Disclaimer: I'm just a fan who owns nothing, not even airpods.

25th May, 1985

Prologue:

Draco used his feet to push himself off the ground. He firmly pressed his hands to his lap, resisting the temptation of latching on to the rusted chains of the swing. His tiny nose wrinkled in disgust as he took in the dirty, dilapidated state of the park. The dying rays of the sun threw into relief the dirty brown jungle gym and the few trees with lifeless branches swaying in the breeze.

He hoped his parents would come pick him up soon. On most days, Uncle Severus usually deferred to his godson's eager entreaties to 'play' at potions but today was not one of those days.

His parents had shooed him off to the backyard as soon as they entered the house in Spinner's End. Rather than wait there Draco decided to come to the park.

Not that this is any better, thought Draco snidely. He didn't know why his uncle continued to live among muggles especially after his mother's repeated invitations to stay at Malfoy Manor. He wondered how lovely it would be to see his Uncle Severus everyday without having to visit Spinners end.

A loud cry suddenly startled him out of his musings. Draco jerked on the swing, his hands held fast to the chains as he tried to steady himself.

Four children roughly his age were standing at the entrance to the park. He watched as a stout looking lad stood over the small girl he pushed down a minute ago.

Draco stood up and took a step towards them before he remembered his father's and Uncle Severus's words to stay away from muggles.

He bit his lip and his hands clenched into tiny fists as he watched the three older guys taunt the fallen figure.

He took another step forward. And then another. And soon he was running towards them.

"Leave her alone," he cried as he pumped his little feet as fast as he could. But no sooner than the words left his mouth he stopped and opened his mouth in astonishment as branch lying near the girl flew into the air and hit her bullies right on his nose.

A sickening crunch merged with the frightened cries of the lads as they ran away, following their leader, his hand clutching his bloody nose.

Draco hurried over to the little figure still on the ground. As he neared, she sat up, her chest heaving as she gulped in huge breaths.

"Are you alright?"

The little girl jumped in shock as Draco spoke. Quickly turning around, she stared at Draco while wiping the evidence of tears from her pale pump cheeks.

"Yes, I am quite alright.", she said, her voice quivering.

Draco took in her small face. Her eyes were bright with tears, tear tracks ran down her cheeks, her face was smudged with dirt and eclipsing all was a heavy head of hair. Wisps of hair that seemed to fight each other as they struggled out of the constraints of a loose ponytail.

In an effort to break the awkward silence between them Draco blurted the first thing that came to mind.

"I didn't know other witches lived here".