The Circle of Life
May 2033
The room was filled with harmonious laughter when the curly-haired witch entered, a small smile resting on her face. She would never get tired of the feeling she got when she would step into Nott Manor and her family’s laughter danced through the air. It was a feeling of comfort, of home.
“There she is,” Draco smiled, walking over to his daughter and hugging her tightly.
“Hi dad,” Lyra said, squeezing his tall frame before pulling back and smiling at him. The eldest daughter of the Malfoy family has grown into a beautiful woman over the years. Her soft, honey-colored curls spiraled down her back all the way down to her waist. She was still tiny in stature, but the depth of her chocolate brown eyes mesmerized anyone, just like her mother’s.
“Merlin you get more beautiful every time I see you,” Draco said, wrapping an arm around his shoulders as he led her through the house.
“You just saw me a few hours ago,” Lyra laughed, the sound causing Draco’s smile to widen.
“Still,” he winked. “How has it been at work? Your grandfather tells me and your mother that you are the most ruthless solicitor he has ever encountered.”
“Papa only says that because he enjoys watching me take on the Wizengamot,” Lyra smirked. After she had graduated from Hogwarts, Lyra had trouble deciding which path she wanted to take. She could have followed in her mother’s footsteps and worked at the Ministry or become a healer. Draco had offered to buy her a quidditch team or a spot on a quidditch team according to Blaise. Lyra was different though, she paved her own path with a fire that burned so bright everyone was in awe. She continued her studies, even going to a muggle law school. She became a solicitor, most of her cases having to do with magical creatures or pro bono cases that no one else would take on.
“Where’s that husband of yours hmm?” Draco smirked.
“He will be here shortly,” Lyra said, smiling as she spotted the recent Hogwarts graduates.
“LYRA!” Theodora squealed, rushing over, her blonde curls flowing behind her. The youngest female Malfoy hugged her sister tightly, the smile never leaving her face.
“Oh my baby sister,” Lyra said dramatically hugging her tight. “Stop growing up. I can’t handle it.”
“Lyra,” Theodora laughed and looked up at her. “You came.”
“Of course, I came Thea,” she smiled softly, smoothing her blond curls. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t,” Scorpius chuckled, walking up with Dahlia’s hand clasped in his. “You know that I would be pissed off.”
“Oh Scorpy,” Lyra sighed, mussing his white-blonde hair. “My soon-to-be-famous little brother. What shall I call you when people ask me what it’s like to have a Quidditch player as a brother?”
“That I’ve always been the greatest Quidditch player in the world,” Scorpius smirked.
“Well that’s not true,” Teddy smirked walking up and Theodora’s smile widened. “Hello, kitten.”
“Hi,” she said smiling and wrapping her arms around him.
“Does that ever get weird?” Lyra smirked. “Having similar names? Like… do you exactly mix up your names in bed?”
“Lyra Elizabeth!” Hermione scolded as she walked up.
“I’m just saying,” she laughed and winked as Theodora stuck her tongue out at her.
“What did my wife do now?” Jamie chuckled as he walked up and slipped his arm around Lyra’s waist, kissing the top of her head.
“Lyra was just asking if Theodora and Teddy mixed up each other’s names in bed,” Theo smirked, walking up and kissing Lyra on the cheek.
“His name is Edward,” Theodora grumbled and Teddy kissed the top of her head laughing.
“You know Hermione, I know you loved Good ole Professor Lupin but first you name a kid after him-”
“I named a daughter after you,” Hermione smirked.
“And now said daughter is dating the Professor’s son.” Theo pointed out. “Wait your name is Edward?”
“Of course it is,” Theodora said, scrunching her nose up at her godfather.
“Wait… where the fuck did Teddy come from?” Theo said looking at Draco. “We’ve been calling him by the wrong name his entire life? Why did no one correct us?”
“Ted is short for Edward Uncle Theo,” Thea said laughing. “Edward Remus Lupin.”
“It’s just a phase,” Draco muttered to himself. “Just a phase.”
“Speaking of phases,” Theo chuckled. “Where is that daughter of mine?”
