A Change Of Seasons

"I dont need to tell any of you how grave this situation is. Should young Mr. Malfoy be allowed to return at this time to his father, there's no telling what Lucius will do to him now." Albus said in a worried tone of voice.

"Agreed. I know Lucius, and though I doubt he will kill Draco, he will not allow him to refuse the mark, and he will be brought to Voldemort to be 'pured' of his thoughts and feelings. I've seen it before." Severus said nearly shuddering at what he had seen in the past, and what it did to the victims.

"What can we do though Albus? The ministry will tear this place apart if they think we're hiding Draco, or if we dont turn him over right away. Lucius wont rest until he has Draco back in his clutches." Remus said glancing at Draco sadly. Though he never got on well with the boy, even he didn't deserve this, and especially for Harry's sake.

Albus looked at Draco thoughtfully, thinking the same thing. "Draco, is there anyone a'toll that you know of that would shelter you for a short time until we can deal with Lucius?"

Draco thought about that for a few moments, but then shook his head. "Sorry Professor, but everyone I know either is a deatheater themselves, or a child of one. My family is out of the question, they're all too afraid of my father to not turn me over to him immediately to try and score good points with him." he said with a ragged sigh.

"Well it's clear on one point, Draco cant stay at the school Professor. Lucius would find him somehow, even with all the secret passages and rooms in this place. All he'd have to do is threaten some house-elves or something and he'd find us." Harry said quietly thinking.

"Us? I dont recall you needing to be hidden as well Harry." Albus said catching on that word right away and looking at Harry.

"Yes, US Professor. You dont think I'm going to leave Draco to his own defenses by himself do you? Wherever Draco's got to go, I'm going to...and I know none of you are going to stop me." Harry said in a matter of fact tone, his eyes blazing incase someone should argue it with him.

"Harry are you sure it's wise? Once Lucius discovers Draco is gone it will be bad enough, but to find you both missing at the same time, could have grave consequences." Remus said worried for Harry.

"Nonsense Remus. Lucius would expect it almost I think view of the circumstances. I dont think Harry would be any safer here when Lucius comes then Draco would be. We all know it's really both of them he's after, and he'd be more then happy to attempt something while he's here on Harry's life for taking his son from him." Severus said heatedly.

"Unfortunately I agree with you Severus. Harry would not be safe here either, which in a way will make things easier." Albus said however a knock on the door interrupted them.

"Excuse me Professor Dumbledore, but there's someone..er.." Minerva began.

"Yes yes, I sent for him, let him come in please thank you Minerva." Albus said with relief. "I do believe gentlemen, our answer then has arrived."

Minvera didn't return, instead someone else walked through the door. Or rather something else in the shape of a giant black dog.

"Snuffles!" Harry jumped up, and letting go of Draco's hand ran over to hug the giant dog. "It's so great to see you, I've missed you!" he said happily.

The 'dog' then transformed into Sirius Black, unregistered animagus, known 'criminal' and godfather of Harry. Hugging Harry back just as happily, he said, "It's great to see you too Harry, missed you too. Remmy! Great to see you old man, doing well?" he said going over to give Remus a hug as well, then walked over and sat down at a vacant chair next to where Harry had sat back down. Seeing Severus, he nodded at him. "Snape." he said in a controlled voice. Turning his gaze to Albus now he said, "You sent for me Albus?"

"Thank you for coming on such short notice Sirius. I sent for you because there is a small issue we need your help on, and hopefully you will oblige me in this matter. Originally I had thought for your input, however there is now a change in circumstances and I will need to ask more of you then I thought." Albus said in wary voice.

"You know I'm allways happy to help in any ways I can Albus, what's wrong?" Sirius said with a concerned tone.

Albus turned his eyes to Harry. "Harry, I know this will be difficult, but can you please tell your godfather everything that has happened since you first spoke with Remus and Severus this morning? Anyone else needing to add anything, please feel free to step in as well." he said glancing at the others in turn.

Harry nodded and began, telling Sirius everything that had happened since that morning. He hesitated at first, unsure if he should be telling him however about Remus and Severus's 'relationship' again, but luckily Remus stepped in and took over at that point, apparently not a'toll afraid to finally be able to tell Sirius what he had meant to for quite sometime, that he was indeed back together with Severus. Sirius of course didn't take that all too well, and gave Severus a look that meant all too well he wasn't happy of his best friend and his worst enemy having this 'relationship', however Remus was an adult now, and who he chose to accept as a lifemate, wasn't any of Sirius's concern at the moment.

