Chapter 3: Silent Night

The air was nippy as the night and day rolled by, the snow was melting and the house was silent. It made an unusual sight to not see the inhabitants cheerful and bustling around with gifts. Even though the Malfoys were a reserved family, they were still very warm hearted toward one another and treated each other with affection. The tree glimmered in the darkness, a beacon of hope in a world now dominated by despair and concern. None of them had expected to bring home a battered boy, and no one wanted to revel in happiness until the boy was awake. After Severus had put Harry to bed and Narcissa dressed him in some of Draco's old Pajamas, Tom hadn't left the boy's side. Red eyes watched in the darkness over the small boy, protectively and hoping that somehow he would be forgiven. His fingers slipped into the young boy's soft and unruly black hair. It was just like all of the other Potter's hair, a birds nest which was impossible to tame. Yet it was what made them very attractive.

Tom crossed his legs and leaned on the arm of the chair, it was still and quiet as he looked at the boy. None of the Malfoys were celebrating, Severus was constantly brewing pain relievers and blood replenishers. The boy had lost so much blood and soon enough he had a nutrient potion added to the boy's diet. He had never seen the man so determined to right a wrong. He was a different person, yet maintained the same determined habits. Tom's eyes fell on the lily which was resting on the boy's nightstand. It was glimmering in the dim light from the moon which hung in the sky. Severus was nervous around him after he had figured out who had given it to the boy. Tom sighed, he knew at that moment who Severus was loyal to, Harry and the memory of Lily. He wasn't loyal to either side but the boy. Tom smiled softly, "You are so loved Harry," he whispered as he continued to run his fingers through the boy's hair. Narcissa had put him to sleep and the boy had yet to rouse. Oblivious to the world around him, Christmas came and went. Yet the manor was at a stand still. No one wanted to open gifts, no one wanted to open bottles of champagne, all they wanted to do was care for the boy.

Lucius had been working tirelessly to figure out what to do now, he didn't want Harry to return to those muggles, but didn't need the light to know that they had him. Tom wasn't interested in dealing with Albus, the man had done enough. He had done more than enough by doing nothing. Harry didn't have to suffer for so long, he shouldn't have. He didn't understand why he was upset, he was supposed to hate Harry, to kill the boy and yet he didn't want to. So much of Harry's upbringing reminded him of his past, that sad little boy in the corner who was hated, forgotten and hurt. Tom could remember how he was treated even after learning he was a wizard, teased, beaten and starved as though he were an animal, not a boy. He wanted love and received pain instead. Tom felt a pain in his chest as he looked at the slim form in the bed, too thin were the only words which came to mind.

The young Dark Lord gently ran his fingers down Harry's face and traced it, he could feel the boy's cheek bones through his hollowed cheeks. "I'm so sorry," he whispered sadly, his fingers paused as they pushed away the boy's fringe to reveal his scar. That familiar angry lightning bolt, it looked not even hours old, yet it was now ten years old. A decade since he had robbed a boy of his childhood. His long fingers traced the scar slowly and he heard the boy whimper, "Sh Harry, you're safe and loved," he whispered before placing a kiss on the scar. The door of the room creaked softly causing Tom to snap to attention and look in the direction of the door. Standing in a pair of green silk pajamas with a plush dragon in his arms and a silk robe around him was a very familiar child. He had blonde hair like his father and a pair of beautiful grey eyes, he was small but beautiful. "Draco, what are you doing awake?" asked Tom softly, it was late and the man was well aware that Christmas Day was arriving soon. "I couldn't sleep," he replied, "Neither could Nangini or Shamus," he replied. Tom was confused for a moment until his familiar slithered in, 'How is the snakeling?' she hissed.

Tom smiled as he pat her head, 'Sleeping, he needs to rest,' he replied. Nagini slithered up the bedpost of the four poster and curled up in the blue and green silk sheets, the bed was soft and he watched as she rested her head on the boy's chest, 'Careful, he's fragile,' Tom chided. Nagini simply hummed before looking at Tom as though he were daft. Tom then turned his attention to Draco and noticed the large slate colored Irish Wolf Hound at his side, Shamus. Lucius had bought the dog as a puppy for Draco and Tom had the pleasure of watching the pair grow up after he was resurrected. Over time he even had a decent relationship with the massive dog. He usually couldn't stand dogs, yet Shamus seemed to understand his place, at his Master's side and protecting the Master's young. He had earned a great deal of respect from Nagini and Tom as well. "Draco?" he asked again. The young blonde looked at him and hugged the dragon closer to his chest. "It's alright, Harry's just sleeping," Tom said softly as he held a hand out for the boy. Draco smiled anxiously, grey eyes fell on the bed before he entered the room, the dull light from the hallway seemed to sweep into the room in the form of a sliver. He watched as the youngest Malfoy stood before him and then looked at Harry, "Will he wake up soon?" asked Draco softly, there was a hint of curiosity in the boy's voice, he was timid in private yet boisterous and commanding in public. Draco was like every Malfoy, they hid their emotions behind a mask of indifference and pride.

