Part Thirty Seven

Seaside Interaction

Lucius sighed as he relaxed in the living room of his manor with a cup of tea in his hand and he sipped at it. Narcissa was watching Draco as his son flew around in the backyard of Malfoy Manor so they were out of the house when things changed. It started when Lucius felt his dark mark flare and he sighed before standing up and placing his teacup on the table. He stood up before walking out of the house to speak with his wife before he left.

"You're being called again?" Narcissa asked glancing at him.

Lucius nodded. "It's not the first time the dark lord has called his followers to him more than once in a week so I doubt it'll be the last," he said. "Tell Draco that I'll be back later and if you can then let Severus know. I don't think we're going to try to do anything after that defeat in Surrey but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Narcissa nodded in agreement. "I'll let him know."

Lucius slipped back into the house before he waved the wand he kept hidden in the cane he carried around with him and immediately put on the robes and mask he had just summoned. Without pausing, he moved quickly out of the house and past the wards before apparating to where Voldemort was currently located.

The dark lord was standing in what appeared to be an abandoned house in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. Lucius was one of the first to arrive and he immediately knelt down in front of the dark lord as more Death Eaters arrived. Voldemort past his crimson gaze over them as he twirled his wand around in his fingers and, before long, the rest of his supporters arrived before kneeling down beside him.

"My loyal followers," Voldemort hissed. "I have called you here today for I need to inform you of the place I have decided will be my headquarters. The is heavy heavily warded so that the bloody Order of the Phoenix won't be able to find us. I have decided that I will make Malfoy Manor my headquarters."

Lucius resisted the urge to stiffen and quickly strengthened his Occlumency shields. "You are welcomed in my home, my lord," he responded keeping his head bowed submissively.

"Very well then. We shall go there at once."

Lucius knew that Voldemort was trying to tell him that the wards had better allow them through or else Lucius wouldn't walk away from the meeting unscathed. Luckily, the wards still recognized Voldemort and the other Death Eaters for Lucius's home had been used as the dark lord's headquarters after Lucius had been elevated to the status of Voldemort's most trusted and loyal supporter, next to Bellatrix and, formerly, Severus.

With that the dark lord and his supporters, and Lucius, apparated to the edge of the wards surrounding the manor for there were anti-apparition wards in place. Voldemort, without pausing, immediately entered the manor while his supporters followed him and Lucius followed them. Luckily, while Narcissa was sitting in the living room drinking tea, Draco was nowhere in sight. That was a good thing; Lucius decided that he didn't want his son there for the meeting so he'd talk with Narcissa about sending Draco to Severus's for the time being.

Narcissa glanced up and Lucius could tell that she was Occluding heavily. "My lord, you grace my house with your presence," she said and Lucius had to admit he admired her ability to lie so convincingly.

"Narcissa Malfoy," Voldemort hissed; he always seemed to hiss when he spoke before he turned his attention to his followers, and Lucius, before leading the way into the large conference room within the manor. Lucius dropped back to the rear of the group to speak quickly with his wife.

"Send Draco to Severus's, Cissy," he whispered before he quickly hurried after his supposed allies before his wife could protest. At the same time, he called for Dobby to come and serve the dark lord and his followers.

Voldemort took a seat at the head of the long conference table and the limited number of Death Eaters took up their seats as well, with Lucius sitting next to Voldemort because he was his biggest supporter at the moment. "Now then," Voldemort said flatly, "it is time for us to bring the rest of my allies to my side. It is time to organize a breakout of Azkaban and convince the dementors to join us."

"They joined us in the last war, my lord, so it is likely they'll join us again," Lucius said smoothly.

"I agree. Lucius, you will lead the attack," Voldemort hissed.

"Yes my lord." Inwardly, however, Lucius grimaced.

Harry glanced up from where he was lounging on the green couch when the floo flared to life and Draco, carrying a pack in his hands, stepped through the flames. "Draco, what are you doing here?" he asked glancing up to gaze at his friend with concern in his eyes.

"I dunno. Mother just told me to come to my godfather's house but she didn't tell me why," Draco replied lowering the pack to the ground before gazing around. "Where's Uncle Severus?" he asked.

"I think in his Potions lab. Cai?"

