Chapter One: To Change the Winds

~FIVE YEARS LATER~

"Severus, I think it's about time you took Harry with you into the human world. He needs to experience the differences between the two worlds early, so he will be used to them later in life. I have the feeling he will need it." Zephyr said, leaning back against the doorway as Severus left after one of his usual visits. The Hogwarts Potions Master turned and looked thoughtfully at his brother.

"Well, he is six, after all. And perhaps if we were to take Arnea with us..." He trailed off, nodding slightly.

"That is a brilliant plan. How about the next time you come, you take them back with you for a few days."

"Well, I might have a few 'meetings' to go to, but I'm sure they can accompany me. I think it would be alright."

"Good." Was all his brother managed to say, before he was swamped by a group of chattering lords. Severus smiled and turned away, knowing he wouldn't get another chance to talk to his brother that day.

Two days later, Harry and the now five year-old Arnea found themselves following their uncle excitedly as he led them out of the forest and into the mortal world. For a moment, the two children blinked and then blinked again as their eyes met the first sightings of the human domain.

"They have houses like us." Arnea said quietly, looking around. Harry cocked his head to the side.

"The houses look funny. And they wear funny clothes." The boy muttered, looking down at himself. Instead of his normal short-sleeved shirt and shorts, he was wearing a bright red T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans that his uncle had brought him. Arnea was wearing a purple dress, with puffy sleeves and a skirt that reached to her knees. Both of them had been forced to wear human shoes, something they were not used to, and both looked highly uncomfortable.

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it." Severus laughed, leading them towards the town.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked in the slow, clear speech of a six year- old.

"To Hogwarts where I teach. We'll be staying there for the next few days." He informed them. Harry's forehead wrinkled in concentration as he thought.

"That's where you went to school." He said finally.

"Yes, and perhaps someday you will attend here, too."

"No. Daddy says I will go to a better school." The young boy informed him, peeking out from under the red hat he had been asked to wear in order to hide his ears (glamour charms were tedious and Harry rarely stood still long enough for someone to cast one). Severus worked to hide a smile. What the boy meant to say was, his father had told him that he would go to a different school that would better deal with his skills as a part-wizard, part-fairy, and part-veela.

"You never know." Severus murmured, leading the children up the stairs of the imposing building. He hadn't even noticed when the children had abandoned their interest in what he was saying, in favor of staring at the castle.

"It's not as pretty as home." Arnea finally stated. Harry agreed readily, and Severus was forced to hide another smile.

"Come on, you two. I think it's about lunch time. Then it's down to the dungeons for you." At his words, the children looked at each other in excitement. They had been looking forward to seeing their uncle's classroom since the first time they had learned he was a teacher.

"Ok!" They chimed, each taking one of his hands as the Great Hall doors swung open. Sounds of many students chattering back and forth stopped immediately, and shock filled the silence.

Now, to understand why the students were so surprised, you must realize that Severus Snape was a completely different man when around his nieces and nephew, than when he was at school. Cold, distant, and apparently biased towards any house other than Slytherin, it seemed as if there was nothing that could bring the head of Slytherin down. And yet here he came, with two children tagging along behind him, looking completely at ease with the situation. Who wouldn't be surprised?

Harry and Arnea stared around in delight, as they caught sight of the ghosts sitting among the students, and the enchanted ceiling that rose high above them.

"Look! Ghosties!" Arnea squealed, thrilled.

"The sky is inside! I wonder if it rains..." Harry trailed off among nervous laughter from the students. Then, an old man at the table near the end of the Hall stood up and smiled down at the children.

"Ah, Severus. These must be your niece and nephew." Dumbledore said kindly, his eyes twinkling down at the two young people. They stared, unsure whether to hide behind their uncle or smile back.

"Yes, Professor. This is Arnea, and this is Delian." Severus said, using Harry's given name instead of the one he was used to.

"Well, they are welcome to come up here and eat something. We have plenty to go around." Dumbledore chuckled, motioning the children to come closer. They eyed their uncle for permission, and then, to the surprise of everyone (including the Professors and excluding Severus), they walked toward the Head table calmly and politely. Any other child might have raced up there and begun to stuff themselves, but not them. Instead, they silently sat down at the places indicated and then waited for their uncle to sit down as well before beginning to eat.