Tom sighed as he placed hand on the boy's head, he could remember when Lucius was nervous of allowing Tom near the child. At first Tom was insulted until he remembered how crazed he used to be, then he understood. "He will wake when he is ready," Tom said softly. He pat Draco's head before conjuring a plush green armchair for the blonde boy, "Would you like to wait with me?" he asked sweetly. Draco nodded as he curled up in the large chair, Tom then summoned a blanket from the closet and draped it over the boy. Shamus curled up at the boy's feet and rested his head on his front paws. Everyone was waiting, waiting for their guest to wake.

~~WL ~~

Every year all of the Malfoys would assemble, yet this year Narcissa had canceled the gathering, saying that they were ill and didn't wish to spread it to the other members of the family. Everyone accepted this, everyone except Abraxas Malfoy, Lucius' father. The man disliked the idea of canceling over illness and argued it was actually more important then to have family in the manor when the family was ill. He was wearing his green robe and a black suit, his blonde mustache and side burns were trimmed perfectly and his hair had been tidied. He wasn't like his son who had long hair and tied it back in Victorian fashion, he preferred the look of the late Victorians. His lips were pursed as he picked up the bag which held a number of gifts for his grand son Draco, as well as Lucius and Narcissa. He had even picked up a gift for Tom and Severus, as much as he disliked the potion's master, he couldn't deny Draco's godfather.

He grabbed a handful of floo powder from a silver stand and stepped into the fire before shouting, "Malfoy Manor, England the Main Foyer." With that he tossed the powder in the hearth and felt himself being pulled through the network, he drew a deep breath as he landed in the fireplace and quickly banished the soot. His eyes scanned the room and stared in confusion at all of the gifts still wrapped under the tree. It was Christmas Day and the sun was up, Draco should have torn into them by now and bragging about them. Yet they were all in tact. Abraxas cast a tempest and sighed, everyone should have been up, it was close to noon. He stepped out of the hearth and looked around in confusion, Narcissa, Lucius, Draco, Severus and even Tom were no where to be seen. He continued through the house with his wand drawn, something was very wrong, it was too quiet, almost somber, it were as though someone had died.

He continued through the house and paused outside of the doors of the parlor, he could hear the murmur of voice, "Severus, I'm doing what I can, the Minister is adamant about his placement and Dumbledore is only getting more and more suspicious," Lucius said after a moment. Abraxas was silent as he listened, usually he would burst in but something told him that he would learn more from simply listening, "Lucius, we can't send him back, they practically killed him. He's barely hanging on, he's a child," Severus reasoned, his voice was strained and he could hear the anger in it as well as something else, an emotion he didn't recognize. "Sev, I'm trying, Dumbledore is breathing down my neck the closer I get to the Minister and snoop around events pertaining to Potter," he said slowly, "It's not your fault he had us fooled."

There was silence and he listed to a hiss and a loud thump, "It is my fault, I should have taken him with me, I was there first, I should have taken the boy home," he said with venom. Abraxas' eyes widened, Potter, as in Harry Potter. The entire Wizarding World was in an uproar over the missing boy savior, and they were discussing him. "Sev," said Lucius softly, his voice was soothing, like his mother's. "Lily's son, I condemned him to hell for ten years because I was angry," Severus said with anger, now Abraxas understood that emotion, it was self loathing. A powerful emotion, one that he understood too well, "Sev, you were in shock," Lucius defended. Abraxas looked through the crack between the doors and watched his son place a hand on the dower man's shoulder, only for it to be shrugged off. "Severus Tobias Snape, you were in shock, and how would you know what Albus would do?" asked the firm yet light voice of Narcissa, Abraxas thought the woman was the perfect fit for his son, she was strong and spoke well.

