Thanks for being patient with me! Hopefully I'll have more time to write now that my finals are done! :)

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When Severus considered all of the moments that had lead him to this he was amazed by the outcome, by the seamless design of the universe. Who would have known all those years ago that he would be looking at the child of his beloved Lily and that wretched prick James Potter and that he would feel something for the child other than contempt. Perhaps it was because he saw something of himself in the boy. Maybe it was in the angle of his shoulders as the world weighed down on them or the tilt of Harry's head as he considered the world around him with a gravity that a child his age should never possess. Maybe it as in his awkward interaction with Draco… how Harry had no idea what it was like to be around other children his age… or the saddest possibility of all. Perhaps he saw himself in young Harry Potter in the bruises and the scars. Perhaps he saw himself laying on the floor as his father beat him senseless and knew what it felt like to be unloved by those who should care for you the most.

He ran his hands over his face. There was too much to do, he didn't have time to stand here and watch Draco try to make Harry get involved. He moved out of the room and started down the hall when Draco's voice reached his ears.

"Harry…" Severus paused mid-step. Something in Draco's voice froze him where he stood.

"…yeah…" Harry's hesitance was heartbreaking.

"I'm your friend." Draco's voice was firm. There was no question. Severus smiled, his Godson had never been one to 'beat around the bush.' When Draco wanted something he went for it. There was a long silence before Harry spoke again.

"…really…" it was breathy and almost silent, but the hope was there.

"Yes." This time the silence was much shorter.

"I've… I've never had a… friend before." The words were louder now, not by much, but it was a start.

"Then I'll teach you all about them. I'm your friend and that means that I'll always be here, right here," Severus heard the rustle of fabric, he moved softly down the hall to see Draco hugging Harry tightly. "And I'll never hurt you." Draco looked seriously into Harry's eyes as he spoke, "and I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again." Harry had tears rolling down his cheeks as he considered Draco.

"promise?" Harry's bottom lip quivered as he tightened his fingers in Draco's robes.

"Promise. Always." Harry launched himself into Draco's arms again and Draco laughed as he was nearly knocked over by his new friend. Harry's soft laughed followed, it was softer than it should be, and Severus finally understood what connected them… they had both be saved by friendship. He felt hope raise its self in his blood for the first time in years. Hope for himself, and Draco… and Harry… and the world. He turned and walked back down the hallway again. The sounds of the boys quiet laughter echoing around him

Miles away from #12 Grimmauld Place, Lucius stood watched as the warders constructed layer after layer of new protections over the ancient wards of the Most Nobel and Ancient House of Malfoy. Some worked on the framework of what would become the blood wards, some warders loaned to him from Gringotts constructed wards so old that Lucius cold smell earth and fire on them. Lucius had called in every favor he could. He chuckled to himself as he watched his house be fortified. Years ago… months ago… heck… days ago, if someone had said he would be preparing his home for the arrival of "The boy-who-lived" he would have laughed himself sick, not that Malfoy's got sick, still he found it all very amusing. Lucius was not a loyal Death eater, by any means, but he knew what people thought of him. He knew that his father had done so much damage to their family name he could have refused the mark and the public would still have labeled him as one of Voldemort's servants. A soft pop drew him out of his musing; he turned to see his solicitor walking toward him.

"Jonathan; How are you?" Handshakes and greetings were exchanged before Lucius lead him away from where the warders were working.

"I need you to do something for me. It must be done with absolute silence and speed." Jonathan, who had been more of a friend than employee over the years cut Lucius off.

"If it must be done so quickly let me know what it is and I'll get to work. I've been your friend and lawyer for more years than ten years, my silence is not going to change now." Jonathan had always been one to speak honestly no matter the cost, it was one of the things Lucius like best about him.

"I want custody of Harry Potter." Lucius was a man of subtlety and tact but when the mood took him he could be blunt and sarcastic. More often than not he would cut straight to the point with the intention of observing the other persons response. Later on in the privacy of his study, with a glass of Ogden's Finest, he would laugh over the results. Jonathan's response was better than he expected. His eyebrows raised and came together simultaneously, giving him a contorted mad look. His lips pursed outward as his jaw dropped. Finally Jonathan regained himself and rubbed his face over his face.

"I'll do what I can. Do you know who his legal guardians are? Where they are?" Lucius pulled a small slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to the other man.

Vernon and Petunia Dursley

#4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging

Surrey

Jonathan seemed to pause for a moment, as he considered asking how Lucius was able to get this information, but thought better of it. The men nodded at each other before the returned to their tasks.

Lucius looked back at the warders and felt his lips curl into a smile. He loved throwing a wrench in Dumbledore's plans… any day that he could make the old man's life a little harder was a good day for him.

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