Severus folded his arms over his chest as the summer breeze billowed his robes. Quite likely, Harry and Draco didn't need him to stand here watching them say farewell to their friends, but Severus had spent too many years as a spy to completely give up his habit of observing everything around him.

He turned his attention to Harry. Black hair, mussed as always, the boy leaning in close as he spoke with Granger and the Weasley boy. Harry's expression was animated, his hands gesturing wildly, his eyes delighted. Severus couldn't hear what his son was saying, not over the general student hubbub, but it must have been amusing. A moment later, all three Gryffindors burst into laughter.

In direct contrast was Draco, his hair nearly white as the sunlight caught it. Impeccably groomed, not a strand out of place despite the breeze, Draco stood ramrod straight, nodding politely at the other Slytherins as they passed him to board the train. When Goyle walked past, however, Draco stepped forward and drew him farther down the platform. His expression earnest, his own gestures carefully modulated for maximum impact, Draco remained cool and composed as he quietly talked with his friend. Telling him, no doubt, what to expect from his summer.

Severus shook his head, watching all this. Sometimes Harry and Draco were like night and day.

On another level, though, his two sons were much the same. Wounded. Insecure. Reluctant to trust.

But all that had faded before Severus' eyes over the course of the year. Harry and Draco were coming along quite well, he thought. As well they should, for now they finally had . . .

Severus suddenly scowled as he stood there. They had, in fact, what he'd never had himself -- a father who truly cared about them. Loved them. Accepted them, flaws and all, and tried to help them grow past their failures into strong, responsible adults. What would his own life had been like, if he'd had a father like that to help him mature?

Would he have ended up a Death Eater?

Would you have been there back in November, Portkey in hand, waiting for a chance to rescue Harry? Would you have known what to do when your other idiot son brewed Venetimorica?

Smiling ruefully, Severus shrugged the past away. It couldn't be changed, short of using a time-turner, but considering how things had all come out, he wouldn't use one regardless. It was true, what he had told Harry back when they'd first gone to Surrey together. Even the most unfortunate of decisions can turn out well, when one takes a longer view of things.

Severus had believed that at the time he'd said it. He'd known full well that it was true. But now, he could feel that truth right down to his bones. He'd been to hell and back, as Draco had put it. He'd suffered, but now he was the stronger for it. Strong enough to help Draco resist the evil he'd been steeped in until just this year. Strong enough to guide Harry down the narrow path that separated justice from vengeance. Harry, who for a year now had carried the terrible burden of that prophecy . . .

Of course, Severus didn't fool himself that he knew every last thing his boys might need. Just look at how he'd erred in not insisting earlier that Harry get some outside help.

But by and large, he felt that his own past, ugly and vicious as it had been, had helped to make him into the kind of father Harry and Draco needed. And too, Harry himself had helped with that. Severus' old wounds had ceased to fester. Not all of them, true. But . . . enough.

If Severus couldn't quite forgive Hostilian, or himself, now he could at least look forward instead of back.

Harry was smiling as he waved a final goodbye to his friends. A brave smile, Severus thought it, for when the boy watched them climb aboard, he began to look a bit troubled. I need my friends, Severus remembered him saying, months ago. Severus hadn't believed it then, not fully. He hadn't wanted to. Fresh from the trauma of Samhain, exhausted from brewing 'round the clock, and ill-at-ease that he'd begun to care about the boy instead of just the war . . . Severus hadn't wanted Harry to need anyone but him.

But now, he understood more about his son's incredible capacity to love. And with that, he'd begun to understand more about himself.

Some of Albus' lectures must have taken root, after all, Severus thought. Spending time with Harry will be good for you, the headmaster had said as far back as October. And when Severus had scoffed, Albus had placidly continued, I know that your Occlumency lessons didn't go well last year, to say the least, but perhaps that's just the point. We all need second chances, Severus . . .

A second chance . . . yes, Harry had been that and more. No doubt Albus hadn't meant things to go quite the way they had. He hadn't intended for Severus to take Harry for his son, or for Harry to place his highest loyalty in his new family instead of in the headmaster himself.

