title: Summer Lessons
chapter 7: Waking
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.

Draco Malfoy stretched. It was warm and sunny. The air smelled of the sea.

Warm? Sea smells?

He should be in the dungeons of his father's manor. Possibly still on the stone floor where Dumbledore dropped him. Musty and damp. That's what he was smelling. Cold seeping into his bones. So cold that he felt warm.



That was not his father. Nor was it the hissing voice of the Dark Lord. It was resonant, nearly musical.

Time to wake, Draco. We need to discuss a few things, the voice continued accompanied by a gentle hand on his shoulder. With a deep sigh the young wizard opened his eyes and tried to focus on his surroundings.

Not the dungeon. Hell, he'd bet he wasn't even in Britain any longer. Much too warm. It took several minutes for him to realize he was on a cloth sofa in a creamy white room. Warm and friendly and a bit more airy than he was used to. His own family's manor was anything but warm. Stuffy was rather generous come to think of it... Sterile? He pondered a better term.

the voice drew his attention.

Draco rasped. The older wizard gently helped him sit up and offered a frosted glass of lemonade. Bewildered the youth drank the cool liquid and struggled to orient himself.

I apologize for having to petrify you Draco, Dumbledore said kindly.
But not for taking you with me. I couldn't be sure you'd
be safe when Professor Snape was discovered missing.

As his memory kicked in Draco stiffened. The professor had been hurt! His father had done nasty things to him. The lord would be furious! He'd kill his father...

The Headmaster waited a full minute as the emotions raced across the young wizard's face. Until Draco's eyes snapped up and captured his own.

I have to go back sir! Lord Voldemort will be angry and
it's my fault! He'll hurt my parents... Draco spoke urgently. He gripped the older wizard's robes as if to shake him. But Dumbledore gently removed them and held them in his own warm hands.

No Draco, you will not go back. Not until I'm certain you
will be safe. I will be writing to your father shortly, as well
as the Ministry of Magic. I can't ignore your injuries, the Headmaster said serious tones.

Injuries? This? I fell down the stairs! I was going down
into the dungeons to find my father and discovered
Professor Snape! I hit my face on the railing... Draco began to argue frantically.

Dumbledore said gently, you didn't get that bruising
on your face from the rail.

You can't be sure of that! You weren't there! the youth began to shout.

I can be. I am. You told me. I will submit to a pensieve
to record what you shared and what I saw, Dumbledore said firmly.

But he'll kill my father, Draco said sadly.

Voldemort would definitely kill you if he found out you'd
tried to release Professor Snape. Your father, I believe,
is still too important to him. He will suffer, but he will live, Dumbledore said.

With a dejected sigh the young wizard seem to collapse. He drew his arms around him unconsciously assuming the same position his head of house did when pressed into a corner. The very visual reminder pulled at Dumbledore and for a moment all his thoughts flew to his own child lying behind closed doors with the healers. He'd been there nearly three hours with no word.

Draco missed the shift of focus being so centered on his own turmoil. He hadn't even noticed the other people in the room until Remus Lupin came into his line of vision and placed a comforting hand on the Headmaster's shoulder.

Severus will be fine, Albus. You just have to give James
and Jeffrey time, Lupin said calmly. the older wizard shook himself briefly then looked up into the warm brown eyes.

I know, Remus. I... I just don't like the waiting, he admitted. Draco focused on Lupin then noted Harry Potter seated in a chair across from him and another wizard he didn't recognize. Given the audience he immediately sat up straighter pulling his shoulders back.

Welcome Mr. Malfoy, Lupin smiled at him. We have some
dinner cooking. Would you like a wash up? Then I want
to take a look at that eye. A look of incredulity passed over the young wizard's face. Whether it was because a werewolf was addressing him or because Lupin actually sounded concerned and friendly could not be discerned. With a short nod Draco rose off the couch with assistance and moved down the hallway to the washroom.

Do you really think it wise to keep that... that... Black began searching for an acceptable noun.

That child? Dumbledore supplied with a flash of fire in his eye.

That Death Eater's child, Black retorted with his own flame,
in this house? He could alert his father of where he is. Hell,
he could summon Voldemort...

Enough! It seems to be all right keeping a fugitive here,
Dumbledore shot back.
Keeping a death eater's child should be simple! He was furious with Black for driving Snape away in London. The animagus' eyebrows raised in shock but he recovered quickly.

Well, then, if that's how you feel. Come Harry, Black turned and strode out of the room only stopping when he realized his godson was not behind him.


Potter did not rise from the chair but looked from one elder to the other. Dumbledore had not said a word but was simply looking at the other wizard framed in the doorway.

No, Siri. I can't come with you, Harry said quietly.
Severus may need some energy feeds and he feels
comfortable receiving from me and Remus.

So you blame me for this fiasco, too?! Black snarled.
It's not my fault the god damned git didn't go straight on
to Albus!

No, that was Severus' choice, Dumbledore said in a dangerously low voice.

But you did make him very uncomfortable, Harry added as he stood to face his godfather.
I know he decided to stop at Hogwarts first, but he never
would have if he'd stayed with us like we'd originally planned.
You made very certain he would leave.

