as though he were in pain. "Evelyn, if she wishes to practice until the others arrive, then…"

"UPSTAIRS!"

Sirius pushed his daughter forward. "Go on, Sweetie, before Mummy has another meltdown." Evie glared at him for some time, then turned to follow Lily.

She was whispering excitedly to Lupin. "And you know what else, Uncle Remus? I made Daddy grow a tail and he didn't even notice until we were halfway through Diagon Alley!"

Remus was trying very hard to keep a straight face, and was failing miserably.

She had leaned towards him, her eyes wide and inquisitive. "Can you show me your scar again? I read in my Dark Arts book that the original bite mark never goes away, even with the Wolfsbane. Can you show me? Do you still like rare steaks? The book said that a lot of werewolves like rare steaks. If you bit me, would I be one? Just for a few hours, right? Then I could take the potion and I'd be okay, right? But if you bit me on the full moon, would I be a werewolf? Would I grow teeth and everything?"

Remus's face was purple with held back laughter, and he couldn't talk for fear of losing it.

Evie pushed her daughter. "Lily, now. Get upstairs."

Tonks grinned. "Come on, and I might even make my hair do the sparkle thing."

Hagrid gave the girl's head a pat. "And we'll see if Buckbeak feels like a fly around the garden with you and Alphie, eh?"

Lily's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and she trotted up the stairs eagerly, Evie following and muttering about what good did discipline do when everyone insisted on spoiling her. Hagrid and Tonks brought up the rear, hiding their laughter as best they could.

The men managed to keep their composure until the door closed, then Sirius beamed, whirling around. "Severus, did she finally do it? Did she manage a Shield Charm?"

Remus was halfway to them, his grin wide as his face. "That was one hell of a blast. How far back did she send you?"

Severus Snape lifted his eyebrows. "At least twenty feet. Earlier, she managed to fully block an assault, then retaliated with a Stinging Hex that left me rather incapacitated for some time."

Sirius cackled with glee and slapped Remus's shoulder. "Did you hear that, Remus? My little girl flattened the Dark Arts teacher!"

Remus shook his head. "She'll be able to hold her own, that's for sure."

The door opened, and a tall red-haired man trotted down, his eyes scanning the room. "Evie said you'd be down here. Has Harry made it yet?"

Sirius pulled Ronald Weasley into a hug. "Not yet. Neville isn't here, either. He and Luna are taking their time with Frank and Alice."

Remus and Severus followed them up the stairs. "This is their fourth outing in six months! They must be doing well."

Sirius nodded. "Oh, yes. The therapy has done a world of good. We went to visit them yesterday, and Evie was talking with Alice, and she actually managed to remember times, dates, everything. It's a real miracle."

They entered the foyer, and a woman with light brown hair rushed to them, flinging her arms around Sirius. "How are you? You haven't been by the Ministry in ages!"

Sirius planted a kiss on her forehead. "Very well. And what about you? I hear you've been busy on the Creature Relations Committee."

Hermione Granger-Weasley beamed. "Yesterday we had seventeen new house-elves register for citizenship! And while I'm here, I thought perhaps I could get you to be the spokesman for the new house-elf campaign to remove the word 'house' from their name?"

Sirius looked at her with a twisted face. "Hermione…"

"Oh, please, Sirius. We can even get Tilly and Amos to do a photo shoot with you, and it will be so sweet. Please?"

Ron pushed her towards the kitchen. "Go help Evie with the tea."

She shot him a dirty look. "Hi, Remus! And I see you and Lily have been practicing yet again, Professor Snape."

He bowed his head towards her. "You always were a clever girl, Hermione, but I do believe I have met your successor."

"Where is the birthday girl?" Arthur Weasley walked in, Molly Weasley behind him.

Hermione rushed to them and gave each a peck on the cheek. "Molly, I'm so glad you're back from you holiday! How was Italy?"

Molly beamed. "Did you see my bag? Arthur got it for me in Rome. Isn't it to die for? Errol had forgotten that we were on vacation, the daft bird, and believed we'd moved back to the Burrow. Sure enough, we went by there this morning and were welcomed by a mountain of mail. Which reminds me, Bill and Fleur send their best to you. Number four is on the way, you know! And Charlie's getting married next year! He met a girl from Romania, she's a Potions expert. Here's a picture." She pulled a small album from her bag. "Oh! And there's Percy, with the Venezuelan Ambassador of Magic. They're putting him in charge of their Muggle Relations, you know."

