July 31st, 1996

Spinner's End:

Harry woke up on his birthday eager to start the day. After showering quickly, he went to greet Hedwig, who nuzzled him and chirred, Happy sixteenth birthday, fledgling!

"You remembered? I didn't think owls kept track of that sort of thing."

Hedwig looked at him, her head half upside down. Of course we do! Birthdays are important to owls as well as humans. How else would we tell when we are old enough to become an elder? I would have gotten you a dead mouse for a treat, but I know you wouldn't appreciate it. So . . .here's one of my feathers. You can make a quill of it. She picked up a glossy white feather with silver bars across it and handed it to him. It had been removed perfectly, with nothing bent or broken.

Harry cupped the feather in his hand. "Thanks, Hedwig! That's a great present1 I'll trim it and stuff after breakfast."

He stroked her one last time before heading down to breakfast.

Severus was reading something at the kitchen table, while Major drank a bowl of milk beside his feet. The Potions Master quickly tucked whatever he'd been reading out of sight of his inquisitive sharp-eyed son and then looked over at him. "Happy birthday, my Freedom. Would you like to do anything special this morning?"

Harry shrugged and said, "Thanks, Da. Umm . . .Paul was thinking about going to the arcade with me for a few hours. Then we'll be back for dinner. Five o'clock, all right?"

"Yes. That will give me time to prepare and cook it." Severus said. He had told Harry he was preparing a special dinner for him for his birthday and Paul, who was in on the surprise party, was invited to it, as well as Sirius, Remus, and Minerva and Albus. Paul had told Severus he would see to it Harry was kept away until all the other guests arrived. Of course, the Muggle boy didn't realize that they were wizards, or that some of them were arriving from Romania with Severus' help. Marietta couldn't make it, she had an aunt's fiftieth birthday to attend, but Vince was coming, and so were Jace, Ron, Hermione, Jilly, and Darkmoon and Meadowsweet. Severus was going to use a Portkey to get to Romania as soon as Harry was out of the house.

"What would you like for breakfast, Harry?" he asked then.

"Breakfast? Uh . . .I don't know. I never . . .I always just cooked breakfast for the Dursleys on my birthday, same as always."

Severus muttered something that sounded like "skinflint bastards" and said, "Well, in this house, you get to have whatever you'd like for breakfast on your birthday. Even ice cream."

Harry's eyes widened. "Was that what you did when you were a kid?"

"Yes. Most times we couldn't afford a party, but my mother made sure I knew it was a special day by letting me pick breakfast and dinner out. And even my drunken arse of a father didn't smack me around on my birthday. I guess that was his 'gift' to me." Severus sneered. "At least it was something. Well?"

"Lemme think." Harry sat down, and thought about his favorite foods and said, a bit guiltily, for he had been conditioned to think that his birthday was nothing special, "Could you . . .err . . .make me some crispy potatoes and a side of ham and . . . a Belgian waffle with bananas and whipped cream? Is that too much trouble?"

Severus shook his head. "No. It's perfectly fine. Here. Try this." He set a mug down in front of his son filled with delicious smelling hot cocoa topped with cinnamon and cream. "That's Mexican hot cocoa. I used to drink this quite a bit when I was studying for a test. It has cinnamon and vanilla in it and dark rich chocolate."

Harry sipped it. It tasted like heaven, if heaven had bittersweet rich chocolate combined with mellow cream and a cinnamon bite. "This is the best hot cocoa I ever had. Where did you get the recipe?"

"From an old friend, Regulus Black. And don't ask me where he got it because I wouldn't know." Severus moved over to the opposite end of the kitchen, and began preparing the waffles and bananas and potatoes. The ham was already sliced and just needed heating. When Harry would have risen to help, Severus ordered him back to his seat. "No chores and no cooking on your birthday. Sit down and don't make me Stick your rear to your chair."

Harry sat down and then had himself another cup of the wondrous hot cocoa while he waited for his breakfast. It felt so very odd to be served, as if he were someone important.

Severus glanced back when all the food was cooking and caught Harry's half-puzzled look, and figured out in an instant what made his son look that way. He came back and placed a hand upon Harry's shoulder, making the young man look at him. "You seem confused, son. As if you don't deserve this. But you do, Harry. You're important to me and your birthday should be celebrated, not forgotten."

