Severus knocked on the bathroom door, "Harry, are you about done? It's time for dinner."
"Go away. I'm not hungry."
"You haven't had anything to eat since breakfast. You need to keep your strength up."
"I said I'm not hungry. Now leave me alone!"
"No I won't leave you alone. You can get dressed and join the rest of us willingly or I will drag you down there the way you are and force feed you. The choice is yours." Severus commanded.
"Fine just give me a minute to get dressed."
"A short while later Harry emerged from the bathroom to find his father waiting for him. "I heard what happened down stairs. How is your leg feeling?"
"Still sore, especially when I put weight on it." He said as he started limping towards the stairs.
"Where exactly did you get hit?" Harry pointed to the area where he was struck by the curse. "No wonder it's still painful, you were hit on the muscle. Come with me I have something in the lab for it." Harry stopped dead in his tracks. "Harry come on now."
"No, I refuse to drink any of your concoctions that include anything's blood, monkey piss, or hamster shit." He replied as he started down the stairs.
Severus grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him towards the direction of the lab once again and said while smiling, "That is good to know since any potions containing blood or monkey piss are only made as needed. As for the hamster shit, well it would be completely useless since studies have found that it actually contains no redeeming qualities whatsoever."
"Must you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Act like that. It's disturbing."
"I'm sorry but I don't..."
"Don't apologize either. That's not like you." Harry stated.
"Harry, this is actually who I am. Yes it's different from the dark bruiting evil professor your use to but you know the reasons behind that."
"But even on the weekends you don't act like this."
"There are times that I do but you are never around to see it. If you would prefer I could continue to treat you like the snot nose little spoiled brat again."
"No, that's quite alright." He said as they entered the lab.
"This is just as awkward for me as it is for you but I thought if we used this time to get to know each other then maybe you feel more comfortable around me."
Harry watched as his dad mixed up a quick salve. "I'm comfortable around you."
"Is that why you always seem to tense up whenever I'm around?"
"How was I suppose to feel with you always lurking in the shadows and sneaking up on my friends and I?"
"That is a bad habit of mine." Severus smirked. "I'm surprised there weren't rumors of me being a vampire out to feed on you."
"Well..." Harry stopped himself as his dad's smirk changed to a glare.
Severus shook his head "I guess there are worse rumors that could have gone around. But I did have to make sure that with all the trouble that you and your friends seem to attract you didn't wind up getting yourselves killed" he said as he handed Harry a bowl of the blue paste. "Here you go. You can go behind the screen over there and spread it on the abrasion. There are bandages in the cabinet back there also that I want you to use one wrap it up afterwards."
"This stuff stinks, what's in it?" Harry asked.
"Don't worry about what's in it. I'm not having you ingest it; I'm telling you that you need to put it on your leg. Once you put the bandage on you won't even notice the odor." Severus watched his son reluctantly take the container and hobble behind the shade before he started cleaning the worktable.
"This shit burns!" Harry called out.
"Good, that means it's starting to work. Now watch you language." From the corner of his eye he saw Harry was glaring at him from around the side of the screen. "I have to set some boundaries somewhere."
"It never bothered Sirius or Remus."
"It does bother Remus but he has his hands full enough as it is to even worry about it. As for Sirius, well there is not much that does bother him except for Ann's boyfriend."
"Don't even mention that bit..."
"Harry!"
"Don't even mention her name after she did this to me."
"I'm sure it wasn't intentional. Remus said that they will be working on her aim while they are here."
"How long are they staying?"
Severus took a jar off of a shelf and removed some lotion from it and started rubbing it on his left forearm "They will be here for at least a few days while Bria recovers but after that I'm not sure."
"Dad?"
Severus turned around to see a wide-eyed Harry standing behind him "You know you really need to stop sneaking up on people."
"I didn't sneak up on you. He's summoning you isn't he?"
"He's starting to, but it's nothing to worry about yet." Severus replied
"But he knows the truth now and..."
"Yes he does know, it was inevitable just like we have all known that sooner or later the time will come when I have to explain my recent actions to him."
"But he'll try to..."
