A Life of Lies

Chapter 4 - Thank God it's Friday

A/N - Okay so a couple of things!

This is mainly a Harry/Draco story, but there will be other pairings mentioned some briefly and some quite often. One is Severus/Hermione obviously, another is Ron/Lavender. There will also be hints of Neville/Luna later on.

So if you don't like any of those couples don't worry too much about it, the focus is Harry & Draco =)

DISCLAIMER: JK owns it all unfortunately!

After their slightly drunken talk in the kitchens on Monday evening it got a lot easier for Harry and Draco to work together, they had actually been talking at mealtimes like friends and if they saw each other in the corridor they would stop and have a small conversation. It was something that Minerva was happy about, the awkwardness at mealtimes had made everyone uncomfortable, and Severus was no longer suspicious and had stopped sending Draco death glares.

The week passed a lot slower than Harry wanted it too, he really missed Ginny and Lily, but he knew he couldn't just drop by Ginny's work, he'd done it once and realised his mistake. She hated it when her Husband came in, she was the Expert Auror in charge of her group of trainee's who happened to be 3 men and she had to be tough for that, some people said she'd only made it so quick because she was married to the famous Harry Potter, but his Gin proved anyone who said that wrong.

Harry knew Lily was okay, she got tutored during the day with Hermione and Ron's daughter Rose, they were pretty much the same age. Rose had just turned 9 in September and Lily would turn 9 at the start of December. They would go to Hogwarts together because the cut off date was the end of January. Harry was glad for that, the girls were best friends. Either way Lily went to this tutoring group which was like primary school for magical children and Ginny picked her up every night, if she had to work Lily would go to the burrow which she loved because there were always other kids at the burrow to play with.

Molly had gotten her wish of lots of grandbabies, she had 15. The eldest of her grandchildren were Bill and Fleurs children as they had been married the longest. Victoire was 12 years old then there was Dominique who was 10 and Louis who was only 7.

Percy had been the second to marry and had married Audrey Stevenson whom he had met at the ministry, they had two children, Molly was 8 and her younger sister Lucy was 7.

Fred had married Angelina and George had married her best friend Katie, 4 of the 7 who had made up Gryffindors star Quidditch team. Both twins had two children, two sets of twins of the same age. Fred and Angelina's twins were two identical girls, Addison and Avery. George and Katie on the other hand had identical twin boys, Alexander and Andrew. Both sets of twins were 5.

There was then Ron and Hermione's 4 kids. Rose was 9 and the eldest, her younger twin brothers Nicholas and Samson were 7 and the youngest of the 4, Guinevere was just 4, last but not least was Harry's own daughter Lily.

Harry knew that Lily was fine, she was a happy child even with the fact that both he and Ginny worked so much, it didn't have to be done, they had enough money to stop working but they'd get so bored. When Lily was younger Harry and Ginny had both taken a year and a half off of work to watch her take her first steps and say her 1st words but in the end they'd had to go back, sitting around the house all day just hadn't been for them.

Eventually Friday night rolled around and Harry waited eagerly in front of his fireplace for Lily, he knew Ginny would send her via floo powder. Harry jumped up when the fire roared and turned green, a face appeared in the fireplace, but it wasn't Ginny's.

"Hi Molly." Harry said with a smile.

The face smiled back, "Hello Dear, Ginny's been working so much this week, we've had Lily all week almost." Molly said, but Harry knew this didn't bother her.

"I hope she's behaved." Harry said to the woman he considered a Mother, Molly smiled, "Oh of course she has, I've had Alexander, Andrew, Addison and Avery staying this week too, compared to two sets of twins Lily has been an angel."

"I'm glad." Harry said with a chuckle and Molly smiled "Here's her weekend bag Harry, Ginny said she'll meet you at the twins party on Sunday."

A bag popped out of the fire and Harry thanked Molly and told her to send Lily through, she did just that and Lily walked out of the fire a few seconds later. It turned back to it's normal red and orange colour and Lily smiled, "I missed you Dad!" She said as she hugged him, Harry smiled, "I missed you too." He said honestly.

Harry pulled away from the hug, "But don't worry, I've got a fun filled weekend planned for you." Lily grinned at this and Harry smiled, "Starting with junk food and as much games of wizard chess as you can play before falling asleep!"

Lily laughed, "Thanks Dad." She said happily as she sat down across from him, "I'm going to kick your butt by the way." She added.

