Aspen Sunlight - A Summer Like None Other

"Was," said Draco in a bleary voice. "Severus, I'm certain that Rhiannon must be home by now. I need to get in touch with her, to explain--"

"That will not be possible."

"All I need is a telephone. Can't we get hold of a mobile, somehow, and floo over to Grimmauld Place so I can use it?"

"There actually is a mobile already there, I think," said Harry, remembering the one he'd used to call Dudley. "Batteries are probably dead by now, though."

"Severus?"

Draco's pleading tone did nothing to sway Snape's mind. "We are not moving from the protections of Hogwarts until we understand the situation better."

Draco turned his face away.

Harry sighed, but there wasn't much he could say, since he thought their father was right. "What about Voldemort's taunts, Dad? Was it just dumb luck that he noticed my shields were down?"

Snape shook his head. "I imagine he wanted to gloat to his enemies, and you're the obvious choice, given the connection you share. He would need to be close by to enter the headmaster's mind, or mine, but with you, matters are simpler."

"Only because I stopped Occluding."

"It would be best to protect your thoughts as much as possible, now," Dumbledore said, very softly.

"Should have been doing that all summer," muttered Harry, thinking of how often he'd let his concentration waver during Seeker's games with Draco, or while he was working on his spell lexicon.

"Well, we believed that Voldemort had gone largely underground, so to speak."

Snape's voice took on a grating tone. "No, we were led to believe that, Headmaster. I stand by what I told you before term ended: this scheme of letting Lupin play at spying is unsound in the extreme. What has he done but lull us into a false sense of security?"

"In point of fact, I believe you called the plan 'insane,' Severus," said Dumbledore calmly. He reached into a robe pocket as though fishing for something.

Harry had a bad moment when he was afraid the headmaster would offer a sweet to Snape. He almost winced; the last thing any of them needed was another explosion, this one of the verbal variety.

"It is insane," said Snape, his voice deadly quiet. "You can trust that I'll be having words with Lupin about the decidedly slipshod work he's been doing. How many people are dead because he didn't divine Voldemort's plan to attack the Ministry? How many potential allies have we lost in this debacle?"

Harry wanted to defend Remus. He was sure the man was doing the very best he possibly could. He remembered, though, how badly his father reacted to Harry arguing with him in front of the headmaster.

Still, there was one other thing to say that he couldn't hold in. "Remus might be dead, too, you know. I . . . I can't think it's good news that he hasn't reported in, yet."

He hated the way his voice wobbled, but maybe it was all right, even at his age. Snape seemed to think it was; he actually got up from his chair and pulled Harry to stand, but then, instead of embracing him like Harry was expecting, he patted his back a few times.

Awkwardly, like he'd just remembered that Albus was watching.

Draco made a noise like he'd swallowed a chuckle. Harry might have resented that, but it did break the tension, so he supposed it was all right.

Snape stepped away, his sallow complexion faintly tinged with pink. "Harry, have you anything to add to your report?" The man paused until Harry shook his head.

Dumbledore stood up from his chair. "Keep these boys of yours safe, Severus."

Snape nodded. "I know you must have a great deal to do," he said smoothly, his body turning almost imperceptibly towards the fireplace. "But do let me know when more information becomes available."

"Of course, Severus." Dumbledore gave a faint smile. "Good night, Harry, Draco."

"Good night."

"Thank you for attending our party," added Draco, an odd look on his face.

Before Harry could ask about it, the headmaster was gone, and Snape was talking again. "It's been a stressful evening, to say the least. I suggest that you both seek your beds."

"Dudley's sleeping in mine, so I'll take the couch," said Harry, shrugging.

Draco crossed his arms. "If you think you can sleep, you may as well take my bed."

"It will do no good to stay up brooding about missing your rendezvous with the young lady," said Snape, his lips pursed.

"How about brooding about all the rest of it?" Draco scowled. "I'm not stupid, Severus. This attack means the war is on in earnest, which means Rhiannon will be in more danger than ever, if anyone should see us together, which means I'll basically never see her again, doesn't it?"

"Draco, how can you worry about that when so many people died tonight?" asked Harry.

"What can I do about the people who died? Nothing--"

"You can do nothing tonight about Miss Miller, either," said Snape.

"If you liked her, you'd call her Rhiannon! And you'd better figure out how to like her, Severus, because she's going to be your daughter-in-law someday, and . . . oh, fuck. "

For once, Snape didn't chide Draco for his language. "What is it?"

"Dinner with her parents," groaned Draco. "Day after tomorrow. I guess that's off, now. And I did want you to meet them."

"I know," said Snape in a soothing voice. "Draco, I have nothing whatsoever against Miss Miller. She seems a personable young lady and I will be happy to welcome her into our family should the time ever come. For now, though, your safety and hers must prevail, and there is no sense in your losing sleep over the day's events. Tomorrow may bring new trials."

"Another attack?" asked Harry, feeling his palms grow clammy.

"Or additional information about this one," said Snape grimly. "Draco, do you require a potion?"

"No." Draco sat down on the couch. "I'll try to sleep. Harry, you go and share the room with your cousin. He did pretty well with everything, but he might wake up upset."

Dudley might, Harry knew. A Muggle sleep aid wasn't Dreamless Sleep potion, after all, and the destruction of the Ministry could call to mind memories of what had happened to Number Four last year. Besides, this might be Draco's way of saying that he'd like some time to talk with Snape. "All right, I'll take your bed," said Harry, yawning a little.

"Clear your mind before you sleep," advised Snape.

"Constant vigilance, yeah." Harry nodded, and padded off to his bedroom, leaving his father and brother alone.

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Just after lunch the next day, the Floo suddenly flared to life.

Harry tensed, standing up from the table, noting that Draco had drawn his wand as soon as the noise began. Clearly, the attack on the Ministry had them both on edge. This could just be their father returning . . . or it could be somebody else entirely.

Grimacing as he stood ready to cast, Harry wished their father hadn't taken Dudley off earlier that morning. On the other hand, he was really grateful to Snape for the help. He'd got in contact with Marsha, and had asked for her assistance with helping "young Mr Dursley find alternate accommodations, preferably in a place far removed from Surrey."

Dudley had been a bit worried about finding another job, but Harry told him that if he had any trouble, he just had to let Marsha know he needed some money to tide him over. After all, what good was Harry's vault if he didn't use it to help the people he loved?

That last word had made Dudley blubber a bit, which Harry found embarrassing. Then again, Dudley might be surprised to hear that Harry loved him, after everything that had happened when they were younger. That was all past, though.

And unimportant, compared to being ready to face the person trying to Floo into the dungeons.