"Don't even think about that. I have thought long and hard about what I need to say when the time comes and if I know him as well as I believe I do than everything should be alright."
"But..."
"Relax. I have been doing this for far to long and I know what needs to be done. When the time comes and I am summoned I need you to promise me you will listen to your uncles and stay with them at all times. I don't need you to go wondering off and risking yourself."
"You don't have to go."
"If I don't then the punishment will be even more severe, besides it's not time to go just yet. This is more of a warning to let me know that it will be soon." Severus looked into Harry eyes to reassure him "Just remember what I am. While I am gone you will no doubt hear and see some things you won't like. If I am to be able to fool him then I must have your promise that no matter what you will stay put while I'm gone." Harry just nodded as he looked away. "That's the best answer I'm going to get from you isn't it." Again Harry nodded. "Well I suppose it's better than nothing. We had better hurry and get down there before Sirius and Jamie eat everything, but first I must insist that you hand over your wand."
"Why?"
"Because I am not having you curse your cousin while we are trying to eat."
"I wasn't planning on it though." Harry lied
"Then there is no reason for you to have it with you."
"I refuse to be unarmed again and take a chance on being blindsided."
"This is dinner, this isn't training time."
"How about if I just put it in my bag."
"As long as you keep your bag in your room."
"My room?"
"The damp catacombs will cause more problems to you leg during the night. You are to spend tonight in the room across from Bria's."
"Do you think it would be alright if I saw her after dinner?"
"Let her rest until morning, I am sure she will be up to having company then. Just remember you still have training tomorrow."
"Yes sir." Harry then put his wand in his bag and walked as quickly as possible to the room he was assigned. As soon as he got there he pulled it back out and tucked it in his back pocket, covered it with his shirt, and then joined his father at the top of the staircase again.
"Now you are going to behave yourself during dinner aren't you?" Severus asked.
"Do I have a choice?"
Severus smiled "Not really but I had to make sure."
As they entered the dinning room Harry noticed that the only available chair for him was next to Ann and to the left of the head of the table that remained for his father. This is going to be harder than I planned he thought as he sat down. As Harry leaned over to pull his chair closer to the table Severus loudly cleared his throat. Harry glanced over at him and said "What?"
Severus held out his hand and said, "Hand it over now." Harry stared at him pretending not to know what he was talking about. Severus then put his napkin down on the table as he pushed his chair back then walked over behind the boy and quietly said "You seem to have something causing the back of your shirt to stick out. Now hand it over immediately." Harry reluctantly lifted the back of his shirt, pulled the wand out of his back pocket and placed it in his father's hand. Watching the scene Draco and Jamie couldn't help but snicker while Ann tried moving her chair further away from her cousin.
As dinner drew to en end Draco said, "So Harry, how did you get out of training today. Did your dad actually take pity on you when you realized how hard it was and how incapable you are of casting the Unforgivables?"
Harry wasn't sure if he was allowed to mention the additional guests in the house so he was pleased to hear his father answer the boy's accusations. "For your information Draco, after observing the two of you this morning I would have to say that not only are Harry's accuracy and power exceeding yours when it comes to the Unforgivables but he has better knowledge of being on the receiving end of the curses. I felt that for him to continue today's lesson would have been a waste of his talents so I had him assist me on a potion to counteract the effects of Inner-burn."
"Inner-burn? But..." Draco replied.
Sirius looked at the blonde. "Draco, we might as well tell you now. Your father was arrested today at the school for attacking Bria. That's what this morning's emergency was that I needed Matt's assistance with. I won't go into lengthy details about what exactly happened but Bria is upstairs recovering and if it hadn't been for Dannie tackling him from behind then he probably would have cursed us as well and gotten away."
Severus noticed his son's glare at the blonde boy across the table from him and realized that this was the first time that it was mentioned infront of Harry who the responsible party was for the girl's condition. Remaining silent Draco stared at his now empty plate for the longest time when he finally built up the courage to look at his dorm-mate. "Harry, I want you to know. It may not seem like much but I am sorry for what my father has done to her, I had heard him bragging over the years of the damage he could cause with it but I always thought that he only used it in self defense against powerful Aurors. I never..."
