Five days later, father and son were walking beside Hadrian's Wall. They had been walking it for four days now, taking rest at night under the stars. So far, they had seen numerous old Roman forts, which Harry's father recited numerous historical facts about. For the most part, Harry was acting as if everything his dad was saying was exciting, indulging his dad.

"How long does it take to walk this entire wall?" the young boy suddenly asked.

"Seven days, depending on how fast we walk," his dad replied quietly.

Harry sighed in response. Seven days of walking was not how he had planned his summer. Okay, so he hadn't really planned his summer to be any different than it usually was with the Dursleys. He had assumed that he would scrub cauldrons or something all summer long, not this. Though, he'd admit that all this walking and moving was doing his body good in terms of keeping him in shape for Quidditch.

"So, who was this Hadrian guy anyway?"

"He was the fourteenth Roman emperor, considered good by many. This wall stands as a testament to the Roman Empire's might and shows how far north the empire's reach was."

The young boy only nodded. That was sort of interesting. Glancing at the wall, he noticed the numerous carvings in it. Some were peoples' names. Others were phrases, some obscene. Though, he noticed mostly that, like Hogwarts, the stone used wasn't too badly weathered.

"Would you like to rest?" his dad asked, glancing at him.

"No. I'm fine. Thanks, though," Harry replied. "What was she like, my mother?"

"Extremely kind, almost to a fault," his dad answered quietly. "She was very intelligent, excelled at Charms and Potions in fact." He then frowned. "She was very beautiful, enchanting almost. She could have asked any man to leap from the Astronomy Tower, and they would have. She had a fiery temper, especially when she believed someone close to her was being unnecessarily harassed. Numerous times she stuck up for me when everyone else was complacent."

"Didn't M—Professor Sinistra say anything?"

"She was a year behind your mother and me, so most times she was in class. She would have said more than a few words I'd imagine had she been there. Mostly, however, it was she and your mother who fought constantly. Their distrust was at times sickening. More than a few times wands were drawn, and blood was spilt."

"Did Mum win a lot?" Harry instantly cursed himself, knowing that he wasn't referring to his real mother. He really did have to start thinking about her as his mum. Otherwise, his dad was going to notice that he was still thinking her as his mum. That was if the man didn't already.

"Many times I broke their duels up." His dad sighed softly. "However, I believe Aurora was typically the winner when I was not there."

Harry smiled softly, nodding. While he wasn't actually glad to hear that his real mother lost numerous duels, he was glad to hear that the witch he wanted to be his mum did. Maybe he wasn't being fair. He had experienced what his life would have been like if his real mother was alive, and it wasn't necessarily all that bad. She was nice, but as he and his dad continued on their vacation, he kept being reminded of how she had used his father. He couldn't help but remember her harshness in that letter. While he didn't know what a Howler was exactly, he was rather certain it wasn't pleasant.

Shaking his head, he sighed. There was also the fact, though, that she had seemed to love him. At least the potion showed him that. His dad seemed to believe that she did, too. Then again, his dad also seemed unfortunately very biased when it came to his mother. She did no wrong in his eyes even when Harry could tell that she was a flawed human being.

"So, you really like history, don't you?" He glanced down guiltily when his dad glanced at him. "I mean, you have all this knowledge that you keep showing off."

"I'm merely attempting to teach you something, Harry."

"I know, but you're not my professor right now. You're my dad." He then looked forward towards the field full of wildflowers ahead of them. "What was her favorite flower?"

"White lilies wrapped with baby's breath," answered his dad.

"So, not poppies?" asked Harry with a soft laugh, staring at the poppy field in front of them.

"Definitely not poppies," his dad replied, smiling faintly. "Where are you going?"

"To run in the field?" answered the young boy, shrugging.

"Go," his dad said, shooing him into it.

Harry rushed into the field, laughing joyfully as the tall stalks bent backwards. He was like a young child again with no cares in the world. He twirled around, loudly yelling at the top of his lungs the lyrics from a Celestina Warbeck song that he had heard while Professor Sinistra had roomed with them. Behind him, he could hear his dad chuckling as he sung very badly. This was what he had been wanting for years. To play in fields like a foolish two-year-old with his parents, well, dad in this case, laughing and just all around being there for him.

