"HARRY JAMES POTTER! I have had enough! I know we both have enough money to live on for the rest of our great-grandchildren's lives, but this is getting ridiculous! You're not even going through the motions anymore! And you're not paying any attention to your daughter! I've been taking care of her since we moved here while you've been locked up in your room with the curtains closed and the lights off moping and nursing a bottle of whiskey!" Livia shrieked as she slammed the door open to the bedroom of the man in question. She went over to the curtains and jerked them open, flipping the lights on when she passed the switch. She stomped into the en suite bathroom and turned on the shower before making her way to the bed. She pulled the comforter off the bed and vanished his clothes, grabbing his arm and jerking him out of the bed and dragging him towards the bathroom. She shoved him into the shower and quickly exited the room, locking him in, shouting over her shoulder.

"Get clean and shave that lethifold off your face! Your clothes will be laid out for you when you get out!" she closed the bedroom door with a snap and hurried to her goddaughter's room, praying her shouting hadn't woken the infant.

Nearly an hour later, Harry made his way to the nursery and found Livia rocking the daughter he'd never held to sleep. Guilt hit him like a wrecking ball. Walking further into the room, he held his arms open in question as he approached the pair. Smiling gently, Livia held the baby up for him to take. Gingerly, he took his baby girl into his arms for the first time and stared at her in awe. She looked nothing like her mother. She had his green eyes and black hair, though hers was straight in comparison to his unruly crow's nest. She even had his pale skin, though hopefully she wouldn't keep it. The only thing she inherited from Daphne was her heart-shaped face and probably her slender figure when she grew older. She was absolutely perfect. His little princess. And she truly looked it – she had the Black's aristocratic features and high cheekbones even with baby fat.

Livia smiled as she watched Harry hold his daughter for the first time. The little raven already had her daddy wound around her tiny fingers. She gave them a few more minutes before clearing her throat softly and gestured pointedly towards the cot. Eyes wide, he nodded hurriedly, laying Lily down in the crib carefully before following Livia out of the room. In the hallway, he picked nervously at his sleeve, waiting for her to let him have it. She surprised him by throwing her arms around him and burrowing into his chest.

"It's good to have you back, big brother." she whispered. He felt another pang of guilt as he realized that his little sister had been suffering with him. He'd let both his girls down. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her hair.

"I'm so sorry, Liv." he murmured softly. They stood holding each other for a few minutes before Liv pulled away and took a step back. She looked at him sternly.

"Now, I didn't dress you up just to hold Lily. You're going to a job interview I managed to get you. It's at a bar called Sanctuary on the French Quarter. It's only a few blocks away from here actually. Ask around, you'll get there eventually. Ask for Nicolette."

He stared at her for a moment – then he laughed. Grabbing her shoulders, he pulled her to him and kissed her temple. He gave her a quick squeeze before releasing him.

"Alright, baby girl. I'll be back in a few hours. I'll cook supper tonight." he added over his shoulder as he left the room. Livia smiled. She had her Harry back.

Harry walked into Sanctuary with an air of amusement. Apparently they weren't aware of wizards. Harry could sense the power coming from them in waves. He walked over to the bar and smiled charmingly at the bar tender.

"My name is Harry Potter, I'm looking for Nicolette."

The man gave him a droll look, turned, and walked into a back room. A few moments later, he came back with a tall blonde woman with blue eyes. She gave him a sharp look.

"May I help you?"

Harry held out his hand.

"Harry Potter, Madame. My sister Livia spoke to you about me possibly getting a job here."

Her guarded expression melted to be replaced by a warm smile.

"Mr. Potter! A pleasure to meet you. Your sister is a delightful woman. Yes, she asked if I would consider giving you a job when she came in to audition to play here. One of our bands quit and we're looking for a replacement. She showed up to audition as a solo artist. After she performed she approached me about you. I was sorry to hear about your fiance, Mr. Potter."

Harry laughed bitterly.

"She told you about that, did she?" he asked ruefully. She nodded once.

"Yes. She also told me about your recent depression."

He snorted.

"Depression? No, that was moping. It was a disgrace, and I disappointed both of my girls." he berated himself harshly. The blonde smiled warmly.

"I can see what she meant about you. You are much harder on yourself than anyone else would be. You punish yourself enough. You have a job, Mr. Potter. You start next Monday. That should give you enough time to sort yourself out."

Harry gaped at her. Then began thanking her profusely. She laughed.

"Think nothing of it, Mr. Potter. Now go home. Tell your sister the news."

Still thanking her, he nodded as he headed for the door in a daze.

Colt stared at his boss questioningly.

"You don't trust him, do you?"

Nicolette snorted.

"Don't be ridiculous. But there is something about that young man that speaks to me, so I will be keeping an eye on him will he serves humans their beers. His sister amuses me, so I will be hiring her as well."

Colt gave her an odd look for a second before going back to his job. None of them knew just how much the two humans would change their lives until much, much later.