Hermione shot a glare at Ron. "Well, it's nice to know that some members of the family choose to settle down, instead of coming up with every excuse to avoid expanding the family tree."

Ron gulped, looking for an excuse to change the subject, then found it. "Oy! There's the playboys!" he said, pointing to the door.

"Hello, hello, hello," said two red-haired men in unison, identical in every way, right down to the blondes on their dragon-skin jacket arms. Molly turned and kissed them both, shooting a glare at the girls.

"Ginger, Rose," she said cordially. The two blondes smiled and waved.

Sirius came over and shook the twins' hands. "How's the shop?"

"Great. We had a seven hundred percent turnover last quarter."

"And we can't thank you enough for investing, Sirius. Oh, and," Fred leaned closer, "is Alphie having any luck with that new formula he came up with?"

Sirius glanced around to make sure Evie wasn't in earshot. "Absolutely. He's already made a mint that will dissolve right through your teeth."

George beamed. "We're in your debt, Sirius, for having a kid that useful."

Sirius winked at them. "Anything for the men who've made the Marauders look weak."

Severus Snape took a pocket watch from his vest. "Where are the others? Draco and Narcissa said they would be done with their shopping by two, but it's a quarter past…"

"I'm here!" Narcissa Snape called from the kitchen, poking her head out the door and raising her hand. "Draco stayed behind, Dear. There was a hold up in Diagon Alley. Something about goblins and a troll. Where's the birthday girl? I see you two have been practicing."

The fireplace was suddenly alive with green flame, and Minerva McGonagall stepped out, followed by Kingsley Shacklebolt and Draco. Kingsley was carrying a massive box, wrapped in white lace with a pony trotting around the golden bow on top. He looked around. "Where's the birthday girl? I see she's been practicing, Severus."

Sirius nodded excitedly, lowering his voice. "She conjured a Shield Charm earlier, knocked him through the basement wall!"

Kingsley let out a rumble of laughter. "That's our girl!"

Minerva smiled. "I'm sure you are so proud," she said to Sirius, and placed three wrapped gifts on the table of growing gifts. "Severus, while I'm thinking about it, we need to meet and renew the list of banned items on school grounds."

"Of course, Headmistress."

There was a thunder of footsteps coming down the stairs, and they turned. Lily Black, dressed in a prim white dress with a blue bow in the back, was being followed by her brother Alphard, who was clutching something that had black smoke pouring from its edges. "COUSIN DRACO!" they shouted, and tackled the man to the floor.

Draco was laughing, wrestling himself free. "Alright, alright, calm down. Here's you a little something," he said, handing a large square package to Lily.

She pulled a book from the wrapping. "The Young Witch's Guide to Proper Deuling Ettiquette." She made a face, looking at Draco dubiously.

He leaned forward. "It's not really that," he whispered, "it's 'Horatio Finnigan's Spiteful Spells and How To Use Them'. I just charmed the cover so your mother wouldn't find out."

Lily's face pulled into a sneaky grin, and she gave him a thumbs-up, speeding out the door, the book tucked safely under her arm.

Draco shook his head, then put Alphard on his lap. "And for my dueling partner, here's something I saw and had to get." He produced a long, thin box.

Alphard tore into it like a madman, and let out a squeal as it revealed an Ollivander's Young Wizard's Training Wand. He leapt to his feet. "You got me one! You got me one! Let's duel, right now!"

There was another set of footsteps coming down the stairs, and Evie was rushing down, still buttoning her blouse. "Alphard, there will be no dueling in this house today! I just replaced the curtains in the dining room from last time!" She looked at the others, her tired-growing face breaking into a smile. "That's more like it! Has anyone heard from Harry and Neville?"

Draco lifted his chin. "I'll go outside, keep an eye out for them." He rose from the floor.

Ron trotted after him. "Wait up! I want to know what happened on your date last night."

"I'll come with you!" Alphie said, tearing to Draco's side. Draco pulled him onto his shoulders and piggybacked him out the door.

