DISCLAIMER – Harry Potter and its affiliates are the sole property of JK Rowling. I own the plot but not the characters.

DISCLAIMER – This story starts out with child abuse and molestation. I will not tolerate people being nasty to me because they do not like what I have written. That is the purpose of this disclaimer. If you read something you don't like, then it is your fault for not paying attention. There will be lots of Ron and Dumbledore bashing.

NOTE – Thanks for the wonderful reviews. I have been toying with the idea for some time. I think I bit off a bit more than I can chew doing two stories at once as well as being beta reader for two others. This is a story I will continue with, but I ask for patience as I want to finish the other story first. On a happy not, I have decided to write a crossover story later. I will do a Harry and Edward story.

Chapter 6 – Fire and Ice

October faded into November. Harry and his friends were on the grounds one evening enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. They decided to go and visit Hagrid. When they knocked, it took a few moments for Hagrid to answer the door. When he saw who it was, he smiled.

"I didn't think yer lot would want to talk te me," said Hagrid. "I am sorry for what Dumbledore did ye Harry. It was not right. Had I known, I would never have brought ye to the Dursleys.

"Don't worry about it Hagrid," said Harry. "I am better now thanks to the staff of Hogwarts."

"Hagrid what do you have there?" asked Cedric pointing to the fireplace.

"A better question would be, where you got it," remarked Hermione. "Hagrid it is illegal to have a dragon egg."

"I won it in a poker game last nigh," said Hagrid.

"Who was it that you won it from?" asked Draco. "It would have to be someone that doesn't have much to lose to have a dragon egg on their person."

"I don rightly know," admitted Hagrid. "I never saw his face. Kept his hood up."

"What did you two talk about?" asked Harry.

"About the different animals I raised an such," said Hagrid. "I told him, after Fluffy that a dragon would be easy to deal with."

"Hagrid," said Hermione with a sigh. "You can NOT raise a dragon in here."

"Why not?" Hagrid asked indignantly.

"You live in a wood house would be a start," said Cedric.

The egg on the fire started to make noise. Harry and the rest watched in fascination as it began to hatch. When it was fully out of the egg, Hagrid scratched it under the chin causing it to belch fire. After putting out the flames in his beard, Hagrid sighed looking at the little beast.

"Hagrid," said Harry. "How about we get Charlie to bring this little one to the dragon colony in Romania? That way it gets cared for by professionals and you don't get into trouble."

"You think that will work?" asked Hagrid.

"I think it is your best interest," said Neville speaking for the first time.

"I can talk to Professor McGonagall for you," said Harry. "I am sure that she would be more than willing to help you."

"Thank ye Harry," said Hagrid.

"No problem," he replied. "I would guess that you will hear from her in the next couple of days."

Hagrid nodded and opened the door for them to leave. Harry made his way to the Minerva's office and knocked on the door. She opened it and was surprised to see him standing there.

"What can I help you with Harry?" she asked as she allowed him into the room.

"Aunt Mini," he said. "Hagrid acquired a dragon egg and it hatched in his hut. Is there anyway you can contact Charlie Weasley so that he can come get the baby dragon so that it doesn't burn Hagrid's house down and of course get him into trouble?"

"How did Hagrid get the egg?" asked Minerva after a moment.

Harry spent the next few minutes relating the conversation that the group had with Hagrid.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention," said Minerva. "I will take care of it immediately. If you see Uncle Severus on your way out anywhere could you tell him I wish to see him?"

"Sure," said Harry with a smile.

After hugging Minerva, Harry left the room and went downstairs. Severus was just about to enter the Great Hall when Harry noticed him. He walked over and relayed the message.

"Thanks brat," said Severus fondly. "Why don't you go in and sit. Dinner will be starting soon. I will see you in a few minutes."

Harry smiled and entered the Great Hall and made his way to the Ravenclaw table. Ron Weasley threw an insult his way, but Harry ignored it.

"I am talking to you freak," said Ron. "Do you need me to come and clean out your ears for you?"

Hermione and Draco came in at that moment and heard the altercation. They quickly made their way over to Harry and sat with him.

"Well if it isn't the blood traitor and the Mudblood," said Ron in a mocking tone.

