Thank you for reading my work, all characters belong to their creators

This story is a Crossover between Harry Potter and Swan Princess

The Duckling Prince

The young savior dashed through the forest, the drunken cries of his uncle echoing after him in the darkness. He tripped and stumbled often, his tears mixing with the blood that seemed to come from everywhere. At first he had thought that it was his Uncle's blood and that was why the man was so upset with him, but he soon realized that it was his own and the reason of his Uncle's rage was that his blood had gotten onto the snow white carpet that was his aunt's pride and joy. Of course the blood on the carpet would also give away what was really happening during the 'Mother and Son nights out' when his uncle 'baby sat' him. He stumbled over a large vine. He could feel the dizzing sensation of the earth giving away under his feet, and he tried to brace his small form for the impact that never came.

Prince Derek sighed as the sound of rain falling echoed all around him. He watched it impassivly, the falling rain meant he would be trapped inside of the castle tomorrow and possibly the day after as well. His mother constantly worried after him, which he supposed was only natural, afterall, his father had died of a cold, though the real killer had been his sensitive immune system. He got down from the window ledge just as he saw a bright flash and heard a faint scream. Naturally he was curious as any other little boy and he quickly jumped at the chance to go on any sort of adventure. Ducking the scattered servants he ran out into the down poor, a few servants following after him along with his mother's advisor. He searched frantically, at first he had only come out to investigate and satisfy his curiousity. Now he felt an almost panicing feeling rise up in his chest, he was overwelmed by the need to find what he was looking for, his body faintly trembled with the knowledge that tonight something vitally important would be taking place.

Harry woke slowly, his blurry green eyes looked around curiously, everything was grey and slightly shapeless. He felt the rain on his face and thought that that might be the reason why, however, as he reached up to touch his face his hand came away and he could see the dark stains on his hand that harolded the addition of blood and water on his face. A form was moving towards him. He shrank away at first, his form was trembling, his body in shock from all that had taken place. He whimpered as he felt a hand on his face. He looke up into the steel blue eyes of another youth, one who was several years older, but still a young man. Tears swam in his own emerald eyes as he clung onto the strong form before him. He felt hesitant arms wrap around him, bringing him close and into the warmth and shelter of the larger body.

Prince Derek looked down at the small form in shock. Never had he seen another child in such a condition… of course he was a prince and had never wanted for anything in his life, but he had played with the servant's children and of course the children from the town that the castle inhabited, and out of all the children from all different stations in life he had never seen one in such a horrid condition. The emeralds looked up at him, almost as if they were searching for something inside of his own eyes, they brightened for a moment and soon his arms were full of the younger and smaller boy. He blushed softly Odette had hugged him a few times, but this was a boy…yet when the small trembling form pressed closer into he knew he could not pull away, and instead pulled the form closer as he picked him up. The servants had been standing around the two boys watching in awe. Lord Rodgers had already run off to inform the Queen. The servants followed behind the form of their young prince as he brought the nameless boy up to his personal rooms laying him in on the large bed and covering the shivering form with multitudes of blankets "Prepare a bath…not too hot though I think." Prince Derek ordered quietly as his mother came into the room.

Queen Uberta paused in the doorway as she took in the sight of her son and the young nameless boy he had rescued. Her normally reserved heart seemed to thaw at the tender look in her son's eye. She silently came into the room and placed a hand on her son's shoulder, suddenly he seemed older to her as he turned and looked at her. She realized what it was, there were shadows in his eyes that hadn't been there hours ago. She alsoe realized he had never seen a child truly in want before. She gave him a grim smile and pulled him into the half hugs that older boys allowed their mothers on occassions. As she did this the younger boy's eyes fluttered open. She was shocked by the vibrancy of those beautiful green eyes. The boy gave a small smile, though it was hard to see through the blood on his face, before he rolled over and continued his sleep. A strange lightning shaped scar came into view, but Uberta did not think now was the time to question old scars but rather to prevent future ones.

Harry woke up the next moring, he was in a different set of clothes, these ones were a little large on him, but were far better fitting than the ones he had arrived in. He also noticed that he was also clean and warm. He touched a timid hand to his head and came in contact to a soft bandage, he felt crashing disappointment, and for a minute tears welled in his eyes. He was startled when a hand tenderly came and wipped them away. "Why are you crying?" A voice asked him. He turned, and saw a faintly blurry shape, one that looked a little older than him with dark brown hair "I thought I was in heaven with my mama and papa, but heaven doesn't hurt." The form was quiet for a moment the hand was still wamr on his cheek and the voice said "No…this isn't heaven, but…I'm glad you're here."