Harry gave him a half-smile. "It's just so . . .so different from what I'm used to."

"What you were used to was not normal," Severus said quietly. "I hope, with time, you'll consider my way of celebrating your birthday normal." Then he withdrew to watch his food and Harry contemplated the warm feeling in his chest which had less to do with the hot cocoa he'd drunk and more with his father's quiet assertion that he mattered to Severus.

The waffles and potatoes and ham were excellent. Harry savored every bite. Then again, he had never known Severus to not make a dish taste good. When he was done, he automatically stood up to wash the dishes, but Severus waved a finger at him and he set down his plate and fork and cup again.

"Go on, Harry. Go meet Paul. I'll finish here."

"Okay. Breakfast was awesome! See you later." He waved as he ran out the door and down the porch steps.

Severus quickly waved his wand and the dishes were washed and put back in the cabinet. He made sure everything in the house was neat and clean. Then he decorated the den with a wave of his wand. Balloons and a Happy Birthday sign appeared on the wall and a table with all kinds of party food and drink took the place of the coffee table.

That done, he took the Portkey, which was a pendant carved in the shape of a wolf, and whispered, "The Forest of the Night. Portus!" He felt a strong tug and then he was whisked away across the sea.

* * * * * * *

Darkmoon and Meadowsweet both thought Spinner's End a lovely house, despite not having lived in civilized surroundings for over five years. The two wolfen had been the first invited guests to Harry's party, and Severus was relieved that they still had some "normal" clothing in addition to Gypsy skirts and handmade leathers. Darkmoon was wearing black jeans, black leather boots, and a T-shirt and over that a Marine camoflauge jacket which had the logo Semper Fi on the back. Meadowsweet had on a strapless sundress in a bright sunflower yellow that went beautifully with her pale hair and eyes. She was also wearing white Grecian style sandles and had a fresh sunflower in her hair.

In addition to her present for Harry, she had also brought her suitcase and duffle full of healing supplies, for she would be staying on at Hogwarts afterwards. "Where shall we put the gifts, Severus?" she asked.

"You can put them in the kitchen, Harry won't be opening them till after the party. We wouldn't want Paul, Harry's Muggle friend, to learn about the wizarding world by accident." Severus told her.

"We understand," said Darkmoon in that quiet authorative tone he had. "Though my present shouldn't shock anyone too much."

"Mine either. I made him a pressed herb manual for his potions." Meadowsweet said.

Severus chuckled at the wolfen Healer. "Sasha, you needn't have gotten him anything. You being here will be the best sort of present."

Sasha blushed a becoming rose. "Oh, I guess you're right."

"He would know better than anyone," Darkmoon said quietly.

Severus had time to give the two wolfen lunch before the adults started arriving as well. The first ones to arrive were, predictably, Remus and Sirius. Sirius came through first, and gave Meadowsweet a welcoming smile. "Hell-o! Where did you come from, lovely lady?"

"The Forest of the Night. My name is Sasha Atwater, or Meadowsweet if you prefer." Sasha rose gracefully to her feet and shook Sirius' hand.

"The Forest of the—wait a minute! You're one of those—those wolfen."

"I am. I am the Healer of Sylvanor, but once I lived in London with my mother and cousin," she indicated Darkmoon with a wave of her hand. Her eyes grew dark. "Before the Minister came and took us away. It's good to be back in the world again, though Sylvanor shall always be my home now."

"Welcome back. I'm Sirius Black, Harry's godfather." Sirius said, giving her one of his patented smiles. "It's a pleasure."

"Quit making eyes at her, Black. She's Harry's girlfriend," Severus interjected.

Now it was the Animagus' turn to blush red as a sunset. "Oh . . .err. . .sorry, I didn't know . . ."

"It's okay. I'm not offended." The Healer smiled. Her amber eyes glinted with amusement.

Darkmoon cane forward next and extended a hand. "Erik Harlan, also known as Darkmoon, Alpha of Sylvanor."

Sirius shook it as well, sizing up the younger man. "You're American?"

