A/N: Thank you soo much for the amazing love you've shown to this fic. It warmed my heart truly! Here is the next chapter for you awesome guys, and I sincerely hope that you like it. I do not won Harry Potter; it solely belongs to J.K. Rowling!

A/N : "Bold and italics is conversation in Parseltongue."

CHAPTER 5

The garden was filled with Lily's giggling and merry voices as she cooed at the peacocks and played with them. Hermione smiled seeing her laughing without a care in the world and enjoying herself whilst chasing the birds. Seeing Lily smile made everything seem worth it—leaving Hogwarts and everything behind, starting a new life altogether. Leaving her parents for the sake of Harriet and her daughter. Hermione regretted nothing. And it wasn't a one-sided thing anyway. She knew how much Harriet had struggled and suffered at the hands of those pathetic Muggles she was forced to call family. She knew how Harriet considered Hermione not as a friend but as a sister. She knew how fiercely protective Harriet was of her and Lily—the only family she'd had. Therefore, all in all, Hermione Granger was content and happy in her life at the moment.

She glanced sideways when she saw Malfoy taking a seat beside her, on the stone bench, with some hesitance. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she couldn't deny that he looked very much handsome— his silky blonde hair styled neatly and his robes looked expensive and perfect too. Whenever his warm grey eyes lashed with hers, she could feel the shiver run down her spine. For a few moments, she wondered, how would those perfectly lickable and ink lips would feel on hers.

As soon as the thought flashed through her mind, Hermione blinked rapidly. Where did that thought come from?

She looked sideways and found him staring at her again, an arrogant smirk on his face as if he knew what was going on in her mind. Hermione's eyes widened, 'He couldn't perform legilimency, could he?'

"You look good," Draco commented, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. He did mean what he said though. She looked really beautiful since the last time he saw her. Or maybe he was too stupid back their time at Hogwarts to realise that Hermione Granger was always this gorgeous.

"Thank you," she replied earnestly. She kept her silence, not knowing what else to speak.

"So, how did all this happen?" he asked. He didn't know the full story behind Potter, her daughter and the Dark Lord.

"Lily got lost in Diagon when she went with Harrie to the bank. Someone in the crowd pushed her away from Harrie. But thankfully, he was there. He helped her. So, she kind of invited him to her party as a thankful gesture. Which is a bit odd."

"It is?" his brow was furrowed at the uncertainty in her voice.

"Lils is a very shy kid. She doesn't talk much to anyone she doesn't know. Yet, they bonded as if she's always known him."

It made sense now. In all these years, Draco has not seen the Dark Lord act so casual and relaxed. Not even in front of his most trusted followers. But the way he'd interacted with the child today, was surprising, to say the least. It was carefree, it was full of love and attention. Even when Lily had screamed after seeing Nagini, he'd seen the protective way Marvolo had held her closer to him, his posture had been stiff and defensive. It was something a father would do for his child. Whether Marvolo knew about it or not, that was the real question.

"Aunt Mione, look!" Lily was running towards the two of them with a flower in her hands.

"Thank you, baby," Hermione smiled silly when Lily handed the flower to her.

"You welcome. Mista Dwaco, you peacocks awe vewy nice and pwetty and cute," Lily squealed in delight. She'd loved playing with the birds.

"You are very welcome, sweetheart. But I'm sure they are not as cute as you," Draco said as he knelt in the grass and in front of her, making the little one blush adorably. Hermione looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Lily," Marvolo's voice broke their staring contest and they immediately looked away from each other. Lily turned her attention to him with Harriet right behind. Hermione and Draco too looked wary as to how the whole Chamber conversation would have gone.

"Yes, Mista Mawolo," Lily replied sweetly as she walked towards him. He instinctively bent and took her in his arms, as if it was the most natural gesture for him. Hermione and Draco shared a look at the action. Harriet stopped right beside Marvolo. She knew she didn't want to piss him any more than he already was, but she wouldn't jeopardize the safety of her daughter either. And she knew, Lily was still scared of the whole Diagon Alley fiasco. If her daughter wasn't comfortable, then Harriet wouldn't visit the bank.

"Well, you wanted to eat that strawberry ice-cream, did you not?" Marvolo asked in a light tone, the anger from before subsided at the moment.

"Yeah!" Lily replied instantly.

