Summary: Severus and Lucius are hunted by the Dark Lord and go to Dumbledore for help. Unfortunately, his idea of a hiding place isn't what the were expecting..

Albus Dumbledore looked up at the two nervously pacing men who were seemingly intent on wearing more holes in his carpet. He was rather fond of the carpet actually, although strictly speaking in possessing it he broke more than one ministry restriction - flying carpets were illegal after all. Still, he thought, it is a particularly fine one, and it's age did ensure it wouldn't require any exercise.

With a slight movement he returned his attention to the problem at hand. Namely, where in Merlins name Lucius and Severus could be hidden away from the attention of a rather irate Dark Lord. It was a difficult question, Tom did have spies everywhere, and it would hardly be safe to keep the two men at Hogwarts - even Severus was at risk of attack from the children of death eaters now that his and Lucius's spy status had been revealed.

Albus gave a small cough which sounded across the tense atmosphere like a shot, bringing the two pacing Slytherins to an abrupt halt, jet black and steely grey eyes fixed on him.

'Well Albus, any brainwaves?'

Lucius Malfoy, immaculate as ever in silver trimmed black velvet, retained his normal haughty airs, sounding seemingly indifferent. Severus Snape glanced at him, one slender black eyebrow artfully raising a fraction.

Dumbledore sighed

'There are many possibilities for hiding the pair of you, obviously here is not only unwise but far too obvious to the Dark Lord. As Sirius is residing at Grimmauld Place I think it better if you two were not there…'

He broke off to look pointedly at Snape, who was scowling fiercely at his enemy's name.

'Really Severus, you should try and get on with Sirius, you two are similar you know.'

Snape snorted in disgust.

'You have attempted to convince me of this point more times than I care to remember, and I refuse to even try to imagine what these similarities might be. Hmm, I can think of three, actually…'

He took on a thoughtful look, causing Lucius's eyebrows to disappear into his hair and Albus to sit straighter.

'Well my boy, name them, I was sure you would some day see the connections.'

Severus glared at the Headmaster and counted them off with long slender fingers.

'One: we are both male. Two: we are both wizards. Three: we both have black hair. Satisfied?'

Lucius snorted.

'Point, but this doesn't help us avoid the tender attentions of the Dark Lord.'

Albus looked up.

'Quite. Well, at the moment there is only one possibility, and I cannot imagine either of you will like it. I will be hiding you in muggle Britain, under an old spell which conceals your magic from all but ourselves. A modification of the Fidelius charm, quite ingenious and little known. To any wizard, you will register as muggles, though your magical ability remains unaltered. You can still use magic at will.'

Both men looked wary. Snape broke in suddenly.

'So under this spell, our magic remains unaffected, but neither wizards nor muggles can see us using it?'

Albus nodded.

'That is correct. The enchantment itself is difficult to detect. Wand work, for example, will not register with a magical being who sees you, but your spells will take effect…'

Lucius interrupted.

'So a levitating charm for example would work, and be visible to wizards and muggles, but neither could trace it to its source.'

'Indeed, although discretion is always advisable. After all, the muggle community in which you will be living is noted for its observation skills. The adjustment will not be an easy one.'

Two sets of eyes narrowed at his words. If Dumbledore the eternal optimist believed that they would find it hard to fit in, it might prove closer to impossible.

Albus Dumbledore withdrew a long scroll of muggle paper from his desk drawer. The Slytherins eyed it suspiciously, noting the muggle tape on one corner and the elastic band securing it.

'Before I reveal to you your hiding place I think it only fair to inform you of some aspects you may not like.'

Two sets of raised eyebrows looked back above two identically suspicious expressions. This wasn't sounding good.

Dumbledore continued.

'You will be living in a community of thirty six muggles and various muggle animals. The thirty seventh member is a squib by the name of Octavius Carolli, he will be your contact with me. The company travels around, they move every week or so. There will be manual work involved, an you will be taught some skills to enable you to fit in adequately. The muggles believe you are there to protect them, and will be reserved but not unfriendly. You will have plenty of opportunity to practice those excellent quiddich reflexes…'

Lucius retained a look of cool curiosity, Severus however was putting two and two together and a look of dismay began to cross his pale features. The headmasters words triggered an old childhood memory. Not that he had been allowed to visit the place, thanks to his father, but he had regarded it with curiosity. His voice shook slightly.

'Albus, does this hiding place involve living in caravans?'

Malfoy looked disgusted.

'Caravans?' He sneered, 'aren't those dirty little muggle houses on wheels?'

Albus smiled.

'Not dirty, and not so very little anymore. When I was young they painted them brightly and pulled them with horses, but that was over a hundred years ago. These are modern and some would rival Malfoy Manor for luxury I believe.'

Lucius snorted, disbelieving.

Snape eyed the roll of paper Albus was twirling between his fingers, his dismay fading to horror. The headmaster caught the look and twinkled, unrolling the paper and spreading it flat before the two men. Brightly coloured illustrations surrounded large scrolling white text outlined in purple and gold. They gasped.

Francisco's Carnival Circus

'Albus, you have GOT to be joking!'

He was hiding them in a muggle circus?!!!!