Harry Potter: Another Chance

Chapter 9: Birthday

Disclaimer: 
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
 
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
$Parseltongue$
 
Chapter 9: Birthday
 
Harry remembers well the last birthday he celebrated. It was his twentieth birthday and the only reason he even agreed to it was because of the insistence from Hermione and Ron.

They had already lost many loved ones and the war was going at full force but his friends thought that a small celebration would bring some happiness to their miserable lives.

The party was interrupted when a horde of demons destroyed the safe house they were in.
Many of their allies died that day. Harry received his second permanent scar and Ron lost his left leg.
They learned a lesson that day, no more celebrating until the war was over.

Harry was interrupted by his dark thoughts when his father knocked on the door.
"Harry, your uncle Remus is here. Come to say hi." James said.

'Remus...' He did not know what he was going to say to that man. 

Harry went downstairs and found Remus talking with his mother. He looked a lot better than the one he remembered, which would not be too hard since the Remus he knew dropped dead during the first attack on Hogwarts.

This Remus Lupin was wearing clean, new clothes, trimmed hair, and was clean-shaved. If it wasn't for his senses detecting the dark aura of the werewolf inside him, Harry would have believed that this version of Remus was never cursed to begin with.

'He looks like one of those businessmen that Vernon liked to bring home for dinner.' Harry thought.

Remus turned to look at Harry when He heard him approach.
"Here you are! Happy birthday, Harry." Remus smiled for a moment before he seemed to remember something.
"Oh...Your mother told me what happened to you. And…well…Do you remember me?" Remus asked hesitantly.

As much as Harry hated to disappoint this man, He could not claim to remember him after not remembering his sisters.

And to be fair, he did not know anything about this version of Remus Lupin.
"Sorry, Uncle Remus. I don't remember much." Harry said apologetically.

Remus put a hand on his shoulder and smiled softly.
"It's okay, Harry. Is not your fault."

"Hey, You can get to know your uncle Remus today. We are all going to have dinner together for your birthday." Lily tried to cheer them up.

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 Dinner was a quiet affair. Harry didn't seem to have any friends of his age, so it was only the family and Remus.

Holly was starting to get bored after finishing her meal, so Lily took her to her room to read her a book before sleep.

Lyra excused herself and went to her room, leaving Remus, James, and Harry alone.

"So, Harry. Your father was telling me before that you have been learning who to fly in a broom." Remus said.

"Yes, He taught me for a week, and I have been practicing every day since then." Answered Harry.

"That's great. You know? your father used to be a great flyer back in our school days. He even played in the quidditch team."

"I'll let you know that I am still a great flyer. And I didn't just play in the team, I was the best chaser in the school." James bragged while laughing.

"Well, I don't know that much about quidditch, but I do enjoy flying." Harry tried to seem sincere at least.

"I'm sure, your father will get you started with the game soon enough," Remus said.

"He can't join the team until second year so we still have plenty of time," James said.
 
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Some days after, an owl made its way into the Potter manor and landed on the kitchen table, in front of Harry, while the family was having breakfast.

"Is that what I think it is?" Lily asked.

"Go on, Harry, pick up the letter," James said with a smile.

Harry recognized the seal on the letter immediately and picket it up, then gave some bacon to the owl.

He opened the envelope and read its contents.
"It's a letter from Hogwarts, I have been accepted to join the school." Said Harry before handing the letter to his mother.

Lily made a jump of joy to celebrate.
"Yes!, I'm so proud, Harry."

"Were you doubting that he was going to be accepted in Hogwarts?" asked Lyra.

Lily raised her hands defensively.
"Of course not!, I knew my boy would get in!."

"What a hogard?" asked Holly.

"It's Hogwarts, dear, and is a school for magical people. You will go there too when you are older." Said James.

"Hey, I just remember. Daphne told me that the Boy Who Lived will be attending Hogwarts this coming year. Maybe you get to meet him." Lyra said while looking at Harry.

"Really?, Can I meet him too?!" Said Holly excitedly.

'Daphne?...not, it can't be that one...'
Harry looked at his little sister.
"I'm sure you'll meet him one day, but when you do…just treat him normally, okay? I'm sure he doesn't like this whole 'Boy who Lived' stuff."

"Why wouldn't he like being famous?" Wondered Lyra.

'I hope that this Neville is as good as the one I knew.' Harry thought.
He may have been a bit clumsy at first, but over the years, Neville proved himself to be a competent and brave wizard. He fought valiantly at his side to the end…never giving up.

"You talk like you know him already." Said Lyra with suspicion.

Harry reacted quickly. "I don't. But he had a very hard life. And I'm sure he doesn't like to be reminded of what he lost…"

Lyra looked surprised, she hadn't thought about that, but it was true that Britain's hero had lost his family during the Dark Lord attack, and calling him 'The Boy who Lived' was just a reminder of that day.
"You talk like an old man!" She ended up shouting like the child she was.

"Those are very wise words, Harry." His mother said with admiration.

 "Yes, well said, son." Said James.