Author's Note: I wanted to thank everyone who has been reviewing, adding this piece to their favorites as well as their following alerts lists. I usually send out personal PMs, but there are so many of you, it's tough. I'll get through them I promise. On another note I also want to thank those of you who have added me as an author to your favorites list as well as alert subscription. I'm honored that you view me as worthy enough to be there.

Chapter 2: Her Son

Harry managed to slip into the kitchen of his home unnoticed by the Dursleys, his hands had been trembling after placing the box on the counter, he was lucky that the car which had passed him wasn't the Mason's, extraordinarily lucky. Petunia walked into the kitchen, she was wearing a different dress and put on the pearls which Vernon had purchased for her. She sneered at Harry before looking at the piece of the cake which were yet to be assembled. "I want the cake assembled and frosted, after that you will go to your cupboard," she stated harshly, her eyes were like knives as they sliced through him. Harry nodded meekly before grabbing his step stool and placing it before the counter, he was short and had a hard time reaching the counters, especially since his Aunt wanted the cake assembled on the crustal bottom of the cake dome. Once the pine wooden stool was placed before the counter Harry washed his hands in the sink and moved to assembling the Orange Spice cake. He had made the batter earlier and baked the pans, all Petunia had done was pull them out and left he pans on the cold kitchen counter. Luckily the bases hadn't been stuck inside them, in reality Harry ensured that they wouldn't, he had taken the time to line the pans with parchment that way they would simply pop out of place.

He stepped onto the stool after drying his hands on a floral dish towel and set to work. Petunia had taught him how to bake when he was seven and had been icing cakes since he was six. It didn't take long for him to get better at making them than her. Harry's small hands gently pulled the two large thick disk like orange cakes from the pans and he hummed with irritation, there was a bulge in the center of the two. Peunia wouldn't be happy if it didn't look as though it had been brought out of a bakery earlier. Harry reached over for a knife and pulled it from the knife block, he selected a long serrated blade and swiftly sliced the excess off of the first piece to make a smooth and even top. A shiver ran down his spine and he felt as though he were being watched, but it wasn't the same as when Vernon had watched him. This surge of sadness and utter curiosity was forging, it showed concern. Harry placed the black samurai handled knife on the counter and looked around curiously for a moment, he even glanced out the window which was before him since he was icing the cake by the window. He shook his head and sighed, no one wanted him, so watching him wouldn't make sense, or at least that was he thought. The only time the Durselys looked his way was to ensure that he was doing his chores and couldn't be seen by anyone.

Small hands wrapped around the knife again, Petunia loved cooking shows, which Harry didn't mind oddly he learned a lot from them, including how to hold a knife. His hands may have been small to handle such a large blade but he knew how. The second base was leveled and Harry made quick work of stepping off the stool to retrieve the icings he had made from scratch. He had made a rather sweet chocolate icing to cover the cake and then both orange and green icing for the roses to go on the cake. Soon enough the young boy was lost in the art of decorating the cake. Beautiful blooming and budded roses were squeezed onto the cake with ease, they were vibrant against the light brown icing and only seemed to stand out more when he added the green leaves. He finished by adding a beautiful curl for a vine and placed the heavy large glass dome over the cake. It was spotless and he could see his reflection in it, which made him cringe. He was thinner than he remember and looked sickly, he closed his eyes before stepping away from the counter, he couldn't stand looking at his gaunt face much longer, it only made the nightmare which he called his life more real.

"Finished?" spat Petunia, which nearly made Harry jump. The boy looked at the tile floor with great interest as he nodded, "Orange?" she hissed. Harry immediately tensed, he had forgotten his aunt would never use such a masculine and bright color, "How putrid," she sneered, her nose wrinkled as she spoke. Harry closed his eyes as he waited to be struck, "We'll just have to cope," she stated before grabbing Harry harshly by the back of his shirt and dragging him to his cupboard. Oddly Harry didn't hate this; it meant he would be away from Vernon, which was actually far more appealing than even sampling the cake he had made. Before the child even realized it he was being shoved through the door and he heard the cupboard door slap closed before the locks were put in place. "Don't you dare make a sound," Petunia hissed through the door before slamming the vent closed and walking briskly toward the door.

