"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. You can't see the future, yet you know it will come; you can't see the air, yet you continue to breathe."- Claire London.

Jack wavers for a moment, eyebrows drawn together in a fit of bemusement, before offering his reply.

"Thanks, I guess?" he drawls, deciding it was best to take it as a compliment.

Slowly, the deconstruction of a character in Harry's eye. Patty was wrong after all, how prudent. The wind has slowed, Harry notices, sluggish and draping over Frost's hair, silver strands fluttering weakly.

"Don't be," Harry mutters. The boy blinks at him, head cocked to the side, as if struggling to remember where he has seen him.

"You look familiar," the boy says, and Harry turns to him slowly. They boy's eyes widen, reaching a hand over to tug on Jack's sleeve.

"It's Harry Potter," the boy whispers, and Harry is reminded of lollipops and indulgent smiles.

"Who?" Jack repeats, raising an eyebrow and glancing at Harry with something akin to disbelief. Harry should feel mildly insulted but the fact that Jack is nothing as he is supposed to be is insult enough.

"Hey! What's the hold up?" Someone calls out from afar, a tiny figure painted among the whiteness of the snow. The boy turns around, yells something about continuing the game without them and the figure shrugs before turning away.

"What's your name kid?" Jack says, twisting the wooden staff around his fingers easily. Harry is distracted by the movement and Jack stills, eyes bright.

"I just told you it's Harry Potter," the boy murmurs, disgruntled at Jack's blatant doubt. Jack rolls his eyes.

"Harry Potter," Harry answers firmly and ignores Jack's expression.

"So you're some wizard, then? From the movies?"

"The books came first."

Jack rolls his eyes again, "Thank you for your contribution, Jamie. That certainly helped me understand."

The boy, Jamie frowns, almost pouting.

Jack narrows his eyes at Harry for a moment, studying him before repeating, "So you're supposed to be some kind of wizard from a book?"

"It's not a costume, if that's what you want to hear," Harry drawls, tapping his scar idly. Jack's eyes follow the movement before humming, leaning back on his heels. He seems light, Harry notices, like the wind can carry him away.

"You're an interesting kid," Jack says, waving his staff again. The wind breezes through Harry's hair.

"Jack!" someone shouts, bounding closer. "Jamie, we have to go now!"

Jack tips his head to the side, before grinning.

"Well," he drawls cheerfully, "It was nice to meet you, Harry Potter! Hopefully we'll meet again soon." He winks, as if it were some secret, before the wind carries him away, delightful childish laughs following him. Jamie spares him one last glance before he leaves.

The wind plays with his hair and Harry blinks. Jack was certainly not what he expected, but he supposes it wasn't a bad thing. Anyone who can make Children laugh isn't so bad, right?

With this thought in mind, Harry continues on his merry way.

"I can smell the Wind on you," Patty mutters, chewing thoughtfully.

"You need to get out more," Harry suggests in a teasing manner, "You're getting too pale."

Patty waves him off, lifting his feet onto the table with a terrible clanging of dishes, and Harry sighs. He just got new ones too. Patty squints at Harry, mouth twisted before his face eases.

"You met someone," Patty says, and Harry raises an eyebrow. That was too cheesy. "Not like that, troublesome boy. You met someone." Patty sniffs. "Cold."

"I didn't know you were part-dog," Harry says, lifting the plates with nimble fingers.

"And I didn't know you were related to Stupidity," Patty replies, "Oh, wait. I did."

Harry sighs. Outside, the wind howls against the hollow wood, beating almost as if for entrance. Patty steeples his fingers together expectantly, eyes focused on the walls. Harry ignores the action but finds his fingers curling into a nervous fist all the same.

A furious beat now, like a drum echoed in the head, and the air shook. Harry shakes his head briefly.

It stops. The sudden silence is more disturbing than the noise, or lack of. Patty stills before straightening, narrowing his eyes. A snowball sounds against Harry's head, and Harry knows.

"Frost!" Harry says, furious and rubbing the back of his head. "You followed me here?" On the other side of the room, Patty gives Harry a look. Jack looks unabashed, smirking.

"Well, I had to, didn't I? You are the Boy Who Lived after all!" Jack says before muttering to himself. "Or was it the Boy Who Lied?"

"The former," Harry says drily, eying Jack with suspicion. The other boy merely smiles leans his staff on his shoulder.

"So, you're Frost?" Patty is saying, raising one eyebrow in disbelief. "Chirpy one, aren't you."

Jack tilts his head again, like a chirpy bird, and scrutinizes Patty. Light dawns on him a few moments after.

"Surly attitude, red hair, green shoes and all packed into a cute fun size!" Jack says, "You must be the Leprechaun! So nice to meet you." He holds out his hand and Patty ignores it. Jack retracts it casually, eyes twinkling with mirth.

"I've heard a lot of nice things about you," Jack continues, trailing along the small space, tracing each aged item with care.

"Oh? I haven't you, unfortunately," Patty retorts, and shoots Harry an annoyed glance.

"Really? The Harbinger of Death-never heard of him?" Jack asks, turning to watch them. Harry frowns and Patty grimaces.

"Yeah, the rumors you've been spreading around aren't exactly nice," Jack says. "I was bound to hear them eventually, so the question is, why would you even want to?"

Patty scowls. "I'm the Leprechaun, what were you expecting? Rainbows and sunshine?"

Jack glances around before looking back to Patty. "Kind of, yeah."

"Well obviously someone needs to catch up on their folklore," Patty says, and Jack's eyes scuttle to Harry's own, who were observing them in confusion.

"I didn't expect to find you here, Harry," Jack says, like he's testing the word, "The Leprechaun shouldn't be around little kids. I hear he steals hearts."

Harry shrugs breezily, "No, just food. I don't need it though, so I'm fine."

Jack frowns at the easy reply.

"We don't comply to the 'Man in the Moon'," Patty says, "So sorry if a kid sees me or, pray tell, talk to me."

"You know an awful lot about us for an Outsider," Jack murmurs, leaning forward slightly.

"Last I recall, you were an Outsider yourself just a few weeks ago," Patty says, "And now you think you're better, hmm?"

"Quite the opposite," Jack says, "I envy you. No responsibilities. No duties. Ah, that was the life. Then again, not anyone can keep Children happy, so I'll have to stay with my job, thanks."

Harry rolls his eyes and Patty sneers.

Jack just chuckles, and sits down in the homely seat, as if he were going to stay a while. The wind dulls to a gentle breeze.

A/N: Yeah, stupid ending and too short length but at least I updated, right? I'm a little rusty, to be honest, but the next chapter should be longer, better, and with more bonding, less nagging. I'm surprised at the amount of you who were anticipating Jack's reaction. It's not as fun as I'd like it, but what can you do? I just started writing again after such a long time (for me). Anyways, on another matter.

I don't know if any of you are familiar with Rekindling, but yeah that's my story too. I'm thinking about updating, before I start forgetting the plot completely but I don't know. At this point, I'm more fond of Eye of Reason, although it is also losing its spark. Still, if any of you want to drop me a line and tell me which you'd rather have updated, I'll be happy to take it into consideration. Should I put up a poll? It doesn't mean the fic will be updated first, mind you, (I don't really know about Rekindling right now) but it'll certainly influence it since I like to write what people will appreciate more.

Reviews would be adored. Sorry for the long wait :).

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