title: Summer Lessons
chapter 6: Rescue?
author: Raven Dancer

disclaimer: All characters property of JK Rowlings with the exceptions of the Drs. Barnes. I receive no monetary compensation for these works.

Albus Dumbledore moved swiftly and silently behind the darting house elf. Dobby was actually silent, too, but his movements were erratic. The wizard knew the creature was terrified of Lucius Malfoy; just being here proved his loyalty to Dumbledore and his concern for Severus Snape.

The grounds were bathed in shadows. The starlight did little to pierce the darkness that clung to the Manor like a wet blanket. The first problem presented itself when the pair actually reached the stone wall of the building.

Dobby know where door is. Dobby can go through door.
Headmaster Dumbledore must be careful! Very small door, the house elf managed to whisper. The wizard glanced over the rugged exterior.

Reveal wards Dumbledore commanded in hushed tones. Slowly the air swirled around him, then glittering eddies became visible. Soon the woven magic that covered the manor appeared. The wizard smiled grimly as a rent in the shield became apparent.

Dobby nodded in approval and moved through the wards to press against the wall. The stone seemed to melt away from a five foot tall by four foot wide rectangle. Bending slightly the Headmaster followed the elf as he crept through the opening.

The small corridor widened only slightly and rose up so that Dumbledore could walk upright. Dobby provided just enough light to see the floor and walls. It was dusty but not cluttered.

The pathway went down abruptly: steep stairs stretched before them into the inky black. Dobby moved carefully keeping one hand against the wall, the other reached back occasionally to touch the wizard's knee. He was terrified and angry. The anger drove him on.

They reached the last step and the corridor leveled out. Still there were no lights but with the elf's bare illumination Dumbledore could make out a stout wooden door a few yards ahead. Upon reaching the door Dobby ran his fingers over the locking mechanism and with a horrendously loud *snap* the door swung loose on its hinges.

Dull reddish light streamed into the crawl space. Dobby peeked out and then stepped into the chamber tugging on the Headmaster's cloak to follow. He'd explained the route carefully to the wizard so that they would not need to speak at all.

They crossed the low-ceilinged room to another door. This one was unlocked and once more the elf scanned beyond the opening. Determining it was clear the pair stepped into the hallway and walked in charmed silence past several massive wood and iron doors until they came to a well-lit part of the hallway. The door that the elf stopped in front of looked the same as the others; thick-wooded with iron work reinforcement.

Dumbledore removed his wand and nodded at Dobby. With an affirmative nod the elf once more unlocked the door and pulled it open. They expected resistance, hopefully only a guard or two.

In the chamber they immediately spied a cloaked figure bending over a body sprawled out on the floor. Dobby swung the door shut as the Headmaster strode forward.

Get away from Severus, the Headmaster hissed. He was surprised when the cloaked figure wheeled around, tears streaming down his face.

Draco Malfoy cried in relief.

Mr. Malfoy? Dumbledore asked cautiously. The young man turned back to the crumpled figure.

They hurt him, Headmaster, Draco said almost too softly to hear.
Now they're upstairs waiting for the Lord Voldemort. I... I
need to get Professor Snape out of here. He pulled at the limp arm, but Snape did not react. Fearing the worst Dumbledore came forward and dropped to his knees. He couldn't tell what had happened to his Potions Master but the bloody back bespoke a long session with a whip. As he reached down he heard the weak wheezing as the downed wizard breathed. Alive at the least!

They couldn't kill him. The lord wants that pleasure. They
couldn't break him, either, because the lord wants the
Professor to know who he is when he does come here, Draco said dully. Dumbledore looked at the youth closely and realized he had a large contusion over his left eye. Quite a bruise was forming under the caked blood.

What happened to you, Draco? he asked gently. The young wizard shrugged.

Father was angry with me. I pulled him off Professor Snape.
He... He was... Draco couldn't finish the sentence.
Lord Voldemort said that if anyone touched Snape that
way... Broke him... he tried again, but couldn't finish the thought. He bowed his head and swallowed shakily.
I know my father has done a lot of evil things. But he is
still my father and I don't want him to get killed. He... He
hasn't been well the past two years... he finished lamely.

Dumbledore reached out and put his hand on Draco's shoulder.

Yes, Draco, your father has been abused by Voldemort.
He certainly has made some very bad decisions. Let's get
Professor Snape out of here, Dumbledore said gently.

