A/N: Thank you soo much for the amazing love you've shown to this fic. It warmed my heart truly! Here is the next chapter for you awesome guys, and I sincerely hope that you like it. I do not won Harry Potter; it solely belongs to J.K. Rowling!

Warning: Marvolo is a bit if an ass in this one, and just one or two crude words.


CHAPTER 2

Saturday strolled in pretty quickly, and Marvolo found himself dressed in his best robes, along with Lily's perfectly wrapped presents shrunken, and kept safely in his pockets. He delicately picked up the invitation written in Harriet's neat writing and waited patiently for the portkey to activate. Soon enough, the invitation started glowing, informing him of the activation of portkey. With a bit of nervousness and excitement bubbling in his chest, he touched the activated portkey and felt the familiar pull of apparation in his belly.

Within seconds, Marvolo found himself landing in a beautifully and elegantly decorated room.

The room had pastel painted walls, adorned with beautiful paintings and wall hangings. The opened windows with colour coordinated curtains allowed plenty amount of sunshine and breeze to come through. The whole decor created a very relaxing and fresh environment in the room. Marvolo breathed deeply, and unconsciously smiled when the smell of baked delicacies teased his nose.

His gaze landed on a shelf full of family pictures. One was of Harriet's with muggleborn Granger during their fourth year Yule Ball celebration, another of Harriet's with both her godfathers - Sirius and Remus. Then there was one of baby Harrie in her parents' arms. He observed all the pictures with Lily in them. She was a happy and loved child it seemed. Lily's aunt Hermione and grandpa Remus, obviously, doted upon their little bundle of joy. His eyes fixated on the one with Lily and Harriet. Both - mother and daughter - were all smiles in it. He could easily draw a comparison between the two - while Lily had her mother's untamed hair and gorgeous green eyes, she lacked Harriet's button nose and fuller lips. She was more on the chubby side rather than her mother's skinny one. That, however, didn't matter anything to Marvolo. She was still adorable in his eyes, and he couldn't help but agree that Harriet Potter looked more beautiful when she was happy.

The cosy photo of Harriet and Lily made Marvolo's heart warm for unknown reasons.

"Mista Mawolo, you came!" Lily's booming voice brought the wizard out of his inner thoughts. Instinctively, he got on his knees and opened his arms. The little girl quickly rushed to him, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and an angelic smile on her face.

"Hello, little one," he said charmingly, inwardly realising that Lily's smile was so infectious that it made the Dark Lord smile too.

"Hello, mista Mawolo. I waa waiting fo you."

"Well, how could have I missed the chance to meet my new friend." Lily giggled merrily, but their attention turned to Harriet as she entered the room, eyeing her daughter quietly.

"Mama, look who came!" Lily couldn't control her excitement in the least as she rushed back to her mum. She was all jumpy and happy - it was her birthday after all.

"I see, love. But I told you not to run on the stairs, didn't I? You could get hurt, sweetheart," Harriet said cupping Lily's face and kissing her forehead lightly.

"I'm sowwy, mama."

"It's okay. Be careful next time."

Harriet stood up and turned to address the Dark Lord, who was standing and observing the duo with an unreadable expression on his face.

"I'm sorry, I got carried away with her," Harriet apologised first, "Welcome to our home, Lord Slytherin, and thank you for accepting our invitation. It really means a lot to Lily."

"It was my pleasure. She really is an adorable child," Marvolo heard himself speaking. Before he could ask Harriet anything further, however, Lily tugged lightly on his robes.

"Come, mista Mawolo. Let's eat the cookies, they aw chocolate chip ones. I helped mama make them." Marvolo looked at the girl who was beaming at him with a toothy smile, and there was no way he could deny her request, so he nodded without an ounce of hesitation. It seemed like he'd have to wait a little longer to get his answers.

He bowed to Lily before speaking, "As you say, your highness. Lead the way."

Harriet stared dumbfoundedly at their retreating figures. Never in a million years had she thought of the Dark Lord helping his daughter, let alone get invited to her birthday party and play with her. That too in their own home. What had Harriet been thinking? Why had she agreed to Lily's request and invited the man who had tried to kill Harriet on countless occasions? Had Harriet gone mad? Apparently, yes!

The question was bugging her greatly - Why? Why did he help Lily? What would the greatest and most feared dark wizard of all time, gain by helping a lost child?

