Later that evening, Hermione was seated in a comfy armchair in the common room. She was attempting to continue reading up on leads for the audiobook spell that she and Draco were trying to duplicate, but found she was having a terrible time trying to concentrate. Her mind kept wandering back to a certain blond boy.

She really wasn't sure what to make of him. Sure, he was still the same in some aspects, but in others, it was like she was looking at a completely different person. For instance, the Draco Malfoy she'd known would probably rather die than admit he needed someone,. But the Draco sitting by the lake this afternoon, smiling happily as Harry and Ginny were plopped down beside him, refusing to move, was an enigma.

The corners of her own mouth turned up in a small smile, remembering the expression on the blond's face. It was sunny and bright, though full of wonder and awe at his success and at fact that he had people surrounding him.

Pull it together, Granger, she reprimanded herself, scowling and shaking her head. It's still Malfoy. He's still the same obnoxious brat he was last year. Don't be fooled.

"Something wrong, Hermione?" a quiet voice rang out through the common room. Hermione jumped, looking up to find Harry studying her. She shook her head quickly.

"Just thinking," she said, hoping he wouldn't ask. However, luck wasn't on her side tonight as the raven-haired boy raised an eyebrow.

"What about?"

She shook her head again. "Doesn't matter. I think I'll go to bed now," she said decisively, beginning to pack up her things. Her flurry of movement was halted suddenly by Harry placing a firm hand on top of one of her remaining books, his emerald eyes piercing in their intensity as she met his gaze.

"Hermione," he said gently. "It's not nothing." He moved his hand to fold his arms across his chest. "Come on. Out with it. What's going on?" Hermione sighed, slumping back down in her seat. Harry took a chair next to her, watching her intently.

"I just…I don't really know what to make of Malfoy," she admitted. "He's done a good job so far of not being a complete jerk, but…I don't know. I feel like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop, I guess." Harry said nothing, so she continued.

"And then there's things like today, when we found him by the lake. He looked so…happy, I guess, to have all of us sitting there with him. I've…I've never seen anything like it. But… but that doesn't make any sense, right? He's always had loads of friends, practically been worshipped since the first day of first year because of his family name and his money." Hermione made a face in disgust. Harry raised an eyebrow at her, cutting her off.

"You read a lot of novels, too, not just course books, right?" he asked. Hermione nodded, wondering where her friend was going with this. "Then you should know by now that things aren't always as they seem, and everyone has a backstory." He studied her face thoughtfully.

"I'm not at liberty to reveal Dray's backstory. What he tells and to whom is his business. However, maybe…maybe the reason he did what he did before was because that's how he'd been taught. And maybe…maybe he was really just as lonely as you and I were, before we found Ginny and Neville, but had no idea what was missing because he was always surrounded by shallow admirers."

Harry got to his feet, patting the brunette on the shoulder. "Just something to think about," he added, before waving to her and disappearing into the boys' room, leaving Hermione still sitting in her chair in the common room, lost in thought.

It was dark when Severus swept into Dumbledore's office, looking concerned.

"Headmaster," he said, "Potter must know about the prophesy as soon as possible."

Albus surveyed the younger man over his half-moon spectacles. "Slow down, Severus," he said soothingly. "What exactly has happened?"

"The Dark Lord is planning something. Something big," he answered. "And he probably suspects that Potter is with you. Unfortunately, anything as to what he's planning is all just speculation at this point. Only Bellatrix and Nott Sr. might have an idea as to what exactly is going on."

Dumbledore stroked Fawkes thoughtfully. "I do not believe that Voldemort will try anything until the students are back for the school year," he said finally. "Hogwarts has always been a draw for him. He likely will want to conquer it and the students here to use as some kind of leverage."

"Should we tell the students to stay home?" Severus asked. "We cannot put them in harm's way intentionally."

Dumbledore stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. "I believe we should leave everything as is for the time being," he said. "If and when we know more, we can inform the students and their families. Overall, the children will likely be safer here than in their homes. Hogwarts' wards are the most extensive of any building in Britain, including the Ministry."