“I think she and Frankie were picking someone up,” Lyra pointed out, leaning into James.
“Lovely,” Theo groaned. Lyra couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her throat. Athena Weasley-Nott may have started out as a quiet, demure little girl but she blossomed into a wildcard at Hogwarts.
“Ah, there they are,” Draco nodded towards the girl, smirking at his best friend’s face. Athena pranced over with Francesca “Frankie” Longbottom, a smile on her face.
“Where’s my baby brother?” Athena asked, immediately kissing Draco and then her father’s cheek.
“He’s around here somewhere,” Theo gestured with his hands. “Frankie, nice to see you again.”
“You too Theo,” she smiled and Athena squeezed her hand.
“What took you two so long hmm?” he asked, an eyebrow raised. Athena just giggled and Frankie blushed.
“We were picking up McLaggen,” Athena said and Hermione immediately choked on her wine.
“Who did you say?” Draco said, eyes wide as he rubbed Hermione’s back.
“Callum McLaggen,” Athena said, nodding towards the blonde getting himself a drink at the bar.
“Salazar’s fucking balls,” Theo groaned. “Whatever happened to that nice boy you were seeing hmm?”
“He was dull. We were bored,” Athena said shrugging her shoulders. “We’re trying Cal on for size.”
“And what a lovely size it is,” Frankie smirked and Athena elbowed her.
“This is it,” Pansy laughed as she walked up with Blaise. “This is karma finally serving justice for all the years of Theo’s bullshit we had to endure.”
“A reckoning,” Blaise said smirking. “My favorite kind.”
“You were supposed to be watching her Lyra!” Theo groaned pointing at her.
“Me?” Lyra laughed.
“Triads are very common,” Frankie pointed out.
“I’m just expressing my curious nature daddy,” Athena said, smiling sweetly at her father. “Didn’t you always tell me to never be ashamed of my feelings?”
“Using my words against me,” Theo nodded. “I don’t know whether to be proud of you or horrified.”
“Proud,” Athena said kissing his cheek before turning to Lyra. “Did you tell them yet?”
“Tell us what?” Hermione asked. Lyra just glared at Athena who snorted.
“Come on Frankie, let’s go make sure no one else sinks their claws into Cal,” she said, taking her girlfriend’s hand and walking away.
“Come on love,” Teddy said, kissing Theodora’s temple. “Let’s go get some food.”
“Ooh then we can go and play a pickup game of Quidditch,” Scorpius said as he and Dahlia followed.
“I’m not playing Quidditch Scorpius Lucius Malfoy,” Dahlia protested and the oldest Malfoy son laughed.
“Everything alright little dragon?” Draco asked, keeping Hermione close to him.
“Of course,” Lyra said chucking as James rubbed her back. “Everything is fine.”
“You may be all grown up and married now but Blaise, your father, and I can still take on anyone that upsets you,” Theo said and Blaise nodded in agreement. It didn’t matter how old she became, Lyra would always be their little dragon.
“Everything is fine I promise,” Lyra said soothing her family. “There is no need to get all worked up. Now go on. Go and find all the little children your harem produced before they think you don’t love them anymore.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Pansy said. “I’m so proud.”
James stayed back with his wife, chucking at the chaos going on around them. Albus was chasing around the little Ravenclaw he had a crush on while his little sister Lily was staring at Luca Zabini with heart eyes. He waited until everyone was far enough away before turning and looking down at his wife. “You can’t keep it from them forever love.”
“Just till later,” Lyra promised, standing on her tiptoes and kissing his jaw. “This party is about the quints and their graduation from Hogwarts.”
“If you say so,” Jamie chuckled and was about to say something when a little one appeared in front of them.
“Lyra,” Leo said panting and looking up at his big sister as he tried to catch his breath. “Did you bring it? Did you bring it?”
“Of course I did,” Lyra chuckled, opening her purse and digging around for the item she was looking for. There was a slight possibility that her bag possibly had an undetectable extension charm on it, not that she would ever admit to it. She triumphantly pulled the potion out and handed it to her youngest sibling. “If you get caught with this, I know nothing. Deal?”
