Draco exchanged a swift glance with Harry. Very swift. Funny how he knew what his brother was thinking. When it came to Potions, Severus wasn't really a Quidditch dad, but he wasn't that far off, either. Not that Draco would say as much to Severus.
Harry obviously knew better than to, as well, since he quickly changed the subject. "What about Laura Madley, then?"
Good. A topic Draco felt more in control of. "This is no time for your saving-people thing, Harry," he said, not caring if his words sounded like a lecture. It would be just like Harry to go and do something foolish. Something Gryffindor. And that wouldn't do. "We don't even know if she needs saving. Right, Dad?"
"There's certainly reason to doubt it. The article mentioned a custody battle going on at present. A rather ugly divorce, with Family Services involved--"
"So, there you are then."
Severus kept right on talking. "However, both parents have sworn under truth serum that they have no information about the young lady's whereabouts."
Draco scoffed. "Well, they probably don't. Whoever has her in hiding has an accomplice who can alter memories. Simple."
"Bit scary you think of that straight away," Harry put in. The prat.
"Please. It's what happened with Belladonna, more or less."
"Yeah, but we don't know that it's what happened here--"
"There may be more to these disappearances," said Severus, "though we have nothing to base suspicion on, at present. However, you may rest assured that I will inquire if Lupin knows anything, later today."
Harry sat up straight, his posture fairly good, for once. "Today?"
"Yes, I'm due to meet him at Hogwarts this afternoon. And no, you may not come."
"But--"
"He'll still be under the influence of Polyjuice."
Draco could see Harry turning that idea over in his mind. The other boy slouched forward, again, resting his forearms on the table. "I understand, but I can handle it--"
"Harry, no," said Severus in what Draco thought was quite a stern voice. He reached across the table, as though to lay a hand atop one of Harry's, but Harry pulled back, out of reach. At that, Severus' voice softened. "It's not a good idea. It really isn't."
To Draco's shock, Harry suddenly stood up and held out both his arms, twisting them so that his inner arms were on full display. His green eyes were blazing as he raised his voice. "Afraid I'm going to start in on myself, are you? Well look, would you? I haven't been doing that, not in weeks and weeks--"
"I know you haven't," said Severus in an odd tone, which made Draco wonder if there were some monitoring spells in use. Or some other magical means of surveillance. Merlin knew, Severus wasn't afraid to keep tabs on him. "But that doesn't mean that additional stress is a sound idea. Wouldn't the good doctor agree?"
Harry scowled and flopped back into his chair. "Yeah, she might. But what does that mean, except that you both think I'm completely messed up?"
"All it means is that you aren't beyond human. We've discussed this before." Severus' voice was almost soothing as he said that, Draco thought, but it became more businesslike as he continued. "Besides, Harry, Lupin and I have some rather critical work to do, to help him survive his current assignment. He doesn't need the distraction of a friendly face."
"Oh." Harry drew in a big breath, though strangely, he ended up looking deflated. "Well, if it'll help win the war, then yeah, all right. But tell him I said 'hi.' Tell him I'd like to see him. When it's, you know, feasible."
"You'll see him again," said Severus, reaching out for Harry's hands again. That time, Harry let him. "But it will have to wait until it won't interfere with his duties to the Order. I think you know that."
"Yeah, I know that."
Draco waited until it looked like the father-son moment was over. "As long as you're carrying messages . . ." He had to swallow before he could go on. "Could you ask him how my mother is, Severus?"
"I will do that, yes." Severus glanced at him, his dark eyes intense. Darker than usual, perhaps. "Of course I will, Draco."
Draco sighed, wishing she would visit. It was out of the question to let her know where the cottage was, of course, but wasn't there any way for them to meet on neutral ground? Or at the very least, she could write. Couldn't she?There were ways to sneak letters about without her "husband" knowing. Not that Lupin would care, but he had to act as though he would care.
Which might make Narcissa shy away from even trying, Draco glumly supposed. This wasn't an emergency any longer. He wasn't a young man set completely adrift from any source of funds, not now. Though he did wonder how she could know that. Had the werewolf mentioned something about Draco getting hold of Sirius Black's fortune? But how would he have known?
Too much time thinking about things like this gave Draco a headache.
"I don't think the Prophet should put so much stress on bloodlines," Harry suddenly said, shoving aside his empty plate. Odd, Draco hadn't noticed him polishing off every last trace of the egg and toast he'd been served. Which only went to show, he decided, that he'd been lost in thoughts of Narcissa for a good while longer than was probably wise.
"They should just report a vanished child!" Harry went on, clearly warming to his theme. "Why do they have to mention that Laura Madley is a half-blood? Only a half-blood, that's what they mean!"
"Oh, that is not what they mean," said Draco. "They're just reporting the relevant facts."
"How is that remotely relevant?"
Draco wasn't sure; it just seemed like it should be. "Er . .. well . . . maybe they're trying to say that the Muggle authorities are also working on the case."
"At the very least, the information may be useful in establishing a pattern," added Severus, which rather annoyed Draco, since he should have thought of that. "For all three missing students to be half-bloods may be significant. I will ask Lupin if he's heard of any plans involving students."
"Wouldn't he have reported it already, if he knows anything at all?"
"Anything critical, certainly." Severus gave a wry smile. "He's not at liberty to contact us very often, as you know. Arranging this afternoon's visit, in fact, was far from simple."
Harry nodded and sighed, looking like he was trying to think of another topic. He found one, too, actually popping open the letter box that Draco had shoved to one side. "Nothing from Hermione?"
"Does it look like there is?" Draco drummed his fingertips on the table. "I almost wish I could stay here and wait."
"Why can't you? I know you were worried about me at first, but I can mange in the water, now. And even if I couldn't, I'm sure Roger's not about to let me drown."
"Yes, well watching you flop about in the water isn't the only attraction at the pool. Rhiannon'll be there, and I wouldn't miss a chance to see her for the world." Draco lifted his chin. "The world. I don't care how angry she still is. Even seeing her from a distance . . . it's like a cheering charm. And I could use one."
"All right, all right. Didn't mean to get your wand in a knot." Harry dedicated himself to his tea after that, Draco noticed.
For his part, Draco was still hoping for a letter. Or for Granger to simply show up. What was wrong with her? Didn't she know how to use a Portkey? That didn't explain much, though. Draco knew she could use a quill. Or more likely at this time of year, a horrible plastic pen.
Draco stared at the letter box, willing it to produce something. It remained empty, though. It was still empty when they Apparated away to Exeter.
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As it turned out, going to the pool wasn't like a cheering charm at all. Rhiannon wasn't even there.