Cedric and Neville entered the Great Hall and watched the scene before them. Ron was pulling out his wand to cast a hex at the trio of Ravenclaws. As of yet, only one staff member was in the hall and she had just arrived. Pomona was too stunned to do anything. Ron raised his wand to send a hex at Harry. Draco stood and waved his hand. In doing so a gust of wind hit Ron and threw him clean over the Slytherin table.

"RONALD WEASLEY," said Percy. "YOU JUST WAIT UNTIL I TELL MOTHER ABOUT THIS."

"Shove it up you ass Percy," said Ron as he stood.

"Detention Weasley," said Pomona pulling herself together. "I will also be taking ten points from Slytherin for your attempt to hex a student who had his back to you."

By this time the rest of the student body had entered as well as a majority of the staff. Minerva and Severus walked in just as Pomona had Ron by his ear and was giving him a lecture.

"I think you had better do something before she kills him," said Severus.

Minerva walked over and started to ask Pomona what was going on. She furiously told Minerva what had happened. Minerva ended up giving Ron another detention.

The days flew by and soon the Christmas holidays were upon them. Minerva had helped Hagrid with the dragon problem.

Minerva," said Hagrid. "Somethin is killin unicorns in the forest. I was wondering if I could get yer permission to get a team of students together to go and find a hurt unicorn. I swear none of them will be in danger."

"Very well," said Minerva. "You may choose five students to go with you. As tomorrow is Saturday, you can take them in the afternoon. IF anything happens to any of the students, you will find yourself back in Azkaban faster than you can say Fluffy."

Hagrid nodded and walked over to Harry and the quartet that was sitting with him.

"How would yer lot like to help me in the forest tomorrow?" he asked. "I am going in search of an injured unicorn and I could use the help."

"Sounds like fun," said Harry.

Hermione, Neville, Draco, and Cedric all nodded in agreement. Minerva watched the scene with interest. She knew Hagrid would take care of the students. She was less apprehensive as the students in question were ring carriers and could handle themselves.

The next day the group set out. Hagrid knelt on the ground and showed them the unicorn blood. Hermione and Neville went with him, while Harry, Draco, and Cedric went a different way. Hagrid instructed them to send up red sparks if they found something. They promised to send up gold sparks every ten minutes to let Hagrid know that they were alright. With that being said, the groups set out. It was not long after that Harry and his group found the unicorn. What they were unprepared for was what was attacking it. Harry grabbed his head as his scar seared in pain. The thing that was attacking the unicorn lifted its head from the throat of the stallion and looked at Harry. It rose into the air and made for the three boys. They spread out and acted in concert. Draco aimed his hand at the stream next to them and flung the water at the creature. Cedric was pelting it with spears of ice. Harry meanwhile erected a barrier around the unicorn with vines and earth so that it could be comfortable. When that was done, Harry started throwing fireballs at the creature. It stopped for a moment and looked at the trio of boys before it fled. Cedric lifted his wand and sent up red sparks to alert Hagrid that they found the unicorn. Harry ran over to the stallion and released it from its nest of vines. He laid his hands on the neck of the stallion and let the purple aura of healing surround his hand. He let the healing magic flow into the unicorn. Hagrid and his group rushed over just in time to see Harry lift his hands from the stallion. Cedric grabbed Harry to hold him stable. What happened next would have Hagrid talking about it for months. The stallion stood and walked over to Harry. It bowed its regal head to him and touched him on the forehead with its horn. As he lifted his horn away, there was a black mass attached to his horn. The unicorn used its own brand of magic to destroy the blackness. Harry's eyes rolled up into the back of his head as he fainted. Cedric picked him up. Hagrid took Harry from Cedric and the group made their way out of the forest. Harry was still unconscious by the time that they got to the castle. Minerva, Severus, Pomona, and Filius met Hagrid at the entrance in a state of panic. Hagrid rushed past them with Harry in his arms to the medical ward. Cedric stopped the professors long enough to relate what happened to Harry before the group followed. When they got to the medical ward, Poppy was running her wand over Harry.

"How is he?" asked Minerva in a scared voice.

