Leona felt something small curl up next to him, almost like a little kitten. He was so used to this thanks to Cheka that he didn't bother to wake up.

When he did, he found a small child curled up with his tail firmly in his hands, snoozing peacefully. It took a few seconds to remove his tail from the kid's grip, and he was still snoozing a bit when he sat up.

He woke up pretty quick when Leona started to get up and move.

It took all of two seconds to register that the brat was likely related to the fanged pest who acted as Diasomnia's vice-housewarden.

So he went over to the Equestrian club, tracked down the first Diasomnia student he could find (a silver haired teen who was surprisingly jacked) and promptly dumped the giggling brat on him.

"Tell your vice housewarden to keep better track of his brat."

"Lia, did you escape from your minder?" asked Silver.

Lia giggled like the imp he was.

"Ace and Deuce were really easy to trick! And that cat earred man was really funny!"

Silver sighed.

"Thank you for returning him, Leona-senpai."

"Why is a kid here anyway?"

"Mishap with the travel mirror. His mother is away in the other realm, and his original minder didn't notice he was missing when she took his brother on an herb gathering quest slash camping trip," explained Silver. "He should be gone by Monday at the latest."

Leona snorted.

"Bye, Mr. Lion!" Lia called out.

Silver noticed how Leona's tail flicked, just a bit. He didn't know Leona was partial to small children.

Lia giggled from Silver's hold on him.

Riddle looked at the small child quizzically.

"Who is this?"

"This is Liatris Potter, Miss Melody's son with Lord Lilia," said Sebek calmly. Riddle's eyebrows raised when he realized Sebek's usual tone was much, much calmer and quieter than normal.

Riddle looked to Silver.

"Sebek was their usual babysitter. He learned quickly the children didn't appreciate his usual volume level," explained Silver.

"How did you escape the duo assigned to watch you?" asked Sebek.

"The purple cat man helped!" said Lia cheerfully.

"Purple cat man?" said Silver confused.

"Did he have a lot of odd jewelry and striped fur with a really bushy tail similar to Jack Howl?" asked Riddle. Lia nodded enthusiastically. "Che'nya."

"You rang?"

"GAH! How many times did I tell you not to do that?" said Riddle irate.

"Purple cat man!" said Lia happily.

"Hey little hatchling," said Che'nya cheerfully. He tweaked the toddler's nose with his long fluffy tail. Lia giggled like the imp he was.

"Aren't you from Royal Sword Academy?" said Silver.

"Yup."

Silver stared at him for several seconds, but decided not to say anything. From the way Riddle spoke of long suffering, he suspected this Che'nya had broken into the school multiple times already to the point Riddle had more or less given up trying to stop him. Besides, Lia was pretty good at picking out the bad people and he was giggling like the imp he was around this beastkin.

"Lia, you forgot this earlier," said Sebek.

Lia perked up at the stuffed toy Kalim had been nice enough to give him. He hugged it happily.

"So the hatchling likes stuffed toys, huh?" said Che'nya.

"He carries a stuffed bat everywhere. Miss Melody put numerous protection spells and enchantments on it," said Sebek proudly.

Though that was an extra measure, considering Teddy and Lia also had necklaces they never took off with so many protection spells that it could act as a night light to those who could see magic. Melody was very protective of her boys.

"I wonder if he would enjoy an Unbirthday Party," said Riddle.

Silver blinked.

"As far as I know, Lia's birthday isn't for another month," said Sebek.

"Well that's good. It means we can hold one tomorrow with no complications," said Riddle. "A guest such as this should be sent off with a proper party, wouldn't you agree?"

Lia perked up at that.

"Plus I'm sure Cater would have a lot of fun coordinating an outfit."

Lia looked to Sebek with puppy dog eyes.

"If Lord Lilia allows it."

"Can big brother Mal come too? He said no one ever invites him to anything," asked Lia politely.

Riddle looked to Silver and Sebek.

"He means Lord Malleus," said Sebek.

Riddle smiled, mostly at what a polite child Lia was.

"I don't see why not. His birthday isn't until December as far as I recall."

Malleus looked very surprised at the fact Riddle had no problem with him coming to an Unbirthday Party. He would openly admit, he was rather curious as to what it entailed.

Lilia was already texting Cater on the matter, as manners dictated that Malleus bring something with him. It was only polite after all.

"Cater said avoid anything to do with chestnut tarts. Food and drink will be provided, but Riddle likely wouldn't say no to some rare teas or flower seeds they could add to the gardens," said Lilia.

"There was that one blend grandmother favors, correct?" said Malleus.

"I think we have some in stock. If not, I'm sure Sam could acquire it if need be," said Lilia.

He sent Sebek to look for it, just to be safe. Fortunately, they had an entire bag in stock and acquiring more would be simple enough. He was sure Riddle would appreciate the gesture, as he was quite fond of tea.

"Now we should make sure you're dressed appropriately," said Malleus.

Lia had been mostly borrowing an older dorm uniform that had been scaled down to his size, or sleeping in a spare shirt Malleus had lying around. Lilia had been taking plenty of photos for Melody to coo over that had Lia napping on Malleus like a kitten.

Silver had dutifully taken a picture recently that had Melody almost blowing up Lilia's phone where the father-son duo were dressed almost identically. If Lia spent any more time at Night Raven, Silver was almost certain Lilia would rope him into even more mischief by acting as his miniature doppleganger.

He honestly wouldn't put it past him.

The day of the Unbirthday party, Lia was dressed as a mini Lilia, which Cater was quick to coo about because it was downright adorable as hell.

"Totes adorbs!!!!" said Cater, gleefully taking pictures.

Ace and Deuce made a face when they saw Lia, likely remembering what a menace the toddler was.

