Draco rolled over in his sleep, dreaming that he was playing a super high scoring Quidditch match. There was a "GONG" for every point scored, and apparently his chasers were having a great day, because the gonging was nonstop. Suddenly, Draco realized he wasn't dreaming—that noise was real. But, why would there be—Draco sat up abruptly in bed. All the uncertainty and emotion from the night before came rushing back. He could tell Daphne had awoken as well—his fear was miniscule compared to the raging fear and anger coming from her side of the link.

How are you feeling? Draco reached through the bond tentatively.

Like I was given a potion without my consent! When I get Ahold of you Mr. Malfoy you will rue the day—Daphne shrieked through the bond.

Woah. Me? I would NEVER risk that—I'd have to live with our bond after I'd betrayed you…am I that stupid? Draco smirked as he felt Daphne consider that question. Since they'd gotten used to their bond, they only could tell what was in the others' mind when they focused on the other. It was bittersweet to lose some of the intensity of the bond, but Draco knew he wouldn't go back even if he could. Draco cracked a genuine smile as he felt acceptance and apology roll at him through the bond. Daphne had forgiven him. Suddenly, icy fear shot through the bond as Daphne's thoughts turned to last night. Simultaneously, the gonging sound rang out again, accompanied by a shattering sound. Draco could hear sounds of chaos coming from the inner Floo room.

Crash! "Who put this chair here? Where is Draco? Severus? Hello? Where in the name of—YOU! Severus Snape! Where is my son? He had better be in completely one piece because my sanity sure isn't. I've been trying to Floo in here for the last 5 hours. What reason could you POSSIBLY have had—" Narcissa's rant was cut of mid sentence, presumably by a silencing charm. Draco had never known his normally reserved mother to run out of things to say once she got her rant rolling. He rolled frantically out bed and rushed to make himself as presentable as the code required (it was his mother, not some stranger to impress!). He sprinted out of his room—

—And into his mother's arms. His mother grabbed him tightly, partly to keep from falling. As she held him, Draco could SWEAR he heard her sniffing. Even though this was far too babyish for a thirteen year old to stand, he allowed his mother to inhale his scent as she reassured herself that he was unharmed. He would never admit it, even under the Cruciatus, but her ministrations calmed him as much as her. He had no idea what had happened last night, but he knew that it was something dangerous. Wrapped up in his mother's arms, it took him awhile to realize his mother was speaking to Altair and Severus.

"And you were told what?" His mother's voice was incredulous. "Where did you get that information?"

"Obviously the High Chancellor was misled by someone. Altair will be investigating this as a joint task force with the German Enforcers." Severus' voice was placating.

"I will not apologize for the strength of my wards," began Altair, "but I am sorry you had such concern for Draco's wellbeing and we kept you from him inadvertently." Narcissa sniffed disdainfully as she released Draco from her rather tight embrace. Draco stepped away from his mother, wincing slightly at the pull in his back. When had he become taller than his mother? His mother waved her wand in a complex pattern, then pointed it at her handbag. It levitated its way to the dining table, where it unfurled into a spread of every delicious food Draco could imagine, including (he noticed with glee) his favorite Almond Torte.

"What?" She smiled "I figured you would be hungry after last night. Plus, I'm a stress baker, and this food had to go somewhere…Lucius is at an emergency meeting at the Ministry and the house elves have threatened to bar me from the kitchen if I keep wasting food." Draco made his way to the table immediately. He wouldn't stand on protocol and wait on Severus and Altair—he was still very upset about what appeared to be an un-approved potioning. He loaded his plate with a slice of torte, a generous scoop of fruit, bacon, and a blueberry muffin. He eyed the chocolate croissant, but decided he had enough on his plate at the moment. He sat and began eating as Daphne bypassed the bacon and sliced fruit and loaded her plate with two blueberry muffins and an apple. He glared at Severus who was reaching for a chocolate croissant. Narcissa caught his glare and turned a questioning glance to Severus.

"Can you explain why the boy who spent the entire school year writing odes to your virtues has decided to be displeased with you?" Narcissa arched an eyebrow at Severus, who had the grace to look ashamed.

"Likely it has to do with a…miscalculation…about his level of maturity. I presumed that if I left them snacks and juice that they would sit and eat the snacks, THEN drink the juice. I did not count on them being advanced enough to worry so much for our well-being that they would be unable to eat. I rather" Severus paused, "miscalculated the calming draught for their juices because of this." Narcissa said nothing, only continued to arch her eyebrow. Severus sighed, and turned to Draco and Dapne. "I," he coughed, "I, well, oh fine! I apologize for potioning you against will. I will likely never do it again."

"Yes," Daphne began (Draco was speechless at Severus' apology) "But, Severus, Dad," She turned to Altair "What happened? One minute you were here, the next we were on lockdown!" Altair took a giant bite of his blackberry scone, chewing and washing it down with a sip of tea. He paused to collect his thoughts, then spoke.

"We were informed that there was a plot to compromise the security of a wizarding prison somewhere in the world. As vague as that was, the fear was that the target was Nuremgard, and Grindlewald. I have been strengthening the warding there using some techniques I learned from an Egyptian hedgewizard who focused his whole life on protection spells. We had no idea when the attempt would come, nor where, but I wanted to be prepared, and that included putting Germany on Floo and apparition lockdown in the event of a suspected breach. When we got the call via Patronus, I tried to apparate, but could not. It was not optimal, but Severus and I had to go with the plan B we had cooked up. When it became clear it was a false alarm, we returned here to await the end of the travel ban." Altair gazed seriously at his daughter. "Does that answer your questions?" Daphne nodded slowly.

Meanwhile, Narcissa's gaze alternated between Severus and Altair. A look of alarm was spreading across her face. "Do you mean—you haven't heard?!" Every head in the room snapped to Narcissa as the atmosphere grew serious.

"There's been a travel ban…word can only travel as fast as an owl…" Altair spoke weakly, trailing off to prompt Narcissa to continue. "You can't mean—Azkaban?" The look on Narcissa's face was all the confirmation needed.

"Who?" Severus asked casually, though his eyes held deep emotions. As if on cue, an owl swooped into the room and dropped a Special Edition of the Daily Prophet on the table. The name took up half the page. Severus' teacup shattered, but his voice was emotionless.

"I see," he said. "Sirius Black."