She couldn't find the answer to this. Harriet couldn't find any malice or ill-intent behind Marvolo's moves. He'd simply helped her daughter - without any motive behind his actions - and Harriet owed him greatly for this.

She followed her daughter's excited chatter, knowing well that Dobby would inform her of Hermione's and Remus' arrival later. When she reached the living room, she certainly didn't expect a horrified Dark Lord with a pink teacup and flower tiara in his hands. Her daughter though, was nowhere in sight, but it seemed that she had asked her new friend to play tea-party with her. Obviously, Marvolo wasn't well versed in that area. He looked at Harriet with questioning eyes and she couldn't keep the smile off her face anymore.

"Any problem?" she asked innocently.

"She wants me to have tea in this, and wear this," Marvolo told Harrie as he pointed at the pink teacup and flower tiara, respectively.

Dear Merlin and Morgana! Harriet had never been this amused in her entire life - not when she accidentally blew up Aunt Marge, not when fake 'Moody' turned Malfoy into a ferret or not even the time when Umbridge was captured by centaurs. Her marauders' side claimed Harriet to take the much-needed revenge from Marvolo, and so she followed her heart's wish.

"Well you agreed to have tea-party with her, so she'll be serving you tea in those. And as for tiara, she brought one especially for you, so you'll have to wear it. I'm sorry," Harriet tried to sound as convincing as possible while apologising and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marvolo swallow hard. "If its any help, Lily will be wearing one too," Harriet continued as she pointed towards the excited toddler who was now back with a large teddy in her hands.

"Yes, mista Mawolo. I have a pink one to match my dwess, and you get a blue flowa one because...because you a boy." That explanation was enough according to the three-year-old, and she pulled the wizard towards the table she'd set up.

Marvolo looked so out of place in that situation that Harriet felt guilty for him, but it soon vanished.

"Miss Harrie, Miss Granger and Mr Werewolf sir be waiting for you in the kitchen lobby," Dobby's squeaky voice caught Harriet's attention and she nodded.

"I'll be there, Dobby. You please stay here and keep an eye on Lily," she ordered in a hushed voice. Even though Lord Slytherin had been acting like a proper gentleman so far, Harriet refused to take any risk regarding her daughter's safety.

"Of course, Miss Harrie. Dobby's be taking care of the little mistress."

"Thank you, Dobby," Harriet quickly left to greet the other guests. On the other hand though, Marvolo was still struggling.

"Lily, I can't wear it!" Marvolo said, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

"But why?"

"Because I won't look as good in it like you," he couldn't find any appropriate reason, so he spoke the first words that came to his mind that made absolutely no sense.

"But I bwought it fo you, and I think you look vewy handsome," she said with a hint of sadness lacing her voice, and he immediately felt guilty. He had never been bought a gift that too specially for him. And yet, the three-year-old girl standing in front of him, had went out of her way to gift him a flower tiara just because he helped her that day in Diagon Alley. He didn't have the heart to tell her no, and if being honest, he quite liked her heart-warming gesture. He kneeled in front of her and tugged her towards him, "If you insist that much," he said taking the horrid tiara from her tiny hands. "But I'll wear this only when you promise me something."

"Pwomise?"

"Yes. Promise me that you will never...ever tell anyone that you made me wear this! Come on," he insisted her to keep the secret. He couldn't imagine the horror of someone getting to know that the Dark Lord had a soft spot for someone, enough that he wore a tiara for their happiness.

He almost fell down when she gave him a rather enthusiastic hug and a hard kiss on his cheek making him chuckle at her antics, "I pinky pwomise, mista Mawolo."

Picking her up in his arms, he allowed Lily to put the horrid thing on his neatly styled hair. Salazar, the things he was doing for her sake!


"Is he here?" Hermione's concerned voice filled the room as soon as Harrie entered the kitchen lobby. She made her way towards Remus and Hermione with a grim look on her face.

"Yeah. Came about half-hour ago. He's in the living room, having tea and biscuits with her and Mr Snuggabear," Harriet spoke with a casual shrug, but Remus started choking on the water he was drinking, and Hermione stared at the young mother in shock.

"He's what?" Remus' voice came out squeaky.

