Rhaenys

Yule 2004

Training three children in magic had become something of a problem for the adults, but Rhae and Teddy had found interesting ways to escape their more boring lessons.

Every day, from shortly after lunch to just before tea, Rhaenys and Teddy found themselves seated in the library going through lessons with their mother and father. Lucky Egg was not yet three, so he didn't have to sit lessons with the rest of them.

Of course, for Rhae, getting out of lessons was as easy as accidentally lighting her papers on fire. But her mother found new and creative ways to make sure the lessons were retaken, and Harry was of no help.

Rhaenys was growing bored of being in the old Black home, silently bemoaning Harry's need to find something immediately. He had told her he needed it to help Mama plan her lessons; an object that was supposed to help her remember the lessons she had learned in Dorne, and Rhae had agreed to go with him. If only she had known how boring it would be, she might have stayed at home instead.

Dimly, Rhaenys heard the echo of light footsteps from downstairs. Glancing back at the old study, she crept forward slowly, darting down the stairs to see who had entered.

They were in the downstairs family room, the walls painted black with green furniture, and as she came upon the woman standing near the Black armoire holding silver, she froze at the sight of grey eyes suddenly locked on hers, a wand held in the woman's hand.

"Are you lost?" the woman asked in a soft voice, tucking her wand away as she moved slightly closer. She had pale gold hair, almost the same colour as Egg's when it was wet, and sharp features she had seen somewhere.

"No," Rhaenys replied slowly. "What are you doing here?"

"This is my family home," the woman told her, eyes carefully watching Rhaenys. "You look very much like someone I know."

"I look like my mama," Rhaenys told her. "Are you Harry's aunt?"

The woman smiled widely, moving to sit on the green sofa. She patted the seat next to her, silently asking Rhaenys to come closer. "Yes, you do look like Elia."

"What's your name?" Rhaenys asked. Mama had spoken of Harry's aunt a few times, and she liked the woman. She almost looked like Grandmother Rhaella, but she was not as sad.

"Narcissa," she told her. "And you, little one?"

"Rhaenys."

Sudden swearing disrupted them, and Rhaenys jerked her head to the door to see Harry standing there.

"You said a bad word," Rhaenys chirped.

Blinking, Harry replied, "I did not."

"Did too," Rhaenys told him. "Mama's not gonna be happy with you!"

"Going to," Harry corrected, and Rhaenys pouted at the man even as he moved further into the room.

"I won't tell her," Rhaenys said innocently.

Harry's eyes narrowed in suspicion, flicking quickly to Narcissa before returning to stare at Rhaenys. "And why is that?"

"Cause I get to go flying, right Harry?" she blinked innocently at him, and Rhaenys saw the small twitch of his lips he was trying to hide.

"We'll see," he answered, looking past her.

"Herakles," Narcissa greeted, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I was just about to come to the manor to find you."

"Aunt Narcissa," Harry replied, placing a light peck on her cheek. "What are you doing here?"

"I needed a few items," she waved off, shifting slightly in her seat. "But I wanted to tell you the good news in person."

"Oh?" Harry asked, lifting Rhaenys to make room on the couch.

"Yes. Draco and Astoria are expecting a child," she told him, a slight smile on her face.

Because she was leaning against Harry, Rhaenys felt the slight stiffening of his arm before he relaxed, arm curled around Rhaenys.

"Many felicitations, Aunt," he said warmly.

To her utter boredom, Rhaenys had to sit still as Harry and Narcissa spoke for a few more minutes, though she perked up when her mother was mentioned.

"I do think Elia and I have a tea scheduled in the new year," Narcissa replied, standing up to leave. "It was lovely to meet you, Rhaenys."

"Goodbye," she waved, watching the pale blue robes swish as the woman walked off.

"You can tell your mother why my aunt will be visiting," Harry muttered as Rhaenys grinned at him.

Flying indoors! Teddy and Egg will be so jealous, she thought.


Summer 2005:

"Slowly," Harry warned, his hands held out as if to stop her should anything go wrong. His wand was held loosely in his right hand, the holster peeking out from beneath his grey sleeves, but she knew Harry did not need to use a wand as often as he did.

"I know," Rhaenys huffed, scowling at the small flame in front of her. Mama had warned Harry to keep the flames cool, but Rhaenys was ready to change them into something slightly hotter.