Harry smiled as he pulled out a candle and matches, after a moment he lit the tape and fished the beautiful gift from his pocket. It glistened in the light as his fingers ran over its smooth surface, it was still cool in his fingers. He could remember the light which had surrounded the snow as a beautiful flower took shape, oddly it wasn't only that the boy remembered, but the elegant fingers of the man who had given him the gift. They were long and pale, the only thing which separated them from being as white as snow was the slight tinge of pink they had taken from being out in the cold. They looked harsh and yet gentle, he could still remember the look in the man's eyes, he didn't recognize it. Yet he liked it, it made him feel warm even in the cold. He smiled sadly and thought of how he would never see them again, after all he was quite sure that they would have vanished by now, or melt away with the snow.

~~WL~~

Severus looked at Lucius, he knew something wasn't right, no child would run that quickly when they saw a car or look that pale. There were children who were fickle eaters and then there were the ones who were starved, Severus was certain Potter was starved. "Come on, I don't like the feeling of this," Severus said smoothly before darting after the boy, the entire time he was praying he was wrong. For once in his life he was praying that he was wrong, he shook his head and whispered, "No, twice." He couldn't let Lily's child suffer, no child deserved to be treated in such a way. Lucius was following behind him and oddly keeping up, then again the aristocrat seemed as startled as he was at the sight of the boy. Lucius looked as though he wanted to scoop Harry up in his arms and hold the boy tightly, like he did Draco when he was hurt.

The dower man couldn't disagree with his friend, he wanted to do the very same as he looked into those green eyes, one which looked tired and nearly dead. It wasn't until he did magic that the boy seemed to come back to life, if only briefly. It was at that moment Severus understood what Tom had said, now he understood, something was very wrong with this situation. His chest was heaving as he continued to run in hopes of catching the boy, before he walked back into that house. Only to find himself staring at the child walking through the back door of the house and into the kitchen, Lucius was standing doubled over beside him panting. "Which of us played Quidich again?" asked the blonde as he attempted to catch his breath. Usually Severus would have reveled in this moment, but he couldn't seem to stop watching the window of the kitchen. With a simple wave of his wand he disillusioned them and stood there. He was rooted in place as he watched the boy tap two cake bases free of parchment lined pans.

At a glanced he looked as though he were simply going to assist his Aunt, it wasn't until Harry had a knife in his hand that Severus realized what the boy was doing, he was assembling a cake. His lips pressed into a hard line as he watched the boy work, "What is he doing?" asked Lucius his gray eyes were narrowed with curiosity as he attempted to understand what the boy was doing. Severus didn't reply as he watched the boy take a butter knife and work the frosting in the bowl before using a white pastry spatula and putting the chocolate between the two bases. Before Lucius realized it his question was answered as the boy in question finished the dark layer around the two orange cakes and moved to decorating, from what Severus could tell his hands were rather steady and from a distance the roses looked perfect. "They're making him do the job of a House Elf?" asked Lucius in confusion, "I thought Potter was spoiled, at least that's how Albus painted it to be," he commented.

Severus' fists were clenched at his sides as he watched Petunia grab Harry forcefully and walk out of the kitchen. He looked at Lucius and hummed, "We will have to wait for him to come back in view."

~~WL~~

What felt like forever was simply hours as the chatter which emanated from the kitchen filled the house. Laughter in reply to jokes, which had been told rang in Harry's ears. They sounded like the perfect normal family, he had long since extinguished the candle and now sat listening, waiting for the Masons to leave. Vernon was going to receive a promotion soon enough, and Harry knew that the man wanted everything to seem perfect, even if it was a total lie. He hummed as he leaned his head against the wall of the cupboard. His eyes fluttered closed after a moment, everything was sore and he was exhausted. He had cleaned the house spotless, decorated the tree, wrapped gifts, and cooked, he was quite frankly exhausted. Before he realized it his body felt heavy and his mind seemed to drift.