After a few more moments of it, though, his eyes started to droop. He hadn't thought he wore himself out that quickly. Slowly, he turned around, ready to head back to his father. However, his legs soon became so heavy. It was as if ropes were tied around them. He took another step before one of his legs gave out, sending him to his knee. He heard a faint yell, likely from his dad. Though, the young boy only yawned, lowering himself onto the ground to fall asleep. It was so peaceful here, utterly peaceful.

~FTT~

Harry awoke several days later to a soft female voice. He opened his eyes, expecting Professor Sinistra. He was therefore disappointed when he found himself staring into an amber-eyed woman whom he had never seen before. The auburn-haired woman smiled softly at him, though, standing up.

"Who-who are you?"

"Rowan," she quietly answered, barely above a whisper. She then slowly turned away from him, gliding towards the cot his dad rested on. Her long silky dress floated eerily behind her. Gently, she ran a finger down his dad's face, taking a step back when he shot up in clear alarm. "Easy, wizard," she warned. "It has not fully left your systems yet."

"My clothes, where are they?" his dad demanded, clenching his teeth as he shook his head violently in an attempt to clear his mind. He was wearing only his dark trousers.

"I removed them so you'd awaken. You need not worry, however. I mean you and your child no harm. I found you in the middle of the field fast asleep. It is not safe to do such a thing, wizard."

His dad stared at her for a moment before frowning. "Thank you for assisting us, but we must be going." He then slowly swung his legs off the edge of the bed, nearly falling a moment later.

"I would not recommend it, wizard," she said, sounding rather amused as she kept him upright.

"We are not staying."

"Just a day longer," she replied softly. "It should be fully out of your system by then." She gave him a faint smile. "Your child is right here with you. There is no need for your concern. All is well."

Harry watched his dad lay back against the cot, sighing. His dad clearly didn't want to, but even Harry would admit that he was still really tired. Yawning once more, the young boy closed his eyes, knowing that his father would protect them if the lady tried anything. He was asleep a moment later.

~FTT~

"There is a woman in your thoughts, wizard," Rowan purred near Harry as he slowly regained consciousness yet again. "Who is she?"

The young Lion turned his head, glancing towards her. He could see her sitting on the edge of his dad's cot. Yawning again, the boy looked down at the floor a moment later. He didn't know why, but he was still tired. Maybe they hadn't been resting enough between their walk along the wall.

"There is no woman," his dad hissed, clenching his jaw.

"Ah, yes, I understand your distrust, wizard. But as I said before, I mean no harm to you and your child." She then laughed softly. "If I did, I would not have rescued either of you."

"Then why are you keeping us here?"

"I was not aware that I was, wizard," she said silkily. "If you wish to leave, then by all means do so. You are not my prisoners."

Harry watched his dad slowly swing his legs off the edge of the cot before pushing himself up off it to stand. His dad swayed for a moment before falling back onto the cot. Closing his eyes, the young child glanced away.

"You are drugging us so that we remain," his dad accused.

"Perhaps, wizard, your heart is attempting to speak to you since you continue to ignore it."

"No, no, you are—" A loud yawn cut off his words. "Dammit," he snarled.

"I am doing nothing, wizard." She smiled softly as Harry's dad stretched out on the cot. "You are doing this all on your own." She stood a moment later, glancing at Harry. "You must forgive him, child. For it has been too long since your father rested so peacefully," she spoke quietly.

Harry didn't respond, though. What would he have said if he could? So, with his stomach knotting even more, he glanced at his dad, who was now fast asleep again. His dad had to be right. She had to have been drugging them. But how was the question. So far, she had not offered them anything to eat or drink. She had, however, helped them to the loo since they were too exhausted to make it on their own unfortunately.

"What is your name, child?"

"Dudley," he replied instantly. He forced himself not to react when she laughed softly.

"That, child, is a lie," she stated, smiling at him. "I answered you truthfully. It is only fair that you do the same now." She brushed back a stray curl, revealing faded white floral marks to her face.

"Harry," he quietly answered, hanging his head.

"And your father's name?" she asked.

"Severus," he responded, sighing.

"Both are strong names, as are you both." Her amber eyes then darted to the window of her small cottage. She waved her hand towards it, causing the wood around it to rearrange itself and blot out the sunlight. "You should rest, young Harry. Your body is much too exhausted, isn't it?"

Harry yawned again, narrowing his eyes a moment after. Was this a spell she was casting? He couldn't work the answer out, however, as he succumbed to whatever it was.

~FTT~

When he awoke again, he immediately groaned. He felt extremely sore, as if he had been lying there for weeks. He glanced towards his dad, noticing that he was still fast asleep. However, the stubble on his father's face that had been barely noticeable before gave his dad a sort of dirty, unclean look. How long had they been asleep?

