In a few minutes, little Sarah came pitter-pattering down the stairs and into the kitchen. A spectacular breakfast feast awaited her, complete with bacon, sausages, pancakes, and eggs.
"Oh, goody, goody, goody!" Sarah exclaimed. "Yummy, yum!"
She looked up as her mother and father suddenly Apparated in, singing. "Happy Birthday, to you... happy birthday, to you...! Happy birthday, little Sarah... happy birthday, to you...!"
Grinning, Sarah cannonballed herself into her father's waiting arms. "Thank you, Daddy!!" she exclaimed, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "And you too, Mommy!!" she added, leaning over and giving Hermione a kiss.
"Happy fifth birthday, little munchkin," said Harry, setting her down gently on the floor. "Now, eat up!"
Smiling happily, Sarah dug in.
Harry and Hermione watched their little five-year-old eat, feeling only pride and happiness. They were glad they were living a wonderful life in their cozy home, glad they had a beautiful little daughter, but mostly glad that they had each other.
As soon as Sarah had eaten all that she wanted, Harry and Hermione sat down to finish what she could not. In no time, they had polished off the leftovers. After some magical dishwashing and table clearing, they all headed upstairs: Hermione to give Sarah a bath and then take one herself, and Harry to take his bath.
*~*
After all the baths, the house had to be readied for the party that evening. Most of the rest of the morning and afternoon was spent tidying up the house and getting ready for the party. The big banner that proclaimed "Happy 5th Birthday, Sarah!" in humongous letters hung from two trees in the front yard. Since the Potters lived in a little clearing, away from other houses, they could make all the noise they wanted clear into the night and nobody was around to complain.
While Sarah and Harry dusted, tidied, and decorated, Hermione was busy in the kitchen, making all the food for that evening. For most of the dishes, she enlisted the handy help of her wand, but for other special dishes, she got out her cooking utensils and hand-made everything.
*~*
By five o'clock that afternoon, the house was gleaming, the food was neatly arranged on a long table in the backyard, and the decorations looked simply marvelous. Streamers and balloons were everywhere, and the big banner looked charming with the addition of sparkly purple glitter, compliments of the birthday girl.
"Oh, Harry, Sarah," breathed Hermione as she got her first glimpse of everything (for she had been cooped up in the kitchen all day). "Oh, it's beautiful! You two are so creative! I swear I'm going to rent you out as decorators or something. Oh goodness, I love it! What a beautiful job you two've done!"
She scooped up Sarah and gave her a kiss, then hugged Harry tightly and gave him a kiss. Harry put his arm around her, and the little family just stood there, gazing at the beauty of their lovely home.