The Age of Innocence is Just Beginning
By Phoebe Halliwell
Chapter two
"Thank you for looking after her, it was much appreciated," Harry said to Timothy. Draco was still conversing with Snape, there were discussions of Draco quitting his current job and working towards a potions scholarship so that he could take over from Severus when he retired.
"It wasn't a problem, anytime dad, but I have to get to quidditch practice right now, I'll see you guys in the holidays though, and I can't wait."
"Of course, I am hoping that Darius and Callie will be home as well, we shall have a family get together. Something that is long overdue." Harry said, hoping that he could convince his two eldest to come home and share a meal with them on Christmas day.
"Yeah, I can't wait for the wedding, I got an invitation this morning, I can't believe Darius is getting married, it's mind blowing."
"It'll be you next" Harry joked, however there was a serious look in his youngest child's eyes.
"I was wondering if I could invite Alyssa, my girlfriend, to spend Christmas with us, her parents are going on a business trip to China and they can't take her along." Timmy explained to his dad who was actually smiling.
"Of course she can come, the more the merrier, how long have you been seeing this girl and how come she hasn't been mentioned before now?" Harry asked, somewhat intrigued.
"We've been together for a year and a half now, she's coming to meet me before Quidditch practice so you'll actually get a chance to meet her … Alyssa, there you are, I want you to meet my dad."
A very pretty brunette girl came up to them, she was only verging on five foot six and was very slim, she had average length hair tied back in a ponytail an innocent smile and an air of gracefulness that he doubted Narcissa would have been able to match.
"Dad, this is Alyssa, Alyssa this is my dad, Harry Potter." Her eyes went wide as Harry gave her a kiss on the cheek as a greeting.
"Hey" She said weakly, still a little astonished.
"It's nice to meet you, I would like to say that I have heard a lot of nice things about you but Timmy hasn't said a word but it's nice to finally meet you." Harry said as Draco emerged from the dungeons. "Draco, you have to come and meet Timmy's girlfriend, Alyssa."
"Hello, well you are a pretty one, how could you keep her from us?" Draco asked giving Alyssa the same greeting as Harry had done. "Just don't tell your Grandfather, he was picking out a potential bride for you the last time I looked." Draco said with a smile. Harry saw Timmy mouth 'don't ask' at Alyssa, followed and 'I'll explain later' look. "Before I forget Har, I invited Severus to join us for Christmas dinner, is that alright?"
"Fine love, Remus and Alyssa will also be joining us." Harry said smiling.
"Professor Snape and Professor Lupin?" Alyssa asked, "Sitting around the same table?" She said slightly bemused which caused Harry and Draco to share a look and a chuckle.
"There was a time when you would say the same about Draco and I, unfortunately those two have never quite got over their differences but they are civil enough." Harry said, not really wanting to explain the situation any further as it tend to get rather complicated.
"We've got to be going Dad, see you in the holidays, bye Papa, bye Dad." Timmy said as he took Alyssa's hand and began to led her away, she gave a smile and a wave before they departed out of the great oak doors.
"They seem happy" Draco commented as he took Piper from Harry's arms and settled her in her buggy so that she would go down for a sleep.
"Yes, we're going to have a full house this Christmas hopefully, if we can get Sammy back." Harry said sadly.
"We will get her back, Severus is going to ask Minerva to baby-sit for us while the three of us go to the London vampire headquarters, he is thinking safety in numbers but he isn't taking any chances, we're loading up with weapons too."
"Like in Buffy?" Harry said hopefully, it was one of the shows that he had become addicted to, Callie had loved it and so had Samantha and Harry usually sat and watched it with them when it was on.
"Something like that" Draco said with a smile, he wasn't quite so enthusiastic about the vampire slayer, Angel on the other hand he was a complete fanatic, after all who wouldn't like anything with that David muggle in it.
It wasn't until later in the day, just as Harry was preparing dinner while Draco entertained Piper that Darius and Susan popped in for a visit. "Hey Dad" Darius said popping his head into the kitchen, a large grin on his face.
"Oh, hello Darius, how are you, it's been a while since you last came by for a visit." Harry said putting down the potatoes that he was peeling and went over to hug his eldest son.
"Yeah, sorry about that, planning the wedding has taken over our lives right now, you don't mind if we stay for dinner do you?"
