Master of Death

Play Time

Harry loved days like today. He and his husband had brought their eighteen-month-old daughter to visit her grandparents. Harry was currently sprawled out on the floor levitating things and Lillianna was giggling like mad trying to reach for them.

Narcissa was sitting beside Draco on the sofa and Lucius was sipping a brandy, sitting in the chair adjacent to the sofa talking to Severus.

Draco was relaxing back into the sofa. Harry could tell he was enjoying the sight of his husband being a goof and the sound of his daughter's laughter. It was one of their favorite sounds in the world and neither of them ever tired of hearing it.

Even the always-stoic Severus was hiding a smile behind his tea. Harry thought that was precious.

Harry noticed something that made his eyebrows shoot up and his eyes widened in incredulity.

"What?" Draco asked.

"She's doing that! I had put that one down, but she must've wanted it!" Harry said and pointed at the small hippogriff toy floating towards the baby.

Draco's face split into a grin and he clapped his hands together. The toy dropped just short of her hands and she reached out making grabbing motions. Everyone watched as she scooted forward until she could reach the toy and proceeded to immediately stuff it into her mouth.

Draco chuckled and went back to a discussion with his mother. Harry wasn't paying attention to anything but his daughter. He could see her eyes drooping. His own were feeling heavy and each blink he took got longer and longer.

"Perhaps some lunch will rouse you, dear," Narcissa said and tapped Harry on the shoulder.

"Hmm, yeah. Lunch sounds good, mum," Harry replied.

Draco picked Lillianna up and the group moved to the small dining nook for lunch. Never one to sleep through a meal, Lillianna was awake by the time the meal was served. Draco sat her in her high chair and he and Harry took turns feeding her.

As the meal wound to a close, no one moved from the table. Harry, Draco and Narcissa sat near each other and talked while sipping tea. Lucius watched for a moment then turned to his granddaughter.

"That was a most impressive display of magic, ma petit. Perhaps I should teach you some spells, hmm?" Lucius cooed. (He would deny it to his dying breath, but everyone else knew he had a soft spot for his granddaughter).

"Father, she can barely speak," Draco said.

Lucius, and everyone else, ignored him. Harry was vaguely interested to see where this was going, but he had his suspicions. Which were immediately proved right as he listened to his father-in-law.

Lucius had taken his wand out and was helping Lillianna hold it. They were pointing it at Harry and Lucius was instructing her on the spell.

"Now say 'Avada Kedavra.' Nice and clear," Lucius said.

Harry rolled his eyes but ignored the man. It was more than obvious Lucius didn't mean it anymore. Harry had long since accepted that this was just something Lucius did.

"Father. Stop trying to turn my daughter into a murderer," Draco said.

Again, everyone ignored him and life continued. Harry took a moment to smile at his husband and took his hand. He brought it to his lips and held it there for a moment. He was so happy with his life. For such an awful beginning, life was pretty perfect now.

"Ava, ava-ke," a little voice said.

Harry's eyes widened and he jerked around. They would later debate whose face was more comical, but Harry maintained it was Lucius'.

His jaw was dropped, his eyebrows had all but disappeared into his hairline and he was absolutely frozen. Harry could feel his own jaw gaping open and his eyes almost hurt from how wide they were.

"Perhaps it is best if we don't teach the infant the killing curse, yes?" Narcissa said.

Lillianna was completely oblivious and giggled at the faces her daddy and grandpa were making.

Yeah. Life was great. And his new family would always keep him on his toes. Harry wouldn't have it any other way.

Fin