"Draco, I'm sure Harry understands that you have no control over your father's actions." Severus stated then turned to his son "Isn't that right?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Harry mumbled while still staring at the boy.
"Uncle Sev, is Bria going to be alright?" Ann asked.
"Well we were able to slow it down enough until we got the potion into her but there was still quite a bit of damage done" Severus observed Harry as he continued. "There will be some bad scars but they are only cosmetic and will fade in time. The worse of it is she will have very little use of her left arm while the muscles and nerves grow back on their own."
"But what happens when the full moon rises again and she has to change?" Jamie asked
"We will have to keep an eye on her at that time and hope that she has also inherited the werewolf healing capabilities during the change."
"May I have my wand and be excused?" Harry mumbled.
Severus nodded at the boy then handed him back his wand and watched as he ran out of the room and towards the kitchens. Harry continued on through the kitchens, slid down the banister that led to the dungeons then jumped down the hold that took him into the catacombs. When he landed on the ground he stayed crouched while the stinging sensation of landing on his feet passed. He then removed the ladder from the hole so that none of the others would be able to come after him. Before he could control it any longer the anger inside him had completely taken it's limits and as he roamed through the endless tunnels he cast either Cruciatus or Avada Kedavra at anything and everything that moved which luckily were only the rats and spiders.
Harry made several twists and turns through the tunnels he wasn't quite sure on how to get back. He figured that if he followed one tunnel wall sooner or later it would lead him back to where the others were. As he continued he felt a breeze blow past him and there was something in the air that he immediately started cursing but kept missing. He soon gave up on the object and continued to the direction from where the breeze came feels like these actually go into the mountains. No wonder dad told us not to wonder off, these things are endless he thought as he looked back and noticed the slope in the ground. Finally the tunnel actually came to an end but the last thing in the world he expected to see was made to look like a bedroom. Harry slowly looked around the musty room in hopes that whatever creature was living there wouldn't be back anytime soon. As he continued to explore he found the rest of the living quarters in which the décor seemed almost familiar. He then found the front door and stepping outside he noticed that he had actually found a small house that was built into the mountain. Noticing the sun setting he entered the house again and started back to the bedroom so in hopes that he would be able to find his way back. All of a sudden there was a green flash and a thud from the bedroom so he started to hide when he heard his fathers voice "Blasted fireplace. I know I should have made it bigger, too small to Floo into. No I had to be the romantic." Harry walked over to the doorway and smirked at the site of his father sitting on the floor of the bedroom fireplace covered in soot. "Well are you going to just stand there or are you going to help me up. And don't you dare laugh or you will be grounded the remainder of our time here."
Harry walked up and held out his arm for Severus to grab a hold of to pull himself up. "How'd you find me?"
"Well when we finally got the ladder back up and by the impressive trail of dead animals that led off past the cavern I figured you would wind up here sooner or later."
"What is this place? I know it seems to have been someone's home but to be connected to the catacombs is unusual not to mention that it seems that nobody has lived here in ages."
"Well, um I suppose you could say that this was my home. But there was actually a wall there at one point."
"Your home? But I thought that big house was yours."
"No that was my parents home. This is actually where I..err, we lived after graduation." Severus seemed to drift off as he continued "I'll admit your mother surely deserved better and I had planned on giving her something more extravagant but our salaries wouldn't permit it at that time. Even if we could of, she still wouldn't have accepted it too much wasted space is what she would claim. The plan was then to add a nursery for each child that came along. The day she died is the day that wall was removed I guess you could say I lost control of my anger that night." Severus snapped out of his trance and looked at Harry "You do realize that Ann will not be going near you for a long time. She's quite afraid that you will do to her what you did to all the rats that you left behind. Unfortunately there is nothing left for anyone to practice on."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"You had a bad day, that's all. I'm just thankful that you saw fit not to direct it towards the others." He said as he directed his son back towards the caverns.
"Dad, do you mind if I come back here sometime? I mean by myself since it seems to bring back some bad memories for you but."