The sound of voices continued to hum in his ears, they were light, merry and sweet. At first he thought it was the people outside his cupboard. Yet when he opened his eyes he wasn't even there. Before he realized it he was somehow standing in London standing before a beautiful children's choir. They were dressed in warm reds and greens, their voices carried through the cold air and Harry's eyes widened. He had never been to London even during Christmas, he looked around quickly at the trees and lights which were glimmering in the night. His eyes fell on parents as they held their children close, protecting them from the world and the boy who was in the cupboard felt a pang of jealousy. Their cheeks were bright red from the cold and they could see their breathes in the air. One figure stood out in particular, standing in a beautiful black suit with a red tie and a long robe which was tick and lined with fur. Harry stared at long white fingers which reminded him of Severus' but this man was different. His hair was chocolate brown and slightly ruffled. He had a pair of striking red eyes, they made him seem warm and different, this man didn't terrify Harry, he actually felt safe. The young raven haired boy looked up at the man's soft and noble features, he looked like one of the men that he often caught Petunia gaping at. He had broad shoulders and stood rather tall, his posture was perfect and small smile curved his lips. His face was tinted a light pink due to the cold and he looked even more regal. After a moment Harry turned his attention to the children who were singing, they sounded wonderful as they sang of Christmas arriving in London. "Beautiful," whispered Harry, he couldn't help it.

Then man stiffened and his eyes widened as he looked down at Harry. His eyes were filled with confusion, "How did you get here?" he asked slowly. Harry felt even more confused as the man addressed him, "It's a dream, that's how," replied Harry slowly. He had no idea what the man was going on about, there was now way for him to leave his cupboard, he was locked inside of it. "No Harry, how did you get in my head?" he asked slowly as he knelt on the pavement before the child and touched the boy's face. Harry's eyes widened, "Don't be silly, you're a character in a dream you're not real," he reasoned. The man smiled sadly and shook his head before touching the side of Harry's face, his hands were a little cold, but gentle and soothing. "No Harry, you aren't. I'm in London," he explained. Harry tipped his head to the side and looked at the man in his dream and shook his head, "Yes we are, and it's my dream," he reasoned. This made the man look sad as he ran his fingers through Harry's hair.

"Harry where are you?" asked the man gently, his red eyes were filled with curiosity and oddly a tenderness Harry didn't know of. "In my cupboard, where I always am when I sleep," he replied simply, it was odd to him that his own dream didn't recognize this. The man's eyes widened as he gripped the boy's shoulders, "You're where?" he asked in a panic, his voice was louder and he looked terrified. "My cupboard," replied Harry with a shrug. The man paled and was about to say something when Harry was quite literally dragged from his dream.

A large hand had wrapped around his ankle and the boy stared at it, "Uncle," he whispered in fear. "I called you several times freak, you were late getting back and I had to keep the Masons away long enough for you to finish the cake," he hissed. Emerald green eyes widened in terror as his uncle dragged him from inside the cupboard, Dudley stood before them and grinned darkly. "You're gonna get it, Freak," stated the small whale. Petunia was sitting in the living room paying no attention to what was happening in the hallway and quite honestly didn't care. Harry eyed the pair and had a feeling this beating might be his last. "I-I'm s-sorry," Harry stammered as he attempted to pull away from his uncle's massive hands. He had to get away, this was turning for the worst, and yet he couldn't his uncles hands were like vices, they kept him in place. Before he even realized it he was being slammed into a wall, his head met the plaster with a horrifying crack and pain shot through him. He grit his teeth, knowing that if he cried out it would only be worse. Harry felt a foot make contact with his ribs, his body immediately attempted to curl into a ball. Soon enough kicks were delivered hard, fast and relentlessly to the boy who was now curled up on the floor, praying for a way to escape. "You disgusting freak, you could have cost me my promotion," Vernon panted as he delivered a harsh kick to the boy's side before slamming his foot down on the boy's leg. Harry cried out in agony as he felt the man's full weight on his leg, and the snap which followed.

