Christmas 2004

The cousins' relationship improves steadily. Delphini doesn't allow her magic to lash out when Scorpius uses her hair as leverage in order to stand, although she glares at him in a very big sister way. She runs around the manor with him, picking him off the floor when he stumbles. She sneaks him outside to annoy the peacocks in her stead (she can't even approach them without being jolted back by magic). The day the Kneazle rubs against the boy, Delphini is certain they will get along. So is the family.

They realize just what they may be dealing with when they find them both in compromising situations. Asleep in the pantry, clearly ransacked for anything with a hint of sugar. Whispering atop the stairs, conspiring against the house-elf no doubt. Sneaking in and out of rooms. Delphini frantically trying to keep her cousin from painting yet another book she left open in the library and then hiding it so that no one gets punished. They always are.

Then Astoria finds Delphini trying to teach a not even three year old Scorpius to fly on her first broom, the same Draco used to teach her, and secretly starts wishing for the day Delphini turns eleven. She had made Draco promise her that he would not teach Scorpius to fly before the age of five, completely forgetting that Delphini could decide to take on that responsibility.

Draco now has two children to spoil rotten. And the eldest child knows exactly how to get what she wants from him. Her little smirk and the glint in her eyes do a wonderful job of it. It's everyone else's job to keep some semblance of rules and limits in place. Half the nights, Astoria or Narcissa have to remember Draco to let the children go to sleep and to stop exciting them with his elaborate bedtime stories.

They decide for an intervention the day Draco comes back from Diagon Alley having bought what seems to be half the street's worth of toys, sweets, and pretty clothes.

"Draco," Lucius starts, when Scorpius is asleep after lunch and Delphini is with her tutor, "remember that conversation we had about you being twenty and it being your responsibility to say no?"

It's not an easy subject, but they eventually get him to say he will refrain himself. A present each month, plus Christmas and birthdays. He manages to add "accomplishment gifts" to the deal and Astoria chuckles, wondering how many "accomplishments" Draco will come up with.

The very next day, Delphini receives a gift "Because of her impeccable handwriting" Draco says. Because he wanted to see her flying about in a new wool green cloak, the rest of them know.

X

They have dreaded this moment for years. But Draco was adamant about the subject. Moreover, he is right.

"She needs friends. It can't be just her and Scorpius. She can't have other children her age around only every now and then. She must be allowed friends. She needs that chance at normality. Before."

"There is no before, Draco." Lucius locks eyes with his son. "She will never know. She is a Lestrange and that is final."

"We are sworn to never telling her. But the rest of the world is not. If ever the connection should be made... she needs bridges before that storm, Father. Because the world will leave her alone in her island and burn any chance of a bridge for her. Our family is not enough."

The rest is left unsaid. There is a lingering thought in all their minds. A cold finger running down their spines, jabbing between their ribs. What if she doesn't make friends? What if she starts gathering people but not friends? The terror is there, they can all feel it and a knife could cut through it.

"She already knows some kids from our circle."

Ever so slowly, old connections had come about again. There were small dinner parties, discreet birthdays, and joyous but small weddings. Every time, the memory of absent people lingered, but it felt somehow better to be together again. Their small society finding its way again, if not its footing.

"We will have a Christmas gathering like we used to. It will just start earlier, we'll ask for the children to come and let them play all afternoon. Like I used to."

X

And so they come. The guests start arriving around three. There will be plenty of time for the children to play.

Narcissa is the ever perfect hostess, her hand sitting peacefully on her husband's arm. Talking away the hours with other couples. Witches in gorgeous dresses smiling by the side of wizards in magnificent robes, under bright lights inside and against the shine of snow beyond the windows. Where a group of children squeal, laugh and cheer their way through a snowball battle with no quarter.

The Malfoys keep looking over, discreetly. Delphini is amongst the others, covered in snow, giggling like she is supposed to, her poise forgotten. She is fast, seems to dodge on instinct, her body simply knows where to go, how to move. There is an ease about her, like she was made for battle. The Malfoys keep their smiles, but a little voice reminds them that, although her grace of movement is the same her Mother had, seeing it on an eight year old is unnerving. Because her Father had it too. Her parents moved like dancers even in the heat of the most vicious fights. So they worry.

Draco swallows at the uncanny resemblance of black curls dancing in the wind, following effortless and subtle moves. But he will keep his promise. He will teach her about right and wrong. In time, he will tell her about the war. And then he will let her choose. I cannot fail her too. I will not fail my little bird. She will not be an augurey of doom and disgrace. She will be living, breathing proof that blood does not define a person.

Lucius is worried, terribly so. It's like seeing a miniature of Bella. There is no viciousness, no madness, no hunger for destruction and pain. Not that it sooths him. Because it's is also like seeing the Dark Lord and the mere thought of Him rattles Lucius to the core. I let her stay. If anything should happen, it will be my fault. Again. It will be my family that pays. Again.

But the room erupts in laugher and drives his thoughts off rail. Something the children did. They are mostly on the ground now, and careless crystal clear little laughs fill the air in a manner that is sure to lead to hiccoughs. A precarious fort of snow came down and its occupants are under heavy fire. Delphini is on the fallen side.

Helping the others stand.

Making sure they are not hurt.

And that is nothing like her parents. Their shadows retreat from their minds.

Astoria hugs her child closer to her chest and feels Draco's fingers pulling her closer, into his arms, embracing her in public in a way she is quite sure no Malfoy has ever held his wife. She can hear Narcissa laughing, and Lucius has a hint of a smile on his face.

Delphini talks, and laughs, and plays. And none of her weariness of new people comes forward. There is an ease about her, the others feel it too. She is happy and approachable. Soon, she has paired up with a girl of long black tresses and they take charge, mercilessly pursuing the others, stuffing snow down each other's collars. Even though she is furious at the trickling freezing water down her back, her eyes never change, her magic never sparks.

When called back inside, for the elves to bath and cloth properly for the evening, the two girls keep together. They come down together, giggling in a way that means mischief. Her composure is back in place, but it is not cold and distant. It's warm, polite, and welcoming. She introduces the girl to Draco and at that they know.

She has a friend.

Author's Notes: Feedback keeps you and me alive. My own worries maybe turning this a bit darker, just let me know if I take this too far