title: Summer Lessons
chapter 8: Surfacing
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.


The house was bathed in darkness, the sounds of sleep drifted on the air currents. Fawkes shifted on his perch when a tea cup clinked softly on a dish. Opening a drowsy eye he settled his feathers about him and went back to sleep.

Dumbledore glanced at his pet with an indulgent smile. Although tired he'd stayed up to think about everything that had happened. His child was alive and going to be fine albeit with some emotional issues to overcome. For that he was most grateful.

On the other hand he had several problems to mull over. Voldemort's obsession to make Snape an example. The dark wizard certainly was becoming more and more crazed. All the spells and potions to make him eternal had their side-effects. This had to be figured into the plans to defend the wizarding world.

But how does one figure in a madman?

Next was what to do with Black. He had several overseas missions that would suffice. Having the animagus anywhere in the UK was not a good idea; he just couldn't be contained or trusted to act in a mature manner. Especially if Harry or Severus were anywhere nearby. Perhaps the one to America to see the council near Roanoke... The man could deliver written messages and wait for replies surely! Dumbledore sighed and shifted to his last most immediate problem.

Draco Malfoy. He wondered once more if it had been the best move to bring the child out with Snape. Lupin had assured him that it was. It was exactly what Albus Dumbledore would do if he were the one in charge of Snape's retrieval. Yes, it was what he'd do; what he had done. Now he had to reassure the young man and contact his father.

The blank parchment shone up at him mockingly.

With a sigh he lifted the quill.

Lucius,

Your son, Draco, is recuperating at my summer home. He suffered some ill treatment and I thought it wise to take him with me when I retrieved Severus from your dungeons. Dr. Barnes has inspected and healed his major injuries. He informed me that he has filed a report with the Ministry's social services. You may write to me via Hogwarts.

Albus Dumbledore

 Rereading the parchment Dumbledore reflected on the terseness. A good thing when dealing with Malfoy. He considered contacting the Ministry although perhaps just filing a letter of concern through the proper channels would be better than a full-blown report. A social worker would undoubtedly come out to check on Draco, might speak with his parents. But since this would be a first filing nothing would come of it beyond that.

He was sure that Lucius had not beaten Draco before. The absolute shock and betrayal Draco exhibited seemed to confirm it.

And if he were wrong? What if Draco had been abused for years? There was no way to find out but at least a file would be started.

He hated abuse. Absolutely turned his stomach. Over the many years as professor and Headmaster Dumbledore had to deal with several cases of child abuse and neglect. He'd been fortunate to have Poppy Pomfrey working with him these last fifteen years. She was a gentle soul but had nerves of steel. One had to have both when working with hurt children.

Being exhausted was not helping his mood as his thoughts turned to the children he'd missed. Children hurt that had slipped by. One slept nestled carefully in Dr. James' arms in the bedroom down the hall...

Shaking away the depressing memories he folded the parchment and set it aside for the morning. A few hours sleep and then he might decide to rewrite the missive. Rising he detoured past Fawkes giving the bird a final pat.



It was the clinking of a spoon against the side of a tea cup that alerted Snape that he was not alone.
*Must be tea time. So bloody like the dark lord to be civil* the captured man snarled to himself. He did not want to move, did not want to let that thing to know he was awake. He remained unmoving as he extended his senses.

First off he was no longer bound. A less experienced wizard would have thought the enemy was slipping. But not Snape. He knew well enough that there would be multiple guards with wands at the ready.

He could now sense the guards. Two nearby besides Voldemort. Snape sampled the magics swirling about the room and became confused. Nothing dark. Nothing rank or evil. If he wasn't mistaken he could feel the lingering tingle of a healer's spell that had been cast on him. In fact, he knew exactly who was seated sipping tea next to him. His eyes opened and he peered at his companion.

Snape nearly articulated. Nearly.

The were on him immediately.

Jeffrey Barnes offered him a straw as Potter crowded closer.

Severus! How do you feel? Harry asked. Snape accepted the straw and slowly sipped the cool sunlast, never breaking eye contact with Dumbledore. The older wizard looked very serious and Snape knew he was in for a lecture at the least. He contemplated looking away, especially since he was at fault - whatever had happened. He was just too damned tired to feel ashamed.

Before he could muster up enough strength to at least look recalcitrant those piercing blue eyes lightened and twinkled with happiness. A gentle hand reached over to touch his leg.

Took a little detour did we, Severus? Dumbledore said with great affection and no condemnation. Snape's mouth curled into a quick smirk before continuing to suckle the wondrously refreshing liquid.

You've been asleep nearly three days child. It was very
considerate of you to wake for us, Dumbledore continued lightly. He was so pleased to see those dark eyes alertly watching him he could just laugh.

Or cry. A few tears threatened and required a herculean effort to keep them from falling. Snape pushed the straw out.