Tears were falling from his face as he felt something cold and sharp pressed against his neck. "Don't scream," Dudley said darkly as he cut Harry's large shirt away with the knife. Harry's eyes widened as he attempted to get away only for his uncle to pin him to the floor, his massive body crushing Harry's pelvis into the carpet of the hallway, "Oh no you don't," spat Vernon, there was even more anger and hatred in his voice than before, "We are going to make sure it doesn't happen again," he stated. Harry's eyes widened as he watched his uncle drag the knife across his chest, it was covered in scars from the time Vernon had thrown a pan of hot bacon grease at the boy. Harry bit his lower lip as he felt the cold and merciless blade pierce his skin. He could hear the heavy foot steps of his cousin vanish, leaving him with the boy's father. Each cut was deeper than the last and he wanted desperately to scream and cry. There was a breath and he could hear the harsh pants of Dudely when he returned, "Us this father," the boy said proudly. Harry opened his eyes and stared at the canister of salt, he didn't think there was anything that could make this worse, and yet it did. Vernon grabbed the container and without warning dumped it on Harry's stomach he screamed and wreathed in agony, he didn't care anymore. His stomach felt as though it were on fire.

'Kill me, please,' were the only words he could think, 'just kill me.' He could hear his uncle's merriment before he felt a large hand clasp around his throat. 'Why?' asked another voice, this one wasn't Harry's it sounded like the man's from his dream. Harry felt the large hand on his throat apply more pressure, his head felt light from the lack of air and the blood now seeping out of his body, 'Hurts, please just end it,' the child begged. His body felt heavy and he couldn't hear anything going on around him, 'Harry?' the voice asked, yet he couldn't answer he was slowly slipping away. Perhaps he would find peace, 'Harry!' it shouted demandingly. He could tell it was worried, absently Harry thought it was nice that his conscience seemed to care what was happening. 'I just want it to end,' he whispered before slowly allowing his grasp to slip. Before he plunged into nothingness he heard the kind voice scream in agony, 'HARRY!'

~~WL~~

Severus charged at the house only to hit the wards when he heard a blood chilling scream. His eyes widened as he began to pound on the wards, Lucius was with him casting every spell they knew at them in hopes that one of them would shatter them and allow them inside. Nothing was working, he couldn't fail Lily, not a second time. He continued flinging various hexes at the wards until a beautiful silver patronus slithered toward him across the sky, a basilisk. Severus froze and stared at the ghost like snake as it stoped before him. "They're trying to kill him. Get him out of there! Save Him!" the snake pleaded in Tom's voice. The voice trembled and Severus could tell that the Dark Lord was in agony which meant the boy was in grave danger. The Potion's Master took several steps back and was about to deliver a massive bombarda when the back door opened. He kept his black ebony wand raised as he watched a fat muggle carry a small bundle out the door, it was wrapped in a red blanket. The muggle himself reminded Severus of a walrus, he was covered in hair and extraordinarily fat, in many ways he was shocked that the man could even walk through the house without falling through the floor. The muggle grunted as he placed the bundle on the bed of ice cold snow, "Freak," he spat.

Severus felt a shiver run through him at the word, "No," he whispered as he watched the massive whale of a man go back into the kitchen and slice himself a large piece of cake before leaving Severus' view. He was about to blast the wards when he watched them flicker, his eyes widened as they fell like a ton of bricks. "No," he whispered in agony as he leapt over the fence and landed in the deep snow, usually he would have cursed at how deep it was, but he ignored it. He had to reach the bundle which now lay out in the snow. The potions master halted before the bundle and realized that the blanket wasn't always red, but it had been white. Onyx black eyes winded as he fell to his knees and slowly pulled the damp blanket from what he feared was a child. His hands felt the stickiness of blood as he pulled the coarse sheet away.

His mask shattered as he looked at the pale and nearly lifeless boy before him. He was skinnier than he realized, his face looked as though it were finally peaceful despite the ribbons of blood pouring from his head, over the scare and the side of his face. "Harry," cried Severus as he quickly placed his fingers on the boy's neck, only to see a large purpled hand shaped bruise forming. His eyes narrowed as he gently looked for the dim rhythm that told him a soul still inhabited the boy. That some how through this mess the boy had lived, his head hung and he closed his eyes, silently begging for the boy to live. Praying that he hadn't left the world yet, that someone in heaven would hear him, he would even settle for a demon if he had to. His eyes snapped open when he felt it, it was faint but there, that sacred rhythm. "I don't care what your headmaster thinks, I'm killing the niggles," hissed Lucius.