Black looked long and hard at his godson standing near Dumbledore. So much like James and yet nothing like him. James would have never defended Snape. James would have beaten him out the door to pack. Turning he left silently. He couldn't force Harry to join him. But he wasn't going to stay in this house a moment longer than he had to.

Moving down the hallway he heard his friend speaking in a comforting voice to the spawn. Peeking into the washroom he could see Lupin gently cleaning the abused eye as well as wiping tears that were slowly falling. The anguish gave the angry animagus pause and stopped him in his tracks.

He was startled from his reverie when the bedroom door across from the loo opened and Dr. Jeffrey Barnes stepped out looking much the worse for wear. The door was quietly shut and the young healer looked at him.

Uhm, how's he doing? Black managed to ask. Barnes glanced at him as he continued down the hall.

He'll live, he mumbled. No further explanations were offered and the animagus was torn. Should he go pack and leave? Should he follow Barnes into the sitting room?

Lupin called.

Or should he go help his friend? Without any more thoughts Black followed the voice and went into the washroom to help Lupin.


Completely oblivious to the tension whirling in the room Barnes swept in and immediately sank onto the couch. Potter and Dumbledore terminated their discussion and turned as one to the exhausted Healer.

Da needs Harry to give Severus an energy feed, he said without preamble.


With a nod Harry left the room fairly running down the hallway. Dumbledore watched willing his body to stay. He wanted to follow.

Wait Albus. Sit down for a moment, Barnes said quietly. The older wizard followed the request and perched on the edge of a chair opposite him. The Healer stretched slightly and then sat up a bit straighter.

It's not all bad news, he offered. What do you want to
know first?

Dumbledore said without hesitation.

Right leg broken in two places. Right forearm snapped.
Three fingers on right hand broken. half a dozen ribs
fractured. Slight concussion. Back lacerated severely.
Anal tearing. Knife gashes across and down chest and
midriff. Hair shorn. Completely filthy, Barnes ticked off mechanically not meeting his companion's eyes.

Albus asked, his voice trembling. Barnes looked up at that and leaned forward grasping the older Wizard's hands.

His back is undamaged so his spinal cord is intact. His
face was left alone. It will take several weeks for him to
heal enough to get around without discomfort but Severus
will heal, Barnes said with surety.

When can I see him? Dumbledore inquired carefully.

Now, if you want. Da and I cleaned him and have begun
to repair some of the gashes. We wanted him to rest a bit
and have at least one energy transfer before we start to
set the breaks, Barnes explained.

Is he going to need a lot of energy transfers? the older wizard asked.

Actually, no, Barnes said rubbing his face. Severus didn't
use any magic. He must have been taken completely
unaware. With his hands bound he had no chance to defend
himself in any way. He's going to need to rest in a quiet
place.

Dumbledore didn't have to think. It's quiet enough here. But Jeffrey shook his head.

It could be. If a few people left... the young healer looked at the elder wizard, face carefully tooled into passivity.

Dumbledore sighed.

Yes. Perhaps he and Harry... Jeffrey began. He was quickly waved into silence.

I prefer to keep Harry here. Siri will go on an errand for
me, Dumbledore determined. Several errands.

the Healer pressed.

I need him to help me with young Mr. Malfoy, was the reply. Jeffrey sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

Well, with Siri gone there'll be less stress, he allowed.

Two more students are coming out next week, Dumbledore admitted.
Severus and I were going to work on some extra lessons.

Let's wait a few days and see how he responds, Jeffrey suggested. The Headmaster shifted off the couch.

I'd like to see Severus now, he said.

Right. Let's go, the Healer stood and moved towards the door.


Severus Snape looked young, incredibly young, as he slept in the older Healer's arms. All his injuries were covered and for a moment Dumbledore forgot how greviously he'd been hurt. He barely noticed Harry running an energy feed being so focused on his friend.

Has he woken? Dumbledore asked as he moved closer.

No. We don't expect him to for awhile, James replied as he motioned for Albus to come sit next to them.

He sat quickly then reached for a hand; he found a cloth swathed bundle. The Healer shifted enough to extricate Snape's hand.

Severus... Child? Dumbledore called softly.

Nothing.

Slipping a little closer the Headmaster simply held on as he spoke with James about plans to help Snape heal.



Across the hall Black was battling with his long-held beliefs. Voldemort was the ultimate evil. His death eaters were just as bad. That meant their offspring were nothing more than vermin needing extermination.

He watched as Jeffrey Barnes cast a spell to heal the damaged eye on Malfoy. He'd been struck with such force that the entire orb was blood-shot and the flesh surrounding it swollen. Lupin was still holding the young man gently, speaking quietly into his ear.

Moony was good at that; soothing hurt creatures. Black himself had been at the receiving end of that soft touch more times than he could count. He watched as a hand moved in a calm circle on the young man's back.

Draco, you should have some dinner and then sleep, Barnes said as he washed his hands.
Your eye is going to be fine.

I... I need to go home, the young wizard stuttered.

Not yet. Let's go eat. You'll want to talk with Professor
Snape before you leave, Lupin said calmly. Draco's eyes widened then he nodded and allowed the werewolf to lead him out of the loo.

Black turned to speak to Barnes but the Healer ignored him as he dried his hands, leaving the washroom as soon as he was done. Again the animagus wondered what he should do; he thought about gathering his things but his feet took him to the kitchen.