Harry Potter and the Daoine Sìth

Author's note: I would like to thank all that have reviewed! You are keeping my muse happy and alive! My beta is brilliant and I already have the fourth chapter back, so here you go, you lovely, lovely people! I would also like to once again thank lazycrazykitten for the idea. It was brilliant! On a second note, my beta will have a life this summer, but not to worry you will get regular chapters just mayhaps more time between. So I will probably go back to Sunday updates.

This fiction is beta'd by smirking_muse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Chapter Four:

Draco awoke slowly and felt slightly disoriented. As he had been trained, he assessed the situation before opening his eyes; the first thing he realised was that he was not in his own bed, nor was he slumbering in his four-poster at Hogwarts. No, this was definitely unfamiliar territory. Secondly, he noticed there was a very warm body snuggled into his side, and that his arm was cradling this warm body protectively, pressing it closer still. Finally, he could feel that his arm was brushing against the silkiest, most supple substance he had ever touched, and that whatever it was, seemed alive and undulated under his finger tips.

A soft wisp of breath eddied over his sleep-warmed skin, “'S nice.”

Draco's eyes snapped open, his hand stilled, and his neck craned to look down. A mop of black hair and a pair of diaphanous wings met his glance. The sight caused his lips to curve upwards and his heart to beat slightly faster. For a brief moment, while he had been in that dreamlike state just before waking, he had believed he had dreamt everything that had transpired the night before. But it was all true, and it had happened just as he remembered it.

“Harry,” he whispered. The body by his side curled even tighter against him.

“Don' stop,” Harry murmured sleepily, his soft cheek rubbing against Draco’s chest. “Felt good.”

Draco chuckled, swearing that Harry purred like a milk-fed cat. Draco gently shook the other boy, only to have Harry hiss at him slightly and press himself impossibly closer. Thinking this could all get out of hand quickly, Draco said clearly, “Potter, wake up.” The dark-haired boy sat up quickly, blinked owlishly, and blushed attractively, his wings fluttering behind him with a nervous energy.

“An Ifrinn*1, Draco!” Harry yelped, scurrying to the other side of the bed. “I'm sorry! Oh, my!” Harry tumbled over the edge of the bed.

“It's alright, Harry,” Draco said, trying desperately to suppress his laughter.

The top of Harry's head appeared above the end of the bed. “I'm really sorry. I've never slept in the same bed as anyone else before,” he said shyly.

“Yes, well, apparently – you – like – to – snuggle, Harry” Draco calmly replied, emphasising each word as he edged toward the skittish faery.

Harry's eyes were huge and his pupils dilated. “I didn't know that,” he whispered. “I'm sorry. I didn't know it would happen so fast—that I’d feel like this – and I'm not sure – and you don't understand – oh, Draco, I am so sorry!” Harry was making absolutely no sense at all. Draco didn't know why the other boy was so upset. He decided to put an end to Harry's nonsensical ramblings –

“Stop apologising, Potter.” Draco moved even closer, bringing his face only inches from the other boy's. “I didn't mind,” he whispered. Harry blinked up at him confused.

“You didn't?”

“No, I didn't.” Draco did something then that even he had not anticipated; he leant down and kissed the tip of Harry's nose. Harry's eyes widened even further, and he fell backward onto his bottom, staring up at Draco.

The two boys looked at each other for a long moment, and gray eyes locked with verdant ones until Draco blushed and looked away. “I guess I should apologise now,” he said as he sat up on the bed. “I don't know why I did that. I shouldn't have – it was impulsive of me.”

“NO!” Harry just about shouted. “No. I – I didn't mind,” he stammered, his face flushed. Draco turned away from Harry so that the other boy could not see his satisfied smirk. By the time he turned back around, Harry had risen off of the floor. He was standing at the end of the bed, looking everywhere except towards the blonde.

