A/n: A very happy new year to all my lovely readers! If you're new, before you begin this, please note that this is a sequel to Iridescent Lies. You can read this without reading IL, but the prequel story contains all the nitty-gritty details about how Draco and Harry got together and whatnot. So I recommend reading that before you start this.

I know it's been a long while since the epilogue of Iridescent Lies, but here is the promised sequel. This takes place 8 years after the epilogue and I've started it in such a way that since the prequel ended before Christmas, this one starts with it.

Before you start, I hope everyone has a meaningful new year where you overcome your obstacles and grow stronger and wiser from experiencing new things. I hope it's full of joy and love and new learnings. Don't be afraid to try something new or take a risk. Merlin knows you'll regret it more if you don't do it!

Lots of love,

Arty xx

Chapter 1

New Beginnings

[24 December 2019]

6:15 PM

"If you can stay still for one minute—"

"Mum, seriously, quit it!"

"Lily Luna, come back here!"

"Ugh leave me alone!"

Ginny watched her daughter run out of the room with a resigned sigh, the red-and-white striped ribbon she wanted to tie in the eleven-year-old's hair still clutched in her hand. "What am I going to do with her…" she said, shaking her head.

It was Christmas Eve—and not just any old Christmas Eve, either. This year, on Albus' insistence, Ginny had decided to invite Scorpius and his father home for dinner along with the usual line-up—Ron, Hermione, and the kids; Angelina, George, and the kids; Teddy and Andromeda; and, of course, Harry, who didn't actually have a choice in the matter.

Every alternate year, when Christmas wasn't celebrated in the Burrow, her parents spent the holidays at one of their children's houses. This year was Percy's turn. Bill, Fleur, and the kids were spending the holidays with Fleur's family in France, and Charlie… well, he was off frolicking with his dragons as per usual.

This year was also special because it was the first time all of the kids had been out of the house, Lily having finally started her first year at Hogwarts, so it was a particularly bittersweet Christmas full of warm, happy family time with lots of laughs and giggles.

Or so Ginny had hoped it to be, but it seemed her wishful thinking would be nothing more than just another pipedream. But one could always hope for a Christmas miracle, no?

Sighing, she added the final touches to the Pigs in a Blanket, wondering when Hermione would arrive with the chicken and mashed potatoes. As she thought for the hundredth time that day that she should've prepared the entire meal herself instead of letting Hermione and Angelina talk her into making it a pot-luck sort of a thing, Lily raced back into the room.

"Mum, when's Daddy coming? He won't be late again, will he? Is he bringing our presents? Should I send an owl just in case?"

"Here, set these plates on the table," Ginny said, handing her daughter the dinner plates. "Careful!" she called as Lily obediently followed instructions.

"Well?" Lily asked the moment she had done what she'd been told, bouncing on the spot. "When's Daddy coming?"

Ginny sighed. "He'll be here as soon as he's done with work."

Lily pouted. "Why does he have to work on Christmas? We should file a complaint! The Ministry has no right to keep him from his family on such an important day!"

Looking up from shining a fork, Ginny frowned. "Have you been talking to Scorpius about useless conspiracy theories again?" The girl ducked her head, avoiding eye contact as she pretended to be busy arranging the cutlery. "I really should have a talk with his father—"

"No!" Lily exclaimed, eyes wide and expression aghast. Then, with a sheepish expression, she said, "I begged him to tell me. He runs away every time I even go near him, nowadays, thanks to that Howler you sent Al, yelling at them for putting nonsense into my head."

"Good." Ginny untied her apron and folded it neatly. "Those boys need to learn some self-control. Going around spouting rubbish to gullible kids like you… really, I ought to—" She broke off, seeing the unhappy frown on her daughter's face, and decided that she would lay off on the scolding until after the holidays. With a nod, she asked, "Where're your brothers?"

Lily shrugged. "Al's probably discussing some new potion with Scorp, and Jamie's probably moping around in his room, as usual."

"What am I going to do with the lot of you," Ginny said with a sigh. "Well, as long as he isn't trying to break into your dad's alcohol cabinet or writing sad songs about heartbreak, I suppose it's fine to leave him be."

Lily crinkled her nose as she set the table. "I don't even get why he's being such a cry-baby over some stupid girl."

Ginny hid a smile as she thought back to herself as a fifteen-year-old and her own problems with boys and dating. Lily was too young to appreciate her brother's very recent breakup after his very first relationship, and Ginny wouldn't change that for anything. Her babies were growing up too fast as it were. As long as Lily didn't tease James too much while he was wallowing in self-pity, Ginny would leave them be.

