Fighting the Darkness

A rusty sign that read 'Spinners End" swung loosely as the wind brushed around it, a small black haired boy rested against the pole. His sharp features were bruised and his black clothes were frayed. He reached out slowly to touch his cheekbone; he winced at the touch then used his tattered sleeve to brush the trace of blood away. He then reached out to touch his leg, but was disturbed by drunken shouting.

"Y...you... Bloody...Bloody... child ... You fucking ... fucking ... come get back 'ere ... n ... now" the voice yelled.

The boys eyes widened at the sound of the voice and began to run, he clutched his leg as he tried to run faster.

The voice was getting further away now as he approached his destination after what felt like a life time of running.

He panted as he grabbed a small rock and aimed it at the nearest window. The moon shone over the little house and its neatly arranged garden.

The curtain moved slightly and then a small head peeked around and smiled as the figure took notice of the small boy waiting patiently in the garden.

The head suddenly vanished and then just a few seconds later the front door of the house flung open.

"Severus!" the little girl cried out happily. She bounded forward and hugged him tight.

"Oh no...Not again Sev" she said sadly as she gently touched the mark across his face.

"It's nothing..." Severus whispered pushing the girls arm away"

"Sure it's nothing Sev. That's why you're always knocking on my door every time your father decides to beat you up." She said tilting her head sympathetically.

The boy simply looked at the cobbled ground and said nothing.

"You best come inside then" she smiled taking his hand and pulling him into the house.

A slightly taller figure blocked the door.

"He's here, again?" the girl snapped.

"Don't be so mean Petunia" the smaller girl scowled

"I don't want him and his germs in this house Lily. I've told you before" Petunia scowled.

"Don't listen to her" she said looking at Severus.

He glared at the older of the two siblings from under his thick mop of black hair.

"Look at him Lily! He's repulsive" Petunia squirmed looking him up and down.

"You don't understand him! You don't know what he goes through" Lily said defensively.

"Lily stop defending-"Petunia began but got interrupted by the sudden movement of a vase smashing into the side of Petunia.

"What the-"Lily stuttered her jaw nearly touching the floor at the sight of Petunia suddenly on the floor with broken glass around her.

Lily gawped at Severus with a curious look in her bright brown eyes.

Severus had no intention of helping the older fourteen year old girl up from the floor.

"I-I don't understand" Lily stammered "no one even touched the vase"

She reached down to help Petunia up when suddenly a flash of white appeared from behind them.

Lily and Severus shot round.

There before them stood a man wearing silvery robes, and a magical glint in his eyes.

He smiled at the two confused children before him and smiled.