"He is going to be fine," said Poppy. "His magical core changed slightly, but he is fine. He is currently in a natural sleep."

"What do you mean his magical core is different?" asked Severus pulling out his own wand and running a scan on Harry himself.

"He is still Harry and will still be a very powerful wizard," said Poppy. "The only difference is there is less dark in him. It is almost like he is pure light now."

"Ok you lot," said Minerva turning towards the students that went with Hagrid. "I want details as to what happened in the forest. Hagrid I suggest you stop blubbering. You did not do anything wrong that we can see."

"There was this creature attacking the unicorn," said Draco. "Harry lifted his hand to his head when his scar hurt. The thing left the unicorn alone and came after us. Harry covered the unicorn in vines and stuff until we could deal with the creature. Then I threw water at it while Cedric started pelting it with ice. Harry joined in a few minutes later and started throwing fire at the creature. It fled from us. Harry rushed over to the unicorn and healed it."

"When he was done healing it," said Cedric. "It stood up and bowed to Harry. I was holding Harry as he was a little weak from the healing. The unicorn touched Harry on his scar and pulled something black out of it. Then the unicorn did something to it and the black stuff screamed and disappeared."

"It can't be possible," mused Severus.

"What?" Minerva asked sharply.

"The description of the black stuff that these two gave sounds like a Horcrux," said Severus quietly to Minerva.

"A meeting in my office now," said Minerva. "Draco, Cedric, Neville, and Hermione please join us for this meeting. Hagrid please go home and get some rest. Poppy, I am sure you will let me know when he wakes."

Poppy nodded her head and watched as the group left. She sat near Harry and watched him slumber. How could one young man go through so much and still keep on smiling? He was a miracle child to be sure.

The staff had their meeting and discussed what had happened. Quirrell was not invited to this meeting. A couple of students were placed on guard duty around Harry to help Poppy defend the child in case something went wrong. Harry slept through the night. When he woke the next morning he was a bit surprised to find himself in the medical ward. Cedric and Draco were on either side of him and smiled.

"Welcome back to the land of the breathing," Cedric joked ruffling his hair.

"We were worried about you," said Draco.

"Thanks guys," said Harry. "What happened?"

"Professor McGonagall will tell you everything later," said Poppy with a smile. "Right now I want you to eat some soup and then head up and get a shower. Take it easy for the rest of the day."

Dobby brought Harry some food. Harry ate it with a small smile on his lips. From there he went to his dorm with Draco and he took a shower and got dressed in some clean clothes. Together the two boys made their way to Minerva's office. She sat them down and spent the next hour telling Harry what was going on. She was surprised to hear him acknowledge what was going on. He was much wiser than he appeared and too accepting of his predicament.

November ended and December came in with a flourish. Harry was excited for the first time about Christmas. Minerva and Severus took him Christmas shopping so that Harry could buy presents for all the people he wanted to buy for. When he was done shopping, they returned to the castle where Harry raced upstairs to wrap the presents. He had gotten something for everyone of his professors. He even got something for Draco, Cedric, Hermione, Neville and Poppy. His prized gift however was the quilt that he bought for Dobby to put on his bed. The holiday arrived and many of the students went home. Draco decided to stay in the castle with Harry. Lucius and Narcissa came to the castle to visit the boys. On Christmas morning, Harry woke up to a stack of presents on the foot of his bed. He did not know what to do. He had never gotten a present before. Draco realizing the inner turmoil that the boy was going through sat with him on his bed.

"What wrong Harry?" Draco asked. "Don't you want to open your presents?"

"I never got presents for Christmas before," said Harry as tears fell from his eyes.

"Here," said Draco picking up a package and handing it to him. "This one is from me. Go on and open it. Thanks for the potions book by the way. I have wanted that one for awhile now."

Harry smiled as he opened the present from Draco. It was a ring that had his birthstone on it. There was two diamonds on either side of it. Draco watched as Harry put the ring on his finger. Harry seemed lost in emotion as he stared at the ring. He felt cheap buying a book for Draco when Draco had obviously gotten him something very expensive. Draco interpreted his look at once and spoke up again.