"How about we have that ice-cream today? I have some work in the bank, but then we can do whatever you want," Marvolo tried to make a deal with her. He got an opposite reaction from her though when instead of a cheery yes, he got a frightened look from the toddler as she looked at her mum. Harriet moved forward and took Lily, who clung to her mother as if she would vanish any second.

"It's gonna be okay, love. Mama's got you. I won't let anything happen to you ever."

"What if I get lost again?" Lily asked in a slightly fearsome tone. Marvolo's expression changed from confusion to angry at once—angry at himself that he didn't think of it before. Of course, she would be afraid to go to Diagon after what had happened the last time.

"I won't let you alone this time." Harriet's answer was sufficient. She could still read the hesitation in familiar emerald eyes. "How about I tell you a secret?"

Lily nodded quickly. Harriet held up the butterfly locket dangling across Lily's neck and showed it to her, "This is a Portkey. If you do not like it there, then hold it and hiss 'home'. You will get home, and grandpa Moony is there to take care of you."

"Like 'zzzztt, zzzztt'. Like today we got hewe?" Lily asked excitedly, obviously happy to learn about the new piece of magic. Harriet chuckled at the description, "Yeah, like 'zzzztt, zzzztt'."

"But what if you and aunt Mione get lost? You don't have buttewfly locket! How will you come home?" Harriet's heart soared feeling the concern I'm her daughter's voice.

"You don't have to worry at all, baby. Mama and aunt Mione can apparate without the locket too."

"You can?" There it was again, the curious gleam in her eyes. "Will you teach to go zzzztt zzzztt without locket?"

"Of course, baby! Once you get older, then we can teach you everything you'd like to learn. But not before that, it's dangerous." Harriet said as she booped Lily's nose making the little one laugh who had a light scowl on her faceupon the fact that she couldn't learn apparation until she was old enough. Harriet finally turned her attention to the others only to be met with a strange gleam in Marvolo's eyes, one that she could not put a finger onto. She cleared her throat that made him snap out of his thoughts.

"Mista Mawolo, can you also do appa...appawate like mama? The zzzztt zzzztt thing?"

"I can," Marvolo replied with a small smile. Lily looked comfortable and happy, a little bit of excited too, now that Harriet had assured her. It was a bit odd to see her communicate with her daughter. He felt as if he was intruding on their personal space, but nonetheless, he was in awe the way Harriet had handled the situation.

"Yay! Then you can appawate home and we ca watch Fwozen and go to the park and..." Lily started ranting again but was interrupted by her mother.

"Lils, that is okay. But we are getting late, sweetheart," Harriet said before her daughter could make any further plans. She wasn't sure about Marvolo yet. He hadn't been on the best of his behaviour around her, yet with Lily, he was a completely opposite person. And she didn't have the heart to tell her daughter that he was not a nice person. Lily didn't have many friends, she was a very private and shy child, one to always keep to herself. She didn't create much fuss at all when she didn't get what she wanted. She helped others frequently, like how she would always try to help Mrs Farrow, their neighbour, with the groceries and such. The other day she urged Harriet to help the poor starving puppy on the other side of the street and even gave him her own sandwich. Her daughter was innocent, and she had a heart of gold. Harriet could see many similarities between Lily's and her childhood.

So when Harriet saw Lily bonding with Marvolo like that, she knew everything was going to change. There was a glow on her face, she behaved like an actual child with him, all silly and cheerful. She didn't know what Marvolo had done, or what fate had planned for them. She thought maybe it was because of the absence of a father figure in her life, but Harriet wasn't sure. She knew that if Lily wanted him to be her friend, then she would not force them apart. She would maintain her distance from Marvolo and maybe forget whatever history they had for the sake of her child's happiness.

"Sowwy, mama. Let's go."

"We are ready, Lord Slytherin," Harriet spoke in a formal tone without looking at him. Marvolo wanted to say something, anything, just to break this awkward tension between them. But he chose to remain silent. He would apologise to her as soon as he got the chance, but they had more pressing matters to be attended to at the moment.

"My Lord, Lady Potter, I would like to join you too, if that is alright?" Lucius' voice made his presence aware. Behind him, Narcissa stood too with a sullen-looking Snape.

"I have no problem," Harriet replied with a small assuring smile that made Lucius sigh in relief.

"Alright," Marvolo nodded. He did notice though how quite Lily had suddenly gotten after seeing Snape and made a mental note to ask her about it later. He silently moved towards Lily and Harriet, offering her his arm in a silent request. With some hesitation, Harriet clutched his arm tightly with Lily clutching to her like a monkey. In no time, they vanished from Malfoy Manor garden.