Lia was holding Malleus' hand, and when Malleus gave him a nod, he took the bag from Silver and went up to Riddle.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It's only polite to bring a gift when invited to a party," said Lia with all seriousness. Malleus had a pleased look on his face at how well behaved the child was being.

"This is a rare tea blend my grandmother the Queen favors. I thought it would be an appropriate gift to bring," said Malleus calmly.

Riddle looked at the brand name, before a pleased smile crossed his face.

"This is a fine gift, thank you. I've only ever heard of this blend in rumors, as it's exclusively for the high society crowd."

Lia stuck close to Malleus' group, and while the Heartsabyl students were slightly nervous at having Malleus Draconia in attendance, Lia's presence seemed to soften it. The toddler was behaving like a perfect angel, which had Ace and Deuce making a face trying to equate the demon child they had to deal with to this kid.

Cater merely snickered at them both.

Lia became utterly fascinated with the hedgehogs, but was extra careful when permitted to handle them. It made Riddle smile slightly at the sight.

"Would you like to see the rose maze?"

"Can I?" said Lia excitedly.

Riddle held out his hand, assured that Trey would handle things. Malleus gave Lia a slight nod, indicating it was alright for him to explore a bit so long as Riddle was watching him.

It made him smile when Lia came back babbling about the flowers he saw...and frown in slight confusion about the 'purple cat man' who popped up again.

Hearing a slight snicker, Malleus turned to see a feline beastkin with stripped fur...and a Royal Sword Academy uniform appear from out of nowhere.

"Purple Cat Man!" cheered Lia.

"Hello little hatchling. Are you misbehaving?" he teased, flicking his tail lightly against Lia's nose. The child giggled at the feeling.

"Big brother Mal said to be on my best behavior while in another king's territory!" said Lia proudly.

"Oh?"

That was when he felt the presence of an alpha predator. He slowly turned to see Malleus Draconia there, in full Diasomnia uniform.

"I was unaware that a Royal Sword student was a frequent visitor to the Heartsabyl dorm, much less their special parties," commented Malleus.

"He's descended from the Cheshire cat himself, so it's only peripherally allowed," sighed Riddle. "We still have to pretend to chase him off for appearances sake, if nothing else."

Lia perked up at the word 'chase'. Che'nya grinned at the thought of potential mischief.

"Wanna play some tag?" he said. Lia looked to Malleus. He gave a slight nod.

"Stay within range of the party," he warned.

Che'nya didn't disappear like normal. Instead he gave a very light jog, so as to allow the toddler to have a chance to keep up. Lia giggled like a little imp as he began to mock chase Che'nya. It was clear he was enjoying himself immensely.

"You're rather calm about him running around," said Riddle.

"His mother is coming to pick him up tomorrow," said Malleus calmly. He made a note to find out what blend of tea this was, as it was rather good and he knew his grandmother enjoyed her tea time. "And Heartsabyl is rather honorable overall."

"He looks like he's having fun at least," said Cater, snapping a few pics. He'd send them to Lilia later. "Who's idea was it to dress him up as a mini Lilia?"

"It was the closest to formal clothing we could find on short notice, as Lilia commented that he almost never sees the ceremonial robes in your pictures of other Unbirthday parties."

"Good call," said Riddle. "Traditionally the only attire allowed is formal dorm wear, preferably Heartsabyl. And only select food and drink are permitted."

"Lilia made a point to ask Cater what gift would be appropriate beforehand, so as to avoid any social faux pas," admitted Malleus. "He seemed like the safest choice to ask."

He found the party odd, but overall pleasant to attend. Lia was tuckered out by the end of it, but was able to thank Riddle for the invitation properly.

Now they just had to survive Melody's arrival tomorrow morning when she came to pick up her misplaced son.

"May I ask what you are all doing in the middle of the field, during a time when you should be in class?" said Trein with a stern tone.

"We're waiting for Miss Melody to arrive," said Sebek without a second thought.

"Knowing her, she'll be making an entrance," commented Lilia, who was holding Lia in his arms.

"Who?" said Crowley.

"Melody Potter, Liatris' mother," said Malleus calmly. "She said she would be arriving around eleven to retrieve Lia."

Before the teachers could remark on that, the world seemed to collapse in on itself. Whatever was causing it had an immense amount of magical power and was not amused.

"Looks like she's early," commented Lilia. Silver and Sebek were doing their best to remain standing. Fortunately her annoyance wasn't aimed at them.

Shadow fell on the college campus. Everyone went to the nearest window to find the source, only to be stunned silent at what was inbound.

Great black wings blotted out the sun, casting an unnatural amount of shadow over the college. Lia perked up from his father's lap.

"Mama!"

Massive talons settled onto the field, and light was mostly restored. A great beast which was bigger than even the Ramshackle dorm stared down the teachers. It was almost like standing in the presence of the Thorn Fairy in her draconic form.

Smoke poured from it's mouth, and green eyes became laser focused on the child in Lilia's arms.

He calmly walked up to it and asked "Have a nice flight?"

The teachers were slightly unnerved at the casual use of telepathy. They didn't even feel the intrusion.

"Pleasant enough. Has he been behaving?"

"A perfect angel as always," said Lilia. "He even charmed a few of the other dorms and a student from our rival academy."

Lia squirmed as he wanted to see his mother properly.

"Mama!"

He didn't hesitate to scarper up to the great beast, and hug the nearest talon. It was bigger than he was.

"My little hatchling. You have no idea how worried I was when you were so far away from your brother," she cooed.

It was almost humbling seeing such a massive dragon nuzzling a much smaller toddler. She scooped him up and prepared to take off.

"Tell Teddy we'll see him on our next break!" said Lilia. She winked at him, and launched herself into the sky.