Servers was quick to start tending to the boy. There was no way that he would be able to move him if he didn't stabilize him. His mind was dealing as he reaching into his robes and pulled three Blood Replenishers, at this moment he was very happy he had made a fresh batch. "Luce I need you here, the muggles may come out," Severus stated sternly. He didn't need Lucius to enter Death Eater mode, it would only attract the Ministry and Dumbledore the last person Severus wanted to see. The blonde wizard paused and looked down at the boy who was unconscious, "Fine," he hissed. Severus nodded as he continued attempting to get enough of the bleeding to stop to move him. "He won't survive aparating, we will have to use the portkey to get to the mansion," Severus stated. Lucius nodded as he knelt in the snow and pulled out a skeleton key, it was large and dark black, the Malfoy crest was on the top of it. "What about-" before Lucius could ask the massive muggle stepped out of the house. "Who the hell are you?" he spat. Lucius spared no time and pointed his wand at the offensive muggle. "Sev, I really want to kill him," Lucius stated angrily.

"You, how the hell did you get in my yard," spat the walrus of a man. Severus tuned him out as he closed his eyes and whispered, "Expecto Patronum." His silver mist like doe appeared and listened as Severus whispered, "Tom, prepare the manor, the boy may not make it," before sending the doe away. "I should kill you, you disgusting muggle," spat Lucius with venom, Severus knew that there were several ways to irritated the Malfoy patriarch, and a muggle abusing a wizard was definitely on the list. "How dare you lay a hand on a wizard," he shouted, his wand was pointed between the man's eyes. Severus continued to do everything he could, "Luce, he's fading, we have to go," he stated. Lucius snarled before flicking his wand and hitting the muggle with a mild slicing hex, "We'll be back for you," he stated darkly before kneeling in the snow beside Severus and holding the key, Severus took one of the boy's hands and wrapped it around the key as well as holding the boy himself. Lucius wrapped an arm around the pair as well and with a crack they were gone.

~~WL~~

Tom stared in shock as he felt his heart pound, the boy had managed to get into his mind and looked as though he were not even five. He felt a pain shoot through his chest, it was his fault the boy looked the way he did and what was even more startling was that the boy slept in a cupboard. The choir which he had been listening to had long left and he was left standing in an empty street. His red eyes were filled with fear as he heard the silence in the back of his mind, he knew that he and the boy were connected, but the extent of the connection was what startled him. He had heard everyone of the boy's pleas, and every fiber of his being was screaming to run to the child, even though he didn't know what the boy was. Tom didn't have any fond memories of Christmas, he hated the holiday, it was a reminder of everyone else's happiness. Even now, he would lose something, the boy he could hear screaming in fear every night and every beating. A little ten year old boy, who he had made an orphan, yet couldn't remember the night in question and every time he tried his head hurt.

He stared at the spot where the choir had been and frantically paced, he had to get to the boy, he was frightened that both Severus and Lucius were too late. Before he could say a word he looked in the sky and stared at a silver mist like doe. His eyes widened at the sight, it was Severus' patronus. He held his hand out to the creature as he ran toward him, the spirit like creature halted before him, "Tom, prepare the manor, the boy may not make it," rasped the frantic voice of Severus. Tom's red eyes widened as he realized that he would lose the boy before he even understood the many mysteries the boy presented. He watched the doe dissolve into the air and dashed down the street, frantically looking for an ally to aparate from. His eyes were darting about and his heart was pounding in his chest as he looked for the one place he could use. His footsteps echoed in his ears and his breath grew ragged as the thought of the boy coming to him broken and dead assaulted him. He slid into an ally and looked around quickly before spinning on his heel to return to the manor.

