In Nobis

Chapter Nine

"Draco! Owe! No pull fwower!" Was the noise that greeted Tom as he walked through Malfoy Manor in search of that little voice. Unconsciously, he started moving faster when he heard her. He wanted to see her and erase that foul imitation from his mind.

"Owe! Dracooooo!" He heard Hara say again, this time sounding angry.

"Oomf! Ooweee! Mum! Mum! Help!" Cried Draco.

Tom walked in, just in time to see Hara sitting on top of Draco's chest, with her hands tugging at his silvery blonde locks. He let out a genuine chuckle erupt from his chest. Yes... this was his Hara. As soon as Hara heard his chuckle she clumsily jumped off of Draco and collided into Voldemort's legs.

"Dadda! Back! Up! Up!" She demanded. Already half climbing up his legs. She giggled merrily in his arms and then her expression grew as serious as a one and a half year olds face can get, trapping his face between her two tiny hands. "Dadda.... Draco. He pull it! Wook, see?" She tilted her head down so he could see the scrunched gardenia headband he had transfigured for her this morning. "Is broke... I sorry Dadda." Her lip trembled for a moment. "Draco mean..." she buried her face into his neck and he heard a sniffle escape her though she was fighting back the tears.

Tom felt the calming hum at her proximity and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He then leveled a look at Narcissa who had paled a good measure.

"They were just playing my Lord... I'm sure you understand that's children's game can quickly escalate.." Narcissa nervously defended.

Tom's eyes darted to Draco momentarily. Pop! The magical ball that changed colors burst in Draco's hands causing the Malfoy heir to begin crying in sorrow for his broken toy. A wandless silencing spell hit Draco next, soon after he was levitated into his playpen.

"Now that's taken care of. Where is Lucius and the others? They should be back by now... Sirius and Remus should be arriving any moment with Tili as well." Voldemort said, placing Hara back on the ground, waving his hand over her headband bringing the delicate flowers back to life.

A knock was heard at the door.

"Narcissa... the Polyjuice hasn't worn off quite yet. I'll be in when I can. I just don't want to frighten our little dragon." Said the voice of Lucius Malfoy.

"No, I think you'll enter now Lucius." Answered Tom.

The door opened up, and in the doorway stood Lucius Malfoy Polyjuiced as Lord Voldemort in his former Serpent glory. Narcissa fought back a grimace, and baby Draco pressed himself to the back of his crib, putting his pillow in between him and his father disguised as the Dark Lord. Hara grabbed onto Tom's pant leg, looking at Lucius from around his thigh. She gave Lucius a scrutinizing look. Looking at him from head to toe. She eventually let go of Tom's pant leg and took a cautious step forward, then another, until she was face to knee with Lucius. She pulled on his billowing black cloak, motioning for him to stoop down to her level. A hairless eyebrow raised at Hara's request. The Snake like form looked at Tom, who only gave a quick nod.

Malfoy leaned down and looked at Hara, not saying a word.

"Dadda?" She questioned, looking at the serpentine form of Voldemort. Her eyes trailing over the shape of his eyes, and his cheekbones. Her eyes darting back to where his nose should be.

"In a way..." was Lucius's response.

"No, not Dadda. Lucy? No Dadda? Uhmm... " She said, the surprise and confusion heavy in her little voice.

Voldemort poured a vile of clear liquid over the top of Lucius's head. His features contorted into that of his true appearance. Blonde hair sprouted from the top of his head, and the burning red eyes cooled into an icy silver grey.