Severus turned and looked back at the old house then said, "I have no problems with you coming back here. I suppose in a way it was your home too but, this wall stays down and if I ever catch you back here with your girlfriends I will demolish the place without a second thought." Harry gulped "Come along the others are probably worried that you have accidentally killed me by now as well."
As they finally approached the cavern where everyone was gathering up the dead rats from sleeping area. Once they had removed all of them Ann pulled back her covers to go to sleep when she instantly screamed. Severus and Harry ran as fast as they could to see what the problem was. As they entered the cavern Ann glared at Harry "That is the most sick, cruel, disgusting thing I have ever seen anyone do to anybody. That is not even funny, what I did earlier was an accident and I'm sorry but how could you even think of doing something like this. I wouldn't even expect a stunt like this from dad or Jamie, it's too sick."
Harry stood there with his mouth open as Severus said "Ann, calm down. What did he do?"
"No I won't calm down. He knows damn well what he did. Go ahead I dare you to tell your dad what you did."
Harry stood there for what felt like forever while everyone stared at him. "Ann I don't know what you are talking about. I haven't done anything to you. I was only in here long enough to kill the rats that were running around."
"So you admit that you killed them. You didn't have to put them in my sleeping bag as well."
"I didn't touch your things much less get close enough to touch the rats. I didn't even leave the path." Harry explained.
Sirius walked over to look at his daughter's bed. "Harry, did you actually see that you were cursing rats?"
"Well um no. I was just sending curses at anything that moved."
"Harry, do you realize how dangerous that is. You could have hurt someone!" Severus stated
"No I couldn't have. That's why I took down the ladder. I wanted to make sure nobody got in my way."
"And you saw something move over here?" Sirius asked.
"I suppose so. I really don't remember exactly where everything was."
"By the scorch mark in the sleeping bag, it won't come to life anytime soon just like the rats that were already inside of it at the time." Sirius said as the boys started shaking out their sleeping bags before climbing in them while Harry stood there glaring at Ann with a smug ,I told you so expression on his face.
"Um, I'm sorry Harry. I really thought that you had put them there on purpose. Truce?" Ann quietly mumbled as she held out her hand.
"I don't think so. I still owe you."
"Harry. Whether or not it was a mistake, you are still responsible for those dead rats in her sleeping bag. You should have paid more attention to what you were doing. Now accept the truce or you can help dispose of all the dead rats down here without the use of any magic."
"There's hundreds of them though." Harry whined
"I know that very well."
"Fine, truce." Harry said as he shook hands with his cousin while glaring at her. He then turned and headed onto the ladder that led back to the house kicking away any rats that happened to be in his path.
"Sirius would you come with me I need to talk with you and Remus as soon as possible." Severus stated.
"Sure thing. You kids get to sleep. No goofing around, understand?" Sirius said while glaring back and forth between Matt and Ann.
"Yes sir." They all replied as the two men left them alone.
When they were out of hearing range Sirius looked at Severus "Am I mistaken or did the two of you just spend a whole day together without cursing or killing one another?"
"No you're not mistaken." Severus replied
"So, how did it go? Did you finally let him see past that barrier or yours and let him learn what you're really like?" Remus asked.
"I suppose you could say it went alright. And yes I did try to have some fun with the boy, at least until..."
"Until what?" Sirius asked.
"That's what I need to speak to you and Remus about I am not in the mood to go through this conversation twice." Finally they were both outside the kid's bedrooms. Severus opened Harry's door and noticed that he looked as if he was sleeping peacefully for once and he smiled. He then went across the hall to the open door and as he knocked he said, "So how's my patient doing?"
"Better thank you." Bria said then she looked over at Sirius and asked "Would you answer a question for us?"
"It all depends on what the question is." Sirius replied
"Dad said that after he changed he saw you motion for mom to get off of Mr. Malfoy. How did she get him down without magic and in wolf form?"
"I think that it's something your mum should answer." Sirius said as he smirked.
"She keeps insisting that she doesn't remember but I know she does and I really need to know."
"I am curious about this as well." Severus stated as he looked over at Dannie who was starting to look slightly uncomfortable.
