A/N: So, once again, thanks to those you that alerted. And, also, super thanks to the reviewer, history! Just so you know, the story is going to take a huge turn in this chapter, and is the main reason why I didn't skip the last chapter- this chapter continues off the last. Ready? (Sorry about the month long wait everyone...)

Chapter Three: Saved

The car stopped at the park, and Harry leaped out of it, breaking into a full run. He was smaller and much, much faster than the other heavy-set boys.

But, that also meant that they were much, much stronger than Harry. He would have to find a good hiding spot before they had a chance to catch up with him.

Sadly, trees were out of the question today. All of the lower branches were gone, probably due to parents complaining about their kids climbing them (around here, if something was too much fun, it had to go). While Harry looked around for another spot, he ran. He kept running until he was at the edge of the park, where he stopped. He was wondering if he would be better off going back to number 4 Privet Drive, when he was suddenly grabbed.

"Too slow, Harry!" Dudley laughed.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized that his aunt and uncle had probably left with the car, because this park wasn't too far away from home.

But that train of thought left him as soon as one of the boys punched him. He still remembered the last time they caught him, and he still had bruises. And to think, the day hadn't been all that bad- until now.

This all came back to the fact that Harry hated birth- with more passion than ever. Another punch, and this time he fell to the ground, rocks and gravel cutting into his shirt, and sinking into his skin. He was vaguely aware that one of the boys was throwing rocks at him, covering him in more bruises.

Harry wished that what that Luna girl had been talking about was true- that he could throw hexes at these "Muggles" as she called them. He wished that he could just summon magic to him and make them go away, make them hurt...

And then, it happened. He felt something surround him, engulf him. He was wrapped in a shroud of Darkness, and then it lifted from him- the other two boys couldn't see it, but they could see that the rocks where no longer hitting Harry. The rocks, instead, bounced off of the Darkness and hit the ground. Harry still wished them pain. He wished to hurt them.

The Darkness obeyed, and stretched, gaining claws. It then lunged forward to attack.

Severus Snape walked through a Muggle community, seeking the Dark magic that he felt erupt earlier, fearing it was the Dark Lord, trying to rise again.

Why on Earth he would wish to rise in a Muggle town, I would not understand, Severus thought, shaking his head. He knew that it was not probable that the Dark Lord would rise again this soon, but he still had the fear, and so he continued onward. It was not at Lord Level, but it was much stronger than a normal adult wizard, and close to his own power.

The magic lead him to a play ground, where two boys were running cowardishly away from a much smaller boy.

A boy that was giving him a headache, and stank of Dark magic.

Snape took a few more steps towards the boy, taking a closer look. The boy had messy black hair, and broken glasses, falling from his face. His clothes seemed as if they were seven sizes too big and ripped, and every bit of skin that Severus could see was covered in bruises and cuts.

Severus stepped on something, and the snapping noise alerted the boy. His eyes were emerald green and filled with hatred and anger, and then with nothing but shock and fear. He takes a step back. "Go away! I- I didn't do anything… I don't know what happened…"

Severus studies the boy. The magic was certainly his, but he was no Muggleborn. It was possible that his parents had never told him of magic, is he was half-blood. Perhaps his mother was Muggle and father a wizard, and the father was dead, or vice versa.

He suddenly realized, though, the boy had a horrid resemblance to his ex-rival, James Potter.

Trying to show no emotions, Severus takes three deep breaths. "What is your name, boy?"

"Harry," the boy answers, shaking. His voice quivers, and he looks down, hanging his head.

Severus nods; he expected it, once recognizing the resemblance. "Harry Potter?" he questions.

Harry shifts. "Yes." His eyes widen. "You know them. I- don't tell them, please! I- never mind, Dudley's probably already told them… I'm going to be kept in the closet for at least three days for this one, no coming out for anything…"

The boy mumbles off to himself, the hate and anger returning to his eyes. The Darkness spreads around him like wings, claws back, ready to strike at command.

"The closet?" Severus narrows his eyes. Though he did not like the boy's father, he had no reason to dislike the boy. The boy's relatives, on the other hand… "I do not know your guardians, Potter, but I knew your parents. And I do not believe they would like to have you living with people that lock you in a closet. Come, we shall go see them now."

Harry frowns at him. "You knew my parents?"

Severus nods. "Your father, James Potter, and your mother Lily Evens Potter. Now, if you would lead the way." It wasn't a question; it was a command, but a soft one. Harry nodded and walks, Severus close behind him. Neither knowing that this would be Harry's last time to see the Dursleys.

