A chapter full of fluff, to make up in case you cried after Jim's POV XD

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Four children were huddled together as they sat on the wooden deck, their feet dangling from the platform, swinging and soaking in the warm pool water. The eldest of them was wiggling both his hands making different shapes, watching the finger shadow taking the shape of a horse that was running after another finger shadow rabbit, emitting soft neighing sounds, before suddenly a third finger shadow of a bird attacked from behind and pecked his tail. Viktor let out an annoyed sound, before the shadow horse snapped at the bird, making the shadow bird fly away with twittering, and landed on the trunk of a fourth finger shadow, this time, an elephant. Neville happily emitted a fake trumpet sound, before the shadow elephant raised both front legs, trying to play with the bird, and caught it with its trunk. Hadrianus made a small displeased sound and made his finger shadow bird fly away as Luna giggled, her rabbit raising his paw to reach towards the bird. The bird twittered and landed next to the rabbit, playing with it as the horse neighed and danced with the elephant next to them.

"Come on everyone, it's lunchtime!" Veronica Krum announced as she approached the giggling children, who perked up at the mention of food and cheered, jumping on their feet, before dashing towards the beach cottage house behind them. Her eyes fell on his retreating back of Viktor and she smiled, she had never seen her son relaxing in the presence of other children and behaving like a child of his age. Being born to a Noble and politically important family, Viktor was rather a lonely child for security purposes, not liking anyone as they would try to befriend him or charm him for their own gains, or try to harm him to get back at the Krum family Lord.

But ever since Viktor met Adrian, he smiled more and a bit brighter, laughed a little louder. Of course, the Heir to four Noble houses would have no excuse to use Viktor to gain favor from Lord Krum, and it was obvious the child has no mean bone in his body to hurt anyone. This is why Viktor was eager to meet Adrian's other friends, knowing they probably would be the same as him, eager, caring, and accepting.

Though Veronica wholeheartedly approves of the new brooming friendships, she doesn't appreciate how her Brother-In-Law and the newly appointed Bulgarian Minister of Magic, Lord Oblanski Krum's intention behind this introduction. On this matter, she agreed with Nagini. Let the children enjoy their life without the heavy burden of stupid and unrealistic expectations from their family Lord. She was honestly delighted to have a similar mindset in Nagini Slytherin, the legendary wife of The Dark Lord!

Shaking her head, she followed the running children towards the private Beach Cottage House on Black Islands, apparently Lady Black is an old acquaintance of The Dark Lord, and so, He accepted the offer of spending the weeklong vacation in one of their homes with family and friends.

When she heard they would be spending time in one of the Black ancestry houses, Veronica was honestly uncertain and wary. She had traveled to many countries of Europe for her profession, and the Black insanity was rather infamous for most of the part of Europe. However, when they reached the house, it was rather a relief to see the house didnt match up with their reputation.

The house was decorated beautifully and elegantly in modern style, The floor-to-ceiling windows ensure one can take in the setting and the contemporary style with social spaces to ensure they do not end up in each other's personal spaces. The inside was with a comfortable and huge sofa, coastal-chic bedroom, and light beige wood-floored rustic dining hall. It was surrounded by a large private garden, swimming pool, and several wooden beach chairs with a huge umbrella that offers a delightful spot for enjoying a morning cup of coffee or evening drink as they take in the view or watch over the kids as they swim and play in the pool or run the garden. Not to mention all the safety charms that were placed around the beach, so even if the children somehow slipped from the adults' view and ran towards the sea, unsupervised, the adults would immediately know. Also, the impish children would not be able to go further than soaking their legs in mid-shin length in the warm seawater.

There was nothing harmful in the house, to Veronica's immense solace. One would have thought it belonged to some ordinary wizarding family, but Veronica has detected several lingering effects of Dark Arts here and there as if someone had left a cursed item for several decades, and it had only been removed recently. Being the Charm Mistress, Veronica herself had examined the temporary safety charms and wards around the room and was more than pleased with the ingenious wards. She has a feeling that The Dark Lord has investigated the house Himself and removed anything harmful, and supervised as they placed the charm before letting His son come near the house. She was surprised to find Him so protective of His son, as she was lead to believe The Dark Lord was cruel, ruthless, and uncaring of children, whereas in reality, according to Nagini, "He is six feet ten-inch cuddly teddy bear to our son, and he intends to keep the image as long as he can."

