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Chapter 6 - Severus Snape And An Awkward Tea

Severus Snape thought. Apparently, the Dark Lord had been receiving letters from Potter all summer at least, written as from a father to a son. Lucius Malfoy had been noticing some behavioural changes to the better, and so far they seemed better and progressing that way. He was glad that the Dark Lord was becoming less of a danger to his godson's family.

Sending letters to a son denoted responsibility and acknowledgement of a relationship. In order to write a letter, one acknowledged that there was enough of a relationship to speak on at least a formal basis. In order to send them all summer required the relationship to mean more than from one enemy to another and did indicate that it was an immediate familial relationship Potter acknowledged. To write as a father to a son indicated responsibility. To do so consistently meant that Potter knew it was something worth the time and required the time, and that it was a responsibility that required it. To be a father figure required consistency and steadiness and to take the time to spend time with the child as much as possible.

No, this was not going to Dumbledore, for if there was a chance that one of the great chess masters in his life to become sane and treat his people fairly, he would welcome it. The whole wizarding world would relax eventually once everything became clear that this was not a crazed chess master playing with lives, as both leaders had become. He would keep mum, and...

He froze at the direction that thought went. Was he seriously thinking about confessing working for Dumbledore because of a vow to protect Potter? However, if he suggested taking the boy to meet his enemy now son, that vow would cause him to die if he didn't do as much as possible to keep Potter alive. Maybe if Lucius spoke of the current attitude growth being consistent, he might be able to do so. So far, he would wait.

Mundungus was on watch today. He may have to double check that he was where he was supposed to be. Some of the order were doing that. Not scheduled or anything, but when there was nothing going on and they knew it was his watch.

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Harry Potter had been outside with Dudley when he felt the cold deepening unnaturally. Trying to do things in a way that he was defending himself against both Dementors and Dudley. Thankfully Dudley had quickly realized Harry wasn't the one causing the uneasy feeling, but that it was coming from behind him. Harry's scared face constantly glancing over Dudley's shoulder may have been part of that. Once Dudley was down on the side walk, Harry was able to get his wand out. Almost too late, as the Dementors were feet from them. He had seconds to come up with a memory.

A doe Patronus shot between him and the Dementors, her shining feet kicking up sparkles that floated down and died. Standing guard, the Patronus walked between the two parties on the side walk, unyielding until the two monsters were screaming away in the direction that they had come from. Bowing to Harry, the Patronus burst apart once the Dementors were out of sight.

Harry, not seeing anybody, quickly tugged Dudley to the house and then inside.

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Lord Malfoy grinned to himself when he was summoned again to the Dark Lord's office. Yes, the Dark Lord's change was there, and it was starting to get noticed by all around him. It wasn't constant, but it was there. If he became sane, and steady from having a father figure, and cared really for his people, then he might not be a bad lord to serve after all. No, he would be glad to serve this Dark Lord. Would he still be a true dark lord though?

He waited outside the office to be let in after knocking. A few seconds, and the door opened, revealing a happy Dark Lord holding the latest letter.

"Come in, Lucius, we have something to discuss."

"Yes, my lord?"

"I have noticed something about these letters. Harry Potter isn't happy with Albus Dumbledore."

"No? Sorry my lord, that is very good news, though I am shocked because it's not what I was expecting."

"I know. It knocked me through a loop when I discovered it. Yet, when I looked through the file, it's there, but mostly in very vague statements. Things such as 'even the one I've looked up to much of my school years wasn't a father figure to me', 'someone has put me in front of you', etc."

"That is excellent news."

"Lucius, do you think that Severus may be able to get the location of Harry Potter?"

"As he is in the Order, I believe that is possible. How will we know it is accurate though?"

"I will get someone to see if the boy was there, or instead of going on a wild goose chase, we get Severus to swear that it is accurate. I understand your reluctance to trust him with anything to do with me."

"Yes, my lord."

"Guess what? Harry sent a recipe for cookies that he likes, and I sent it to the house elves. They are very good. You may have one, if you wish."

"Thank you, my lord," replied Lucius, as he reached for a cookie. He bit off a little, smiled, and nodded, before saying, "My lord, he is providing what little he can as a minor. These are very good cookies. Your father does you proud."

"Thank you, Lucius. I will take that compliment in the spirit it was given."

Lucius stopped for a second, and realized just what he had said. "I'm sorry, my lord, for congratulating an enemy. Please be merciful."

"Lucius, I do not think Harry Potter is currently my enemy. These are not letters from one enemy to another. I will send another letter tonight, then I will gather my knights."

"Yes, my lord."

Standing, Lucius Malfoy, father of Draco, stood and took the letter from the hand of another's son, and sent it to that other. He was unharmed as well, and sent off the letter contentedly.

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Taking Hedwig and his old school supplies with him, as Harry had promised to keep sending letters, Harry went with the Order to London.

Seeing Hermione and Ron there made him mad. Here he was working for various people as well as doing the Dursely's chores to get enough money for postage, while being completely ignored most of the time by relatives and providing his own meals, while they got to hang out with his godfather. His godfather was Sirius Black, who wanted Harry to live with him, and Ron and Hermione had no claim on him really, other than living in the man's house. It was not up to his godfather to provide for his friends, but for his godson as he could. They had no right.

Soon, he would be sending an owl. Not tonight, that would be too risky. Harry was under no illusions about how interesting it could be flying mail between enemy houses. Maybe, if possible, he could send them by Snape.