The sound of the Floo caused both of them to look towards the doorway, and with a delighted gasp, Lily ran out of the living room, calling to her cousins. Hugo and Lily's excited voices reached Ginny's ears a moment later, followed by Hermione telling them not to run down the stairs.

"Here, take the—Hugo! Goodness, they're such a handful when they're together," Hermione said as she walked into the living room. Smiling, she hugged Ginny tight, humming in contentment. "It's so good to see you. It's been far too long."

"It really has," Ginny said as they pulled apart, grinning as her brother entered with several food items floating in behind him. Ginny waited until the chicken and casseroles were safely placed on the counter before pulling Ron into a hug. He picked her off the ground with a laugh, squeezing her tight.

Pecking her on the head, he proceeded to take his and his wife's coats to the rack. Ginny sighed in satisfaction. Ron and Hermione had had a busy year, and with Ginny's crazy work schedule as a Quidditch Correspondent, they hardly saw each other. As they got older, she really grew to appreciate her brothers' company and wished she had spent the times they had been together as youngsters better.

"Harry not in yet?" Ron asked, flopping down on the sofa.

"He's busy tying up loose ends so that he doesn't have to go back until next year," Hermione supplied as she bustled around the kitchen, making tea. When Ginny tried to help, she waved her off with a, "Go talk to Ron. He's been going on and on about how much he misses his baby sister."

Ginny settled down beside Ron, pulling her feet up and massaging her heel. She'd been standing around all day preparing for the evening and hadn't had time to sit down for a moment's rest.

"So, how're things between you both?" Ron asked, somewhat warily.

Ginny smiled and patted him on the arm. "We're fine, Ron. You don't have to keep asking every time."

He nodded, muttering something to himself. "'Spose you're right. It has been eight years since the divorce, after all."

"It has. And, really, I love how our relationship is, right now. With the kids in school for most of the year, we get to finally focus on our careers, and when we do meet during the holidays, it's a happy family time."

"You don't still… you know." Ron waved his hand, but Ginny understood the ambiguous question.

"Of course I still care for him—as he does for me—but we haven't been in love with each other for a very long time, Ron. You know that. So stop asking," she said, elbowing him gently. "Anyway, congrats on the new Wheezes branch finally opening! Busy times, huh?"

"Yeah, super busy. Teddy's a real lifesaver, I'll tell you. Dunno what I'd do if he weren't around to manage things."

"But he's quitting soon, once he gets into the Auror program, yeah?"

Ron nodded, grimacing. "I can't even say it's a waste because it's the perfect job for him. A Metamorphmagus as an undercover agent? Come on. He was born for the role. They can't possibly not take him."

Ginny laughed. "Harry says the exact same thing."

"With Harry backing him, I don't see any chance of him failing. Even otherwise, he's a brilliant one, he is."

"He doesn't even speak about his own children that fondly," Hermione said as she came over with the tea.

Ron scoffed. "And you tell me I spoil them too much."

Hermione swatted his arm good-naturedly, and Ginny felt a slight pang in her chest at seeing them together, but she shook it away. She liked being single. The past few years had given her the chance to focus on herself and her passions and aspirations and career. She had the opportunity to introspect and reflect on how she had lived her life and make necessary changes. She was able to focus on her children wholeheartedly, without feeling guilty or like a bad parent. And her relationship with Harry had never been as pleasant, friendly and genuine as it had been after their divorce.

She had also found a great friend in Astoria and adored Scorpius and his siblings. Hermione and Draco had become good friends as well, as they shared several similar interests in music, literature, and a general passion towards pursuing knowledge and learning, due to which Ginny had finally gotten over her resentment and bitterness towards him. He was a great father, a great source of emotional support for Harry, and had helped many, many people as a Mind Healer. Whatever he had been back in their school days, he had more than made up for it as the wonderful adult that he now was, and they had all been through enough to know better than to hold onto age-old grudges.

They had all moved on and were happy, and that was all that mattered.

The sound of the Floo signalled the arrival of George, Angelina, and the kids, and soon the house was filled with laughter and the children's excited shouts and general Christmas cheer.

"I'm so glad the Kapoors are the ones that moved in here," Hermione told Ginny as they watched Hugo and Lily try to figure out Roxanne's new Muggle magic tricks. "It's so nice of them to always be open to letting us spend Christmas here when they go back to India for the holidays."

"It doesn't feel like Christmas if it's not in this house, you know?" Ginny said fondly, looking around at what used to be the 'Potters'' residence. "Despite everything that happened, I can only remember all the good memories of our time here."