There was silence and he watched the dower man slowly turn around and Abraxas stared in shock. The dark eyes of the Potion's Master were glistening as tears fell from them, they were slightly swollen and he could see the tracks those shards of the man's shattered soul made, proof of his pain. "I just thought," he said stiffly before wincing in pain and closing his eyes. At that moment Abraxas opened the door slowly and entered the parlor. Lucius and Narcissa stared at him with wide eyes before looking at one another. "We canceled the evening, Draco is," they began. Severus looked up and sneered, "Don't bother, he heard us," he replied. Abraxas felt a pull at his mind and realized Severus had just skimmed his thoughts, usually he would berate the man yet this time, he couldn't bring himself to kick the man when he was already in so much pain. What ever had happened with the boy who lived had affected them all. He looked around the room and noticed two people were missing, Draco and Tom Riddle. "What's going on here?" asked Abraxas harshly which caused his son to tense.

"You might want to sit for this," Lucius said after a moment before walking to the sideboard and grabbing a bottle of Firewhisky. "You'll want a drink too," he stated as he pulled four tumblers and lined them up. Abraxas knew this had to be bad when Lucius was offering him liquor. Lucius didn't drink and neither did Severus and yet this time he was accepting a glass, Abraxas was no fool, he knew Tobias Snape was a drunkard who abused both Severus and his wife. He took the cool glass of amber liquid in his hand and took a seat in the vacant chair before his son. "Proceed," he commanded coolly. Lucius drew a deep breath before looking at Severus. His grey eyes searched black ones and Abraxas had a feeling that this was perhaps going to be one of the darkest stories he would hear, "Together," Lucius said. Severus nodded, his black greasy hair swayed as he did so.

"Two days ago Severus was asked by Albus to check on Harry Potter, apparently a woman who was watching the house was concerned. The Headmaster stated that there would be nothing wrong and that we were simply to put the woman's mind at ease," Lucius began, already Abraxas had a feeling that this was going to get worse, Albus was always lying about something, he could remember his school days when Albus was only a Professor. The man had spread that Tom was the Dark Lord to come inadvertently and claimed the position of savoir for supposedly defeating Grindelwald, when it was actually a young and desperate Tom Riddle. "Once I learned of this Severus and myself went to see Tom, and ask what he wanted us to do," Lucius continued and looked at Severus who had taken a swig of Fire Whiskey. Of course they went to Tom Riddle, they were friends and to be honest Tom was always level headed. "Tom asked us to check on the boy, after an unusual incident, he had doubled over in pain and claimed that someone was hurting the boy. He didn't know how it worked but somehow they were connected, he instructed us if things were too violent to have the boy removed," Severus had picked up where Lucius left off, he seemed to have gotten himself back together at this point.

"We went to Surrey, apparently Albus had placed the boy with muggles, at first he looked like a little boy who was on an errand but thin," Severus paused as he looked pained into his glass of whiskey, "He was getting crackers when it started snowing. We spoke for a bit, he was very polite but-" Severus looked pained as he clutched his glass and Abraxas waited quietly, he had a feeling this was hurting Seveurs the most, "it was awkward, since he was too polite. We followed the boy." The Potion's Master fell silent as he ran his finger around the rim of the glass. Lucius placed a hand on Severus' shoulder, "We learned that he was treating like a house elf, we fought against the wards in an attempt to get to the boy, only for them to fall on their own," Lucius said softly. He tensed as he gripped Severus' shoulder and looked to his wife, she was pale and looked as though she had seen the unspeakable. "We found him, he," Lucius paused as he looked for the right word, usually he would yell at him but his stomach was twisting, "he was dying, the muggles beat him."

Abraxas turned pale and placed the tumbler on the table as he attempted to get his anger under control. His hands were clenched, "Muggles harmed a Wizard?" he asked angrily. Children were treasured in the Wizarding world, since a number of purebloods couldn't even bear children they were treated with love and affection, they were precious and few. He had spanked Lucius when he was a child but never beat him, "They starved him, beat him and treated him as though he were a House Elf, he was ordered to make a cake and even handled knives," Severus said softly. Abraxas felt his blood boil as he looked at them, they were all nervous, "You didn't think to alert the authorities!" he shouted furiously. Lucius paled and looked at him, "You think we wouldn't if we knew it would help! Albus has control of the Wizengamot and is now making Fudge bend to his will!" shouted Lucius as he gestured harshly to his house crest, "I can't fight back, Albus has his fingers in every pie and made it clear he wouldn't move the boy, no matter the cost! He was dying, father! I couldn't just let him bleed out in the snow!" Lucius roared. Abraxas was taken back as he watched his son, "I wanted to save him, he's a child, he should have never been brought into this war! Children are meant to be loved!" he shouted, his voice was firm and unwavering, Abraxas felt a smile curve his lips his son finally sounded like a Lord. "They are," replied Abraxas, "Where is the boy?" he asked, "I will decide what to do after seeing him."

