Growing up Pureblooded

The Birthday Surprise

A month later in the south of France, the Black household was making preparations for Aries's upcoming birthday. The entire extended Black and Malfoy families were coming, as had become their tradition over the years. For Aries and Draco, this year's celebration was particularly significant, as Aunt Cassie had agreed to take them both back to England on August 2nd, on order to buy their wands. For several days leading up to the celebration, the house was in an uproar. Granny spent all her time in the kitchen with Roquefort, her skilled house elf, making preparations for an enormous feast. Mopsy came over from England to decorate the chateau, filling every room with fresh flowers and streamers.

The guests came over a few at a time. Uncle Marius and Aunt Clytemnestra came first, followed the next day by the Malfoys. Pollux and Irma came the day before Aries's birthday, along with a teenage witch with pink hair. "Dora!" Aries exclaimed. "It's been ages." Pollux had fulfilled his promise to Aries to take Aries and Draco to meet their cousin Nymphadora Tonks a couple of years before, but they hadn't seen each other very often since then. Family tensions still ran high. "I thought your mum and dad didn't want you to come." Dora shrugged. "They didn't, but I'm seventeen now, so I can do what I like." "We're glad to have you dear," Melania said.

On August 1st, Aries's birthday dinner began promptly at noon, with mountains of food and plenty of laughter. Halfway through there was a flash, and Aunt Cassie appeared, clutching a hairbrush together with a tall man with shoulder-length black hair. "Happy Birthday Aries," Aunt Cassie said. "I apologize for our tardiness." She gestured towards the stranger. "I've brought someone you should meet." Aries looked at the man for what seemed an eternity before he recognized him. The man's robes were elegant, and his hear and beard were neatly trimmed and well kept. But he was very thin, and he grey eyes bore a sunken, haunted look. He looked different, but Aries had seen him in plenty of pictures and heard countless stories about him. It was his godfather, and supposed father: Sirius Black. Aries began to panic. Everything was going to be ruined. He looked at Uncle Marius anxiously, but the Squib smiled at Aries reassuringly, and nodded slightly. Aries swallowed hard.

"I know you," he said quietly. "You're my dad. You're Sirius Black." Draco and Dora gasped, but none of the adults seemed surprised. Aries waited for the confused look, the loud denial, the angry rejection, but they never came. Sirius only smiled a but nervously and nodded. "That's right, Aries." he said sheepishly. "And I'd know you anywhere, even if I haven't seen you since you were a baby." He looked at Aries meaningfully. "You look just like your dad. Except for the eyes. You have your mother's eyes." He winked at Aries imperceptibly, and in that instant the boy understood. Somehow Sirius knew everything that had happened, but he still wanted Aries. Aries suddenly felt an inexpressible warmth wash over him. Sirius was free, he knew who Aries really was, and he still wanted him. Sirius held his arms wide and gave Aries a tentative look, as though frightened that Aries might not want him in return. The tears burst forth unbidden as Aries ran to Sirius and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go, savoring his (god)father's affectionate embrace. "Happy Birthday son," Sirius whispered into his ear, and roughly kissed the top of Aries's head. "Thanks Dad," Aries murmured through his tears.