They were seated outside, near a large stone pit Harry used to roast marshmallows and chocolate when they had managed to keep from destroying something in the house. Aegon was watching from a cushioned seat behind her, as she stood closer to the flame. Teddy had convinced Mama to help him make a surprise cake to give to his little cousin Scorpius, and Rhaenys and Aegon were supposed to keep outside until it was ready.

"Feel your magic," he instructed. "Call it forth and imagine the flames growing bigger."

Closing her eyes, Rhaenys began the breathing exercise Harry had taught her and Teddy. Feeling the slight tingle she pulled, imagining the flames to grow bigger. Opening her eyes, Rhaenys grinned at the sight of a large bonfire.

"Well done," Harry said, bending to inspect the flames. "It's hotter than usual."

"Rhae!" Aegon shouted, startling the little girl.

To her frustration, the flames leapt out of control, flaring brightly as it grew in size. Harry would never let her move on until she learned to control it, and she waited for the man to take control. Silently watching as Harry doused the flame, Rhaenys's eyes widened at the sight of the older man.

Oh no, she thought, muffling a snort.

Snickering, Egg asked innocently, "What happened to your hair Papa?"

"My ha—"

Cringing slightly, Rhaenys watched as Harry felt the top of his head, mouth tugging downward when he felt the missing chunk of hair. "I thought the fire was cool," she mumbled.

"It still burns," Harry answered, a slight look of disbelief as he pulled on the hair surrounding the spot.

His usual messy curls were still there, but instead of a full head of curls there was a missing patch at the top, making it look as if someone had taken a chunk of his hair.

"Right," he said, scooping Aegon into his arms as he ushered Rhaenys into the house. "How about we keep the lessons private until you've got some control."

"I do have control!" Rhaenys argued.

"And I'm missing a chunk of hair," he replied dryly.

They were making their way to the dining room when Rhaenys heard the snort of laughter from the portrait on the wall.

"Hi Grandpa," Rhae chirped, smiling at the hazel-eyed wizard, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"Rhae," James grinned. "Excellent work princess. I've never seen Harry's hair look so wonderful."

"Thank you," Rhaenys replied primly, and James Potter began to laugh earnestly.

Harry swept into the dining room and plopped Egg into a chair, calling "Elia, your daughter burned my hair!"

"It's not my fault p-Harry got too close," Rhaenys said hotly.

Her mother poked her head into the room, a familiar smirk on her face as she teased Harry. Rhaenys wasn't paying attention to anything they said, staring instead at Harry in surprise.

I almost called him Papa, she thought.

Teddy's father had never insisted she call him anything other than his name, and Rhae knew the man treated her the same as he did Egg and Teddy. He had kept his promise to her - loving her brother and her as if they were his own children - and Rhaenys knew how close she had almost come to calling him father.

Teddy was staring at her oddly, and Rhae ignored her annoying brother/friend as she made her way into the kitchen for a snack.


Teddy

Yule 2005:

Darting quickly down the stairs, Teddy barely managed to hang on before he ended up stumbling down the last few steps.

"Aegon," Elia said, swooping closer with her hands on her hip. "What have I told you about running down the stairs?"

"Sorry Mama," Teddy muttered, fidgeting in place even as he widened his purple eyes. Egg was so much shorter than he was, and Teddy would be glad to return to his natural form as soon as his little brother managed to find the cookies.

"Come along, sweetling," Elia sighed, brushing a hand through his pale hair. "Let's go make some more snacks, hmm?"

Panicking slightly, Teddy blurted out, "Can we go flying?"

"Neither of you are allowed to fly," she reminded him.

"Fine," Teddy grumbled. "A story then."

"What do you say?" she teased, lightly flicking him on the nose.

"Please?"

"Oh, very well. What story shall it be?" she asked him, directing him to the family room near the kitchen. Craning his neck, Teddy saw no sign of Aegon, and he knew Rhaenys was supposed to be keeping Papa busy.

"Something about Uncle Oberyn," Teddy asked, curling up next to her on the large sofa. The fire was crackling, the flames keeping them warm despite warming charms. Elia no longer became sick so easily, something he knew they were all glad for, but she enjoyed the warmth of the flames, the heat reminding her of her homeland.

"Oberyn," she laughed slightly, hands running through Teddy's hair. At times, if Teddy closed his eyes he could pretend that Elia was his mother. His Papa never said anything, but Grandmama had been dead since Teddy was Egg's age, and there had never been anyone else close to the two Potter-Black's. The princess cared for him as much as she did Egg and Rhae, never treating Teddy as if he were anything other than her son, and he knew Papa did the same with his siblings.