Derek hadn't been able to stop the words spilling from his lips as he reassurred the boy that he was happy he was here. After all he didn't know much about the boy, it had simply been the look in his eyes when he realized that he was still alive that had made Derek desperate to reasurre him that someon on the mortal plane was happy he was still among the living. His inner dilemma earned a repreave when his mother entered the room. She smiled warmly at the boys as she turned her attention to the young form in her son's bed "You gave us quiet a scare last night young man…what on earth were you doing out there so late…and in such weather too! Why I have have a mind to talk to your parents about such disregard…" she trailed off when she saw that instead of her words reassuring the boy he went stark white.

Harry could feel his blood draining from his face as the tall shape before him told him that she was going to tell his parents, though he knew she meant his aunt and uncle, his Uncle had always told him that if his Aunt ever found out about how his Uncle treated him he would kill Harry and possibly his Aunt as well, and while she wasn't the kindest woman he had ever met, he knew that she didn't deserve to be killed by her own husband over her unwanted nefew. Harry shook his head frantically and started to shake as he backed away slowly looking as if he was going to spring from the bed at any moment.

Derek looked at the boy curiously, his reaction confused the young prince, after all why would a child be frightened of their own family? He felt himself become uneasy at the sight of the boy being so terrified and he gave the boy a reassuring squeeze as he murmured "Don't worry…nothing bad's going to happen." Harry looked at him and shook his head. Uberta decided that now was not the right time to push this topic and instead steered it to much clearer waters. "So…tell me young man…what is your name?"

Harry looked at her curiously…no one had EVER asked for his name. "H-Harry M'am" he said softly, afraid that he was going to be scolded for speaking outloud. Uberta instead smiled at him and ran her fingers through his hair reassuringly . "Don't worry young Harry, we'll take good care of you until this whole mess is sorted out." Harry smiled brillently up at her.

Lord Rodgers had been watching the whole scene quietly from the sidelines. His eyes narrowing at the boy's behavior. He was not as sheltered as the Royals. Even the Queen hadn't guessed the reason behind the boy's subdued behavior, she wasn't completely naïve, however she only recognized the signs of neglect and want the boy showed, not the signs of abuse that were clear to the advisors eyes. He shook his head and subtly motioned to the Queen that he wanted to speak to her in private. The Queen was innocent of how the boy was treated, and he was afraid that in her ignorance she would say something or promise something to the young boy that might not be possible.

Uberta saw the motioned and excused herself from the boys. Leaving them to entertain eachother she entered the hallway with her close advisor, the man who had helped her lead her Kingdom ever since the unfortunate death of her husband. She felt hesitation rise in her when she saw the dark look in her councillor's face. He made sure the door was shut before he took a breath to speak. "Queen Uberta…considering the treatment of that boy I don't think it would be wise to contact his relatives." The Queen looked at him in confusion before he leaned forward and murmured "The servants who bathed him reported several scars decorating his back along with his front and arms. Some were fresh from his little escapade out into the storm, however most of them were old, months or years by some of them.

Uberta's eyes widened "Years? But that boy couldn't be older than seven!" Lord Rodgers said nothing but merely nodded his head in agreement, though because of the malnutrition of the child he couldn't help but wonder if he was a few years older than he appeared. Uberta covered her horror with her hand as she sat down in a nearby seat. Never in her own kingdom did she think she would encounter a case of child abuse…she tried to think of who would do such at thing, but nothing came to mind. She couldn't imagine knowing a person who would willingly hurt a child.

Lord Rodgers watched as his Queen absorbed this information before he pressed on "Inquirerers have already been set out through the nearby towns and villages, all children are accounted for, and his description didn't seem familiar to anyone…I don't think he is from around here." Uberta nodded, but held up a hand to signal that she needed a moment to think "Let's let him stay here for a while, we'll help him heal and see if anything comes forward." Lord Rodgers nodded and bowed as he went to inform the servants of their new guest.