A pop sounded and Cai appeared before them. "Yes Master Harry sir?" she said bowing slightly.

"Can you find my dad for me and tell him Draco's here?" Harry asked politely.

"Of course, Master Harry, Cai'll get right on that for yous," Cai replied before she popped away and Harry turned his gaze to Draco.

"Uh, why don't you sit down?" he suggested.

"All right. What were you doing?" Draco asked curiously as he sat down on the couch.

"Being bored. I finished most of my summer homework already," he replied.

Before Draco could say anything, the door to the basement opened and Snape walked into the living room before stopping when he saw Draco. "Cai said you were here but why are you here, Draco?" he asked worriedly.

"Mother sent me here, Uncle," Draco replied. "I don't know why; she just said to grab some necessary items and come here."

Snape looked worried. "When I can, I'll speak with Lucius and figure out what this is all about. As always, Draco, you're welcomed to stay here for the time being."

"Plus Hermione and Ron are coming over," Harry added brightly.

"They are?" Draco asked looking surprised.

"Yeah, once I talked dad into letting them come over, I talked to Mrs. Weasley and she talked with Hermione's parents. And they agreed to let Hermione and Ron come over. I would have invited Fred and George over but dad said something about not wanting to have too many Weasleys in his house."

Snape snorted. "One is bad enough," he muttered ignoring the slightly amused glare Harry tossed at him. "Draco, you know which room is yours. Go ahead and put your stuff away if you want. I do not mind if you stay the night."

"All right Uncle Severus," Draco replied.

"I'll go with you. I never had a chance to show you my room at my birthday party last year," Harry said brightly before he took off running toward the staircase with Draco just behind him.

"Walk Harry!" Snape snapped.

"Sorry," Harry called back before he and Draco slowed down as they reached the second floor. Draco slipped into the room that apparently was the one his godfather had given him.

Later that day, after he showed his friend his room, Harry and Draco sat in the kitchen eating lunch with Snape. The floo flared to life a moment later and Snape stood up before glancing at the clock. "Amazing. They are actually here early," he said a tad sardonically.

Harry rolled his eyes at his father's sarcastic comment as he stood up before walking into the living room with Draco and Snape just behind him. Mrs. Weasley was standing in the living room with Ron and Hermione just behind her. Hermione grinned. "Harry, Draco," she said walking over to join them before hugging them.

Draco looked uncomfortable. "What's with the hug, 'Mione?" he grumbled and also used Hermione's nickname for the first time since the nickname was given to her.

"Sorry," Hermione said blushing slightly.

"What time should I pick them up, Severus?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I would say seven is a good time," Snape replied calmly. "We don't want to drag this out too long."

Mrs. Weasley nodded before she said goodbye to her youngest son and floo traveled away. Ron walked over to join Hermione, Draco and Harry and greeted them. Harry glanced at his father. "Dad, can we go outside?" he asked.

Snape raised his eyebrows. "You don't have to ask, Harry."

"Oh right. But can we go to the sea?"

This time Snape did hesitate. "It's beyond the wards, Harry," he reminded him. "However, Voldemort doesn't know about the manor so I think it'll be safe. If you need anything then just call for Cai."

"All right dad. Do you guys want to go visit the sea?" Harry asked his friends brightly.

"Sure," his friends replied and they followed Harry as the eleven-year-old boy led the way out of the manor.

"The sea is rather pretty," Hermione commented as she gazed at the glistening and glittering waves of the sea that lapped at the sandy coast. She, Draco, Harry and Ron were sitting on the beach as far from the rising tide as they could get without leaving the cove. The sun was high in the sky at the moment and rays of yellow sunlight streamed down into the cove.

"Girls," Ron said rolling his eyes.

Harry chuckled. "Dad's been teaching me how to swim," he commented.

"You don't know how to swim?" Draco asked confused.

Harry shook his head. "My aunt and uncle never taught me," he replied.

Hermione knew that her friend never spoke about his life with his aunt and uncle and she had a feeling that it wasn't too good. She decided not to think about it as she went back to observing the sea. The four friends sat in silence for a long moment gazing at the lapping waves of the sea.

"Have you checked out the forest yet, mate?" Ron asked breaking the silence that had fallen on them.