Feeling well rested, the young boy slowly sat up and glanced about the room. It was a small cottage, reminding him immensely of the hut that Hagrid found him staying in last year. Harry could see three doors, one of which he knew led to the loo. The windows appeared to be boarded up still, but the candles gave off enough light so he could see.

When a door opened, the young Gryffindor instantly flopped back onto his cot, turning his back to it. He heard his dad's cot's bedsprings creak as likely Rowan sat down on it. Chewing on his lip, he silently wished she'd just leave them. A moment later, he heard his dad groan softly, awakening again.

"Forgive me for waking you, Severus," she whispered.

"How do you know my name?"

"Your child informed me of it when I asked him." She softly laughed when his dad mumbled something under his breath. "Harry is none of that, Severus, and you know this."

"What do you want from us?"

"What makes you believe I want something?"

"Why else are you holding us prisoner?" his dad growled.

"You and your child are free to leave anytime, Severus. I am not holding you here." She then sighed softly. "Perhaps it is as I said before. Perhaps your heart is keeping you here in order to prevent you from running as you've been doing thus far."

"I am not running from anything."

"Forgive me, Severus, but you are."

"You know nothing," his dad hissed, sounding deadlier than ever before.

"Perhaps," she replied softly. "But your heart did not die with your child's mother, Severus. You are learning this, and it unsettles you greatly. Why? Why must you deny your heart what it desires?"

"I desire nothing."

"That, my dear wizard, is a lie."

"Then I'm in good company since you are lying about keeping us here."

"Severus, I assure you that I am not. You and your child are free to leave whenever you wish."

"So you say," his dad snarled. "But I have yet to see the proof."

"What proof do you require?" she asked. "I shall attempt to show you any you wish. However, I do not believe your staying here is of my doing."

"I am not running from anyone."

"Forgive me, but you are," she argued. "For you have run your entire life, so why must this be any different, Severus?"

"You know nothing."

"I know that your heart bleeds sorrow, wishing for a second chance at love."

"You know nothing about my life."

"You feel guilty for not protecting your child's mother from harm. You believe you are at fault when I do not believe that you could have controlled the situation." She ignored Harry's dad's teeth grinding angrily. "You are deeply unsettled by what you see in your dreams. Perhaps it also stems from your underlying guilt that you need not feel. However, if you give into it, stop fighting, you might find what your heart desires."

"Right now the only thing my heart desires is getting the hell out of here with my son."

"Why must you deny yourself happiness?"

"There is no happiness to deny," his dad snarled.

"Because you brush it off, ignoring it in order to—what—protect yourself from heartache?"

"Silence," his dad hissed, sounding as deadly as an adder snake. "You will release us this moment or else."

Harry slowly rolled over to see how she'd take that threat. She only smiled, however, nodding slowly before standing. She didn't even seem fazed by his dad's anger.

"We shall talk again when you awaken, Severus," she softly spoke, walking away.

Almost immediately afterwards, the young boy's eyes became heavy. Every jolt of energy he had was now mysteriously gone. Yawning quietly, he curled in on himself, cursing himself as he did. What was she doing to them, and why couldn't they fight it?

~FTT~

"Good morning, Harry," Rowan softly spoke, waking him. "Your father is still resting," she stated when the young boy glanced towards his dad.

"Why are you keeping us here?"

"As I've told your father numerous times, Harry, I'm not."

"Then if I stood up and walked towards the door—"

"I'd allow you to," she replied, smiling softly. "In fact, I would suggest you move around. You have been resting for quite some time."

Harry glanced towards his dad before nodding slowly. He slowly swung his legs off his cot, standing up. He waited until Rowan was a few feet from him before he walked towards the door. Staring at her, his hand slowly reached for the doorknob and turned it. He then opened the door, taking a step outside. She made no movement as he did. Once he was fully outside, he turned around and stared at her. From what he could see, she hadn't moved whatsoever. He then walked further outside, watching her very carefully.

"As you can see, Harry, I'm not keeping you here." Turning around, she then walked through an opened door he hadn't been through yet.

The moment she was gone, the young boy rushed back inside, hoping that he could wake his father so they could leave before she returned. Relying on his Gryffindor bravery, he shook his father, biting his lip as he did.

"Dad, wake up," he whispered, shaking his father again.

"Harry?"

