A/N: I've decided until I can work out a proper schedule for my stories, to release them in a somewhat spontaneous manner. I hope that everyone enjoys this new segment and thank you so much for all the lovely reviews! It makes me so happy to know that this tale is being enjoyed.

And now…

Onwards.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to J.K. Rowling

The warm summer sun seemed to burn at his pale skin as Harry watched all the school children run around. The park was constantly filled with the sounds of laughing and screaming children since then end of the school year. Sadly Harry was not included in these festivities. His cousin Dudley had already scared off all the other children, and no matter how much he wished it, they would never let him play with them.

Who would want to play with a freak after all?

He sighed sadly before going to sit next to an aged and warped elder tree. The cool shade offered some much needed relief from the summer sun, and thankfully Dudley seemed far too busy bullying the other children to take notice Harry at the moment. Smiling sadly he took off his worn book bag and began to rummage around it before making a soft noise of triumph at finding his most beloved book. It was a rather simple book with odd fairytales, he had read the stories so many times that the book was slowly falling apart, its cover no longer shiny and new but aged and tattered. Yet he loved it too much to ever bemoan it's less then ideal appearance, it was his one true treasure after all.

"My dear boy…" A soft voice came from behind him, startling him from his musings. "Whatever are you doing here?"

Harry turned and frowned at the strange appearance of the older man hiding behind the aged tree. He smiled softly when he noticed Harry's stare and stepped out from the shadows in order to let the younger see him clearer. He wore strange and brightly coloured robes; Harry rather doubted his Aunt Petunia would ever let this stranger near her home dressed in such a silly and peculiar manner. The neighbors would never let her hear the end of it. Besides his clothes the man had the most remarkable beard, it was long and white, to the point that the old gentleman had seemingly tied the hair to his waist. Harry had never seen such an odd looking gentleman, but he didn't feel wary of him whatsoever. The man's blue eyes were much to warm and inviting for him to ever fear him, they almost seemed welcoming in a way.

Harry shook his head and blushed in embarrassment from getting lost in his thoughts again. Remembering the man's earlier question he shrugged as he focused his attention on his ratty trainers. "No one wants to play with me."

The man made a thoughtful humming noise before sitting down next to Harry. "Well, that's not right. You're such a sweet and honest child; I can not see why anyone would not want your friendship."

Harry blushed brightly at the compliment before looking up and smiling shyly at the strange gentleman. "Thank you sir."

The man chuckled. The sound seeming so warm and soothing that Harry was almost tempted to close his eyes and sleep. "Think nothing of it my boy." His eyes seemed to twinkle brightly when he eyed the book in Harry's small hands. "What do you have there Harry?"

He didn't even question how the man could possibly know his name, he was much too excited to finally have someone who wasn't wary of him and seemed interested in him for once instead of his cousin. "It's my favorite book! The tales of Beedle the Bard!" He smiled brilliantly at the kind and old gentleman. "I love the stories! It seems so wonderful to think of a world of magic!"

The man smiled at him warmly. "Magic can be a wonderful thing Harry, such a great and powerful gift."

Harry nodded shyly. "I wish I had magic…" He blushed at his admission before relaxing as the man merely chuckled warmly again. An unknown emotion seemed to pass through the elder's eyes as he smiled at Harry. "My dear boy, you are so very special, even with the gift of magic." He shook his head and gestured to the book in Harry's lap. "Would you terribly mind if I perhaps read you a few of the tales?"

Harry gasp in shock before nodding eagerly. No one had ever wanted to read him a story before. Carefully he handed the man his frayed book before snuggling close, feeling comforted by the kind presence the man's very being seemed to exude. His eyes started to close as he listened to the gentleman's voice. He seemed so terribly familiar to Harry, yet the harder he tried to think of him, the more the thought seemed to float away from him. Sighing softly his breathing slowly evened out until he was peacefully asleep, the warmth and protection keeping away the nightmares that had always come for him.

Albus blinked in surprise when he felt Harry slump beside him before smiling sadly at the small boy. Running a hand through the messy hair he laid a kiss on the all too familiar lightning bolt scar.

"I'm so sorry Harry." He smiled sadly as the boy snuggled closer, murmuring softly in his sleep. "Forgive me my boy for what I have done to you."

A single tear fell from him and landed on the young boy's cheek, stirring him slightly from his slumber.

"Forgive me Harry."

Albus and Severus sat quietly as they watched over the slumbering boy. Poppy had almost called for the aging wizard's head when she saw just who it was he was cradling so gently. It seems after Harry's extended stay in her wing the stern matron had developed a soft spot for the young teen; and both men were under no illusion that should the potion incident had been anything else then an accident, that the old medi witch herself would have paid vengeance to the perpetrators. After taking care of some personal business, Severus had joined Albus in the hospital wing as they watched over the young teen, a few times he had murmured Albus's name softly in his sleep, causing the headmaster's heart to clench painfully.

Severus sighed before running a hand through his silky locks. "Should we inform them?" He grimaced at the thought, he knew Black and Potter would storm the castle if they were informed of this accident, and so soon after the boy had been discharged from the wing. He cringed and mentally noted that Finnigan should probably be hidden from their sight should the foolish gryffindor think to stay in the castle during the Yule holidays.