"Born and raised. Till my mom died and then I came here to live with my cousin. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Black."

"Sirius. Mr. Black's not my style."

Then Remus came through and before Severus could introduce him, Darkmoon stiffened, all the hair on his head rising like a wolf's hackles. He spun away from Sirius and snarled, his amber eyes blazing.

"Werewolf!"

He lunged at Remus, hands becoming claws, intent upon ripping out the other's throat.

Severus got there first. "Darkmoon, no!"

Darkmoon growled low in his throat. "Out of my way, Severus! He's a werewolf!"

"Erik! Calm down!" Meadowsweet ordered, grabbing her Alpha by the shoulder. "He's not like our sires. Look at him! He's no threat. He's not a dominant, there is no taint of evil!"

"Darkmoon, stand down, dammit!" snapped the Potions Master, shielding Remus with his body. "He's my friend, not an enemy."

Some sense returned to the alpha's amber eyes as he relaxed and sniffed the other's scent. His clawed hands shifted back to normal and he drew in a deep breath, dropping his eyes in shame. "I . . .I . . .Forgive me, Severus. I know better than to challenge that way . . .but when I smelled him . . .I just . . .it's instinct for me to fight werewolves . . ."

"Please, I mean you no harm," Remus said, coming out from behind Severus to face his would-be assailant. "My name is Remus Lupin and I'm a professor at Hogwarts."

Darkmoon's eyebrow went up. "A werewolf professor? Never would have thought it. I thought all werewolves were like that bastard Greyback, monsters who lived to kill and maim innocent people."

Remus' face twisted in revulsion. "I have never bitten anyone. I hated Greyback as much as you did. He made me into this, but he's finished now. I killed him."

Darkmoon gaped at the mild-looking Lupin. "You killed Greyback? How?"

"I tricked him into a trap. He died by tree," Lupin replied.

Darkmoon grinned. "Good for you! Sorry I almost attacked you. I shouldn't have—"

"It's all right. An alpha's instinct is to protect first," Remus waved off the other's apology, understanding better than anyone the reasons behind Darkmoon's irrational attitude.

Darkmoon sighed. "I should have known better." He shook his head in disgust. "Let's start over. My name is Erik Harlan, sometimes known as Darkmoon. How do you do?"

Remus clasped the other's hand firmly. "Remus Lupin. Very well, thank you."

The tension in the room suddenly faded away as the two men faced each other and acknowledged what each was capable of. Erik could tell in a moment that Remus was a talented wizard and though he was not a dominant wolf, neither was he an omega needing protection. He was an independent wolf, one that Darkmoon might watch warily, but posed no threat to his leadership.

Severus sighed. "If you're all finished circling and growling like two wolves, feel free to sample the refreshments. Albus and Minerva should be arriving soon and also Vince, Jace, and Jilly."

"Jilly?" Meadowsweet asked softly.

"Jace Witherspoon's two-year-old sister," clarified Severus.

"Ah. Real competition for you, Sash," joked Darkmoon.

Sasha just shook her head at him. "Very funny, Erik."

She retreated to the refreshment table and picked up a handful of pretzels and ate them. The others soon joined her.

"Pumpkin juice!" exclaimed Erik. "I'd almost forgotten how sweet this stuff is. Haven't had this since we were chucked into the Forest." He sipped a small amount of juice and wrinkled his nose. "Funny, but I think I've lost my taste for it."

"But not cola," Meadowsweet said, pouring herself a cup. She drank and sighed happily. "I missed drinking this."

Darkmoon poured himself a cup and drank. "Mmm! Now that's the taste of civilization—Coke."

Sirius snorted. "Nah. Coke's good, but beer's the taste of civilization."

Meadowsweet made a face. "Beer? Ugh! How can you enjoy something that tastes like dog urine is beyond me."

"Women! You all have no appreciation for malt liquors."

"And I'm glad of it!" Sasha returned spiritedly.

"I prefer wine myself, if I have to drink alcohol," Severus said.

"Wine's for sissies," Sirius said dismissively.

"Beer's the drink of choice for arseholes," Severus snarled. His father always drank beer and Severus could not stand it for that reason.

