Fire Tongue

Chapter Four

As Hadrian stood from preparing Dudley's robes he winced his back felt like it was on fire and his hand were still burnt and swollen from the morning's tortures. His Aunt Petunia stood over him inspecting his work only pausing to cuff Hadrian in the back of the head. She smiled a thin smile before ushering her pig of a son and whale of a husband out the door to greet the large and luxurious carriage that awaited them.

Harry smiled as they left quickly rushing to the kitchen to let his hair fall from where he kept it beneath the old warn out hat he was using. Pulling out the small book he held so close to his heart he clutched it against his chest eyes closed wishing for Draco the Elf to appear once more. He stood there for several minutes till a single finger tapped his shoulder. The small boy yelped and whirled around to face a smirking Draco who was now holding back a small laugh, "waiting for someone?"

Hadrian glared and mumbled something under his breath cause the blonde elf to chuckle lightly under his breath. "Alright small Hadrian it is time to prepare you for the next ball don't you think?"

The smaller boy smiled brightly and whispered "I would like that very much sir is it possible to receive longer gloves this night I fear my arms are a bit of a mess." Hadrian turned his head away raising his burnt and bruised skin to where the elf could clearly see the damage.

Draco's eyes widened and he took the small hands into his own gently, "yes I believe I know exactly which outfit to dress you in the eve." His voice soft as he dropped the hands to turn and pull the chest once again out of nowhere. Reaching within its depths he pulled out a dark forest green suit with a set of rich dark brown dragon hide boots, cloak and matching gloves. Smiling he set them aside before summoning a large tub filled with warm bubbly water, "here get in quick we must see you are cleaned of all this grime. The water will help your wounds. Quickly now we must hurry"

Hadrian's eyes widened and he stripped the clothes quickly slipping into the warm water and true to the elves words the water instantly soothed his aches and pains from the roots up. With a small coo Hadrian dipped into the water and carefully cleaned his hair to avoid any damage. Quickly finishing he stepped from the tub allowing the elf to dry him with a soft silky towel his hair drying somehow within minutes as the elf brushed the long locks gently. Soon Draco was helping him into the fine dark green suit and accessories.

Draco smiled down at the smaller boy kissing his forehead gently "go the carriage awaits." He whispers as he sets the mask of emerald green leaves upon the younger boys face gently "But remember the rules sweet Hadrian"

Hadrian nodded and quickly climbed into the carriage waving to the friendly elf that had helped him so much these past two days. Leaning back against the seat he glanced out the window watching the trees and road pass by as the small delicate carriage clopped off to the palace. He knew he was lucky to even be going for this was a miracle all in itself that an elf would be willing to help him a lowly servant.

Smiling the boy looked at the window as the palace grew closer smiling he situated the mask properly on his face just as the carriage pulled up to the step to let him off. The door swung open and he stepped shyly from within the coach his hand reaching toward the gloved hand to help him from the coach. Looking up his eyes widen as they fall upon the face of….