HAPPY NEW YEAR! In honor 2016 and having a fresh start, I present you with a new chapter! Enjoy!

EDITED: 8/5/17


Meant To Be

Chapter 29

The next day, having spent the rest of his birthday with Tom and Wynter, he scoured his trunk for Hermione and Ron's phone number and called them on his new phone. Hermione had picked up cautiously because there were few people who had her number. When she realized who it was she shrieked into the phone and called Ron over and put him on speakerphone. After he calmed her down and got Ron to stop yelling, they talked for over 2 hours just to catch up; there was only so much they could say in a letter, and it was different to actually talk to them. He also set up a date for Wynter and him to visit the next Saturday. They were all very excited to see each other after not being able to for four months.

Harry spent the next week nearly bouncing off the walls in excitement on his impending trip. His excitement was contagious apparently because Tom was constantly in a good mood and Wynter was as active as ever. She kept playing with her toys and clanging them together and now that she said her first word, she would not shut up. It was always, "Mama! Mama!" all the time. It was wonderful the first few times, but Tom was now waiting for her to say his name. Harry just saw fit to gloat a bit at that but tried his best to get her to say it while Tom was gone as a surprise, but she hadn't done so as of yet.

Finally, the day of the visit came. Harry had agreed to come after lunch so they had time to get home from work and so Wynter could have her nap. Tom had been loathed to go to work, wanting to stay until Harry got back, but Harry didn't want Tom to just stay around the house and made him go. So the house was quiet for a few hours and allowed Harry to get a bag ready for Wynter and anything else he might need. Then when it was time he went to go get Wynter.

"Hi, sleepyhead," Harry said peering into her crib. Big green eyes blinked up at him as she laid there trying to wake up.

"Ma-ma," she muttered sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

Harry smiled and scooped her up and she automatically placed her arms around his neck. "Are you awake yet?"

"Ye," she said and rubbed her eyes again.

"We're taking a little trip. We're going to go see Auntie and Uncle. How does that sound?"

"Ai-e?"

"Yes, Auntie Hermione. You remember her, don't you? And Uncle Ron?" He asked her as he put her on the changing table to give her a change. She gave a nod and took a hold of her onesie that he took off her, tugging it between her fingers. "We haven't seen them in a while, so we're going to go visit them." He completed changing her diaper and changed her clothes into some purple filly shorts and darker purple top complete with a headband that had a flower on it, which she took right off. When she was ready, he went down stairs, grabbed her diaper bag and stepped out of the house. Locking the door behind him, he took a deep breath and looked down at Wynter. "Ready?"

"Ye!" she exclaimed happily, holding her bear close.

"Okay." He took a hold of his necklace and squeezed it for good luck, then tucked it into his shirt. "Hold on tight," he told her and she squeezed her bear to her and closed her eyes, but she was smiling in excitement. Harry made sure she was secure and apparated.

xxx

Harry arrived in front of a nice, quaint one story brick house that Ron and Hermione shared. He checked Wynter over to make sure nothing was missing. "Nose? Check," he said touching her nose and she giggled. "Fingers?" She only stared and he showed him his hand and waved his own fingers, so she showed him her hand too, "check. Feet?" he said looking down and she followed his gaze, "check. Ears? Where are your ears?" Wynter gazed at him in incomprehension. "You don't know where your ears are? Here they are!" he said and tugged one, then the other. Wynter giggled again and touched one. "Yup, your ears are there. All good."

"Mama!" Wynter exclaimed and patted his face.

"Mama has everything too. See?" he said tugging on his own ear. "Okay, let's go," he said and proceeded up the walkway. When he reached the steps, the door opened and Hermione came out.

"Harry!" she exclaimed closing the door behind her. She quickly came to him and gave him a big hug. "Oh, I've missed you so much!" She pulled away and looked at Wynter. "Hi, sweetie. How are you? Oh, you've gotten so big!"

Harry smiled, "You remember Auntie Hermione, right? Say Hi."

"Aye," Wynter said reaching out a hand.

Hermione took the offered hand and shook it, "Aw. Hi. You're so cute in your purple outfit. I gave you that, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. She doesn't like the headband though," he said holding up said item.

"Oh. I see."

"Is Ron inside?" Harry asked stepping around her to get to the door.

"Ah!" Hermione quickly stepped in front of him. "Harry...There's, um, I mean..."

Harry felt dread fill him as he watched Hermione squirm. "What?"

"Well...You know, we were so worried about you and we've only gotten letters from you and through us we keep the Order updated, so they know you are okay. Because, you know, you're so far aw-"

"Just spit it out, Hermione," Harry interrupted.

She took a deep breath, "We let them know that you were coming over today and..." she trailed off, looking at him with apologetic eyes.

"Hermione!" Harry said in irritation.

"I know, I know. We shouldn't have said anything."

"No, you shouldn't have."

"Well…we were kind of excited and we wanted to keep them updated."

"You could have just told them after we came over." Hermione stayed silent and Harry sighed, "I can't believe this." He was so not ready for this. He had been just expecting it to be the four of them. "How many?"

"Um…seven?"

"Seven?!" Harry exclaimed and held Wynter close to him. Definitely not ready.

