Chapter 16

"Brr..June never used ta be this cold," Heather said that evening. Taking off her coat, she shivered for effect. She'd been successful in her trip to Kopu Street, bringing back several new books on jinxes and hexes to look through. Hanging her coat in the hall closet, she picked up the bags she'd set on the floor and started towards the living room.

"That's because in Ireland it's summer, not winter." Draco replied, Cassie hanging off his arm. In the months following her birth, Draco had grown considerably taller. It'd been a bit of a surprise to him, but not a bad one. The added height would make it more difficult for his father to spot him.

"Ireland, that's close to England, right?" Cassie asked as Draco lifted her a little ways off the ground. She held on tightly swinging her feet a bit and giggling before he lowered her back down.

"Yes dearie, it is," Heather replied, watching her with warm smile on her face.

"And England's a place I'm not supposed to be because it's bad." Cassie recited the warning her father had drilled into her.

"That's right. It's a dangerous place," Draco reminded her.

"Because of the Death Eaters, Lucy-us and Voledigmort."

"Lucius and Voldemort," Draco corrected. Cassie nodded then her face brightened.

"Gran, wanna here the new curse I learned?" She let go of her father and skipped into the living room. "I got to use my wand and everything!" Heather eyed Draco.

"She's the only five-year-old I know of that has her own wand," she commented as Cassie twirled around waiting for her to respond.

"And you helped me buy it for her." Draco reminded her. "It's the only way for her to use curses." Patting Heather on the shoulder, he walked over to his daughter. "Come on Snapdragon, it's time for your bath. You can show Gran tomorrow."

"Do I have too?" Cassie asked pouting slightly. Draco kissed her on the top of her head.

"Yes. First thing in the morning after I've left for work, right after breakfast." He promised her. Heather mumbled something sarcastic in response to that, but he couldn't hear it.

"Okay!" Cassie hugged him quickly then tore through the living room and up the stairs.

"Cassie, no running in the house." He called. The excited feet stopped and Draco could hear her take baby steps in the direction of the bathroom. He sighed, shaking his head. Slipping upstairs, he heard Heather move to the kitchen. Once they were in the bathroom, Cassie threw off her clothes as Draco ran a bath for her.

"Daddy, can you show me some magic?" She asked climbing into the bathtub.

"I don't have my wand." He told her rolling up his sleeves in preparation. She didn't quite grasp that bathing meant using soap and shampoo yet. So she needed to be supervised to make sure she was completely clean when she finished.

"You can use mine," she offered. Draco glanced over at the pile of clothes and noticed the six-inch wand protruding from her pants pocket.

"I don't know. The wand may not like me." He said slowly as he splashed water up into her long hair. "Wands are very particular, you know."

"Really?" Cassie stared at him wide-eyed. Her silvery gray eyes a perfect match to his. He nodded.

"Yes they are. If I use your wand, I might accidentally turn myself into a wallaby or fish," he teased.

"If you turn into a fish, I could put you in the bath tub with me." Cassie volunteered.

"There's lots of water for you to swim in." Draco squirted some shampoo onto his hands and began working it into her hair.

"Ah, but fish don't like dirty little girls, so you'd have to take a bath all the time in order to be with me." Cassie shook her head, suds landing everywhere.

"But I don't want to take a bath all the time."

"Wouldn't you want to see Daddy?" He gave her a very sad and forlorn look, sniffling once or twice for effect.

"Yes." The little girl frowned, then looked up at her father. "Let's hope you turn into a wallaby instead." He laughed. Once he started she did too and soon they were both giggling over the idea of Draco as a fish.

From downstairs Heather could hear them. Smiling to herself as she sat at the kitchen table, she prayed that nothing would disturb their lives. He's a good father. Better than what his was. Merlin, don't ya let anythin' happen ta them or you'll be a hearin' from one Heather O'Toole!