Authors note:
Just a teaser here. Will be edited and expanded
Chapter 2
One week earlier
Harry sat by the lake. Watching the breaks and swells from the wind and squid, he felt a sense of calm. Calm was what he needed. He couldn't wrap his mind around what had happened. He gently traced the new scar on his forearm. He'd been in this world for two years now. Two years in a world that he had thought would be his salvation. When Hagrid had ripped him away from his so called family, he had thought everything would be better. He quickly learned that was not the case. He was either beloved or hated for his very existence. He didn't remember what had happen, nor why. All he knew was that his life up to this point was pain. Pain at the hands of those who were supposed to be his protectors and those who wished him harm. He ran his finger along his latest scar once again and sighed. He was not cut out to handle this, especially not alone. Sure he had his friends, but neither of them could truly understand where he was coming from.
Harry was startled by the crunch of footsteps on fall leaves.
"It was my father wasn't it."
Harry glanced behind his shoulder and saw maybe the last person he expected see. He gripped his wand tightly, but couldn't bring himself to move further.
"He opened the Chamber of Secrets, or at least helped it along, didn't he?"
"What do you want me to say Malfoy?"
" Truthfully?" Draco asked with a vulnerability Harry had never seen in his rival.
"Yes, truthfully."
Draco observed Harry for a moment. Harry could see the war being fought behind Draco's eyes. It was the first time that Harry had ever really considered Draco Malfoy as a real person. He knew that look, he knew that what came next would change their dynamic forever.
"I want you to lie. I want you to tell me I've read this situation all-wrong. I want you tell me my Father didn't try to hurt hundreds of other children."
"Other children?" Harry shuddered.
Draco glared back at Harry.
"I think you know what I mean Potter."
Harry relaxed his grip on his wand. In that moment Harry knew that he should have taken Draco's hand when it was offered. He knew that the two of them were more alike than he had ever imagined.
Both lost in their thoughts, they sat there in silence, looking out across the lake.