Title: Lest we forget

Author: DR asia

Ratings: G

Pairing: None (or pre-slash, really pre-slash)

Categories: AU/Drama

Disclaimer: The last time I checked, I wasn't her.

Summary: AU Two 10-year-olds meet up again after two years, Featuring child!Harry and child!Draco!

Warnings: For one, Voldermort (aka Dark Lord) doesn't exist. Therefore, James and Lily lived until they (really) died in a car accident. Secondly, I have taken some liberties with the Malfoy family…well you'll see when you read it.

AN: This was originally intended to be a part of a much longer fic, but I got lazy and decided to write only the first part of the story. Enjoy!

Lest we forget

Prologue

It was a cool autumn evening. The leaves were starting to abandon their homes, scattering about in the wind before falling gently onto the ground of the park. The park was dusted with brown leaves of all sizes; even the giant fountain was not spared. Few leaves were floating aimlessly by the small waves of the water; the park attendant would fish them out of the water the next day.

            Located near the fountain was a playground. Two children, one dark-haired and the other blonde-haired, were playing. Their shouts of laughter floated merrily to the nearby bench where their fathers sat.

            "It has been quite a while." Lucius Malfoy said to James Potter, their heads faced in the direction of their children. Each wore a proud smile when they saw that their children could interact so well together even though they had only met each other on that very day.

            "It was certainly a surprise to see you here. So, Lucius, what is the thing that the muggle world has and the wizards don't to make you come here and work for them? I didn't expect to find you working in a shipping company." James said to his schoolmate from another time, his head now turned to look at him when he saw that their sons were content with the game they were playing.

            Lucius studied his companion as he worked out his reply. The story was rather long and he wasn't sure how much he should reveal to his future business partner. James Potter had changed much since he last saw him in Hogwarts. Nevertheless, looking at the 29-year-old adult, he could still see a glimpse of the second year. The hair was still wild, as if he had given up on ever taming it; his eyes radiated such self-confidence that Lucius knew could even rival his. He was expecting an older; more experienced man, but was pleased to see that it was someone he knew. It would make the whole exchange much easier and pleasant, not so formal like he had thought. He was startled to see the hazel eyes on him when he realised that James was still waiting for a reply.

            "Oh, it's nothing really. I had always wanted to explore the muggle world. When I finally did, I realised that it wasn't as backward as I thought. So, I decided to bring my family along here. Having a job makes the experience more exciting."

            It was true. Lucius had brought Narcissa along to the muggle world on their honeymoon. It seemed like a good idea to settle them there. That way, their offspring would know about the muggle world and the wizarding world. His children would not be accused of ignorance in their later lives. Besides, shipping was a very good business prospect. People like to go for cruises and businessmen like to transport their goods via shipping. Each ship was worth about millions. Very profitable.

            Speaking of ships, Lucius was reminded of his purpose for the day's meeting.

            "Have you finished it? The ship's blueprint?" he asked.

            "Oh yes, it's in here." Reaching into his coat pocket, James took out the drawing. He designed ships for a living. One day, he received a fax and here he was, handing four month's worth of work to his client.

            Lucius took the brown envelope. He would look at it later in his office. First, he had to bring Draco home. He looked towards the playground and saw that his son was helping to push James's son who was on the swing and demanding that his turn was next. He smiled again. Draco had wanted to go with his father on his business meeting. It was a good thing that James also happened to have a son and had a habit of bringing him to parks every weekend.

            "Draco!" he called. "It's time to go!"

            The children who were arguing light-heartedly about the swing froze when they heard Draco's father calling him. They hadn't had enough of playing yet! They both fussed and pleaded with their respective parent, but nothing worked. The men's meeting was over and they had to go home.

            They slowly dragged their way to the bench where their fathers were waiting. Along the way, James's son, Harry, spotted a newly transferred evergreen among the balding brown trees. Delightedly, he ran over to the young plant and with a tug, he plucked out a leaf. Draco was curious as to what Harry was doing to the small tree. He went over and did the same with another leaf attached to the same branch when Harry motioned him to.

            Harry beckoned him to get closer and said, "This tree is still young, just like us. So, I was thinking of exchanging the leaves to remember each other by. Someday, when we meet again, I will know that it's you and you'll know that it's me, because we would have the leaf with us. See?"

            Draco nodded his head happily, thinking that it's a wonderful idea.

"Friends forever?" he asked as he handed over the green leaf.

"Friends forever."

*************

tbc…

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