Baul was greatly looking forward to this. He had suffered several lessons from his son-in-law on how to use a modern camera just for this moment. Ever since he saw Liatris, he had been eager for the summer break given to the Night Raven students.

This was going to be glorious, and it was made even better when Lilia took one look at their new neighbor and without hesitation took her out drinking.

Melody had given Sebek a head's up about taking the boys in for the night, so there were no issues on that front.

Baul had a fairly good idea of what they were doing, and knew this would make things even more amusing on his end.

Seeing Melody come up with Lilia, looking rather ruffled but overall satisfied, he eagerly got into position. Liatris, sensing mischief, hid himself from casual view.

"Mama!" said Teddy, running up to hug his godmother.

"Did you misbehave?" she said teasingly. Teddy mock pouted.

"They were little angels as always."

It was then that Lilia noticed Baul with a smart phone of all things in his hands. His confusion went up considerably, as Baul hated modern technology.

That was when Sebek's mother promptly scooped up Liatris...and dumped him into Lilia's arms.

"Congratulations, it's a toddler," deadpanned Baul.

Lilia's confusion swiftly turned to complete and utter shock when he registered the child's features. There was no doubt of his parentage.

It was a good thing Melody was so quick, as Lilia actually fainted once it fully registered.

Melody straight up cackled.

In Melody's home...

Silver was staring in shock at the happy toddler who was utterly fascinated with poking the still shell shocked Lilia.

"How long have you known about..." said Lilia, glaring at a smug looking Baul.

"Six or seven months, give or take," he admitted.

"Sebek is an absolute godsend, and the boys adore him like an older cousin of sorts," chirped Melody.

"So let me get this straight...you came here to find me and inform me of my son?" said Lilia.

Melody made a face.

"Actually I primarily left my home country because the people I consider pretty much family felt it necessary to perform a changeling test without informing me. If they reacted like that to a half-fae child, then I didn't want to find out what others would pull. It's bad enough they stigmatize Teddy for being a werewolf's son," she replied.

"What's a changeling test?" asked Silver.

"They gave me a crib with an iron horseshoe permanently affixed to it, and when he kept throwing an absolute fit whenever he went near it, they assumed he was a changeling," said Melody, her voice tight. It was clear she was very unhappy about this subject. "So Molly and Arthur thought it was a brilliant idea to come over under false pretenses with a small piece of iron."

"They what," said Lilia, his voice dangerous.

"Like I said, if the people I consider family are daft enough to pull a stunt like that in my own home, then Morgana only knows what others would do once they suspected Lia's heritage," said Melody. "And what better place for him to learn about how to use his full powers than in Briar Valley?"

"So the fact you settled near Baul's daughter..."

Melody hung her head.

"I blame Potter luck. It's not like you gave me a full name to search, and I was more concerned about getting the boys far from that stupidity until they were old enough to defend themselves than tracking you down."

Lilia sorely wanted a drink, but knew it sadly wouldn't help him at the moment.

Seeing Lia's eyes stare up at him with such innocence almost hurt. It was like looking into a mirror, which he never anticipated.

"Why Liatris?" asked Lilia finally.

"I was reading books on flower language while I was pregnant and it was the only one that I liked. The fact it could be shortened into something of a nickname that was close to the name you gave me was bonus," she said immediately. "And honestly, it's still a far better name than the one my cousin gave his son."

"What name did..." started Silver, who was starting to come to terms that he had a younger adopted brother.

"Scorpius Malfoy," she deadpanned. Lilia choked. "And Teddy's birth mother was named Nymphadora."

"Who in their right mind would give a child a name like Nymphadora?" said Lilia.

Melody couldn't help but laugh.

"She would hex anyone who called her by her name and would only go by her surname," said Melody.

Lilia gave in to the looks Lia was giving him, and picked the child up. He happily snuggled into the older fae's side and looked ready for an overdue nap.

It was strange, having actual progeny. He never thought it would be possible.

This...was going to require some getting used to.

~*~*~*~*~

"A camping trip?" said Lilia.

Melody nodded.

"The boys enjoy it, Baul gets to teach them about nature and proper respect for the natural order, and Sebek gets to spend time with his grandfather," said Melody.

The fact it gave her a chance to let her dragon side out was just bonus really. By this point even Baul had gotten used to 'dragon tents' as the children called it.

Lilia looked more bemused than anything.

"It's been a while since I took the boys camping."

"You can always invite that prince of theirs," she commented. "From what Sebek told me, the poor dear doesn't get invited to much."

"...You want to invite the next king of the Briar Valley...to a camping trip," said Lilia slowly.

"Yes? Does he not like camping? Besides, the boys keep hearing about him from Sebek and are curious as to what he's actually like."

Lilia had to laugh a little at how calmly she suggested such a thing. Melody was a very interesting woman.

"Malleus would likely be thrilled. And you're right, he doesn't get invited to much, though I can't imagine why," said Lilia. "So what sort of provisions should we bring?"

"Don't bother with the tents, we're doing something special. But bring some fishing equipment and any survival gear you like, especially a good knife. Last time Baul and Sebek left with half a deer between them," said Melody cheerfully.

Seeing the intrigued look on his face, Melody went to get her camping case together. She was also going to coordinate a prank on the three newcomers.

Baul stared at the woman.

"You want to what?" he said incredulous.

