The trip to Madrid was delayed, briefly. The three boys were crowded around a book about the city when an alert went off, warning Severus of a floo call being made to his house on Spinners End. Lucius nodded to him - he would take care of things here at Dragonsrest, as necessary. The floo call was likely from Albus, and may - or may not go well.

Severus quickly apparated to his lab at Spinners End so he would appear to have already been there when he approached the floo. The old, ugly furniture was still in place, but there was no hiding the fact that his books were gone. Albus would see through any illusion and be even more suspicious.

He walked to the floo, hoping the Headmaster was in a hurry, and wouldn't bother looking - or ask to see Harry.

"Severus, m' boy." Albus started jovially. "Gringotts sent a letter asking for Harry's key. Are you in need of money for him?"

"Not at present, but I'm sure that he will need it at some point. Is that a problem, Albus?" Severus' eyes narrowed.

"No, I have the key, here - but why bother, if you only have him for the summer? They Weasley's will likely have the lads when you come back to Hogwarts in the fall - or whenever they boys get to be too much - I'm sure they would take him earlier." Albus twinkled at him, half expecting Severus to shove the boys through, at once.

"What are you blathering about, Headmaster?" Severus answered, controlling anger with difficulty. "Harry is staying with me - I am his guardian if you recall."

"Yes, yes." Albus agreed, hurriedly. "But you have your duties to the school, and the boys can't be left on their own, can they?"

"Petunia should be well enough to leave the hospital and take charge of them during the school year." Severus watched Albus carefully; he had to steer cautiously between satisfying the old coot's questions, and not giving too much information.

"She's going to live?" Albus brightened. "Well, they can resume their residence in Surrey, and all can go back to as it was." Excellent! Harry would be back among muggles for the year, and not too much damage would have been done.

"Hmm, unfortunately Petunia has no wish to return there - where she was almost killed. She wants a house elsewhere. We can cross that bridge when we come to it, though." Severus answered calmly, although he was seething at Albus' highhanded attitude toward Harry's guardianship - Severus was Harry's guardian and would remain so whether Albus liked it or not. "In the meantime Harry will need clothing and likely more books. It is summer and the lads wish for excursions, as well..."

Albus took the hint, and sighed. "Of course, of course." And he tossed the key through the floo. "Let me know when the new house needs warding for Harry." He frowned a bit, a change of address for the Dursley's and Harry wouldn't be all bad, the muggles on that street had seen too much, if Aurors or any of the Order asked around they would likely get an earful. A new address would be best.

Severus thought he had got away cleanly, when Albus noticed the empty bookshelves. "Great Scot! whatever happened to your books, Severus?"

Luckily Severus had had a few minutes to plot. "I've moved them, the house-elves are going to enlarge this place - I've needed more room, even without the guests. I don't want my books damaged by errant elf-magic."

"Aaah, good luck with the building - elves can get odd ideas." Albus snickered. "Let me know how things go."

Severus grimaced and the firecall ended to his relief. He apparated back to Dragonsrest, feeling a bit like he had dodged a curse.

Lucius and Harry listened to his retelling of the conversation with concern while Draco and Dudley were arguing over whether to go to a bullfight while in Madrid.

"He wants to give me to another family?" Harry asked, alarmed. He liked it here with Severus! He was getting quite attached to his scary guardian. He was quite sure that no one would dare harm him if it meant they had to cross Severus to get to him.

Severus looked at him, noting the anxiety. He felt warmed that Harry didn't look all that anxious to be removed from his care. "It won't happen, Harry. We're dancing around the issue with Albus, at present, to buy us time. But, if necessary, we'll all stay here on the Reserve to avoid them. Yuan said he could send us to other Reserves, if we need to flee the British Isles altogether."

Harry peered into in Guardians eyes. Dudley thought them a bit scary. Harry was never quite sure what Severus was thinking - his guardian had an excellent poker face, for sure - but the fathomless darkness of his eyes didn't frighten him. The jet black eyes always looked protective and concerned when his guardian spoke to him, and he just knew that Severus wouldn't let him down without a hard fight.

Harry smiled at Severus' answer, "I know you'll keep us safe, Severus. I just wish this Headmaster person would just let us be."

Lucius and Severus snickered at hearing the great Albus Dumbledore being referred to in that way.

"He did give me the key to your Gringotts account. It's the account your parents set up to keep you in money for Hogwarts, and an apprenticeship afterward. There is plenty in it for any foolishness like Quidditch or the like." Severus smiled at Harry's delight. "The Norris Accounting firm will have the keys to the other three vaults - They one belonging to the Potter family, and two other personal vaults of relatives who left them to you, when they died."

Harry looked stunned at the idea that relatives would leave him anything. He looked down at the small key Severus had handed to him. "I'll take good care of it, sir."

Severus summoned Tinker and told him that his house in Spinners End would have to be enlarged - as he had told the Headmaster he intended to, and with his luck the old meddler would check.

"Just tear down the houses I own that are still up - build one like Dragonsrest - perhaps a bit smaller - only 4 bedrooms and set it back from the street. If you have time, today, a wall around the entire property would be good." Severus smiled as the small elf nodded happily.