"Are you serious?" Hermione asked simultaneously, Harriet could only respond with a nod in their direction. She led them to the living room from where her daughter's rantings could easily be heard. Signalling Remus and Hermione to not make any noise, the three people peeked their heads in and silently watched the conversation between the newly turned three-year-old and her newest friend.

The Dark Lord was so into the conversation that he didn't notice them.

"So why is his name Mr Snuggabear?" Marvolo asked casually while sipping on the delicious peppermint tea.

"Because he likes Mama's cuddles like me. Mama gives the best hugs in the whole uni..unipurse. You should hug her too," Lily spoke as she poured more tea to Mr Snuggabear, totally unaware of what she'd spoken and what effect did have on the adults present in the room.

Marvolo choked onto his tea, grabbing a tissue to avoid any spluttering and also to hide how red his face had suddenly gotten. Harriet breathed in sharply at her daughter's suggestion, and Hermione and Remus looked at each other awkwardly. They didn't know how to react to Lily's words, but they also were trying to control their laughter upon seeing Lord Voldemort wearing a flowery headband.

Harriet decided that she'd heard enough, and moved into the room before Lily spoke something even more insensitive or rude enough to make Lord Slytherin upset. She had no intentions of facing his furious side.

"Lily, look who's here!" Harriet spoke in a chirpy tone to get her daughter's attention. Lily shrieked in happiness as soon as she saw Hermione and Remus grinning at her.

"Aunt Mione, gwanpa Moony!" The little one rushed into her aunt's awaiting arms, hugging her tight and giggling merrily.

"Happy Birthday, my princess!" Hermione cooed at Lily as she placed a hard kiss on her cheeks.

"Than you…" Lily drawled out.

"Doesn't grandpa Moony get a huggy, little fawn?" Lily went into her grandpa's arms and laughed delightedly. Her aunt and grandpa have come to meet her after so long.

"Oh, look at you, you're getting so big!" Remus spoke.

"Ahaa gwanpa, I'm thwee," Lily put up three tiny fingers to make her point clear, making all the adults laugh. Harriet noticed that Lord Slytherin was still wearing the tiara and his whole attention was on her daughter; a fond smile on his face that Harriet had never seen before. She cleared her throat catching his eyes, and slightly tilted her head signalling towards the tiara he was wearing, and Marvolo's eyes widened. He'd totally forgotten about it. With clumsy fingers he hurriedly took it off, internally sighing in relief and thanking Harriet.

Remus turned his attention to the Dark Lord standing awkwardly, and spoke, "Thank you for helping Lily that day in Diagon Alley, Lord Slytherin. Merlin knows what would have happened had you not found her on time." He swallowed hard just at the cruel thought.

"That was nothing really. I couldn't have just let a scared child roaming all alone in the busy street," he replied. Harriet and Hermione shared a look - when had the Dark Lord become such a caring wizard for little children?

"Come one then little fawn, it's time for you presents," Remus moved with Lily still in his arms, and led her towards the couch.

"Pwesents? Yay!" Lily spread her arms wide in excitement. Marvolo too grinned at her cheerful response. He waited patiently as Lily tore open the wrapping papers and cooed at all the gifts she'd gotten. His heart was beating in nervousness as he took out his present for her and passed it to her. Harriet looked at him with an unreadable expression. Lily's smile grew wider, if that was even possible, when Marvolo passed her the gift.

"Than you, mista Mawolo," Lily said as she opened it and then shrieked in delight.

"Mama look what mista Mawolo got me! Its so pwetty…" Lily took out the white dress showing it to her mother and aunt. "Its like the pwincess one, mama."

"I see, baby girl. But what do you say to Lord Slytherin for this?" Harriet looked at her daughter expectantly. Lily handed her the dress and made her way to Marvolo. She held her hands up and instantly was lifted in his embrace, "Than you, mista Mawolo. I love it, its so pwetty!"

Marvolo's heart swelled in pride when she wrapped her tiny arms around him; he didn't know why but he felt content and happy in that moment. The moment ended when Lily turned to her mum and asked, "Mama, can I pwetty pwease wea this dwess?"

Hermione piped in knowing that Marvolo was wanting to have a conversation with Harrie, and that too soon. They didn't know what his intentions were but Lily's safety was of utmost importance to them.

