Hello again, my darlings. The pace is about to pick up even, though the chapters might be on the smaller side because that was the best place to stop. On the plus side, this gives me a little buffer for posting. (Yay!) Especially, since the Facebook group I am a moderator for MUSE is hosting a Valentine's Day fest and I am focusing on my little story for there. (I am 80% finished.) As always, I own nothing and I adore all of you for reading.

Chapter 37

Judging that at least one of her parents would still be up by the clock, she began searching. She found Lucius in one of the smaller sitting rooms. "You know one of the advantages of a smaller house is easier location of family members, just saying."

Lucius chuckled, "I see you've returned home, my treasure. Modern inconveniences aside, when our ancestors built this house, sons moved their wives in, rather than moving out with them. Large houses allow for privacy in those instances. Most likely Draco's wife will join us someday. As you might join Theo and Thoros."

She nodded, "Wealthier muggles do something similar sometimes. Does not change the fact that hunting someone down can be a chore."

"You can always ask a house elf."

"I know, but I hate troubling them for something so trivial."

"But the trivial makes then feel needed, important. So, let them. Of course, you can do these things yourself, but asking them lets them feel like you depend on them."

"Just because I understand, doesn't make it any easier. I like to think I'm improving."

"You are, my treasure, you are." Lucius sipped his drink. "I assume young Theodore is well."

"He is. He had a small come apart at the idea of his father's elf finding us unchaperoned."

"While Theo's elf will not report his comings and goings or guests, much like Winky does not report yours unless given permission to, Max, Thoros's elf would tell Thoros everything. Now, that said, Nott Court is one of the places Lupin cleared you to go. So, any concerns raised won't go far."

"Theo seemed freaked out. It does seem late for visitors." Hermione remarked.

"Indeed, my treasure, I believe I may summon your bodyguard and go visit your beau myself." He finished his drink. "As you said it is rather late for visitors not cleared for the floo or apparation."

"Let me know what happened when you get back."

"Of course." They left the room together, one headed to the fireplace, the other to her bedroom.

Remus readily agreed visitors at the door seemed rather suspicious. Just as they reached the floo, it roared to life. The head of a panicked Fudge thrust through. "MALFOY! LUCIUS! Lucius!" bellowed the minister.

"Cornelius, calm yourself." snapped Lucius.

"We have an emergency, a catastrophe, really. You have to come at once. There has been a breakout from Azkaban."

Lucius frowned. "I'm not an auror, Cornelius, summon them."

"I don't know what to do, Lucius. How am I supposed to deal with this level of disaster?"

Lucius rolled his eyes and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Contact Madame Bones and authorize the aurors to do what they need to apprehend the escapees. By morning Amelia will have the situation assessed and can address the Assembly. Go from there."

Fudge nodded. "That makes sense. Yes, that's what I'll do."

"I feel sorry for Amelia." Remus said quietly.

"As do I." Lucius turned to face the werewolf. "This complicates things. Before I thought it might have been overzealous aurors hassling Theodore since Thoros is away. Now, I worry it might be escapees."

"How should we handle this?" Remus asked.

"Instead of a show of force, perhaps you should pop over, pretend to be looking for Hermione. Assess the situation, see if he needs help." Remus nodded and headed through the floo. Lucius opted to find Hermione, tell her of the change to just Remus going, and head to bed.

After learning of the change of plans, Hermione decided to give Remus an hour before sending an owl. In the end, she fell asleep curled up in her window seat. Cheerful sunshine woke her early the next morning. Winky entered her room the moment she stirred. "Master Lucius says Mistress is not to be fretting. Everything is being fine as it can bes. Everyone is to be talking at breakfast." Winky gave her a stern look. "But you is to be showering and dressing first."

Despite her deep desire to learn more about last night, Hermione took her time getting ready. Given the early hour she doubted answers would be forthcoming anytime soon. She took an extra long in the shower and with applying her makeup. She killed as much time as possible, she took the most indirect route possible. She hoped that by the time she arrived at least one of the adults would be awake.

She found all four adults awake and waiting at the table. Sirius and Remus had heaping plates of a full English breakfast, while Narcissa sipped her morning cup of tea. Lucius appeared to have finished eating some time ago. "Good morning, kitten. We expected you at dawn, banging on doors and demanding answers." Sirius teased as she sat down at the table.

She fixed herself a plate before looking at him annoyed, "When no one roused me last night, I assumed it meant that Remus had a very late night, and would be sleeping in." she replied primly as she began eating.

Remus chuckled, "She is well on her way to being another Narcissa."

The aforementioned witch raised a questioning eyebrow, "Are you suggesting that would be a bad thing, Remus?"

"Never."

"Mm hmm."

"Being a commanding with is a commendable quality."

"So, now I'm bossy?"

"I never said that." he protested.

"No, you implied it, which is worse."

Remus looked over at Lucius, the blond wizard struggled to keep a calm facade. "I'm not going to win this am I?" Lucius shook his head, unable to speak without laughing. "I should quit before I dig myself in too deep, shouldn't I?" Lucius nodded. Remus sighed, "I humbly apologize for any ill feelings my insensitive remarks may have caused."