"It's just the usual. Ron's parents, Bill and Fleur, Professor Dumbledore and Remus and Tonks," Hermione explained lightly. Harry groaned. That was even worse. He wasn't mentally prepared to confront them. What would they think? About him, about Wynter? "It's not that bad. They're all really excited to meet her," she said rubbing his arm in comfort.

Harry looked down at Wynter and she gazed back up at him eyes full of uncertainty as she watched their exchange. He looked over at Hermione his own uncertainty reflected in his eyes. "I don't know, Hermione."

"They really, really want to meet her. And you are already here," she said hopefully.

Harry closed his eyes against the tribulation he felt, trying to decide what to do. "It was going to happen sooner or later," he said, more to himself. Hermione nodded beside him but kept silent. It was something that he was dreading because he was scared. Sure, in letters they told him that they didn't care, but you could say anything in a letter. The truth came out when he actually saw them. Harry didn't want to see the disappointment on their faces, especially Mrs. Weasley, whom he thought of as a surrogate mother. It would devastate him if he saw that look. But it did have to happen; it just came up before he was ready. He glanced down at Wynter again who was looking around at her new surroundings in fascination and wondered if he should put her through this. Though the chances of her understanding what was going on were slim, she would probably pick up on any high emotions and upset her. Other than his fear, there was no reason not to. Finally making his decision he sighed, "Might as well get it over with." He squared his shoulders and tucked Wynter against him and turned toward the door. He stopped suddenly and turned to Hermione. "If they say or do anything I don't like, we're gone," he told her sternly.

"I understand."

Harry nodded, "Okay," he said and let her go ahead of him to open the door.

The door opened up into a small foyer that hid him from view, but he could hear that the chatter had stopped when the door opened. To his left was a hallway that led to a bathroom and two bedrooms and to his right was an opening that opened into the living room, beyond that was the kitchen. Very homey. When he stepped inside, Harry felt himself relax. Despite all the things that had changed around him, this place had remained unchanged and that was a source of comfort for him. He had spent many good times in this house, he just hoped that this visit didn't destroy that record.

After the door was closed, Ron came out to greet them. "You tell him?" he asked Hermione and she nodded. He looked to Harry sheepishly and shrugged. "Sorry, mate."

"Yeah, yeah," Harry said, but smiled anyway and received his hug and a hard pat on the back.

Ron stepped back and focused on Wynter, "Hey kiddo!"

Wynter looked up at him and smiled in recognition, "Aye!"

"She got bigger, didn't she?" Ron asked.

"Every day," Harry replied.

"Geez…," Ron said and stared at her and she stared back. "Remember me?"

Wynter looked up at Harry, questionably. "You remember Uncle Ron, don't you?" Harry asked her.

"On!" she exclaimed and pointed at Ron.

"Yes! She remembers," Ron said with pride. "Well, ready?" he asked Harry.

"It's as good as I'm going to get," Harry muttered and followed Ron into the living room.

Stepping inside, all the attention was suddenly on him and he felt like just turning back around and leaving, but Hermione put a comforting, supportive hand on his back and he didn't. "Hi." He said lamely.

"Oh, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed and made her way over to him, "We were so worried!" She gave him a big hug, which he returned hesitantly, shifting Wynter to the side so she wouldn't get squished. Once she had held him long enough, she pulled back. "Are you okay? You eating right?" she glanced down at the figure in his arms "Is this…?" she questioned.

"Yeah," Harry said softly, looking down at his daughter. She had hidden herself against Harry's chest, shy, but peeked out over her teddy bear.

"Hello sweetheart," Mrs. Weasley cooed at her, but Wynter turned her face away.

"I guess she's shy," Harry commented then address the room. "Well, um…I-I really didn't mean to keep this from everyone…But…this is Wynter, my daughter."

"Wynter?" Remus asked.

"Yes. Wynter Lily."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Thanks," Harry said starting to relax; no one was yelling at him yet. That was a good sign. He stepped further into the room and took a seat on the couch, Ron and Hermione flanking him. "Want to say hi?" he asked Wynter. She peered out at everyone, then hid again and she shook her head.

"She has your eyes," Remus commented.

"Yeah, she does," Harry said glancing down at her, "My hair too," he added, patting her hair down. There was laughter all around at that and Harry relaxed even further. "I'm…I'm sorry I never said anything. I didn't know how. She was entirely unexpected, but…I had to have her, I couldn't just…" Harry trailed off.

"We understand Harry," Remus said softly, "You just have a big heart and that extends to the unexpected."

Harry nodded and gave a small grateful smile to him, "We just decided that it would be better if no one knew so that Voldemort won't come after her."

"It was a good idea, no?" Fleur commented, "Who knows what he could 'ave done."

"I shudder to think," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Me too," Harry said softly, glancing away. Not like I need to worry about it…But I can't tell them that, Harry thought.

"So, Harry, how old is she?" Bill asked after a few seconds of silence.

"Eight months, she was born in December," he answered.

"Aw, Christmas baby!" Tonks exclaimed, peering around Remus, trying to get a good look at Wynter.

"I'm guessing that explains her name," Mr. Weasley commented.

"Yeah. I love winter, with all the snow, all white and pure..." he shrugged, "It was snowing at the time and it just seemed to fit."

"Well, it's a good name," Tonks commented.

"Thanks," Harry said and busied himself with smoothing Wynter's shirt so it wouldn't have any wrinkles and to also distract himself from looking at anyone.