"Once, when I was younger. My mother wanted to find me a husband," she began.

"Why?" Teddy asked.

"I am of Dorne, a Martell princess," she explained. "It was expected of me to do so."

"What does that have to do with Uncle Oberyn?"

"I am getting there," she chided lightly, and Teddy pressed against her in apology, allowing Elia to press a light kiss to his forehead.

"We were with the Hightowers. Of all my suitors, Baelor was one of the better ones. But one night, he accidently passed gas at the dinner table."

Snorting, Teddy broke into a fit of giggles, as he said, "No!"

"He did. It happens at times," Elia laughed.

"Nuh-uh," Teddy replied. "Papa says that's not a nice thing to do."

"No, it isn't," she agreed. "Anyhow, Oberyn called him Baelor Breakwind, the wretched boy. I was never able to look at him the same ever since."

Teddy was giggling, but he stopped short at the look on her face. There was a twinkle in her eye, a small curve to her lips that spelled trouble.

Elia leaned forward, placing a light kiss on his head as she murmured, "You and Aegon are grounded, my dear."

"Teddy's in the library," he replied, praying she would not notice.

"Is that why your hair turned green? Or I saw Aegon shuffling out of the kitchen with something in his arms," she added loudly.

Cringing slightly, Teddy heard the muffled footsteps of his younger brother, the boy's purple eyes widened in innocence. Heaving a sigh, Teddy shifted back to his natural form, stretching his legs in relief even as Egg returned the batch of cookies to Elia.

"Winky makes the best cookies," Egg muttered, scuffing his foot on the floor.

"Don't do that," Elia told him, glancing in amusement between the two boys. "And I suppose Rhaenys is a distraction for Harry."

"No," they denied, neither boy looking each other in the eye lest they give her away.

"Hmm, I suppose such loyalty should be rewarded," Elia stated.

Teddy groaned in exasperation at the sudden nod Egg gave, watching their mother laugh loudly even as he was given a cookie.


Summer 2006:

"Teddy," Gran's voice cut in. "What's bothering you, love? You've been staring at the same spot on the tapestry for the last few minutes."

Lily Potter's bright green eyes locked onto his identical ones, a warm, encouraging smile on her face as Teddy mustered the courage to put his thoughts into words.

"It's Papa," he told her, fidgeting slightly though his eyes returned to the empty spot next to Papa's name. The Potter tapestry did not show his mother's name, as they had never married nor did they have Teddy together, but Teddy knew which name he wished to see next to his father's.

They were in the old tapestry room, the walls lined with portraits even as the names were etched into the wall.

"What of him?" Nana cut in. Euphemia's dark eyes held a knowing look, though Teddy couldn't see how she could possibly know what he was thinking about.

"Does Papa not want to have a family?" Teddy blurted out, eyes lowered in embarrassment.

He had known for years that he was adopted; Papa had wanted him to know of his birth father, but all Teddy knew was Harry. Remus Lupin had been his father and he was proud of that fact, but Teddy was a Potter-Black now, and as bad as it might sound he would not change that fact for anything in the world. But his papa had never married, never had more children, and every time Teddy brought it up, he waved it off, saying he had Teddy, and now Egg and Rhae to be a family.

But Egg and Rhae might leave us one day, and Mum with them, he thought sadly.

"He has a family, Teddy," Gran said gently. "He has you, and Aegon, Rhaenys and Elia as well. Harry does not want for family, my dear. Nor does he see you as not being enough."

"But they might leave," he said in frustration.

To his bafflement, Nana Euphemia and Aunt Dorea started laughing, a shared look between the two that Teddy could not understand.

"My dear, you might be a bit too young to understand why," Aunt Dorea told him. "But it'll take something immense to remove Aegon, Rhaenys and their mother from your lives."

Our mother, he wanted to correct her. He had had a mother, but Nymphadora Tonks had died when Teddy was still a baby. He didn't think she or Grandmama would be too upset that he saw Elia as a mother. Sometime in the past few months, Teddy had gone from calling her Elia to accidently referring to her as mum; the princess had only smiled at him, pressing a kiss to Teddy's forehead as she murmured, "I would be honoured to be your mother, Teddy."

"Leave it to us," Nana told him, a secretive smile on her face. "Nothing quite like dancing to bring people together."

