Matthew laughed, too, at the mention of his wards-- for peacetime? Since when had the wizarding world become peaceful? Matthew was certain that it would never be again, quite honestly-- not with Voldemort in charge of things! That man would continue to use his followers' blood-lust in order to exert CONTROL, to terrify the wizarding populace, and to keep those bloodthirsty followers coming back for more. No, it was not a time of peace, not at all...!
Of course, Matthew realised that Stephen must have been living like a Muggle to avoid scrutiny, and thus knew nothing of the current state of the wizarding world. A Muggle, with a WAND! How utterly ridiculous was that notion? Matthew had to shake himself of such thoughts...
As Stephen's next words, and his laughter, brought Matthew, conversely, even CLOSER to tears. "Do you mean-- this?" He gestured at his forlorn face. "Stephen, my BABY SISTER is DEAD! The little girl I helped to raise up -- she's GONE...!" And with that, he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to fight back the tears welling up, now.