"They certainly are well behaved." Said a woman on the other side of Albus Dumbledore. Harry looked up at her comment and sent her a sweet smile, before going back to his meal. Minerva McGonagall's face flushed slightly in delight, and she looked down at her plate with a smile.

It seemed that even in the Wizarding World, young Harry was still unconsciously able to charm people into loving him. Even they weren't immune to his innocence and happy demeanor.

"Hurry up, you two! We have a big day ahead!" Severus called to his drowsy niece and nephew. The two children groaned and Harry attempted to bury his head in his pillow, while Arnea burrowed further under her blankets.

"Oh, come on you two! We're going to a very important party, and you won't want to miss it. You will get to meet some new friends!"

At this, Harry sat up and rubbed his eyes, glaring lightly at his uncle before climbing out of bed and padding into the bathroom. Arnea soon followed and within the half-hour, the children were dressed, had eaten, and were ready to go.

"Where are we going?" Harry asked as he clasped his uncle's hand. Arnea took the other one and they followed him out to a horse-less carriage that waited for them just outside the school. Harry was much more comfortable today, wearing a dark green sweater made of the softest yarn and black pants that were made of some soft material. He still wore shoes, but he was getting used to them, and his uncle had hidden the points of his ears with a glamour spell. He had been forced to tie his nephew to a chair in order to do it, but the spell was safely in place. Arnea was wearing a pretty yellow dress, with tiny blue flowers scattered across it and her hair pulled into low pigtails to hide her ears.

"To the manor of a so-called friend of mine, Mr. Lucius Malfoy. You must be careful though, because he is not a good person." Severus warned. Harry, knowing not to question his uncle, stayed silent while his sister nodded.

"You will be spending the afternoon with his son, Draco. I expect both of you to be kind and polite while with him. Draco is rather spoiled, but he has never had anyone his own age to play with. Therefore, you must do your best to include him in your games, understood?"

Again, the children nodded and the rest of the journey was silent. Harry was content staring out his window at the country-side, while Arnea snuggled close to their uncle and fell into a light sleep. They reached Malfoy manor within two hours, giving Severus plenty of time to go over proper etiquette with the children, just in case. Of course, with their natural court manners, it wasn't as if they would have any trouble.

"Severus, how nice to see you!" Came the voice of a pretty blonde lady from the marble stairs of the manor. Severus looked up and smiled tightly.

"Hello, Mrs. Malfoy. I have come to speak with your husband. Is he here?" For some reason, his words held a frosty bite to them that made the woman's face fall, but only for a moment and only long enough for the perceptive Harry to notice it. He glanced at his uncle and saw a flash of something enter his eyes, before it disappeared behind his cold look.

"He is waiting for you in his study. I'll take the children up to the nursery, so you may go right up." She snapped, her voice colder. Severus nodded, bent down and whispered a "be good" into their ears, then walked away. Harry stood and stared at the woman closely, noting that her face slipped once again when he was out of sight, revealing a terrible inner pain. Then it too, was covered up. Arnea cowered behind her brother, nervous about meeting this new person.

"Come with me. My son is expecting you." Narcissa Malfoy murmured, turning and leading them inside. In one bold move, Harry stepped forward and took her limp hand, causing her to look at him, startled. He smiled up at her endearingly, and her face melted into a smile. Arnea, still a bit nervous but not wishing to be outdone, took her other hand and together they walked up a large flight of stairs and down two long hallways. Finally, they came to a set of mahogany doors and Narcissa pushed them open.

Inside was a room that was filled top to bottom with toys of every child's dream. Books, trains, trucks, stuffed animals and many other things were placed showily on shelves around the room, leaving the floor spotless.

"Draco, you have some visitors. You may play with anything you like, and do not hesitate to ring the house-elves if you get hungry." Narcissa said to Harry and Arnea, before turning and leaving the room. Harry's sharp eyes searched the room until they fell upon a small boy who was curled up with a book in a nearby rocking-chair, his cold blue-grey eyes on them. His blonde hair was loose around his face, which would have been rather handsome if not for the cold look. Arnea seemed unfazed by his forbidding stare, and raced into the room towards a shelf piled high with stuffed animals. Harry, however, kept his gaze locked with the blonde's.