Narcissa rose from her seat and placed the tumbler on the table, "I'll show you, Tom is with him, Draco is in bed," she explained. He followed her up the stairs, she was quiet and seemed nervous, then again he was the only person Lucius seemed to fear, other than Tom, his friend. He was there the night the man had been brought back and still had a tough time looking at the twenty year old. He continued down the hallway, each portrait bowed as they walked by, always formal and regal, she paused outside the door and stared at it in confusion. "Tom had it closed," she whispered, "Harry is sleeping, he was very badly injured please don't wake him." Abraxas nodded as Narcissa pushed open the thick wooden door which lead to the guest room. His eyes widened as they fell on the sleeping form of his grandson curled up in a plush chair, wrapped in a blanket with Sheamus at his feet and a dragon in his arms. He slowly walked into the room and noticed the form in the bed, it was smaller than Draco, which confused him, Potter's child should have been the same age. His face was peaceful but he could tell the boy was exhausted, one of the child's hands was visible and he stared at the scar on the back of it, and his worn fingers. He drew closer to the bed and cautiously sat on the edge, Nagini's head rested on the boy's head and it was then he noticed the other small hand was being held by Tom's. He stared at Riddle for a moment, he hadn't looked like that since they were in school.

He stared at the sight, the man supposedly stole Harry's childhood and yet here he was holding the boy's hand. He gently slipped his hand down the bed and gripped the edge of the blanket, "Don't, you don't want to see," said Tom sleepily. His red eyes were filled with sadness and dread, "Why?" asked Abraxas after a moment. Tom looked at the boy in the bed and whispered, "His are worse than mine, by far." Abraxas shuddered, he had seen what the muggles had done to Tom, to think the boy was worse made him even more upset. "How long has he been asleep?" asked Abraxas as he placed hand on Harry's head to check his temperature, he didn't have a fever which was a good thing. "Since his arrival, he was unconscious when we found him, he was in so much pain it was better to keep in asleep," Tom explained.

Abraxas looked at his grandson and then to Tom, "He refused to open his gifts or leave Harry's side until he was awake," Tom explained. Clearly Draco liked Harry, even if he had yet to actually meet the boy. Abraxas looked in the doorway to see Narcissa waiting, "I suppose I should leave you two to it, and check on Lucius," he explained. Tom nodded as he watched Abraxas leave. Something wasn't right, not only was Harry placed with Muggles but Tom was acting oddly, protective, which was something Tom didn't do naturally. What ever it was, Tom felt the need to protect the boy. He hummed, usually he would avoid this kind of drama, but something was nagging at him, he didn't understand how a man who had taken the boy's parents could sit in a chair and hold that child's hand. It made no sense.

~~ WL ~~

There was silence in the house as Tom looked out the window; Dumbledore had done the one thing he hadn't anticipated. He had enough of the games, the tricks and the lies. He knew something wasn't right and he had to stop it. The key was in his memory or lack there of, if he could figure out just what happened then he could make a move, there was one thing he had that the Headmaster did not, Harry. He had sat beside the boy's bed all night, refusing to leave his side, he had to figure it all out, part of him didn't want to hurt Harry. He closed his eyes for a moment and attempted to recall that Halloween Night, only to be met with the same blank.

Tom was skilled at mind magics, and he knew someone had altered his memory, the question was who and why. He looked at Harry and sighed, he had to figure this out, Albus was ahead of him and he didn't like the idea of a child being brought into the war as a weapon. 'Master, he smells like you,' Nagini hissed. Tom waved his hand lazily as he attempted to think about when Dumbledore had gotten him alone and could even perform the spell when it registered what the serpent had just said. 'What?' he asked as his eyes narrowed at the massive shimmering green snake on the bed. 'He smells like you,' she pointed out. Tom looked at Harry in confusion and then the snake, 'You are simply picking up on the fact that I held him for a bit and have been around him,' Tom remarked as he leaned back in the chair. The snake shook her head and huffed, 'You are so difficult, when have I ever lied?' she asked with a hint of irritation.