"I plan to pull Lilia and Silver into the lake when they go to fish," she said cheerfully. "Malleus too, if he joins us."

"You...why?"

"Can you imagine their faces being pulled suddenly into cold lake water with no warning?"

Baul's mouth opened and closed for several seconds... Sebek was already smirking at the wet surprise Silver was about to get. Then her words caught up to him.

"What do you mean, if Lord Malleus joins us?" said Sebek. Baul blinked then looked at her.

"I told Lilia if he ran into this Malleus that he should extend an invitation to join us. From what Sebek told me, he doesn't get invited to much and the boys have been dying to meet him for ages with how much Sebek talks about him."

Baul just looked done. By this point he was well acquainted with her eccentricities. At the same time, he knew she would be good for Lilia.

"Did you tell him about the dragon tent?" asked Teddy.

"And ruin the fun of them finding out the same way they did?" said Melody with a laugh. That got the boys to giggle mischievously. "By the way Baul, thank you for recommending that oil. It's done wonders."

"Of course. It's the same one we use for our scales," said Baul.

To her surprise, and the boy's delight, Malleus did in fact join him. He was very taken aback at how little fear Teddy and Lia had of him. Most children that age avoided him.

"This is your...child?" said Malleus.

"Hi! I'm Lia, and this is my brother Teddy!" said Lia proudly.

"Are you really a dragon?" said Teddy with stars in his eyes. To the utter amazement of Malleus, Teddy's hair flittered between many different colors before settling on teal again.

Malleus looked bemused at the question. To the delight and amazement of the boys, he let out a small breath of fire.

"So cool!" said Teddy.

"Come on boys. We have a bit of walking before we reach camp," said Melody with a laugh.

Malleus seemed more bemused by the stream of never ending questions from the small children.

"So how did your family feel about you moving so far away?" asked Silver, trying to make conversation.

"Let's just get some inevitable awkward questions out of the way. I'm an orphan, parents were murdered before I was even two, had to live with an aunt who absolutely hated magic because she didn't have it herself, and was subtly trained to become a war mage to finish a war that began during my parent's time," said Melody without missing a beat.

Silver winced, as that had made the atmosphere unbelievably awkward.

"Oh and let's not forget the very unwanted fame for surviving what my parent's didn't."

"I'm sorry."

"It's nothing personal, I just get really, really tired of people assuming things of my life because they read some stupid fictional book series that I never saw a bent coin out of based on my supposed childhood."

Once they reached the campsite, Baul went to work making the fire pit as usual. Malleus looked somewhat puzzled.

"Where are the tents?" he asked.

"We're doing dragon tent!" said Teddy excitedly.

"Dragon tent?" said Silver.

"You'll find out later tonight," said Baul. "First we need to get some provisions for dinner."

Sebek stayed behind, mostly to set up the table to prepare the fish. Though he did make sure to get into position for the upcoming prank.

Malleus, Lilia and Silver were at the lake, attempting to catch some fish for dinner. Baul was taking the boys out to create snares to catch a few rabbits and the like.

Melody was in position, having switched to her dragon form. She waited with great glee as Sebek set up the camera and waited.

"I think I got something," said Lilia.

"I do as well," said Silver.

Malleus said nothing, but looked ready to bring the fish out.

There were a few brief tugs...before a sudden yank caught them all off guard.

Three loud splashes were heard at the lake, and Sebek did his best to not laugh too hard.

Lilia was among the first up, sputtering the entire time. Malleus was not much better and had the most puzzled expression on his face.

"What sort of fish was that?" said Silver, baffled.

"I don't know...but I plan to have it for dinner!" said Lilia annoyed.

Sebek quietly hit the stop button, and went back to camp.

As the trio reluctantly returned, trying to catch whatever fish pulled them into the drink, Melody took one look and began cackling.

"What happened? You're all wet!"

"A soon to be fish filet," said Lilia cheerfully.

Melody began to snicker again.

"So what exactly is a dragon tent?" asked Malleus, curious.

"That would be telling. First I think you three need some dry clothes, or a least a warm blanket," said Melody.

She went over to her case, and to the complete disbelief of the three proceeded to go down the stairs.

Lilia looked inside and whistled.

"Is this an expanded case?" he asked.

"Want to come in?" she asked.

"Absolutely!" said Lilia with enthusiasm.

Melody popped her head out briefly.

"You're welcome to join him."

Malleus and Silver went inside the case, following Lilia's lead. Malleus looked very interested in the library.

"Feel free to borrow whatever you like," she said.

While they explored her case, she surreptitiously snuck out...and switched into Meleanor, her dragon form.

Lilia, Silver and Malleus walked out...to find a massive black dragon with a pair of small children crawling all over it.

Baul looked entirely unconcerned, as he calmly stirred the stew she had set up. Sebek was busy bringing some more firewood.

"Is that an actual dragon?" said Lilia slowly.

"Yes," said Baul.

"That explains the furrows and scales on the ground," mused Malleus.

"So the dragon tent?" said Lilia.

Meleanor lifted her wing, and the kids pulled out their sleeping bags.

"As Miss Melody has put it, only an idiot would bother a large sleeping dragon...and that includes magical beasts," said Sebek proudly.

"It's surprisingly comfortable," said Baul.

Melody still found it hilarious that Lilia kept trying to find that fish...right up until she pulled him in again, and started laughing at him in dragon form. Realizing he'd been had, he chuckled a bit at the prank.