Part Two: The Foundation

The sun shone brightly over the Malfoy estate, and Harry watched in delight as the numerous children of the party scampered across the grass, their laughter chiming through the air as they breathlessly attempted to launch their new kite into the air. "Careful my darlings," Mrs Potter called warmly from his side, patting the back of their infant daughter as she slept in her arms. "We should not wish you to fall and break your heads!"

"Yes Mama," Albus called as his friends giggled and swooped about, in a manner most natural to such small children. "Yes Mrs Weasley," his almost-brother Scorpius called out as well, but both boys had such a mischievous glint in their eyes Harry didn't trust them as far as he could throw them.

It seemed his wife was in agreement, and with a sigh and roll of her eyes, she and baby Molly walked down to meet the two boys and their friends, a placating word sure to be on her lips. Harry smiled to himself and turned his attentions towards the more adult members of the party, soon losing himself in a healthy debate on politics.

Mr and Mrs Malfoy delighted on opening up their grounds annually to the high society of Wiltshire for a lavish sort of picnic, and this year had given them especially delightful weather, resulting in the turn-out being particularly impressive. Despite attending every year, of course, what with the Potter's modest abode residing on the very grounds the party was held, Harry still only knew about half the attendees this year, and he was doing his best to ascertain all the names he could. There were the usual appearances from the Goyles and the Crabbes, the Zabinis and the Parkinsons, and Astoria Malfoy's family the Greengrasses, but they made up barely half the guests.

It pleased Harry that his own wife's family, the Weasleys, were also present, as they were a lively bunch who's status was perhaps not quite as grand as the other families attending, but they were uncommonly kind to Harry as a son-in-law, and it satisfied him greatly that the Malfoys at least had embraced them with kindness and civility.

So much of Harry's life was a mirror of half-truths, a matter of keeping up appearances, that any areas of complete and utter honesty were cherished. So knowing that his brothers-in-law and their wives were truly welcomed, at least by the younger Mr and Mrs Malfoy, meant he could endure the stifling formality and brazen lies the rest of the day sometimes challenged him with.

Such as pretending he was married to Ginevra Potter.

His friendship to her and her family were of course of the highest genuine state. In fact he would go so far as to say he adored them. But the days they had spent as husband and wife could be counted on Harry's fingers and toes, and were only for the sake of guests such as the ones they were entertaining today.

As if on cue, someone came from behind and whispered conspiratorially in his ear. "My darling Harry," Astoria purred. "What have you done with my wife?"

Harry huffed as if he were annoyed, and turn to whisper just as quietly in her ear; "She would not stop talking, so I was forced to drop her down the well. You understand, don't you?"

Astoria's copious blond curls tickled Harry's face and she grinned broader. "Completely," she agreed with a raise of her eyebrows. "I guess it is up to I to rescue the children from that mad red-headed woman attempting to convince them she is their mother?"

Harry feigned concern. "Ah yes, it would not do to lose our heirs to a scoundrel such as that, not after all the hard work we took to make them."

Astoria grimaced good naturedly. "Don't remind me," she said wickedly, then sauntered off to wrangled the Malfoy-Potters with Ginevra.

"Why must you always taunt my wife so," another fresh voice denounced loudly, and Harry could not suppress the mirth that crossed his face upon hearing his most beloved sound: that of the voice of Mr Draco Malfoy.

"You are fully aware that it is always she that starts the teasing," Harry informed him solemnly. "And is a poor loser when I am the one to finish it."

"You have never once closed an argument with Mrs Malfoy," Draco sniffed, pleased with himself. "Harry I have someone who wishes to make your acquaintance. Mr and Mrs Skeeter, may I present my good friend Mr Harry Potter."