Title: Figlio Perduto

Author: Gia

E-Mail: divinechild18@hotmail.com

Rating: PG-13

Pairing: none

Time: Present time.

Summary: [AU] During an outing with his father at the young age of one, Harry has met an elf and is now linked to their brethren. Harry is now a young choir boy, who's singing will do more than enchant others.

Disclaimer: I own not a thing.

Author Notes: Hello again! How's everyone doing? Good? Great! Lol.. I'm making up for lack of saying anything interesting in these author notes.. So sue me.. No wait, don't sue me.. Haha.. Poor attempt at a joke.. ¬_¬.. Okay.. Also, if you haven't noticed, it's almost time for the big adventure with the elves coming up!

This chapter will be the day before the big Church event, and the next chapter will be Harry's, and the other choirs, day to shine! After that, this will be FINISHED. The sequel will be posted separately, since I don't want it to be many chapters. So, once I'm done with the last two chapters (which is this one, and the next one) I'm going to start the sequel on separate story. I've already thought of the title for the Sequel, it will be called "Dans La Nuit". ^_^ Now, on to the chapter!

***

Un bel giorno ...

Un bel giorno per morire

***

Barith led them to the park, so they could be shaded by the trees.

"What are we doing here Barith?" Lólindir asked.

"We've got to disguise ourselves before we get there. If we want to learn the entire layout of the Cathedral, we should do it unimpeded, and we can't risk being discovered."

Lólindir nodded grudgingly, while Morwen smiled at her brother. Their appearances changed from a quick tune of Barith's flute. They looked like ordinary 20-something year olds.

"Lle merna aut?" Morwen asked.

Barith nodded. "Khila amin."

***

The last two days both choirs had was a tough one. They spent the rest of Thursday working hard at singing together, in sync. Soon, they were able to do it seamlessly, under the critical eyes of Sirius and Madam Pomfrey. Friday morning was spent with singing all the songs straight through, leaving the end for critical comments and changes to certain songs. If the boys and girls worked hard, it was nothing compared to Harry. The finale was just as important as the entire program, but they needed to make a good impression. Luckily, Harry was dead set on doing good, and practiced wholeheartedly.

They spent the rest of Friday afternoon taking a break, so no one would have hoarse voices the next day of the program. Robes for the choirs were freshly laundered and ironed, hanging in the altar server's quarters. Now, this was a time for the boys and girls to get along. Sirius and Madam Pomfrey would be planning out the events, so both choirs were left to their own devices. After many introductions, it was all very well between them, albeit the few instances with certain girls and boys. ("Ugh! She's still staring at me!") The girls finally got over the boys, and the boys no longer flushed with embarrassment around the girls.

"Hey, why don't we play a game?" Seamus piped up.

"A game? Here?" a girl in the back asked skeptically.

"Sure, just your average hide and seek. The place is big enough, obviously. As long as we aren't loud." Seamus turned his head this way and that, making sure to address everyone. He grinned coaxingly.

"I don't know, Seamus," Harry piped up, flushing just a tad bit when the eyes swiveled to him, "Isn't it disrespectful?"

Draco nudged Harry, rolling his eyes. "No need to be a spoilsport Harry. It won't cause any harm. I happen to quite good at hiding, if I do say so myself." Sounds of agreement arose.

Ron grinned over to Seamus, a message passing between them. "Well then, Draco, let us hope you are as good as you say, because I'm going to be seeking."

"Best to bring book, shall I? It's going to take ages." Draco drawled, grinning. It caused a few chuckles, but Ron took it good naturedly. Harry smiled at his two closet friends, and came up with a better idea.

"We're such a big group though, how about we assign one more seeker? From the girls."

***

Un bel di, vedremo

Levarsi un fil di fumo

Sull'estremo con fin del mare

E poi la nave appare

***

The girls seemed to like the idea, but weren't too keen on seeking. Ron let his gaze wander along the girls, until he caught sight of one who had remained quiet during the whole thing. "Want to be seeker with me?" he asked bluntly. The girl in question looked at him as if just seeing him, and then nodded. "Very well, we've got two seekers."

The groups stood as one, immediately left into the long hallways of the cathedral. Ron coughed awkwardly, turning to the girl beside him. He held out his hand, "The name's Ron Weasley. And you are?"

"Hermione Granger." She smiled, shaking his hand. "Pleasure."

Ron blushed as she directed her smile to him, averting his face quickly. Rubbing his hands together gleefully, he pretended to look wildly to the sides. "Let the games begin!"

