A/N: Wow! What a response to the last chapter! Let's keep this party going! Thank you so much for the positive feedback and love!

Warning: Major character death - sacrifices had to be made. Sorry.

New Years arrived and Harry was excited. His mum had told him that he could have a sleepover with his friends and they could all stay up as late as they wished. He waited patiently for his friends to arrive. Draco, Ron, Fred, George and Neville were all coming around lunchtime.

"Lily, this Owl just arrived. From Black." Severus said with a sneer. Ever since the news broke that Sirius and Alice were having an elicit affair for the past two years and she'd asked Frank for a divorce, things had been tense. It's part of the reason she'd agreed to Harry's request for a New Years Eve sleepover party.

Lily sighed then took the letter. It was definitely Sirius. Only serial killers had worse penmanship than her friend. She opened it up and read it then threw it in the fireplace. "He's ridiculous." She flipped her hair then bent down to pick up Violet's babydoll she left on the floor. "That girl. The next time I find this doll on the floor, I'm hiding it from her."

Severus chuckled then held his hand out for her to give the doll to him, "I'll return it to that sweet Angel." Lily stuck her tongue out at him and continue her sweep of the room.

"Mum! Do you think we can make pizza tonight?" Harry asked as he helped tidy up the room before his friends arrived.

"Already on it bud. I picked up pizza dough, sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. You can each make your own pizza. Isn't that fun?" Harry beamed at his mother.

He ran over and hugged her tightly. "You do know that you are the best mum ever, right?" Lily felt her heart swell. When he said things like that, it made her smile but it also made her pensive. What if her and James had died? Would he have been lonely? Would Petunia and Vernon had made good guardians? She shivered at the thought.

She'd had a better relationship with her sister after James's passing but they still were not as close as she'd always hoped they'd be. They had a son a year older than Harry, Dudley, and he was as spoiled as they come. Harry didn't get on with him, but Violet did. That girl could charm the pants off anyone.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the Floo. Looking up, she saw Frank and Neville Longbottom had arrived. "Oh, Frank, hello." She gave him a quick hug, "You're early." Frank gave her a small smile.

"Yes, well, I had to get out of my mother's house. She was nagging about me allowing Neville to go to a sleepover on my first weekend with Nev here, but I told her I had plans anyway. A date." Neville looked uncomfortable so Lily told him to go upstairs to Harry's room.

"A date? Wow! That's great Frank. Who's the lucky witch?" He blushed and shifted from foot to foot nervously.

"Just someone I recently reconnected with." He said with a shrug. Lily smiled warmly at him. She silently wondered who it could be.

"Oh? Anyone I know?" He shook his head.

"No, at least I don't think so. She graduated a year after us. She was in Ravenclaw. Saskia Demaski. She works in the Department for the Regulations of Magical Creatures in the Beasts Division. We dated briefly my fifth year, but then I met..." he trailed off sadly. "Alice."

"Well, I think it's great, Frank. I'm truly sorry. I honestly had no clue. I still have not spoken to nor returned any letters to Sirius." He smiled wanly then shrugged.

"Honestly, it's fine. She wasn't happy. Neither of us were. We haven't been intimate for some time and our relationship was more of a roommate/partner situation by the end. Neville is having a hard time adjusting. I've had to get firm with my mum though. She says things about Alice that he needn't have to hear. But thank you, Lily. You're a great friend. And who knows? Maybe someday I can be friends with them again. Only time will tell."

Frank left soon after then Violet and Severus came down. "You just missed Frank." She said as he kissed her cheek. "He's got a date." She wiggled her eyebrows causing Severus to smile.

"Good. Oh, Violet? Go ahead and tell mummy what you said upstairs." He has a mischievous grin on his face; mirth lighting up his onyx eyes.

"Oh, I told Sev that you guys could have a baby and that I could babysit since I take care of my baby dolls so nicely." Lily couldn't help but laugh at her daughter.

"Sorry, Vi, but when I stop having to clean up after you and finding your 'babies' on the floor, then we'll see." Severus grabbed her and held her tightly against him.

"Told her that same thing but she insists she would never do that with a real baby." He nuzzled her neck. Oh this man, she thought.

"We'll discuss it another time. Are you ready to go to your sleepover with Ginny and Luna?" Violet nodded and showed her mother the overnight bag she left by the stairs. "Great, Molly should be here any minute with the boys. Thank Merlin I've got you here, love. Those twins are terrors."