"No," Harry replied shaking his head. "I haven't had a chance. I'll ask dad if we can go later."

"Don't you get bored in this manor? Isn't there a town nearby or something like that?" Hermione asked gazing around.

"I'm not sure. I haven't asked my dad," Harry replied.

"Maybe we can."

"Maybe."

Hermione was silent for a long moment as they went back to gazing at the sea. "Have you ever gone surfing?" she asked suddenly as an idea came into her head.

"Surf…what?" Draco echoed.

"Surfing," Hermione said. "My parents like to travel a lot and whenever they're near the ocean, they used to surf just because they could. They said they would start teaching me soon. It's when you ride a wave on a board."

"Typical of muggles to come up with something as ridiculous as that ," Draco snorted.

Hermione glowered at the blonde wizard. "It's actually looks fun," she snapped before she turned her brown gaze back to the sea as she watched waves lap against the beach lying a few meters away.

"I've heard of it," Harry said. "Back when I was living at the Dursleys," his voice shook slightly at the mention of his relatives and Hermione blinked sympathetically at her friend, "I used to catch sight of shows that Dudley liked to watch about surfing. He never got it but he wanted one of those surfboards and, naturally, his parents got one for him. He never used it though."

"So why buy it if you're not going to use it?" Hermione asked. "That sounds like a waste to me."

"I know. But that's the Dursleys for you. Dad said he would never buy me anything unless he knows for a fact that I will use it," Harry said. "Apparently, he doesn't want me to be spoiled like, quote unquote, 'that spoiled arrogant imbecile who was your stepfather'."

"He never liked your stepfather I take it," Ron said phrasing it as a statement.

Harry snorted. "That's an understatement. He barely tolerates Sirius and Sirius and my stepfather were best friends. I think the only reason he hasn't hexed Sirius to the moon yet is because Sirius is my godfather."

Ron was silent for a long moment digging his fingers into the sand before he smiled faintly. "I wonder what would happen if we locked your dad and Sirius in the same room together for a while."

"One of them wouldn't walk out probably," Harry said musingly.

"I wager that Snape will get his arse kicked."

Draco sneered. "You wish. My godfather will kick Black's arse to the moon within the first few minutes of the duel."

Harry rolled his eyes while Hermione sighed.

"I bet that if that ever happened then Sirius would win easily," Ron said firmly.

"You wish. Uncle Severus will win easily," Draco retorted.

"Are you two going to be arguing about this all day?" Hermione asked curiously. "I think it's a waste of time. It's not like it's going to ever happen."

"Hey, it's possible," Ron said with a shrug amusement in his eyes.

Draco snorted. "Not very probable but yeah possible."

Hermione was silent for a long moment as she gazed up at the clear sky above. "Do you think your dad would let us go someplace else other than stay here in the manor? If I'm correct about where this place is generally located then there should be a town that lies beyond the forest. I think it's called Bournemouth*."

"I doubt it. Not with Voldemort out and about."

"Don't say his name," Ron hissed.

"Why not?" Harry frowned. "It's just a name."

"Yeah, well, people believe that if you say his name then he'll come," Ron said.

"I don't believe that for a second. Besides, I doubt he knows about this place." Harry turned his gaze back to the sea in front of him. "I suppose I can ask my father. He'll probably say no but there's no harm in asking." He stood up before glancing at his friends. "Do you want to come with?"

"Sure," Hermione said standing up and Ron and Draco glanced at each other, shrugged and also got to their feet. The Silver Quartet left the cove and walked up the stone trail, past the wards and back into the yard.

"Dad?"

Severus glanced up as his son stood in the entrance to his study/library where he was busy reading one of his Potions journals as well as thinking about the last message he had received from Lucius. A breakout of Azkaban? Voldemort is just as arrogant as usual, Severus thought. He pushed those thoughts away as he put down the Potions journal and turned around to gaze at his son.

"Yes?"

"Well, Hermione was wondering. She thinks there's a town or something just beyond the forest and she was wondering if we can go there for a bit," Harry said looking at his feet.

Severus wondered at that but decided not to worry about it. "Yes, my home doesn't lie to far from Bournemouth, about seven or so kilometers south of the resort town I believe. However, it is dangerous to go past the wards further than just to the sea."