***

There was a mad dash along the halls, as boys and girls ducked in corners, or ran to unlocked rooms. There was adrenaline pumping through everyone's veins, caught up in the excitement that was to follow. Harry's eager eyes looked down the halls, already seeing the doors shut close. 'Where to hide.. Where to hide..' Harry chanted in his mind.

"Harry!" someone hissed.

Turning his head, he saw Neville motion towards him from around the corner. Harry ran to him, and saw that Draco and Seamus were around the corner too. Huddling close, they spoke in quick, excited whispers. "We can't hide here." Harry spoke breathlessly, having had to run across the hall.

"We know that, but we think it's best to know where each other is hiding if we need to find a new place. We should team up. Neville's going with Seamus, so that's just you and me." Draco flashed a grin. "I know the perfect place."

The boys laughed, eyes and ears straining to hear any approaching sounds. They weren't disappointed when they heard the creaking of the doors. "Me and Neville our heading the old prayer room, hardly anyone goes there."

Draco nodded quickly, as Harry gently pushed them in the direction to go. Harry watched them disappear through the door, and he leaned back against the wall. Draco was beside him, doing the same thing. "I can hear their footsteps Draco!" Harry hissed urgently.

Grinning smugly, he put a finger to his lips, and grabbed Harry's arm, pulling him in the opposite direction. "Follow me!"

They broke into a run, as they heard the squeals of girls who were found out. They ran through doors, which lead to rooms, which lead to more doors, and so on and so forth. 'I never realized how huge this place was' Harry thought dazedly. Draco had, by now, let go of Harry's arm so the two wouldn't have to worry about bumping along the narrow halls. They finally paused in their running, and Harry had a chance to catch his breath and look at his surroundings. They were in disused room, with shelves upon shelves of old books. They looked to be Bibles, and hymn books, and others with no titles. Tilting his head quizzically, he turned to Draco.

"Where exactly are we Draco? Do you even know?"

"Of course I do," Draco spoke, sounding very indignant. "We're in.." he trailed off, glancing about. Harry waited for Draco to come up with something. "We're in an old book.. Room.. Thing.."

"Very helpful, Draco. Honestly." Shrugging to himself, he pushed aside some books on a table, and perched himself on it. "At least there's no chance of anyone finding us, since we've no idea where we are. All we can do now is wait for them to find us. We've nothing to worry about missing practice since we're done. So, let's make the best of it, I should say."

Draco nodded absentmindedly, already looking at the books on the shelves. Turns out, the half the books here turned out to be old hymn books, and Draco was humming to the tunes he saw as he flipped the pages. Turning to the books on the table he sat on, Harry picked up a dusty volume. He placed it on his la, randomly flipping it open to a spot. There was no need since it had a red bookmark to the spot. Harry let his palm push the creases of the faded pages away, but the words were too faded to read.

***

With every new day

Your promises fade away

It's a fine day to see

Though the last day for me

It's a beautiful day

***

Harry pulled his hand back, as he had gotten a paper cut. Harry watched with morbid fascination as a drop landed on the page. Something on the page started happening. Bringing the book closer, he squinted. It seemed like there was a ripple across the page, and the words were rapidly becoming clearer. Harry's brows furrowed, distractedly putting his cut finger in his mouth, to stop the blood. The coppery tang was briefly registered but Harry was too busy marveling at what had happened to do much. It was futile to try reading what it said, as everything was in Latin. He was tutored briefly by Remus about it, and could only translate haltingly.

"--songs?"

Harry's head snapped up. He pulled out his finger, seeing the cut already stopped bleeding and healed. "Hmm.."

"Harry? You in there? I said, did you find any nice songs?"

"Oh.." he started dumbly. "This book's in Latin, I don't want to pronounce anything wrong."

"Doesn't matter to me, I don't know Latin very well anyway. I won't notice. Besides, all these books are faded, I could barely make out any words, and you look you can make out words so let's hear it."

"I… okay." Harry ignored the feeling of hesitation, his mind's eye going back to the incident in the church when the flowers adorning the walls had started to bloom. Not to mention the fact that his blood shouldn't be able to do what it did. 'Restoration? Is that even possible?' His eyes scanned the page for the beginning, noting the notes and key signature. Clearing his throat, he started.

***

"This is remarkably easy, 'Mione. Everyone's too busy giggling or too noisy."

Hermione smiled at the nickname, but nodded at what Ron said. It was true; everyone had hid in large groups, making it easy to catch them. The more people caught, the more chain reactions it caused. When one group was found in one room, another small group of three or four would suddenly jump out and break for a run. It was all too simple for Ron to catch up, and Hermione just had to reach out her hand to tag those that ran past her, not knowing or not remembering she was one of the seekers too.