Draco was the last to arrive. Dobby, his father's House Elf, brought him. Lucius got called away on business and Narcissa was dealing with Carina. She'd woken with a slight fever that morning. "So, Harry? How's the wife?" Draco teased and the other boys chuckled. Harry blushed.

"Shut your gob, D. And she's not my wife. She's my friend only. And she's lovely." He stuck his tongue out and then smirked at his friend. "You'll meet someone one day then it'll be my turn to poke fun and have a laugh. Anyways, mum got stuff for us to make our own pizzas. Ready?"

The boys all made their way to the kitchen and upon entering quickly made gagging noises. "Come on mum!" Her and Severus were both blushing at being caught snogging in the kitchen by the rambunctious group of boys.

"Sorry, bud. You ready to make pizzas?"

"I told them if they had a baby, I could babysit and they both laughed. Can you believe that?" Violet was telling her friends as they played in the playroom at The Burrow.

"Hmm, I don't know. We are young. It is a lot of work taking care of a baby. Much more than we could probably handle." Luna said logically.

Ginny nodded in agreement. "Besides, don't you want to be the baby of the family? I love it!" The girls all giggle and continued their playtime until they were called for dinner.

Bill, Charlie, and Percy were sitting at the table, along with Molly and Arthur. "Professor McGonagall says I'm a shoo-in for Prefect next year. It's my first step to becoming Head Boy." Bill was telling the family as they ate.

"And Charlie? How about you? Classes going well?" Arthur asked his second oldest.

Violet blushed. She'd always thought Charlie was the nicest and most handsome of the Weasley boys. Charlie smiled brightly. "Everything is going great! I even beat Penny Haywood for top scores on our last Charms essay! And I'm loving Care of Magical Creatures!" Charlie was going to work with dragons one day, everyone knew it was his passion.

"That's wonderful dears. Still no luck with Jessa, Bill?" The oldest boy nodded. "She'll come round, dear." Jessa Sweeny was a girl in Bill's year that he had dated from last year up until a misunderstanding before the Christmas break. Ginny couldn't stand her. Said she was too whiny.

"Nah, I think I'm going to just focus on school. Besides, she was very rude to my and Charlie's friend Cece. Upset her terribly and refused to apologise, right Charlie?" Charlie looked up from his plate and nodded solemnly.

"Yeah, Cece is so sweet. It almost makes up for the fact that she is in Slytherin." A bang was heard and then Charlie yelped, "Ow! That was my shin!" He glared across the table at his older brother.

"I don't think you should be hanging around a Slytherin boys. They're not good people." Charlie became red in the face and gripped his fork tighter at his mother's comments.

"I will not let a house define my friend, mum. Don't be hypocritical. Everyone knows you fancy Mr. Malfoy!" His mother gasped and gaped at her son. "Well you at least find him attractive because I always catch you staring at him." The girls giggled as Arthur laughed good-naturedly at his son's antics. After a while even Molly was laughing.

After dinner, they enjoyed pudding and some fireworks that Bill bought at Zonko's on his last Hogsmead trip. It was a great day and night. The girls wanted to stay up past midnight to ring in the new year. Molly was against it at first but with some coaxing from her husband and elder sons, finally agreed. The last thing Violet remembered was Charlie telling them to sleep tight.

He was sitting on a moving train with his best mates. "I can't believe we're finally on our way boys! Hogwarts!" Ron exclaimed from his side. Neville was looking around and suddenly put his head in his hands.

"What's wrong, Nev?" He asks his friend.

"Trevor, my toad! He's gone!" Neville explained distress prevalent in his voice.

They all get up and start searching the train. They get to a compartment full of kids he knows. "Hey Theo, Blaise, Pansy, Greg, Vince. Have you guys seen a toad? Neville's got loose?"

"Eww! Gross! No, but if I do, you'll hear my screams. Why didn't you get a proper familiar, Longbottom? Your parents are divorced, not destitute." Pansy scoffed as she flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Don't be nasty, Pansy. Leave the poor boy alone." Drawled Blaise.

"Well, if you haven't seen him, we'll be going." He caught his reflection in the compartment door window. He was taller and his platinum hair slicked back. A few compartments down, he saw just one girl with a large book covering her face. All Draco could see was wild brown curls.

