A/N: Back to school. Maybe two or three chapters left in OOTP. Sorry this isn't longer, I was fighting this chapter the whole way.

Chapter Twenty-One-Reactions

Things were quiet in the Slytherin compartment of the Hogwarts Express. They were shocked over the article in the Daily Prophet proclaiming the mass escape from Azkaban Prison. Understandably the most subdued of the group was Torian, both his parents were on the list of escaped prisoners. Torian was scared they would try and claim him from his grandfather. Taryen Lestrange was a formidable wizard still, but would he be able to hold against three Death Eaters?

Rial was sober and quiet as he considered the implications of the article. In a rare, visible show of his mood he curled up next to Draco and rested his head on the blonde's shoulder. Draco didn't comment, merely wrapping an arm tightly around his waist. After a moment he spoke, not bothering to cover the slight shake in his voice. "How did they do it? According to the article, their cell doors were still locked! My father told me Fenrir Greyback's cell door was solid silver!"

The group looked nervous and upset. Rial couldn't blame them. This lot were probably the worst to have broken out, most of them were from Voldemort's inner circle. After a long moment Blaise spoke up. "It had to have been an inside job. One of the Aurors or Unspeakables had to have given a prisoner one of the keys."

"Yes, but which one? If they're high enough up in the Ministry's ranks they'll be beyond suspect," Draco said.

"I think we have something more important on our hands at the moment," Pansy said firmly. "With this breakout the prejudice against Slytherin is going to reach an all-time high. We need to have a meeting in the common room with Professor Snape. People like Torian are going to be especially at risk."

"I mentioned the same thing to Sev before he left the Manor," Rial said softly. "He'd Flooed in to speak with father. Dumbledore was grilling for information from inside the Ministry."

"Did yours and Regulus' plan work then?" Draco asked with a smirk.

"What plan would this be?" Torian spoke up for the first time.

"Rial and Regulus were trying to think of a plan to get our dear Head of House and Rial's father together," Draco drawled in reply.

"I would say it worked," Rial answered with a smirk. "After I Flooed back to the Manor from your place I walked in on them involved in a rather heated kiss. I daresay they continued it after I left them alone."

Pansy giggled. "So our dear Potions Master acted like a Gryffindor to get what he wanted, hmm?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if he moved in with you guys," drawled Draco. "Father says it's a fifty-fifty chance that he'll find Severus at Black Manor rather than Spinner's End."

"I wouldn't mind," Rial replied, "I like Sev. He's the first person at the school I really trusted besides you, Draco."

Draco had to work at it not to beam at Rial. Still, from the way his grey eyes glittered with pleasure he knew how much it meant to him. Rial turned to Torian and frowned slightly. "Torian, you have each of your classes with one or more of us, right?"

Torian nodded his expression miserable. He was scared to death that his insane mum and dad would take him away from his grandfather. Or worse, that they'd kill his grandfather.

"Then there's only one thing for it," Rial answered with a sigh. "I know you're not going to like this idea, but you can't go outside the dorms without one or more of us. There are students that would probably kill you just because of your mum. I know Neville Longbottom is in Gryffindor and he may feel he has reason to hurt you."

Torian merely nodded, only his eyes showed his dislike at the idea of staying with another student at all times. However, he was a Slytherin and he knew that what Rial said was the truth. Torian was a quiet little bookworm, he hated conflict. He would be an easy target for prejudiced students looking for someone to blame.

"On a more pleasant note," Rial beamed, "father told me that Dumbledore expressly forbade James Potter from sacking Severus. Apparently the old twit is still sane enough to know Severus wouldn't live a day if he was released from Hogwarts."

"Yes!" Pansy whispered, leaning back against Blaise in relief. "If we'd lost him I wouldn't have been surprised to see the whole of Slytherin house pulled. All of our parents know that Severus is the only teacher who treats us with any form of normality, even if it seems preferential."

The old lady with the trolley rolled by, the Slytherins simply ignored her. Severus had taught them all a useful charm for silencing small areas, the incantation was muffilato. They always used it on the train, no nosy Gryffindors would be able to listen in on their conversations.

"On an academic standpoint," Draco drawled, running his fingers through Rial's hair, "this is our OWL year. Are we going to come up with separate study schedules or a group one?"

"Group," Rial suggested. "But that would be difficult to arrange properly."

"Not really," Draco replied. "We'll just appoint each student for one class and they'll make sure they study that subject especially thorough. Then we'll meet together in the evenings and exchange notes. Provided that the appointed student did their job properly, we should have adequate notes for each subject. We can gather in an unused classroom to work on the practicals."

"When did you get so smart, Drake?" Rial teased half-heartedly. He was still trying to figure out how the prisoners had broken out. Suddenly he sat straight up, eyes wide. "Bellatrix," he whispered, horrified.

"What about her, Rial?" Draco asked, looking concerned.

"Before she married Rodolphus Lestrange she was a Black. Father told me she absolutely hates him, she considers him a blood traitor for decided to not serve the Dark Lord. Now that she's out, she'll come after him for sure."

Draco drew him into his arms, comfortingly stroking his dark hair. "If he's told you this he's well aware of the danger, Rial. Don't get yourself worked up about it now. There's no way you can fight a war on two fronts."

Rial looked at him oddly, not understanding.

"We've got James Potter and the school to deal with. If you start worrying about Sirius as well you're going to strain yourself to the limit. Trust him to know what he's doing. Quite frankly," Draco frowned, "I'm not sure it was the best idea for him to tell you this."

"He's my father, Draco! You'd be just as worried if it was Lucius!"

"I know," he soothed, "I'm not blaming you for caring. I just think he tends to forget exactly how much you worry about things. Just calm down, please?"

After a long moment Rial relaxed and placed his head back on Draco's shoulder. Pansy shot him a knowing little smirk and he scowled back. He was not prey to Draco's look of caring concern. He was NOT. And that was that.

Still, a little voice laced with sarcasm put in, Draco's about the only one you calm down for once you're that worked up.

Shut up, he told the little voice.

Mercifully, it did.