"Hey! Guys, calm down!" Remus said, ever the peacemaker. "It's just a difference of opinion, okay?"

The other two lapsed into a chagrined silence.

Meadowsweet promptly changed the subject to a safer one—namely Severus' new promotion.

The Floo flared again and Albus and Minerva stepped through.

Minerva was wearing a rather conservative green skirt and a heather colored blouse with a thistle pin on the bodice. She carried two wrapped parcels in her hand. Albus was wearing what was—for him—normal attire. A pair of screaming yellow and blue sufer shorts and a tie-dye T-shirt, sunglasses, and flipflops.

"Hello, Severus! Is Harry home yet?" Albus greeted. His long beard was tied up with multi-colored ribbons and resembled a corn-rowed floor mop.

"No. Remember, this is a surprise party," Severus told the older man, trying not to stare.

"Of course, my boy!" Albus cheerfully slapped Severus on the back.

Remus and Sirius gaped at him.

The former wizard greeted them cheerfully and then moved on to saying hello to the two wolfen. He immediately began bombarding them with questions, until the two looked flummoxed on how to get a word in edgewise.

Severus took pity on them and leaned over and handed Albus a glass of soda. "Take a breath, Dad," he hissed. "Have a Coke."

Albus' eyes lit up. He had devolped a passion—not surprisingly—for the sweet effervescent cola. "My favorite! Thank you, Severus!" He took the glass and gulped happily.

"Just keep some cans nearby and when he starts getting too nosy, give him another one," Severus told the two wolfen. "That'll allow you to catch your breath."

"Is he really your father?" Darkmoon asked, looking from one to the other.

"No. It's complicated." Severus answered. "He's sort of . . .mutually adopted me and Harry."

"Ah. I get it now." Darkmoon nodded in understanding.

Minerva was stroking Major, who had deigned to come out and "speak" with her. Severus went to refill the ice bucket inside the kitchen.

That was when Vince came through the Floo, and his eyes widened at the sight of his former professors. "Merlin, I feel like I've crashed a teachers' reunion or something. I should've brought my dad, seeing as he's going to be one too."

"Hello, Vince, my boy!" Albus called. "Nice to see you again. How is your dad?"

"Doing well, sir."

"Come here and let me introduce you to my new friends," Dumbledore beckoned.

Once they had all been introduced, Vince looked at Meadowsweet and said appreciatively, "Harry was right. You are a knockout, Sasha."

"And you're sweet, Vince."

The boy blushed. "It's the truth. Too bad my girlfriend couldn't have come. She could have kept you company."

"I would have liked to meet her. From what Harry has written to me, you are all brave and clever. But I deal all right with just males."

"Translation—she bosses us all around," Darkmoon said, drinking another Coke.

"Which is as it should be," Meadowsweet said serenely.

Vince chuckled. "You'll fit right in at Hogwarts. There's lots of bossy girls there. Like Hermione."

Just then, the Floo chimed again, and Jace came through, holding little Jilly in his arms.

"Oh, she's just adorable!" Minerva cried. "Jace, why didn't you tell me you had such a gorgeous little sister?"

Jace shrugged, looking half embarrassed. "Jilly, say hi to Professor McGonagall."

"Hi! I is Jilly," the little girl announced, and smiled shyly at them.

"Reminds me of my own little sister," Vince said, and he knelt to shake her small hand.

"Hey, Crabbe." Jace greeted his fellow Slytherin.

"Hey yourself, Witherspoon. What's up?"

"Nothing much. Where shall I put the present?"

"In the kitchen, I think," Vince jerked his thumb back to where the kitchen was.

Jace started for the doorway, only to almost collide with his Head of House, who was returning with the ice bucket. "Oops! Sorry, professor."

"Jace? You're here early."

"Yeah, my mum said it's better than way. Nice house, sir."

"Thank you."

Jace walked around him to put the present with the others upon the table.

Jilly looked up at that precise moment from petting Major, who had wound himself about her like a fur muff and was purring ecstatically. Her beautiful green eyes lit up in delight. "'fessor Sevvy!" she crowed. "There you are!"

She was up and running lickety-split, to throw herself on top of the Potions Master, her little arms coming around his knees and hugging tight.