Tom groaned and rubbed his temples, 'Nagini you are a prolific liar,' he stated bluntly. The snake hissed in a way which was similar to a laugh. 'You deserve being tricked because sometimes you think you're so clever, it's a reminded,' she commented. Tom glared at the serpent, 'We will wake him if we keep this up.'

'Too late,' came a sleepy hiss.

Tom and Nagini paused and looked at the boy who was now opening a pair of tired emerald green eyes. "What did you just say?" asked Tom in shock, he thought he was the only Parselmouth. Harry looked at the stranger with wide eyes and pulled back in fear, "You were in my dream!" he exclaimed. Draco leapt to attention and stared at the boy in the bed, his finger was raised as he pointed at the man. Tom tilted his head to the side, 'Master he speaks!' Nagini exclaimed as she wriggled with excitement. 'Of course I speak. Now, where am I? This isn't a dream and why is there a snake in my bed' he demanded.

Draco's mouth popped open, "No way, he speaks Parseltongue too?" he asked. Harry stared at Draco and asked, "What? No I speak English." At this point Severus, Lucius, Narcissa and Abraxas had arrived. "No you were hissing a second ago," he said simply. Harry paled and stared at Tom, "You, you're not real," he stammered. There was silence in the room as Harry pulled away. Tom's eyes widened as he stared at him, he watched the boy's chest move rapidly and his eyes shifted. "Who are all of you? Where am I? My uncle will kill me if I'm not back in time to make dinner," he said quickly. Tom watched the boy scramble off the bed and scoot himself into a corner. "Child relax, we won't harm you," said Severus as he slowly approached the child, he held his hands in front himself as a way to show no harm.

Harry shook his head and whimpered, "No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything, don't hurt me," he rushed. Tom watched the frightened little boy retreated and press himself into the corner as far as he could. "Please, I'll be good," he whimpered as he curled himself into a ball, his knees were drawn into his chest and he hid his head, it was an all too familiar position. Severus kneeled before the child and summoned silently a calming draught, Tom watched as it whizzed through the air to the man's palm which was behind his back. "Harry," Severus said simply, "it's alright." The room was still as Severus knelt before the child.

~~WL~~

Severus stared at the child before him, it took everything he had to not take the child into his arms and stop the pain he saw in Lily's precious green eyes. "Harry, look at me," he whispered softly. Harry shook his head, he was terrified, and there was nothing Severus could do, he had to get the boy to take the calming draught. He held the vial in his hand and looked at the boy, he remembered what it was like to be told by an adult he didn't know that he was safe, when every part of him was screaming to run. "Harry, it's all right," Severus said gently as he placed a hand on the child's head, "Look at me." Harry tensed, and shook his head, clearly afraid that a punishment would follow this action, even though Severus had asked him to.

He remembered the first time he was found by an adult, it was Mister Evans who had found him. He was terrified, Tobias had broken his nose, there was blood everywhere and it hurt. Severus had climbed out the window just to get away from the man, only to be found, but a tall and gentle red haired gentleman named Richard Evans, Lily's father. At first Severus was terrified, he had only been hurt by older people. He remembered shirking away from the tall man in fear until a pair of doe like green eyes appeared from behind her father's legs. She had fiery red hair, bright green eyes and a kind smile, his Lily. She had saved him so many times, and he trusted Mister Evans because of her. He looked over his shoulder and pointed to Draco. The boy pointed at his chest only for Severus to nod. The young blonde sought his father's permission only to receive a nod. The young blonde knelt on the floor beside Severus and looked at the trembling boy, "Hi, I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy," he said softly with a smile as he held out his hand. Severus smiled a little at Draco's manners even toward the scared boy he was still kind and sweet. Harry lifted his head and looked at Draco nervously and then the boy's out stretched hand. He eyed it for a while, unsure of whether or not he could even touch the boy. Severus shivered internally, of course the boy was terrified. Draco dropped his hand and asked, "What's your name?"

Draco naturally knew the boy's name, but Severus had a feeling it was to help the boy calm down, being in a room where everyone knew your name only equated to bad things. Harry looked up and replied, "Harry, Harry Potter," he was timid and frightened, Severus could tell that the boy was going to faint if he didn't calm the child down. Discreetly the man slipped the phial into Draco's hand, Draco would know what it was, he had spent the day with Severus brewing. While Draco couldn't cast a spell or charm there was nothing denying him learning potions. "Nice to meet you," Draco said warmly and smiled, Severus had to hand it to the boy, he knew how to be charming. Harry simply nodded and looked at his feet, eye contact was clearly something he wasn't allowed to make.

