3 - Recuperation: June 19th, 1978
Eris woke and couldn't see anything except blackness all around her. She furrowed her brows in confusion and the beginnings of fear before realizing the dark was warm and felt familiar. After a second she picked herself up into a sitting position and looked at the dark mass next to her, a smile spreading across her face. Taking a moment to carefully consider what she was doing, Eris pinched her fingers and removed pieces of her father's hair from his face one at a time. She smiled at the peaceful expression, once she could see it, and the vague consciousness she had of him in her mind. Gently she put her hands one either side of his face.
"Da. Dada!" Eris smiled at her linguistic achievement, an expression which broadened when her father shifted under her touch and began to open his dark eyes to look in her direction. Distracted as she was, the child didn't notice one of his arms snake around her back so she squealed happily when she suddenly found herself laying back down encircled in his arms with her face pressed into her father's chest. It was a clear instruction to wait while Severus woke himself up properly and could attend fully to her
Severus himself wondered in his half asleep state at the strange sensation he had of sharing his mind and the peace that brought him, particularly after the previous night. The link seemed to go both ways. He could sense the general train of her rather simplistic thoughts and her base needs. Judging by what he was picking up, she seemed pleased he was alright after being afraid for him last night when she had sense his pain. Eris was also getting decidedly impatient at his lack of activity. Apparently the little terror had been awake for some time before he was and was now growing terribly bored. There was also mischief in the near future if he didn't pull himself together soon.
A quick time charm revealed it was late morning so the wizard pulled himself upright. The movement displaced his daughter who made a sound in the back of her throat that was closer to a growl than Severus wanted to admit to himself that he was hearing. Standing up revealed he was still in quite a bit of pain in quite a few places, including some he couldn't ever remember having known existed previously. Not least of which was a headache telling him he hadn't had a coffee in 6 hours and that was far too long of a gap if he wanted to function like a normal human being. While he had entertained that train of thought, his errant child had wriggled her way under the covers and down to the bottom of the bed. Before his eyes the cover began to lift off the bed and a light appeared, emanating from roughly the spot Eris was sitting. All of this was quickly followed by a series of giggles and a clapping of hands. The clap turned the light out, resulting in confusion being transmitted across the mental link and a desire for the light to return. Not long after, Eris's silhouette was again illumianted
Well, the gobsmacked wizard thought to himself, at least my daughter has proved herself magical. After enjoying the spectacle for a few minutes, Severus removed the covers, resulting in a scowl and unhappy mental babbling, and picked up his daughter. The discontent ceased as soon as he touched her, a fact he noted with a smile. He wrapped his left arm around the girl to carry her but as soon his left forearm touched her, Eris yelped. The child fidgeted violently and pulled his sleeve up, looking at the offending spot with a mixture of curiosity and accusation. Tiny fingers traced the intricate pattern of the snake and the skull on his arm. The ink writhed slightly beneath the inquisitive touch, giving Severus a slightly warm sensation on his arm. Severus was beyond terrified her uncontrolled magic would summon the Dark Lord, but he could sense her trying to make sense of what she was looking at rather than intending an action.
"Magic." He stated. Eris looked confused and Severus realized explaining magic to an 8 month old was probably not going to work. Particularly if he considered that he knew people far older than himself who did not comprehend what they were. There was a particular strand of the Prewett family, also a now unrecognized strand, that couldn't understand their own magic. Anyway, as yet he'd only seen her little trick with the doona, meaning an explanation was probably not in dire need. If she showed any other signs though, he'd have to figure out a way to discuss it with her. If simply because she was already showing an aptitude for trouble. He balked somewhat at that thought, just one more aspect of raising a child he was clueless about. Hurriedly covering the mark he took the child downstairs, hoping to take comfort in the other people involved in the group effort of raising the little witch.
"Severus!" Narcissa was considering a painting in the parlour when Severus entered carrying Eris who was amusing herself playing with her fathers' robes. "I had not expected you up, well, for several days. Lucius said you had handled it well, even so…well… hello Eris."
"Ciss." Eris withdrew from the black shroud she enjoyed so much and grinned winningly at her Aunt who was more than thrilled at the hiss-like attempt at her name. Severus knew it wouldn't be long before the Malfoys had a child of their own. Narcissa was definitely one of those women who thrived in the role of a housewife with chidren. It was interesting to see after it had been a role that had ultimately destroyed his mother, even though Eileen had loved her husband dearly. He wondered if it was simply because Narcissa had a wizard for a husband who accepted her powers. If so, it was a convincing argument against blood-traitors.
"I know why your father called you chaos, Miss." The older woman said to the younger, before returning her attention to Severus. "She was distraught last night." Severus raised an eyebrow and Narcissa went on, with a smile. "It took us quite a bit of effort to clean up the spare room this morning."
"My apologies, I would have assisted." Severus was mortified. A good number of families would have been insulted that Severus had not cleaned up after Eris. And the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy was certainly not a wise family to offend
"Don't be a fool, you were in no condition. It was good practice." The witch shushed him and seemed genuinely pleased at the idea of practice, eliciting a smirk from Severus.
"Is Lucius here? I was to discuss work with him as soon as I was able. I am able now."
"He told me to tell you he would be at the apothecary. If I may say so, I don't think you should go today. Leave it for a few days, start next week. I'm sure Lucius would not mind, he wasn't expecting you for a few days anyway."
"I need to work so that I can provide for my family and take care of them myself. I want my daughter to flourish under my provision."
"You're not your father, Severus, you will not make his mistakes. And there is no need to exhaust yourself." She could see he wouldn't listen and relented with a sigh. "I'll mind Eris for you."
As Narcissa reached out, the child glanced around to ensure this change of hands was acceptable. He was about to hand her over with a smirk when he had the sudden inspiration to try something and attempted to send his approval through the mental link. Confusion crossed the small face before it was replaced with a big grin and she turned back to face her aunt, already leaning out of his arms. According to the mental link, Severus' importance had been replaced with the contrast in Narcissa's black and white hair. He didn't mind. Neither, apparently, did the older witch who was pulling the different strands over her shoulder so Eris had better access. Severus thought to take his leave while the two were so happily distracted.
"Severus." Narcissa said, catching him just before he left. "I never saw you smile until Eris came to you. No matter how much you loved that Gryffindor girl, you never smiled just simply looking at her, as you do with Eris. Despite the circumstances, she's the best thing to ever happen to you Severus."
Embarrassed, the dark wizard let the smile fall from his face. He took refuge in impassiveness and left the house. Narcissa shook her head, well used to the young man's awkwardness, and looked down at the child shaped blessing in her arms.
"You're good for your father, aren't you pretty little girl?" Narcissa cooed, before getting an idea. "Ooh, I can do your hair. Won't your father be so happy to see you with some lovely bows in your hair? How about we do them all green and silver? The Slytherin colours you like so much you brilliant little witch."