It was quiet with no one really knowing what to say even if they were bursting with questions. They just didn't want to scare Harry away or offend him in any way.

"So, 'Arry, 'ow 'ave you been?" Fleur asked, trying to break the ice.

"I've been fine. Just keeping busy. She's a lot of work," Harry said gesturing to Wynter who was now staring at Ron from against his shoulder and he was staring back. She would smile and hide her face again only to stare back at him again. Ron was certainly getting a kick out of it.

"I'll bet," Bill responded.

"She's not that bad though," Harry said, "she's actually very compliant, she only acts up once in a while, like when it's almost her nap time, or when her tooth is bothering her."

"She has a tooth already?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Yeah, one has already grown in and I saw another starting up on the bottom in the front the other day."

"She does?" Hermione asked, "Can I see?" she said to Wynter touching her ear to get her attention and she turned away from her staring contest with Ron to look over. "Smile!" Hermione said and Wynter just looked and then turned away so she poked her, again and again, Wynter turned and looked away, but she was being amused by it, Harry could tell. By the fourth time, she was giggling and smiling. "Oh! There it is!" Hermione said spying the tooth that was right front and center.

"Uh oh," Wynter said as her bear came free and tumbled to the floor.

"Uh oh," Harry repeated and Ron picked it up to hand to her.

"How cute!" Tonks exclaimed. "Uh oh…you teach her that?"

"Uh not really. She picks up on a lot of things that I do."

"Children are very impressionable at this stage," Mr. Weasley stated wisely, "It's why you have to be careful of what you do and say because they will repeat it."

"Yeah, I got that," Harry said lifting Wynter up so she sat on his lap.

"Hello!" Tonks said waving to her. Wynter looked up at Tonks and waved her little fingers back then burrowed her face into her bear letting out a little scream as she did.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked her.

She smiled up at him and reached up to touch his face, "Mama."

"Aw!" Hermione gushed as did the rest of the room. "I know you said she was talking but wow. To hear it…"

"I know," Harry said, pride coloring his voice.

"Does she say anything else?" Remus asked.

"No. Just that. It's Mama, Mama, Mama-"

"Mama!" Wynter said.

"Yes, yes. Just like that, all the time."

"Mama."

"See, it's like that all the time at home. She isn't even asking for anything she just says it."

"She 'ust likes saying eet," Fleur said.

"Exactly."

"Mama!" Wynter said excitedly.

"What?" Harry asked and she pointed at Tonks whose hair was changing colors. "I see." He said and Wynter watched Tonks in fascination. Then gasped and clapped her hands as her features started to change. They all watched her for a minute, then moved on as Tonks continued to entertain her.

"So, you're good?" Remus asked, "You're…safe?"

"Yeah. I'm safe. I just stay home and do housework, I go out occasionally to go to the store, but mostly I stay in. I have plenty to do."

"Where are you, exactly?" Remus asked hesitantly.

"I can't say."

"Why not?"

"It's just better if I don't tell anyone."

"But then how can we protect you, if we don't know where you are?" Bill asked.

"Honestly, I don't need protecting. I'm doing just fine on my own," Harry said with a shrug.

"But…wouldn't it be better if you were closer?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "You can stay with us. We would be happy to have you." She said hopefully looking to her husband who nodded.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. But I am fine where I am."

"But if something like what happened at the cottage happened again," Dumbledore said.

"I was unprepared last time, but it won't happen again," Harry said firmly.

"But if it did..."

"It won't."

"Harry, my boy, surely-" Dumbledore started.

"I'm sorry Professor," Harry interrupted, "I really can't. It's just safer for no one to know where I am. All I can tell you is that where I am staying has plenty of protections and defenses that even if an atomic bomb went off it would still be standing." Harry could tell that the reference was lost on everyone there besides Dumbledore and Hermione and he sighed. "I'm well protected is what I am trying to say."

"Even if you think you are safe-"

"Professor," Hermione spoke up loudly and then flushed in embarrassment as everyone turned to her, but pressed on, "I think Harry is going to be fine. We couldn't find him when we searched for him not matter how hard we tried. And he's more than capable of defending himself."

"Plus he has his man," Ron added and Harry felt his face heat up.

"That too," Hermione added. "My point is that Harry and Wynter are just fine."

Harry gave her a thankful smile and adjusted Wynter who was squirming him his lap, "Really, I'm just fine. Trust me."

Dumbledore sighed and gave in, "Alright, Harry. I will, but if you need anything…"

"I'll be sure to contact you. But we are well taken care of."

"By that man of yours?" Tonks asked suggestively.

"Oh God," Harry groaned and dropped his head back against the couch.

"Come on Harry, spill," Tonks goaded.

Harry searched all their faces that had varying degrees of interest and settled on Mrs. Weasley who was watching Wynter with a fond look. "Want to hold her, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Can I?" she asked in a hushed voice. It had been a long time since she had held a baby.

"Sure," he said getting up and handing Wynter to her and she cradled Wynter against her gently. Wynter looked at Harry bewildered and looked up at the woman uncertainly. She made a sound of distress and held out her arms to be picked up by her mother again. "Shh. It's okay. Mrs. Weasley won't hurt you," Harry said. But she continued to struggle and then started to cry. Mrs. Weasley tried to appease her by bouncing her on her knee and cooing to her, but she wasn't having it. So she gave Wynter back to Harry. "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with her."

