Blood Stones (Snarry)

Birthday Party

At the table, all of his kids, Molly and Hagrid who must have snuck in were sat at the table, a pink cake could be seen on the counter just behind them.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" They called in unison, Severus whispering after them in his ear lovingly.

"Now of course we are celebrating Albus and Lily' birthdays as well this week, but we thought you needed a particularly stark reminder!" Molly chimed in while placing down a soup beside the main dish.

There was Caesar salad, the main dish was some roast chicken, soup with lentils, beef, onions, broth, seasoning, he had made Harrys 'rainy day' soup, just for the occasion. It was a hearty and a bit of a more healthy comfort food he only made for those in high regard due to the fact he had to soak the lentils the night before in cool water and seasoning. He still had a slight redness to his eyes but was readily smiling as he took the seat next to Severus, interlocking their fingers under the table.

Table talk exploded in bursts of baby talk and quidditch, updates about Hogwarts and about a bazillion other subjects. The laughter that filled the room could have warmed the heart of the dark lord himself.

Harry let a single tear escape for just a brief second before wiping it away as Hagrid set down the all too familiar pink cake in the center of the table, blowing the candle out.

"Who wants cake?" He smiled back.

The room answered with more than many enthusiastic 'Me, me, me's' causing him to cut and serve the traditionally pink and green cake. The children once again got excited to see the smile across their father's face. He was especially fond of gifts as he had never received any in his youth.

"Why don't we go have a seat on the couch by the fire for presents?"

Harry smiled and actually turned a bit red under all the attention of his kids, they are pushing and pulling him as he almost dropped his cake, which was held on its small party plate in his hand.

"Alright, alright! Don't forget Hagrid's gift!" he reminded, Albus already holding it proudly as he plodded behind his two more athletic siblings.

"We made sure to make you lots of gifts this year Dad." Albus said, claiming the seat to the right as he sleepily leaned on him, Harry smiling and smoothing his curling bangs for him.

"Oh?" Harry teased.

"You're trying to spoil me rotten huh?" he said, suddenly attacking the now eight-year-old with tickling fingers that had him releasing an uncharacteristically loud yelping bark of a laugh, the kind of laugh that was both so enjoyable yet so goofy on its own that soon had his siblings joining in.

He naturally grabbed at the larger one first, unwrapping it to find the thick bonded book filled with memories and love. He went through each of Lily's drawings and cutouts individually with her on his lap while the two boys rolled their eyes. He identified several flowers and cats before one she did of him and an attempt at Severus which was mostly nose. Causing them all to giggle.

Next was the letters from Albus in which he reminded them of all the fun vacations they had taken, when they first got Mr. Sock, when Lily was born and how much he loved staying in the shack with them among other more emotional mixings. They then spend easily another ten minutes admiring the many, many... many photos that James had contributed to the mix of... well, really anything of significance, pictures he had found from when he was born and holding the other two, old family photos, photos of Harry's parents, holidays, vacations funny moments. All of these gifts had been contained within an extremely large and heavy book.

"Thank you guys." Harry said holding the three of them at once, clearly more emotional than he needed to be.

"It was Severus' idea." James chimed in an effort to advert his father's affections.