Lullaby

Ch 1: Face Off

Next morning, Harry awoke to the sounds of a bird. The chirping was incessant and greatly annoyed even the most patient of people, of which Harry was not. Using his hand, he batted away the irritating noise but hit nothing but air. Opening his eyes slowly, he perceived the racket to be coming from an enchanted clock. Gazing around, he was astounded to see the soft light filtering through an open window. He shook his head to clear it of the illusion which did not recede. Swinging his aching legs off the bed, his feet encountered a cold wooden floor.

"Harry! You're up! Welcome to Cascallia! Remember me? I was at your house last nite and was unpleasantly surprised to find your aunt and uncle quite treating you dastardly."

"Thanks, I guess. Who are you?"

"Ah yes, we did lack in proper introduction. My name is Lady Ariyana du'Lapear Casala. I own this mansion you are residing in for the moment. I was at your Uncle's house last night because of a business matter. I was unaware of your relation and will probably have to apologize to Dumbledore when he tries to get through the wards. He is so going to kill me."

"Why?"

"Might have to do with taking you from your blood relatives without asking."

"How do you know Dumbledore?"

"We are old friends you can say. I fought alongside him during the First War. Now I am just a business woman with dealings in both the magical and Muggle world. But let us speak of this later. How are you my dear boy?"

"I'm . . . I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I can get you anything you desire if you just ask. Would you like to send an owl to your friends? I did manage to grab the cage and your trunk so most if not all of your things are here."

Harry's eyes widened at this, speaking softly, "Did you get the things under the floorboard?"

"Under the floorboard? If anything had importance to you it is in there. Now rest some more. I will tend to you later, you may explore if you like. There are 56 rooms in this place and it is an older mansion with lost of secrets."

"Not including your own," Harry mumbled under his breath as the mysterious lady smiled upon leaving.

Looking around, Harry put on his slippers and padded out the door. Up and down the corridor lamps flickered to life and air swept through to wash out the staleness. A flash of green and an explosion could be heard in the distance. Walking fast towards the sound, he was astonished at the sight that greeted him. Ari and Professor Dumbledore were squared off and power was crackling in the air all around.

"You do not expect me to have just left him there? He needed to care for him and they were not doing it!"

"I expected you to come to me if he was in bad shape. I did not expect you to take matters into your own hands!"

Harry started forward when he saw Ari raise her wand. "Stop fighting over me, I'm not worth it. I don't want anybody else hurt because of me."

Harry's plaintive cry swelled at the end and Ari rushed forward. Enveloping him in a warm embrace she crooned, "Don't worry love, no one here is going to get hurt. You don't have to worry now."

Harry turned towards Dumbledore and shouted, "Don't you yell at her! She is the only one who is even beginning to understand. She is the only one who is showing she cares."

Dumbledore's eyes dulled at his statement and he sighed. "He can stay here with you but he must be on the train on September 1st. Do you feel like you can protect him here Ari? Are you really that confident?"

Ari's chin raised and she said, "I am not known as the most powerful witch in Europe for nothing Dumbledore. He will see you at the Opening Feast. Just send his letter here along with the OWL results. Everything will work out, you will see."

Dumbledore once again glanced at Harry whose eyes were hard jade stones with a hint of a tear. Bowing at Ari he swept out of the hall and was gone.

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I went outside to take a walk

So I could relive memories

I thought that you would lend a hand

But you were never ever there

It's all in your mind

You do what you wanna do

Your promises are all played out

You've got your wish you've worn me down

I treated you the best I could

I realize that I don't need you

I thought that you could change your life

What did I do why do you lie

You've walked back in my hands are tied

I'm tired I'm so damn angry

With you

Your not gonna change

I see who you really are

Your promises your promises

They're all played out

Your so played out your so played out

There all played out.

Promises by Adema

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Ch 2: Shopping

Ari's hand hovered over Harry's head resting gently on the wayward locks. Sighing, she spoke, "Harry love, would you like to come shopping with me?"

"What for?"

"To get you out of those positively dreadful clothes, and buy your school supplies. Your Hogwarts' letter arrived. We can stop at Gringotts' if you want to get some money and exchange some for muggle coinage so we can get you some muggle clothing as well. Otherwise, I 'm able to pay for everything now and you can pay me back when possible."

