House: Gryffindor

 I had been planning this particular present for my boyfriend's eighteenth birthday for the past year. Sirius Black and I had been together for almost two years, us having gotten together during our fifth year and us now being in our seventh. Everyone was surprised when the infamous flirt actually got in a relationship and despite there being a few bumps in the road due to his naturally flirty personality, we were perfect for each other.

I knew of his harsh family, and the pain they made him suffer. I begged my parents multiple times to let Sirius come and live with us to save him from going to that hell hole of a house, but our home was only just big enough for the three of us. Thankfully though, last year, Sirius ended up running away to James' house. They were a wealthy family with a much bigger house, so Sirius was able to feel at home there thankfully.

Sirius had admitted to me though that he felt guilty for suddenly appearing in their lives uninvited, but despite me assuring him the Potters wouldn't think in such a way he was still adamant, so suggested that straight after Hogwarts, he and I get a small flat together. I was ecstatic when he asked, happily agreeing and jumping into his arms.

Due to the unhappy life he had at Grimmauld Place, and the fact that the brother he used to love dearly had now grown apart from him, I knew that a heartwarming present for his eighteenth birthday was exactly what he needed. As his girlfriend I could tell he sometimes hid his pain behind his laughs and mischief, so I wanted this present to be something he could look at and hold whenever he was feeling down.

I had planned to make him a photo album. My parents had gotten me a Pentax camera for Christmas a few years ago, but I did have to send the rolls of film back to my parents for them to be developed seeing as there was no dark room at Hogwarts. Using this camera I took pictures of absolutely anything that would make Sirius smile. He assumed I was just an avid photographer, but little did he know I was doing this all for his benefit. I told the other Marauders plus a few of the girls about my plans, them promising to keep it a secret. I'd let them take and use my camera if they ever saw an opportunity to use it to capture the perfect moment.

It was the first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor against Hufflepuff. I made sure to get seats in the stands close to the Gryffindor rings so I could see my handsome boyfriend defending them almost effortlessly. I cheered loudly and attempted to take a few action shots, as well as taking pictures of the other Gryffindor supporters.

When the end of the match came, Dawson catching the snitch for Gryffindor, we immediately ran down the stands to join the team on the pitch. "Sirius!" I called out to him, running up and jumping into his arms. "You were amazing!"

"Aren't I always?" He asked with a cheeky smirk before planting his lips onto mine.

"Just take the damn compliment," I laughed when he pulled away. I of course took a few team photos, and one with Sirius proudly holding the quaffle representing all the saves he made. The team had to go back to the changing rooms though for a pep talk from James, so Lily, Marlene and I all headed back up to the castle.

"You know, I think Black would probably appreciate some portraits of you in this album your making for him," Lily said in a slightly teasing tone, nudging my arm. My eyes widened, ironically feeling a little camera-shy.

"N-no-,"

"What d'ya mean 'no'? You're his girlfriend, he'll love it!" Marlene enforced. "C'mon, it's a nice day and you're looking so cute in that outfit, let's head down to the edge of the forest and take some portraits of you!"

I didn't really get much say in the matter as the two girls dragged me down to a pretty looking area at the edge of the forest, flowers and shrubbery littering the ground. Marlene was the designated photographer whilst Lily set me up in a variety of different poses. Naturally I was embarrassed as they went into full David Bailey mode, but it was oddly fun.

"This is fun, we ought to do this more often! Get some cute pictures of Lily too, so James can put them in his wallet," Marlene teased making Lily blush slightly.

"Let's just focus on (y/n) for now," she said with a huff. Marlene and I just laughed as we wandered around the grounds, taking pictures of different scenes. We didn't realise just how long we had been until the sun began to set, the three of us then making the mutual agreement to head back to the common room.

When we got there we saw the boys occupying the sofa and arm chairs by the fire, Sirius and James still excitedly discussing the match. "There you are!" Sirius jumped up when he saw me. "Where've you been? You missed the after match celebration!"

"Sorry babe," I leant in and pressed my lips against his. "We just had a bit of a walk around the grounds," I added, gesturing the camera that hung around my neck.

"I'll forgive you, under one condition," he said with a cheeky smirk. I knew what this condition would be, it being that I'd have to spend the evening cuddled up with him on the armchair. He was adorable when he was in a cuddly mood so I happily obliged, feeling both excited and intrigued at how the pictures were going to come out.