It indeed warms her heart to see The Dark Lord looking after His son and making sure he was as safe as one could be. Veronica was able to put her guard down and enjoy the vacation she deserved, well, as much as she could with four rowdy and mischievous children, a drop-dead gorgeous Asian siren with long sooty eyelashes and instincts of a mama bear, and occasionally the incredibly and devilishly handsome-looking Dark Lord around. She couldn't believe it was already the third day of their vacation. The children were having a blast, she can tell. Their days were full of fun and productive activities, all planned by Nagini. She has the seven-day plan for them and Veronica had been surprised when she heard her detailing them over the drinks on the first night here, after the children were put to sleep. Lady Longbottom, grandmother of the delightful little friend of Heir Slytherin Peverell had joined them on the first night as well, even though, just like Lord Slytherin Peverell, she couldn't join for the whole vacation, as Hogwarts Ward was going through some serious up-gradation.

"You have arranged so many things for the children," Veronica had said with a laugh, "It was as if you wished for them to tire out every single night!"

Nagini had smirked at her, swirling the last olive in her glass half full of martini. "Children should be kept busy with such activities, or else they tend to stir up trouble. My son, particularly. I can't even tell you how much trouble he can cause if he is left on his own device, unsupervised. He alone would drive everyone up the wall. Besides, activities like scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, learning hopscotch, collecting shells, and making crafts and seaside scrapbooks are productive, it not only orients their fine motor skills and helps build creativity but also familiarize their brain to solve puzzles. Gillyweed diving was actually my son's godfather's idea and we agreed, as it would help them learn swimming and study the underwater flora and fauna."

"I agree with you, Nagini." Lady Longbottom had raised her scotch to toast her plan.

Veronica had been impressed. It wouldn't have come to her mind to use such an unorthodox method during their vacation to make sure her son learns some new skills, she was more of a traditional witch who follows the footsteps of her parents and did not bring new ideas. Then again, this is probably why Nagini is the perfect match for The Dark Lord, being so revolutionary and full of fresh ideas, unique in mindset, protective, ever attentive, like right at the moment, where they both were drinking wine and monitoring the children carefully. Today, Lord and Lady Malfoy had also come and joined for lunch, as Lady Malfoy's Healing expertise was needed. After the introduction, the children gathered in front of the delicious mouth-watering buffet with fresh shrimp, squid, clams, crabs, and lobster, and eagerly loaded everything on their plates.

Hadrianus put the empty clam shell down, chewing the briny-smelling seasoned meaty firm texture and enjoying the nice, salty, and fishy taste. The saltiness is more of a saltwater-y kind of way. As he gulped it and reached for more clams, he noticed his parents and Aunt Cissa watching him like a hawk. Hadrianus blinked, slowly chewing more clams as he looked between his parents, Aunt Cissa, Lord Malfoy, and his friends, wondering what was going on. Luna had a knowing look on her face as she glanced at him while teaching a skittish Neville how to pick apart the lobster shell and claws expertly with a fork and knife, Viktor watching her appreciatively as he ate the squid. Draco was sitting in the middle of Lord and Lady Malfoy, glaring at his plate as he ate silently and sulkily, not meeting anyones eye.

After several minutes passed and the children were finished with their lunch, the adults seemed to look at each other and nod, then deflated in relief, making Hadrianus blink, "Uh."

"I am highly allergic to seafood," His father then explained, "If you were going to swell up and go into anaphylactic shock from ingesting them, I would prefer it to be in front of us and a certified Healer, where we would be ready with the medication."

"Oh." His father was allergic to seafood? Hadrianus didn't know! Is this why they were having seafood for the first time on the third day of their vacation, because Aunt Cissa would be able to come only today? At least he could eat the tasty and yummy seafood more, even though his father couldn't! Maybe next time he would even share the taste via father's cake so father wouldn't miss them out? Is that even possible? Hadrianus was now excited, wanting to experiment with it.