Albus frowned before shaking his head. "They would only worry more… perhaps when they come by for Yule will things be better, and they would take the news of this incident calmly."

Severus snorted. "Somehow I doubt either Black or Potter even know the meaning of the worm calm." He looked around the dark and empty hospital wing before staring intently at Albus. "Who have you sent to find the one's responsible for this?"

Albus hummed under his breath before moving his hand, a shield was quickly erected in order to keep their conversation private.

"I have Frank and Kingsley on the case, the ministry has taken an interest in Mr. Potter's disappearance and have Aurors of their own working to uncover what happened."

Severus sneered darkly. "They could not find him in the two weeks he was gone, what makes you think they will find his attackers now?"

Dumbledore sighed tiredly before glancing at Harry murmured softly in his sleep again before shifting a bit in the hospital bed. "You must have more faith Severus. They are doing all they ca-"

Severus laughed harshly. "You don't even believe those words yourself Dumbledore." He stared at the man's cold blue eyes. "You want revenge, just as I do. No matter how much you try, your eyes can't lie."

Dumbledore looked away in shame. "I am not all forgiving Severus, though I may try to be… I do not believe I will ever be able to forgive his attackers."

Severus shook his head before smiling coldly. "And so the Lord of Light falls."

Dumbledore chuckled as he smiled sadly. "I never said I was infallible, that title no longer means anything to me."

Snape stood up and adjusted his robes. "Then Headmaster, we will have to see just how far you are willing to go for a child not even of your blood."

Dumbledore turned to look at him. "I should say the same to you as well."

Severus smirked at him coldly. "For this child Dumbledore… I would even let hell reign." He bowed his head at the older. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have papers to grade."

He stalked out of the wing, his robes billowing around him as the shadows seemed to swallow his form from view.

Dumbledore sighed sadly before gently brushing aside Harry's hair, and aged finger tracing the lighting bolt scar. "Forgive us my dear child." He smiled sadly when he noticed Harry lean to the touch even in sleep.

"Forgive us poor fools."

Draco sat calmly in the potions master's quarters; he was playing with a cup of tea that had long grown cold as he waited for his godfather to arrive. The house elves had tried to replace it countless times but he needed something to hold.

He needed to hide just how much his hands were shaking.

Swallowing thickly when the man had still yet to show he sighed loudly.

There were too many things that were confusing this year.

That tournament should not have been anything to note. Yet Harry had been called to enter. Everyone had assumed the famous prankster had simply entered his name somehow, but even as he joked around with everyone, Draco had noticed a look of worry enter his bright green eyes.

Then there was that Hogsmeade trip. Since then, Po- Harry had changed, in more ways then one. He had noticed earlier had the boy's eyes would sometimes glaze over when he looked at another student, and how an air of melancholy followed him after.

At first, he had simply written it off as just an after effect from his recovery. A simple lag in his healing after his mysterious attack.

Yet now after potions… he wasn't so sure on that assessment. Just remembering the screams the teen had unleashed made him shiver in fear. His godfather had trained him in the art of potions, and he knew whatever Harry had experienced was real.

That thought terrified him more then he cared to admit.

He had previously not known what to think of the attack, especially since the younger seemed to be so tight lipped on it. Sure there was rumors floating about, but he knew that not even the headmaster knew just what exactly Harry had gone through.

Then there was that small and easily overlooked 'talent' that Harry now seemed to posses.

He shivered even though his back was to the fire.

A talent that should not even be possible for him for him to have, had he not heard it with his own ears… he would never have believed it.

Harry… had spoken parseltongue.

He had known the annoying teen all his life, and not once had he ever heard the teen speak in that tongue. If anything Harry was deathly afraid of snakes, he would never talk willingly to one.

So that only led to the question… on how was it that he now came to possess an ability thought dead? After all, everyone 'knew' that the last speaker had perished thirteen years ago, and there were no Slytherins in the Potter bloodline.

He scowled as he looked at his tea. There were too many questions coming about for his liking and not enough answers to satisfy him.

He tapped his foot impatiently as he looked at the clock.

There was something wrong here, whatever they had done to Harry went much further then physical violence. As much as he loathed admitting it, it was almost like Harry wasn't… well, like he wasn't himself anymore.

He groaned loudly at such a stupid thought.

No matter what, he really did want to help the broken boy. He was enjoying his almost friendship with Harry and was starting to think of him as a fond friend, someone he could talk to whenever Blaise wasn't around. He felt that Pott- Harry wouldn't mind if he let down his mask, and he loved that feeling of being free to act as he wished with no repercussions.

He nodded to himself, he would talk to his godfather first, and then he would see how he could help his new friend.

After all… No one messed with someone placed under a Malfoy's protection.

He sighed in relief when he heard the door to the private rooms open. Turning he smiled nervously at his godfather.

"Uncle Sev…" He started before looking away from the surprised man. "We need to talk."

A/N: I Hope that everyone enjoys this new installment! It'll be a long time yet before any questions are answered and I hope everyone will stick around till then. The page is still up on my profile for this story and hopefully I can start adding things to it soon. Thank you so much for reading this tale. Please do leave a review if you can, they make me smile so much when I read them.

Thank you.

Till next time.