"She's gone. Come on." His dad didn't move, however. "Dad, come on." His dad only shook his head, closing his eyes. "Dad, please. We have to go." What was wrong with his dad? He had never seen him like this before. "Dad, come on," Harry urged, attempting to pull his dad upwards.

"It's no use," his father replied quietly.

"Dad, I was just outside," Harry argued. If he thought he could have gotten away with it, he would have hit the man. "Dad, get up!"

"You're not real."

Throwing all caution to the wind, Harry raised his hand to smack his father. However, his dad's hand instantly snatched his wrist. He didn't shrink away from his dad's glare.

"I am too real, Dad. Now, get up!" If the situation wasn't so dire, Harry would have laughed when his dad's eyes uncharacteristically widened.

"Harry?"

"Yes, now come on before she comes back." He helped his dad up, wrapping an arm around his dad's waist. Together, they slowly walked towards the opened door. However, the minute they reached it, his dad's legs gave out, sending them both to the floor. Harry ignored the pain, rolling onto his side. If he had to, he'd drag his now asleep dad out of there.

"Would you like some assistance, Harry?" Rowan asked softly, leaning against the far wall.

"End the spell you have on him."

"There is no spell on him, child."

"You're lying. You're doing this somehow."

"I'm a dryad, child, not a witch."

"Please, Rowan, just end it," he begged, futilely attempting to pull his father outside.

"I'm not doing anything to him, child. I swear to you."

"Then what's wrong with him? Why does he keep falling asleep?"

"As I stated to your father, he has been running away for so long that his body needs its rest. I have not nor would I cast a spell on him. His dreams likely are the only way his heart can speak to him and inform him that he does not need to suffer any longer." Rowan then slowly walked towards one of the chairs, sitting in it a moment later. "I am certain that once he listens, it will release him."

"It's not his heart, though. It has to be a spell."

"Why? Because you are a wizard and that is all you understand, child?" she asked quietly, staring at him. "There is more to the world than magic. After all, trees require no magical energy to flourish, so why must that be the only case for everyone else?" She then sighed, shaking her head. "You wizards are always the same. Magic is might, and everything else, the beauty of nature, is nothing."

"Rowan, do you know what this really is?" Harry then dropped his dad's hand, staring at her. "You told Dad that you found us in the flower field. Do you know why we fell asleep in it?" He remained quiet when her amber eyes glanced towards him.

"That particular field was once a thriving forest before they came and destroyed it. So, my ancestors enchanted the flowers back when we had our magic. Anyone who came across our lands would sleep for an eternity." She sighed, closing her eyes. "It was meant to protect our lands from them, Harry, not harm innocents."

"Doesn't that mean you can end it, though?"

"It affects magical folk differently than it would others. When you dream, you see your perfect family that you want more than anything. You ended the spell once you played it out in its entirety. Your father, however, uses his magic to brush it off, to ignore it. It only makes it more potent, though."

"So, if he stops doing whatever he's been doing, the spell would end?"

"That is my theory, yes."

Harry sighed. He wasn't really sure if he could trust her words, but there was a sort of feeling about her that made him think he could. She had been so far honest with them.

"Could you help me?"

"As long as you don't inform him that I touched him in his current state," she replied with a smile. "I doubt he'd find that pleasing upon waking." She stood and quickly crossed over. Together, both Harry and she struggled to lift his dad up into a semi-standing position. A moment later, they gently placed him back on the cot.

"Do you know how long we've been here, Rowan?" He noticed her frown instantly. "Rowan, how long have we been here?"

"Long enough for your people to have noticed," she quietly replied.

"They're looking for us?"

"There is a man, yes," she answered. "He shall be here shortly."

Harry nodded slowly. He could hear the sadness in her voice, which he unfortunately felt bad for. He, however, did his best to ignore it. She had known why they were there. It was because of her people they had been stuck there. Sometimes, he hated being nice. She had practically kidnapped them, and here he was feeling sorry for her.

Shaking his head, he sighed. Maybe he was that screwed up in the head if he could sympathize with his kidnapper. But she was nice to them, answering every question seemingly honestly. He glanced towards her and chewed on his bottom lip. He had a question he was dying to ask, but he couldn't, not yet. So, instead, he drew in a breath and asked a safer question, at least for now.

"There's something I don't understand, Rowan." He held his gaze with her when she glanced at him. "Why am I not starving right now? You said that we were here long enough for someone to notice. That has to be at least a few days, so I should be."