Harry picked the story back up when he went to talk to Draco and found out everything, then finished up with Albus taking them all to his office. He only left out a few 'unimportant' details, such as the intimate things that had been transpired between himself and Draco in the room, and of course, how they had both 'disturbed' the two professors. Some things even his godfather just didn't need to know.

"And that's where we are at right now Sirius. Obviously Draco and I cant stay at school, so we're at a loss where else to go, or what to do next." Harry said with a sigh.

Sirius thought all this over for a few minutes, even getting up and pacing the room to think. Noone said anything, just watched Sirius pacing back and forth wondring what on earth he was going to come up with that they couldn't. Finally Sirius broke the silence.

"First things first. Draco, much as I still find it hard to believe you aren't what I thought you were, if Harry cares for you this much who am I to go against the grain. Both of you have to hide, quickly and possibly for more then just a day or two. If I know Lucius and how his mind works a'toll, he wont give up in just a day. This could take days, weeks, who knows with Lucius. Are you both willing to give up that much time out of your lives...together?" Sirius said glancing from Draco to Harry and settling his eyes back on Draco.

Draco looked back at him coolly. He had given every reason to have Sirius hate him all these years, and he certainly didn't blame him that he thought Harry wasn't good enough for him. "Black, I am not my father, I never wanted to be him. Ever. I promise you, swear it on the grave of my mother, that I would never hurt Harry. I...I love him, and if he died, I would even at my own hands. School means nothing to me without him, and I would kill my own father if I had to, to protect him." He never took his gaze off Sirius's, and his voice showed all too well that he meant every word he said.

Sirius was a bit surprized at the veracity in which Draco spoke, but realized Draco was very serious bout what he said, and he really would kill Lucius if it ever came down to it. Turning his gaze to Harry now, he asked, "Harry? This is what you want?"

Harry didn't even need a second to think it over. "Yeah Sirius, I do. I love Draco too, even if neither of us really know what that means yet, I know I would die without him in my life now. Please Sirius...help us." his eyes begged, though his voice was firm.

"Well then that's settled. I have an idea, though you may not exactly 'like' it, I can see little alternatives. My plans are quite simply really, but I'll need help, from the two of you." he said turning his gaze to Severus and Remus.

They both nodded to him. "Just tell us, and we'll do our best Padfoot." Remus said.

"Allright then. This is what I need. Severus, from you I will need the "Reforma Potion", several vials. Yes I know, before you say anything that it's not exactly 'legal' to have them, however I've never known you to stay on the legal end of things anyway." he said chuckling as Severus tried to interrupt him.

Severus looked at Sirius coldly. "As it happens, I do have one vial in my personal stores. I will have to make more of the potion however, which takes nearly a day's time. I will also need ingredients. Albus, someone will have to make a trip to Knockturn Alley for me then as I cannot leave at the moment, and these ingredients are not purchasable in Hogsmeade. Will this be a problem?" he said peering at Albus.

"I think I can have that arraigned Severus. I have a few contacts that might be willing to do that for me yes." Albus replied.

"Good, the rest of it you can deliver via owl. Get a little extra just incase this takes more time then hoped for. Now, Remus, from you I need something very simple. a "Sphere of Warding". You still have the one James gave you back then I hope?"

Remus looked a tiny bit surprized but nodded. "Yes I do have it still. I'm surprized you remembered though Paddy, that was almost 30 years ago he gave it to me. But what for?" he asked still surprized.

"I might have lost a few other memories Moony, but I never forgot that blasted Sphere believe me. Not to mention you were ecstatic bout having it for nearly 2 weeks straight!" he said grinning as Remus chuckled. "Anyway, why I need it I cant say just yet, I dont even know if I will need it or not, but it's definitely a handy tool to have on hand."

"Um Sirius? What exactly is the "Sphere of Warding" anyway?" Harry asked suddenly.

"Ah, well, it's err..difficult to explain Harry, but believe me, if I have to use it, I'll explain it then. All I can say right now on it is that it's something you should never mess with, unless absolutely nessaccary. Call it a form of 'protection' okay?" Sirius said smiling at Harry.