They shared a smile, and a moment later, a burst of excited shouts caused everyone to look towards the door. Teddy entered, followed by Albus, Scorpius and Fred, the trio badgering him with questions as he laughed and answered them all patiently.

"Andromeda," Ginny said, engulfing the older witch in a gentle hug. "It's been too long."

"It has, it has," she said, her eyes crinkling as she took Hermione and Ginny's hands and squeezed them. "You all look well. I'm glad."

As Hermione ushered Andromeda towards the sofas, where everyone else rose to greet her with as much solemnity and respect as the queen of England would deign worthy, Ginny pulled Albus aside.

"Sweetie, does Scorpius happen to know when his dad will be here?" Although she didn't want to admit it, she was slightly on-edge about Draco's arrival. They had met on Christmas before, but Draco always made it a point to politely decline any invitation to spend Christmas Eve with them. Neither Harry nor Ginny pushed him into joining their family gathering, but she could always sense Harry's disappointment that he couldn't be with Draco on the eve of Christmas. So this year, when Albus had been adamant about bringing Scorpius, Ginny had taken the opportunity to invite Draco yet again.

He had conceded, probably thanks to more than a little persuasion from Harry, but nevertheless, now that he was finally coming, Ginny couldn't help but be a little nervous.

"I think Draco and Dad are coming together?" Albus said, looking towards his best friend. "I think that's what Scorp told Rose."

Ginny followed her son's gaze and watched as Rose laughed at something Scorpius was saying. The blond looked on with shining eyes as Rose slapped his arm in delight. Ginny caught Ron's gaze, realising he was also watching his daughter's interactions with Scorpius, and wondered if she had to have a talk with him about it. Considering how Ron had finally accepted Draco and Harry, though, Ginny didn't think he would be petty towards Scorpius—although it was a possibility, considering how overprotective he was of Rose.

"Mum," Albus said, tugging at her sleeve to draw her attention. "I think I heard the Floo. That's probably them."

Ginny nodded and shot her son a reassuring smile—because he looked as nervous about Draco's arrival as she was—before making her way across the room to greet Harry and Draco.

Lily beat her to it, however, and the moment Harry stepped into the room, hair windswept and still in his Auror robes, presents hovering behind him, Lily launched herself at him with a loud "Daddy!"

He laughed and picked her up, twirling her around before hoisting her on his hip like she was still a child. Although Lily hated being treated like the youngest normally, she was perfectly content being her daddy's little princess.

"Hi, princess! Wow, look how pretty you are today!"

Lily giggled and let her father spoil her, and Ginny walked up to them with a fond smile. "Hi, you," she said, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Hi yourself," he said, hugging her with his free arm. "Sorry I'm late. Work's been hectic. I came as soon as I finished."

"He didn't even come home to change," Draco said, coming up from behind Harry. "I had to bring him a change of clothes." He held Ginny by the arms and they kissed the air on either side of their cheeks.

"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, and while Harry exchanged pleasantries with the rest, Scorpius came up and gave his dad a big hug.

"You're late," he grumbled childishly, and Draco ruffled his hair fondly.

"Sorry 'bout that. It took me too long to pry Harry from his desk, workaholic that he is."

Hermione came up just then and hugged Draco, and Ginny stepped away, motioning to Albus. "Go call your brother. Is he still refusing to come down?"

Albus pulled a face. "I already did, like a hundred times. I'm not going up there again!"

He dodged past her before she could say anything more, and Ginny sighed, deciding that she would go bring James herself. But she didn't have to, because when she turned, her son was standing in the doorway, his hair a mess and his spectacles hanging from the tip of his nose. His clothes were dishevelled, and the bags under his eyes stood in stark contrast to his now-pale skin. He was squinting into the room, none too happy.

Harry noticed him and waved a hand. "Jamie! C'mere and give your old man a hug!"

James' frown only grew deeper in response, and he pointed an accusing finger towards Draco. "Why is he here?"

"James," Ginny said in a warning tone, slapping his hand down and grabbing him by the shoulder, giving him a pointed look. "Behave. We talked about this."

"You said it's a family gathering," James said, shaking her hand off. "So why's he here?"

"I'm here too." Scorpius had walked up to them, his cheeks flushed with anger. Rose and Albus came up behind him, and the latter was giving his brother a warning look.

"James, don't," Albus said. "Don't ruin everybody else's Christmas just because yours sucks."

James scoffed. He ignored his brother and turned to glare at Harry. "First you come late, and then you bring him along? Seriously?"