"As you slept, I'd place a leaf in your mouth. With time, it would dissolve, absorbing into your bloodstream and allowing it to be used as nourishment."

Harry nodded slowly. So, she had fed them while they slept. It was better than letting them starve he guessed. She was still answering his questions, which most people in his experience typically didn't do for him.

"Rowan, what would happen if he didn't finish the dream?" he asked quietly.

"You mean, if the man appears and whisks you both away?" she replied, glancing at him. "I'm unsure what then would occur." Her amber eyes slowly trailed over to his dad. "He is in great turmoil with what he sees. There is such guilt in him that needs not be there. If he embraces it, he likely will experience the peace he felt before with your mother."

"How do you know that?"

"We dryads are very receptive in terms of rest, especially when we are at fault for it. My kin enchanted it so that we might see if the victim was worthy or not to be saved. It was how I knew you both were there. I only see flashes, however, from your father. He guards himself very closely." She then smiled. "He loved your mother immensely, child. It is likely why it is so unsettling to him now that there is another."

Harry's ears perked up immediately. She couldn't be talking about— His opened his mouth to ask her if she saw the other woman to confirm his hopes that it was Professor Sinistra. However, his words were cut off when a jet of light struck Rowan in the chest, sending her to the floor.

"No!" Harry cried, whirling around with his wand drawn.

"Lower your wand, Mr. Potter. You and Severus are safe now."

"She wasn't hurting us," Harry growled, glaring at the one-armed wizard in the doorway.

"Oh?" the wizard replied. "And just why is Severus taking a nap? Because in all my years with the man, he's never been one to sleep when there's danger."

"Dad's dreaming about M—uh." The young boy then shook his head. It was probably better if he was quiet. He stared at the man. He had seen him before sitting at the staff table. "Who are you?"

"Professor Kettleburn, Magical Creatures," the wizard gruffly replied. "And that, Mr. Potter, is a dryad. Nasty creatures they are."

"She was not."

"Shoulda known this would happen," Kettleburn muttered. "Come on, Mr. Potter. Let's get you and Severus out of here before she wakes, making all three of us her trophies." He flicked his wand towards Harry's dad, levitating him before he stepped out of the cottage.

"She wasn't like that," the young boy argued, following the one-armed man.

"Dear Merlin," Kettleburn groaned. "Mr. Potter, she's a dryad. You and Severus likely stumbled onto her land, and she decided to keep you two as her trophies or something."

"You're wrong. Dryads don't do—"

"Oh? Tell me, Mr. Potter. Have you been around many magical creatures in your life? Well, I have." He then moved his stump of an arm. "See that? Got that from a bad encounter with a pixie," he said. "Sure, they're cute and all, but they can be downright vicious at times."

"A pixie?" repeated Harry quietly. "Aren't pixies like fairies?" He glared when the professor snorted. As if he knew the difference between them. He was after all raised by ignorant Muggles.

"That's what you think, Mr. Potter," he replied gruffly. "Now, get a move on it."

~FTT~

Someone moving around the room woke Harry the next morning. He wouldn't have believed it if someone had told him the previous night that he'd still manage to sleep, but he did. Opening his eyes, he glanced towards the person.

"Dad?" he said uneasily.

"You're awake," his father replied, turning his head towards him.

"So are you," Harry pointed out quietly. He then licked his lips, trying to gain a few bits of courage. "Did you finish it?"

"Finish what?"

"Nothing, it doesn't matter," the young boy responded, glancing away.

"It seems that it does matter to you, Harry. Please tell me. Did I finish what?"

"Your dream," the young boy softly whispered.

"My dream?" his dad repeated, staring at him. "If I did, I don't remember it. I rarely remember dreams, especially when they're drug induced."

"Oh," he replied, lowering his eyes. "Are you better now, though?"

"As far as I'm aware," his dad answered. "It appears as if Rowan took care of us as we slept, feeding us and such. According to Madam Pomfrey, in fact, I'm in better health now than before." His dad didn't sound too enthused about that finding.

A soft rap of knuckles against the doorframe made them glance towards it. Professor Kettleburn stood there, frowning as he glanced in.

"Yes, Silvanus?" drawled Harry's dad, raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms.

"Thought you two might want some food before you two get on your way," replied Kettleburn. "Then again, Merlin knows that I'm just going to have to save your sorry arses again."

"Yes, well, thank you for your hospitality," Harry's dad said through grit teeth. "Come, Harry."