Harry looked down at his baggy sweatshirt the color of old mustard and the jeans and sneakers with holes and smiled weakly. They flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and stepped lightly into Diagon Alley. When they approached Gringotts the afternoon sun beat down upon their heads.

As they moved through the alley, Harry spied some of his fellow students. He hid behind Ari whose face tightened with sorrow almost imperceptibly. Waving a hand, she conjured a dark shawl. Draping it over his hair where it magically formed a veil. His form straightened and they moved into the clothes place swiftly. A sales girl looked at the pair: a woman whose robes were obviously good quality and a small form draped under layers of fabric.

"You will outfit him for the school year in the finest robes you have, three pairs of them. I would also request dress robes in Gryffindor colors. I will pay you with a Gringotts' check if that is satisfactory."

The young woman nodded and quickly went to work measuring his frame. Allowing for some growth, she went into the back and gathered the robes and magically making them his size. Wrapping them in tissue she gave the package to the regal woman who followed to small form out of the shop. Harry shivered uncontrollably as dark waves of fear rolled over him. "Ari. . . he . . . he . . . is here."

Ari looked quickly at the young man before taking out her wand and tapping it on his nape. He felt the cold egg down his neck that he only had felt once before. Looking around, he saw the daylight start to recede and the gathering darkness lengthen. A cold laugh swept through Diagon Alley, and he shrank against the nearing building. Sliding down the rough brick he crouched there disillusioned, rocking back and forth.

"No, no, no. I don't want to. Leave me alone. Please, just go away."

Ari looked down at where she suspected Harry to be, tears brightening in her eyes. She had noticed the dramatic change in temperature as well and knew the gathering darkness meant one thing. He has come, and he was not alone. The dementors swept through the street happening upon hapless shoppers, sucking out their souls. Ari spoke clearly, "Expecto Patronum!" The shape of a phoenix burst from the end of her wand and chased after the dementors, destroying them completely.

Harry looked up and gasped. The dementors were leaving in fear, they had not expected such a strong Patronus at Diagon Alley. Harry took out his wand and was about to cast the charm when he saw Ari shake her head almost indiscernibly.

"And who are you?" A frigid voice asked.

Ari looked forward at the reptilian white face staring back at her. "I am Ariyana Du'Lapear Casala, ruler of Cascallia, wielder of the light and friend of Dumbledore. Who are you? A snake with bad manners?"

Voldemort shivered with suppressed rage; taking out his wand he pointed it at the woman, "Crucio!"

Ari apparated quickly before retaliating. "Expelliarmus!"

Voldemort stumbled back but managed to keep his wand. Looking around at the gathering onlookers he knew he was outnumbered and possibly in danger before apparating away.

Still clutching his wand, Harry stepped forward towards Ari. "Ari . . . what happened?"

"My dear Harry, I did not want you to be hurt as you are in no condition to fight him as of yet. Rest love, you are safe." She muttered the incantation to lift the disillusionment charm before they quickly went from Diagon Alley before anyone noticed their departure. Ari glanced back as thirty aurors came into the alley, wands drawn. Smiling slightly, they managed to escape from the limelight.

Harry kept on glancing at her being more noticeable as he shed the veil in muggle London. They entered a muggle clothier and she bought him five pairs of jeans in black and blue. After selecting a wider variety of informal tees and nicer button downs, she threw in some undergarments and jumpers to top the pile. They rapidly moved through the store before coming to the shoe section and selecting three different pairs of sneakers, nice loafers, and boots.

Harry was astounded at the amount of clothing that Ari believed he needed but was glad that at least someone cared. Looking at her, he noticed the lines of strain that came with expending an enormous amount of magical power in such a short time. Her breathing was increasing and her eyes were slightly unfocused. After paying for the purchases, she swept him again towards the optometrist. They quickly bought two pairs of glasses that complimented the angular shape of his jaw and a couple packages of contacts to top the purchase. He suppressed his amazement when she just smiled upon his remarks.

They finally stopped when they reached his bedroom where he collapsed on the bed. Ari came over and tucked the blankets around him after casting a cooling charm. Bending down once again, she kissed his forehead, sweeping the dark hair back from his brow. "My dear Harry, I am sorry I was not here sooner. I love you Harry, even if you do not know who I am."

Harry's rhythmic breathing did not change for he had not heard her proclamation. She left the room swiftly as the dull evening light was eclipsed by night.