His friends went ahead to another compartment, but Draco opened this door. "Um, excuse me? But have you seen a toad? My friend has lost his familiar and I'm helping..." his voice trailed off as the girl move her book. His stomach fluttered and twisted at the same time. She was the most adorable creature he'd ever lain eyes on.

Big, brown doe eyes, a small nose with a slight upturn with a smattering of freckles, a pouty mouth with a Cupid's bow and a small chin to finish out her heart-shaped face. "Oh, hello. I'm sorry but no. Did you want me to help?" She was already dressed in her Hogwarts uniform.

"That is very kind of you but we've already got seven of us searching. I wouldn't want to impose."

The girl smiled at him. Even with two front teeth slightly larger than normal, she was still beautiful and her kindness only amplified it. "Not an imposition at all. My name's Hermione." She extended her hand out for a handshake.

"Draco, Draco Malfoy." The moment their hands touched, he woke.

Draco woke with a gasp. What a strange dream. He look around the playroom where their cots were set up and noticed Harry awake. He was watching Draco.

"You okay?" His friend asked as he made his way over to Draco's side. He nodded but his eyes looked wild.

"Dream. It felt so real." At Harry's urging, Draco told him about the dream and the girl. If he closed his eyes, he could still see her. Strange.

"And here you were picking on me for liking Luna and you're dreaming up a girl now." Harry pushed at Draco playfully.

"Whatever. I still don't see why you like girls. They're loud and annoying." Even as he said this, he couldn't help but think of the curly haired witch from his dream. "Come on. Let's go back to sleep." So they did.

(Six months later)

"Why are you so nervous, love? It's only Lily."

"Yes. I know but it is the first time since Christmas that she has agreed to see me again, and I think that's only because Frank has moved in with Saskia and your divorce is final." Alice hugged Sirius and gave him a quick kiss.

"It's going to be fine. We have tea once a week and she hasn't said a cross word about you in months." Sirius nodded his head then dropped a kiss onto the top of Alice's head.

"I love you. Couple more weeks and we'll be wed and then soon this little one will be born. The first Black in this generation." He touched the growing belly of his fiancé. They found out three months ago that they were going to have their first child in November. She was due around Sirius's birthday.

Neville was living with them full time then stayed at his dad's every other weekend and every Wednesday (Frank's day off). He was standoffish at first but after spending time with Sirius and seeing how much happier his mum was, he finally started acting like himself again. He was excited to become a big brother.

The knock on the door announced the arrival of Lily, Severus, Harry, and Violet. Alice answered and showed them all to the family room. She'd redecorated the entire place and got rid of the portrait of Sirius's mother. You can only hear "blood traitor whore" so many times. Sirius came out to join her as they entered.

"Lily!" The red haired witch surged forward and hugged her friend. She had missed him as well. Remus had been trying for months to get her to forgive their best mate. Finally, she broke down her walls with the urging of her own boyfriend whom was in no way Sirius Black's number one fan. The two friends caught up with each other.

Harry and Violet ran upstairs with Neville to play as the adults had a cup of tea and discussed what they had all been up to. "Dumbledore offered Sev the Potions Master position. He starts August 24th; one week before classes. Percy Weasley has been pestering him non-stop." Lily giggled as her boyfriend groaned.

"I have told the child that no matter how much he bothers me, I am not sharing my damned lesson plans. He's insufferable, I tell you. Don't know how Molly and Arthur deal with him." The adults laughed and Alice served a platter of sandwiches.

"Kids, lunch!" She yelled from the bottom of the stairs. When they didn't immediately come down, Sirius told her he would go get them. As he made his way to the playroom, he heard them talking.

"Dad says he wants to ask mum to marry him soon. He told me." Violet's little voice said. Hearing her call Snape her dad made Sirius's heart hurt. James never even knew she existed. He'd been murdered by Voldemort before Lily even knew. It made sense that Violet had grown attached to Severus Snape so quickly. He was the only father she'd ever known. Still, it hurt.

"Stop calling him 'dad', Vy. He's not your dad. Our dad may be dead, but he's still our dad." He heard Harry protest.

"Come on, Harry, Vy can call him 'dad' if she wants. Sometimes I think of my mum's boyfriend as my second dad. They are getting married soon and then my little brother or sister is being born." His heart swelled with his stepson's words. Neville was such a sweet kid.

