A/N: Happy Wednesday. I know it's been a while, so thank you to all of you who are still reading! I hope you enjoy, and please review.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and places belong to J.K Rowling. Also, special thanks to ncalkins, for the inspiration.

CH 10.

Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Harry Potter sat gathered around the circular kitchen table. The light wood matched the decor of the rest of the cottage, obviously second-hand but comfortable. Remus's fingers traced a long scratch that stood out on the surface contemplating the best way to answer Harry's question about wards. He wanted to know if a protected area could expand to another temporarily. The cottage to the Burrow for instance. That was too far, but the concept of stretching the wards was interesting. The day had taken a turn for the better. It was really good actually. Next to and across from him Sirius and Harry were talking animatedly about the marauder's map and the genius behind it.

"Now, it was surprisingly difficult to get the map to track everyone. That alone took a year to figure out," Sirius was explaining, "Go fish." He smiled over his dog eared set of cards. Harry rolled his eyes as he picked up one of the face down cards in the center of the table.

"Are you sure you aren't cheating?"

Sirius barked a laugh. "Me?" He shrugged his shoulders comically.

"Yeah, and what do you mean it was 'surprisingly difficult' to track everyone's location despite disguises and enchantments? Didn't you expect that to be difficult?'

"Maybe, but we had the 'Great Moony' on our side, that helped a bit"

"Don't drag me into this Sirius," warned Remus throwing up a hand and wearing an amused expression. "That was a crazy year."

Harry fought back an urge to ask more about it and instead asked, "Could we make another map? One of the Ministry, or of Diagon Alley?"

"Why?" Remus's eyebrows had bunched together and his head tilted slightly to the left. Harry shrugged.

"It could be good to know, be on the watch for people."

Remus's concern did not dissipate. He paused for a second inhaling in a long breath, "While that may seem like a good idea, it's not. We were young when we invented the map. We used it for pranks and to sneak out of our dormitory at night, but to use it as a security measure, especially without the public's permission, would be an error, an insane breach of trust."

"But what if they didn't know? What if we could use it for the greater good of people…?" Harry's green eyes were large and expressive with the potential a Master Map could bring. But Remus interrupted palms pushing out and down as if smothering Harry's blossoming ideas.

"Soon, when all this blows over, you and Professor Dumbledore will have a talk about the 'Greater Good." He looked slightly nervous.

"Why wait for Dumbledore? I mean, I understand that it's a bad idea initially, but if it helps people ultimately, than maybe it's worth it. As long as it doesn't get into Ministry or Death Eater hands it could only help people. Think about how prepared the Order could be. I think we should run it by Mad-Eye at least."

"Drop it for now, Harry." Broke in Sirius lips pursed staring at his cards. "Do you have an eight of hearts?" When Harry didn't he continued as he drew from the shrinking pile. "Even if it was possible to track so many people, creating a map, uncontained by wards, of constantly changing and moving structures, over such a large premises, is out of the question… for now." He knew it was out of the question period, but the day was nice, and there was no reason to start an unnecessary row with his godson.

Eventually Harry won, and Sirius claimed he had an unfair advantage since he had played Go Fish in primary school and Sirius was just learning it, but it didn't really matter. They were all bored. All the normal topics of conversations were tired now and the group basically sat around twiddling their thumbs and waiting for the evening so they would have an excuse to get up and make dinner.

Harry sighed deeply, "Can we at least go down to the beach? We haven't been out of here since arriving." He knew he was whining, but he didn't care. Well, maybe a little, but not enough to stop. He forced himself to take a deep breath. This cottage was not the Dursley's. Sirius and Remus loved him and weren't keeping him locked up because they wanted to punish him for being freakish. They were just as trapped as he was, trapped because of him. They were trying to protect him, but he had proven time and time again that he was capable of protecting himself. "Sirius, come on, what could it hurt? Moony made extra sure the location was secure when we got here. Even Dumbledore showed up, and he's in hiding too." He was playing dirty now. He knew that Sirius hated being indoors as much as he did. Sirius made puppy dog eyes at Remus.

"Yeah Moony, what could it hurt?" Remus dragged a hand across his face. They had a point. With a big sigh he raised his hands in reluctant surrender.

"Okay, okay. Let's go. Just between the house and the beach though." He called after them as they barreled out of the door. Laughing, he ran after them. And for a while things were okay… Sirius transformed into Padfoot, and Remus rested in the evening sun watching them wrestle and play in the surf. Technically this was against their instruction, but really, it hardly made a difference security wise, and did a whole lot of good for everyone's emotional being. He gave hearty laugh as harry tackled the big dog and then was promptly thrown into the wet sand. Padfoot ran up to Remus with a grin on his face and his tongue lolling out. He looked exceedingly proud of himself. Maybe they could do this more often. Grinning at Sirius Remus looked up and called to Harry, "Harry, why don't we have dinner out here?" But Harry didn't respond. He continued to stare into the ocean. Maybe he hadn't heard. "Harry?" He repeated walking toward him. Harry's back was stiff and his hands were clenched in fists at his side.

"Harry?"