“I suppose we should get dressed and find my mother – and Professor Snape,” he mumbled as he made his way to the wardrobe. It was then that Draco noticed his clothes folded neatly over the chair in front of the desk. They appeared to have been cleaned and pressed. He rose and walked toward them as Harry rummaged through his own things, presumably searching for something suitable to wear. Draco didn't think this should be a hard decision, given that Harry seemed to dress only in gauzy trousers, similar to those he had donned the night before.

“Do you have house-elves, Potter?” Draco asked.

Harry's head came round the door to look at Draco curiously, until he noticed the clean set of clothes. “Oh, yeah, err – we do, yes.” Harry's head disappeared again for a few moments before he re-emerged, apparently having found what he was looking for. “Did you want to use the loo first?” he asked, finding his composure at last.

A short time later, the two boys were walking side by side through the winding corridors. The hallways were overflowing with activity in comparison to the night before. Many of the Sìth called out greetings to the two boys as they passed. Draco was very hungry and immensely interested to discover how Professor Snape's evening had gone. It occurred to Draco that he had no clue what time it was and hadn't even thought to cast a tempus charm. He surmised it was late morning on account of the activity and his stomach's rumbling. Today was Monday, and he should be attending classes. He briefly thought about asking Harry to borrow his owl to send a message to the school. However, all thoughts of sending messages fled his mind completely as he and Harry approached what he assumed was the breakfast room…

~~~~~~~~~~

“You are being deliberately obtuse, Carlin!” Severus snarled angrily.

“I am not. I merely wish to wait for the boys before we continue this conversation, Severus.” Carlin's voice was calm and controlled, infuriating Snape further.

“Oh, you most certainly are! I have been more than tolerant of your half-answers and blatant subterfuges!”

“Subterfuges!?” Carlin repeated indignantly. “You exaggerate, Severus!”

Snape scowled at the Queen. “You have been deliberately thwarting my every attempt to discuss this matter with you.” Snape was pacing in front of a table laid out with breakfast dishes, and Carlin sat primly watching him.

“Severus, do sit down. The boys will be here momentarily, and then you shall get the answers you are so desperate for.” No sooner had the words left her lips than the two boys entered the room. “There, see. Now sit down before you burst a blood vessel!”

Snape's scowl deepened, but he did as he was told and sat across from Carlin, though he did so with a huff, grumbling like an angry dragon, “Infuriating woman!”

The two boys stood in the doorway, both apparently wary about entering after having overheard the two adults arguing. Snape was sure his hostile glare added to their trepidation. Carlin, however, put them both at ease. Smiling brightly, she motioned at them to come in.

“Good morning, Harry, Draco. Sit – sit and have some breakfast.” She opened her arms to Harry, who immediately went to her. As they embraced, Harry kissed her cheek.

“Good morning, Máthair, Professor Snape,” Harry said as he took a seat beside Carlin. Draco sat next to the other boy, smiling and murmuring a similar greeting.

Carlin set about filling their plates with fruit and eggs before pouring each boy a cup of tea. She gave Severus a sharp glance until he reluctantly began to fill his own plate.

All four of them began to eat and were soon joined by Carlin's daughter, Sorcha. Snape sat dyspeptically, stabbing at the food on his plate and ignoring the polite conversation around him. Occasionally, he would glare nastily at the woman seated opposite him. Carlin shared an amused glance with Sorcha before addressing his ill-temper.

“Severus, you will give yourself indigestion. Honestly!” She bit her lip to keep from chuckling.

Severus was momentarily distracted as he watched her white teeth nibbling the pink flesh. Carlin’s tinkling laughter brought him back to the present. He dropped his fork noisily onto his plate and glowered at the beautiful faery. “May I assume that we can begin our discussion and do away with the appearance of ‘happy family?'” he snapped. Sorcha laughed at his comment until Severus turned his fiery gaze on her. The young woman stopped her tittering and squirmed in her chair.

Carlin cleared her throat, “Of course, Severus. By all means.” she waved her hands, signalling him to begin.

“Finally!” he nearly shouted as he turned toward the two boys, fixing his black eyes on Harry. Harry shifted uncomfortably and chewed on his bottom lip nervously. “Potter,” Snape began forcefully, “we must discuss how we are to proceed from here. The Queen and I have had a brief,” he stressed the word, “discourse on the matter. However, your input is required.” Harry looked toward his mother and then back at Snape.

“What do you mean, sir?” he asked confused.

Snape growled under his breath about “idiotic children” before he said icily, “You have been missing for four years, Potter. Four years! In all those years, no one in the wizarding world has known where you were or if you were even alive, you fatuous twit!” Harry paled and sunk down low in his chair.

“Now see here, Professor,” Draco interjected, but continued no further as Snape set his snarling visage on the blond boy.

“You will keep your unwarranted remarks to yourself, Mister Malfoy,” Snape said, adopting his professorial persona. He then brought his attention back to the faery boy, “It may have slipped your notice, Potter, or perhaps you are merely too supremely benighted to realise, that my and Draco's presence here will alert the world that their saviour has been found. Far be it from me to point out to the boy-who-lived that arrangements must be made for your eminent return!”

Harry frowned slightly. “So soon?” he said softly.

Snape had the sudden urge to grab the boy and shake him. “What's this, Potter?” he snarled nastily, “Surely the conquering hero wishes to bask in his adoring public's accolades and tributes? Arrogant as you are…”

“I am not!” Harry yelled.

“Not what, Potter? Arrogant or…”