"Sorry Vy." He heard Harry mumble. "I wonder if Uncle Sev will ever ask our mum to get married I heard them talking about babies the other night." The kids giggled. "Imagine having another kid in our house. It'd better be a boy. Even our new Crup puppy is a girl. We need another boy in the house." Violet protested and they started giggling again.

Sirius decided to knock on the door at that. "Hey guys, lunch is ready. Come on down. I bought some of that fizzy cola stuff your mum introduced me to years ago." The kids jumped up and ran past him, but he caught Neville before he past him. Kneeling down he pulled him into a hug.

"What was that for?" Neville asked with a small smile.

"For being the best son I could have ever dreamed of, Nev. I love you kiddo." Neville grinned and reached back for another hug.

"Love you too, Dad number two."

Lunch was a success. Alice and Sirius asked Lily to be their baby's godmother and she agreed. Remus was to be the godfather, of course. Alice brought out a tray of ice cream treats. "It's the latest from dad's shop. Ice cream bites, he calls them." Neville's grandfather was Florean Fortescue, of Frotescue's Ice Cream in Diagon and Hogsmeade.

"Oh man, Nev! You're so lucky! Imagine having first dibs on new ice creams all the time!" Harry exclaimed as he popped an ice cream bite into his mouth.

"We don't see him much, but when we do, he makes up for it with delicious treats!" Neville answered with a laugh.

"I'm going to be as big as a house soon, may as well enjoy it." Alice giggled as Sirius wrapped her in his arms.

"Can't wait." He nuzzled her neck and the kids all said "Eww!" Sirius chuckled, "Hey! Hush yous! No commentary. Let me love my witch." Alice gave him a quick peck on his lips and Neville covered his eyes and groaned in horror.

"Gross mum, I don't want to see that." He said it in jest since they all saw him smirking. Afterwards, Lily, Severus and the kids left. They'd had a great day and Lily was happy to had finally forgiven her friend. In the end, he was only following his heart. You really couldn't help who you fell in love with.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" His mother had woken him up on his seventh birthday. "Come on down. Severus made a full English for you and cinnamon rolls!" Lily kissed her son's cheek then left to join her boyfriend and daughter.

"He awake?" Severus asked as he untied the apron from around his waist.

"On his way down. Hey, about last night? I'm sorry." Last night, he had told her that he was going to be living at Hogwarts while teaching there but would come home some weekends and during the holidays. Lily had not taken it well. They'd argued and she had asked if maybe they should just end things before leaving the room in tears. "It was very childish of me. I love you."

Severus kissed the top of her head and hugged her close. "And I love you, Lily. Always."

Harry came down moments later. "Thanks Uncle Sev! Everything smells delicious!" Harry dig into his plate with fervour. "What time is everyone coming over?" He asked in between bites of egg.

"The Malfoy's are dropping Draco off after breakfast then everyone else will be here at two o'clock." Harry smiled and went back to eating and chatting happily to his sister. Lily turned towards Severus with a worried brow. Speaking in hushed tones, she said, "I don't know what's going on with them lately. Narcissa never leaves the house anymore and Lucius is always away 'on business'. He was acting odd at Draco's party last month too and I haven't seen Carina in months. I don't buy that she was staying with relatives for a few weeks in France. They would never let her out of their sights. Draco doesn't mention her either. It's like she's disappeared."

Severus had his theories about Lucius. He either was, as he said, extremely busy with several deals under way or the worst case scenario, he was dealing with dark wizards again. Instead he kept his thoughts to himself, "I'm sure it's nothing my dear. Let's focus on our family."

Lily smiled brightly. She loved when he talked of them as a whole unit. It was never 'your children', it was 'the children.' It brought to mind his question about marriage. "Speaking of which? When are we going to take the next step?"

He raised his eyebrows at her, "I'm ready when you are, although, maybe we should wait a few months? I'll be leaving in a few weeks for Hogwarts. If I'm not mistaken, it takes 37-40 weeks and I'd like to be around." Lily blushed. "Or were you talking of marriage? We can do that as soon as you want." He took her hand and lifted it to place a kiss across her knuckles.

"We can file the paperwork Monday." They locked eyes. "We can do a small ceremony at the ministry then have our family and friends over after." Severus could feel his heart beating out of his chest. His dream of having Lily as his wife and the mother of his children was finally becoming a reality.

"Sounds perfect."