Narcissa nodded regally, "You are forgiven, this time."

"If you're done playing with Cissa, we should collect the boys and discuss last night's events." Sirius drawled.

"Something big happened, didn't it?" Hermione asked. "Something bigger than just unannounced visitors at Theo's?"

Lucius nodded, "Events with long lasting effects, my treasure. But rather than repeat this conversation, we're going to have a combined family meeting."

Narcissa nodded, "Mxy, would you please collect Draco, Harry, and Dudley, please."

The house elf popped out of the room, returning minutes later. "Kreacher wills be sending his young masters. Young master Draco wills be on his way."

"Thank you, Mxy." The elf bobbed her head and departed.

The three teenage boys straggled in, taking seats at the table. "Oh, eggs." Draco began heaping scrambled eggs onto his plate. Harry followed his example.

"You look nice this morning, Hermione." Dudley told her with a smile.

"Thank you, Duds."

Draco looked up and frowned. "Why are you so fancy?"

She shrugged, "I woke up extra early and took my time getting ready."

Draco opened his mouth to retort, but Lucius interrupted. "We have more pressing issues than how appropriate Hermione's makeup is or isn't. She does indeed look lovely, by the way." He smiled at his daughter, who beamed back.

"Does this have to do with Theo's visitors last night?" she asked.

"It does."

"You went to Theo's last night?" Draco's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "While his father is still away?"

"Focus, Draco." Hermione snapped. "Who was it?"

"Rookwood and Travers." Remus said quietly.

"They're in Azkaban since the end of the war." Draco protested.

"They were until sometime yesterday." said Sirius.

Lucius nodded, "Madame Bones has aurors investigating the how and hunting them down."

"Rookwood and Travers wanted to look through the Nott library for a book. Theo managed to delay them by playing dumb to their identities and convinced them to defer to Thoros's discretion once he returns home."

"Did they tell him what they were looking for?" inquired Harry.

"He did not press them for details." replied Remus.

"This does mean everyone needs to be more vigilant. Be aware of your surroundings, even in the muggle world." Sirius told them.

"Do you really think they would lower themselves to hide in the muggle world?" Hermione questioned.

"I cannot imagine those zealots being willing to stoop so low." Draco said.

"Never underestimate the lengths some people will go to." Lucius told them.

Narcissa chuckled, "Now, that said, I agree it is unlikely they will be hiding in the muggle world. Being pureblood elitists, none of them know how to navigate it."

"Riddle would." Harry remarked.

"But would he really?" Hermione questioned. "He left the muggle world completely behind by 1944, 1945 at the latest. While the wizarding world has barely changed in that time, the muggle world is vastly different. The Muggles Studies class is a joke, anyone with even a nodding acquaintance with it can see that. Not that any of that bunch would have taken it. His information would be horribly outdated."

"You don't think they could hide there?" Dudley asked, sounded a bit nervous.

"Not successfully, no. You know as well as Harry and I do, how difficult navigating a different culture can be. They would stand out."

"Until we know what's going on, and if any of us are at increased risk," Lucius glanced at Harry, "we need to take some precautions."

Sirius nodded, "As of this morning, Black Cottage is unplottable. Bellatrix never visited there, it was too open and muggle for her branch of the family. No offense, Cissa."

"You're not wrong, Siri. Until you took the boys there I forgot it existed. As much as it pains me to say this, Dudley probably shouldn't visit Malfoy Manor. We cannot hide the manor, and my sister would kill him on sight if they come to call." She gave him a sad smile.

"I would rather stay away and live, Narcissa." He returned her smile.

"Everyone capable of it begins occlumency lessons today." Remus told them. "And everyone, Dudley included, starts practicing dodging spells. The best defense against anything is not being there."

Harry nodded, "Standing in one place while someone fires spells at you always seemed kind of stupid. Like lining up and waiting for the other army to shoot you before you shoot back." Hermione and Dudley snickered knowingly, but agreed. Dudley quickly explained muggle styles of warfare, causing the blond to chuckle and agree to the logic of moving.

Before long a routine formed. The teenagers spent the mornings training with Sirius and Remus at Black Manor, a remote estate both unplotted and under fidelius charm. The sweeping grounds granted them plenty of room for combat practice. Afternoons belonged to them to do as they wished. Some days Hermione spent the afternoon with Theo, other days she hung out with other friends. Harry divided his time between friends and Tracey. Dudley often went to visit nearby school friends, and occasionally a secret girlfriend. Any attempt at questioning ended with, "We're seeing if we still like each other by the end of the summer before we say anything. And even then, I'm off to school for most of the year."

"That's very pragmatic of you, pup." Sirius clapped him on the shoulder.

"My life is complicated now, no sense in trying to explain this insanity, or what little we can explain, if this is just a summer fling." He shrugged.

"That's it." Harry stood up and grabbed Dudley's arm. "We're going out to do something irresponsible and fun, like normal teenagers. You've spent entirely too much time with Hermione." He dodged the first pillow she launched at him, but not the second, as he dragged Dudley from the room.