"This won't be like your other holidays," said Severus. He wanted to lay a hand on Harry's shoulder, but out in public like this, it seemed best to remain reserved.

"I know." Harry sighed. "Just think, for once I actually want to see Dudley. It's a pretty strange feeling. I need to get my hands on another phone so I can ring him. Tell him we're in Surrey every Wednesday . . . uh, do you think the number'll be the same one as before?"

Severus raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Oh. I guess you're not exactly the right bloke to ask."

"I wasn't thinking of your cousin, in any case," said Severus. "I meant your friends. I know how important they are to you. You'll be able to owl them as much as you please, though as before, our post will go through Hogwarts rather than directly to or from the cottage. And you know already that your friends are quite welcome to come visit."

Harry glanced up, his mood changing like quicksilver, his eyes sparkling in a way that Severus recognised. Harry was about to throw out an idea he thought was brilliant. One Severus wouldn't much appreciate.

"Even Neville?"

Severus blinked. He'd braced himself, but Harry had still managed to startle him. "Neville. Longbottom."

Harry lowered his voice. "Yeah. Listen, with Fidelius and all, I know he can't come out to . . . uh, your place, but I thought--"

"Our place."

"Right. Our place," said Harry, grinning from ear to ear. "I like that."

So simple, Severus thought, to give Harry Potter what he needed. A real place to call home. A real family.

"Are you mental?" asked Draco as he strolled up. "Longbottom's not coming out to our place."

"Well, of course not. I just said he can't. But maybe we . . . er, I mean I, can go and visit him at his grandmother's, something like that."

"As if Severus and I would let you traipse off on your own. Honestly, Potter, haven't you learned anything this year?"

"Ehem," said Severus. "I do believe that Mr Longbottom has plans of his own for the summer. An extended trip abroad, in fact."

Harry looked suspicious. "Funny, he didn't mention any trip."

Severus could well imagine why. "He has, I understand, been rather supportive of your new family ties. Perhaps he was merely being diplomatic."

"Huh?"

Severus kept his voice casual. Smooth. "Well, Mr Longbottom certainly had complaints enough for my ears earlier this week. I've arranged for him to receive Potions tutelage from someone whose teaching style may be . . . more what he needs. In Austria, in fact. When I lent him several weighty texts to complement the instruction, he claimed I was trying to ruin his summer." Severus lifted his shoulders. "As if I would do any such thing."

Harry's jaw dropped. "You . . . helped . . . Neville?"

It wasn't wicked to enjoy that dumbfounded expression, was it? Severus almost smiled, but managed to hold the impulse in check. "Well. Perhaps there's a trifle more to education than learn by experience, after all. You should have heard the good doctor on the subject."

"Yeah, but . . . Neville?"

Severus did smile, then. Briefly. He felt, perhaps, the way Harry did when hearing he'd done well. "All his melted cauldrons aside, he was a great help to you last year. In the thick of battle, no less. I helped him in the hope that he might prove of use to you, again."

"To us," said Harry.

"Ah. Yes, to us."

Draco had been staring at the train as it pulled away. Now, he turned back to face his family. "Greg's going to join us, too," he said in a low, fierce voice. "He has to. I'm not going to let the Death Eaters have him."

"Draco has a saving-people thing," said Harry in a stage whisper, nodding sagely.

"Shut up. I do not."

"Do so--"

"For your information, I'm going to spend the summer lazing about and owl-ordering whatever my heart desires--"

"Are you?" asked Severus sharply, amused when Draco coloured slightly.

"Well, some," the boy backtracked. "But I'm also going to teach Harry to Apparate. No brother of mine is going to fail his license test. And we'll work on his spell lexicon. There's still a lot he needs to know."

"He's standing right here," said Harry dryly.

"Because you can't Apparate!" said Draco, flashing out of existence and appearing on Harry's other side.

It was good to see Draco laughing, Severus thought, and even better to see Harry join in.

"So, lunch?" asked Harry. "I know. Let's ask for some Cornish cream teas--"

"Speaking of tea, I do believe I'm late for mine with Albus."

"Good!" said Draco promptly. "Harry and I will be glad of a chance to wander the village a bit, eh?"

"You'll walk back to the gates with me and stay on the grounds. Hogsmeade can wait until we can all go together."