"No, not at all, you know you are always welcome, family will never be turned down." Harry said, "You haven't spoken to Callie recently have you?"
"She fire called this morning, she is flying home tomorrow, she'll be here tomorrow evening, she asked if she could crash in her old room."
"It was nice of her to tell us first but she is always welcome, will you be staying tonight or are you going home?"
"Probably going home, I take it Sammy isn't here, judging by the fact that Papa is looking after Piper."
"We don't actually know where she is." Harry said truthfully, "She stormed out this morning saying that she was going to find her real father."
"None of us told her, she found out on her own, there are books upon books about you at Hogwarts, newspaper clippings, you name it."
"I never expected to hide it forever but I didn't expect her to want to find him either, and I'll be perfectly honest with you Darius, her father, he isn't a wizard any more, according to my sources he was turned into a vampire a few years back."
"What are you going to do, if you need any help I'm there, just ask."
"Thank you Darius but that won't be necessary, Draco, Severus and I are dealing with it, you focus on your wedding. Can we be expecting grandchildren anytime soon?"
"Not for a while, I'm just getting my job at the Ministry going and Susie wants to get her business up and running first. But we are talking about it."
"Talking about what?" Susan asked as she came into the kitchen, Draco close behind with piper in his arms.
"Future grandkids" Darius said.
"Hello dear, how are you?" Harry asked smiling at her as he gave his wand a wave and the potatoes that he had been peeling the muggle way now began to peel themselves.
"Not too bad thank you and yourself Mr Potter?"
"None of that nonsense please, call me Harry, you are going to be my daughter-in-law soon enough. Are you doing anything special for Christmas eve?"
"I was going to spend time with my sisters, Carol and Lucy, we were going to have a girly night in and prepare me for the big day."
"I was thinking about having a feast on Christmas eve as the wedding is on the day itself, your sisters are very welcome to join us of course, along with the rest of the family, you can always take the evening and spoil yourselves rotten afterwards."
"That would be great, thank you Harry."
"Yeah, thanks Dad."
"It's no hassle, I believe Severus and Remus will be attending also, Lucius and Narcissa will no doubt be there as well, hopefully we'll have the entire family, Timmy is even bring his girlfriend."
"Timmy has a girlfriend?" Darius said with a smile, "Who is she?"
"A delightful young lady called Alyssa."
"As in Alyssa Weasley?" Darius asked.
"She's a Weasley?" Draco asked in astonishment.
"Yes, Ginny Weasley's daughter, Ernie Macmillan works at the Ministry with me, he runs the international wizarding cooperation unit. Didn't you go to school with them Dad?" Darius asked.
"Yes, I was best friends with Ginny's brother, Ron." Harry responded, "We were all in the same house at Hogwarts. Along with Hermione Granger we were the Golden Trio."
"What happened to Hermione and Ron, you have never said anything about them before now."
"I discovered that their friendship wasn't legitimate and we went our separate ways, I believe the two of them are married now, from what I heard they had two sons, Jeremy and Malcolm."
"I think I know them, they're twins, came into Hogwarts when we were in our sixth year, nerdy looking red heads with seriously frizzy hair."
"Sounds about right," Harry said, he shared a look with Draco and they burst out laughing.
Not really understanding the joke that Harry and Draco shared Darius just rolled his eyes at Susan and cracked a grin. A moment or two later and Lucius and Narcissa had entered the kitchen as well.
"Greetings all" He said, everyone said their collective welcomes. "We received the invitation this morning, we were just going to let Harry and Draco know that we would be attending."
"That's great granddad." Darius said with a smile, giving Lucius a hug followed by Narcissa, Susan did the same.
"Since you're here would you like to stay for dinner, I'm making beef stew, there will be plenty to go around." Harry offered.
"That sounds agreeable, wouldn't you say Cissa darling?"
"Delightful, it would be an honour but where is dear Samantha; will she not be joining us?" Narcissa asked, looking around at the familiar faces of family but not seeing her among them.
"Unfortunately not, but we cannot dwell on such depressing thoughts, mum if you take Piper I'll help Harry finish dinner. Unless of course you brought a house elf."
"No such luck son." Lucius said, "However allow me to summon one." Before either Harry or Draco could protest a small elf appeared before them all and began to prepare the meal.
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