I always try to be considerate of others, he rasped out.

Barnes scolded and drew Snape's attention to him.
That throat of yours is raw and your vocal chords pretty
much thrashed. You can talk tomorrow if you rest it today
and hydrate.

That earned a glare. He'd been asleep three days! Wasn't that rest enough??? And why was he here anyway? He knew it was his fault; being in bed sick always was, either from a student not brewing a potion correctly or being cursed at one of those meetings. Fact was he thought he was still at a meeting since he thought Voldemort was sitting next to him when he first woke.

His eyes became unfocused as he tried to figure out exactly what had happened. Seeing his patient's face crease in frustration Barnes immediately offered a new straw which was accepted without resistance.

Severus, you need to relax now. You're still healing... Jeffery began. Snape renewed his glare, albeit a very drowsy one.

Yes, child, you've been asleep for a long while, but you need
a little more time to rest, Dumbledore soothed drawing Snape's attention back to him. He now began to softly run his hand over the ill man's lower leg as he carefully sent in a gentle warmth of energy.

Completely derailed from his thinking Snape suckled the healer's potion. It was sweetened with a little honey and there was a hint of lemon... Chamomile? Willow bark? His befuddled mind tried aimlessly to decipher the ingredients. With a deep sigh Snape slipped back into a comfortable sleep.

Handing the cup to Harry Barnes carefully laid his hand on Snape's forehead. He closed his eyes a moment to the condition of his patient.

Dumbledore said impatiently. The Healer's eyes snapped open abruptly and pierced the Headmaster.

He doesn't have any neurological damage. He knew who he
was with and that he'd been hurt although he hasn't recalled
exactly what happened. I gave him a small dose of sleeping
draught to keep him lightly sedated, Barnes reported.

I thought you were going to let him wake up, the Headmaster grumbled.

He did wake up, on his own. But now I need to monitor
his pain levels and emotional balance. We don't know
exactly how he's going to react and I want to be prepared, Barnes explained patiently.

Knowing Severus he'll feel guilty about causing all of us
to take care of him, Dumbledore said leaning back.

And angry because he feels guilty, Harry added.

I need to help him work through any anger. He's been
stewing in anger, guilt and helplessness for too many years, Barnes murmured, stroking the close-cropped hair. His father had managed to even the jagged ends, Snape looked like a shorn sheep.
Just given his upbringing he doesn't feel he has any real
control or say in his life.

Now Dumbledore looked away with a guilty expression knowing full well Snape's work as a spy all those years had been controlled by himself. The Potion Master may argue he had a choice in going back to Voldemort but the Headmaster knew he really did not.

Why will he be in pain? Harry asked. Didn't you and Dr.
James fix all his injuries? Leaving the uncomfortable discussion of Snape's emotional baggage aside for the moment Jeffrey turned his attention to the young wizard.

Yes, we healed all the gashes and mended all the breaks, he explained.
But it was still major trauma. Both the body and the mind
know he was hurt severely. His muscles and ligaments will
be stiff and tense for quite awhile. My father and I will need
to use muscle relaxants for now and then deep tissue
massage for at least a month.

Harry, do you recall when Gilderoy Lockheart fixed' your
broken arm? Dumbledore suddenly asked. Potter nodded vigorously.

Yes! That skelegrow was miserable! It hurt a lot. I
remember Nurse Pomfrey gave me a potion to rub into my
arm for a few weeks, Harry reported as he remembered the details. The potion had smelled a bit like menthol and had made his arm feel warm.

Severus is going to need much the same treatment, Barnes confirmed.
He'll also need to keep himself dressed warmly when he
goes back to teach in the dungeons; the cold, damp air
will not help.

Couldn't his classroom be moved up to a warmer room?
There are lots of empty rooms... Harry trailed off lamely not wanting to explain exactly how he knew there were empty rooms in the castle. Dumbledore chuckled, bemused.

Yes, Harry, there are many empty rooms throughout
Hogwarts. But the dungeons are very well shielded and
protected. In addition given the nature of the classes they
are also the easiest to seal off in case an experiment goes
wrong, the Headmaster explained.
And believe me, there have been some spectacular
disasters!

Why do I get the feeling Fred and George had something
to do with a couple of those disasters? Harry remarked innocently, although his eyes were bright with silent laughter.

Perhaps because I remember at least one incidence in which
they did cause a large disaster... Dumbledore mused recalling the explosive draught that nearly poisoned the Potions Master. Harry looked expectantly at the Headmaster.

Catching the intrigued look on the young wizard's face Dumbledore suppressed a chuckle and smiled briefly. Barnes looked at the two with distaste.

The few I recall were not amusing in the least... the Healer snapped.
And Mr. Potter, you should recall one of the incidences
quite clearly.

Both Harry and Dumbledore looked convincingly ashamed. With a snort of disdain Jeffrey turned back to his dozing patient.