"It's alright, dear. She's just not used to new people."

"That's right," Hermione," added, "Wynter only knows you and Ron and I. And Professor Dumbledore, somewhat. It makes sense that she would react differently."

"Yeah, I guess so," he said looking down at Wynter who was now content and was gazing up at him like she just didn't have a screaming fit.

"So?" Tonks prompted.

"So what?" Harry asked.

"Your man..." she said suggestively.

Harry groaned. "Okay, fine. Look...I met him in the town that was not far from where I was living. We hit it off and he saved me from the fire and got me into hiding. That's all I'm saying about it."

"Aw! What? That's it?" Tonks asked.

"You 'ave to give us more than that, 'Arry," Fleur said. Harry only shook his head and kept his mouth shut. "ees 'e good looking at least?"

"What's he like?" Tonks added.

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Does he treat you right?" Mrs. Weasley added in.

"You know they are not going to let it go, mate," Ron said, nudging him in the side.

Harry sighed and decided to just answer a few of their questions, but not without some embarrassment. "Yes. He's nice and kind of sweet when he wants to. Yes, and Yes." he said.

"Oh that's good," Mrs. Weasley said. "Is he good with Wynter?"

"He is actually. He treats her like his own daughter. And I couldn't ask for more."

"Is he good in bed?"

"Wha-" Harry blanched.

"Tonks!" Remus exclaimed at her in surprise as Bill laughed. Mrs. Weasley just settled for looking at her disapprovingly.

"I-I am not answering that!" Harry stuttered his face turning red.

"But you are?"

"Oh God," he said and lifted Wynter so that he could cover his face. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his head, but ended up kicking him in the chest as her feet hung there that Harry had to put her down again.

"What about-"

"I'm not answering anything else."

"Aw!"

They continued to try and tease him into giving out answers but soon realized that Harry was going to remain tight lipped on the matter. But looking at Hermione, he could tell that she and Ron would want real answers soon.

The twins came over soon after that, providing a nice distraction, yet it confused the hell out of Wynter. She kept looking back and forth between them not comprehending that there were two different people in front of her. They all got a good laugh out of that. She wouldn't even let them come near her and would scramble up into Harry's arms as they got close to her. It wasn't until Harry made her touch their faces that she finally warmed up to Fred and George, even if they still scared her a little. Fred and George did rather enjoy her little hands touching their faces, how could you not, especially from a sweet little baby. Babies had that effect. The twins had their own questions, mainly how domestic life was treating him.

"It's not bad. I mean..." Harry paused trying to find the words. "I do miss being out there with all the action, but not as much as I thought I would. She keeps me grounded," he said looking down at Wynter and played with her legs, kicking them up in the air. She giggled and looked up at him her face full of joy and Harry kissed her on the nose.

"I can see that," Fred said.

"She's been good for you," George commented.

"Yes, she has. It's tough but very rewarding," Harry said.

George picked up Wynter's teddy bear and held it up just out of reach of Wynter and she reached out to grab it. "Uh! Uh!"

"Does he have your bear?" Harry asked, "Tell him to give it back."

"Ak! Ak!" Wynter exclaimed making grabby fingers for her bear.

"Geez, okay, sorry," George said and gave it back.

Wynter grabbed it back and squeezed it to her tight and gave them this look that was so completely Tom that it made Harry smile, though the others didn't know that. Harry got up, "I'll be right back, bathroom break. Here," he said and handed her to Remus.

"W-Wait!" Remus started but Harry had already deposited her into his lap and he quickly wrapped an arm around her so she wouldn't fall.

"Mama!" Wynter called out reaching out for him as he walked away.

"I'll be right back. You'll be fine," Harry called back, talking to both of them and then was gone.

Remus and Wynter both looked at each other uncertainly. "Hello," Remus said softly to her and she looked away back to where her mother had disappeared then back up at the man holding her. He was kind of scary looking but his eyes were gentle.

"Well, she's not crying," Tonks remarked.

"Remus has the magic touch," George joked.

"She's really cute," Bill said as they watched Wynter look around the room and clutch her bear to her. "Do we know who the father is?" he asked.

"No," Hermione said quietly, "Harry hasn't said or he just doesn't know. But it's not important. Wynter is his daughter, he won't let anyone harm her."

"He let that man in though," Tonks said.

"True, but he did save their lives. That has to count for something," Ron said. "Plus, it's not like Harry would allow him to do anything or face his wrath."

"I don't think he will though," Hermione put in, "From what Harry has told us, his boyfriend treats Wynter like his own and that is good enough."

"And Harry seems to really like him and he doesn't say that lightly," Ron said and Hermione agreed.

"So he's really okay?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Seems to be," her husband spoke up, "Both of them are happy and healthy from what I can see, so they are obviously well taken care of," Mr. Weasley said. "I believe we should just trust Harry on this. He will come to us if anything goes wrong. And now Harry can have faster communications with Ron and Hermione with his fellytone."

"Telephone," Hermione automatically corrected.

"Yes, that."

"Whatever the case may be, we will continue to be vigilant, Voldemort does not give up very easily," Dumbledore said and the others nodded.

Harry came back to everyone with serious faces, "Did I miss something?"

"Not really," Ron said.

Harry nodded and turned to Wynter who was relaxed back against Remus. "I'm back. Want to come with Mommy?" he asked her but she didn't reach for him like he thought she would. "No? You okay?" Harry asked.