That evening I began putting the album together, grouping all the pictures I already had into various categories. The entire floor around my four poster bed was covered in photos but seeing them all made me smile, and I couldn't wait to give the album to Sirius on his birthday which was only two months away. The collection began in about third year, when I first received my camera but I of course had no idea I'd be using the photos I had taken for this album. "Whoa, looks like a photo explosion just went off," Marlene teased as she entered the dorm room.

"Sorry, they're kind of everywhere," I chuckled. "It's gonna take me ages to even sort out," I smiled as I picked up a picture of the four Marauders laughing away.

"Are we doing anything special for his birthday? Like throwing him a party?" Marlene asked and I realised I hadn't even thought about a party.

"We probably should, and I could ask the house elves in the kitchens to make him a cake!" I suggested and she nodded.

"Leave the party planning to me!" She said happily, pointing to her chest. Together we began planning that night, the rest of the girls in the dorm joining us and having their input. The more and more we planned, the more and more excitement I felt.

It took time but the album was coming along well. Mum and dad sent me back the developed images Marlene and Lily took of me, and I was surprised by how good I looked in them. As much as I could I tried putting the images in date order, but at one point I thought my cover had been blown when Sirius asked why I took so many pictures. "Because I like to have memories!" I told him as we walked to class, hand in hand.

"I feel as though there's an ulterior motive," he said thoughtfully, looking at me with skepticism.

"Of course there's not," I said, which was technically true.

"Hm... okay," he said, gently pecking my forehead. I smiled happily as the two of us headed into McGonagall's classroom, she too making an appearance in the album.

- Timeskip - - Sirius' Birthday -

Today was the day, and I had just finished the album the night previous. It was wrapped and in my dorm room whilst we were all down at breakfast. Sirius was desperately trying to guess what his main present was, but I wanted him to open it later at the surprise party we were hosting for him. I had given him a few things to unwrap at the breakfast table, as had the Marauders.

The owls soon came flying in, and to our surprise one landed in front of Sirius. We hadn't expected any gifts from anyone outside of Hogwarts to arrive for him, let alone one being delivered by his family's owl. Skeptically he took the letter off, and due to me sitting close beside him I was able to read it over his shoulder.

Sirius,

To celebrate your eighteenth birthday we have enclosed a small gift for you.

Mother and father.

Sirius glanced up at me but I shrugged my shoulders, unsure on what to make of the small box that was sat in front of us. Sirius picked it up and shook it, a small rattling coming f inside. "I don't like this," I said honestly. Sirius untied the box and lifted off the lid, however I scoffed when I saw what was inside.

A singular knut laid at the bottom of the small box. Sirius put the lid back on and quite literally threw it aside, a gloomy expression looming over him. "Sirius don't let them get to you, that's probably what they're trying to do. Just remember we have the bestest day planned for you-," my speech stopped dead when to my utter surprise I saw Regulus approaching.

"(y/n)?" Sirius questioned why I had suddenly stopped talking, then turning to see who I was looking at. Sirius froze as he watched his little brother approach, a small wrapped gift in his hands.

"Hi... Sirius..." he spoke whilst avoiding eye contact with his brother. "I - er - bought you this," he quickly placed the present in front of Sirius before murmuring a happy birthday, then walking away quickly.

"Sirius?" I shook my boyfriends arm as he stared at the present his brother had gotten him. I knew that Sirius still loved his brother, and I knew he desperately wanted him to not go down the path the rest of their family seemed to fool for. I knew Regulus also cared for Sirius, so I had a warm feeling that this present was going to be nicer than his parents.

Sirius opened the wrapping to reveal a cosy looking scarf, and I couldn't up but feel warm inside as Sirius smiled subconsciously at the gift. "Thanks Reg," he mumbled under his breath, thinking no one had heard him.

He wrapped the scarf around his neck straight away, however we were soon distracted when some of the girls came down and wished him a happy birthday, the whole gang sitting at the breakfast table talking happily, us all excited for the evening's events.

As it was a Saturday we thankfully had no school and little homework to do, so we instead decided to head outside with some brooms and play a friendly game of Quidditch on the pitch that wasn't being used. We were out there for a while, and I couldn't stop smiling seeing Sirius enjoying him so much. The excitement of giving him his gift later on in the day was bubbling inside of me, so when it had gotten quite late in the afternoon I headed back towards the common room with the girls ready to start decorating. The guys promised to keep him as distracted as they could, hopefully giving us plenty of time to set up.