Staring in confusion, Teddy shook his head as he left the plotting to the ladies.

Three days later, he saw the fruit of their words. Papa had been badgered into giving Teddy dancing lessons, Aunt Dorea loudly proclaiming her horror at his waiting until Teddy was seven to begin teaching the boy. Mum had agreed with the idea, seeing it as a chance to teach Rhaenys the beginnings of dance in Westerosi customs.

Lucky Aegon managed to sit these lessons out until next year, when the boy turned five and they deemed him ready to join them.

"What are you staring at?" Rhae asked, poking him in the side.

They were sitting on the floor of the ballroom, the old radio playing a waltz as they watched Harry and Elia twirl across the room. They were supposed to be watching them to see how the dance flowed, but Teddy thought his parents had more fun dancing together and forgot they were supposed to be teaching. He said something to her, causing her to throw her head back in laughter even as they continued to dance.

"Would you be upset," Teddy began hesitantly, warily eyeing Rhaenys, "if Papa became your father?"

Of the three of them, Rhaenys had been the only one not to call Harry anything other than his name. Papa had not said anything about it, but Teddy thought there were times when Rhae looked like she almost said the words.

"No," she told him, purple eyes scrutinizing the couple. "Mama looks happy. And…"

"And?" Teddy prompted, throwing an arm around Rhaenys's shoulders. Teddy had sworn to never tell anyone about Rhae's night terrors; every once in a while, the little girl would wake up with nightmares from the night before they came to Potter Hall, and Teddy had promised his sister he would keep quiet. He was fairly certain their parents knew, but if they had spoken to his sister about it he did not know.

"He's been my father since I came here," Rhae mumbled, leaning slightly against Teddy's arm.

Smiling, Teddy remembered the countless times Harry had involved Egg and Rhae into any activity, from the first moment they came to Potter Hall. "Papa looks happier too."

"Do you think they know?"

Snorting, Teddy watched the dancing couple once more. Three years they had been living together, and neither of the two had said anything related to being a family.

"They're adults Rhae," he reminded her with the wisdom of a seven year old. "They like to make things difficult."


Aegon

Yule 2006:

"Do we have to go to this party?" Teddy grumbled, even as he smoothed his hair.

"Would you like to tell Aunt Narcissa why you will not be attending her Yule gathering?" Papa asked. "Hold still, Egg."

Egg stopped his fidgeting, allowing Papa to fix the bow tie he was wearing. They all wore robes of black; a dark red vest and black tie for their father while theirs were done in reverse.

"Well, don't you all look very handsome," Mama said, causing Egg to turn to face her and Rhaenys. She wore a gown of Martell red, slashes of orange lightly visible in the deep red jewellery she wore while Rhae wore a gown of black.

"You look pretty, Mama," Egg told her, preening at the sweet smile his mother sent him.

"Thank you, sweetling," she said.

Egg watched as Papa stood, greeting Mama with quiet words that had her hiding a smile. Teddy and Rhae were watching them intently, and Egg saw his siblings roll their eyes at the two.

"Shouldn't we be leaving?" Teddy asked loudly.

"Yes, yes you're right," Papa said, an odd look on his face.

They were ushered to the ground floor floo, and Egg held tightly to his papa as they arrived at Malfoy Manor.

It was technically Rhaenys's fault they were here; Aunt Cissa spent some of her days visiting Potter Hall to take tea with Mama because she met Rhae, and Egg had been introduced to the woman. Mama hadn't been able to keep them hidden at home after that, and slowly the children started visiting the magical world.

"Herakles," Egg heard, and he blinked before smiling brightly. Bounding over, Aegon threw all manners out the window as he greeted the woman.

"'lo Aunt Cissa," Egg chirped, grinning at her.

"Aegon," she smiled before greeting his parents.

"Hi uncle," Egg smirked.

"Aegon," Draco answered with a smile, even as Astoria gave the boy a warm smile.

Papa's cousin was odd; he was always so stiff and formal, except when Scorpius was close. Papa said it was because they did not like each other for years, but Uncle Draco was more relaxed than he had been five years ago.

The children were ushered inside, and Egg barely took notice of the sudden hush in the room.

"Come here Egg," Teddy said, tugging him closer.

"What?" Egg asked, slight annoyance in his voice.

Aunt Cissa had some of the best cakes, and Egg wanted to go over to the dessert table before the adults had a chance.