Draco, Hermione and Lucius followed their lead and quickly disappeared too.

Marvolo appeared directly in the receiving room of Gringotts instead of Diagon Alley as Harriet expected. At her questioning glance, he simply said, "Figured it would be easier for Lily."

Harriet nodded in a slight thanks.

"Mama, I can walk now," Lily whispered.

"Alright, sweetheart." Harriet put her down and started walking beside Marvolo. There weren't many people in the bank thankfully, but she still was edgy. Back in the day, many people hadn't liked the idea of their hero abandoning them for the sake of her own life. There had been many crude words written about her in the Daily Prophet too, but she couldn't care less. None of them knew the reason of Harriet disappearing with the war almost at its peak, and she was bound to keep that way. Thus, she always used strong Parselmagic glamours on her and Lily whenever they visited Gringotts or Diagon. She wasn't ready for them to know that the former saviour, Harriet Potter, had a daughter.

Marvolo hadn't questioned her either, and simply nodded in approval when he saw her little glamour trick before entering the main hall.

Lily, oblivious of the underlying tension, walked in between them with one of her hands in Harriet's and the other in Marvolo's. She didn't hate the goblins but they were a little scary sometimes. And she was sure that Mister Marvolo would protect her and mama very well.

Marvolo couldn't describe the feeling that rose in his chest at Lily's gesture. He didn't even mind the looks he was receiving from other customers upon the fact that he was walking hand-in-hand with a toddler, and some unknown woman walking beside the great Dark Lord without the slightest hint of fear. One glare from him and everyone scrambled to get their businesses finished as soon as possible.

Soon, they reached the Head Goblin's desk.

"Good afternoon, Griphook. I would like to see my family manager," Marvolo greeted the Goblins' Bank Manager in a perfectly normal voice. The Goblin, however, wasn't able to hide his shock when he saw Lady Potter and her daughter beside him. Morgana, he never thought a day would come when he would see the two enemies standing beside each other as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He did school his expressions, though in a matter of seconds.

"Hi Mista Goblin Siw," Lily waved and greeted the older creature and got a sincere smile in return that actually took Minister Slytherin by surprise. He had thought that Goblins didn't like two-legged wand users after all. Apparently, he'd been wrong in his assumption.

"Hello, Heiress Potter. A pleasure to meet you as always."

"Hello, Griphook. I would also like to meet both my family managers," Harriet told the head Goblin.

"As you wish, my lady." Although he wanted to question their surprise visit, he promptly kept his mouth shut. It was their personal matter, after all. With a slight nod, he went to do what was asked of him. When he came back, they were joined by Lord Malfoy, Heir Malfoy and Miss Granger; the latter of the three also wearing a slight glamour to not be recognised.

"Please follow me." Griphook led them all to his office that was an elaborate dome-shaped chamber, the walls being intricated designed and warded in complex runes. Lily gaped at the large room and starting assaulting Griphook with various questions that he absolutely couldn't refuse to answer.

Not much later they were joined by three other goblins - the Slytherin, Potter and Black families managers. All three wore the same surprised look on their faces.

"How can I be of assistance today, Minister?" Gniald, the Slytherin family manager asked him.

"We would like to get a full inheritance test of Lady and Heiress Potter," Marvolo spoke in a formal tone.

"Very well then. It'll cost 5 galleons each," Gonrud informed as the other two went to prepare everything needed for the test.

"Don't worry about the money. You can charge it from the Potter vault," Harriet replied before Marvolo could say anything. She saw his features turning into an obvious frown at the interruption.

Gniald came back with two thick parchments in hand while Trung held a beautifully carved, runic dagger in his hands.

"Whenever you're ready."

"I'll do it first," Harriet said.

"Make a clean cut with this dagger and let seven drops of your blood fall on this parchment, Lady Potter," Griphook came forward from his seat as he held the parchment out her. Harriet did as she was told, and waited for the result patiently as magic worked on the thick paper and made it glow eerily.

