Mother's Day

III

They all took seats in the living room: Buffy and Liam in the chair, Willow next to Ron and Hermione. Harry stood in the center of the room, pulled out his wand and waved it at the coffee table. Suddenly, a stack of presents appeared in a flash of light.

"Ooo," said Willow.

"He's just showing off," said Ron.

"This one," Harry said, ignoring Ron, "is from Sirius and Remus. And no, I have no idea what it is."

"That's a scary thought," said Buffy, as she began to open the present.

"Sirius is my godfather," said Harry to Willow. "Remus Lupin is his best friend and werewolf."

"Really?" asked Willow excitedly. "Is he all vicious and stuff?"

"Only when you wake him up," said Ron.

"He keeps the wolf under control with a potion and meditation," said Harry.

"Wow," said Buffy, holding up a baby mobile with Golden Snitches hanging around it. "Very cool!" said Buffy.

"I used to have one like that when I was a baby," said Harry.

"Yeah," said Buffy, reading a note with the present. "They say that this is the only baby gift they've ever given and you were the original recipient. How many other baby's do they know?"

"Well," said Harry, "Joshua - Draco and Ginny's son is a few months older than Liam and they probably got him the same thing."

"And you said I couldn't pick out anything Quidditch related," said Ron, looking to Hermione.

"Because with you it would be some Cannons rubbish that would make the child afraid of the colour orange," said Hermione. She looked to Willow. "Quidditch is-"

"Ehem," said Ron, "allow me. Quidditch is the best game in the world. It's played on broomsticks and you score points by-"

"Ron," said Buffy, "let's open the presents before you bore her with Quidditch stories. Okay?"

"Thought you liked Quidditch?" asked Ron, a bit hurt.

"I do," said Buffy, "but you talk about Quidditch like a woman talks about shopping."

"And next," said Harry interrupting, "is from Albus." She handed an ornately wrapped present. She opened it and found a stuffed dragon with a note tied around its neck. She read the note:

Dearest Buffy,

I hope both you and Liam get hours of enjoyment out of this gift. It is an enchanted toy. To make it come to life and fly, say, "Leviosa" and to make to go back to being a regular plushie, say "Finito". I hope to see you soon.

Albus Dumbledore

Buffy looked at the dragon, took it in her hand and said, "Leviosa". The dragon suddenly turned its head and its little wings began to lift it into the air.

"Wicked," said Ron as the dragon began to flutter around Buffy and Liam. Liam coo'd at it and tried grabbing it with his little hands. Buffy grabbed it by the neck and said, "Finito". The dragon was again a normal stuffed animal. She handed it to Liam, who immediately threw it in the air and watched it fall to the ground. Harry picked it up and handed it back to him.

"This," said Harry, "is from Arthur and Molly."

"Me mum and dad," said Ron to Willow. Buffy opened the gift and found a tiny sweater and a quilt.

"Told you she'd make a jumper," said Ron to Hermione.

"It's sweet Weasley," said Buffy. "Though, California doesn't get too cold, but I'm sure he'll enjoy it."

"And it probably has a Repelling Charm on it," said Hermione, "so his spitting up won't affect it."

"Cool," said Buffy. "One less thing I have to wash on a daily basis." She held up the quilt. It was decorated similarly to Liam's room, with dragons, wizards, a knight that looked eerily like Harry, and a castle that to Buffy's eye looked identical to Hogwarts. "He'll love it," said Buffy, putting it on the chair behind her.

"This is from us," said Hermione handing Buffy another present. "I'm sure you already have one, but this one is different." Buffy opened the gift and found a book. She opened it up and saw it was a baby book.

"It's enchanted," said Hermione. "You can write down memories and things in it and when Liam gets older, he can open it up and it will be read in your voice."

"That is so sweet," said Buffy.

"It was my idea," said Ron. "I have one from when I was a baby. Nice to hear mum not yell at me from time to time."

"Especially sweet since you thought it up Ron," said Buffy.

Harry handed a few more presents from various people - A toy broomstick from the Aurors; an enchanted cleaning kit from Ginny (though Draco's name was signed too - Buffy doubted Draco would ever clean); a few (guaranteed non-destructive or embarrassing) Wheezes from the twins; a fairy nightlight from Professor Flitwick; and a new Mr. Pointy from Hagrid.

"The wood is from the Forbidden Forrest," said Harry as Buffy just stared at it. "He felt bad about what happened to the first one and we wouldn't let him get you anything living."

"Probably a good thing," said Buffy, laughing.

"This one," said Harry handing over a final present. "Is from me."

Buffy opened the box and inside was a worn book of nursery rhymes. "When Sirius went to my parent's house that night," Harry said, "he gathered up some things in case he got to keep me. That was one of mine, which he rescued from the wreckage."

"Harry," said Buffy, holding back a tear, 'I don't know what to say?"

"Say that you'll read to Liam with it," said Harry.

"Every night," said Buffy.

"Okay," said Ron, "now that we've got the sappy stuff out of the way, let's get some dessert."

Buffy laughed. "Always with the food," she said.

"What can I say," said Ron, "I'm dying to try out American Muggle ice cream."

Buffy and Willow went into the kitchen. Buffy went to the freezer and pulled out two packages of ice cream. When she turned around, she was met with Willow looking at her.

"What?" asked Buffy.

"Nothing," said Willow. "Harry's just a very funny-"

"Stop right there," said Buffy. "There is nothing between Harry and I."

"Did I say-"

"Willow, I know you. I know your tone and especially that look." Willow's face took on a frown. "What look?" Willow asked.

"That 'he's so cute and you two would be so happy together' look. I don't think of Harry like that. I'd just as easily date Xander."

"B-but you've known Xander a lot longer," said Willow.

"Yeah," said Buffy, "but Harry and I just clicked. I mean, we've both seen things that no one else could ever relate to. It just bring us closer, but at the same time..." Buffy looked up to Willow grinning.

"Not again," said Buffy. "No. Absolutely not!"

"So you don't think he's cute?" asked Willow.

"I never said that. Of course he's cute. And he's funny. And he thoughtful, smart, knows how to fight, and you should see him ride a broomstick."

"And that's the 'finding reasons not to like a guy tone'," said Willow.

"I'll give you two," said Buffy. "First is Liam-"

"Who seems to adore Harry," interrupted Willow.

"Not the point. Harry goes off on these dangerous trips. That's no way for a child to be raised," said Buffy. "And secondly is that Harry doesn't want a serious relationship for that very reason."

"Sounds about as stubborn as you are," said Willow, scooping out ice cream into bowls.

"Yes," said Buffy. "Which is why Harry Potter and I will never be more than really good friends."

"So what about him seeing you naked?" asked Willow.

"Since you won't drop it," said Buffy, pouring chocolate syrup on the ice cream. "I was staying at his place-"

"Completely innocently," said Willow smirking.

"It was," said Buffy. "And I was asleep in the bath tub and he walked in. Awkward - yes. Innocent - definitely."

"Fine," said Willow. "If that's the story you want to tell."

"Willow, that's the story. Besides, I saw him naked too and it was innocent as well." Buffy grinned and snatched up three bowls, quickly leaving the room.

"Oh, you-" Willow grabbed the remaining bowls and chased after Buffy.