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“Just be careful-- ow ! Not so hard, Molly. Be gentle.”
Percy wasn’t originally going to dress up for Halloween. He’d planned on taking the girls around the muggle neighborhood, participating in what they called trick or treating in order to obtain some sweets. But his girls, they really wanted him to dress up too. They begged him to which he eventually gave in and said he would put on some makeup only . Molly wanted to help, of course. Lucy too but she was far too young. He told his oldest she could, which then made his youngest upset but he gave her the job of handing her sister the supplies. To his relief, she stopped crying.
He was seated in a chair with Molly on one beside him. He didn’t know what she was putting on him--or smearing, really. It felt like a cream. And then she took a small brush to put some power around his eyes. He winced when she jabbed him with it. He’d have a bruise no doubt.
As for his daughters, Molly wanted to go as Merlin while Lucy was an adorable little tiger. She’d been making a variety of tiger noises around the flat ever since she got her costume.
“I’m trying, Daddy,” Molly was giggling, which was not a good sign. He grimaced, hoping he didn’t look as bad as he thought it was or that they would run into anyone they knew. That was all he needed. “Auntie Fleur says it takes time to look pretty.”
“Yes, but Daddy doesn’t want to look pretty, remember? You’re supposed to make me look scary,” He reminded her.
“You can look pretty and scary,” She corrected him with more attitude than a six year old should have.
“Of course, dear,” Percy said warily.
“I’m scary!” Lucy declared, doing another tiger impression. Percy feigned a frightened expression, his hand on his chest.
“My goodness, you are scary.”
Lucy giggled. “Silly Daddy.”
“There, all done,” Molly stepped back, apparently satisfied with her work. “You’re all pretty now!”
Percy looked at his reflection in the hallway mirror and oh Godric.
He’d been right about the smearing. There was red...whatever that was all around his mouth. Black powder that mixed with the white cream on the top half of his face. It was a hack job, if he ever saw one.
“Well?” Molly was anxiously anticipating his reaction.
“It’s-” Percy almost didn’t know what to say. “Amazing, darling. You did very well.”
His daughter beamed.
‘And I helped!” Lucy added, not to be left out.
Percy smiled softly at her, picking his youngest up in his arms and kissing her cheek. “You did amazing too, my little tiger.”
Ah well. His girls were happy. One night of looking like a mess was worth it.