"Yes. Now shoo, go find trouble with your friends."

Hadrianus giggled and jumped from the chair, before dashing outside with his friends hot on heels.

"Draco, if our Lordship permits, you can go play outside if you want." Lord Malfoy asked, before looking back at The Dark Lord, "Does he have the permission to play with other children, My Lord?" He was a bit desperate for his son to be in the good book of The Dark Prince, Nott's smug look while describing how his Heir was welcomed at Slytherin Castle anytime to play with The Dark Prince and share tutors was becoming infuriating. He had foregone all subtlety and explained in detail the gravity of the situation that he caused with his unappreciative mouth.

"Very well, he may. However, let your spawn know that my son has permission to defend himself and his friends in case something... unsavory initiates and interrupts his well-deserved vacation." Leaving Malfoy junior with his son and Neville would be a recipe for disaster, and Marvolo hoped they knew their son was walking on very thin ice. He had already lost his temper with the boy once.

"So does my son, My Lord." Veronica felt compelled to offer, "Not to brag about my son or anything, but Viktor would surely defend his friends, in case anything happens. He had scored top of his class in Durmstrung this year."

"I will keep an eye on him too, My Lord." Narcissa bowed, and stood, following Lady Slytherin and Mrs. Krum outside. Draco followed her nervously, aware of the intense glare from a pair of crimson eyes burrowing a hole in his back.

"You know what we can do, now?" Hadrianus asked as they reached their usual playground near the garden.

"What?" Neville asked suspiciously as both Hadrianus, Luna, and Viktor turned to look at him. Their identical mischievous grin looked rather disturbing and troublesome, and Neville knew it wouldn't bode well with him. It never does!

Neville had never personally gone to a beach before because he'd always wondered about what would happen if he went. Every time he went somewhere nice in his childhood, his Uncle Algie ruined the experience by trying to kill him so his magic would act up. So Neville no longer willingly went to places in case his uncle popped up and hurt him again.

But Algie wasn't here this time, meaning Neville could try something new and not fear death while doing it! And there was a high possibility that he would actually have fun too!

However, for the last three days, anytime they were free, Adrian and Viktor had been trying to teach Neville how to fly, using the Bluebottle broomstick Uncle Marvolo had brought for Adrian. It was not as fast as a racing broom people use for Quidditch, and full of safety features as it is a family broom for traveling, which was why Uncle Marvolo brought this one, instead of the most recent Comet two sixty! The fact he is allowing a Broomstick is still a surprise to them.

Neville never made it fly past three feet, even with Luna, Viktor, and Adrian's encouragement. Thankfully, they had been on the beach so even when Neville fell, he landed on soft sands, properly cushioned. Neville didnt think he would ever love flying. It was too bloody terrifying, and reminded him of Uncle Algie whenever he flew a bit higher. So he was skeptical when they turned their grin on him, wondering if they were planning another flying session. But when he looked back at the unholy grins on their face, he realized it wasnt another flying session, but something worse.

"The Floor's lava!" Hadrianus, Luna, and Viktor screamed together and immediately all the children scrambled to climb on the nearest flat surface. Neville yelped, looking around wildly for a raised flat surface that was not ground or pool. They would call for it at the most random time, and the last one to find a flat surface would become a scapegoat for others' demands. Neville had already lost like four times in the last two days, he doesn't want to lose anymore.

Hadrianus immediately jumped up, grabbing a low branch of the tree behind him, and hanging on it for his dear life before pulling himself up, swinging his leg towards the other side, and climbing on it. Luna closely followed his suit and chose to climb on the other branch of the tree. Viktor scrambled to run and jumped on the bench that was nearby. Neville, being the disaster boy he was, decided to hop on top of the nearest railing beside him, then, unable to control his momentum, fall right into the pool.