Harry had never seen anything magical before.

So, obviously, when they had arrived at the Ministry of Magic, he was fascinated.

"Harry!"

Said boy looked over, to where his name was called. It was a woman, who was currently rushing over to them. She got down on one knee and placed his face in her hands. "Oh, dear," she mummers. "You're covered in dirt and bruises!" She frowns at him, and then looks up. "Severus. You took him from those Muggles?"

Severus nods. "I did. I also plan on adopting him- the reason we are here now."

The woman stood back up, to be level with Severus. Harry stares at the woman, not listening to the conversation. Who was she? He knew her for somewhere, but where-

The ice cream shop! Luna's mother- the woman who read about him.

The woman smiled down at him. "Harry? Do you remember me?"

Smile or no smile, she looked worried. For some reason, Harry didn't want her to worry. He wanted her to know that he remembered, and that he was fine, but he couldn't remember her last name for the life of him!

"Luna's mother," he blurted. He could feel his face heating up. She smiled softly at him.

"Crystalist Lovegood. It's nice to see you away from those Muggles, sweetie."

Harry didn't say anything. He looked to Severus, who sighed. "Crystalist, why don't you take Harry to see your daughter? I am going to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, to see they can do about this."

Crystalist nodded, and took Harry's hand. "Harry, dear, do you want to go play with Luna?"

Harry looked up at her, his small face covered in dirt and grime. "Okay," he replies.

Crystalist took out her wand. "First, let's clean you up a bit. Scourgify!"

Harry felt as if his body was being scrubbed all over. He was sure he was pink by the time it was finished. Crystalist smiled. "Good. Let's go, now."

The woman offered him her hand, and he took it, hesitating only slightly. It was quiet while they were walking. Harry nibbled on his lip, wanting to ask questions, but holding his tough.

"Here we are, Luna, sweetie, you remember Harry. We saw him just a bit ago."

Luna jumped off of her father's lap, her long blonde hair bouncing. "Hi, Harry. It's great to see you. Ooh, your aura is so pretty and strong now! Are you going to stay with us? I would love to play with you sometimes."

Harry tilted his head. He had no clue what an aura was, but he would take it as a compliment- it sounded like on. "Um, I dunno. It'd be nice to play, though; I've never played with any other kids before."

Crystalist gasped from behind him, and snapped hushed words to her husband beside her. Then, seeing that both children were watching her with pensive looks, she smiled. "Harry, that man that was with you, Severus Snape, is going to try to adopt you. If he can do that, then we will make sure that you come over to play as often as possible. How does that sound?"

Luna and Harry both smiled at that. "Come on, then, Harry. Let's talk."

It seemed so adult like, that Harry couldn't believe it. Was this how kids really acted? Dudely and his friends sure were different, if that was the case.

Luna led him to a bench, only two down from her parents, but it was far enough to where they would be seen, but not heard. Luna smiled softly at him, and took his hand.

"Do you have any questions about magic, Harry?" she asked.

Harry took this into thought. What did he need to know about magic? Everything, he realized, if this was where he was born. He thought that he would start with simple things, and things that bothered him.

"Why does it seem like everyone knows who I am? You, your parents, Mr. Snape- why is that?"

"It's because you defeated the Dark Lord, Harry. You're the boy-who-lived. Though, there is reason to believe that the Dark Lord is not completely dead, and you are the only one who can save us all from him. That scar on your forehead is what was left. He killed your parents."

Harry's eyes darkened and his magic spread like wings again. "He- he's the one that left me to the disposal of my aunt and uncle?"

Luna shook her head. "No. That was the former Headmaster of Hogwarts," she explained. Harry looked at her, vacantly. "Hogwarts is a magical school, we start going once we turn eleven, and go seven years. There are four Houses: Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. You'll love it."

Harry took that information and put it away. He would need it. "And the Headmaster- what happened to him?"

"He died. He was a great man, really. He made good things happen, and got rid of bad people."

Luna stared into space after that. Harry smiled at her. "Thank you," he said, quietly. Luna took no sign of hearing him other than taking his hand into hers. Harry smiled a bit, than looked around him. There were a lot of people here, walking in different directions. There were lifts in the corners. Suddenly, Severus emerged from one, approaching the Lovegoods.

There was a short discussion there, and then Severus was in front of Harry and Luna. Severus kneeled. "How would you like to come live with me, Harry?"