-

The morning sun rose, the yellow rays fell upon a lump covered in blankets. The wooden bedroom door flung open and a tiny figure in hot pink and cartoon pajamas jumped onto the bed in a hyperactive fashion.

"GET UP! MOMMY SAYS GET UP!"

The lump groaned lightly and the little girl said louder, squeezing her bright emerald green eyes closed with the pretend effort, "COME ON, DADDY!" The lump exposed itself to be a rumpled man.

"Alright. Alright, I'm up." He messed up her wavy hair, matching emerald eyes glowing sheepishly "Hey kiddo."

She giggled and repeated his gesture, messing up his already untidy jet black hair.

"Go eat, tell your Mum I'm coming."

Harry Potter watched his daughter fly out of the room and yawned to himself, dressing into red sweatpants and a white tee shirt. The New York morning was busy and noisy outside the apartment. Inside the small modern kitchen, his wife cooked eggs, his daughter sat at the kitchen table, kicking her feet against the legs of the table. His baby boy slowly ate some Cheerios in his high chair.

Harry leaned down to kissed the top of his son's bald head, "Hey, buddy." Little James squealed happily, his dark blue eyes twinkling up at his father. He wrapped an arm around his wife's plump waist and kissed her rosy cheek, "Hey, Susan."

She looked at him with her pretty blue eyes, her long brown braid swinging, "Hey Harry. Eggs?"

He nodded, sitting down and glanced at his daughter, "Morning, Kat."

Katrina stuck her tongue out at him, crossing her eyes and Harry did the same, making both his children laugh uproariously.

Susan Potter said over the boiling water, "Sounds like you all are having a good morning!" She turned off the oven and handed them plates of scrambled eggs; Katrina and Harry wolfed them down. Susan said to Harry, "Hon, we're still bringing the kids to today to Central Park, right?" Katrina shrieked happily at the thought and he nodded absently, swallowing his milk.

Susan eyed him after a moment with concern, "Are you alright? You're not much of a talker this morning."

Harry sighed, throwing a lean arm around the chair, "I don't know."

"You're not sick, are you?"

He shook his head, "Nothing you need to worry about."

Susan nodded, looking unsure, "Alright. Well, go get Katrina dressed and we'll leave now."

Harry picked up his daughter, swinging her over his shoulder as she burst into fits of giggles, "Alrighty love, let's go." He dropped her onto her feet as she raced into her room and he headed for shower, stripped down and turned the water to scalding hot. Harry leaned his forehead on the wall tile, letting the stream of gushing water blindly wash over him.

What was wrong with him?

He turned the shower off, washed, rinsed, and stepped out to pull on a robe. Harry gazed into his foggy reflection, his lightning bolt scar well hidden underneath his lengthened and damp hair. His muscular form hidden under a baggy robe (Harry did work out some when he had the time although he was always a bit more slightly built then most men).

At least no one recognized him, not that anyone could in America. Harry had disappeared from England a long time ago and he decided it was going to stay that way. Clearly, they could do well off without him if Voldemort wasn't in Muggle news. Harry stepped into his bedroom to change into blue jeans and a red polo shirt for the trip to the park.

Katrina trailed into his room as he placed on his thin glasses, her beautiful, waist-long hair brushed and tied back with a skinny white ribbon; she herself in a brightly patterned summer dress. She looked at him and said, "You look good, Daddy."

Harry smiled, "I'm glad you think so." His expression became serious after a few moments, " Did you brush your teeth Katrina Lillian?" She nodded her head vigorously; he got down to her level, "Breath test." Katrina blew some air and Harry nodded, "You're good to go, kiddo."

She ran out of the room skipping and Susan appeared in the hall with their son in a blue jumper. She was wearing the dress he loved on her-- the simple, long navy dress with no sleeves.

Harry resisted hugging her to him tightly, probably because of the squirming baby in her arms. Susan smirked at him mischeviously, "I can tell you approve by the way your face went." He chuckled and the family exited the sunshine filled apartment.

The famous New York Central Park was almost filled up with children and their parents, couples sat on benches, joggers and bikers on the trails. Susan chose a spot under the shade of the trees, as Harry watched Katrina sit alone by her mother. He asked, pointing to some children down by the sandboxes, "Why don't you go over and make some friends? I'm sure it will be fun."

She responded shyly, holding James's hand from the stroller, "What if they're mean like Tommy Bullstick?"

Harry placed a hand on her shoulder, "Not everyone is like Tommy Bullstick. Go ahead and have fun." Katrina nodded bravely and walked to the kids albeit cautiously, he turned to Susan, "If that Bullstick doesn't stop harassing her, I'm gonna have to do something about it."

She smirked, giving him a furtive look, "How about that phrase about boys make fun of certain kids because they like them?"

Harry smirked back, "Oh...don't I know it." She laughed on their inside joke.

After a few minutes, Susan went off with the baby in the stroller and Harry laid down for a rest. Katrina came back sniffling, beautiful hair loose. He sat up from the picnic blanket, "Kat, what's wrong?"

She said sadly, "That meany Tommy Bullstick was there and he pushed me off the swings and called me a doodoo-head."

God, that kid never gives her a break...

Harry pretended to reach into his pocket and instead held out a stick from beside him in the grass, "Ok, here's what you do. Tell him if he doesn't stop making fun of you, you'll turn him into a toad with this magic wand."

Katrina's blonde eyebrows drooped, "Daddy, that's a stick."

Harry insisted, placing it into her hands, "It's a magic wand, and if he doesn't stop, tell him again."

She shrugged dully, "Whatever."

Katrina trudged away and he murmured, "I'm gonna have a talk with his parents at some point." Harry laid back on the red and white striped blanket, watching the cotton clouds pass by when about ten second later a loud shriek filled the air. He jerked into an upright position and his daughter came running with the stick and something green in her hand. She shouted to him, winded and stumbling, " Daddy! Daddy! Th-Tommy Bullstick pushed me an-and I warned him but he keep on pushin' me! And I turned him into a toad!"

Indeed, in her hand was a very frightened looking toad.

Harry's jaw dropped open.

He grabbed her hand and ran to Susan who came up the walkway with the stroller. She looked up worried, "Wh-?"

Harry whispered, "She turned a kid into a toad! Susan!"

She went pale white, "Harry...you didn't give her your wand, did you?"

"I'm not dense enough to give her my own wand--I don't know how she..." Harry quickly turned away from his wife, grasping his daughter's shoulders and speaking lowly, "Katrina, promise me you won't say anything about this. To anyone." She nodded, looking excited and fearful at the same time. He hugged her little frame against him, "I think it's time to go home." Harry waited for a clear coast before turning the boy back.