Soon, everyone was found save for four boys. After a big group huddle it was decided. Hermione would lead the girls, and Ron would lead the boys. Whichever side found the boys, or at least the majority of them, would win. Hermione and Ron shook on it, and they parted ways.

***

Un bel di, vedremo

Levarsi un fil di fumo

Sull'estremo con fin del mare

E poi la nave appare

***

At the moment, Hermione was walking with her small group of girls, who were talking loudly about how much fun it was. She suddenly came to a stop, rounding on the girls. "We've got to keep quiet, or the boys will know we're coming." The girls nodded at this, but spoke in whispers.

"Hold on minute Hermione, you've got to tell us what it was like." Lavender spoke, oddly smiling.

"What what as like?"

"You know, with Ron."

The girls laughed, nudging Lavender playfully. Hermione laughed along with them, and grinned mischievously. "Oh, it was wonderful, Lavender. He was such a dah-ling, to me." She batted her eyes for effect. Letting the girls finish with their laughing, she reminded them that they still had to the find the boys if they wanted to win. Agreeing enthusiastically, they set off.

***

"Go on, mate, your blushing. Did that shake if the hands really make you randy?" the boys chuckled at this, Ron smiling amiably. The boy who spoke, Dean, acted like Seamus sometimes.

Ron shook his head wordlessly, urging the boys that they had to find the last four, or they'd lose to the girls. "And you wouldn't want that, do you?"

The boys yelled in agreement, and the search was on.

***

"Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea.. Et a peccato meo munda me." Harry paused, eying the page. He sang it softly, unconsciously not wanting anything --different-- to happen. Harry paused, shaking his head. "I really don't think I should continue. I'm probably chopping up the words.."

Draco shook his head emphatically. "No, your not. It was correct, perfectly."

An eyebrow rose. "And how would you know?"

"Because I've heard it before. From my mother. It's something from Psalm. Although, the words are from Miserere mei, Deus."

"Psalm? You're the perfect little choir boy." Harry teased. "What does it mean?"

"Wash me from my iniquity.. And cleanse me of my sin." Draco recited. "I've memorized the entire thing when I was little. It was my favorite piece." he paused.

***

With every new day

Your promises fade away

It's a fine day to see

Though the last day for me

It's a beautiful day

***

"Go on," Harry urged, "Sing it. I'd love to hear it."

Draco flushed, not used to being personally asked to sing. Still, it was a good boost of confidence, and he straightened up to sing it. "Okay, mind you, it's long and it might attract the others."

Harry shrugged, "I don't mind. It was bound to happen anyway."

Draco cleared his throat dramatically, earning a smile from Harry, and began. "Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam; et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam. Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea, et a peccato meo munda me."

Harry watched, transfixed on the words. Something was happening to Harry's ears.. it was ringing with the sound of Draco's voice. Harry tilted his head, not liking the ringing.

"Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco et peccatum meum contra me est semper. Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci, ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum iudicaris...Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum, et in peccatis concepit me mater mea. Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti."

With suddenly clarity, the English equivalent burst forth in Harry's mind. As Draco was singing, the translation was also playing in his head, the ringing already ended.

"Incerta, et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi. Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor."

To Draco's surprise, Harry joined in, only singing the English counterpart softly, so as not to overlap with Draco's voice. It definitely sounded lovely to both of the boys' ears.

"Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exultabunt ossa humiliata."

"To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice."

"Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis, et omnes iniquitates meas dele. Cor mundum crea in me, Deus, et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis. Ne proiicias me a facie tua, et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me. Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui, et spiritu principali confirma me."

"Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of they salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit."

Harry paused in his singing, wanting just for a moment, to hear Draco sing the last two stanzas, and deciding he'd join in the last lines. It was soothing to listen to the words, and Harry understood why Draco was so enamored with it.

"Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur. Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae; et exultabit lingua mea iustitiam tuam. Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.... Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis. Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus non despicies."

Harry joined in with the English equivalent once Draco started the last stanza.

"Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion, ut aedificentur muri Hierusalem. Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos..."

"Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar…"

They let the silence linger when Harry was finished, their mind's just engraving this memory in their heads. It was a nice experience between them, and they could reminisce about when they were older.

"Well," Draco broke the silence, "That was.. interesting."

Harry laughed, glad that Draco broke the moment. "Come on, I'm sure we've sung loud enough for everyone to hear. All we have to do is wait."