"There aren't any cakes," Rhae smirked. "Aunt Cissa hid them because of you."

Scowling, Egg glanced around the room but he couldn't make out any tables of food. Locking eyes with Aunt Cissa, he scowled deeply at the light smirk the woman wore.

"Not my fault I like the cakes," he grumbled.

These parties were very boring, and Egg could see why his papa did not like attending them. At some point, he had fallen behind his siblings, mingling in the crowd as he tried to make out his parents.

"…cannot believe he is taking on two other children," a woman near him said.

Egg squeezed his way closer, pushing through the crowd as he attempted to get closer to Rhae.

"Give it some time," another voice said. "Lord Potter-Black needs a wife, he'll tire of the woman soon enough."

"And if he should not?"

"Yes, he adores those children," another woman said.

Egg froze, hearing his father being spoken of by these people. Papa doesn't need a wife, he thought angrily.

"They aren't his. How long can a man care for children not hi—"

Shrieks broke out as a gust of wind spilled water from the floating decorations all over the ladies. Egg bolted, catching up to Rhae and Teddy as they made their way closer to the front of the crowd.

"What did you do?" Rhae muttered.

"Aegon," Papa's voice cut in smoothly.

The little boy froze, eyes wide in surprised innocence as he turned to look at his father. Mama was off with Aunt Cissa, and Egg watched as his father crouched down to fix his tie, a slightly warm feeling coming over him.

"You had water on you," Papa said. His green eyes were twinkling, and Egg relaxed at the knowledge that he wasn't in trouble.

"They were talking rudely about Mama," he pointed out, jaw locked in stubbornness.

Papa stilled, before sighing and giving Egg's shoulder a light squeeze.

"Next time, make sure you're not close enough to get splashed," his father murmured.

Egg grinned in surprise, grabbing hold of Rhae and Teddy before they dashed off.


Summer 2007:

Egg sighed in frustration, glaring at the numbers in front of him. Math was a terrible subject to learn when he could be outside playing. Counting the number of Targaryen kings before him was even worse when most had the same name.

"Why do they all have my name?" he questioned, staring at the family tree his mother had drawn.

"It's a family name," she told him.

"But there's over twenty Aegon's," he groaned.

"No need to be so melodramatic," Mama chided lightly. "There aren't nearly that many of them. Besides, you'll be the sixth Aegon to take the throne."

What if I don't want it? He thought.

He did not voice his worries, even though Egg knew he was being silly. Mama had always told him he could speak to her about anything, but Westeros was home for her. It was something he knew Papa was working on, so Egg said nothing against it.

But this is home, he thought sadly.

"Can they come with us?" he asked lightly, eyes focused on his papers.

"Aegon," Mama sighed, and he cringed at the sound. He hadn't wanted to hurt his mother, not with this.

Grandpa James swore they would always be a family – had laughed at the thought of anyone taking his father and brother from him. Westeros was different; Harry and Teddy had lives here, had other family. Maybe they wouldn't want to come with them.

"They have lived here their whole lives, sweetling," Mama told him. "Come."

He sat stubbornly for a moment, but the sight of his mother's raised brow had Egg moving to the sofa to curl up next to his mother.

"What brought this on?" she asked quietly.

He hesitated; the last thing Aegon wanted to do was tell his mother he didn't want to go back to Westeros. He did – but only if his Papa and Teddy could come with them.

"What if I'm a bad king?" he asked instead.

"You won't be," she said confidently.

"But what if I am?" Egg pressed. "It's too much."

"Oh darling," Mama sighed, pressing a soft kiss to his head. "You have years still to learn what is expected of you. I doubt you will be anything short of great."

Egg pressed his head against his mother's shoulder, unable to voice the rest of his fears.

"As for Harry and Teddy," she said lightly, her hand rubbing circles in his arm. "There is still much to be done before the ritual is ready."

"Do you think they would want to?" he asked quietly.

"I think," Mama said slowly, arms tightening around Egg, "Harry and Teddy love you both too much to not consider it."

They love you too, he knew. Egg had watched Rhae and Teddy and knew they badly wanted what he did as well.

"There's time yet for that question," she finished. "We've many years ahead of us before we have to find out."

There was something odd in his mother's tone, but Egg ignored it in favour of basking in his mother's warmth. He knew what he would be praying for besides a dragon; he wanted his family together at home, whether that was here at Potter Hall or somewhere in Westeros.