Inheritance Test of Harriet Lillian Potter:

Mother: Lily Mary Potter nee' Evans (Status: deceased)

Father: James Charlus Potter (Status: deceased)

Godfather: Sirius Orion Black (Status: deceased)

Godmother: Alice Elizabeth Longbottom nee' Emrys (Status: deceased)

Titles:

Head to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter (Paternal). Seats - 2

Head to the Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor (Paternal). Seats - 2

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Black (Through Godfather). Seats - 3

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Shafiq. (Maternal). Seat - 1

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Le Flay. (Maternal). Seats - 2

Total seats on Wizengamot: 10

Holdings: Hogwarts 1/4, Potter Manor, Potter Castle, Godric's Hollow, Black Manors, Shafiq Manor, Gryffindor Castle, Le Flay Castle.

Vaults: 7, 15, 336, 587, 992, 1083

Trust vault set by Lily Potter: 03

Abilities: Parseltongue, Animagus (blocked), Legilimency (blocked), Occlumency (blocked), Familiar Bond, Wandless magic (1/3 blocked), Non-verbal magic (1/3 blocked).

Soul Bond: Present (Through Horcrux Link)

Soul Bonded to: Tom Marvolo Riddle (unconsummated)

Harriet read the parchment once, twice and again. Her eyes blinked rapidly as her brain started to run at a thousand miles at what was written in front of her. No...this couldn't be true. It had to be a lie. All of this had to be a lie.

Marvolo watched in confusion and concern when he saw Harriet's hand shaking after reading the result. He saw her eyes meeting his, saw a million emotions running through them - fear, anger, confusion, hurt. He could feel her on the verge of breaking down, in a way that she would never be able to feel whole again, happy again. And for the first time in his life, Marvolo was terrified for someone other than his own self.

He moved swiftly from his seat, taking one beside her and took the parchment from her hands ever so slightly. He read everything, his jaw clenching and mind reeling when his brain finally processed what it all meant.

"Harrie, what's wrong?" Hermione asked when she saw her in such a vulnerable state. Harriet wasn't one to easily break down, especially in front of so many people.

"Gniald, get Lily's inheritance test done too," Marvolo's eyes were blazing furiously. If Lily hadn't been there, he was sure that he would have lost it and everything would have been a mess. He didn't want to scare the child.

"Lils, come here," Harriet prompted her daughter to come and set her onto her lap. Lily looked at her mother then at Marvolo who gave her an encouraging smile when the Goblin held dagger close to her palm.

"I won't let them harm you. I won't let anyone harm you," Marvolo promised her after seeing her hesitate a little. It was a promise he intended to keep at all costs. She nodded, allowing the goblin to make a slight cut on her palm and let the blood flow easily. As soon as the blood dropped on the parchment, it started glowing as bright as Harriet's, and the cut on her palm healed too.

Inheritance test of Lily Hermione Potter:

Mother: Harriet Lillian Potter (Status: Alive)

Father (Biological): Piers Cooper (Status: Alive)

Father (Through soulbond): Tom Marvolo Riddle (Status: Alive)

Godfather: Remus John Lupin (Status: Alive)

Godmother: Hermione Jean Granger (Status: Alive)

Titles:

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Potter (Maternal). Seats - 2

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Gryffindor (Maternal). Seats - 2

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Slytherin (Paternal). Seats - 2

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Ravenclaw (Paternal). Seats - 2

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Peverell (Paternal). Seats - 3

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Gaunt (Paternal). Seat - 1

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Black (Maternal). Seats - 3

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Shafiq. (Maternal). Seat - 1

Heiress to the Ancient and Noble House of Le Flay. (Maternal). Seats - 2

The last three Heirships will be passed on to Lily Hermione Potter eventually, once the current Heiress—Harriet Lillian Potter— gains the Headship of the houses. Also, the titles can only be claimed once the child turns seventeen (according to Wizarding Law)

Total seats on Wizengamot: 18

Holdings: Hogwarts 3/4, Potter Manor, Potter Castle, Godric's Hollow, Black Manors, Shafiq Manor, Gryffindor Castle, Le Flay Castle, Ravenclaw Castle, Slytherin Castle, Slytherin Manor, Peverell Castles, Gaunt Shack.

Vaults: 7, 15, 336, 587, 992, 1083, 338, 543, 919, 717, 18.

Abilities: Parseltongue, Animagus, Legilimency, Occlumency, Familiar Bond, Wandless magic, Non-verbal magic, Astral Projections.

Soul Bond: Absent.

Harriet read the contents of Lily's results. Her heart hammering furiously in her chest. Marvolo was Lily's soul-bonded father. He was the father of her daughter because magic has recognised him as such. Not only that, but he was Harriet's soulmate too.