"All this is very well grand Black, but you haven't told us what you're really planning yet. Care to clue us in now?" Severus said in his satiny voice.

Sirius gave Severus the normal 'I-hate-you-even-if-you-are-shagging-my-best-friend' look, and turning back to Albus, told them what he had in mind.

"Certainly I had it in mind not to keep the children away from some form of 'education', albeit in a way they might not enjoy at the moment. Though I cant see how Lucius would think that Draco and Harry would end up anywhere else but Hogwarts, it's possible he could comb the surrounding areas, if not all Scotland, Ireland and Britain to find them. He'll check every magical school known in existence even if his hopes are that grand." Sirius said, and everyone in the room knew he spoke truth on that.

"Ahh, I think I'm beginning to understand Padfoot, hence the reason for using the Reforma Potion?" Remus said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Sirius nodded to Remus. "Exactly. A vial of it can change a persons entire external looks, however I dont want to necessarily do that. A few drops here or there can change just enough. Hair colour, eye colour, skin tones...you get the idea. However the problem lies in that doing it that way, a bit at a time, needs a 'refresher' every 6 hours, and a normal vial will only hold enough at the moment for the small changes, for about 2 days. Hencewhy I trust your noteworthy potion making skills to assist us Snape." Black said though not in a conciliatory tone, almost more in a complimentary one.

"As I said, I will see what I can do. If I can get assistance today, I will begin it today. What is the rest now of the plan?" Severus said actually surprized Sirius had given him a compliment, even if it was a struggled one.

"Ahh, now here is where it gets tricky. As it happens, currently I am 'residing' in my animagus form, in a town called Coxley, outskirts of Glastonbury back home in Britain. It's large enough that people shouldn't question a new 'human' arrival, but not small enough to make it too obvious either. Though I have little to no experience in this area, I was thinking that a widowed man, raising two 'sons', who needed some peace and quiet after the 'death' of his 'wife', wouldn't seem too out of place. Since I would be recently widowed, I can say we had some money saved and hence why I am home with the boys, rather then out working. The boys will go to a muggle school, or it would look odd why I would keep them home."

"A muggle school?! Are you nuts?! Me in a...a...muggle school?!" Draco said angrily interjecting.

"Draco...Draco dont you see...Sirius has a good idea though! I mean, Lucius would think to check all magical schools, but never in his wildest dreams would he think we'd be going to a muggle school! Really they're not that bad though, I did go to one for my first 11 years remember, and it might be interesting to go it without Dudley round chasing me all the time!" Harry said, almost excited at that prospect.

"But..but I dont know the first thing bout muggles Harry! I mean, I've hardly been to the muggle world, how am I going to act?" Draco said not quite whinging but definitely not that thrilled with this idea.

"Dont worry, we'll manage, I'm sure of it. We'll come up with something anyway." Harry said taking Draco's hand and giving it a little squeeze of assurance. "Besides Draco, we'll have each other, and that's all that matters." he said softly to him.

Draco sighed, "That's bout the only good side of this whole stupid idea." Draco said squeezing Harry's hand back and more then grateful Harry would be going with him on this little 'venture'. "Allright Black, I'll go through with this, but lets just hope it's not for too long."

"Agreed. Believe me, if I thought there was any other way, I'd run with it boys, but I really dont see one. We have to get as far away as possible without leaving the UK completely, and unnoticeable enough to pass muster and fool Lucius. This really is the only plausible and feasible way." Sirius said looking at each boy sadly. He knew how much leaving Hogwarts behind would hurt them, their friends and studies, but somehow he would make it an adventure to remember. After all, he wasn't a marauder for nothing!

"If there is nothing else then, I suggest everyone gets moving and quickly. Draco, Harry, your classmates are currently occupied in Transfiguration by now. Much as it pains me, I feel it is best Harry you did not speak with Mr. Weasley or Ms. Granger before you leave. It could complicate matters." Albus said knowing that was going to be hard on Harry, but needed for security.

"I know, I wish I could though, it's going to kill them if they think I just vanished into thin air without a word of explanation." Harry said dejectedly.

"Do not fear, I will give them both very plausible reasons for your sudden departure. I take it they are not aware of the relationship between you and young Mr. Malfoy?"