A knock from the floo was heard, and Severus opened it to let Rosemerta in. Draco had seen her before on trips to Hogsmeade, but Harry and Dudley ogled her a bit.

"Whoa, Severus scored a babe, Harry." Dudley whispered to Harry, although he wasn't quiet enough for Severus to not hear him, and it earned him a glare.

"Rosemerta, allow me to introduce my wards, Harry Potter and Dudley Dursley. Harry, Dudley this is Rosemerta Christie." Severus eyed the boys sternly while they shook her hand and said their ‘pleased to meet you's'.

Rosemerta looked the two over, Harry and his cousin seemed polite. Their eyes were full of curiosity, of course. She smiled, they likely wondered about her and Severus. She looked over at her stern lover with a grin. He put up a good front, but she had wormed her way past that, like any good Hufflepuff would.

When her fiancé had broken their engagement off, and she had dissolved into tears and misery at her own back door, she had been horrified to be discovered by anyone. But Severus had handed her his handkerchief and before she had known it she'd poured her heart out. He had sympathized, but offered no pity, to her relief. She had soon looked forward to his visits, and then their dates. She liked his dry, sarcastic humor and their easy-going relationship with few demands from each other worked quite well.

She looked back at the boys with a small grin. Of course, with kids now in the mix, that might need adjustment. At least these didn't require nappy changes.

Lucius held out the portkey - a parchment with runes scrawled on it and they each gripped an edge. Lucius spoke the activation word and they found themselves in a sunny street in Madrid that had wizards and witches chattering and roaming in it.

"This is Brujeria Rio, its like Diagonalley - you can find almost anything you need here, magically. There was a river near here that once had magical creatures living by it. That is why they call the place Sorcery River." Severus explained.

Lucius cast a temporary translation spell on all of them, so speaking Spanish would not be a problem, and agreed to meet for a late lunch at the restaurant next to the Madrid Gringotts branch. Lucius and Severus set off for the Madrid Dragon Reserve and the boys and Rosemerta set off for the shops and sightseeing.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Lucius and Severus apparated away from the Madrid Reserve with elation. They had copies of several books they had found in the reserve library, and hopefully the answer to the problem they were faced with.

They approached the restaurant, and saw the boys waving at them excitedly, pockets full of shrunken bags and packages. Rosemerta was looking tired and a bit disheveled, but Severus was relieved to see she was still smiling.

The boys were all talking at once, listing the sights they had seen, and the various trinkets and things they had bought. Lucius and Severus let the chatter wash over them as they ate the very good food in the open air restaurant. The trip was obviously a success, and everyone was feeling quite smug.

"We went to the Prado museum and there is a great park called Buen Retiro with a glass pavilion with a lot of plants that I didn't recognize." Draco enthused.

"We showed him how to ride a bike - it's the best way to see a park like that." Dudley said with a bit of a smirk. Draco scowled - he could fly like a hawk on a broom. Who'd have thought a muggle bike could be so difficult to master?

"We found an old map at the ‘Alfonso Ojeda' antiques. Rosemerta cast a spell that found some with old magic on them. Draco said you might like them." Harry pulled out the shrunken package, and gave it to Severus.

"Thank you, Harry - that was very thoughtful." Severus smiled at Harry's pleased grin.

Rosemerta lean over and spoke to the men. "Harry had a bit of a shock at a shop selling familiars we stopped at on the way back. Draco was showing them the reptile section and there was a very pretty indigo colored snake they admired..." She hesitated and then continued. "Harry spoke Parseltongue to it. Luckily neither Harry nor Dudley thought anything of it, and Draco hushed them before anyone else noticed. I told Harry to not do that any further, until he speaks to you. The other two will also keep quiet until told otherwise."

Rosemerta told herself - she may have been a Hufflepuff, but she hadn't run a pub frequented by rowdy wizards without finding a stiff backbone and she did not flinch from a little thing like finding her boyfriend's ward - who happened to be ‘the Boy Who Lived' - also happened to be a parselmouth...at least she hoped she didn't.

Rosemerta noticed the two wizards stiffen and glance at each other and then her. Their Slytherin masks of cool indifference sliding into place.

"I'm sure it is nothing to worry about." Severus said cautiously. "He likely got the ability from ‘You know who' when he got the scar. We really don't know all that happened that night."

Rosemerta eyed him a bit skeptically. "I'm not jumping to conclusions about the boy - but you know that others will."

Lucius and Severus nodded at her and grimaced in agreement.

The teenagers wolfed down the food after their strenuous outing and were soon ready to return to Dragonsrest. The rune covered parchment was pulled out and they all took an edge, as before.

The boy's packages were all resized, and they trooped with Rosemerta to the living room to relive the day and crow over their booty.

Severus resized the old map of Europe and smiled. It was quite handsome, done in the old-world style. There were definitely runes and glyphs mixed into the letters surrounding the map. He would frame it and place it in the library - even if it had been cheap and worthless he would have done so - it would give Harry a sense of belonging to the house, have things he had bought in the place.

Lucius peered at the map as well. "Interesting runes - I'll have to look up the meaning."