Severus turned his back, only to hear Harry sniggering. Quite likely, Draco had stuck out his tongue. Idiot child.

"Let's go explore the castle while Dad and the headmaster gossip about us over tea," said Harry.

"We do not gossip. We discuss," called Severus.

"Maybe it's Marsha he wants to discuss," called Draco in a sing-song voice.

Severus had heard enough of that sort of nonsense. He stopped walking until his sons caught up. "Would you rather explore the castle, or write the essay I'm tempted to set you?"

"Hey, I didn't say anything!"

"I knew having a teacher for a father was going to be an awful trial," said Draco, sighing theatrically. He actually crossed his hands over his heart. "But I'll bravely struggle on despite the blatant unfairness of--"

"Draco!"

"Explore the castle, of course."

Severus nodded. "Harry, as long as you stay with your brother, I would think there's no reason for you not to use that map."

Draco's eyes started gleaming. "Sounds good to me. Harry?"

Harry appeared to think it over for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. Thanks, Dad."

They'd reached the grounds of Hogwarts by then. "You'll find it on the mantle. Now, if you'll excuse me--"

"You knew we'd want to explore the castle straight away?" Harry looked up at him. "You left the map out in advance?"

"I know you," said Severus. No-one was around now, except Hagrid in the far distance, working in his garden. Severus laid a hand on Harry's shoulder, and another one on Draco's. "I really am late for my tea with Albus. I'll see you both for dinner later."

"All right." Harry nodded.

Draco just smiled a little.

"Be good, then," said Severus, turning down the path to a side entrance of the castle.

He heard both boys chuckling as he walked away.

------------------------------------------------------

“Severus, right on time,” the headmaster declared.

The Potions Master abruptly cast Tempus. “Albus, I’m just over twenty minutes late.”

“Nonsense, my boy,” Dumbledore replied with a wave of his hand. “I naturally allowed for the departure time of the Express and the time it would take for you and the boys to stroll back to the castle.”

“Naturally,” Severus murmured as he took his customary seat. The elderly wizard filled their teacups with a flick of his fingers. Severus inhaled the aroma and quirked an eyebrow. “Mint?”

“I thought something invigorating was in order. We’re not merely celebrating the successful conclusion of another year. You’re trading your usual summer of quiet research for family holiday with two teen-aged boys--soon to be men.” Albus raised his teacup in salute. “This shall truly be a summer like none other.”

Severus rolled his eyes. The headmaster had no end of hackneyed phrases. “This entire year has already been . . . singular, to say the least.”

As Albus chortled his agreement, the two men drained their cups in contemplative silence.

Soon, however, the headmaster snapped his fingers. At once, the pretence of a simple tea was dropped. In addition to a lovely fruit salad that winked into existence, finger sandwiches appeared, neatly arranged on a silver platter. But these sandwiches contained heartier stuff than cucumbers or watercress. Severus was pleased to note his two favourites – lemon chicken salad and tiny meatballs with olives. In addition was a real treat – a frosted crystal bowl of shrimp remoulade.

Both men knew the real purpose behind these meetings. Now that Albus was proceeding to “feed him up,” as he liked to put it, Severus complied by loosening his tongue.

“You’ve outdone yourself today, Albus.” Severus smiled as he filled a china plate, edged in silver and green no less. “Another tribute to Slytherin? You’re even wearing green.”

“Ah, yes. I do so love new robes. Wang Ping included them as a thank you gift with our last order of tea leaves for the school. She’s such a pleasure to do business with.”

Severus hid a grimace as he said in a diplomatic tone, “She truly knows your style.”

Dumbledore actually preened a bit. No matter that the robes were a ridiculously vivid emerald green. The Mandarin collar and frog closures weren't too extravagant, Severus decided, but the elaborately embroidered dragon frolicking with a matching phoenix amid colourful swirls of flame . . . the whole thing glowed so brightly that he had to avert his eyes from the shiny display.

"There is another colour besides black, you know, Severus."