Evie opened her mouth to protest, but Sirius stopped her. "Let him go with his cousin, Evie, he'll be fine. They can't possibly get into trouble with Ron and Draco out there watching over them."

There was a cry from outside, and Alphard was letting out a bark-like laugh. Draco and Ron were dangling in midair by their ankles as Lily stood nearby, her wand drawn on them and the book open in her free hand.

Arthur Weasley, Minister of Magic, put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "Will you look at that? Isn't she just adorable?"

Evie stared at the crowd grinning at the girl, then shook her head and walked into the kitchen.

Molly let out a long breath. "Sirius, she's just beautiful. Eleven today, isn't she?"

Sirius nodded, crossing his arms and giving a sniff. "Yeah, eleven," he whined. "And Alphie will be seven in December. It just won't seem right, having them both gone in another four years."

Molly looked at him. "You should have had a houseful. There's still time, you know."

Sirius Black wiped his eyes, shaking his head. "Oh, no. I don't think this house could handle another one. They've almost destroyed their bedrooms. We've had to renovate seven times."

Remus chuckled. "Not to mention the basement."

Severus Snape nodded, raising an eyebrow. "They are both singularly gifted children, indeed. They'll make Slytherin proud."

Sirius frowned, and glanced at him. "You mean Gryffindor."

Severus Snape took a deep breath. "I do believe they will sort Slytherin."

Sirius blinked. "Gryffindor."

Severus turned to him. "Those children have Slytherin coursing through their veins. I am Slytherin. Their mother was Slytherin. Just because their father washed out…"

Sirius dropped his arms and faced him. "Don't start that mess about me washing out, Severus. They'll both make Gryffindor, you mark my word."

Severus lifted his chin. "Would you care to put a small wager on your security? Of course, I would understand if you didn't, since you have already lost most of your savings to me on the Quidditch World Cup…"

"YOU CHEATED! YOU KNEW THE GAME PLAN BECAUSE YOU DID THE LEGILIMENS THING ON THEIR TEAM CAPTAIN!"

"Speculation, Mister Black."

Sirius was livid, and lowered his chin. "There you go. There you go, calling me Black again, when you know it gets on my nerves. That's why you do it, you know. It's always 'Sirius this' and 'Sirius that' until you want to get me all bent out of shape, and then you start calling me 'Black'. You haven't called me 'Black' in almost eleven years, you old git…"

The others were moving away to the sitting room as the two quarreled, quite used to their spats.

There was another knock at the front door. Evie came jogging from the kitchen, and opened it to a tall young man with a blonde woman at his side. "Neville! Luna!" She hugged them both, and smiled at the couple behind them. "Alice, Frank, how are you two?"

Alice Longbottom, her face aged and eyes lined, gave a nervous nod. "We're fine, Miss Evelyn."

Frank was grinning. "We're having cake, right?"

Evie looked at Neville and they shared a meaningful look, then pulled them in. "Yes, we're having cake and lots of it. You come in here and have a seat."

Sirius and Severus had moved under the stairs and were hissing at one another, and Evie cleared her throat loudly, giving them a warning glance. They straightened and came forward, smiling. "Happy birthday, Neville. As soon as Harry gets here, I suppose we can begin."

Neville embraced the man who'd taken him in eleven years before, and had welcomed him into his home and family. "Thanks, Sirius. Mum and Dad came, did you see them?"

Sirius moved past him. "I'm going over now. Hi, Luna! Nice earrings."

She fingered the lizards hanging from her lobes. "Thank you, Stubby."

Sirius watched her even as he walked into the sitting room.

Severus joined his hands behind his back. "And how are things at St. Mungo's, Healer Longbottom?"

Neville grinned. "Wonderful. We're looking forward to having Evie working with us, if they can convince her."

Severus gave a nod. "I'm sure she will consider it thoroughly. And happy birthday."

"Thank you, Severus."

Ron was suddenly at the door, grinning like a snake. "Hey, Neville, let's take down the Chosen One."

Neville darted outside with Ron, and Sirius looked up from the Longbottoms and peered out the window. "Ah! There they are. Frank, Alice, let me help you..."

The crowd moved onto the front porch, and watched as Ron and Draco and Neville wrestled a man to the ground, laughing uncontrollably. Ginny, stomach bulging with her late pregnancy, waddled up the path holding the hands of the blabbering Lily and Alphard Black.