At 10:30am, a house elf named Dobby apparated into the house with a sulking Draco in tow. "Hello Missus. Dobby brings young master. My master and mistress apologises Missus." And he popped back out of the house.

Lily hugged Draco and asked if he was okay. He shrugged. "Let's go find Harry, shall we? Your godfather is out in the yard with him." He smiled a little at that and followed her out to the back garden.

Lily almost screamed when she saw Harry zooming past her with Severus close behind. "Harry James Potter! You slow down!" She bellowed. "Sweet Circe! That boy is going to give me a heart attack!" Draco chuckled then grabbed one of the spare brooms and took off in chase of his best mate and godfather. She watched as Draco disappeared into the air. Something was going on with the Malfoy's and it wasn't good.

Narcissa watched over her daughter. She hadn't woken since the attack on Lucius and Carina several months ago. 'Enchanted asleep' their private healer Daniels said. It was dark magic. It was one of Lucius's former 'associates'. Antonin Dolohov. And unless Lucius supported the cause again, he'd never tell them how to awake their beautiful little girl. No Aurors or he'd kill them. So that's where her husband currently was. In Russia, building up the Dark Lord's followers. Funding the 'cause' and hopefully succeeding.

She loved her husband. She really did, but once their daughter was free from her curse, Narcissa was taking her children and disappearing. The paperwork to dissolve her magical bond with Lucius Malfoy was filed. She only need give the word to her solicitor and it would be severed. Until then, she could not risk anyone finding out.

POP* "Dobby has delivered young master Malfoy to the Potter/Snape home Mistress. Does Mistress needs Dobby? Dobby is at your service Mistress." The young elf stared up at her with his big, green, watery eyes.

"No, thank you Dobby. You are a good elf. Tell me. Was Lily okay? I miss my friend." Narcissa held the creatures hand in hers as she spoke.

"She is concerned for my Mistress. Dobby seened it in Missus eyes." He gulped and added, "Dobby wishes he could save Mistress and young Mistress. Dobby loves his Mistresses and young Master." She smiled sadly at the poor little house elf. He was Lucius's house elf, but he had sworn fealty to Narcissa and the children. He watched over Carina at night, seldom sleeping himself.

"Soon Dobby, we will be free of this nightmare. You are so very dear to me." Dobby sobbed into her dress as she patted his back lightly. "There, there. Why don't you bring me some tea and biscuits? Would you like that?" He loved to serve her and happily popped away then back again to bring the tea.

An owl arrived just then. 'Lucius.' She thought to herself. She opened the letter and dropped to her knees.

My dearest love,

My time is close to the end. I have sworn myself to the Dark Lord service and given so much of our fortune to the cause, so Dolohov has given me the counter-curse.

Libertas ab alto sopore ut vita rursus incipiat

Tonight I will attempt to destroy them all. I do not expect to survive. Change the blood wards to Draco. Have him repeat this chant at the four corners of our property, at the gate, then the front door.

Sanguine meo prote- lare. Intra hos parietes signet. Non alius habitabit. Nemo sine meo consensu transibit.

I am sorry that I was not a stronger man, a better husband and father. My love for you is infinite. Tell our children I died to protect my family. Thank you for the years of happiness.

Forever yours,

Lucius

Narcissa sobbed and called out in pain as she felt the bond between her and Lucius sever. Quickly she righted herself. She grabbed her wand and chanted the counter curse over her daughter. Dobby popped back in with the tea tray and almost dropped it when he saw Carina beginning to awaken. "Mistress! You've dones it! You saved young mistress!" Narcissa had red eyes and her face was wet.

"Dobby! Please get Draco! Bring Severus Snape! Immediately!"

They were just getting ready to go back inside when suddenly the Malfoy elf from earlier popped back in. "Master Draco and Mister Snape must come with Dobby at once. Before Severus could even ask, the elf grabbed them each and disapparated.

"Sev! Draco! Oh! Thank Merlin!" Narcissa grabbed her son. "Quickly! We must set the new blood wards before it is too late!" Draco knew. He knew as soon as she said it. His father was dead, and he, Draco Malfoy, was at seven the new heir of the House Malfoy.

"Lucius?" Narcissa shook her head sadly at her dearest friend. "We must make haste." Narcissa nodded then asked Dobby to keep an eye on Carina. "Quickly, this way." They apparated to the first corner on the North side of the property. "Repeat these words." She handed him the letter from his father but it was folded to only show the blood binding for their home.

