Day 13 of my 25 Days of Draco and Harry. This takes place after Your Song for Lyra's first Christmas (just a reminder that she was born at the end of March). As always, you can find a link to the entire series in my Author profile.

December 2014

Image Inspiration: A classy, perfectly decorated Christmas tree

Draco steps back from his beautiful Christmas tree. The white fairy lights are evenly distributed throughout, the red ornaments perfectly perched on the end of each branch. The popcorn and cranberry garland wraps around the tree several times, and a bright glass star is perched on top.

Placed periodically through the tree are a few family ornaments that he and Harry have accumulated through the years, personalising the tree into something uniquely theirs. Harry helped string the lights and garland, but he's rubbish at placing the ornaments just right, so Draco usually lets him place the family baubles and then finishes the rest himself. It suits them both.

But now, it's complete. And it's perfect.

Draco sits back on the sofa, smiling at the glowing tree. He loves this moment, basking in the joy of a perfectly completed task and of the beauty that will be their tree for the holiday season.

"Looks great," Harry says, plopping down on the sofa next to him, placing Lyra on his lap. "What do you think, Lyra-lou? Didn't Papa make it pretty?"

Lyra's green eyes are wide and reflect the twinkling lights. She lets out a loud giggle and wiggles in Harry's arms, reaching her arms out.

"She likes it," Draco says, watching their daughter's delight, his chest swelling. He leans over and kisses her soft, downy, pale-blonde hair so like his own. It was hard to remember sometimes that she got it from Luna and not from him. They'd forever be indebted to Luna for acting as their surrogate. Lyra Amaranthine Malfoy-Potter was more than they'd ever imagined.

The eight-month-old twists and turns until Harry laughs and sets her down on the floor by their feet, reaching down to place her favourite toy in her hands. She giggles, and Draco knows that this moment is perfect.

"So," Harry says, scooting over and laying his head in Draco's lap, "Andromeda asked earlier if we could keep Teddy for the first week of his holiday break. Since that'll affect you more, are you okay with that?"

Draco considers the work he has planned, but he never seems to get much potions-work done over the holidays anyway, so he's not really planned anything pressing. Teddy being around wouldn't be bad, actually. Maybe Draco could check over Teddy's Potions' O.W.L. work and make sure he doesn't need any extra tutoring.

"Yeah, I'm fine with that. And I'm sure Molly could use the break from watching Lyra. It's only a few hours a day, but she's been looking tired." Draco pauses and scowls. "And don't tell her I said that."

Harry puts his hands up, palms out. "I wouldn't dream of it. I value my skin too much."

Draco laughs, then looks down at his feet. Panic immediately floods through him. "Where's Lyra?"

"What?" Harry says, laughing. "She's right—" Harry glances down and sees she's missing.

Draco looks up and his heart stops. Sitting at the base of the tree, her hands up and grabbing onto a branch, is his daughter. His daughter who doesn't crawl yet and shouldn't be able to get across the room.

"Lyra!" Harry jumps up and scoops her into his arms, pulling her back away from the wobbling tree. "Sweet pea, you crawled!" Harry sounds shocked and proud.

Lyra, however, is irritated that she's been removed from her plaything. Her arms stretch out and Draco feels the buzz of it before it actually transpires.

It's like it happens in slow motion.

First, the branches begin to twitch, then the bulbs vibrate, and finally, the entire tree moves the three feet and knocks into Harry and Lyra, Harry turning so it hits his back.

Lyra begins to cry and the star at the top of the tree, Draco's beautiful, hand-blown glass star, bursts. Draco casts a shield charm above his husband and daughter protecting them from the falling shards, though a few manage to nick him instead.

Harry's stunned eyes meet Draco's.

"So I guess she's definitely magical," Harry says in awe.

Draco looks around at the destroyed tree, then at his daughter's eyes covered in tears tucked under her daddy's chin, having crawled and performed her first magic all in the same day. As the adrenaline and panic recede, pride overwhelms him.

And all he can think is that his definition of the word perfect has suddenly been reevaluated.

Because this is so much better than a pristine Christmas tree.

A/N: I realize now that the Lyra I've written over the next dozen chapters is based heavily on my oldest child. Write what you know, right? Spoiler: My kid has always been trouble, lol. ;)

13 Down, 12 to go. More than 50% of the way there, but I'm only 30% of the way done with my shopping.