The smile had vanished from Harry's face, and Ginny's heart started to race. She had to do something before the entire evening was ruined. Before she could say anything, though, Harry stepped forward, his face expressionless.

"James," he said, his voice low and non-threatening, but intense enough to cause everyone in the room to freeze. "Apologise. Now."

James inhaled and straightened, looking like he wanted to do anything but that, but he knew better than to disobey his father when he got like that. Deflating, he bowed his head and said, "'M sorry," and dashed out of the room.

Ginny exhaled through her teeth, loosening her fists that she hadn't realised she'd been clenching so tight. "I'm so sorry," she said to Draco and Scorpius. "I don't know what's gotten into him. I have no excuse."

"His stupid girlfriend breaking up with him made him lose his mind, that's what," Albus snapped, grabbing Scorpius by the arm and storming out of the room, followed by an alarmed Rose.

Harry pinched the bridge of his nose in a sure sign of trying to contain his temper. With a sigh, he turned to Ron and said loudly, "How about we play some holiday music, eh?"

Ron hardly needed persuasion, and he turned on the stereo, in an attempt to force out the terrible atmosphere that had settled over the room.

"I'll go talk to him," Ginny said in a soft voice as Harry stepped closer to her. "I'm so sorry about this."

He smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "It's not your fault. You're the hostess, so stay. I'll go."

Ginny nodded and watched him leave the room. Turning back with a big smile, she forced out a laugh and decided not to let what had happened get to her. It was Christmas. And everyone was going to be happy and have a good time if she could help it.

Harry stood outside James' old room for a few seconds to compose himself. He didn't want to have to yell at his son, but his behaviour was unacceptable. Harry was sympathetic that James was having a hard time, but that didn't warrant what he had said to Draco. Especially after everything Draco had done for James over the years.

Knocking on the door, Harry said, "James, I'm coming in." He waited for a few seconds for the boy to prepare himself before entering. Seeing James sitting at the corner of his bed, his knees pulled to his chest and his head cradled in his arms, deflated Harry's anger.

With a sigh, he came to sit beside his son. "Jamie…" he began, but the fifteen-year-old flinched away when Harry tried to touch him. "James, come on. I'm not here to yell at you. Just talk to me, OK? Please?" When the boy only turned his face away, Harry said, "I'm sorry I was late. I really did try to finish up quickly so I could spend the rest of the holidays with you guys."

James didn't respond, and Harry waited patiently. After some time, the boy mumbled something, and Harry leant closer. "What's that?" He muttered something again, but Harry couldn't make out the words. "Jamie, I can't hear you if you mumble. Look up at me. Come on."

After a long moment, James finally lifted his head, although he still refused to look at Harry. "Alright," Harry said gently. "Now tell me what you said."

"I said I know how hard you work and that you didn't come late on purpose," James said with a sniff. "I'm sorry I lashed out like that. It wasn't right, and you can punish me for the rest of the holidays if you want to because I deserve it."

A part of Harry wondered if his son had created a scene just to be punished, but seeing the dejected look on the boy's face was enough to convince Harry that he was already punishing himself enough.

"I'm not going to punish you," Harry said, and James looked up at him in surprise.

"Why not? I said something horrible to Draco!"

Harry smiled, reaching up to ruffle James' hair. "Do you want to tell me why you did that?"

James pushed Harry's hand away and sniffed, his eyes puffy and tired. "I don't know. I just felt so… angry. And he was the first person I saw, and…" he sighed, placing his head in his arms. "I didn't mean to."

Harry nodded, moving back so he could lean against the wall. They sat in silence for a while, Harry wondering what he should say, and a few moments later the door opened to reveal Draco. The blond offered Harry a small smile as he came to stand in front of James. Harry patted his son on the head, and James looked up at Draco, swallowing thickly.

"Mr Malfoy…"

Draco's smile widened. "I keep telling you to call me Draco."

"Right," James muttered, fiddling with his pillow.

Harry slid off the bed and stood. Squeezing Draco's hand, he looked at James and said, "I'll go talk to your brother. Think you'll be OK?"

James eyed Draco so warily that the latter laughed. "I won't eat you, I promise."

When James finally nodded, Harry shared a glance with Draco before leaving the room. Shutting the door behind him, he ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. Draco was better than him at handling situations such as these. He was still sometimes at a loss when it came to dealing with his kids, and if not for Draco, he would've continued to flounder around, not knowing what to do.

Walking to Albus' old room, he pushed open the door and smiled at the trio sitting quietly inside.

