Years passed. The interrogation of Wormtail proved, with the help of Veritaserum, that he had, in fact, sold the Potters to Voldemort. He was sent to Azkaban. Lily and James found a new home, closer to their friends. Sirius moved back into Grimmauld Place, and Remus bought a house nearby. Sirius was Lily and James's new Secret Keeper, Remus was Sirius's, and Lily and James were Remus's. Now, there was no way they could sell each other out, or be caught and forced to.
Harry grew up with a family and friends. He ended up with a sister, who was just a year and a half younger than him, and would be going to Hogwarts the year after him. She was named Brittany.
Lily eventually forgave Severus for what he had done, and they became friends again. Perhaps not as close as they used to be, but friends. Harry liked him. James, Sirius, and Severus even learned to tolerate each other. Remus never actually had a problem with him. And he was Brittany's godfather.
It was July 30, 1991. Harry would be turning eleven the next day. His letter had arrived the day before. Lily, James, Harry, and Brittany were planning his birthday party.
"You're not going to be here for my birthday." Brittany said, for the hundredth time.
"Don't worry, Britt. I'll send you a present." Harry promised.
"Okay, Harry. What kind of cake do you want?" Lily asked.
"Chocolate!" Harry exclaimed. "Chocolate's the best."
"What color frosting?" James asked.
"I don't know." Harry shrugged. "Surprise me."
"We could make it green." Lily suggested.
"Do you want him to be a Slytherin?"James asked, horrified.
"James, the color of the cake isn't going to change what House he's in at Hogwarts." Lily laid a hand on his arm. "So relax."
"We could make it pink." Brittany put in. "Pink's a good color."
Lily looked at Harry, who shrugged.
"Pink it is." Lily wrote it down on a piece of paper. "Now, I'm going to go get the things for the cake, the decorations, and a few last minute presents. James, pay attention to them this time."
"When do I not pay attention?" James asked, offended.
"All the time." Lily, Brittany, and Harry answered in unison.
"Harry, please clean your room." Lily added. "Ron, Fred, George, Natalie, and Ginny will be here early tomorrow, so there won't be time in the morning."
"Fine." Harry sighed.
"You know," Brittany said suddenly. "Natalie is the only one of your friends who isn't a Weasley. And who isn't a boy."
"Well, Ginny and I are on relatively good terms." Harry said.
"Yeah, but she's my friend." Brittany scowled. "And Natalie doesn't like me."
"Because you put a snake in her boot!" James laughed. "That was a good one, Britt!"
"James, don't encourage her to pick on Harry's friends." Lily sighed. "Natalie's parents still don't like her to come over here."
"I didn't work alone!" Brittany defended herself. "Ginny helped! She caught the snake!"
"Okay, let's just move on." Lily said. "I really need to go pick these things up. Harry, please clean your room. Britt, don't blow anything up again. James, don't help her blow anything up. Again."
As soon as she left, James turned to Harry and Brittany.
"Ready to start learning how to be an animagus?" he asked.
"Dad, Mom said to clean my room." Harry said.
"Oh, Harry, now's the best time to learn." James said airily. "Don't listen when your mother says things like that."
"Don't you have to hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month?" Brittany asked.
"Just do what I did." James said. "Pretend it's the ultimate quiet game. And Harry'll have time before he leaves for Hogwarts, if he starts today."
"How about we start tomorrow?" Harry asked. "After the party."
"Fine." James sighed. "But you're not getting out of it."
The three looked at each other and started laughing. Eventually, they got a hold of themselves, and Harry went upstairs to clean his room.
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