He felt a familiar tug at his naval and the sensation of being squeezed through a tube, he may have disliked the form of transportation but he had to make sure the boy lived. Contrary to popular belief Tom did have a heart, even if it was as he believed to be several sizes too small. He landed in the parlor before both Narcissa and Draco. His chest was still heaving as he looked at them, "Have they come back?" he asked swiftly, not caring that his fear could be heard in his voice. The beautiful tall lady of the house was standing and her son was at her side staring in shock at his disheveled appearance. "Tom?" she asked with a hint of panic, if he was afraid she knew to be as well. It had to be for him to show such emotions, Tom was after all a Slytherin. "The boy, he's injured," Tom said quickly as he looked into the stern yet calm eyes of Lady Malfoy. Her black and blonde hair flowed down her shoulders and behind her, "What?" she asked quickly before looking at Draco, the young boy could sense the fear in the room, yet remained quiet.

"How?" she asked, "Was there a fight between us and the Order of the Pheonix?" Tom shook his head, "I don't know," he whispered. This wasn't true, he did know, he could remember the boy's pleas and feel his panic. In truth he had slipped into the boy's mind and saw the entire beating, it churned his stomach, but he didn't want to explain it to Narcissa, now wasn't the time. "They are coming here?" she asked in a more professional tone. Tom nodded, and looked at Draco, "He shouldn't be here when they arrive," Tome began only to be interrupted by a crack in the same room. He turned around swiftly and stared at the pair who were kneeling on the floor. His eyes immediately fell on the bundle the two men were holding, it was wrapped in a red blanket and dripping on the floor, a red pool began to form. Severus looked up, his eyes were filled with sadness and fear, "Help us," he rasped, the man was breaking and the young Dark Lord stared at the bundle before him.

Laying on the floor of the parlor of Malfoy Manor was a beaten and very broken little boy who was skin and bones with curly raven black hair and small features. He was smaller than he should have been and before the man realized it, Tom was on the floor with them attempting to figure out where the blood was coming from. Narcissa gasped and was about to send Draco away, only for the young blonde to dash out of the room. Tom figured the boy was scared and noticed out of the corner of his eye Nacrissa transforming a sofa into a bed for the boy. Severus gently picked the small child up and placed him on the white sheets of the bed. It wasn't until then that Tom really looked at the boy, "Is that?" Narcissa questioned. Tom ignored her as he slowly slipped his fingers under the frindge of Harry's bangs and lifted them to see a lightning bolt shaped scar on his head. He closed his eyes sadly for a moment, "Yes," he whispered.

Narcissa nodded and Tom knew it was time to let her work, she was about to cast a complex diagnostic when Draco returned, he was holding Severus' black bag and a bowl of water with towels. "I'm not going anywhere," he said simply as he handed Tom the bowl and Severus his bag. Oddly this made Tom smile at the young boy, perhaps there was hope, even if it was a sliver. A sliver of hope, was just enough to keep his mind from plunging into the depths of despair. He squared his shoulders and looked at the boy, "Narcissa, what are his injuries?" asked Tom, panicking would get him no where. She looked at the list which was now on the floor at her feet, he noticed tears slip from her eyes, "Merlin, he should be dead, he- how?" she asked as she shoved the sheet at Severus who was holding his hand out for it. "The most immediate injuries are a collapsed lung, broken ribs, internal hemorrhaging, a massive concussion and he has high levels of toxins in his blood," Severus read before picking up his wand. "We need to deal with the lung and hemorrhaging first," he stated simply.

Tom nodded, he had a proficient amount of skill when it came to healing, but nothing compared to Severus and Narcissa. Severus had taken classes when he decided to become a potion's master on not only herbology but also healing arts. Since a great deal of healing dealt with potions he took the classes, they also helped in desperate situations with a classroom filled with up to twenty 'dunderheads,' as he called them. Narcissa on the other hand worked as a privet nurse for pureblood families, she had a great deal of experience healing wounds caused by dark magic and even more removing it's traces. He watched as Severus began to work on the boy's lung, his movements were precise and not a second was wasted to even out the boy's rasping breaths. "Draco can you clean his face?" asked Narcissa. Draco nodded and dipped the cloth into warm water and began to wipe the blood away. His hands trembled slightly, yet he maintained a serious expression.