"Hi, Dad," Albus said, and Scorpius and Rose offered Harry small smiles.

"Hey." Harry walked over to the study table and pulled the chair out. Placing it in front of the bed, facing backwards, he straddled it and said, "Did Draco come in here before I did?" The trio nodded. "Well, I guess there's nothing left for me to say, then."

Albus and Rose looked at Scorpius, and after some hesitation, the blond said, "I'm sorry for getting Al to insist on having me here for Christmas. I just thought it would be nice for Dad and you to spend time together, so…"

Harry smiled, struck, as always, by Scorpius' thoughtfulness. "Thank you. I'm glad you did that. Draco's always refused to come because he anticipated something of this sort would happen, but I'm still glad you both are here. I wouldn't change a thing even if I could."

Scorpius returned Harry's smile and nodded. "Thanks, Mr Potter."

"Harry," he said, rising from the chair. "Just Harry. Don't you think it's been long enough that you can drop the formality with me?" Scorpius nodded, looking sheepish, and Albus laughed, patting his friend on the back. "Well," Harry said, replacing the chair. "I'm heading downstairs. Why don't you lot come down soon as well? Dinner's going to be served, and Ginny won't be too happy if we're not all there to appreciate her hard work."

The kids laughed, and Albus followed Harry to the door. "Thanks, Dad. I think Scorp really needed to hear that."

Harry ruffled his son's hair fondly. "Let your brother off the hook this one time, OK? I think he feels bad enough about what he did without us giving him a hard time about it."

The thirteen-year-old didn't seem too pleased by that but nodded nonetheless. As Harry walked to the stairs, Draco stepped out of James' room.

"Hey," Harry said, pulling him close. "I'm really sorry. He didn't mean what he said."

Draco smiled and kissed Harry, pulling away a moment later and running a hand through Harry's hair to straighten it. "I know. He really liked that girl, huh?"

Harry chuckled. "I've never seen him this distressed about anything before."

"Well, it's understandable. It's only been two days since they broke up, if I'm not wrong. If he'd already pulled himself together, I would be worried."

Harry leant forward to kiss Draco again and whispered, "What would I do without you?"

The corners of Draco's mouth quirked up in his trademark smirk. "Stupid things. Very stupid things."

"Definitely."

"It's a bit early, but," Draco wound his arms around Harry's waist, "Merry Christmas, Harry. I'm glad you talked me into coming tonight, despite everything."

"Merry Christmas, Draco." Harry nuzzled the blond's nose. "I'm glad you came, despite everything."

They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment, until someone coughed from behind them. They turned to see the kids standing outside their respective rooms, looking everywhere but at them.

"Ah, sheesh. Never any privacy anywhere," Harry grumbled good-naturedly.

Draco laughed. "Come on, you lot. I think we've been missing for long enough."

As they trooped down the stairs and into the living room, Ginny looked so relieved that Harry thought she would cry. The table was elongated, chairs were moved to accommodate everyone, and they settled down for dinner, the drama from earlier forgotten and replaced by the usual Christmas cheer.

Later on, past midnight, when most of the others had turned in for the night, Harry was helping Ginny with the dishes and thanked her for a wonderful evening. She sighed, shaking her head and looking exhausted.

"It was a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but I'm glad things worked out for the best."

"They did. Draco has told me several times that he's glad he came and that you're a fantastic cook."

Ginny laughed. "I'm glad to hear it."

Harry smiled, reaching up to tuck a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. "Merry Christmas, Ginny."

Her smile lit up her eyes like the festive lights hanging outside. "Merry Christmas, Harry."

A/n: Quite a short first chapter, but I didn't want to overwhelm you from the get-go. As usual, the chapters will keep getting longer as the story progresses.

Also, while Iridescent Lies was all written from Harry's perspective alone, because the kids are older in this, I want to write from their POVs as well. Just as how the first half of this chapter was written from Ginny's POV, it'll be written from multiple characters' POVs so that you know what's going on in everybody's lives when they're not together. Of course, as always, this is a Drarry, so while that is the main focus, it also focuses on various other aspects of the kids', Draco's and others' lives as well.

Again, if you haven't read the first part of this duology, please read it first. It's called Iridescent Lies.

Let me know what you thought of this first chapter! If you have questions, feel free to ask. I will either answer them in person or within the story itself, as it progresses.

And, as always, if there is a Drarry headcanon/concept/idea that you would like to see written, feel free to leave it in a review and I shall write it for you gladly. :)

Lots of love and new year wishes,

Arty xx