Wynter looked up at Remus, then back at Harry and nodded, "Ye."

"Okay," he said and went to sit next to Ron, "I knew she would like you, Remus."

"I guess so," Remus said sheepishly.

"You're a natural, Remus," Fred commented.

"Not really, I have a little bit of experience," Remus said looking to Harry and he smiled back. Remus looked down and saw the same green eyes looking back at him and miraculously Wynter smiled at him.

"Aw! Remus got a smile!" Tonks exclaimed.

They continued to coo and try to play with Wynter and she was warming up to everyone, which Harry was happy about. She didn't seem to like anyone at first until she sat in Remus's lap. But he had that calm, quiet strength about him that was quite soothing and apparently Wynter could sense it and she was really comfortable as was proven by not wanting to leave him. After that, she started to play with the twins and Tonks. They even put her on the floor to try to get her to crawl but she was a bit late on that and could only barely get herself onto her hands and knees, but she did try. While Wynter was entertained, Harry was able to catch up with the others, without the added burden of their judgment. It was quite nice to just be able to relax, so that is what he did.

xxx

Tom leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the side as he listened to his Death Eaters give their reports. Yet he couldn't seem to be able to concentrate. It was a small meeting with just his inner circle that consisted of Lucius Malfoy, Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange and his wife Bellatrix and Fenrir Greyback and they were in his office with them gathered around his desk, while he sat regally in his chair in his Voldemort persona; Nagini curled on the rug in front of the fire. It was the usual reports and was nothing really new, but he rarely ever tuned out this much. His mind was on Harry and Wynter and the fact that they were somewhere out of his reach.

It was rare that he would put so much trust into one person, but he did, he did trust Harry. It was the others that he didn't trust. That Harry would want to come home, but the Order may not let him. He had of course taken precautions against such a thing, but still...

"..rd?"

"My Lord?"

Tom blinked and looked to Lucius who was watching him nervously. "Continue," he said dismissively.

Lucius and Rodolphus looked at each other uncertainly and then continued with his report. "No one seems to be suspicious of our movements within the Ministry. And I have passed along the advice to the Minister per your orders," he concluded.

"Good," Tom hissed out. "Make sure you keep at it...what is it Lucius?" he asked.

Lucius straightened and cleared his throat, "Forgive me, my lord. I do not mean to question you..."

"But?" he prompted.

"But I do not see the reason why we are changing tactics now after all this time," he finished and the others waited to see if he would answer.

"You dare question our Lord?" Bellatrix snapped at her brother-in-law.

"Bella," Tom said simply and she backed down, "I do not feel the need to tell you my plans..." he said and his followers bowed their heads in submission, "but I am feeling generous and will tell you," he paused to find the words and even more so to make them fidget. He may have changed somewhat, but he still took pleasure in watching people squirm. "I am changing tactics simply because the old way was not working. And I confess, I was getting off track of my original goals. I am simply going back to that."

"What about Potter," Bellatrix asked reverently.

"What of him? He had no place in my plans. I may have gotten side tracked by Potter, but that has nothing to do with now."

"So, that's why you don't want to go after Potter anymore?" Rabastan asked and his brother nodded to show his own curiosity.

"Correct. Harry Potter is of no more importance. All we have to do is make everyone recognize our culture that has been ignored for so long. It is just easier to go the long route by going from within than by force. I have found that doing it that way is rather pointless and leads to nowhere. As long as all of you do as you're told it will be a reality. Understood?"

"Yes, my lord," they replied.

"Good. Dismissed." Tom got up from his chair to stare out the window as his inner circle left the room. It was a warm day and the sun shone brilliantly, a stark contrast to his current mood which was restless. "Did you need something Fenrir?" he finally said as he noticed the werewolf had yet to move.

"No. Nothing. I just noticed that you've been a bit distracted," Fenrir said with a shrug, not moving from his spot by the fireplace.

"I do not get distracted," he sneered.

"Sure, and I am a friendly kitten on a full moon," Fenrir said sarcastically.

Tom frowned but didn't turn from the window. He didn't normally let anyone speak to him this way, only Harry. He could of course just curse the fool and put him in his place, but Tom remembered Harry asking if he had any friends and Fenrir was the closest thing that he had to one. He was the only one that was not afraid of putting a toe or two over the line to get on his good side. But it was a dangerous line to be on when one side could kill you at any moment.

"Is it about the man you've been sleeping with?" Fenrir inquired. Tom snapped his attention to the werewolf with narrowed eyes, his hand itching towards his wand. Fenrir held up his hands in a submissive gesture as he came forward. "I can smell him on you. Sunshine, chocolate and...something else..." he sniffed the air, "applesauce?"

Wynter, Tom thought. And of course, Harry smelled of chocolate, he was always eating it. The fact that Fenrir could smell it that strongly on him meant he was spending too much time with them to have it cling to him, but he didn't care. Only it caused this unexpected problem. "That is hardly any of your concern," Tom decided to say.

"There's nothing bad about having someone to warm your sheets," Fenrir said with a wicked grin. "Though, it's probably easier without that glamour on."

Tom glared at him in annoyance, he had almost forgotten how strong Fenrir's nose was, strong enough to be able to notice his Voldemort guise was a fake. Though it was the first time he had really commented on it. "It is," he said.