"Who's this Odette you keep talking about Derek?" Harry asked quietly, he had been here for several weeks now, and had asked about the large angry red circle that was on Derek's calander. During his stay he and Derek had been inseperatable…however one topic that always came back was the subject of this 'Odette' whom Derek always talked about with scaving anger. Derek said that he and Odette were engaged. Derek was 12 years old to Harry's 9 and had told Harry that Odette came to stay every summer, their parents hoped that by doing this they would strike a match. However all it had done in the end was make the two despise eachother even more then they originally would have.

Derek sighed as he waited at the enterance of the palace, Harry was at Lord Rodger's side a few paces back. His mother had insisted that since they were having visitors that they had to be formal at least for the welcoming. He already missed Harry's calming presence. The quiet way in which Harry spoke always seemed to reassure him. Something he desperately needed especially with the arrival of the odious Odette. The doors opened and as usual the other Royals paraded in. His mother and King Williem immediately welcomed and thanked eachother graciously. While he and Odette gritted their teeth as they welcomed eachother politely already counting down the rest of the days of summer.

Odette could already tell that this summer wasn't going to be any different from the summer before…or the summer before that and the summer before that. Last summer Derek and his little lackey friend had managed to break her arm and sprain her ankle along with other damage by hiding up in their 'Boy's Only' fort. She huffed and turned away, she still hadn't forgiven them for that. It was when she turned that her attention caught on a new figure in the room "Who is he?" she asked.

Harry blushed when the blond girl turned her attention to him. He tried to hide behind Lord Rodger's leg, but he was having none of that and gently urged the young boy forward. Harry stumbled and gave a shy bow "My name is Harry…" he said softly, his voice trembled and he wasn't sure what else he was supposed to say. Feeling overwhelmed by all this formality and stiffness.

Derek scoweled when he realized he had forgotten Harry, he was now regretting the fact that he had pushed for Harry to be in the same room at all, afterall, he had liked it when Harry spent most of his time with him…what if Odette changed that? Just like she had changed everything else. His steel blue eyes watched as Harry shyly bowed to Odette, and he could tell from the lifting of the adult's brows that they were impressed with the hesitant youth's grace. Harry looked up and Derek felt something inside of him warm when the younger boy looked at him for ressurance.

Harry felt far out of his leauge as his accidently drew unwanted attention to himself. His desperate eyes searched for his anchor in this strange new world. Derek. He had always had rotten vision, everytime his Uncle slammed him in the head with something it would further worsen, and after the last fight with his Uncle Harry could make out only fuzzy shapes and bright colors, and that was within 15ft after that it was all a haze. He whimpered and dove into Derek's arms. Wanting to go back to when it was just the two of them playing together in Derek's castle.

Odette had always been of the opinion that Derek was a nasty brute who was uninteterested and unconcerned with anything that didn't have to do with him or his comfort. However after seeing him with this younger boy she couldn't help but revise that opinon. Something about this Harry had changed him, more than their summers together ever had. She smiled softly and inturrupted the private moment between the two as she asked "Shall we go to the gardens?" The adults held a breath to see what Derek's reactions were to be and were surprised when he smiled and said "Sounds delightful, Harry loves the gardens." Harry merely smiled brightly as the adults in the room watched with amazement at the peace the young boy had brought them.

Out in the gardens Derek was watching Harry play with Odette, for some reason with Harry around Odette didn't annoy him as much as she usually did. He wondered if this was because of the fact that Odette was focusing all her attention on Harry or if it was for some other reason all together. He laid back against the soft green grass the summer sun was caressing him with a calm gentleness he had never noticed before now.

Harry shyly watched Derek, or the slightly out of focus form which he knew to be Derek, out of the corner of his eye as Odette tried to talk him into playing dress up. He was amused by the idea, but he wasn't sure if it would end well for him. Know what little he did of Odette he wondered if the escapade might end with him in one of Odette's old dresses. From the impish smile on the young girl's face he knew that he wasn't too far off base with his guess.

Odette of course had noticed the odd tension that seemed to float between the two boys. She smiled down at Little Harry whom she was already coming to view as a little brother and then turned her gaze over to Derek who was watching the clouds pass overhead. She had been wrong, this summer was going to be much different than it had ever been before. She could only hope it would be a change for the good for all involved.

Thank you for reading my work! See you all (hopefully) in the next chapter