title: Summer Lessons
chapter 11 Of Tea and Tears
author: Raven Dancer

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

The manic giddiness of the afternoon gave way to a long evening of despair.

Dumbledore eased himself into the overstuffed easy chair and waved on the lamp. His book, The Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll, remained firmly on the coffee table. The absolute quiet of the moment captured his attention as he strained to hear anything from the Potions Master or Healer.

Not that the silence wasn't welcome. The ragged crying was wearing. Unable to comfort his friend he was in the unfamiliar position of waiting on the sideline.

He was not used to waiting on the sideline.

So he'd puttered in the den. Straightened all the books and parchments on his desk. Written and ripped up three separate letters to the Hogwarts staff regarding the beginning of the year preparations. Poured a snifter of brandy that set untasted by the book.

Contemplated if using the Avada Kedavra was really so wrong.

In another part of the house Remus plumped pillows on the sofa. The room was spotless. As was the loo. And the bedrooms. He and Dobby had gone so far as to wax the entry way floor.

With a mop.

No magic.

The werewolf looked about for something else to do. Hmmm. Maybe it was time to check on the boys. Again.

He slipped down the hallway intending to go to the bedroom where he'd left Harry and Draco playing cards. Harry had offered to teach Draco the muggle game called poker. On the way he decided to stop briefly by the closed kitchen door. It was very quiet. Lupin gently pressed an ear to the wood and held his breath.

Nothing.

He wished he had the legendary hearing werewolves were suppose to have. It would make things much easier for him!

As it was he did not hear the stocking-clad feet move across the kitchen floor nor the sound of a dormant body being levitated along. The first thing he heard was the quiet creak of the door opening. Second was his face-splat. Third the raspy snickering from the floating body.

How nice of you to drop in Remus, Jeffrey Barnes intoned formally. Lupin rolled and glared.

I was just checking on you, the werewolf ground out.

We're wonderful! Barnes replied cheerfully.

the Potions Master huskily whispered.

Better still after we get some potion for that throat of
yours! Barnes smirked. He was graced with a sour look from his patient. In retaliation the Healer pulled the stressed body closer and pulsed warm energy into it until Snape sighed deeply relaxing into the embrace.

the healing wizard whispered.

No problem Severus, Barnes whispered back. He turned and maneuvered the floating body out of the kitchen leaving a disgruntled werewolf on the floor. Before Lupin could offer to help they'd disappeared into the loo.

Doors opened as the rest of the house's inhabitants emerged.

Is Professor Snape ok? Draco asked.

Where is Severus? Dumbledore interjected.

I don't know and in the loo with Jeffrey, Lupin answered quickly. Harry nodded and then pushed past them into the kitchen while the other three looked speculatively down the hall

I doubt either wants company... Harry spoke from the kitchen. He checked the teapot and finding it still hot began to pull cups from the cupboard. Draco joined him next having decided the Gryffindor was right. He opened the refrigerator and rummaged around for a snack.

Dumbledore and Lupin remained in the hallway. They knew that the boy was right, that they would not be welcome in the loo. In fact, they might end up in the loo. Yet they waited until the door softly opened and the Healer appeared with the ill professor behind.

Barnes inquired softly. Would you mind giving me
a hand? The Headmaster was off like a shot down the hall.

Lupin watched until the three had disappeared into the bedroom. With a sigh he entered the kitchen and began supervising tea.

Although Dumbledore had been allowed to help settle the Potions Master into bed he was not invited to stay. He joined the tea party then the entire household retired to bed. Privately each wizard was sure they'd never fall asleep.

It came as a great surprise that not only had they all slept, but slept long and deeply waking well after mid morning. The smell of bacon cooking drifted into expanding consciousness and more than one was greatly suspicious about the tea consumed the previous evening.

Suspicions confirmed by a smirk on the Healer-turned-cook's face.

Good morning! Would you like some breakfast? Barnes exuded innocent warmth.
We've just made a new pot of tea...

Lupin snorted and cast an inquisitive look at the pot in question. Still, he poured out a cup and settled at the table next to Snape.

Hi Severus. Did you sleep well? the werewolf asked ignoring the Healer.

Of course I did, growled the Potions Master. Jeffy saw
to that with his little tea additive. Now Lupin glared at Barnes' back.

I wondered about that, yawned Draco as he secured the seat across from Snape.
But since Harry was pouring last night I just assumed it was
just tea.

I didn't think Dr. Barnes would put stuff in the entire pot! Harry said in his defense.

Jeffrey is a latent Slytherin, Snape remarked sourly before sipping his cuppa. Draco snickered.