The werewolf barked out a laugh and headed to the door, "Well, whatever it is that's bothering you, you can probably fix it with no problem. You are the Dark Lord after all."

"It wouldn't be so sure," Tom muttered to himself. He looked up to see Fenrir looking at him questionably. "It's complicated."

"It always is," Fenrir said with an easy going grin and left through the door.

Tom turned to the window again, feeling a bit better despite it being a brief conversation. It at least took his mind off of his worries for a little while. While Fenrir was right about being able to fix any problem by just ordering it to happen, it was different with Harry. For one, Harry would not take kindly to being ordered to do anything and two, he didn't want to. Harry's spitfire personality is what drew Tom to him; how he never seemed to listen to him and how he had a mind of his own, one that he was starting to see in Wynter. Plus, Tom was starting to feel like he would do just about anything to keep Harry happy. He did let him go visit his friends after all...and now he was back to worrying.

Tom sighed and turned back to his desk that had paper work on it and knew he wouldn't be able to concentrate on it; not with his mind focused elsewhere.

-Are you going home already master?- Nagini hissed from her place by the fire.

-Yes. I would not so much good by staying here-

-But will you do anything different at home?- she asked turning her massive head toward him.

-That is true, but I would rather be there than here. Besides Harry should be back soon anyways-

-Whatever you choose master-

-Would you like to accompany me?-

-Yes, I would. I have yet to see your home and I have not seen your hatchling in some time- she said uncoiling herself and making her way to him.

-I thought you did not like her clinging to you- Tom said with a knowing smile.

-I don't...-

-She grew on you-

-Perhaps-

-Well, come then. You can join me in my boredom-

-You will be, I have a house to explore- Nagini hissed as she wound her way around him.

-I could just leave you here-

-Please don't. I'll behave. I will join you in your misery until Harry returns-

-You imprudent imp- Tom stated while Nagini hissed out a laugh. Tom just rolled his eyes and took her home.

xxx

Harry sat back against the couch where he was catching up with his friends. They had moved on to what was going on their end. It was interesting, to say the least hearing of all the things that Voldemort was doing, or not doing, when Tom, who was essentially the same person, was with him at the time of it going on. How Tom managed to be with him most of the time AND be a full-time Dark Lord. But Harry was not interested in coming back no matter how they pleaded and tried to convince him with information. He had Wynter to take care of and that took up most of his time. Thankfully, they didn't really push the issue now that they are met the reason why. And it turned out they couldn't get enough of her.

Wynter was having fun playing with everyone; Fred and George, Tonks and even Fleur was down on the floor with her. They played with the few toys that Harry had brought with them and made her laugh and babble her baby language that only she seemed to understand. But they were happy to interpret what she wanted by trial and error.

"Has she displayed any magic yet?" Ron asked.

"Not quite," Harry said.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Well, sometimes when she wants something that is just out of reach she holds out her hands to try and reach it and I can swear that it moved just a little bit, but she just ends of crying and I have to get it for her."

"That is quite impressive," Dumbledore said stroking his beard in thought.

"I wouldn't expect anything less, she is my daughter after all," Harry said proudly. And Tom's, he added in his mind.

"Let's just hope she doesn't end up like her mother," Hermione said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked.

"Come on, mate, you know," Ron said patting him on the back.

"My grades were good. I could have done better if I wanted to," Harry pouted. Hermione and Ron snickered. "Well, if she does better than me, all the better, but if not, then that is fine too."

"Hey, Harry? Has she learned to crawl yet," Tonks asked from the floor. Wynter was sitting in front of her and holding her bear just out of reach.

"Not yet, she's close though," Harry answered, "She can get up on her hands and knees and make like she is going to move forward, but-"

"Mama!" Wynter wailed at him. She had managed to do just as he said to get to her bear, but ended up with her butt in the air and her arms tangled beneath her and her face pressed against the floor and was stuck like that.

"She ends up like that," Harry gestured.

"Cute," Hermione said and watched as George picked her up and sat her down again.

"She's heavy," George commented.

Harry nodded, "Usually I just leave her there. She knows how to. Besides, she does it so often that it's a hassle to have to pick her up every time."

As is on cue. "Uhh!" Wynter whined and they turned to see that she had gotten herself into the same position.

"Turn yourself over, sweetie. You can do it!" he called to her. Wynter gave a choked sob as she struggled and looked up with pleading eyes at Fred and George. They both turned to Harry with wide eyes. "I know she is giving you the big green eyes, but just leave her. She's got it." They watched as Wynter struggled and finally got herself to roll over onto her side and then pushed her arms up and got into a sitting position. "There you go!" Harry told her, "I knew you could do it." Wynter beamed at him and everyone cheered for her success.

"That was intense," Bill said.

"Yeah. It's hard, but she won't learn if I keep helping her," Harry said.

"That's true," Mrs. Weasley agreed.

"So she really does that often?" Remus asked.

"Yup. At least four or five times a day. One time she actually fell asleep like that," Harry said with a laugh.

"Really?" Tonks asked, giving in and giving Wynter her bear back.

"Yeah, I wouldn't help her and she started crying, but then she stopped and when I looked over, she was asleep in that weird position. I picked her up of course and put her to bed, but it was funny." Harry explained. "Speaking of," he said glancing at the clock on the wall, "I need to get going."