“That will be quite enough, Severus,” Carlin said, setting her own fork down with a loud clank. “Either you compose yourself or I shall fetch you a calming drought. You are being extremely unpleasant, and that attitude will be neither productive nor favourable to this discussion.” Snape, feeling cow-towed, looked away, murmuring under his breath again, only this time with reference to an ‘insufferable woman.'

Carlin reached over and grasped Harry's hand. “Now, Harry,” she began, as she focused all her attention on her adopted son, “You will remember that you and I have discussed before that there might come a day when you would be returning to the wizarding world, even if only briefly.” Harry nodded his head as his eyes searched Carlin's. She gave him an encouraging smile. “We have been preparing for this possibility, Dubhsìth,” again Harry nodded, chewing on his bottom lip. “And due to your dreams of late, we were even more positive that you would be returning with the wizards.” Carlin glanced fondly between Snape and Draco. “Professor Snape believes that the time for you to return is now, darling dalta, and I must say that I reluctantly agree with that assessment.”

Harry glanced around the table, a forlorn expression creasing his brow. “I know I should go, and one part of me wants to,” Harry's eyes surreptitiously glanced at Draco, “But another part of me wants to stay here, Mamaí. This is my home, the only one I've ever had, really, and I don't want to leave you and Sorcha!”

Carlin rose from her chair and knelt down beside Harry. She placed her hands on either side of the boy's face, her expression full of caring and love. “You won't be going alone, Dubhsìth, I am going with you.” Everyone except Sorcha seemed surprised by that statement. Snape's jaw dropped to his knees.

Harry's smile split his face widely. “Really?” he asked. “What about Sorcha?”

Carlin shook her head. “Sorcha and I have discussed it, dearest. Her path lies here in the Bárd, while yours and mine lie with the wizards for now.”

Harry cast concerned green eyes to his sister. Sorcha gave Harry a reassuring grin. “We will see each other often, Doov. Do not worry about me.”

Harry nodded sadly at his sister as he wrapped his arms around the Queen and hugged her tightly. “I'm glad you will be with me, Mamaí,” he whispered into her long curls.

Severus had heard enough. It was one thing to return to the wizarding world with Harry, but with the Queen?! “Carlin, what do you mean? You cannot possibly be considering leaving here and returning to Hogwarts with us!”

Carlin stood, her hand gliding over Harry's cheek. “Of course I am,” she stated simply, smirking at Snape. “I told you last night, Severus. I have been waiting for you for years, centuries for that matter.” He stared dumfounded at the enchanting woman. “You still have not put it together have you, a croí?” she asked, arching her eyebrow. Severus felt himself pale as pieces of a puzzle began sliding into place. To clarify for him, she stated simply, “The year before my quickening, I dreamt of you.”

Snape's brain seized as his thoughts raced. He had no response to that statement at all. Gyre-Carlin had dreamt of him before her quickening! But what about Potter?! Carlin and James Potter had obviously had carnal relations. If Carlin had dreamt of him, then why had she slept with Potter, and why had she not approached Hogwarts before now?! He certainly was not a difficult man to find! If Carlin had dreamt of him – well, that meant –

“I'm your mate?!” he gasped.

“Aye.”

“Why have you not sought me out before now?!” he demanded, rising from his chair.

“I knew you would come to me,” she stated firmly. Severus scowled at her and opened his mouth to retort. “This is not the time to discuss this, Severus – unless of course, you wish the boys and Sorcha to hear the tale as well.” Her words triggered something in Snape, and he found himself turning quickly to stare at the two boys. His face must have given away his thoughts, for Harry immediately flushed angrily and glared at the Potion's Master.

“And Draco…”

Harry abruptly stood, knocking his chair over with a loud thump and causing everyone to jump in surprise. “You shut up! SHUT UP!” he bellowed. Snape was taken aback by Harry's sudden anger but would not be deterred.

He pinned the dark-haired boy with a white-hot gaze. “… And Draco,” he continued deliberately, “is…”

Harry flew around the table, “SHUT UP, you bloody overgrown BAT!” Carlin stood and followed Harry, her concern for Harry and her anger at Severus apparent on her face and in her movements.

“ENOUGH!” She shouted. The two turned to face Carlin, one flushed with anger and embarrassment, the other with cold indifference. “Severus, mind yourself,” she said hotly, “Now is definitely NOT the appropriate time, nor is it any of your business.” Faced with her wrath, Snape complied. With a huff, he flung himself back into his seat.

He watched as Carlin guided Harry away from the others. She was whispering to the riled faery, petting his wings soothingly. Snape turned away and looked down the table toward Draco. The blond was staring at his plate with an odd expression on his face. It was as though he were trying to figure out a complex problem that required all his concentration. Snape huffed again and turned his eyes to the young woman seated across from Draco. Sorcha stared at him with open loathing and disgust.

“Harry was right,” she hissed at him. “You are a nasty, temperamental, and arrogant man!” Snape raised one dark brow as she continued, “I feel sorry for my mother, to have waited all this time for her mate, and to have ended up with a foul, bitter old crow such as you.” Snape opened his mouth to respond, but Sorcha cut him off. “Do not upset my brother again, Snape, or has no one ever told you that it is foolish to anger a Daoine Sìth?!” she scathed as she stood abruptly and stormed from the room.

Snape watched her leave, his thoughts a jumbled mass of twists and turns. A soft chuckle made him look up. Draco was watching him closely, arms folded across his chest as he leaned back in his chair. “You do have a way with people, don't you, Severus?” he said with a sly grin.

Severus scowled. “Do be quiet, Draco.” The boy chuckled again.