You all were very stressed last night, Barnes said in his most officious tones.
It is well within my jurisdiction to make sure all elements in
my patient's environment are healthy.

Ooooh, so now we're elements, Lupin sneered.

Mmmm. I'd say one of the gasses, Snape commented dryly.

Nobel of course, Dumbledore retorted with a smirk. He received a withering glare from the Potions Master.

They settled down to breakfast. Barnes proved to be adept at cooking. He managed to produce a strange dish called french toast he'd had somewhere in America.

Snape raised a lip in sneering disdain at the food placed in front of him. The syrupy, egg-soaked bread smelled vaguely of vanilla. The bacon was crisp and lean. The melon bright succulent orange.

In short, it was perfect.

Snape did not deserve perfect. He felt soiled; certainly not clean enough to be sitting at the table eating with these people. He picked up the cup of hot earl gray tea and sipped gingerly. The tremor in his hand made it difficult not to spill. Hunching down he ignored the plate of food.

Jeffrey noted his patient and quietly nudged Lupin who moved without question. The young Healer pushed the chair snug against Snape's before sitting down.

I know you were hungry Severus, Barnes murmured.

Not hungry now, Snape replied stiffly.

You're rather unsteady. Let me help you a bit, the Healer said as he supported the cup. The Potions Master lifted his eyes to meet his Healer's. It was simple to see the despondency welling up from within.

Shifting slightly Barnes came closer putting an arm over Snape's shoulders sharing some warmth and comfort. Tea was set down as a small bite of french toast was raised for a trial.

Dumbledore watched for a long moment. He was worried about his friend... Fragile, so fragile. But he had the best of care with Jeffrey and his father.

Albus also knew that Severus was a very private person and did not like spectators. So the Headmaster turned his attentions back to the rest of his house guests.

Remus, you will need to go pick up Mr. Weasley and Ms.
Granger today, Dumbledore began. This caused Barnes to raise his head.

We seem to have a pretty full house right now Albus, the Healer countered, unwilling to bring more into his patient's life.

But they're at risk Jeffrey! Harry jumped in immediately.

So is most of the wizarding population and a great deal
of the muggles as well, Barnes pointed out calmly.

Potter has a point, Barnes, Malfoy chipped in. I'd think that
striking at his mates makes sense. Since Dad's... since they
lost Professor Snape... The young man came to a stop.

Since I was rescued they'll want some sort of revenge. Lucius
would want to get back into Voldemort's graces, Snape began surprising everyone at the table.
Taking Ms. Granger or Mr. Weasley would provoke Harry, he turned to look the youth in the eye and drawled, I'm certain you
would rush out to save them in typically foolish Gryffindor
fashion. Necessitating another equally foolish rescue! he turned his glare to Dumbledore.

The Headmaster knew the Potions Master wanted an excuse to turn his feelings of worthlessness outward and yell at all of them for their efforts on his behalf. Instead Dumbledore smiled benignly and affected a slightly guilty countenance.

Yes, Severus, I do agree with you. Young Harry would
undoubtedly rush off to aide his friends, Dumbledore acquiesced completely. Potter began to sputter like an unattended tea kettle. Malfoy elbowed him into submission.
Which is why I feel they should come here. Being Harry's
closest friends they are at the greatest risk.

And fill the house with childish giggling and pranks no doubt, Snape huffed.

No doubt whatsoever, Malfoy intoned morosely earning a raised eyebrow from the ill man.

You will be leading the pack Mr. Malfoy! Snape declared keeping a stern visage as the younger Malfoy denied the assertion, then his face softened slightly.
Only a Slytherin could best that lot. The two Slytherins shared a knowing glance.

Yes, I suppose I would be leading the pack, Draco smirked.

There must be some ground rules Albus! Severus is
recuperating and needs peace and quiet, Barnes rallied. He might have lost the battle but the war was still raging.

Of course, Jeffrey! I certainly don't want my own home
turned into a muggle three-bracelet circus! Dumbledore said brightly.

Ring. Three-ring, Lupin muttered to no one at all.

Before another volley could be launched Snape leaned shamelessly against the Healer and raised exhausted eyes to him

Jeffrey? I'm hungry, the Potions Master moaned with just enough pathos to convince everyone, sans Draco, he was going to collapse from lack of food. Barnes immediately resumed tucking bites of melon and toast into his patient's mouth while Lupin freshened up his cuppa tea.

While the Healer was occupied Dumbledore finished his interrupted conversation with Lupin. Soon the werewolf was off to collect two more house guests.