Harry knew this, he had always been awful at wizard chess, and normal chess for that matter, he kidded along that he thought he would win anyway, he always had done and it made Lily laugh when he lost for the 3rd, 4th and occasionally 5th time, "Never child, my brain outsmarts yours any day." He said dramatically.

Lily laughed, "Challenge accepted." She said simply, and she did well and truly kick his butt at chess that night, 7 times.

Morning rolled around and Lily was up before Harry, as usual. When he got dressed and went through to his living room he found her immersed in a book on the sofa, for an 8 (almost 9) year old girl she was an avid reader.

"What ya reading?" Harry asked as he walked into the room, Lily put her bookmark in the page and closed the book, she jumped up with a smile and said, "Most potente potions."

Harry raised an eyebrow at her as he started to walk towards the great hall, Lily followed, her book in her hand, "I read that in my 2nd year when I was 12 and I didn't understand it." He said as he shook his head in amusement at his daughter who had caught up and was walking beside him now.

"I think the bookworm gene must have skipped a generation from your Grandma." Harry joked, but Lily just smiled and said, "Well I am named after her."

"Very true." Harry said, he grinned at Lily, "Hey, are you too big for shoulder rides yet?" He asked, Lily was very small for her age and skinny like he had been, she was petite, like Ginny, she had her Mother and her Grandmother's red hair but she had the trademark Evans/Potters emerald eyes.

"I'm never too old." Lily said and she chuckled as Harry lifted her up and sat her on his shoulders, the roofs and doors at Hogwarts were so high that they could only get away with it here. Harry was a lot stronger than he looked, Quidditch had done him well and he was able to walk to the hall like this with Lily no bother, Lily had a vice like grip on her book all the way through her ride and when they got to the great hall there was a bout of chuckles and 'aww's!'

The Professors had watched Lily grow up, Harry had been working as the DADA Professor here since Lily was 2 years old and she came by every weekend without fail, unless she was sick, and in the whole 6, almost 7 years he'd been working at Hogwarts he could only think of 4 times that had happened. The students adored Lily, and she was the same with them, she always had been, she was such a sociable child, she'd talk to anyone. Harry let Lily down when they reached the table and Harry sat down in his usual seat between Severus and Minerva, Lily would usually sit on a small seat between he and Minerva but before Harry had a chance to conjure it up she jumped on to Severus's knee, "I'm eating with Uncle Severus today." She said defiantly to her Father.

"You do that." Harry said with a chuckle, Severus raised an eyebrow at Harry and conjured up a seat for Lily next to him, she plopped herself down onto the seat and grabbed a piece of toast, "I beat Dad at 7 games of wizard chess last night." Lily said to Severus.

Severus smirked at Harry, "I taught you well." He said to the girl.

"You taught her!" Harry said indignantly, "I knew it was you."

Lily piped up, "Severus said it would annoy you if I beat you so he teaches me when he baby-sits me."

"I knew it." Harry muttered again as he ate some of the eggs on his plate, "Ohh, Severus, first Quidditch game of the season today, do you think Gryffindor are going to win for the…oh what was it…oh yeah 5th year running?" He smirked at the head teacher, he and Minerva shared the head teacher job, it was easier for them that way.

Severus glared at him, "Slytherin have a new Captain, we're going to win this year."

"Gryffindor has the best Quidditch team." Lily said, and Severus couldn't glare at her because she was a child, Lily continued, "My Dad played for Gryffindor and my Grandpa, they were both seekers, and my Great Grandpa was a chaser."

"Your Uncle Severus was the keeper for Slytherin when he was at school." Harry told Lily whose eyes widened, "Really?" She asked and Severus nodded, smiling a little at the girl, he'd known her since she was 2 like the other Professors and she'd gotten him wrapped around her little finger, "Did you ever win?"

"Not exactly." Severus said, and Harry grinned, "Grandpa and Uncle Severus went to school together but Grandpa used to always win."

Severus rolled his eyes as Lily stuck her tongue out at Severus and announced to the table, "When I'm older I'm going to be the seeker for the chudley cannons."

"If you're going to play Quidditch at least pick a good team." Severus said but Lily only glared at him, "Uncle Ron says they are the best in the league!"

Harry laughed and said to Severus, "I really shouldn't let her spend so much time with Ron."