"No." It was if a light bulb went off in Draco's head. "I've got an idea. Come on. I've got a surprise for the seekers."

***

It's the last day for me

It's a beautiful day

***

"--Ne proiicias me a facie tua, et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me--"

The girls stilled in they're happy chatter over catching Seamus and Neville, letting the voices wash over them. "That's beautiful." someone whispered, not wanting to disrupt the voices.

"Who are the boys that are singing?"

"Harry Potter. But the other boy.." Neville trailed off, "I'm betting the other is Draco Malfoy."

The song played in the background of the girls conversations. Hermione shrugged indifferently. "It doesn't destroy the fact that they're leading us towards them. We've already found these two, and if we find the other two, we'll win."

With the song ringing around the cathedral, and the promise of winning, the girls quickly hurried towards the sound.

***

"--Ne proiicias me a facie tua, et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me--"

"Quick! The voices are coming from down the hall!"

There was a scurry of footsteps, as the boys charged down the halls. Halfway through, they were stopped when the girl's group appeared. Ron met Hermione's eye. Hermione met Ron's eye. What would decide this match would be whoever made it there first. Simultaneously, Ron and Hermione took off across the hall, the boys and girls waited in the middle of the hallway. Whoever won was going to come out last, and they had to wait and see what would happen.

~*~

"Hear they come," Draco whispered, "Remember what you have to do Harry."

Reluctance. "I'm not sure it'll work.. I don't even know if I can manage it."

"Don't worry, just focus."

"But what if they find--"

"Don't worry, Harry. If they notice your singing does.. Certain things, I'll make something up. Trust me."

Sigh. "I know I'm going to regret this."

"Ssshh!"

The door opened. The sounds of chatter died, as both Ron and Hermione stepped in, followed by the rest of the boys and girls. "Where are they?" Hermione asked, whispering involuntarily. Ron felt for the switch, and swore when it wouldn't work. The windows were covered by the heavy curtains, and it was too dark to see much. "I don't know." he whispered back.

Harry, who was crouched behind the wooden chairs, closed his eyes and started to sing under his breath. This was Draco's cue, who was sitting atop the bookshelves, much to Harry's concern. He raised his head, and started singing in a haunting voice. A child-like voice, really, so it would echo around the room. "Ring around the rosie.. Pocket full of posies.."

Hermione shuddered, taking a step back. She was greatly surprised, when Ron put a comforting arm around her shoulders. She could tell Ron was just as unnerved as her, but it was still a nice gesture.

Hermione and Ron caught a movement in the curtain to their right-- no! To all the curtains. They were billowing as if the windows were open, but..

"Ron.." she trailed off, stunned.

"Ashes.. Ashes.."

"This is too creepy.." Ron muttered to himself, eyes squinting through the darkness.

"We all… fall… DOWN!"

Hermione and Ron visibly jumped at the shouted word, as they saw imprints of faces and hands behind the curtains, as if someone was trying to pass through it. Hermione let out a scream, and Ron too let out a yell. The shock was short lived however, when they suddenly heard laughter.

"Harry! Draco! Jesus, you scared the sh-- out of me!" Ron grinned ruefully at Hermione's reproving glare.

Draco gracefully jumped down, as Harry stood from his crouched position. The two approached, Ron and Hermione.

"How did you two do that? With the curtains?" Hermione asked curiously.

"A magician never tells his secrets." Draco and Harry replied in unison.

"Well, I must inform these magicians that it's time to head home."

The sudden voice made all four turn around to see Sirius and Madam Pomfrey in the doorway. Laughing, the four quickly left the room, following their tutors out the Cathedral.

***

The boys dutifully waved goodbye to the girls in the bus. They waited as the bus drove out of sight, and turned to Sirius. "Now, I want you boys to get a good night's sleep for tomorrow. The mass will begin 7:30, so don't be late." He smiled at their nervous expressions. "I know you all will do me proud. Now, if you haven't noticed, today's practice lasted longer than necessary, so I've taken the liberty of calling your parents to come pick you up in the Cathedral. We should wait inside."

The boys followed Sirius inside, all talking about the fun with hide and seek.

***

It's the last day for me

It's a beautiful day

***

A/N: END OF CHAPTER! ^_^ Yay! One more to go! Then the sequel will be out when this is finished. You know, I've realized something, and no one has mentioned it.. Although if someone has, I'm sorry I didn't see it.

Is anyone wondering about the elvish translations? Regardless of your answer, I am going to put the translations anyway ^_^. I'll post them as soon as this story is done, which won't be long. Then after posting the translations, I'll put up the sequel.