~~~~~~

Carlin led Harry to the large expanse of windows on the far side of the room. She was murmuring softly to him in an attempt to calm the boy down. She would be having a long chat with her mate about the proper decorum later.

“Calm down, Harry,” she said as she ran her hands up and down Harry's arms in a soothing gesture.

“He had no right!” Harry whispered furiously, his eyes darting toward the Professor.

“I know, dearest. I know he did not, and I will speak with Severus later,” she reassured the young man.

“But Harry, if Draco has not already figured out that he is your mate, you will need to tell him yourself, and soon.” Harry's anger deflated quickly at her words, replaced with worry and concern.

“I know – and I will, Mamaí.” Harry sighed. “I just wanted him to get to know me better first. I don't want him to feel obligated or forced.” The boy looked up into her eyes. There was such sadness in them that Carlin gathered the boy into her arms, clutching him to her chest. “What if he doesn't want me, Mamaí?" He mumbled against her shoulder.

“Not want you?! Don't be silly, dearest.” She pulled back slightly so that she could see her foster son's face. “The boy is smitten with you already, my love.” Harry furrowed his brow as he shook his head slightly. “Harry, since Draco first encountered you last night, he has had eyes for no one else – despite exposure to a number of beautiful Sìth.” In spite of her words, she could tell that Harry still did not believe her. Carlin grasped Harry's face as she had done earlier. “You have lived here with me for four years, and yet, I still have not been able to erase what those horrid people did to you.” She pulled his face to hers and kissed both his cheeks lovingly. “You are a beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and intelligent young man, dearest. Do not allow the old memories to haunt you any longer. It is in the past, Harry. Leave it there."

