The big day had arrived. Dudley's birthday. Or, to Severus, the day where he had to buy an already spoilt rotten child even more presents, and stand outside in the boiling heat with a large group of people he was certain wished him dead.

He didn't blame them. He often wished himself dead too.

He got both boys ready for the day, grabbed the baby walkers so they could both run about in the castle, and apparated them all to just outside of Hogwarts.

Upon their arrival, Severus was greeted by the sight of Albus, who was dressed up as a walking birthday cake, and even had an inflatable candle floating above his head. Severus rolled his eyes, praying that none of the other staff members were dressed this flamboyantly.

"Severus, my boy! How are you? Come, let us get the children dressed!"

"They are dressed".

"They can't wear that! Dudley's in a suit and tie, and Harry's in ordinary wizarding robes!"

"So?"

"It's not a funeral, my boy! I mean, it's all black and formal!"

"It's not. Their socks are green with a bit of silver".

"Nope. Not happening. I've bought them something much better to wear!"

Severus groaned, whilst Albus magically changed them into their new party outfits.

"You bought them halloween costumes?"

"Don't be ridiculous! I bought them paw patrol costumes!"

"You know Dudley will ruin his in a matter of minutes, and Harry won't like it because you've made it inflatable and he likes hugs".

"Nonsense! We can always scourgify it! And they deflate!"

As if to prove a point, Harry began to silently sob, moving closer to Severus and tugging at the bottom of his robe. Dudley, on the other hand, wanted to look at the shoes, and fell straight onto the grass, laughing as he bounced back up, now covered in grass stains.

"Scourgify" Severus silently cast, scooping up Harry as he did so.

Harry wouldn't settle, even after they deflated the costume, until eventually, they changed him back into the wizarding robes Severus had brought him in.

"Alright, if that's what he's happiest in" Albus shrugged, leading them up to the castle.