AN: WOOHOO!!! Reviews! I could hardly contain my excitement. Please, keep them coming...

*** Same disclaimer as always... My ownership extends to the few characters not mentioned in the Potter books, that happen to appear here.

Take the advise of the fortune cookie... Enjoy.

*** Chapter 2

Even with his eyes closed, he knew that the headmaster was staring. So were the werewolf, the klutz, and that paranoid auror. They must have realized that he had not objected to their plan during the last five minutes.



"Severus?" Dumbledore called.

Severus Snape remained, lounging in one of the chairs of the headmaster's office. "I heard you the first time, and my objections are still the same."

Tonks scoffed.

"However," the headmaster said, gently, "It is the best plan we have."

Severus took a moment to ponder this. He wasn't completely against the idea of sending the children of Order members to a safe-house during the summer. He agreed that it was a sound idea, but it was the choice of house, it's occupants, and the repercussions of this temporary situation that made him object.

The headmaster had been adamant as to which house to use: Lenara's. Lenara had faked her death during Voldemort's first reign of terror--Severus knew, for he himself aided the charade. It seemed perfect--using the house of a woman who was suppose to be dead--but it wasn't. It took him years to track down his only friend, and he knew that she would run again if she were in danger...which was precisely what she had done by going along with Dumbledore.

"You're only sending the children?" Snape asked, looking briefly at the headmaster, but long enough to see the twinkle in his eye.

"The children... and a chaperone or two. I thought perhaps Miss Tonks would accompany them." A smile played on the older man's face.

'No doubt in hopes that some of Sam's coordination would rub off...' Sam. Lenara's assistant. What would happen if something went wrong and Lenara left. Would Sam go with her? Sam had no family, no ties except the vow to serve Lenara till death. "If I agree to this, it is on the condition that I accompany Nymphadora and the children and ensure that the proper safety precautions are in place." He glanced at Tonks, seeing the woman begin to fume. He wasn't sure if it was because he used her first name, or because he insinuated that her skills as an Auror were lacking.

"Very well, Severus." The headmaster chuckled softly, watching the younger man hurry out of the office.

"We should be on our way as well," Lupin started, as he and the two aurors stood to leave. "We still need to inform the children's parents of the decision, and arrange a place to meet before they portkey." The others nodded in agreement, making their way to let themselves out. "Just one more thing..." Lupin turned to the headmaster. "You already told us that Severus was going to the safe house with the children, but he didn't even agree to it until now. How did you know he'd even go?"

The headmaster replied simply with a glimmer in his eye and a smile on his lips.

***

To those that have reviewed my work, thank you. I'll start responding to your messages with the next chapter.