"Headmaster, you must know from experience that parents rarely think that way. They will insist on keeping their students home if there's even a hint of a plot against the school."

"Which is why I anticipate it continuing to remain quiet at least until September first," Dumbledore said grimly. "We will likely need to work on an alternative plan for getting the students to school, if we decide to keep the school open. And we'll need to strengthen the wards around the platforms and the castle."

"Headmaster," Severus cut in, not to be deterred, "the boy-"

"Will be informed. Soon," Dumbledore assured him. "Just…let him have as long as he can. I know it's not long, but let him have this."

Severus narrowed his eyes at the old man. "Potter will not be pleased," he insisted. "He will want to know why we've kept this from him. This may jeopardize his chances of survival. And of him doing what needs to be done."

Albus bowed his head. "Severus. There is something you should know…"

A day or two later, the quintet was practicing dueling out on the Quidditch Pitch. Harry and Hermione were attempting to duel the other three, Harry still wandless. The bout ended with only Draco still standing, but just barely.

"Well done, everyone," Harry said, once Draco unfroze him from the ice block he'd been encased in. "We'll have to mix up teams next time, just to see what happens."

The five students, plus Professor Snape, who'd been overseeing today's dueling session, made their way back towards the castle. They were just coming in the front doors when a disturbance sounded from the grand staircase. Harry could see Draco jump at the noise, quickly drawing his wand as the sound grew louder, a haunted look in his eye.

"Dumbledore, I'm going to give you one more chance," a man's voice bellowed, growing louder as it moved closer. "Where the bloody hell is my godson?!"

"Oh, here we go," Severus was mumbling under his breath, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

The Headmaster was walking serenely along the hall, next to a second, younger, shabbily-dressed man with graying hair, whose face and hands were marred by long scars. The younger man was evidently trying -and failing- to placate a third man, also younger, around the age of forty by the look of him, who was charging ahead, eyes wild. The third man was well dressed, but his shoulder length hair was slightly unkempt-looking, and his face was the most striking feature of all-haggard, his eyes sunken deeply and ringed with dark circles.

The quintet stopped in their tracks, staring at the three men coming towards them. The man in front caught sight of Severus and his face contorted.

"What are you doing here, Sniv- Snape?" the angry man demanded, correcting himself before having to be reprimanded by Dumbledore.

"I was under the impression that I should be asking you that," Severus retorted icily. "You have just disrupted our lessons for the day after all," he added, gesturing toward the students behind him, who had not moved a muscle except to pull their wands surreptitiously from their pockets and robes.

Ginny glanced at Harry, who was staring hard at the man, then stepped forward, stowing her wand. "Sirius," she said calmly, hands outstretched as though she were trying to calm a skittish animal. "What are you doing here? What's going on?"

"I'm looking for Harry, of course, Firebug," he answered. Evidently he'd adopted the twins' nickname for her, Harry noted. "What are you four doing? Isn't it summer break?"

Neville and Draco looked around at their group, confused. The girls, who had seen this happen before, did not react.

"Harry," Ginny said quietly, not taking her eyes off Sirius. "Your wards are still up."

The other boys understood then. "Keep them up," Draco recommended suddenly in an undertone.

Apparently Sirius could still hear them though, because his eyes snapped from Ginny to Draco and back again. His eyes narrowed.

"You- you're Narcissa and Lucius's boy, aren't you?" he growled, starting forward. Draco flinched back, startled by the intensity in the older man's eyes. "What are you-?"

"That's enough, Black," Severus said, stepping into Sirius' path in front of his godson. Hermione, Harry, and Neville also stepped in front of Draco, wands out, or in Harry's case, magic ready.

"He…he can't be here!" Sirius insisted. "Harry-"

"Sirius!" Dumbledore's voice boomed through the hall from behind Sirius, where the Headmaster was still standing with what Harry assumed now was his father's friend, Remus. "Young Mister Malfoy is a friend of Harry's. I can assure you, Harry is in no danger from him." Sirius shot the blond a dangerous look, but fell silent. His eyes focused on Ginny again.