"I'll get you ready, Lils. Come one," Hermione nodded to Harriet as she took Lily to her room for getting changed. Remus too went to the kitchen to get the cake and stuff. Harriet turned to Lord Slytherin when they were left alone.

"Thank you once again for coming over and the present. Lily really loved it," Harriet spoke not knowing where to start the conversation. He looked at her grimly, all the smile and happiness vanishing off his face that was present a few moments ago. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach seeing his vacant expressions - it reminded her of bad days; days that she never wanted to be reminded about.

"She wasn't the only reason I came here today," Lord Slytherin spoke in a haughty tone that she was used to. "I came here to get some answers - the ones that I couldn't find myself."

"I'm not sure what you mean by that," Harriet heart was beating rapidly; she hadn't wanted to tell him anything about her past - it was too personal.

"Oh, I'm sure that you know exactly what I mean, Miss Potter," He spoke with a scowl marring his face, and Harriet stared at him in disbelief. What was with him and his mood swings - one moment he was laughing and giggling with her daughter, and the next moment he was scowling at her as if she owed him anything. She was seriously speculating over her decision of inviting him to her home on Lily's insistent. Her daughter was a child with no knowledge of good or bad, but it was Harriet's duty to teach her as such. And Lord Slytherin was arrogant, haughty and dangerous. It was clear in the way he was talking to her.

"What do you want to know?" she sighed realising that he wouldn't let it go.

"Is she the reason you decided not to participate in the war anymore?" That was the first question that he wanted to ask. He saw Harriet's face morph into a frown, and she nodded with a mumbled 'yes'.

"Who's the father? I saw earlier that there are no pictures of him," Marvolo asked casually not knowing what effect it had on Harriet. She grew pale and anxious suddenly; she couldn't string words together, let alone form a meaningful sentence. Marvolo took her silence for her attitude growing impatient.

"A bastard then? Is that what she is? Don't even remember her father do you - how many relationships have you had, Potter?" He sneered at her and something flashed in Harriet's eyes - anger.

"How dare you?! How fucking dare you say something like this!" Harriet looked him straight in the eye while speaking. "How dare you call my daughter a bastard - the same child who gave you such immense respect?" Marvolo's anger dissipated in a second when he realised what his words had actually meant - he hadn't wanted to insult Lily in any sort of way, but he had.

"I understand that you hate me, but don't put my daughter in between all this mess, Lord Slytherin." Harriet said in finality.

"Mind your tongue, Potter! I just wanted to know about her lineage…" Marvolo spoke but he was stopped mid-sentence.

"You don't have the right! I owe you no explanation at all. Yes, you helped her but that doesn't mean you're entitled to know anything at all."

"I think I have the right. If you've forgotten, let me remind you that you were the one who came to my aid when you wanted to be away from the war."

"I didn't beg, I merely asked for your help - one that you refused if I didn't partake in that deal. The deal to not return back to Magical Britain. I don't think it counts as help."

"Dear Salazar, can you simply not answer my questions?" He hissed dangerously at Harriet, in exasperation.

"No. I would have but not after the way you've insulted me and Lily!"

"What, that you're a whore. Truth hurts, doesn't it!" Marvolo snark comment was the final straw. As much as she didn't want him to see her breaking down, she couldn't help the tears from filling her eyes. He was rooted to his spot. Never in all these years had he seen her cry, or break apart. She had an iron-clad will that even his Cruciatus wasn't able to break. Then why was she crying now?

"Get out!" It was just a whisper but enough to break the dense silence blanketing the room.

"Excuse me?" He asked - did she seriously say that?

"You're not excused. Get out of my home, Lord Slytherin. You're no more welcome here." Harriet said in finality; her tone firm and dismissing. Marvolo's anger knew no bounds. If she thought that she could insult him just like that, then she was wrong. He didn't want to be here either.

He stormed out of the room, fuming and furious beyond anything, and was about to reach the living room to apparate away when a soft voice caught his attention, "Mama where is mista Mawolo?"

He stopped at once; he totally forgotten about Lily.

"He had to go back home, baby girl. He had some important work."

"Imp...impowta?"

"Yes, I'm really sorry."

Marvolo apparated away to Riddle Manor; his heart heavy with guilt and regret this time.


A/N: Let me know what you guys think about this one! Reads, followers, favorites and reviews are always appreciated! Good day to all! :)