Severus rolled his eyes. During Hogwarts Lucius had eaten, drank and breathed runes - only to find out his father would not let him pursue any ‘tawdry career' in them. Lucius had been crushed. With his father dead he had taken his interest back up, although not with the same enthusiasm. Abraxas had beaten much of that out of him - literally.

Lucius and Severus once again entered the library and shut and warded the door.

"We'll have to have this done and under control before September, Lucius. You will be able to keep an eye on things during the school year, especially if he becomes the boys tutor and Draco joins them. If the dragon magic works, we can start at once." Severus, once a target was in sight, never liked to put things off.

Lucius nodded. "If there is a dragon dying soon, we should take immediate steps. I've found binding spells we can use, if needed. The wizard's oaths we have come up with should take care of it, though. He's only a teenager - he's undoubtedly crafty and strong even now, but the two of us should be able to turn him around."

Severus nodded in agreement. "He's had no parents or real family to ground him. If we both work on him it should not be too late to instill our values into him. I questioned Rigel carefully. He said that dragons always come close to the compound center to die - the others tend to stick close to them to give them comfort during this. He said there is a very old - 5 centuries, at least - Hebredian Black that will likely die in the next few days. We should approach him carefully tomorrow."

Lucius nodded. "We should take the diary with us - that should explain much to the dragon, if they are as wise as we believe." They both nodded, satisfied, and eyed the cabinet with trepidation.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The Malfoys left before supper, Lucius citing a pile of post-divorce paperwork awaiting him, and the others waved them off with wishes of ‘good luck with that!'

Rosemerta kissed Severus goodbye, to Harry and Dudley's embarrassed snickers. She had a pub to get ready for the evening rush. Severus did his best to not have a somewhat sappy look on his face, as she left. From Harry and Dudley's grins he was afraid he was unsuccessful.

Severus looked sternly at the pair as they sat for dinner. "The owl I received this morning at breakfast was from the Healer looking in on your mother, Dudley." The boys were abruptly very serious. "She is doing quite well, he says. She has been moved from the intensive care unit to an intermediate care ward. They still keep a close eye - but she is in a regular room. He said we could visit if we keep it short." The pair looked eager.

"There is also the issue of the funeral for Vernon - it is a couple days away. The coroner and police are finally done with him. Apparently your Aunt Marge is taking care of things regarding this. You may attend if you wish, of course." Severus watched Dudley's suddenly grim face.

"I need to think about it." Dudley muttered, picking at the food morosely. He wanted to go, but he could only imagine what his Aunt would say.

Severus nodded, understanding his reluctance. "I have no intention of you attending, Harry, unless you have strong feelings otherwise." Harry shook his head emphatically.

The suddenly dour meal perked up a bit with the house elves strawberries and cream. The boys cleaned themselves up afterward, and Severus side-along apparated the pair to the hospital chapel. He was lucky the small alcove was apparently rarely used. Taking both boys at once had tired him.

The Healer had given him excellent directions, and they found the room without difficulty. Severus saw a bouquet outside another room, and grabbed a rose from it. He quickly replicated it into two dozen. He gave each boy a dozen and changed the colors to white and pink. The awestruck boys just said 'cool!', and marched proudly into the room bearing their gifts.

Petunia was looking a bit less pale, but her struggle to live showed strongly in the sunken cheeks and eyes. The boys smiles faded a bit, but she managed to lift her arms to them with a smile. The two rushed to her sides and each got a hug. Dudley cried a bit, but Harry and Petunia just smiled at each other - two conspirators who had pulled the impossible off.

"I'm proud of you for getting you and Dudley to Severus - I know he was too distraught to get there on his own." She whispered. Harry grinned back at her.

"Harry does know how to think on his feet." Dudley agreed through sniffles.

Petunia looked at Severus "Are things going well, the lawyer - Angus and his assistant Roger have visited a few times? They gave me a key to a vault - but I think you should hang on it, Dudley may need it." Petunia was already tiring, Severus could see.

Severus took the proffered key. "He won't really need it until next year, but I'll keep it safe for you. We're dancing around Albus, but so far all is well." Severus gave her a small, tight smile that she interpreted correctly - battles would likely occur in the future, but don't say anything in front of the children for now.

The roses found homes in vases Severus conjured and the boys chattered about dragons and Madrid for half an hour, and then Severus pulled them away.

"We'll return, but Petunia needs her rest." Severus told the reluctant boys, and apparated them straight from the room to Dragonsrest.

The boys stumbled to bed, exhausted from the visit to Madrid and the hospital. Severus was sure they were asleep before their heads hit the pillows. Severus sat, for a time, at one of his bedroom windows, looking out over the Reserve. Lights twinkled, and there was an occasional roar and flames from an irritated dragon.

He hoped he and Lucius were doing the right thing. He had mulled the idea over for several years before pulling Lucius in on it. He had, of course had to wait until Lucius was on Harry's side of things.

Severus watched as a pale-colored dragon launched into the sky. Likely an Antipodean Opaleye - they don't usually come here - a dragon rider from elsewhere must be visiting he mused, then chuckled. The boy's enthusiasm had apparently rubbed off. He went to bed still turning the problems over in his mind.