"I know, dad, but we're bored," Harry protested and there was a slight whine in his tone.

Severus raised his eyebrows at his son. "Very well," he said. "Give me a minute to get ready and contact Professor Dumbledore."

Harry's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Thank you, dad," he said rushing forward and giving Severus a hug before leaving the study before Severus could respond.

Severus shook his head a faint smile on his lips. Definitely Lily's son. She was prone to hugs to show she was happy or grateful as well, he thought as he walked to the floo that lay within his study and floo called Albus before inviting him over.

As colorful as ever, Albus stepped through the green flames and dusted his bright purple robes off. "What can I do for you, Severus?" he asked.

"Harry and his friends want to go into Bournemouth for a couple of hours," Severus explained. "I don't like leaving the manor but I suppose even if the Death Eaters catch us in Bournemouth, we'll be too far away from the manor for them to find it. Plus, the forest will provide protection for my son as well. But we agreed that at least two Order members will watch Harry while he is not within the wards. Although I'm going with him, I still think we should have those two Order members."

Albus raised an eyebrow. "What did you mean the forest will provide protection for your son?" he asked.

Severus did not answer that question as he thought about something that transpired more than eighteen years earlier when he had only been fourteen years old. "Who are you going to ask to watch us while we're in Bournemouth?" he asked before Albus could question him again.

"I was thinking Sirius wouldn't mind being one of them but the only other one that is available is Fletcher."

Severus scowled. "That coward? We'd be better off with a hippogriff watching us," he sneered.

"I know you don't like Fletcher but he's the only one I can really spare. Remus and Tonks are on a mission at the moment as are the rest of the Order members. Molly has all seven children home, aside from Ronald, at the moment and Arthur's work within the Ministry is starting to pile up. All in all, Sirius and Fletcher are the only ones available."

Severus snorted. "Very well," he said flatly. "But if anything happens to my son or his friends because of Fletcher then I will hex him to the moon after Black since Black will likely get to him first." He did not trust Fletcher further than he could throw the original Order member who was a yellow bellied coward who never trusted Severus.

Albus knew that Severus did not make promises he could not keep for he didn't respond and merely nodded. "I do hope you have a good time. There's also a rather interesting candy store within the Square that I've visited before."

Severus snorted. "I'm absolutely positive you've visited ever single candy store in all of Britain," he muttered.

Albus chuckled before he bid Severus a good day and left the way he had arrived and Severus walked out of his study to join his son and his son's friends down in the living room of the manor.

* Although now I know this is a real place, I first decided to use it when I read The Secret of Excalibur by Andy McDermott. Also, let's just say that the manor is located on the portion of land that overlooks the North Sea near the English Channel so it isn't far from Bournemouth although I'm quite sure I'm off by several kilometers. But hey, I'm American, I don't know England as well as J.K. Rowling does and I'm only going based on what I learned from books and the Internet. Too bad my Internet's down at the moment.

A/n what do you think?

Blaze: and that was part 37

Darth: what's gonna happen in the next chapter?

Severus: yes what is?

Blaze: (thinks while sipping at a Pepsi)

Palpypie: mmmm Pepsi (takes Pepsi and runs only to trip over Severus's outstretched leg)

Severus: oops

Blaze: (slices Palpypie in half and takes Pepsi back) in the next chapter, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco and Severus will visit Bournemouth, the breakout of Azkaban and yet another attack

Darth: gees you just don't give those kids a break do you?

Blaze: what do you call this chapter? Chopped liver?

Severus: (snorts) we're talking about ol' Voldy here. He doesn't give the kids a break in canon

Anakin: so true

Severus: (raises eyebrows)

Anakin: I was bored and trying to escape my master. He has his 'you're in big trouble' look again

Severus: what did you do this time?

Anakin: er…I accidentally replaced his shampoo container with pink hair dye…again

Severus: (incredulously) again? I told you to change the color!

Anakin: I couldn't find the color I wanted. So can I hid in your apartment closet?

Severus: (sighs) by all means. Just don't interrupt Lucius. He's watching his shows and he hates getting interrupted during that

Anakin: will do (disappears into apartment-closet)

Blaze: (shakes head and sighs) please review and I will post part thirty eight as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it'll be anytime soon and sorry about the long author's note