A wave of incredible joy and warmth suddenly filled the room, as the little Empath broadcast her delight at seeing her favorite grown-up friend again. Everyone was grinning and chuckling at the sight of the tall professor brought to a standstill by the little imp.

Severus gestured, and the ice bucket floated over to the table. Then he knelt and picked up Jilly, who immediately transferred her grip from his knees to his neck. "Hello, little one. Did I not promise you would see me again this summer?"

Jilly grinned happily. "Uh huh."

"And I always keep my word."

"'fessor Sevvy?" Sirius repeated, snorting with laughter. "Oh dear sweet Merlin! 'fessor Sevvy! Moony, did you hear what she called him?"

Remus elbowed his best friend in the ribs. "Hush, Sirius! Don't spoil the moment."

Sirius shot his friend an annoyed look, but for once he obeyed and shut his mouth.

"I missed you," Jilly said simply. "Nobody reads stories like you. Not even Mama."

Sirius' mouth fell open. Snape, reading a story to a little kid?

Remus promptly put a finger under his chin and closed his mouth.

Jace groaned. "That's all she talks about now. How you read her The Hungry Caterpillar, Professor Snape."

"Oh, Severus, how sweet!" Minerva laughed.

"Looks like you've gained a little admirer, my boy!" chortled Albus, his eyes twinkling madly.

Severus said nothing, he simply took a seat upon the couch with Jilly on his knee, who was now chattering away at him, telling him about the rest of her summer. He listened to her gravely, and when she had begun to wind down, asked, "Would you like something to eat or drink, child?"

"Yes, please. Do you have ice cream?"

"Yes, but we'll have that a little later, with cake. How about a shortbread?"

"'Kay. An'milk too." Then she added. "Please, 'fessor Sevvy."

Severus summoned a small cup of milk for her to drink and she drank it happily ensconced upon his lap, like a little princess.

Which was what Ron, Ginny, and Hermione saw as they exited the fireplace a few minutes later.

Ron goggled. "Bloody hell, Hermione! Professor Snape's got a kid!"

Hermione gasped. "Oh my goodness!"

Ginny said nothing, shocked speechless.

That was too much for Sirius. He collapsed on the floor next to the snack table, laughing uncontrollably.

Severus shot him a dirty look. "Something funny, Black?"

Sirius wiped tears from his eyes. "Sure is . . .Dad." He went off into another uncontrolled bout of laughter.

Ron was staring at everyone, his eyes wide.

Until Jilly said, "He not my daddy, silly boy! He 'fessor Sevvy, the storybook man!"

* * * * * *

Once all the introductions had been made for the fourth—or was it fifth?—time, and the Weasley children and Hermione had gotten some snacks, Severus informed them that they would all need to watch their mouths around Paul Mosier, Harry's new Muggle friend. "In the interests of the Statute of Secrecy, you will all have to pretend to be Muggle teenagers for the duration of the party. While that won't be too hard for someof you—" He nodded at Hermione, Meadowsweet, and Darkmoon. "Others should just follow their lead."

Sirius looked at the four pureblooded wizards and grinned like a child. "That's one way to put it, but there's another way you could blend in."

"How's that, Sirius?" asked Ron.

"By learning how to play video games. Come with me." He led them up the stairs to Harry's room, where the TV and game system was.

"Sirius!" Severus called. "Be back down here by four o'clock. That's when Harry will be home. Four o'clock, got it?"

"I hear you, Severus. Keep your robes on, 'fessor Sevvy." Sirius called from the safety of the stairs.

The other teens gaped and Ron started laughing hard at Sirius' audacity.

Sirius smirked, until Snape answered back, "Keep it up, Black, and you'll be on kitchen duty all night with no cake."

Sirius made a face. "Damn drill sergeant. Reminds me of my old man." Then he turned and headed into Harry's room.

* * * * * *

Two hours later:

Harry whooped as he beat Paul's Scorpion with Rayden, winning the final round of the Mortal Kombat Three tournament. "Ha! Who's the master now, Paul? Come on, admit it! I kicked your arse good!"

Paul snorted. "One time. One."

"One's all it takes, mate."

"That's you birthday present."

