written for @jilypadweek 2026 - Day 1 prompt "Firsts or Lasts"
[AO3]
Harry happily tears into the wrapping paper, giggling at the ripping sounds. Each tear reveals a bit more of the box hidden beneath it – a box with the logo of a very famous broom company.
Once all the paper is gone, James helps Harry lift the lid of the box to reveal the baby broom inside. Harry shrieks and grabs at the wooden handle before James has a chance to lift the broom out of the box for him.
Lily wraps her fingers around her coffee mug and smiles against the rim. “I'm telling the cat this is all your fault.”
“You wouldn't do that to me, Evans.”
Lily laughs at the betrayed look Sirius is giving her. She laughs even harder when the cat in question uses exactly that moment to hop onto Sirius' lap, her eyes fixed on the strange new toy Harry gets lifted on by his father.
“Don't trust him,” James tells the cat from where he kneels on the floor, getting a very impatient Harry ready for takeoff. “He's the bringer of evil toys.”
Sirius covers the cat's ears with his hands. “Don't listen to that liar. He's acting all high and mighty, but he would have brought that broom into this house within the next few months anyway.”
“See?” Sirius scratches the cat behind the ears. She instantly starts to purr. “Not really my fault.”
Harry takes off on his baby broom, only nearly missing the leg of the coffee table. He swings to the side and just so manages to not collide with the doorframe a few seconds later.
“He's a natural,” James cheers, already in hot pursuit to make sure Harry doesn't actually crash into anything.
Lily laughs and reaches over to pat the cat in Sirius' lap. “I hope you're prepared to get all the fancy treats as payment for the loss of safety in this house.”
“Who do you think I am, Evans?” Sirius asks, leaning back into the couch to get more comfortable. “There is already a whole bag in the kitchen.”
Grinning, Lily leans her head against Sirius' shoulder. “Silly me. How could I think you would forget about your other child.”
“Shame on you, really.” Sirius presses a kiss to the crown of her head, just when Harry zooms around the corner back into the living room. James jogs behind him to make sure he won't fall off, already a little out of breath. Harry kicks his little feet, grinning widely and clearly having the time of his life. His laughter is the best sound in the world.
“Who do you think will be down for a nap first?” Lily asks, smiling at her excited son. The cat yawns and curls up on Sirius' lap, but keeps her eyes open just so to keep the broom in sight.
Lily laughs, which only makes Harry shriek louder as he zooms around the couch.
Petunia might have gone for a big, grand first birthday party for Dudley, but Lily much prefers this here – just the four of them and a lot of happiness.