There was a flutter of wings and the sound of parchment falling to the floor. Tom looked over to see Lucius lazily summon it to his hand and examine it. "It's from the ministry," he sated as he popped the seal on the scroll and unrolled it. His eyes moved swiftly over the page and he smiled crookedly at the page. "It would appear that Fudge has learned of the boy's disappearance as well as Dumbledore. There is quite a stir occurring in the ministry and panic has begun to spread, I'm going to see what will come out of this. Tom what do you want done?" asked the blonde with an arched brow. Tom hummed to himself before smiling a little, he honestly thought it would be fun to watch the Minister of Magic and Dumbledore panic for a bit. "Nothing. Go to work, and listen, say nothing of the boy or where he is. I think our beloved headmaster should brew for a bit before we tell him," replied Tom. The truth was he wanted to get to know Harry and he couldn't do that without the boy there. Lucius nodded and turned quickly to leave for the Ministry, "He's still losing a lot of blood," said Narcissa after she had stopped the internal bleeding. They were about to remove the boy's clothing when Tom remembered what he witnessed, "Stop!" he shouted quickly, there was ice in his voice due to his anger. Severus and Narcissa looked at him in confusion.

"Draco, why don't you assist an elf in getting the room prepared for our guest," Tom suggested. Draco looked confused, his grey orbs stared at Tom as though he were insane, he understood that the boy knew Harry had to be alive to inhabit one of the rooms but he couldn't let a child see the damage this one had. Narcissa seemed to understand instantly, "Draco, see that Dobby sets up a sufficient room," she said swiftly. Draco looked at his mother before nodding and leaving the room silently. With a flick of Tom's yew wand the doors were closed and locked. "Why did we send my son away?" she asked once the boy was gone. Tom walked over to the bed and placed a hand on the boy's chest, it rose and fell softly and he whispered, "I'm sorry." He slowly took out a dagger, Narcissa's eyes widened and she was about to shout when she noticed he was cutting the boy's rags away. Blood clung to his clothing and the man took his time removing it gently, his hands became slick and crusted with the precious red liquid that was seeping from the action. He looked at his hands, the sight of blood on them made his stomach twist, he was responsible for this in a way. Tom continued to pull the shirt away and then threw it into the fire place. He heard a gasp from Narcissa, he looked over to see Severus' mask shatter as he looked at the boy wide eyed in shock, wondering just what kind of monster it took to do this to a child. Harry's chest was covered in scars, bruises and a vivid burn from what looked like grease. The word Freak had been carved into his stomach, it was more than enough to make someone wrench, on top of the fact that every single rib was visible, the boy had so little muscle it was frightening. "Who could do this to a child?" she asked as Tom began to remove the boy's pants and underwear, his legs looked just as bad as the rest of him, and he could only imagine what the boy's back looked like.

"A monster," replied Tom, the abuse Harry endured was worse than his own, scars of various ages were apparent, some were faded white lines, while others were swollen and infected. "The monsters he was placed with," Tom whispered as he gently touched the top of the boy's head. It was taking everything he had to not get Severus to take him to the muggles who hurt him and kill them himself. He was certain they wouldn't be missed. Narcissa's hand was over her mouth and he watched as Severus took over, he could tell she couldn't handle this, "He's a boy," she stammered, "He's Draco's age." Severus was silent as he opened a pair of tins and handed one to Tom. The cream smelt of peperment, lemons, and a little lavender. Despite the scent he knew that it was quick acting and was used on the cuts which marred the child's skin, it had and coagulative properties as well as the ability to make scars nearly vanish. Tom slipped his fingers into the cream and began to message a lavish amount on the word which had been carved into his skin after having cleaned it with the rag and water. He could see white crystals still pressed in it. "What are those crystals?" asked Narcissa as she dipped her fingers in the same tin that Tom held out to her. "Salt," replied Tom before Severus could even venture to guess. They had quite literally rubbed salt in the wound, which would explain the amount of pain he felt on his end.