Remus then walked up behind Dannie and wrapped his arms around her causing her to relax under his embrace. "This is way to easy." Sirius chuckled "Let's just say that whenever Lucius sits down he will remember what a pain in the ass your mum really is."
Bria still looked a little confused while Remus tried to hide his laughter by burrowing his head in her shoulder and Dannie turned completely red from embarrassment. Severus stood there looking quite disgusted and said "You didn't? I do hope you have had your shots. I wouldn't want to see you catching anything."
"Very funny Sev. I was originally going for his leg and I would have had it if your friend wasn't so noisy causing him to turn around at the last second." Dannie snapped in her defense.
"Luv, I hate to ask this but isn't that a bit high for his leg?" Remus said as the guys cringed.
Dannie spun around in Remus' arms and replied "Leg, hip, or wherever. It still would have done more damage that it did and he would have definitely thought twice before going after our daughter again."
"Mom, can we please change the subject?" Bria asked.
"I must agree with you there young lady. Do you mind if I steel your dad away for a few minutes?" Severus said as he once again cringed.
"I suppose so."
The three men then went into the hallway and as Severus closed the door Sirius asked, "So are you going to tell us what has been bothering you?"
"Well we all knew it would happen sooner or later, especially since you two rescued me last week. It seems that Voldemort has been trying to summon me. I've been ignoring it as much as possible but we all know that the time will come that I must report to him."
"You do realize how much danger you are in if you go." Sirius stated.
"You mean when I go."
"Severus you can't. You have done nothing but defy him and his followers over the past few months. It's too dangerous." Remus stated.
"I am quite aware of what I have done and what is at stake. I also believe I know him well enough that I can make him believe that what I am doing is for his benefits. Sirius as you know you will need to keep a close eye on the twins, as for you Remus, I hate to ask this of you but I must. I know you had no intentions on your family staying here after Bria has recovered but you know Harry and you have been able to help him through the attacks before."
"Sev, you don't have to ask. To tell you the truth, I have done a lot of thinking since we last talked about this and already planned on staying to help you train the children. Have you let Harry know yet?"
"I didn't have to. He was there when it first started. Up until then I thought we were actually able to get along quite well but he then started to show so much fear I'm afraid he will try something foolish. If I have to worry about him there is no way that I will be able to pull this off."
"Don't worry about it. We will keep a close eye on him. You just worry about what needs to be done." Sirius said
"I knew I could trust in you. I hate to do this but it has been an exhausting day and I must turn in." Severus said as he sustained a yawn. The two men nodded and watched as Severus head towards his room.
"So Remus, what really made you change your mind?"
"I had a long talk with Albus and he gave me some information that really made me think about everything. Also seeing how you two were working with the kids, I realized how much you need my help."
"You make it sound like we are to incompetent to handle all the kids together."
"How many times did I have to remind you today that you cannot kill Matt?"
"Well I wasn't actually going to kill him. Just maim him a little."
"Do I need to sleep down there to make sure that you don't do anything that drastic?" Remus asked.
"No, I've already charmed their beds so that if either of them become empty it will set off an alarm."
"And you actually think that will stop them? They are down there with no adult supervision."
"But they also have Draco and Jamie down there with them."
"Siri, need I remind you of Patty's condition when we graduated? Did having us around keep you two from sneaking off no matter what charms were placed where?"
Reality finally hit Sirius; he then turned to head back down the stairs saying, "If they dare, they will definitely see the cells up close."
"You know with the ideas you just put into his head. I really feel sorry for the kids." Dannie said as she stood in the doorway.
"That was the whole idea. I had to get rid of him somehow. You're not the only one who can be conniving." He said smiling as stepped closer to the door and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Are you sure that somewhere in your lineage there isn't a coyote mixed in there?"
"Why would you say that?" Remus asked.
"Just how you can be a trickster sometimes."
"I don't know. What do you think?" he whispered as he pulled her closer for a deep kiss.
When they finally broke the kiss she smiled "The possibility is there but I've never known of a one to kiss like that." Dannie then grabbed their cloaks from inside the room and handed Remus his as she said "Since she's asleep would you care to escort me around the grounds?"
"What if she wakes up?"
