𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐃𝐎𝐌

Chapter 15

Dumbledore comforted and talked with the distraught boys until the wee hours of the morning until they were finally exhausted and they lay back down to sleep. When he was sure that they would not wake again, the old man summoned Dobby the houself to stay with them in Draco’s room and instructed him to let them sleep as long as they wished and to alert him if anything else transpired.

Dumbledore set out in the direction of Snape’s quarters. Dumbledore knocked and Severus eventually answered. Snape was fully dressed and seemed tired. The Potions Master urged the old man in and they sat in the facing wing back chairs as Severus began to speak.

“Headmaster, I have just returned from the Inner Circle Death Eater meeting. The three escapees from Azkaban have taken back their positions in his service, but were not in attendance, neither was the Dark Lord.”

“Severus, I have just come from Draco’s room where Harry and he had shared the same vision from Voldemort during their sleep.”

“But, sir, how did Draco…”

“I had given Harry the permission to share his knowledge of psychometry with Draco. They had shared some thoughts earlier before they slept. I think that when Voldemort sent the vision to Harry, that the connection between them was still in effect somehow. In the dream Voldemort was aware that Draco was present and was also aware that he had declined the mark ceremony earlier this summer. They saw Lucius there with the other two men who had escaped as well. My concern now is that the Dark Lord will know they are here.”

Both men sat in thought for a long silence while the red fire crackled in the grate of the fireplace. With a heavy sigh, Severus began to speak.

“Albus, I learned tonight that Lucius has been in contact with the Ministry as we suspected and that Fudge has agreed to grant him full pardon in the matter. The Imperius curse was cast on many Ministerial personnel who signed for his freedom. Lucius is soon to be a free man and he will waste no time in finding Draco. Lucius is his father and we have no rights to withhold Draco from him. There is nothing else I can do to protect Draco from his own father or his Master.”

Dumbledore thought for a moment. “In light of what Voldemort is planning for them, these boys have no chance for survival without completion of their training. They work well together, but separating them right now could be detrimental to both of them. Surely it won’t be more than a few weeks until Lucius’ name is cleared. If I could somehow delay that process until the school term begins, perhaps Draco could remain at Hogwarts in safety. I will need you to contact Narcissa Malfoy abroad. Perhaps since you and she are quite close, you could convince her to allow her son to remain here with you.”

“I will contact her and do my best, but she fears Lucius as Draco does. Perhaps we could move the boys to another location besides Hogwarts for now until the term begins since it is only a few weeks?” Severus asked in hope.

“Perhaps. Since I have legal guardianship of Harry, I could take them both to my seasonal home in Lancashire for the few remaining weeks and teach them there. My home, as you know, is protected quite well. You are welcome to come along to assist. My potions lab is not nearly as sophisticated as the one here at the school, but any work you wish to bring along could be tended there. Hagrid will be returning to the school in two days. We could leave at that time leaving him to watch over the school.”

“I agree. I will send notice to Narcissa in the morning and prepare the potions I am currently developing for transport.”

The two sat for another moment in silent thought.

“We’ll tell them tomorrow, as for now, I should let you get some rest. Good night, Severus,” Dumbledore added with a pat to the younger man’s knee before he left.