The whole house knew of our plans, and Sirius was known by pretty much everyone so those in the common room already, spending their weekend relaxing, agreed to help. We brought down all the banners and decorations down from our dorm room, and immediately everyone began decorating. There were streamers, banners, confetti, presents, and I had to go and collect the cake from the kitchens with the help of Marlene due to its immense size.

"This looks amazing," I praised everyone as Marlene and I placed the cake down on the table that had numerous presents upon it, including the wrapped up photo album. "He's going to love it!"

"When shall we bring him back up here?" Lily asked and I tapped my chin thoughtfully.

"Well, if we're all ready then I don't see why we can't start now," I said and a few people around us nodded eagerly.

"Alright, Marlene and I will go find the boys now," Lily said and I smiled, nodding, whilst excitement filled me. I spent the last moments we had double checking everything, making sure it all looked as good as it could be. I held onto the wrapped up photo album tightly, hoping he'd love it due to the amount of work I had put into it. It seemed to take a while but finally the portrait hole opened, and in walked Sirius with the rest of the gang behind him.

"SURPRISE!"

Sirius jumped out of his skin before looking around the common room with wide eyes, apparently frozen on the spot. A look of disbelief spread across his features as he took in the sight before him, and I couldn't stop myself from stepping out in front of the rest, heading towards my boyfriend with a beaming smile. "Happy birthday, Sirius," I whispered. In less than a second he had his arms wrapped tightly around me, his head buried in my neck as we ignored the 'aw's around us.

"(y/n), this is amazing," he whispered, pulling away and looking around the common room. "I can't believe you did all of this for me."

"Of course, I'm your girlfriend after all," i said with a smirk and he chuckled.

"The best girlfriend ever," he said making my heart warm.

"Here, here's my proper gift for you... I really hope you like it..." I said, passing him the photo album. There was a crowd around us now, eager to see what was happening but Sirius and I ignored them as he tore off the paper, revealing the album. He looked up at me with curiosity, then opening it up and smiling brightly as his eyes scanned the pictures on the first page. He flicked through the first couple of pages, seeing pictures from our younger years of the Marauders.

A second later he had his arms wrapped tightly around me once more, whispering 'thank you's in my ear and kissing my cheek. I laughed sweetly, happy with his reaction, it making all the hard work worth it.

When we parted other people approached Sirius with their own gifts, wishing him a happy birthday individually. When the crowd around him dispersed we presented him with his cake, it being big enough for everyone in the room to have at least one slice each. The music began and the drinks were poured, everyone already having an amazing time. Sirius looked incredibly happy and even pulled me up to dance, embarrassing me a little but we weren't the only ones there.

It was an amazing sight, but I lost track of Sirius amongst the crowd and finally found him sat by the fire on one of the squishy armchairs, him flicking through the photo album and his fingers ghosting some of the pictures. "Sirius?" I announced myself. He looked up at me, then gesturing me to join him which I happily did so.

"This is amazing (y/n), it really is, it must've taken you so long," he praised, his eyes not leaving a particular picture of him defending the Quidditch posts.

"It was worth it, I'm quite proud of it," I admitted, him flicking the page to reveal some photos of him and I having been taken by James.

"I wondered why you always had your camera on you," he said, laughing lightly.

"Do you like it?" I asked and he looked up at me, apparently shocked.

"Like it? (y/n), I love it!" He said enthusiastically, pulling me in for a sweet kiss. "C'mon, let's look through it together."

We spent the rest of the evening flicking through the pages, laughing at various pictures and me feeling flustered when he saw those that Marlene and Lily took of me. He claimed I looked beautiful in them, but I wasn't so sure. Still we had a laugh, him smiling at the fact I had even managed to get a picture of McGonagall in there too.

He kept on pointing to pictures, a lot of them holding particular memories for him and him enthusiastically telling me those stories despite the fact I had heard them before. I simply sat and listened patiently, seeing his dark eyes sparkle with excitement as he recounted those tales. I was glad I had spent so much work and time on his eighteenth birthday present, as seeing him this way, truly happy and excited really did radiate back onto me.

The party went on behind us but we were happy cuddling together, flicking through the album and recounting old yet perfect memories, hoping we'd be able to make many more in future.