Silence filled the room as they continued to apply salves to the boy to heal him, Severus had taken the bruise salve and was applying it generously to the boy's ribs. Tom hissed when he felt a wave of pain through his chest, his fingers loosened from around the tin and he clutched his ribcage. "Sev, pain reliever and dreamless sleep," the man commanded through gritted teeth, it was unbearable. The Potion's Master was quick to do as commanded, he watched as the man gently tipped Harry's head back and poured the pain relieve down his throat, his fingers gently message the boy's throat as he went to facilitate swallowing. Once the first was down he did the same to the second potion, no one questioned why Tom had commanded it, but he had a feeling it would come soon enough.

They had finished with the front of the boy and Severus levitated him in the air before gently turning him over and staring at the boy's back. The gruesome crossing of long angry scars covered his back, several were infected and they extended from his shoulder to hips. Tom stared at them for a moment, he could tell that his uncle used both the buckle and the leather of the belt and it seemed to vary based on his mood. Silently he began to plan just how he would kill and torture the muggles who had done this to the boy. A crucio was far too good for the pain they had inflicted on the boy, he was going to inflict pain but disfigure at the same time, which meant a great deal of fun with hexes. He shook his head to wave those ideas away and began to gently clean the boy's wounds on his back, "He's going to need antibiotics," commented Severus as he gently began resetting the boy's fingers, "I'm also going to have to re-break bones, but we need to seal the wounds up first," Severus stated. Narcissa simply nodded. All Tom knew was that Harry was in for a very long night and so was Tom.

He paused and looked at the determined look on Severus' face as he continued setting bones and rubbing salve on the boy's body. He hissed with sadness as he found new injuries and went to fixing them. He looked at Harry as though he were a lost son, Tom paused and realized that in many ways this was the son that Severus would never have, Lily's son. Red eyes shifted to Narcissa, the witch had put up her hair in a messy bun somewhere along the line, her beautiful robe was gone and the sleeves of her dress shirt were rolled up to her elbows, a sad but loving expression was on her face as she continued to heal the boy. Her hands were tender and soft as she did so, he could tell that even though she were uncomfortable she would do anything in her power to heal the broken boy. He felt slightly envious of Harry and Draco in a way, there had been no one at the orphanage to patch him up. He was alone, but not anymore.

It wasn't until then that he realized not a single member of the house would get sleep that night, they would all be waiting for Harry to open his eyes and wouldn't leave the boy's side until he did. He was about to say something when he noticed something clutched in his fingers, he had only paid attention to one hand and the other two seemed preoccupied with the boy's back. Tom slowly opened they boy's fist and stared at the beautiful flower in it, he gently removed it and ran his fingers around it. He could feel the faint hum of magic and the warmth which emanated from it. It felt familiar, the magic which had crafted it was very familiar, he turned it over in his hand and looked at the detailing on the Lily. He could see each petal and stamen, even the veins of the petals were there. He could feel a nervous gaze on his hands and he looked up to see the onyx eyes of his Potion's Master staring at the flower. "Lily," Tom whispered before looking down at the flower, "It's a beautiful gift Severus." Narcissa paused and looked at the pair only to see the glass flower glistening in the light.

Her grey eyes widened a fraction as she looked at the flower and then to Severus, the man wasn't known for his work with charms. "You?" she asked curiously. Severus blushed slightly as he capped the salve and pulled his wand to turn the boy back over. "Yes me," he replied as he gently turned Harry over and draped a heavy green and silver blanket over him. "It's wonderful Sev, we should make sure it's in Harry's room," she stated with a soft smile. Tom nodded and watched as Severus slowly picked the boy up, "Do you have any of Draco's old Pajamas?" asked Tom after a moment. Narcissa nodded and called for Dobby, "Please gather some of Draco's old clothes," she said sweetly. Dobby simply vanished and returned seconds later with a stack of green pajamas in hand. "Thank you, Dobby," she said with a smile before following Severus, who was carrying Harry. Tom couldn't help but look at the lily in his hands and attempt to remember just how the Potters had died that night. Somehow it was hazy it seemed like it were shrouded in fog and he sighed, all that mattered was the child who was alive, he shook his head and continued after the pair. It didn't due to dwell on the past.