Harry heaved another heavy sigh, leaning into her so that he could rest his head on her shoulder. They embraced for a long moment, and Harry gathered his thoughts. Finally, Carlin spoke, “Are you better now, dalta? We really do have important matters to discuss with Professor Snape.” Harry gave her a reluctant nod though he frowned slightly at the mention of the Potion's Master. Carlin smiled softly, caressing the boy's face one last time. She really would need to have a very, very long conversation with Severus Snape. Grasping Harry's hand in hers, she led him back to the breakfast table.

~~~~~~

Both Snape and Draco looked up as the two Sìth approached. Snape frowned as he observed Harry's downcast head. The boy seemed reluctant to look at either Draco or himself. Perhaps he should have bitten his tongue, he thought riley. Although normally he had better control over them, this time he had let his emotions get the better of him. The old animosity for Harry's father always had bought out the worst in him. He had never been rational where James Potter was concerned.

Carlin cleared her throat, interrupting his train of thought. “Well, perhaps we can now attempt a rational discussion about our return to Hogwarts?” she said as she sat at the table. Harry briskly walked around to the other side, picking his chair up from where it had fallen, and sat down.

“You are still determined to come with us, Carlin?” Snape asked.

“Yes,” she replied simply.

Snape glanced at her sceptically, though he was inwardly glad that he had not chased the beautiful woman off. “You mentioned preparing Harry for his likely return to the wizarding world; would you care to enlighten me?”

“Of course, Severus, Harry has been studying wizard magic and learning about your world since he came to live with me,” Carlin stated.

“How?”

“He has had a tutor.”

“Who?”

“Me,” said a rough, male voice from the door. Snape turned to discover who had spoken.

For at least the tenth time in two days, Snape felt his jaw hit the floor before his anger sparked anew. “Aberforth Dumbledore!” He rasped furiously, as Draco murmured something about the Hog's Head.

“The very same,” the man responded, a twinkle in his blue eyes, very much reminiscent of the Headmaster.

“You have known Potter was alive all this time?” Snape sneered. Aberforth merely nodded his head. “Albus will murder you!” Snape hissed dangerously.

“’Course he won't now, will he? Though, it wouldn't be the first time he's tried, mind yeh,” Aberforth chuckled as he approached the table. He sat down beside the surly Potion's Master. “Never did like yeh Snape,” he said, looking down his nose at the dark-haired man, “Don't know what Albus sees in yeh ta trust yeh so.”

“Do behave, the pair of you,” Carlin said firmly. “We will not be having any further arguments or insults today.” She glared at the two men, and they both squirmed in their chairs guiltily.

“Now, Severus, I asked Aberforth to be here this morning, so that you would be reassured that Harry had been caught up in his studies. This way, when we meet with the Headmaster, there will be no doubts as to Harry's abilities.”

“You chose poorly, Carlin,” Snape snorted. “The Headmaster often talks about his demented, goat-obsessed brother and his lack magical scholarship.”

“Aye,” the old man grumbled. “He would, wouldn't he?!” Aberforth turned to look directly at Severus, his blue eyes so like the Headmaster's that Snape found it disquieting. “There's a lot about me that even Albus doesn't know, Snape. Never took the time to know me, did he? He might believe I'm a fool or an idiot, but what would he know about it? Off with Grindewald he were, off spoutin' all his pureblood nonsense whilst I was at Hogwarts. Never cared about how we was doin', now did he? Never once considered who was carin' for me an Ariana, whilst mother was sick in bed a'fore she passed. Pouted like a petulant child, he did, when he had to come home to take care of us, didn't he? He wouldn't know what I'm capable of.”

Snape had no answer for that. Even for as long as he had known Albus, the man still had not revealed many of his secrets. Aberforth snorted in amusement at Snape's perplexed expression. “Aye, lad, I could tell yeh a thing or two ‘bout Albus Dumbledore.” The old man chuckled deeply. “But, now's not the time, is it?” Aberforth settled himself comfortably in his chair, and began helping himself to breakfast. He scooped a large mouthful of eggs into his mouth before continuing, “I can tell yeh this, Snape – Harry could take his NEWTS right now and pass, if he wanted to.”