"What?" "Already?" "Don't go!" Those around him said, voicing their unhappiness.

"I know, but I have to make dinner and then get this one off to bed," Harry said getting up and going over to Wynter. "Time to go, sweet pea."

"O!" Wynter said.

"No? But we have to. Come on," he said reaching for her.

She pushed his hand away, "O!" she exclaimed again with a pout and flopped down onto her back.

-Don't you want to see Daddy?- he hissed softly to her.

She blinked up at him then nodded, "Ye."

"Okay then," he said and picked her up when she raised her arms up to him.

"She understands you?" Hermione gasped.

Harry looked around at the others and saw that they were all looking at him and Wynter in similar awe. Though Dumbledore had a thoughtful look that Harry didn't really like. "Uh...yeah," he finally said.

"I didn't think it would pass on," Hermione said.

"I didn't either."

"How did you find out?" Remus asked.

"I was outside in the garden when I came across a garden snake and I spoke to it. Wynter reacted to it," Harry lied smoothly. "I speak it to her sometimes so she's not afraid of it. Not like how I was."

"That's amazing," Tonks said.

"Yes, while it is an extraordinary feat, it is not something that should be shared," Dumbledore finally spoke up. "If Voldemort found out there was another parselmouth out there. There is no telling what he might do."

"Like what? Raise her himself?" Fred asked.

"It could be a possibility," Dumbledore said, "There has never been another one, besides Harry, and he might want to exploit that or would want to be the only one."

Harry clutched Wynter close to him despite the fact that he knew that would never happen. Tom had been over the moon when he found out that Wynter was a parselmouth like him, but that was it. There were no plans to train her to be the next Dark Lord or to teach her obscure dark magic. He was just happy that there was another one in the world, that she was carrying his bloodline to the next generation. But that was beside the point, Harry couldn't say anything. "I won't let anything happen to her," he said firmly.

"I know you won't, my boy," Dumbledore said with a smile and patted Wynter on the head.

Harry had to stop Wynter's hand that was reaching for Dumbledore's beard, she would have yanked it if he didn't, it had happened before. He gave her her bear to hold instead. "Well, we're off."

"Are you sure you can't stay?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I'm sorry," Harry could only say.

She sighed and then wrapped him and Wynter in a hug, "You come visit us, you hear. Our door is always open." She let him go and stepped back to stand next to her husband.

"I will. And thank you."

"You come back to visit, okay?" Hermione said.

"Won't make any promises that it won't be a big party again though," Ron added.

Harry laughed, "That's okay. I rather enjoyed it."

"And you better call us the moment she starts crawling," Hermione demanded.

"I will," Harry said and looked down at Wynter, "It shouldn't be long now, right?" Wynter only blinked up at him with a small smile. "Okay, say bye to everyone. Bye-bye!" He said to her and she waved her fingers at them.

"Aw! Cute!" Tonks exclaimed and came forward to coo at her some more.

They all gathered around and said their goodbyes to him and Wynter with long, warm hugs and well wishes and promises to see them again soon. With that said, a fun and rewarding visit came to an end.

xxx

Tom waited.

And waited.

And waited.

After a few hours, he realized he may have been a little hasty in coming home so soon, but he couldn't help it. He usually wasn't one to assume the worst, but as he sat there idly flipping through the channels he started to think of different scenarios in why Harry was taking so long. He felt ridiculous. Nagini was off exploring the house, but he would hear her once in a while as she passed by hissing her laugh at him as he became increasingly restless.

That is how Harry found Tom when he came in. He apparated outside the house, unlocked the door and stepped inside only to find Tom sitting in front of the TV with the channels switching really fast, too fast to really see what was going on.

"Oh! You're back already?"

Tom jerked around to see Harry standing in the foyer with Wynter in his arms, "You're back."

"Yes, I am. I told you I would. Here," Harry said holding out Wynter to him.

"Mama!" Wynter exclaimed reaching for Tom.

"No not mama, Daddy," Harry corrected and handed her to off.

Tom took her and carefully inspected her for anything unusual as Harry put his things down.

"There is nothing wrong with her, we just went for a visit, no experiments were given."

"How do you know that?" Tom asked.

"She didn't leave my sight for no more than a few minutes."

"So you did leave her alone."

"I had to go to the bathroom. Besides, I trust them not to do anything to her," Harry argued.

Tom said nothing to that and was satisfied with his inspection so he just held Wynter against him and she curled into his shoulder. "Did your visit go okay?" Tom finally asked.

"It went well," Harry said heading to the kitchen to start dinner. "It wasn't like I expec- Ack!"

"What?" Tom asked as he saw Harry jump back.

"Nagini," Harry said looking down where the massive snake was curled in a patch of sun behind the island. -I didn't know you were here-

-I came along with master- Nagini hissed.

"She wanted to look around our new house," Tom said.

-Very fancy-

-I know. Tom knows no restraint- Harry hissed back and continued to move about the kitchen.

-You can say that again-

-Well, it was nice to see you again, I guess. Glad he had someone was here to keep him occupied-

-I didn't help very much. He was very worried you know-

-Was he?-

-Yes, very restless-

-Hey!- Tom hissed in warning as he realized they were ganging up on him.

