I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Who raises Delphini Riddle, daughter of Tom Riddle and Bellatrix Lestrange after the war?

"Why are you doing this?"

Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the Man-Who-Won, the Slayer of the Dark Lord, and many other embarrassing hyphenated titles, looked at her. "That's a really good question."

Hermione Granger, thankfully with the only titles of the Brightest Witch of her Age and the far superior Best-Friend-of-the-Boy-Who-Lived, glared at her said best friend. "Please don't tell me you did this half-arsed."

Harry looked mock offended. "Language Miss Granger."

Hermione blushed slightly. "She can't understand me."

"I imagine she might, but come check it out if you think I'm jumping into things without preparing properly."

Hermione sighed and shook her head but followed her friend deeper into the manor townhouse. She peeked into the room that he opened and her eyes opened wide. It was brightly lit and very clean. The walls were painted in warm yellow like sunflowers in the summer. Brand new furniture lined the walls. The room looked picturesque, as if it was lifted from a catalogue. Which it was but that was beside the point.

Harry walked to the bookcase and showed Hermione the numerous books about raising children, from Muggle and Magical authors. "See, I literally took a page out of your book and prepared a mini library in here."

"I am impressed," she said reluctantly. "Still, don't you think this is a rather large responsibility?"

"Not like I'm not used to that," he snorted.

She snorted too. "I mean, yes you are. Still, was there no one else?"

"None," he replied emphatically. "And," he hesitated, "if you listened to the rumors, there were already rumblings of...not being proper with the situation."

Hermione frowned. "Surely you don't believe them. Who would hurt a small child?" She immediately regretted her words as she saw Harry's face twist, as buried memories resurfaced. "Oh no, Harry, I'm so sorry. I forgot...I didn't mean-"

He smiled weakly and gave her a one-armed hug. "It's okay Hermione. Really."

She still felt terrible and her face was deep red. "What does Ginny think of all this?"

He shrugged. "She, well, she didn't want to see me at all so she doesn't really have a say."

Hermione grimaced.

"What do you think about all this?"

"You're asking me for my opinion?"

"Of course."

"Will you really listen?"

"Of course. Though, I'm still going to do it regardless. I always value your opinion. Not to mention," he gestured to the sleeping bundle across his chest, "you know, considering her mother."

Hermione grimaced again, rubbing her neck, rubbing the silver scar left by a silver knife. "It will be difficult. Especially if she grows up to look like her. But...I suppose I can't really blame her the actions of her...lineage."

Harry smiled warmly. "That's what I love about you Hermione. You're very logical and will always do what you think is right,"

She resisted the urge to hit him since he was carrying a baby. "Oh stop." She realized something. "That's how you're doing it, aren't you?" Not blaming her."

He nodded. "I'd be a bad bloke if I blamed a child for what her...lineage did. No hard feelings." He looked down at the sleeping Delphini. "I just want to give her something I never had."

Hermione's heart melted at his expression. "What's that?"

"A chance."

-0-

"Delly!"

Harry heard a giggle and followed the sound. He pretended to scowl as he walked slowly down the hall and into the room with the open door. "I know you're in here!" A pattering of bare feet could be heard but the scamperer could not be seen. He guessed where the sound came from and pounced. His arms wrapped around an invisible form and giggles turned into laughter as he held an invisible wriggling form. "Gotcha!"

"No fair!" a voice squealed.

"You're wearing an invisibility cloak, how is that fair?"

The hood of the cloak fell back and a bright eyed girl with long black hair appeared. "Because it's yours and you said what's yours is mine."

"Can't fault that logic," he replied sourly. "You sound more like your Aunt Hermione every day. Don't you want to open your letter?"

The girl's merriment died swiftly. "No, I don't."

"Don't you want to go to Hogwarts?" Like I did?"

"Can't you teach me magic here?" she begged.

"Hogwarts isn't just about learning magic. It's about having friends and making memories."

"I have friends already. I don't want to leave you. Besides, it's addressed to the wrong person."

"It's addressed to Delphini Riddle."

"I'm Delly Potter. I don't know a Delphini Riddle."

"I do. She's a beautiful little girl who is smart, kind, and very talented."

She preened at his praise it did not last. "I'm scared," she said softly. "What if the others are mean to me? What if they blame me for..."

Harry sat down and cuddled her close in his lap. "That's certainly a possibility," he said slowly. "There's always people that won't be accepting of you for any reason: your blood, your name, the color of your skin. All sorts of awful reasons. But, what do you do when faced with that kind of attitude?"

"Remain as kind as you can and try your best." She buried her face in his neck. "What if I'm in Slytherin like they were?"

Harry smiled, a memory of a small boy wearing an ancient magical hat came to mind. "The hat will place you in the House you will fit best in. That being said, it does account for your opinion."

"Really?" Her voice was hopeful.

"Really. Besides," he kissed her forehead, "no matter what House you're in, you'll be my darling daughter. And I'll love you and be proud of you no matter what."

She hugged him tight. Her words were muffled and indistinct since she buried her face into his neck again. He did not hear the words, but he felt them. And he smiled.