A/N: I can't wait for the next book! PAPA DRESDEN!

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Dresden's Daughters

by Shadow Crystal Mage

Chapter 1: "Little Sister" or "In which this might be the only chapter"

Disclaimer: The Dresden Files and all related non-public domain characters are the creation and property of Jim Butcher and is being used here in parody, which is protected speech.

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Harry nervously cleared his throat. "Maggie," he began, then nervously coughed again.

Sitting on the floor of her room across from him next to Mouse– Maggie preferred having the big foo dog next to her– the little girl looked up at him curiously

Harry gave it one last try. "Maggie," he said, pushing through. "There's someone I'd like you to meet. But before I do, I want to warn you about a few things."

"Like what?" Maggie asked face wide and innocent. Genuinely innocent, not the other kind.

"I'm getting to that," Harry said. "Maggie, the person I'd like you to meet is a bit different from other people. I don't want you to be scared about how she looks. It's not who she is. Okay?"

Maggie nodded, looking curious. "Okay. But only if Mouse likes her. Mouse is smart. He'll knows if she's nice."

Harry wished he could say more, but he didn't dare. He didn't want to scare Maggie, or prejudice the older kids, and he would if he started babbling and trying to explain. He began reaching for the bag at his lap. "Don't be frightened," he said, as much to Maggie as the one he was introducing.

Maggie let out a delighted shriek as he pulled a carved wooden skill out of the bag. Her arm tightened on Mouse as two pinpoints of green flame came to life within the wooden skull's eye sockets. Maggie kept one arm around Mouse even as she leaned forward herself.

"Maggie," Harry said, taking the plunge, "I'd like you to meet your little sister."

Maggie's eye went wide. They went wider as a soft, shy voice from the skull said, "Hello Maggie."

Maggie stared in surprise, but leaned forward some more, raising her other arm, but at the last second seemed to become aware of the arm around Mouse, she paused, then looked questioningly at the dog. "Mouse?"

Mouse let out a chuffing sound and leaned forward to sniff at the skull. Harry obligingly held it out to even, stroking it gently to try to reassure the spirit inside as Mouse made his inspection. At the end, he gave a little doggie smile and made to lick at the skull.

The spirit inside gave a cry of alarm and Harry instinctively pulled it back a little out of his range. Mouse gave Harry a mildly reproachful look. Then he turned to Maggie and gave an exaggerated doggie nod.

Maggie immediately leaned forward, confident in Mouse's assessment, trying to meet the skull's gaze. "You're my sister?" she asked.

Harry felt the skull in his hands trying twitch, and he went with the motion, making the skull nod. "Yes," the spirit of intellect said, and Harry was certain she would have been looking down shyly if she were capable.

"Why are you just a head?" Maggie asked.

"I'm not a head," the young spirit said. "This is just the sanctum I'm in." The green, flame-like eye lights flicked towards the windows. "It's not safe for me to be out during the day. The sunlight would hurt me."

"If you're not a head, what do you really look like?" Maggie asked.

Harry felt a rotating movement of the wooden skull in his hands, as if it wanted to look at him.

"Go ahead," he said gently. "But stay in the room, where we can see you."

At these words, the little spirit flowed out of the skull. She appeared as a small cloud of green mist and light, and twinkled slightly even in the illumination. Her edges wavered and roiled slightly as if she were a flame.

Maggie let out a laugh of delight, clapping her hands. She reached of the spirit, who gave a mild start. "You're pretty," Maggie said.

Harry gently took her hand a lowered it a little. "Maggie, you're spooking her. She's not used to people touching her. She's still only a baby."

Maggie immediately looked suspicious. "I'm not changing her diaper," she declared.

Harry chuckled as the little spirit moved to hover over his shoulder, looking like she was ready to jump down his back if Maggie made another grab. "She doesn't need her diaper changed." He looked at his younger daughter. "You won't need your diaper changed, right?"

"No?" the spirit said hesitantly. "I don't think I will."

Smiling, Harry turned back to Maggie. "Maggie, your little sister needs a place to stay from now on, and I want her to stay with you. I need you to be a big sister and help your little sister get along with the other kids."

Maggie perked up. "Like Molly and Amanda and Hobbit?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, like Hope and Amanda and Hobbit. I need you to teach your little sister how to be a good little girl."

Maggie nodded confidently. "I can do that! Everyone taught me lots."

"I'm sure they did." Harry said.

Maggie untangled her arm from Mouse and held out both hands. "Can I hold her?" she asked. "I promise not to drop her."

The little spirit seemed to flinch, but Harry reached up to gently cup his hand around her. "Sssshhhh, it's all right," he soothed. "She's not going to hurt you. No one here is going to hurt you."

The little spirit seemed go calm a little, allowing herself to be cupped along, staying in the contour of Harry's hand. "Promise?"

"I promise," Harry said. He turned to Maggie. "Maggie, will anyone hurt her here?"

"Nope," Maggie said confidently. "Mouse wouldn't let them, would you Mouse?"

Mouse gave a bark and another exaggerated nod.

The little spirit's shape firmed a little, as if she had gathered herself. "Do you promise on your power?" the spirit said, and Harry had the sudden image of a little kid being solemn and serious.

Equally solemnly and with a straight face, he raised his right hand. "I, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden do so swear."

"Cross your heart and hope to die?" Maggie chimed in.

"Cross my heart and hope to die," Harry confirmed.

The spirit bobbed a little, as if nodding. "I accept your promise," she said solemnly.

Then slowly, hesitantly, she drifted towards Maggie's outstretched hand…

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- To be continued…

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A/N: I felt an overwhelming desire to have Harry introduce his two little girls to each other, all right? So sue me.

Please review, C&C welcome.

Until next time, this is Shadow, signing off.