"No, it's well, been a recent development you could say." Harry said blushing.

Albus nodded. "Very well then, I will say nothing that will make them more suspicious then they will be. I'm sure I can come up with something to make them at ease however. As for the staff, they will be told the same story I tell Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger. It's best that only Severus and Remus know the truth for now. Now, both of you quickly pack and meet back here in my office in half an hour, no more. Since both of you are aware of the spell to shrink items, I suggest using it to carry your own trunks, and not leave it to the house-elves."

Harry and Draco nodded and quickly left the room to go get their things. They separated at the grand staircase hallway, each heading towards their common rooms, each hoping beyond hope this plan of Sirius's would work, and they would be safe. Neither of them really wanted to leave Hogwarts, but they knew they had little, in fact, no choices now. Lucius was out there, waiting, and very very dangerous, and they both knew how ruthless he could be when he truely was angered. He would stop at nothing to gain access to them both, and in a heartbeats time would turn them over to his lord and master Voldemort. And that was something that neither boy, nor any of the 4 adults would allow, not for all the galleons in the wizarding world.

"It'll work Albus, it has to. I swear to you all I will take good care of them." Sirius said determined. This was alot of responsibility for him, but he was ready to do what it took for his godson, even if that meant the person his godson had chosen in his life.

"We know you will Sirius, or I wouldn't have put my confidence in asking you now." Albus said softly.

"You better Black, anything happens to Draco you'll be answering to me personally." Severus said with a growl. He did trust Sirius, not that he was going to admit that to anyone, except maybe Remus later on, but he wasn't about to let Sirius Black know that.

"Dont worry Paddy, I know you'd never let anything happen to Harry, or Draco. I know you're not keen on Draco, anymore then the err...situation between Severus and myself, but love is funny like that sometimes Padfoot. You cant help who you fall in love with, it just happens that way." Remus said gazing a very revealing look at Severus.

Sirius actually grinned, it was so strange to see one of his best friends and original marauder give that look to Severus Snape of all people, but Remus had been right. They weren't children anymore, they were adults, and it was very clear to Sirius that Severus did make his best friend happy, so why fight it any longer, he'd done enough of that back when they were all children here at Hogwarts. From the unguarded look on Severus's face towards Remus at that precise moment, apparently it was a relationship that really was for the best.

Clearing his throat to get attention, he said now, "Severus I'll need that vial if you would? And Remus, the Sphere?"

Both men nearly jumped out of their chairs then, and with quick "Be right backs" headed off in their separate directions to collect what Sirius would need, causing both Sirius and Albus to chuckle.

On a more serious note now, Albus turned back to Sirius saying, "Unless it is urgent, I trust communications between us will be short and limited. I will need the address of where you will be, it will be in my memory, not paper. I will not use owl post to send you the vial, however I do have other means to do so. Trusting that Severus will be able to finish it tomorrow, you will have it by nightfall. Until you receive word from me that it is safe to return, take care of them. Do not if possible let them fall too far behind in their magics either, but in theories, not use. The use of magic is of course detectable in the muggle world, I dont need to remind you of that."

Sirius nodded, "Of course, I wont put them in danger. I assume however they will be bringing their textbooks, so I will try to cover what I can meantime. They will need proper catching up when they return no doubt."

"They're both smart boys, I'm sure they will have little trouble there. Remember though it will be difficult for Draco to adjust at first, do your best to get him adapted to muggle ways, though I am sure Harry will oblige on this as well."

Sirius chuckled, he had no doubts there. It was odder infact to see Harry with Draco then Remus with Severus for all it was worth. Severus might have been the greasy git that he always was to him, but he knew he wasn't really all that bad underneath, after all he was a spy for Albus and the Order. But a Malfoy, that was a fly in the treacle. Malfoy's were evil, no two ways bout it, and it still threw him how Draco could really be so unlike his father. Time would tell though, time would tell. Everyone else did seem to trust in Draco Malfoy, and he would unless proven otherwise.

Noone would ever harm Harry if he had his way, no matter what the costs, even his own death he would give to save Harry's life. To all intent purposes, Harry was his 'son' now, not just in this little ruse, but in everything else, and he would never let James and Lily down again.

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2002-02-26 11:16:24 AM