Draco walked into the hall as Severus agreed and promised to take Lily to a good Quidditch game in the Easter holidays. Draco took his seat which was 4 along from Harry, the seating order was Harry, Severus, Luna then Draco and after that Neville. All the other teachers were seated on the other side of Minerva.

Lily being the child she was didn't' really understand manners, "Who are you?" She asked Draco.

"Lily, manners!" Harry scolded but Draco just smiled, "I'm Draco Malfoy, who are you?"

"I'm Lily Luna Potter." Lily answered proudly, "I've never seen you before."

"That's because I'm new here." Draco said, and Lily nodded, "Okay." She said, turning to her Father, "I'm finished, can we go to the Quidditch pitch now?" She asked eagerly as students started to file out of the hall and walk down to the pitch.

Harry knew he wouldn't win so he just chuckled and said, "Sure, we'll head down now."

Severus and Draco stood up at the same time and the 4 of them started to walk to the pitch together arguing about which side would win.

As Lily raced Draco to the stairs of the Professors stand Harry said to Severus, "Hermione told me about you two by the way."

Severus didn't seem annoyed or surprised, "I'm surprised it took her so long." He said in the drawl that was his voice.

"Is it just sex or is it feelings?" Harry asked curiously, something flashed across Severus's face, "It is feelings I believe, it was originally a relationship of convenience but I doubt such a thing would continue for 4 years."

"She's finally leaving Ron you know." Harry said, noticing how Severus's eyes lit up a little at this news, "She showed me the divorce papers when I saw her on Monday and when I saw her on Thursday she'd filled them all in, she just needed his signature. She's waiting until after the twins birthday party tomorrow."

"That's understandable." Severus said reasonably as they caught up with Lily and Draco and their conversation came to a stop.

"Dad, I beat Draco!" Lily boasted, Harry smiled, "Well done Lils." The group made their way up the stairs and seated themselves in the high and cold stands, they were all glad they'd bundled up as much as they had, the first Quidditch match of the season was always freezing, Harry had preferred playing in it to watching it, you didn't feel the cold as much.

After 40 minutes the Slytherin seeker caught the snitch but he was clearly bad at math because it ended the game and Gryffindor won by 10 points. Severus cursed and Lily scolded him, he and Draco stayed in the huff for the rest of the day whereas the win put Harry and Lily in a rather cheerful mood. They relaxed for the rest of the day and Harry found himself sad that she was going to be leaving soon.

Lily was in bed asleep when the portrait who guarded Harry's rooms told him a Draco Malfoy was there to see him. Harry told the portrait to let him in and Draco walked in looking lost.

"I can't find Astoria, I have no idea where she is." Draco said as he sank down into a chair in Harry's living room.

"Did you try her work?" Harry asked, handing Draco a glass of firewhiskey, he looked like he needed it.

"Her assistants won't tell me anything." Draco admitted, and he drank half of the firewhiskey in one gulp, his eyes were red and bloodshot, he'd obviously been crying.

"There isn't anything you can do Draco, you're just going to have to let her cool off and come to you." Harry tried to explain, he knew Draco was going through hell right now.

"She has no right to keep my children from me Harry." Draco snapped and Harry nodded, "I know, no one should keep a Father from his children." He admitted as he sat down across from Draco, "But there isn't anything you can do if there isn't a way to see her."

"I know." Draco said, he sighed deeply and finished the firewhiskey, Harry poured him another and said thoughtfully, "I wonder if Ginny's seen Astoria, they must have been working together this week on the Lestrange project, Ginny's team are gutting the place but by protocol they have to work in conjunction with the 'Detection and Confiscation of Dangerous Magical Objects Committee.' and Astoria is the department head, isn't she?"

Draco nodded, his eyes far away as if he was deep in thought, "Even when we lived in Scotland she worked here, she just floo-ed everyday. If Ginny's seen her…" He trailed off but Harry understood.

"If Ginny has seen her I'll ask her to talk to her for you." Harry said and Draco looked at him with the smallest glint of hope in his eyes, "Thank you." He said genuinely and Harry gave him a small smile, "That's what friends are for."

"Dad! I need a girl!" Lily called from her bedroom and Harry rolled his eyes, "I'll do fine Lily, what's up?" He asked.

"I need fashion advice." Lily said through the door and Harry bit his lip, "Maybe you do need a girl." He admitted, he glanced at the clock, they were supposed to be leaving to go to Nicholas and Samson's birthday party in 20 minutes and Lily wasn't even dressed yet.