"This is my uncle Severus, he looks scary but he's a nice guy," Draco said as he nudged Severus' arm to prove a point. The man cracked a smile at the boy's antics and made a mental note to have him show it a little more. Harry looked up nervously at Severus and then to Draco. "Harry I need you to take this, and then we can talk. It will make you feel better," Draco said as he held the phial out to the boy. Severus smiled gently, he knew how convincing another child could be, Harry's hand trembled as he attempted to hold the phial only to scowl. "Harry?" asked Draco curiously. Severus watched the child and noticed that he was in pain, he wandlessly and silently summoned a second phial and held it out to the boy, "This will help with the pain," he said softly, he didn't realize that the boy's fingers hadn't finished healing. Harry looked at the phial and eyed it as though it would bite him. Draco sighed as he pulled the stopper from the calming draught and held it up for Harry to see. "Watch," he said simply.

Severus was confused for a moment until he watched the blonde lift the phial to his lips and take a sip of the draught, he made a funny face and wrinkled his nose. "It tastes horrible, but it helps," he said after a moment and held it out to Harry. Severus sighed, he had forgotten the most basic principle, "monkey see, monkey do." Harry too the phial in his hand and tipped it back, the potion fell into the boy's mouth, and Severus watched his expression twist into one of disgust. Draco took the other phial and held it out to the boy, "For your fingers," he said simply. Harry took the phial and asked, "Where am I?"

Draco smiled and sat on the floor cross legged, he heard his father snort and he shook his head. "My house, Malfoy Manor in Manchester," he said with a wide grin. Emerald green eyes widened, "Manchester?" he asked slowly. Obviously he knew the distance between the two and Draco nodded, "Yes, you should really take that, your fingers look like they hurt," he said simply. Harry tipped the phial against his lips and drank it. He seemed to ease before looking at Draco and then to Severus. "Do my Aunt and Uncle know where I am?" he asked.

Silence filled the room, and Severus looked at Tom for guidance. Harry had just asked the toughest question. "No," Tom replied, "and you won't be returning." Harry stared at Tom with wide and disbelieving eyes. His lips parted as he whispered, "Really?" he looked as though he had just receive the greatest Christmas gift of all time, "But who would want a freak?" he asked in confusion and he slowly uncurled and scratched his head. Severus felt as though someone had stabbed him in the heart, that word, he remembered Petunia shouting it at him. "Who called you that?" asked Severus slowly, his eyes were filled with sadness, he knew who it was. Petunia had always been jealous of Lily, and yet part of him hoped that it wasn't her. "My Aunt and Uncle, she said no one could love a freak. We aren't meant to be loved or touched. We should just do as we are told, we are a waste of space and below normal people," he replied, it was a well rehearsed and the heart breaking answer. Severus fought his instincts to clutch the boy to his chest and tell him that he was wrong. That he was loved, loved by so many people.

Before he could act Draco had wrapped his arms around the boy and whispered, "No you're not, you're just like us, you should remember Uncle Sev, you met him in the park," Draco said softly. Harry looked at the boy in confusion his eyes roamed around the room until they stopped. Severus turned his head only to see the glass flower fly across the room, and land in the boy's palm, a smile of happiness curved the boy's lips. "You gave me this," he said softly. Severus was shocked by the display of magic, Draco had done a few things, but never summoned an item to himself. "I did, you met Lucius as well, my friend and Draco's father," he said softly. Lucius walked over and knelt on the floor behind Severus and smiled. "Hello Harrison," he greeted warmly. Harry's eyes widened as he remembered the two, "You were the one! Severus told me to throw a snowball at you to help destroy your robes," said Harry with wide eyes.

Draco's brows lifted in confusion as he stared at the pair, Severus groaned, that wasn't one of his better moments, he had forgotten that the only people who knew his antics were Tom, Abraxas and Narcissa, Draco had no idea how they were when they were children. He sighed and brushed his hair out of his face, "Why would you tell him to do that?" asked Draco, it sounded as though it was a forging concept. Severus sighed and looked at the heir, "Simple, he hit me," he replied. Tom chuckled in the corner, "Draco, they have always been like that," he commented. Severus glared at Tom who was grinning broadly.

Harry looked at Tom and asked, "You were in my dream, but you're real. Who are you?"