The Potions Master merely lifted his chin. “As you know, I'm planning to stay on at the school for a short while. Normal end-of-term tasks have been neglected due to the Ministry's insane ideas about how to ruin my perfectly sound Potions curricula." Severus sighed. No point in going over all that again. Albus knew his views. "Originally, I'd thought to use the first two weeks of summer to complete my notes on the progress of the students in my house."

"Originally? You've changed your mind, then?"

Severus nodded. "I think it might be best to bring the paperwork to Devon. You'll have it much later than usual, but this way, I can work on the Wolfsbane project while I remain in residence. I anticipate inviting Lucinda to join me here. Her latest research shows promise.”

“Splendid idea, my boy! I’ll have some rooms prepared for her straight away.” Albus tapped his fingers together. “Do you suppose she’d prefer a view of the forest or the gardens? Then again, maybe she would want to stay in the dungeons. They’re cooler for the summer and she wouldn’t have to walk far to your lab. I could conjure a direct link with the library. She'd like that, I think. Oh, and I shall have to invite her up for tea--"

"Why don't you just lodge her next to you?" asked Severus in a dry voice. "Since you appear intent on flirting with the woman."

"No such thing, my boy, no such thing. But you know, the castle's largely deserted over the summer. I wouldn't want Lucinda getting lonely. Oh, no indeed . . ."

“Albus, I’ll not have you mucking up my research time with this nonsense! Besides, I haven’t even owled the woman yet. She might be busy.”

“Bah,” Dumbledore grinned, his whole expression radiating anticipation. “Never too busy to help Remus. And by the way, there's a difference between flirting and merely being a charming and gregarious host. Oh, but as you've never once put yourself out to be a charming and gregarious host--” The headmaster smothered a laugh. "No, no, I shouldn't say that. You've worked wonders with those boys of yours. And dare I say, they've done the same for you?"

The Potions Master snorted. "Why not? You say it every time."

"Good. Then we're agreed." Albus rubbed his hands together. "Lucinda. It will be good to see her again."

“Just don’t let Draco and Harry witness your . . . exuberance," warned Severus. "Those two have developed an insidious obsession with match-making.”

The headmaster beamed. “Oh, that's quite understandable. They do both love you. Surely you can’t begrudge them the desire to see their father happy."

"I am perfectly happy," said Severus, ignoring the way the word set oddly on his tongue.

"Or their longing for a mother," Dumbledore prattled right on.

Severus felt like he might choke. Longing for a mother? Honestly! "Draco has a mother, Albus," he pointed out. "I doubt he wants another."

The headmaster just kept beaming. "Perhaps you should follow their cues, Severus. It wouldn’t hurt--”

Severus bared his teeth, seeing now what he should have seen before. “I knew it!"

"Knew what, my dear boy?"

"Your meddling truly knows no bounds, does it? Harry mentioned that you’d engaged Maura Morrighan to teach Defence next year. I honestly couldn’t imagine why." His voice went dark and menacing. "Until now, that is.”

“Why, whatever can you mean?" Dumbledore, Severus noticed, was doing his best to look innocent. "As I recall, you were the one who first suggested that Maura could prove an asset to the Order.”

“She's a fine asset to the Order. That doesn't make her fit to teach." Severus' nostrils flared. "Honestly, Albus, I’m not altogether sure the woman is even literate!”

Dumbledore chuckled. "Oh, that's just professional jealousy."

"You know perfectly well I've no real interest in teaching Defence. I wouldn't want the post even if it wasn't cursed." Severus paused. "Is Maura aware of the curse?"

"See for yourself. Accio Maura’s letter.” Dumbledore handed a roll of parchment to Severus, who held it in one hand while eating.

"You see, she has indeed put quill to parchment before," Dumbledore teased when the other man looked up.

After skimming the missive, Severus tossed it onto the table. “She misspelled attributes and sincerely.”

“Perhaps you could tutor her in the evenings in the privacy of your quarters. I'm certain the two of you have a good deal in common . . ." Albus' voice drifted off, his eyebrows raised. "Mmm?"

Severus didn’t dignify any of that with a reply. Best to simply get off the topic, he decided, though he was so annoyed that another didn't occur to him until he'd finished the last of the shrimp.

"So, Lupin. One must hope his dangerous masquerade will at least yield something in the way of useful information. And so?"