"Who are you?" Draco finally asked coldly. Harry frowned slightly, disliking his tone.

"I am Delian. I'm six. Who are you?" He asked this out of politeness. He already knew who the boy was.

"Draco Malfoy. I live here and this is my playroom. Don't touch anything." He snapped, shooting Arnea, who was hugging a large stuffed St. Bernard, a disgusted look. Harry frowned.

"Fine. I don't want to." He retorted, looking away and turning his nose up a tad, before stalking over to the open window-seat on the other side of the room and sitting down. He gazed out over the vast manor gardens and allowed his mind to wander out among the flowers and trees that lived so happily there. A small smile appeared on his lips and his eyes grew distant as he forgot everything around him and enjoyed the breeze in his face.

Draco watched him in growing annoyance. No one had ever ignored him! No one! Nobody had ever dared to, for fear of him throwing a fit and causing a scene. But here was this boy, his same age, who did not look as if he would care if Draco suddenly began to howl and proceeded to bring the whole house down on its foundations. In fact, the boy looked like he was enjoying not playing with all the lovely toys that filled the room. But it was the blatant peace on the other boy's face that made Draco's anger fade, and an almost jealous curiosity fill its place. He slowly got up and walked over to the other boy.

"What are you doing?" He finally asked, his voice loosing most of its venom.

"Listening to the plants enjoying the sun." Harry answered in a calm, low voice. Draco looked stunned.

"What? How do you do that?" All malice was gone now.

"Just look out there. The gardens are so pretty and green. The sun is warm. Gardens love sun. See? Feel the wind?" Harry's voice was soothing, and for a moment, Draco could almost hear the plants pleasure playing on the winds. Then Harry turned and smiled slightly at the other boy.

"You do feel it." He stated, his eyes roving the blonde's face. Draco looked down, almost ashamed of his behavior. Malfoys were not sentimental! They were not weak!

"Even if I did, they're just plants." He muttered, still not completely over the spell.

"They are life, just like you and me. They love, just like you and me. My daddy says that." Harry informed him, looking back out at the garden. Draco stared at him in awe. As a Malfoy, he had been taught that love was a weak and silly emotion. But now...somehow when this boy said it...it did not seem like such a bad thing.

"Do you love?" He asked quietly. Now it was Harry's turn to look surprised.

"Yes! My mummy and my daddy. My grandpapa. My sisters and my Uncle Severus. And all the animals and plants." He listed. There were more things he loved, but these seemed the most important to his young mind. Draco looked distant.

"I don't know what I love."

"What about your mummy? Your daddy?" Harry suggested.

"Maybe mother. Not father. He doesn't like anybody, even me, and I don't like him." Draco said, a bit of sharpness entering his voice. Harry looked shocked. When he was young, he was sure he had experienced little love (though he couldn't remember it), but when he had been adopted, that had been made up for, ten-fold. In fact, he wasn't sure how anyone could live without love. At least Draco had listed his mother...but was that enough?

"I love my sister. I can share her, if you would like. She's a good sister, and she loves everyone." He said, desperately trying to give this boy something else to love. He didn't know why, but something told him it was important. At Harry's words, Draco snickered, though not unkindly.

"Can you share a sister?" He giggled out. Harry smiled.

"Yes. Come on. Let's play with her."

He dragged the other boy over to where Arnea sat. The little girl looked up with a bright smile, and Harry saw Draco begin to relax at that moment. Both boys seated themselves next to her and proceeded to play knights and princesses with the stuffed animals as the monsters/pets.

Within an hour, Draco's distant demeanor had melted completely, and he had willingly become Arnea's slave-pet to her every whim. If she wanted a toy from a high shelf, he was the first to get up to get it for her. When she got hungry, he called for Dobby the house elf and smiled as the girl squealed in delight of the little creature who acted so funny.

Even Harry was amused by Dobby, and even more amused when Dobby spotted the silver medallion that hung around his neck by a black silk ribbon. It was the crest of the royal family of Four Realms, and it seemed as if Dobby recognized it. The moment he saw it, he began to stammer out his words and bow every other word. Draco watched this in slight confusion, unsure as to why the elf was acting crazier than ever. By the time Dobby finally left, Harry was in stitches and Arnea was giggling in confusion. Draco smiled uncertainly and they finally calmed down enough to eat.

