Lucius stared about Albus' office in wonder.

"Wow."

Dumbledore smiled, and Fawkes trilled a hello.

"Oooh. What a pretty chicken."

The bird gave an indignant squawk, puffing up his feathers, while the old wizard chuckled.

"Fawkes is a Phoenix, Lucius."

"Phoenix."

The Headmaster nodded, and Fawkes flew down to inspect the child.

Is this not Lucius Malfoy, Albus?

"Yes, Fawkes, it's Lucius."

"You can understand him, Grandpa?"

"Fawkes is my familiar, and he is a telepath, which allows him to speak to someone, other than myself, in their mind."

Big silver eyes looked at them in amazement.

"Hello, Fawkes."

Hello, Lucius-chick.

"Why did he call me 'Lucius-chick'?"

"A young bird is called a chick, and since you're young he considers you a chick."

"Oh."

The Phoenix nuzzled the boy, cooing. Lucius giggled and stroked his feathers.

"He's nice."

Dumbledore smiled at them.

"Oh, yes. Fawkes loves children. Would you like a lemon drop, Lucius?"

"Yes please."

He gave the boy the treat and popped one into his mouth. His familiar squawked.

"Here, Lucius, give him this," he said, handing the boy another lemon drop.

Lucius held it out to Fawkes, who eagerly snatched it from him.

Thank you, little one.

"You're welcome, Fawkes."

Dumbledore keep Lucius entertained for a few hours before Severus arrived to pick him up.

"Hi, Sev!"

He smiled.

"Hello, imp. Did you have fun?"

"Uh-huh."

"Good. Say good-bye."

Lucius turned to Dumbledore and Fawkes.

"Bye, Grandpa. Bye, Fawkes."

"See you at dinner, Lucius."

Goodbye, Lucius-chick.

The Phoenix looked at Severus.

Care for him well, Severus.

"I will, Fawkes."

They left, returning the dungeons.

That night a scream pierced the silence of the dungeons. Severus was up and running to Lucius' room before his brain had even fully processed just what it was that had woken him up.

Lucius was thrashing about in his bed. When the potions master touched him he screamed again.

"Lucius. Lucius, wake up. It's just a dream. Come on, little one, wake up."

The child's eyelids fluttered, signaling that he was starting to wake up.

"That's it, child. Wake up. You're at Hogwarts with Sev. You're safe."

Slowly, teary, silver eyes blinked open.

"Lucius, where are you?"

"H-Hogwarts."

Severus nodded.

"Yes, and who am I?"

"Sev. You're my..."

"I'm your what?"

Lucius looked at him and threw himself into the man's arms.

"My protector."

Severus cast a Refreshening Charm on Lucius and the bed, picked up the boy, handed him Whisper, and took him back to his room. He got in bed and lay the boy next to him. The child snuggled firmly against him, sniffling softly. Severus remembered his mother used to comfort him after a nightmare or after a late beating from Tobias. Perhaps it would help Lucius. Clearing his throat softly, he began to sing, his deep voice soothing as he sang.

"Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand
Hold it tight

I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry

For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always."

Lucius was now fast asleep. Severus smiled, pressed a gentle kiss to the little, blond head, and fell back asleep.

When Lucius woke up the next morning he was alone in Severus' bed. He sat up and looked around but saw no sign of his guardian. Grabbing Whisper, he hurried into the living, but Severus was in his chair either.

"Sev?!" he shouted in a panic.

The bathroom door opened, and Severus appeared.

"What?"

Lucius stared at him then began to giggle. The man sure looked funny with half his face covered in shaving cream. Severus put his hands to his hips, eyebrow raised.

"Just what is so funny, young man?"

"You. You only have cream on half your face."

"I know. You started yelling before I could put the rest on."

Lucius blushed.

"Oh. Sorry."

"It's all right. Now, come use the loo, as I'm sure you have to."

He nodded and followed Severus back into the bathroom. He used the toilet then sat on the lid while Severus finished applying shaving cream, the label on the can being something that Lucius could actually read.

"Sev?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you use cream? Father used a spell."

The potions master looked at his charge, and Lucius had to resist the urge to giggle again since he still looked funny.

"I like the muggle way better. It's how I was first taught. If I'm in a hurry I use the spell, but I prefer this way."

"Oh."

Severus picked up his razor and began to shave.

"Um, Sev."

"Hmm?"

"Could you... teach me?"

He paused and looked at the child. Then he smiled and ruffled the blond hair, earning a giggle.

"One day, imp. One day I will teach you how to shave, but not today. You need to grow a little more first."

He went back to shaving and had to admit to himself that it was a little odd having Lucius watching him do something so ordinary with such fascination. Though he didn't really blame the child. It had once been fascinating to him as well, though not quite on this level. He almost laughed for it had been Lucius who had taught him how to shave, muggle and magical way, and now he would one day teach Lucius. Shaving had been really the only thing Lucius had done the muggle way.

A sharp pain in his cheek brought him back from memory lane. He had cut himself. He quickly washed the cut, glad it was above where he still had to shave.

"The downside to shaving this way is that you're bound to cut yourself a few times, especially in the beginning," he told the boy.

"Ow."

He finished shaving and applied some aftershave.

"What's that?"

"Aftershave, but it stings a little when you put it on. If you put too much on you smell kind of like a dog."

Lucius giggled.

"Now, lets get dressed and go up to breakfast."

They dressed and headed for the Great Hall.