Snape raised a surprised brow and glared down the table to the boy in question. Harry slumped down low in his chair, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Potter,” he snarled. “What is the main ingredient in a Euphoria Elixir that will inhibit unwanted side effects?”

Harry immediately sat up in his chair, a gleam in his eye. “Peppermint,” he answered promptly. “A sprig of peppermint will counterbalance the exuberance of Euphoria, sir, preventing the drinker from becoming a singing, nose-tweaking menace.” Aberforth guffawed as Draco's mouth hung open in disbelief. Snape, however, growled low in his chest in disappointment.

“What is the proper incantation to produce a Patronus?” he barked.

Aberforth and Harry exchanged equally devilish grins as Harry stood and moved away from the table. Smiling broadly, he held out his hand. Seconds later, a wand appeared in the young man's grasp. He looked pointedly at Snape and said, loudly, “Expecto Patronum!” From the tip of his wand burst a huge, shining spectral beast. It was a stag. Snape nearly fell off his chair as he recognised James Potter's Animagus form.

“Sweet Morgana!” Draco swore, his eyes following the ghostly animal as it canted in a circle, returning to stand in front of Harry before it disappeared.

Aberforth leaned toward Snape. “Bloody natural when it comes to magic, that boy is,” he said, eyes twinkling maddeningly.

Snape wanted to spit in the man's face! He had not seen that stag for years. It was infuriating. The last time he encountered the blasted animal/man, it had saved his life. He had hoped to never see it again. Moreover, here Potter was producing the perfect replica of his father in Animagus form as his blasted Patronus! Furthermore, not only was the child performing a spell that most grown wizards could not do, he had done it with ease! Snape's glower deepened.

“Impressive,” he said snidely, his mind racing for something to trip the boy up with. “However, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?” Harry paused as if confused; Snape felt a satisfied smirk beginning form on his face, until Harry snickered.

“Oh, Professor, did you think I wouldn't remember? First year, right? You were a right, nasty git then, and still are I suspect.” He glanced ashamedly at Carlin, who merely shrugged her shoulders and winked at the boy. Harry nodded confidently in return. “Draught of Living Death, sir!” The wretched boy exclaimed giddily.

Aberforth and Carlin both laughed out loud at Snape’s shocked pout. Blasted boy! Snape would have continued if the Queen had not put a stop to it.

“Severus, please,” she said wearily, “we have more important things to discuss. You can quiz Harry to your heart’s delight later. Right now, we need to alert your dear Headmaster that we will be arriving shortly.”

Snape wanted desperately to say something scathing but found that when faced with Carlin's disappointment, he was unable to. The damnable woman had gotten under his skin, and bewitched him! Snape sighed dishearteningly. Life being the mate of Gyre-Carlin was looking to be a challenge to his acerbic personality. He briefly thought if the woman knew exactly what she was getting into, or, better yet, if he did.

“I shall need an owl to send a message. I dare say, they are searching for Draco at this very moment,” he told them.

“You can borrow my owl, Professor,” Harry said excitedly, his joy at having bested Snape still evident. “I'll just go and fetch her for you.” The boy ran out of the room, his giggles trailing behind him. Draco rose and followed the boy out of the room also snickering.

Snape sneered at his retreating form. He turned his attention to Carlin. “Whom shall I say is coming?” he asked.

“Oh, I would say honesty is the best policy, Severus,” she answered and then looked toward the elderly wizard seated between them. “Aberforth, do you wish to join us?” she asked him, with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“My dear lady, I wouldn't miss it for the world!” he cackled madly. “Though don’t tell Albus I’m coming, Snape!” he added with a wink and a foolish grin on his face.

Severus sighed again and withdrew his wand, pointing it toward the sky, so that a bright flash of light expelled from it as he sent a message to Albus Dumbledore. “I am sure, Aberforth, your brother will be delighted with the surprise,” he sneered.

The old fool laughed even louder.