Two hours later, Narcissa peeked into the room and nearly fell to the floor in surprise. For there, in the middle of the floor, sat three children on huge, puffy pillows. They were all huddled together as Harry read aloud from one of Draco's favorite children's books. The book was easy enough to read, but it surprised her that someone as young as Harry could read it so perfectly, without stumbling over the words. It shocked her even more to see her son mingling so comfortably with these strange children whom he had never met before.

"Read that part over. I like it when he asks the hippogriff if she's his mother." Draco suddenly piped up, and Harry willingly did as he asked. Narcissa opened the door further at this, and all three of them looked up.

"Mum, Harry's reading 'Are You My Mother'!" Draco announced. Narcissa felt tears prickle at the edges of her eyes. Never before had Draco ever called her 'mum'. It had always been 'ma-ma' as a baby, and 'mother' when he was old enough to pronounce it.

"It's funny!" Arnea spoke up, giggling.

"Does Uncle Severus want us?" Harry asked, looking serious. Narcissa nodded.

"I believe it is time for you to go home. But you are welcome to come back again." She added quickly, glancing at her son.

"But mum, do they have to go?" Draco whined, a warning sign to his mother.

"Yes, Draco, I'm afraid they must." She murmured, watching him fearfully. Draco's face screwed up into a frown.

"But I want them to stay!" He exclaimed. His protest was cut off by Harry's hand touching his arm.

"We will see each other again, Draco. Just remember what I told you. Gardens are life, and they love, just like you and me." He recited, before turning and grasping his sister's hand. She smiled back at him.

"'Bye, Drakie!" She called, before both children disappeared down the hall. Narcissa watched after them, and then turned toward her son. He had moved over to the window, however, and was gazing out motionlessly.

"Draco?" She asked hesitantly. After a long moment, he spoke.

"Mummy? I love you." He whispered. Narcissa didn't answer and quickly left the room, shutting the door silently behind her. Her son had never said that before, in his entire life. Obviously, those two children had had a big effect on him, even in their short acquaintance. And whatever effect that was, she was not quite sure she didn't like it.

That day, both Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy turned down another path in their lives. A path less taken by. A path that would be treacherous and difficult, but in the end, it would be worth it.

And it was all started by a little boy who was so innocent, and yet knew so much.

Days later, Harry and Arnea returned home, eyes bright with the things they had learned and the people they had met. Their parents were happy with their progress, and glad that both children seemed open to new ideas and concepts about the world around them.

Harry especially, had gained a strong interest in this new place called the Wizarding world, and took to visiting the border between his world and the next as much as he could. Usually, he ended up at different places, but sometimes he would venture into the outskirts of Hogsmede again. He enjoyed watching the wizards go about their daily business, all of them unaware that the entrance to another world was so close to their own.

It was on one of these outing that he came across a person who would change his whole life forever.

Harry had chosen to take another path out of the realms, this one different from the others he had taken because it was practically hidden with disuse. When he emerged from the forest, he found himself on the edge of a large field. There were a few houses dotting the scenery here and there, but it was the nearest house that caught his attention.

It he didn't know better, he would have said it have been built by an eccentric dwarf. It looked as if its many levels were held up with magic. Harry moved toward it, intrigued. High in the air over a field just behind the house flew several figures on brooms. Since the realms had something similar to Wizarding Quidditch, Harry knew quite well that those figures were playing. Excited, her broke into a jog as he neared the field.

A soft sob stopped him in his tracks. Frowning, Harry moved toward the cause of the sound. A flame of red hair met his eyes, and the form of a tiny little girl, no older than Arnea. His frown deepened when he saw the tears streaming down her creamy cheeks. Moving forward, he knelt down and brushed his finger gently under her eye, wiping the tears away. With a small gasp, she looked up and teary amber eyes met warm emerald. Neither child spoke for a moment, then:

"Who are you?" She whimpered. Harry broke into a smile.

"I am Delian. Who are you?" He used his given name, as he had been taught to do in such situations.

"Ginny Weasley." She sniffed, rubbing her eyes with her fist. Harry carefully took her hand away and used his own silk sleeve to finish the job.

"Don't cry. Why are you sad?"