When Harry dropped to his knees at fell face first into the sand Remus ran, Padfoot on his heels.

"Harry!" Remus flipped him over quickly hands hovering over his body, unsure of what to do. Sirius transformed back to himself and knelt next to his Godson's head. Harry's eyes were clenched tightly, creasing in pain.

"Harry?" Sirius gently shook his shoulder, "Come on, open your eyes, what hurts?" He was trying to be calm, but on the inside he was panicking. Harry's hands had moved to clench at his scar, fingernails tearing at the thin skin.

"Hey, Hey, Stop it!" Sirius gripped Harry's hands in his own and gritted his teeth and Harry gripped them crushingly. "Remus," he called over his shoulder, "Send a message to Snape!" It was the first time since probably first year that he had said Snape's name without sarcasm, anger, or hatred behind it. As Remus turned and sprinted to the house Sirius gave his attention to Harry. He was whimpering and tears leaked out the corner of his closed eyes. He felt hot to the touch. "Come one, Harry- wake up." Sirius whispered. "Don't let him in. You can do this. Wake up." Harry's back arched off the sand and he cried out in agony.

"Nooooo!" Harry wrenched his eyes open gasping and looking to Remus with large pained eyes, "We have to help them!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Sirius tried to steady Harry as he rolled over on all fours and began pushing himself up. He was dry-heaving, his forehead pressed against the crook of his elbow. "Who's hurt, Harry?!" Harry pushed himself up and took off at a wobbly run to the cottage door. Sirius took off after him, he caught him just as Harry had pulled the door open. He grabbed his shoulders and twisted him around. Harry stiffened violently in his hands. His eyes were huge and he was breathing quickly.

"Who needs help?!" Sirius repeated loudly.

"Sirius?" Remus's concerned gaze lingered on them from the place near the fire where he had just sent their message.

"The Burrow, He's at the Burrow." Harry's lips barely moved, his eyes shifting as he searched for an escape.

"What?" Remus stood up to join the pair.

"He's at the Burrow! We need to help them!" He wrenched himself out of Sirius's grasp and stumbled backwards.

"Harry, He wants to push you out of hiding."

"The Burrow is very protected. I'm sure they're all fine."

"No! They are not" Harry pressed his fists against his forehead and doubled over. "WE NEED TO HELP THEM!" His voice was cracking in desperation.

"What happened?" asked Remus in an attempt to soothe.

"We-we don't have time for that! We need to leave now!" Harry was scanning the room, "Shit!" he exclaimed searching the countertops and tables with his eyes. "Why don't I have a wand?!"

When Remus and Sirius stood beside him, concern creasing their eyes, but motionless, Harry rounded on them.

"Why aren't you doing anything? We need to go- NOW. THEY ARE ALL GOING TO DIE" Harry was taking big gulping gasps, "Oh God, they're all going to die, this is all my fault- my fault."

Sirius understood this feeling a little too well and sank into a chair. Images that hadn't passed in front of his waking eyes since Azkaban now hovered in his vision. Lily and James. Really, this whole predicament was his fault.

"Sirius!" Remus's curt voice snapped him out of it. He gulped down the knot in his throat.

"Harry, we can't leave."

"No, No. We need to. DON"T YOU UNDERSTAND?" Harry crossed the room quickly to the fireplace and threw the floo on the mantel into it. "THE BURROW!"

Draco Malfoy sat on his bead staring at the wall. His room was dark. He had pulled the heavy velvet shades closed till only slit of sunlit filtered through in the center. Stupid bloody Potter, He glared angrily at his knees. Why did he have to go and die and ruin the summer? Not that Potter could ruin the summer. Draco didn't think about him that much. Just… him being dead and all, complicated some of his family's plans. Some of his decisions, and now he was stuck in his stupid, bloody room while his mother whispered to Aunt Bellatrix in the Parlor downstairs. Ugh. He fell back against his bed. The silk sheets rubbed too smoothly against the back of his head. It was annoying. He stared broodingly at the ceiling. "I am going to take the Dark Mark in a month." He whispered to himself. His heart pounded a little harder in his chest whenever he thought about it. But it was a done deal. He was excited, right? Ready? He inhaled deeply through his nose. He was in an interesting position. He would be the youngest initiate since Severus Snape. That was a big deal. His family was already doing well, all of father's work for the Dark Lord, the poisoning of the Ministry, none of it had been blamed on the Malfoy's. They were in the clear, and now that Potter, he scowled even at the thought of him, was dead, he would be the most influential student at Hogwarts. He should be happy, but instead, ugh. He couldn't wait for the summer to be over. He was going to have a mission, the Dark Lord needed someone at Hogwarts, someone not as closely watched as Severus. Draco was going to be that person. He stood up and started pacing. Letters from his friends lay unopened on his mahogany desk. After the fourth time Pansy had asked about his thoughts about Potter he stopped answering, or opening her mail. He had heard that she was good for some things - talking was not one of them. Crabbe and Goyle had been by the manor, but they, just as dim-witted as ever, didn't offer much in the way of conversation. His mind flicked to Granger. He wondered her thoughts on all of this. He shook his head roughly. Nope. Not going to think about her. Ugh, he needed to get out of here. It set his teeth on edge hearing the harsh hissing of his aunt through the vents as she whispered about him, trying to convince his mother that she wasn't sacrificing her only child for her husband's gain. He wasn't going to be sacrificed, his chin pulled down in indignation. He was going to make his father proud, make his mum proud, and he certainly wasn't going to die. What sixteen year olds ever died? Oh, right, stupid Potter, ruining his stupid summer. Groaning he sauntered downstairs.