I can't leave! Draco said nearly hysterical. I can't leave
because my father will be furious! I have to stay!

The Headmaster looked at the exhausted wizard weighing the possibilities. It was certain that Draco would be punished severely by his father if he discovered the young man had helped Snape escape. It was equally certain that he would be killed by Voldemort if he discovered he'd helped Snape escape. Which left Dumbledore with only one choice.

Petrificus Totalis! Dumbledore said firmly. Draco froze, the surprise on his face captured. Levitating the young wizard the Headmaster turned all his attention to the Potions Master.

He was a mess. One leg at least had been broken. It seemed both arms were broken or dislocated and from the curve of his hands Dumbledore imagined they had been smashed as well. He was filthy having been used as a loo by the smell of it. Dumbledore shuddered before taking a firm grip on his emotions. He could not loose control! He had to get his friend out of this place!

Using his wand the Headmaster carefully levitated Snape then wrapped him in a cushioning spell. He added a silence spell in case the injured wizard should wake on the trip out. He could not use any sleeping or warming spell because of the injuries. Snape was completely out, not even making noise when he was moved.

Dobby, can you bring Mr. Malfoy? I will take care of
Professor Snape, Dumbledore asked the nervous elf. Dobby merely shook his head vigorously and grabbed onto Malfoy's stiff hand.

Once more they moved out into the hallway and crept silently back into the shadows. Dobby moved quickly wanting nothing more than to be out of that evil place. Dumbledore kept up easily. He was becoming more nervous wondering when someone would come down to check on the prisoner.

It was a bit tricky to fit Draco through the openings in the ward over the castle. Carefully turning the rigid body Dobby slipped him past. Then a nervous march across the dark grounds to the hedge.

A huge black dog leapt out of the opening in the hedge and growled a warning. Quickly they sunk into the murky shadows of the bushes and waited. The dog pressed against the Headmaster and made no more noise.

In the distance the thudding jingle of horses in harness were heard. Dumbledore prayed to all things holy Jeffrey had found a safe place to hide. The road did not run along this part of the hedge, but it was close by and Voldemort, if it were the dark one, could sense a wizard's magic if he were paying attention.

Holding his breath the Headmaster heard the creaking of a heavy carriage coming up the road and passing them. There was no hesitation in the horses' stride. Another long minute passed before the dog moved.

Once more moving their burdens, Dobby and Dumbledore moved through the opening in the hedge and out into the forest beyond. Jeffrey immediately took possession of Snape and moved deeper into the forest before removing the cushioning spell so he could lay hands on the injured wizard.

Black transformed and looked first at the elf's silent companion then at Dumbledore.

He couldn't stay. We will return him if I deem it safe enough,
the jittery older wizard explained. He wanted to be back at the beach house NOW and prodded the Healer.

We have to leave Jeffrey, Dumbledore hissed urgently.

A moment. Get the brooms ready, Jeffrey muttered shifting over the still form.

With a final disgusted glance at the Death Eater's spawn, Black moved quickly to the hedge where they'd stashed their brooms. He was glad to not have to look at the mangled body of the Potions Master. He didn't want to think about his part in bringing this about.

The brooms were set out and then he helped position the younger Malfoy over the front of his stick. It would be a bit tricky, but they couldn't release him just yet. He glanced over at the Healer. Jeffrey was bringing his unconscious patient to the brooms.

We need to hurry, Barnes said in clipped tones. Neither Black or Dumbledore really needed to ask why. Between Snape's condition and the carriage of people, undoubtedly including Voldemort, it was time to leave.

Brooms lurched sluggishly even with two of the bodies being levitated. They flew low through the trees skirting just above the brush. After a few hundred yards Dumbledore stopped and turned to face his compatriots extending the first port key. Lupin had selected two large kerchiefs; red for the first jump and green to go home.

The first jump went smoothly. They appeared near Hogsmeade in the fringes of the Forbidden Forest. They flew towards the clinic and paused on the edge of town. The second kerchief was unfurled and they all grasped an edge making sure it touched both Snape and Malfoy. Once more they felt the familiar sharp tug and were whisked away to the sandy shore near Dumbledore's beach house.

Wasting no time to converse Jeffrey dropped his broom and immediately maneuvered his patient up the walkway into the house to his father. They disappeared into the back bedroom leaving Dumbledore and Black to tend to Malfoy.