"My brothers won't let me play with them." She choked out. Harry smiled brightly.

"Then play with me. Come!" He crowed, reaching down and helping her stand. She smiled back and hesitantly followed him.

"You have funny ears." She commented finally. Harry laughed.

"I like my ears. They're fairy ears." He explained. Her eyes widened as he led to into the forest. Perhaps this was because only a few moments ago, it had only been a small grove of trees, and was now a vast and shady woodland.

"We play here. It's nice. Look." Harry pointed up in a tree, where a group of ravens sat watching them. Ginny stared for a moment then giggled.

"They're funny."

The rest of the afternoon, the two children played happily, unmindful of the fact that their parents might become worried. Harry learned about Ginny's six brothers, and then he told her about his two sisters and the baby that was on the way. Ginny listened in delight as he told her about Arnea, who was her own age, and Harry laughed at Ginny's descriptions of Ron, her brother that was his age.

Neither of them noticed when a figure came up behind Harry, until it grasped his shoulder. Harry yelped and Ginny screamed as a soft laugh rang out behind them.

"Uncle Severus!" Harry choked out, his eyes wide. Severus smiled down at him and then at the girl cowering behind her new friend.

"So, Delian, how did you find a Weasley?" He asked calmly. Harry broke into a smile.

"She was sad. So we came here to play."

"Her parents are probably worried. We should take her home." His uncle pointed out. Both children pouted, but obediently followed Severus from the forest and back toward the house.

"You will come again, right?" Ginny pleaded. Harry glanced at Severus, then nodded.

"I promise." He took her hand and together they walked up the path to the house. Severus knocked, and then quickly moved to take Harry's other hand.

"Bye, Ginny." Harry whispered as his uncle led him away into the darkness that surrounded the house. She watched them go, and then turned as the door swung open.

"GINNY! Mum, she's home! Ginny's here!" The oldest son, Bill, shouted as he smothered his sister in a hug.

"Ginny! Do you know how worried I've been? Where were you?" Molly Weasley cried, rushing forward and crushing her daughter into a hug.

"With Delian, mummy. We played. He promised to play again." Ginny explained sweetly. Molly looked at her in disbelief then looked up at Bill, who shrugged. By now, the rest of the boys had come tumbling out of the house and were pulling their sister into relieved embraces. For a while, everything but the fact that Ginny was home safe was forgotten. Molly herded her children into the kitchen and then shut the door behind them.

With that, Ginny Weasley returned to her own world, secure in the knowledge that she would see her friend again someday soon.

And she did. After learning of their son's friendship with the mortal girl, they agreed that it would benefit both children if they were to continue their companionship. So Harry happily continued to meet with her near the edge of the forest whenever he could.

The Weasleys soon realized that they couldn't keep their daughter from sneaking off to meet this phantom friend, so they reluctantly agreed to the situation.

Guilt soon filled Harry, however, at having to leave Arnea behind while he went off to play. So he began to bring her as well. Ginny was thrilled to have another person to play with, moreover a girl. She and Arnea became even closer when a common bond like Harry was added.

Through this friendship, all three children came to learn more and more about each others worlds. Harry and Arnea learned of the Wizarding world from the point of view of a five year-old, and Ginny learned more about the Four Realms. Granted, Harry and Arnea were sworn into secrecy over their rank in the realms, but this missing piece of information did not bother Ginny in the least.

"So we're there now?" Ginny asked one day, as they sat under a tall fir tree.

"Sort of. We are on the edge of it." Harry explained.

"And those birds are the guards?" She pointed up at the trees that held a flock of ravens.

"Yes. Ravens guard the Realms." Arnea answered, twisting Ginny's hair into a messy braid.

"Like the goblins at Gringotts!"

"Gringotts?"

"The bank." Ginny clarified. Harry and Arnea looked at each other.

"Bank?"

"A money-place." Ginny sighed. They sat in silence for a while.

"My brothers are going to school soon. Percy is going, too." She murmured, looking at the sky.

"You will miss them." Harry said calmly. Ginny nodded.

"Now I only have Fred, George and Ron." She mumbled. Arnea hugged her comfortingly and Harry smiled wistfully.

"Things change. That's what daddy says." He stated.

"Yes." Arnea agreed, and the subject was dropped.