Neville yelped and splashed and flailed his arm, before finding his footing and dragging himself upward. Thankfully, the safety ward of the pool was activated the moment Neville touched the railing, making sure it was only two and a half feet deep so they do not drown and an automatically generated bubblehead charm encircled Neville's head.

So Neville quickly resurfaced, redfaced and splattering. His fear of falling into the pool was negated when he found his footing and was able to breathe, so the panic attack didn't come. While Neville heaved and breathed to calm his heart, there were a few seconds of stunned silence.

"Alright there, Squirt?" The familiar thick accented hesitant voice asked. Neville just realized that he again managed to fail the game and covered his face in his face hands and groaned in sheer embarrassment, which was probably what was needed for his friends to burst out laughing. Luna was giggling so hard that Hadrianus had to reach out and grab her arm from slipping out and falling off the tree.

"What is going on here?" A familiar calm voice asked, laced with slight amusement, and the children yelped, and together, as if they shared a single brain cell, all four of them pointed at Draco that just came out of the cottage house, "He did it."

"What!? No, I didn't!" Draco shouted, panicked as he looked around, not knowing what he did and afraid that The Dark Lord would pop up and Crucio him again.

"Did he now?" Nagini asked, amused, and the children nodded vigorously over Heir Malfoy's protestation, even a thoroughly wet Neville who was standing inside the pool.

Nagini sighed, rolling her eyes, and approached Neville, offering him a hand to pull him out of the pool and spelled him dry, before passing a towel and canceling the bubblehead charm, "Alright, children, we're going to the shore. There, I have a new task for you. Now, come to me."

At the mention of a new task, the children cheered and quickly gathered around her as she summoned her bag. From the bag, she pulled out several wide brim beach hats, and tubes full of sunscreen potions. At the sight of the hats and potion and the mention of the shore, they perked up. All five children and adults accepted the potions and applied them to their skin, and then put on their hats.

After they were done, Nagini opened the gate of their house, and all of them went to the shore. Veronica double-checked the safety wards and then went to sit on one of the wooden benches, enjoying the warm breeze. A thermal cooler full of drinks and glasses appeared on the small table between them, and Narcissa volunteered to make drinks for them as Nagini addressed the children.

"There is a new task for you. You all are going to make seashell crafts. I have brought a small craft box for you to help you with the task, you will find beads, strings, spellotape, clay mold, oil painting, and many other things in there. You must, of course, help each other and trade ideas, but, no one shall sabotage or steal anyone's work." Nagini stressed the part, pointedly looking at all of them, and they nodded. Nagini narrowed her eyes minutely towards Draco, letting him know she would keep an eye on them, before explaining again, "If you have any questions, you can consult the craft books that Lord Crouch had brought. You can also select what charms you want to be in it, and ask Aunt Veronica to put them for you. I am sure you all will create the most unique craft, but only if you help each other. Go. You can make more than one if you want." She conjured five small bags for the children to collect shells.

The children took the craft box and immediately raced back to the shore, except Draco who looked torn in between decisions, before looking back at his mother. Narcissa nodded at the others, silently encouraging him to join them and Draco sighed, before looking for some sea shells. He doesn't understand why they have to do this, it's not like they're poor or something, with some money they can buy the best sea shell decoration in the world!

After searching and finding different seashells, barnacles, horseshoe crabs, starfishes, and brachiopods, they made their way to the huge blanket under an umbrella and poured their treasure in one corner. After discussing a bit, Luna and Neville agreed to sort out all their collection, while Hadrianus pulled the craft box to go through and to see what is in there, and Viktor grabbed the book for some ideas. Draco looked bored, sneering at them and the stuff they brought, declaring he doesn't want to get his hands dirty for some subpar crafts when he can buy a good ones from stores.

"Suit yourself!" Hadrianus shrugged and dismissed him, turning to the craft box and starting to make note of everything they have in it. "How about a wall decoration? Or a card? Or, maybe, a good luck charm bracelet?"

"A matching good luck charm bracelet, for all of us!" Luna immediately voted at the same time Neville said, "Wall decoration."

Viktor grinned and put the open craft book in front of them, "How about, all of them? Look at all these decorations, I want to make all of them! But I