Draco looked at the words and read them first in his head then chanted "Sanguine meo prote- lare. Intra hos parietes signet. Non alius habitabit. Nemo sine meo consensu transibit." They repeated this on the East, South, and West side of the property followed by the front gates and finally the front door of the manor.

"By setting the blood wards on our primary home, it will activate at all of the Malfoy properties around the world including Malfoy Enterprises." Narcissa explained then took her son in her arms as she saw his lip quiver.

"Father!" Draco sobbed into her dress. Severus held them both close.

"I've got you. I'll protect you from now on."

Severus sent an owl explaining his disappearance to Lily. She had her hand over her shock mouth. Sirius and Alicia came over. "What is it? What's happened?" Lily couldn't even speak she just handed them the letter from Severus.

Lily,

Lucius has been killed by Antonin Dolohov. He'd been blackmailing him by cursing poor little Carina. He was able to dupe Dolohov and his group of Death Eaters into believing he was on their side and would financially back their efforts to bring back Voldemort.

Once he sent word to Narcissa, he was going to attempt to kill them. Once she felt their bond sever, she knew he was gone and needed Draco to switch the blood wards in order to protect their homes. I will stay here with them until the Aurors arrive to add protection.

I hope you understand, my love. She and Draco are practically my only family aside from you and the children. I will come home soon.

All of my love...Always...

"Fuck. I mean, I couldn't stand the prat but still. He was a good father and a great husband to my dear cousin." Surius tugged Alice closer placing his hand protectively around her growing belly.

"I just cannot believe this. We heard there was some movement in parts of Europe, but no clue that it was to that threat level. I see a lot of paperwork in my future, seeing as they've set me on desk duty until after the baby is born. Poor Narcissa. We'll send word to her that we would be more than happy to have her and the kids stay with us at Grimmauld if needed." Sirius nodded in agreement.

"That would be great. I'm sure she'd all the offer." Lily gave them a small smile. Her mind was reeling. Her friend's husband was murdered; like James. Harry's best friend's father was killed on her son's birthday. Draco would need him even more now.

Narcissa recounted everything that happened from Lucius and Carina's encounter and their daughter's subsequent curse to Lucius's being blackmailed and forced to help with the Desth Eater Uprising and his murder. She'd never been so exhausted in her life. She just wanted to hold her children close.

"Mrs. Malfoy, did your husband tell you anything else about the location of these meetings?" Auror Longbottom asked his brow furrowed with worry for the woman he was questioning. He considered her a friend and she'd just lost her husband.

"Just that it was at a remote castle near Pevek, I believe. Listen Frank, umm, I mean Auror Longbottom, I am exhausted and I just want to be with my children." Frank laid his hand against her shoulder in comfort and cleared everyone out of the manor, staying behind.

"Cissa, do you need anything? Tea? Whiskey?" He helped her onto the loveseat in the parlour. "Anything at all?"

"Could you just hold me, Frankie?" She asked softly. He hadn't heard her use that pet name since they weee kids. He immediately walked over and sat next to her, then he pulled her into a tight hug. She immediately broke into sobs.

"I know it hurts Cissa, but you've got to stay strong for Draco and Carina." He stroked her hair gently and coo'd soothingly. Narcissa looked up and nodded.

Meanwhile, Severus settled Carina into her bed and Draco into his. He told them each a story then bade them good night. He made his way down the parlour where he knew Narcissa would be. He was taken aback when he saw Frank caressing her hair and holding her in his arms. He cleared his throat and they both looked up at him.

"The children are asleep. If I'm no longer needed, I think I will head home." Narcissa made to stand but Severus waved her off. "Sit. Please. I think I just need to see my family. Cissa, if you need me, just fire-call me, okay?" He waved then gave Frank one terse nod and disappeared through the Floo.

"Guess I should head out as well. Seriously. Take a calming draught then lay in bed with Carina and sleep. Do not try to sleep alone, okay?" He kissed her forehead then headed toward the Floo. "Goodnight. My Floo is open if you need anything. Saskia can get me if I'm not around." He called out his address then disappeared into the flames.

Narcissa did as Frank said. As she lay there in the dark, the only sound was her daughter's light snore. She pulled her daughter tight against her and let the sound soothe her into a slumber of her own.

I'm horrible, I know! I'll try to have an update in two or three weeks.