"I doubt she will but if she does I doubt she will mind." Dannie stated as she fastened her cloak and started towards the stairwell. She then turned around and asked, "Well are you coming?" Remus looked into the room where his daughter slept then also left.
Severus rose from bed at sunrise in order to get ready for the day before the other woke up. As soon as he opened his bedroom door Harry who happened to be curled up on the floor in the doorway and sound asleep blocked him. Severus reached into his nightstand and pulled out his wand and with a quick wave he gently levitated his son back to his own room. Severus then lowered the boy gently onto the bed, placed the blankets over him, and watched as the boy instantly stretched out from the warmth of the covers. Just as Severus turned to leave Harry sensed the different surroundings and gasped. Severus heard this and turning back towards the boy said, "Go on back to sleep. You seem to have had a long night which we will talk about later."
Harry then rested his head back onto the pillow and fell into a peaceful sleep knowing that his dad had not yet been summoned away.
Severus went back to his room and grabbed that day's clothes but when he stepped into the hallway again and turned towards the bathroom he was instantly greeted by Remus waiting outside the much needed closed room. He quickly turned on his heal and headed down to the second floor but once again was sorely disappointed to see Sirius also waiting in the hallway. "Morning Sev."
"Why aren't you down stairs with the kids?" He grumbled.
"The boys are down there lined up so I brought Ann up here. I hope you don't mind."
Severus sighed "No, not at all" but thought to himself 'Of all times for everyone to decided to become early risers.' As he headed back up the stairs and to wait for his turn for what was bound to be a cold shower due to the number of people staying there.
Needless to say Severus was the last one to arrive to breakfast.
"Uncle Sev, where's Harry?" Jamie asked
"He's still sleeping right now which I expected more of you to be doing."
"Well we would have been if Mr. Black wouldn't have been snoring so loudly." Draco remarked.
"Your one to talk Draco. I thought there was a battle going on between you and dad on who could make the most noise." Ann stated.
"I don't snore." Draco spat
"I never said the noises were coming from your mouth."
"Alright you two enough. I know it's tough down there but at least you are getting to know each others imperfections so that you can learn to work around them." Severus stated.
"I don't see what knowing about dad's nasal problem and Draco's intestinal problem has to do with being able to fight together." Jamie said.
"Neither do I but at least now you know to pack some nose plugs before you come here and the problem will be solved." Severus said as Draco started turning various shades of red. "Now if you don't mind I for one would like to be able to sit and enjoy a meal without any further bickering or fighting is that clear."
"Yes sir." The kids all chimed at once. Severus then picked up the newspaper next to him and started reading in peace as he ate the bowl of oatmeal infront of him.
Unfortunately this only lasted about fifteen minutes until the kids were done and anxiously waiting to be excused from the table. "Stop kicking me." Ann stated.
"I didn't mean to kick you I was stretching my legs." Jamie snapped back.
Severus grumbled as he folded the paper in half. "All of you go get your cloaks and wands now then wait for me outside."
The kids ran from the table as quickly as possible sounding like a group of stampeding hippogriffs. Severus waited and a few moments later the group ran through the house again and out the front door almost running over Remus as they crossed through the foyer. "I take it they won't be punishing the rats today?" Remus asked.
"Well thanks to Harry this is the first time I can remember this house is rodent free." Severus stated.
"So then what do you plan on doing with them today? Afterall there aren't any birds flying overhead also the lake is frozen so they can't kill the fish."
"I was thinking since you will be working with Ann, the rest of us could have a sort of war-game. It would burn off some of this extra energy they seem to have. Grab your cloak and meet us out front." Severus said. He then looked over at Sirius, "Black are you coming or what?"
Silence
Remus then tapped Sirius on the shoulder causing him to look around a bit confused. Remus then pointed to his ear and Sirius removed some earplugs. "Sorry about that. Where did the kids go?"
"Do you wear those at every meal" Severus asked.
"Of coarse. How else do you expect me to keep my sanity with the twins fighting everytime we sit down to eat."
Severus grumbled something incoherent then said, "Go get your cloak and meet us outside."