What was all this? What was happening? Why was everything hidden from her then? Why hadn't Dumbledore told Harriet any of these things because apparently, he'd been her fucking magical guardian? Why such a significant fact of her life had been kept hidden from her? Had everything she'd been know her entire life a lie?

And suddenly, it all clicked. Dumbledore had always wanted to kill Voldemort. He'd claimed that there was no morality left in the moster, nothing that could stop him from causing massacre by killing thousands of innocent people juts for the sake of killing. And if Harriet remembered correctly, Dumbledore had been searching for some valuable artefacts that could lead to Voldemort's death. A image of his blackened hand flashed through her mind when he'd come to pick her up during the start of sixth year.

"He wanted me dead too," Harriet whispered as she came to the realisation. Her eyes widening at the horrific truth that her life could have been had she not left Hogwarts that night.

"What?" Hermione moved forward, taking the piece of parchment from her hand. She read and was equally shocked.

"You're Lily's father." It wasn't a question. It was a fact. Lucius took in a sharp breath as he looked at his Lord for confirmation. Lily who was sitting quietly in her mother's lap spoke up, "Mista Mawolo, awe you my Dada?"

It felt as if the elephant in the room had finally been addressed. Marvolo's eyes snapped at Lily's, he could see the sadness and tears that were threatening to fall. There was a quiver in her voice. He was reminded of the day he'd found her lost in Diagon. She'd been so lost and terrified. But Marvolo didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to tell her. He didn't know how to comfort her. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he never noticed Harriet moving from her seat and taking Lily in her arms quickly.

Without wasting any time, Harriet all but ran out of the room and apparated away, leaving behind a furious Dark Lord at her sudden departure. Hermione gave a side glance to Draco signalling something and went after them.

"My Lord, stop," Lucius grabbed Marvolo from going after Lady Potter. His protective father side making his mind go into a frenzy.

"She is my daughter," Marvolo snarled. "LILY IS MY DAUGHTER!"

"I know, my Lord. But this is neither the right time nor the right place," Lucius reasoned.

"We'll find a solution as soon as we reach home, my Lord," Draco piped in. Marvolo took deep breaths to calm his fucking mind but all he could think about was what had been endured today. He had a child; a beautiful, innocent, sweet little child who'd stolen his heart completely. He was a father and he wasn't even aware of it.

"Why wasn't I informed about the change of status in my Inheritance tests, Gniald?" Marvolo's gaze sorted his family manager's who was obviously frightened seeing his furious client. "Why wasn't I informed that I had a soulmate and a daughter?"

"I did inform you about the status change as soon as I became aware of it, Lord Slytherin. I even sent you official letters regarding it. But you came in the next day and didn't ask anything, so I thought you didn't want to do anything regarding this matter seeing how you and Lady Potter weren't on the best of terms," Gniald responded quickly.

"I never received any such letter," Marvolo's confusion was palpable. If he'd received this information before, he would have gone and sorted everything with Harriet.

"You didn't?"

"Do you think I'm lying?" He sneered at the poor, quivering Goblin. Salazar, Marvolo's anger knew no bounds today.

"When did you send this letter, Gniald?" Lucius questioned.

"The first one was sent as soon as the news of your return from dead surfaced in the Prophet, and the next one when Heiress Potter's birth was officially registered in the Ministry."

"He's telling the truth, Lord Slytherin. No official letter is sent without the sign of Bank Manager and I, myself, handed tose letters to Ragnok who was the manager at that time. I even have copies," Griphook backed Gniald and started searching for the files. Marvolo took the copies in haste and read it. Gniald wasn't lying. He did send him letters, two to be exact. And someone had definitely received them, otherwise, the owls would have come back with them to Gniald.

Who was stealing Marvolo's letter then?

"My Lord?" Draco asked, not liking the silence of the enraged Dark Lord in the least.

"We have a traitor amongst ourselves, Draco," Marvolo's eyes blazed crimson. Someone had been trying to keep Harriet and Lily away from him, someone who was close to Marvolo. Someone Marvolo had trusted.

"We will, my Lord," Lucius' voice held promise to help him at all costs. "But what do we do about Lady and Heiress Potter?"

Well, that was the fucking question. What would Marvolo do now?

A/N: Let me know what you guys think about this one! Reads, followers, favorites and reviews are always appreciated! Good day to all! :)