"Right." Harry proceeded to do a victory dance in front of the machine. "Want to play again. Rematch?"

Normally Paul would have been all about getting back at his smug friend and whipping his arse, but then he glanced at his watch. "Tomorrow I'll spank your arse. We gotta leave. Your dad wanted us back at the house at four."

"Yeah, yeah. It's just for cake and ice cream. He can wait a bit."

"I can't. I'm starving and I don't have any money left to buy food," Paul said plaintively. "Besides, I have the feeling that if we get home late, your dad's going to wallop both our arses."

"Nah. It's my birthday." Harry dug another bill out of his pocket. "One more game."

Paul groaned. "Jeez, Harry. Fine. It's your arse. Don't blame me if it gets grounded."

Harry huffed. "Since when are you the arcade police, Mosier?"

"Since I promised your dad we'd be home on time."

Harry turned away reluctantly. He really didn't want to get yelled at on his birthday by his father. And he was a little hungry and thirsty. "Okay. I could go for a sundae and my dad makes the best ones."

He scrunched the bill back into his pocket and together they left the arcade and rode their bikes back to Spinner's End.

By then it was quite hot and Harry was sweating and starving and so was Paul. They parked their bikes at the end of the porch and charged up the stairs and into the house.

All was quiet inside, and the lights were off. Harry took two steps in the door, gulped in the cool air, thanked God for air conditioning in July, and froze. "Uh, Paul? Why are all the lights off?"

"I dunno, Harry." Paul said, counting slowly to three.

"Da? Where are you?" Harry called.

Suddenly all the lights came on and thirteen voices shrieked "SURPRISE!"

Harry jumped about a foot.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" Paul said, smirking.

Harry was staring about at all of his friends and family. He was unable to speak or to move, he was so shocked. His dad had planned this. Severus had given him a surprise sixteenth birthday party. He was so overwhelmed he almost—almost—shed a tear. His eyes met his father's—Severus was smirking gleefully, holding Jilly Witherspoon in his arms, and Jilly was grinning like a jack-o-lantern and waving at him.

Then he saw Sirius, Remus, Albus, Minerva, and the rest of his school friends.

His eyes cut to the last two figures standing somewhat off to the side.

He almost didn't recognize Darkmoon in his Muggle attire. "Hell's bells! Darkmoon? But how did you—"

Darkmoon came over to hug him and whispered, "Portkey, kid. Sometimes magic comes in handy." The wolfen chuckled.

But Harry was no longer paying attention, for his eyes had been caught and held by the last person standing in the room.

"S-sasha? Is that really you?"

"Hey, Hawk Boy. Miss me?" she asked, her voice whispering across the room like velvet.

Harry did not bother to reply. Instead he crossed the room at something resembling the speed of light and picked up his beloved Meadowsweet and crushed her to him. "You're really here!" he exclaimed. "It's not a dream!"

Then his mouth found hers and he was kissing her, claiming her, and raw wild passion swept through him from head to toe, and his world exploded. He could feel the eyes of his friends and family upon him, knew that this wasn't quite proper, but he found he didn't give a damn. It was his birthday and Meadoswsweet had come to be with him, they were finally together, and he could hold her and kiss her the way he had dreamed of doing for weeks.

The adults were wearing indulgent expressions, or nostalgic ones, and even Severus was not scowling at his son's display of impropriety. His friends were either smirking and giggling or wearing looks of longing and envy. All except one.

Ginny Weasley was standing next to her brother, her eyes fixed upon Harry embracing Meadowsweet, and in her blue eyes was a fierce jealous rage, directed at the tall wolfen held close in her classmate's arms.

The only one who noticed was Darkmoon. The Alpha of Sylvanor frowned. He had seen that look before, when Eris and Frostfire had once wanted Arborsong to go out with them both. He'd been forced to step in before blood was shed and make the two antagonists draw lots. Uh oh, Harry. Looks like you've got problems. Or rather, she does. Big ones.

An instant later, Ginny's face smoothed out and she managed a smile at the couple.

But Darkmoon was not fooled. She could school her expression all she wanted, but she did not know that he could smell the jealousy welling up from deep inside. Darkmoon gritted his teeth. That one was going to be trouble.