Once everyone was on the front porch Severus explained what was going to take place. "Here's the deal kids. Due to the recent lack of targets in the catacombs we will be working on your stealth today. While Remus is working with Ann over by the stables the rest of us will be having a sort of war- game. The teams will be Sirius and I against the rest of you. You are to stick with dueling curses, no Unforgivables, understand?" The kids all nodded. "Good now you must stay within the valley, no entering the house or going near the stables. We will be starting in 2 minutes."
Ann and Remus headed towards the stables to work on her accuracy while Severus and Sirius charmed their feet to keep from leaving tracks in the snow then followed after the children.
The sounds of everyone shouting curses and charms at each other drifted across the property and up through the third floor balcony door that was slightly ajar. Bria was instantly startled awake and frantically started searching for her wand while remembering what happened the previous morning. Dannie then entered the room holding a small vial. "Oh good you're up just in time to take the second dosage." Bria ignored her mother and continued searching while fighting against the pain in her shoulder. Finally Draco's voice was heard clearly as Bria finally found her wand and pointed it in the direction of the window. Dannie realized what was happening and gently grabbed her daughter's arm to get her attention. "It's alright its only Draco. Remember your uncles are training them to fight." It took a few moments for her mothers words to sink in but when they did Bria lowered her arm and relaxed. "Now drink your potion" Bria sat on the bed again, raised the vial to her mouth and drank the nasty potion as quickly as possible trying not to taste it. As she placed the bottle on the nightstand Dannie sat next to her and examined the charred skin. "How does it feel this morning?"
"A little on the well done side but it's itching a lot."
"Very funny. It is looking better though." Dannie replied as she picked up the vial. "I want you to go get cleaned up while I go get you something to eat. Please try not to get it wet though." Bria then grabbed an oversized tank top and sweat pants then headed onto the bathroom. When she was done she went back to her room and listened to her friends outside. Sounds almost as they are having fun with this. She then grabbed her shawl and carefully draped it over her shoulders as she stepped onto the balcony. She quickly noticed she had a perfect view of the back of the estate while she watched her dad and Ann at the stables. She was then looking for everyone else when she noticed Jamie trying to sneak up behind Severus. Bria smiled as she pointed her wand at the boy an changed his clothes into a purple rabbit costume. Jamie then screamed as a large bunny mask covered his head as Bria quietly stood above them quietly laughing at the site.
"Um, I'm glad to see you are doing better." Came a voice from the door. Bria turned around and saw Harry standing in the door to the hallway. "What is so funny?" Bria smiled as she pointed out what was going on. Harry approached the balcony but staying just inside the door as he joined her in watching Jamie trip over his costume feet and fall to the ground as he ran towards the woods. Severus quickly caught up to him and as he stood above him with wand aimed point blank at the boy Harry then pointed his wand at his father and mumbled a quick charm.
Severus quickly screamed as he was suddenly bitterly freezing from the cold. The rest of the group ran towards the two in order to find out what was wrong. The moment they arrived they broke out in laughter at the site of the man in a mere loincloth with his back turned to a giant purple rabbit as he glared at the house. Remus looked up at the balcony watching his daughter frantically shake her head pointing towards the inside of the room.
Dannie quietly walked in carrying a try of food and placed it on the bed. Out of curiosity of what had Harry laughing hysterically while her daughter seemed to be frightened of something. As she approached the door she noticed what had happened and drug Harry out onto the balcony with her.
Severus put his head in his hands and then looked up at his son who was starting to look guiltier by the moment. As Severus started heading into the house he suddenly got a painful burning in his arm that caused him to stop in his tracks. Out of reflex he grabbed his arm and instantly disappeared.
Everyone stopped laughing and the kids stared in shock while Harry turned white as a ghost and collapsed to his knees. Dannie immediately tried comforting the boy while Sirius and Remus started grabbing the children and pushing them towards the house.
"Ah Severusss, such interesting attire you are wearing. I do hope I didn't interrupt anything important. I wasss beginning to misss my most loyal of servantsss."
"Nothing more important than you my lord." Severus replied as he lowered himself to a knee before Voldemort.
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