Nagini hissed out a laugh and moved out of the kitchen to get out of Harry's way. Wynter saw her and immediately wanted to be put down. Tom didn't want to, but she struggled and whined, so he had no choice and placed her on the floor where Nagini had moved to. Wynter giggled and wrapped her arms around the snake, happy to see her again.

-Too tight, hatchling- Nagini hissed in discomfort.

-Wynter- Tom hissed and she looked up at him -Gently- She blinked up at him and then loosened her hold around Nagini and started to pat her scales; happily letting Nagini coil loosely around her. -Good girl-

"She's so smart," Harry said proudly.

"Of course she is," Tom said and leaned against the island to watch Harry work. "You didn't say how your visit went."

"It went well. Not how like I expected though."

"You did say that. What did you mean?"

"Well, there were far more people there than I thought." At that Tom narrowed his eyes in dislike. "Now, don't scrunch your face like that."

"I am not scrunching," Tom argued, smoothing his face.

"Yes, you are," Harry said copying him, then resumed chopping vegetables, "I will admit that it made me uneasy at first. I mean, they knew about Wynter, but it was the first time that they had meet her. I wasn't sure how they would react. Would they like her? Or would they hate her just because she was the product of my "rape by a Death Eater"" he said using air quotes.

Tom nodded in understanding, "Who was there?"

"Ron and Hermione of course. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill and his wife Fleur, Remus and Tonks, Dumbledore and Fed and George came later."

"Dumbledore was there?" Tom asked flatly.

"Chill out, Tom. Yes, he did try to get me to stay, but I told him no. She is my daughter and I know what is best for her. Besides, he knows how stubborn I can be so he didn't push it too much and neither did the others. And I am here, right?"

"...Yes."

"See? No harm. We had a great time. They loved her. I was so relieved. Wynter really liked Remus too."

"The werewolf," Tom asked.

"Yeah. He has this calming aura about him, I guess Wynter sensed it too. She cried with everyone else before she got comfortable with them, but with him, she was fine. Oh, and when the twins came over," Harry laughed as he scraped the chopped veggies into a pan, "She was so confused."

"Sounds like you had a good time," Tom said softly.

Harry walked to over to him and slid his arms around Tom, "I did. Thank you for letting me go."

"You're welcome," Tom murmured against Harry's mouth as he leaned upward for a kiss. It was slow and brief but sweet and conveyed Harry's gratitude in a way words couldn't.

Harry pulled away and smiled at him, "I can't wait to see them again."

"Again?" Tom asked.

"Of course, it wasn't a one-time thing, right?"

"No, but I didn't think you would go so soon."

"I won't, but it's still nice to be able to say that. Thanks to you," Harry added.

Tom looked proud of that fact and Harry knew it. Tom was a difficult man, but Harry was starting to figure out what made him tick. He knew for a fact that Tom liked to have his ego stroked once in a while, it made him feel proud. He also likes something else stroked that makes him stand really proud. Harry abruptly turned away back to the stove. Oh, God where did that thought come from!

"What is it?" Tom asked.

"N-Nothing, I don't want it to burn," Harry managed to get out.

"Hmm," Tom hummed with a knowing smile, "Your face looks like it's about to burn."

Harry cursed his complexion and how easy it was to see his embarrassment. He also cursed his himself for suddenly thinking such a thing, he had only been gone for a few hours, no different from when Tom was at work, yet the moment he was close to Tom, his mind suddenly turned dirty. I'm thinking about it again, damn it...And now I am horny. Harry sighed, nothing to do about it now. He glanced at Tom who was staring at him with a fixed look, desire swirling in his blue eyes. It was like he knew exactly what he was thinking.

"I didn't think you missed me that much," Tom whispered, suddenly behind him.

Harry jumped, not expecting it. Damn him and his stupid, perfect face, Harry thought, Well, two can play at this game. "I thought it was you who missed me, you were obviously waiting for me for a while."

Tom pulled away, "It wasn't that long."

"That's not what Nagini said," Tom said nothing, just turned to look at where Nagini was playing with Wynter.

Harry felt a smile tug at his mouth and was rather touched that Tom was that concerned, it made this little game they were playing that much more rewarding. He lightly brushed against Tom as he finished cooking and felt Tom stiffen. Harry always got a thrill when he made Tom react like that and it was always accompanied by butterflies in his stomach. He looked up at Tom through lowered lashes, "Help me set the table and get Wynter to bed and I'll show you how much I missed you."

Tom's eyes widened in surprise, but he complied rather quickly. And soon they were sitting around their table for dinner, stealing little-heated glances at each other.

Harry was glad that Dumbledore and his friends didn't make him stay. Sure, he enjoyed seeing his friends again and liked being with them, but he rather liked being here with Tom. Just sitting around, watching Wynter play, having friendly banter filled with fun and sexual innuendos. It might seem strange to anyone else, but everything about them was strange; to them, it was how they worked. It was how their little family worked.

Yes, Harry thought as he cooed and coaxed Wynter to eat and kicked Tom under the table when he got too handsy. I wouldn't have it any other way.


Wow, I made it. I was going to try to make it for Christmas, but it didn't work out, so I made it my mission to get this chapter done before New Years and I just made it with 20 minutes to spare (at least for me). I hope you really liked this chapter, I was having a bit of trouble with it. It's not exactly what I wanted, but it was close enough.

Don't forget to leave a review/comment. I always enjoy those!

Hope you have a blessed year!

phoenix