Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and make no money from this.

.x.x.

Lily struggled against the confines of the sparkly dress her mother had stuffed her into.

"Is it always so itchy?" she grumbled to Rosie. This was the first year Lily had been allowed to go to the fancy New Year Dinner Party Dad was forced to go to. She'd been super excited about it. Al and Rosie had gone to their first one last year, and Jamie the year before that. This year, it was hers and Hugo's turn.

"It's itchier when you wiggle like that," Rose told her.

Lily pouted at her older cousin.

"This isn't very fun," Lily grumbled.

"No one said it would be."

Lily continued to fidget. She didn't like sitting still like this. There was too much fun to be had and not enough time to have them.

"Why is Daddy talking for so long?" she complained.

"He gave a very short speech last year and everyone made a fuss. In the end they made him go up again," Rose said.

She tried to listen to the words her father spoke, but they were too boring. She just couldn't sit still anymore! Lily grabbed Rosie's hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Let's go find something fun to do!"

She dropped to her knees, pulling Rose down with her, and began to crawl away from the tables. She thought she'd seen a large fountain outside and some funny looking white peacocks.

"Where are you guys going?" someone whispered. Lily looked up at the faces of Jamie, Al, and Hugo.

"To play outside," Lily whispered back.

"Outside? We're not supposed to go outside!" Hugo said.

"Loosen up, Hugo. That sounds like a brilliant idea. Just like my little sister!" James said, beaming, before dragging Al and Hugo down to the ground with them.

It was chilly outside, but Lily didn't care; it was much better than being inside at the party any ol' day.

"Now what?" Rose asked, "It's too cold to do anything out here."

"Hey! What are you doing outside?" someone called.

All five of them turned to see a boy with pale hair and even paler skin. He had pointy features that made him look mean to Lily.

"We haven't decided yet," Lily said, "You wanna play with us?"

"It's too cold to play outside," the boy said, "and the peacocks aren't very friendly. They bite."

"Peacocks can't bite people," Rose said.

"These peacocks can. They bit Uncle Blaise the other day when he tried to pet them."

"What'll we do now?" Al asked.

"Hey, where else can we play then?" Lily asked the boy.

"Do you want to come up here and play with me?"

They looked at each other. James shrugged and turned to the boy, "Sure. How do we get up there?"

"Hold on! I'll come get you!"

.x.x.

"Ron?" Hermione called, "Ron! Where are the kids?"

"Kids?" Ron slurred in his drunken state.

"Yes, kids. Our kids."

"I dunno, weren't they with you?" Ron tipped the wine glass he was holding, nearly spilling the champagne in the cup. Hermione caught it just in time. She glared at Harry, who was standing next to his best friend.

"You shouldn't have let him drink so much, Harry!" But Harry just shrugged.

"Lighten up, Hermione. He's just having a bit of fun."

"Well, you aren't the one who has to deal with his hangover tomorrow, are you?" she huffed. She glanced at Harry. Harry held a glass, too, but it wasn't of liquor. "Is that water? Why aren't you drinking?"

"Me? Oh, I've had enough for the night. That hangover from Christmas was horrible and Ginny refused to give me any Hangover Potion," he winced at the memory.

"Bloody hell, mate, that sucks!" Ron said.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him as he brought his glass up for another drink. "Stop drinking already, Ron! You've had enough. Maybe I should follow your sister's example," she told her husband darkly.

Ron wasn't listening, though; he'd turned back to Harry and was continuing on about George's progress on his new product: Percy's Knitted Abominations™. He'd gotten to the point where the knitting needle he bewitched now churned out lopsided knits, but one could still recognize what they were if one looked.

"He hasn't told Percy yet, but he's sure it'll be a hit," Ron was saying.

"Don't worry too much about the kids, Hermione. I'm sure they're fine. Rose and Hugo are both very sensible," Harry told her.

"I wouldn't be worrying so much if they were the only ones gone; your kids can't be found either," Hermione said.

"WHAT!" Harry shouted. Everyone turned to stare at him, but he didn't care, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Who knows what kind of trouble they're getting into now?"

He turned this way and that hoping to catch a glimpse of either his wife or his youngest child. It was no doubt Lily's fault.

"Potter!"

"Not now, Malfoy! I can't find my kids!"

"Potter, they're here!" Draco said impatiently.

"I said—what?" Harry looked at him dumbly.

"Upstairs. They fell asleep in Scorpius's room. Come." Draco turned and, not bothering to check if either Harry or Hermione was following, led them down a corridor and up a flight of stairs. The Manor was a lot different now than it was when Voldemort occupied it. Frankly, Harry liked what Draco has done to the place.

"Here," Draco said, opening the door.

Inside, Harry saw Lily, Albus, James, Rose, and Hugo all curled up on the giant rug in front of a small fireplace. There was another boy next to them, also asleep, presumably Scorpius Malfoy. He sure looked like Draco did as a child. Someone had thrown a large blanket over them to keep them warm.

Harry and Hermione both sighed in relief.

"Remind me next year, Hermione, not to bring Lily."