~~~~~~

Albus Dumbledore sat in his office at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, listening to a very irate Lucius Malfoy. The tall, blond man paced before the Headmaster's large desk as his wife, Narcissa, sat daintily in one of the overstuffed guest chairs. Draco Malfoy had gone missing. Apparently, he had not been seen since early Saturday morning. Albus was fairly sure that Draco was with Hogwarts’ Potion's Master, Severus Snape. The elderly wizard had tried to explain this to the Malfoys, but it was to no avail. They were worried, and in all honesty, rightly so. Snape had gone into the Forbidden Forest on an errand. The forest was dark and full of dangers. One could easily get lost. If the boy had gone off after Snape without the Potion's Master's knowledge, well…

“Lucius, do sit,” Narcissa said quietly. “Your ranting and raving will do nothing to find Draco.” Dumbledore smiled benevolently at the pretty, blond woman.

“Narcissa is correct, Lucius,” Dumbledore added. “We are doing all we can to find your son.”

“Yes, so you've said,” Lucius huffed as he sat beside his wife. “However, Draco has been gone for two days,” he snarled, “TWO DAYS, Headmaster! I would like to know how a student can go missing from this school, without the staff’s knowledge, for two days!”

“Severus is Draco's Head of House, Lucius, and had he been here, instead of on an errand for you,” he said pointedly, peering over his spectacles, “he would have noticed your son’s disappearance and alerted me straight away. And, of course, we would have known sooner if Draco had not made his friends swear to keep silent about his unplanned adventure.”

Lucius glowered at Albus. The Headmaster ignored him. “I am positive that Draco is with Severus, Lucius.”

Lucius was about to reply, when a bright flash of light flew through the window behind the Headmaster. A beautiful, glowing doe appeared in the centre of the room, just before Severus Snape's voice echoed throughout the office.

“Draco Malfoy is with me. Have found Harry Potter. Expect an owl shortly.”

The three adults stared completely dumbfounded at the spectral doe as it disappeared.

“Merciful Merlin,” Lucius gasped, “Did he say Potter!”

Albus took off his glasses and placed them carefully on the desk. He rubbed his eyes wearily, and then, not caring at all that there were two other people in the room, he looked up toward the ceiling and rasped, “Thank all the deities, our boy is coming home!” His voice was ragged with emotion, and two crystalline tears wound their way down either side of his wrinkled face before disappearing into his long, white beard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*1 An Infrinn is pronounced ahn-efrin means ‘the hell’