"Ginny, what the hell is going on around here? Why are you here during the holidays? And where. Is. Harry?!"

"Harry!" Ginny hissed again, still keeping her eyes fixed on the distraught man. "Your wards!"

"Wards? What wards?" Sirius asked, beginning to look slightly insane. "Where is he? What-"

"Sirius, you need to take your potion," Remus said calmly, stepping forward next to the other man. Harry noted that Remus looked exhausted and a little ill, though if Sirius was like this all the time, he could kind of see why.

While Remus coaxed Sirius to take his calming potion, Severus watched, body tensed like a spring. Ginny, however, dropped back to the group to talk.

"Harry, why won't you lower your wards? He's been waiting for you for so many years! Please," she pleaded softly.

"He's not safe," Draco whispered intensely, eyes narrowed. His unease was plainly written on his face, something the others weren't used to seeing. "He's clearly not in his right mind. You can't expect for Harry to just go out there to meet someone he's never even seen before, someone who's acting like he's about to attack at any second, just because he says he's his godfather!"

"Watch out, Dray, your Gryffindor is showing," Ginny deadpanned, remarking on his plainly-evident emotional display. Draco raised an eyebrow at her, but said nothing. "And…now Slytherin-Dray is back," she mumbled.

There was silence for a moment as Harry's eyes darted around to the faces of his friends, then to Severus, who was still standing in front of them protectively, and finally to Sirius, who was watching them from where he was standing next to Remus and Dumbledore, looking much calmer now. Harry could only assume that the meds had helped.

"Sir?" Harry asked softly, and Severus turned, only his eyes flickering in surprise at being addressed. "What do you think? Is it safe?"

Professor Snape glanced at Harry, his expression unreadable. "It is your choice, Potter," he said. "But," he added grudgingly, "I do not believe he will harm you. It may still be best to be on your guard though. Draco is correct- Black is currently a little unstable."

Harry nodded, taking a breath before setting a hand on Draco's shoulder in a calming gesture. Then, he let the wards down.

Nobody moved. Nobody hardly dared breathe. Sirius' eyes were locked onto Harry, who was studying the older man warily. Harry, though he'd taken down his wards, did not make a move to approach the man who was his godfather. Ginny looked between them; they both seemed frozen.

Carefully, she held out a hand to Harry, who took it slowly, never taking his eyes off Sirius as though he were some sort of extremely dangerous snake. She led him over, past Professor Snape, closing the distance. She took note in her periphery of Neville, Draco, and Hermione coming to stand next to Snape, Draco with his wand still drawn and body language poised to strike if necessary.

Sirius, for his part, seemed to be in shock. It was as though he were taking in every last detail of Harry's appearance, like he might disappear at any moment.

"James," he whispered, taking a tentative step forward. Ginny shook her head sadly.

"No, Sirius. This is Harry, remember?" she said carefully, bringing Harry the last few steps until they stood only a few feet apart.

"Harry…" Sirius repeated, and suddenly his eyes sparked with recognition. He surged forward, attempting to grab Harry in a hug, but Harry ducked away just in time, dropping Ginny's hand and settling into his fencer's ready stance on instinct. Sirius's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Harry…would rather be the one to initiate hugs when he's ready," Ginny explained cautiously, stepping over to Harry and holding out a hand for him. This time, he did not take it, but stepped back into a more upright posture. The tension in his back and shoulders was clearly visible. Ginny was a little hurt that he would not take her hand again, but she fought it down. He was likely stressed and confused. There would be time to deal with her feelings later.

"Sirius," he said, inclining his head formally, before turning to the other men. "Headmaster. And…Remus, I assume?" he asked, never having been formally introduced. The shabby-looking man smiled wanly and nodded.

"It's good to see you again, Harry," he said calmly. Ginny thought Harry would get along very well with Remus. "It's almost uncanny how much you look like your father," he commented. "But with Lily's eyes."

Ginny could almost see Harry's mind reeling. Apparently that was a new piece of information- his eyes he got from his mother.