“Deal!” Leo laughed and hugged her before running off in search of the youngest Weasley- Nott, Scarlett.
“Your brother and his fearlessness frighten me,” James laughed.
“This coming from a Gryffindor,” Lyra scoffed.
“Just remember that the Slytherin princess married this Gryffindor,” Jamie smirked proudly.
“Oh I’m very well aware,” Lyra replied, kissing him gently. The relationship between Lyra and James was not something that had shocked anyone. What had been surprising was how long it had taken for the two to figure out that they were meant to be together. When they finally gave in though, it was like everything had clicked into place. James was an Auror in the DMLE and as soon as he was done with his training and Lyra was finished with law school the two had married. Draco and Harry had grumbled the entire time, not that either would admit it. They both saw how happy their children were.
“Stop being gross and come and join the party,” Arthur Weasley- Nott said walking past them laughing.
James and Lyra joined the party, celebrating the graduates with the rest of their family. When the party died down and the young ones were out of the house at other graduation parties, Lyra found herself helping with the clean-up. She was stalling, she knew that, but she was waiting for the crowd to thin out a bit more.
“Little star,” Lucius chuckled as he walked over to her with Narcissa, prying her away from the cleanup. “Your grandmother and I will be retiring now. We wanted to make sure that we said our goodbyes to you.”
“Of course,” Lyra said, hugging them both tightly. “Jamie and I will be there for lunch tomorrow, I promise.”
“I know sweetheart,” Narcissa smiled, resting her delicate hand on her grandaughter’s cheek. “You have nothing to worry about.”
“What do you mean?” Lyra asked, playing naive.
“My little star is smarter than that,” Lucius smirked. “Your secret is safe with us darling. We will see you tomorrow.”
She watched as they left through the floo, taking a deep breath. With a flick of her hand, she sent the remaining presents to their respective piles and took a deep breath. It was time. She walked towards the library where she knew they all would be. James met her halfway, taking her hand and kissing her wrist. “It will all be fine love, I promise.”
As they walked into the library, Lyra couldn’t help but smile at the sight she saw. Her mother and father were dancing away to the record player. Theo’s head was against Charlie’s chest, who was running his fingers through her Uncle’s hair while Blaise and Pansy were cuddled together drinking and whispering to each other.
“Ah, little love!” Theo shouted, clearly a bit inebriated, eliciting a laugh from Charlie. “You’re still here!”
“I am,” Lyra chuckled walking into the room with James. “I was hoping I could talk to you, all of you for a moment.”
The music immediately stopped and everyone’s attention was on her. James couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips. They were always so dramatic when it came to Lyra, no matter what it was that was going on.
“What did James do?” Theo said narrowing his eyes at the Potter in the room. “I’ll wring his little neck, I swear it.”
“He didn’t do anything Uncle Theo,” Lyra chuckled. “Well… I mean he didn’t do anything to hurt me.”
“I told you,” Draco said, glaring as he and Hermione walked over. “I told you what would happen if I found out you did anything to my little dragon.”
“I swear,” James chuckled holding up his hands. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Oh everyone please calm down,” Lyra groaned, running her fingers through her hair. “Dad, mum sit down.”
“So bossy,” Blaise chuckled. “Just like your mum.”
“And proud of it,” Lyra smiled. She waited until her parents were sitting, curled up in the armchair together before she continued. “Alright well…”
“Lyra sweetheart please do get on with it,” Pansy smirked. “I’d rather not see what happens when your father’s brain finally implodes.”
“Haha, Pansy, very funny,” Draco said rolling his eyes.
“Go on Lyra,” Hermione said sweetly. “You can tell us anything.”
“Well,” Lyra laughed, looking over at Jamie before looking back at her family. “Jamie… we… I…”
“Lyra,” Jamie chuckled. “Use your words love.”
“I’m pregnant,” Lyra said softly, eyes widening around the room. “Jamie and I are having a baby.”
“Here we go again,” Blaise murmured as Theo gasped and Draco’s eyes went wide.
“You three wizards…”
“Hey!” Pansy shouted.
“And two witches,” Lyra said laughing with tears in her eyes. “Are going to have a grandbaby.”