Serious again, Dumbledore leaned forward. "All indications point to a quiet summer, even on the Continent. In fact, Remus has communicated the most interesting tidbit to me. It seems that Voldemort intends to subject himself to Muggle medicine."

For a moment, Severus merely stared. "Muggle Medicine!" Then the truth dawned on him. "Ah. Bone marrow. Interesting."

The headmaster shrugged. "From what Remus has been able to gather, it doesn't sit well with Voldemort that Harry produced that blast on Samhain. He does realise it was Harry's doing, now, quite likely based on the way Harry ejected him from his mind that once. He must suspect that something's happened to transform Harry's magic."

"And thanks to that horrible uncle of Harry's, he knows all about the extraction." Severus shook his head. "I did think that Voldemort might put two and two together eventually, but given that he knows Harry was without his magic for an extended time . . . I find it hard to imagine him taking a risk like that."

"Yes, well, he's never been known for sane thinking, really," murmured Dumbledore. "By the way, Remus asked me to tell you that his mark shows no sign of diminishing in power or appearance, let alone spilling magic."

Severus thought of the vat he'd drawn it from, all those extra marks he kept growing and slicing off his arm. "Well, if he begins to think it's losing potency, I certainly have more I can part with. And as for spilling magic, once it was merged into his skin--that was a rather tricky bit of magic--" Dumbledore acknowledged the unspoken thanks with a mere smile. "The mark seemed to stabilise well enough." Severus' own smile was grim. "Imagine it. We could arrange for several more false Death Eaters, should we wish. I've quite a few marks stored away by now."

"Ah, but that would be terribly wrong. Not everyone is as strong in the Light as Remus Lupin. The temptations alone . . ."

Severus quietly snorted. "You want me to laud Lupin, now? You're as bad as Harry."

"Severus, he was just a boy when he nearly attacked you, and that wasn't his fault in any case. Not one bit of it. Isn't it time to let that go?" Dumbledore gentled his voice still further. "And he has been an asset to us, all along, doing his part. You know that, now."

Time to stop letting old wounds fester . . . One more, at least. Severus did his best to make his shrug seem unconcerned. "Very well. I suppose that Lucinda will work much better with me if I seem less antagonistic toward her kin."

"Seem?"

At that, Severus glowered. "Don't push it, old man."

Dumbledore laughed. "You always did have a delightful sense of humour, Severus. But actually, I thought that thinking through the ramifications of Remus' present mission might assist you to write the curriculum for your new course. How is that coming along?"

"It isn't," said Severus, his tone blunt. "But I will get to it in the summer. You know my views. It's high time we offered such a course to the seventh-years."

"You just want to have your sons in class twice as often."

Severus' voice was droll. "Yes, and Longbottom as well."

Dumbledore beamed. "Ah. Well, there is that. It's good of you to take it on, in that case. But Severus, don't spend too much of your holiday writing summaries of the Slytherins or preparing your for your new class. Find some time to spend with your boys. I think you'll find . . . they just grow up so fast."

The Potions Master nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, I have plans in that regard. With Voldemort likely to remain relatively inactive while he heals . . . I suppose that all sorts well. I'd have hated to keep the boys hidden away for their entire break. Though, I still think it wise to avoid exposure in any wizarding communities. I do believe that we shall make some excursions into Muggle Plymouth, as that area is virtually devoid of magical interaction.”

“Exeter would be even safer, or perhaps one of the smaller towns.”

"True, but Harry has commented more than once that he'd appreciate some outings to the seaside. He'd like to learn to swim properly--"

The headmaster scoffed. "The Second Task, Severus. Harry hardly needs swimming lessons."

"Actually, he does. He speculates the Gillyweed helped him avoid drowning on that occasion, Albus. He's never had a swimming lesson in his life." Severus' voice grew scathing. "His relatives were hardly going to part with money to provide such a thing. Not for him."

Albus slowly blinked. "I see. A pity. A terrible pity. I wish I could have done things differently, Severus. I had only the best intentions."

Severus knew that. Nodding, he brusquely continued, "At any rate, Harry has dropped several enthusiastic hints about the attractions in Plymouth. The beaches are likely the least of them. I think we'd all find some enjoyment there, though I'll no doubt have to brew a rather strong sunscreen potion for Draco."