Harry went to the fire and threw some floo powder in, he floo called Luna and put his head into the fireplace, "Luna!" He called, and Luna plodded through into the living room of her quarters dressed in a full length sleep suit with a hood she had pulled up, Harry squinted at the outfit and realised it was a hippogriff, he chuckled in amusement at his friend's odd sleep suit and wondered if he should be asking her for fashion advice for his daughter…

"Hey Luna, sorry to bother you so early, Lily has a party today and she needs a woman to help her decide what to wear, could you give her a hand?" Harry asked, Luna smiled and seemed eager to help, "Of course Harry." She said and with a flick of her wand she was clothed in normal clothes which made Harry feel better, "I'll come over right now."

"Thanks Luna." Harry said as he pulled his head out of the fireplace and he genuinely meant it, Lily could be a handful sometimes.

Luna came through the fireplace right away and went into Lily's bedroom, when Lily emerged 10 minutes later she looked very pretty in a black dress with light blue polka dots, Luna had put a matching ribbon in her hair too.

"You look lovely Lils, thanks so much for doing that Luna." Harry said, as he wrapped an arm around her daughter to rush her out of the door, they were going to be late.

Luna said it wasn't a problem and left through the fireplace, by the time Harry and Lily had gotten to the apparation point and apparated to the burrow they were just in time. Molly greeted them and led Lily over to where all the other kids were sitting in a circle playing games. Lily immediately seated herself next to Rose, which wasn't a surprise. Molly smiled at Harry, "I've left Ron, Arthur and the big twins in charge of the kids." Harry walked with her into the kitchen where all the adults were gathered drinking wine and butterbeer, Harry chuckled, "Now this is my idea of a party." He said.

Molly laughed, "We're using the excuse that we're making the food through here." She said as she walked over to Bill to tell him off for eating the food when it hadn't even been put out yet.

Harry spotted Ginny and walked over to her after grabbing a butterbeer, "Hey Honey." He said, kissing her when she turned around. Harry really he kissed her like he meant it, and when he broke away she smiled cheekily at him, "Wow, you've really missed me huh?"

Harry grinned, "I have." He said, "I'm going to stay with you tonight, I don't care if I'm late for classes tomorrow."

Ginny chuckled, "I have no objections." She said as she kissed him again, "Get a room you two!" Charlie called, he'd come over from Romania for the twins birthday, he was the only Weasley not to have children.

Ginny just stuck her tongue out at her big brother and turned back to her Husband, "How was Lils?"

"She was great, we played chess on Friday and we went to the first Quidditch game of the season yesterday, the Slytherin seeker caught the snitch but couldn't count cause Gryffindor won by 10 points."

Ginny laughed, "Easy win." She said, drinking from her wine glass.

"How was the Lestrange raids?" Harry asked as he leant against the counter she was leaning on, looking at her sideways.

Ginny sighed, "Bad." She admitted, "There were so many traps and enchantments but we broke through eventually and we found some pretty gross stuff, along with more than a few dead bodies and three hidden dungeons." She said, "DMOC had a field day in there, it took them about 4 days just to do the first floor."

Harry shook his head, "They were dark people the Lestrange's." He said, remembering how Bellatrix had killed his Godfather but had her comeuppance when Mrs. Weasley had killed her in the battle of Hogwarts. Harry asked casually, "Oh, I meant to ask, have you been working with Astoria this week on the Lestrange project?"

Ginny nodded, "Yeah, all week. Why?" She asked, she wasn't suspicious, just curious.

Harry looked at her sheepishly, "I need you to do me a favour." He admitted, Ginny smiled a little, "I know, you want me to talk to her because she's run off and won't let Draco see his kids."

Harry nodded, "I feel sorry for him, I mean he really didn't do anything wrong, she's punishing him for something that happened before they were even together and I know I'd feel horrible if you ever took Lily away from me."

Ginny understood, "I know." She said, "I'm surprised you haven't asked me sooner actually."

Harry was about to say he hadn't wanted to interrupt her busy week but he didn't get the chance because Molly announced it was time to take the cake through and for the twins to open presents.

As they all filed out of the room Ginny slipped her hand into Harry's and said, "Don't worry, I'll talk to her."

Not for the first time a pang of guilt hit Harry square in the chest, Ginny was too good for him.

TBC.