"Lupin," came Snape's voice from behind them, and Ginny could see how Sirius' calm demeanor suddenly diminished, scowling at the potions master. "Would you mind explaining exactly what you and Black are doing here? These students have lessons this afternoon, and they must be fed before getting off to class."

"Of course, Severus," Remus answered calmly. "Sirius only just heard that Harry was back this morning. Once he'd heard the news, there was no stopping him." He looked around at Harry, who was still coiled tighter than a spring. "However, I think perhaps it would be best if we reschedule a visit for a later time?" he said, correctly picking up on Harry's unease. "Maybe a surprise visit was not one of our best ideas, right Sirius?"

Sirius was still looking angry at Snape's interruption. Remus must have noticed, because he attempted to take Sirius by the arm and lead him away. "We will send an owl to schedule a visit properly, alright Harry?" he asked over his shoulder, but Sirius dug in his heels.

"We're not..leaving? Not without Harry?" Sirius said, his voice rising in panic. "No! We can't! We are not. Going. To leave Harry. With. HIM!" he said, gesturing wildly towards Professor Snape.

Ginny instantly knew Sirius had made a huge mistake. Raw magic radiated through the room, and one look at Harry's face told her that he was extremely angry. Not because he was scowling, but because his expression was completely and utterly blank. Only his eyes were sparking dangerously.

"Without Professor Snape, I would still be living with my aunt and uncle, who hate magic and, consequently, me. I would have no idea about wizards or magic or anything else," he explained calmly, but Ginny could detect the slight tremor in his words. "I'd be alone. Or I might be wandering Britain somewhere, unprotected while the Death Eaters search for me. I owe Professor Snape quite a lot, Sirius," he finished. He had not once raised his voice, but he hadn't needed to. The magic had done the shouting for him.

The old Marauder was looking astonished, and possibly a little scared. There was no way he hadn't felt Harry's power emanating from him. He slumped in defeat. Remus put his hands on the other man's shoulders.

"We really should be going now," Remus said to the room at large, steering a dazed-looking Sirius toward the stairs.

"I will see you out," Dumbledore said calmly, following the other two back the way they'd come, towards the Head's office. A moment later, they were gone. And another moment later, Harry was, too.

"Harry!" Hermione cried, watching as Harry vanished from view.

"What did he just do?" Neville asked, staring at the spot where their friend had disappeared.

"The wards. He pulled them back up," Draco muttered, putting the pieces together.

"He's shut us all out," Ginny added, looking miserable. "And it's my fault! I shouldn't have pushed him to let them down in the first place! He wasn't ready!"

"You couldn't have known it would have gone this way, Ginny," Neville said soothingly. "We'll just have to find him and apologize."

"Harry won't be found unless he wants to be," Draco said suddenly, his expression stony.

"What do you mean, Draco?" Hermione asked. Draco nodded toward Severus, who responded.

"Draco is indeed correct. Potter's wards are such that no one can see or hear him if he does not wish it. If he doesn't make himself known somehow or lower the wards, there is very little anyone can do," he said heavily. Draco could see something in his godfather's eyes, but he was not sure what emotion it was. Shock? Concern? Fear? A combination?

Ginny looked upset for a moment, but then her eyes flashed with an idea. "But he can see and hear us, right?" she asked, looking from Hermione to Severus, remembering their conversation at the Burrow.

"But Ginny," Neville protested, "Even if that is the case, the castle is massive! And he could be anywhere, including the grounds." Ginny frowned at this, before another thought hit her.

"Wait right there!" she cried, taking off for the stairs. The others stared after her.

"Go take your lunch in your common room," Snape's voice sounded behind them, making them jump. "I will keep an eye out for Potter."

Hermione and Neville nodded, though Draco eyed his godfather doubtfully.

"A lot of good that will do if he's invisible," he muttered sarcastically under his breath. The potions master turned to the blond.

"What was that, Draco?" he asked calmly, though his eyes were flashing.

"Nothing, sir," Draco drawled lazily, starting off for the common room with Hermione and Neville at his heels.