The headmaster smiled, very slightly. “Speaking of enjoyment, I’ve saved the best for last. We'll finish our tea with a very special treat.”

Severus rolled his eyes, but smiled behind his napkin. “Albus, you know I’ve no taste for your impossibly sweet confections. Most of them are hideous."

Severus absently wondered if that was Albus' own attempt at matchmaking. No doubt, it would do Draco good to find someone who could help him forget the trauma of loving and losing Pansy this year, not to mention the heartbreak of knowing the girl had never really loved him at all. Still, the idea that Miss Granger could be the one . . . that was laughable at best. She was stuck like glue to the Weasley boy. And for all Draco's growth away from strictly pureblood ideals, he was hardly a liberal thinker in that area. Severus frankly couldn't imagine Draco falling in with a Muggleborn witch.

Dismissing that matter, Severus looked down at the small bowl before him. The presentation was clever – a hollowed peel of a lime had been partially transfigured into the form of a gelato dish. When Severus lifted the spoon up, he found that that bottom half of the utensil was fashioned from a smooth, hard piece of a lemon sherbet.

Severus' eyebrows quirked. “How very Slytherin of Draco, incorporating his professor’s favourite candy into his . . . Potions project.” By the end, Severus' voice had gone just a trifle dark.

Dumbledore appeared not to notice that. "Well, we're all a mix of houses, you know. So it shouldn't shock you too much that the spoon was Miss Granger’s idea. And what a lovely idea it was. The gelato is delightfully tart at first bite, but with that spoon to counter it . . .” Smiling in appreciation, the headmaster picked up his own bowl of dessert.

The Potions Master tasted a spoonful and nodded thoughtfully. It was quite good. He thought to himself that it might be amusing to ask Draco to prepare a dessert now and again. “Speaking of Draco, I did want to thank you for awarding him those points at the Leaving Feast. Not just on behalf of Slytherin, either. I do believe that rewarding him thusly will encourage him to continue to follow the new path he's forged this year.”

Dumbledore looked a little abashed. But then again, it wasn't every day that words of thanks emerged from Severus' mouth. “I know that I was sceptical at first, Severus, but I’ve come to expect great things from Draco. He has much to offer and he appears to be fiercely loyal.”

Severus couldn’t help but sigh softly. He’d hoped the headmaster would come to see both his sons as more than just assets to the war.

As if reading his mind, the headmaster added, “And too, I must admit I’ve grown fond of the boy. He has quite the rapier wit. And his bent for sarcasm . . .”

The Potions Master smiled, knowing his son’s tongue was nearly as sharp as his own. “I was surprised you didn’t reward Harry as well. Not that I’m complaining.”

Dumbledore shrugged. “I knew he wouldn’t begrudge Draco his triumph, whereas Draco would have been terribly disheartened to have his deeds this year overshadowed.”

“Indeed. I do believe you must have been reading my Muggle psychology book.”

Dumbledore laughed. “No, just remembering what it was like to be young.”

As the two men enjoyed a companionable silence for some minutes longer, Severus found himself reflecting on what youth was like. For once, though, he wasn’t focusing on traumas and regrets as he thought about Harry and Draco. Instead, he was wondering just what part of the castle they might be exploring.

“Am I keeping you from something, my boy?”

Severus felt heat rising to his cheeks. “Not at all, Headmaster. It’s only . . .” He paused, feeling foolish.

“I understand,” said Albus, nodding sagely. “I hope I’ll see you soon. All of you.”

Severus rose from the table, but paused halfway to the door. “Albus . . . I don’t suppose you know where my sons are at the moment?”

“I suggest you ask the portraits and after that let instinct guide you. That’s what I always do.”

After following the directions of six paintings and a tapestry, Severus was delighted to hear familiar voices echoing down a dark hall. His face split into a relieved smile. It wasn’t that he was worried about his sons being on their own in the castle – far from it. The truth was both simpler, and more profound.

Rediscovering the dusty secrets of the castle with Harry and Draco and the map . . . it was simply too much fun to resist.