"It isn't the price of the gift," said Draco. "It is the meaning behind it. I love the gift that you gave me."

Harry nodded and thanked Draco for everything. He reached for his next package and saw that he had something from the Weasleys. When he opened it, he found a blue sweater with a bronze eagle on it. Laughing, Harry put it on and reached for the rest of his packages. When Draco was sure that Harry was ok, he went and opened the rest of his packages as well. He had also received a Weasley sweater. He put in on immediately.

Harry had gotten many wonderful things that year for Christmas. It was the first Christmas that he thoroughly enjoyed himself. He and Draco put on some pants and went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry smiled at everyone as he sat down to eat.

"Thank you all for the wonderful Christmas presents," called Harry. "This has been the best Christmas of my life."

"I think I speak for the rest of your Aunts and Uncles when we say thank you for the very thoughtful gifts you gave us as well," said Minerva with a smile.

Percy and the twins came into the room and sat with Harry and Draco. They were all dressed in a Weasley sweater. Ron came into the room and scowled at the boy before he headed to the Slytherin table.

When the holidays were done, Harry and the group went back to classes. They studied hard as they wanted to do well. One afternoon, Severus and Minerva pulled Harry, Neville, Draco, and Cedric to the side.

"It is time for us to start practicing different aspects of our elemental gifts," said Severus. "We will start training tonight. I would like for you four to meet us in classroom twelve at seven this evening."

The four students nodded in agreement. It was one thing to do fire balls and ice flow, but they wanted to learn as much as they could. When seven o'clock came around, the two professors and the four students were in the room.

"Now as we have just as much inexperience and in some cases less experience than you do," said Minerva. "We will just be working on our own element tonight so that we can see what kind of limitations that it has. Harry I only want you to work with fire. I have Poppy standing outside in case of an accident. I don't want you to drain yourself with healing. Draco I only want you to work with ice today as well."

Both boys nodded and the group separated into two groups of three. Harry, Severus, and Neville went to one side of the room and Minerva, Cedric, and Draco went on the other side. They practiced for an hour. Harry was a quick study of what he was doing. Soon not only could he cast fireballs, but he could put out the fires caused by one of the other two. The highlight of his night was when he subconsciously conjured a shield of fire to block a stray ice ball that Minerva had thrown.

"How did you do that Harry?" asked Severus.

"I just imagined it in the shape I wanted and put it in front of me when I felt threatened," said Harry.

For the next hour, they would take turns throwing their element periodically at the other to see if anyone else could conjure a shield. Draco, Cedric, and Severus mastered the shield quickly. It took a little longer for Neville and Minerva. Both could do it, but could not hold it up for long. Harry and Draco promised to help them with that.

"I think that the next time that we meet that we should practice other forms of our element," said Severus. "I would be interested to see if Harry or Draco can throw up a fire wall and ice wall."

Harry and Draco looked at one another and grinned. They turned and lifted their hands and a wall of pure fire came into view. What floored Severus and Minerva was the fact that it was mixed with a wall of solid ice. The two boys had linked and created one wall of both elements.

"I think that is enough for one evening," said Minerva. "You boys are absolutely brilliant. All four of you are truly gifted. Good job on your work. How about we meet next week so that we can try some different things?"

The four boys blushed as they looked at the ground.

"Go on brats," said Severus fondly. "Go get a shower and get to bed. I will have the house elves bring you all up a snack. Make sure you eat everything as you will need to replace the reserves of energy on your body that you used. I suggest that you all turn in early so that you can get a good night sleep. We don't want Madam Pomfrey strangling the Head Mistress and Deputy Head Master would we?"

The four boys laughed and promised to do as they were instructed. They left the room and headed up to their dorms.

"Harry and Draco will be a force to be reckoned with when they truly master their powers," said Minerva.

Severus nodded his head in agreement. They talked about how well the four boys did.

No one noticed that Quirrell was listening around the corner.

AUTHOR'S NOTE – Ok I will stop here as I want to work with the other elements in the upcoming chapters. I am thinking about putting this story up for adoption. I am writing it and you all seem to be enjoying it, but my heart is just not as into this one as with Potter to Potter. Maybe it is because I have been suffering with the flu the last week.