"And I told them that I was going to be an aunt, because my brother Harry was having a baby."

Aphie jumped in. "And they thought the baby was in his stomach, not yours, and so I had to explain that it was his wife who was having the baby, and not Harry."

"I got my owl from Hogwarts Thursday. We went shopping yesterday in Diagon Alley. I got a cauldron, and robes, and a cat, and Daddy sneezes every time it comes near him. Mum named it Snuffles the Second."

Alphie's bark-like laugh filled the air. "Hey, Ginny, did you know that Daddy actually mailed her cat once? He did. He mailed it to Peru by owl post, and told her it ran away. I've never been to Peru, have you? I got a new wand. Did you see my new wand?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "That's not even a real wand, Alphie. It's just a training wand. My wand is real." She looked back to Ginny, her eyes flashing with glee. "I gave Daddy a tail, and Uncle Remus is going to show me how to repel a Boggart, and I got to do my first duel this morning. Watch what Uncle Severus taught me. Levicorpus!"

The four wrestling men were suddenly dangling from their ankles, flailing like mad.

Ginny went breathless with laughter, and almost sank to the ground. Luna, Hermione, Narcissa, and Tonks came out to help her into the house, and Evie followed as she shot Lily a warning look. "Put them down, young lady."

"Oh, Mum, you're so stuck up." She flicked her wand, and the four fell to the ground roughly.

"Lily Eileen Black, you're not supposed to do magic outside of school!"

Lily rushed into Harry Potter as he tried to replace his glasses, and he caught her, landing on his back. "Did you see it? Wasn't that good? I bet even you couldn't duel with me. I sent Uncle Severus through the wall. Through the wall, Harry!"

Aphie had joined her atop his big brother. "Mummy's still angry, but Daddy said he would get her a new Sneakoscope since she did such a good job blasting him." He leaned down, lowering his voice to a whisper. "He already got me one that explodes when you touch it, but I figured out how to make it smell like dead fish, too."

Harry Potter sat up, shaking his head. "You two are far too much to handle, do you know that?"

They stood and walked toward the house, and Sirius came out and wrapped the man he called his son into a hug. "Happy birthday."

Harry returned it. "I like celebrating them all at once like this. Makes it easier for everyone to get together."

Sirius pulled back and looked at him for a long time, then shook his head. "You look just like your father, Harry." His eyes misted. "It's a shame he couldn't see you like this, all grown up." He swallowed. "I wish they were here."

Harry grinned staring at the man who had become his rock, the only father he'd ever known. "Yeah, but I've got a dad right here, and he's all I've ever needed."

Sirius lifted his chin, and rolled his eyes, blinking rapidly. "Stop. Don't make me cry in front of everybody. Get in here. Lunch is ready."

Harry stepped onto the porch, receiving greetings from everyone. He looked at Severus Snape, who was watching Lily Black duel with Ron, Draco, and Neville, dropping them like flies.

"How's the Dark Arts professor?"

Severus looked at him and gave a smile. "I am well. And how are you?"

Harry grinned, shaking his head at the three grown men who couldn't take on a little girl. "Better off than they are."

"I saw you on the front page. You and Draco have been busy, Harry. I'm thrilled with both of you."

Harry nodded. "Absolutely. Being an Auror is more than I thought it would be, Severus." He stared at the older man for a moment, then pulled him into an embrace. "I know I've said it a thousand times, but thank you. Thank you for everything."

Severus returned it, giving Harry a slap on the back. "You've done what you were always meant to do. I simply stood by and watched you succeed."

"I DID IT! I DID IT, DADDY! DID YOU SEE?!"

Alphie's words turned their heads, and they saw him flashing his training wand, flipping Draco upside down with a flair to rival his sister's. Sirius was cheering him on, practically leaping with excitement.

Ron landed roughly as Lily's spell was broken, the girl distracted by delight at her sibling's success. Ron shook himself, and was rushing the boy. "Oh, so now you think you're invincible, do you?"

In an instant, Alphie was barking with laughter as he dangled Ron by an ankle.

Harry shook his head. "He is remarkably like his father."

Severus Snape smiled. "Yes, he is." He tilted his head. "We should be proud."

THE END