"Mum, I want to floo to Severus's" he called over his shoulder, sticking his wand up his sleeve, and walking towards the grand fireplace.

"Cissy!" Bellatrix hissed.

Narcissa raised her hand in a silencing movement, "No," she looked pointedly at her sister. "That's fine, be back for dinner."

Draco nodded coolly and left his home.

"Sev!" he called stepping out of the green flames.

"What if I was busy and couldn't entertain you, Draco? What would you do then?" Asked his Godfather walking around the corner. He still wore all black, even in the summer.

"Be bored." He moodily kicked his feet up on the coffee table as he plopped down into the comfortable dark leather couch. Severus was not wealthy like the Malfoy's, but he was one of the few people Draco didn't judge because of it. His home was well furnished and comfortable. Severus gave him a pointed look and swat at his legs.

"Your feet do not belong there."

Draco rolled his eyes and moved them.

"I have things to do in my study. You can either join me, or you can wait out here."

Draco sighed and got up to follow him. Severus's study was down a narrow hall and to the right. It was a mess of piles. Draco had never seen it so imperfect. Generally it was more organized than the Hogwarts Library.

"What are you doing?" he asked as Severus pointed at a chair and then knelt amongst the piles. "Ugh, couldn't you get an elf to do that for you?" he asked in disgust.

"Sometimes, cleaning up involves dirty work. I do not want an elf to know everything that is here." Severus went back to flipping through dusty notes, remaking piles of information. Draco thought about dirty-work. He felt a little sick to his stomach.

"Uncle Sev, could I ask you something?" He hadn't called Severus "Uncle" in years. It was a testament to how nervous he was.

Severus's eyebrows raised. "Yes?"

"Were you afraid? When you chose to work for the Dark Lord?" Severus stared at Draco, making him see how serious he was.

"Yes. Everyone is. It is rationale to be afraid, and the Dark Lord will know you are."

"But won't that upset him?"

"Why are you doing this, Draco? Why are you signing up, binding yourself to this life of servitude?"

Draco was taken aback. He wasn't a servant! He was a Malfoy! But… yes his father was a servant of the Dark Lord. He bowed and everything. His tongue was sticking to the roof of his mouth as he thought.

"My father needs me too. The Dark Lord needs me, I want to…" he trailed off in indecision. Severus shook his head.

"Your indecision will upset the Dark Lord. If you truly want to do this you must have a good reason – a reason not built on love. Especially not built on your love and loyalty to your family. Also, the Dark Lord does not need you. You are a tool, and he has plenty of those."

Bile continued to rise in Draco's throat. "But if he doesn't need me then why should I do this?"

"Do you agree with His philosophies?"

Draco shook his head. He didn't know, he felt too young to know. All he knew was that he had been volunteered by his father. His father was a smart man. He wouldn't volunteer him for a poorly thought out reason. Draco could do this, he could be the best.

Snape stared at his godson and sighed. "Well, think on it more. I have work to do."

Draco made himself a cup of tea in the kitchen and went back to broodingly sitting in the study. Severus was in one of his moods where he didn't offer up conversation. He was focused, but it was almost time for dinner and he still felt conflicted. He didn't want to go home and rub elbows with Bella as his father stared on from the head of the table.

"Sev?"

Severus grunted in response.

"Do you regret your decision?"

"That is a very dangerous question, Draco."

In a way- Draco thought he might know his answer. In the other room the Fire "whooshed."

"That's probably a message from mum telling me I have five minutes. She treats me like a child. Want to join us for dinner? It would be fun to annoy Aunt Bella."

"Unfortunately, I have more important things to do than annoy your relatives. Go see what your mother wants"

Draco sighed in defeat and moved back the living room.

A note lay folded in the embers. URGENT inscribed across it. Draco tilted his head, something about the handwriting was familiar. He opened it as he walked, his jaw dropping lower and lower.

"What the hell is this?!" He tossed the letter at Snape. Shock written all over his face.

"Draco," Snape's eyes had flitted over the message. He seemed nervous. Draco had never seen Snape nervous. "Draco, you either need to come with me or I will obliviate you. Do you understand?"

"You can't obliviate me!" Draco looked horrified.

"I might."

"What is going on?!"

Severus lit the paper on fire with of flick of his wand and it turned to ash almost immediately.

"Can I trust you?" Severus asked pointing his wand at his godsons face.

It was the first time Draco had ever been asked that.

"Yes."

"Fine, come with me." They stepped out the door of the house. "We're apparating." Draco gripped Severus's arm tightly, and they vanished and reappeared on the front steps of Shell Cottage.