"So," the Old Man says as Bea helps him sit up in his chair, "how did it go?" He's grinning impishly at them, and Remus chuckles. "You already know, don't you?" Perdurabo shakes his head. "No," he grins widely, "I was napping actually." They tell him what transpired in the Dragon's Chamber and he is quite pleased. "Well then, the last working stone in our world is safe. What will you do next?" He looks questioningly at them and Snape accepts the case that now holds the Orthanc-stone. "I believe we shall be taking these gifts home, and--" Perdurabo smiles. "Severus, you know what I mean." Snape nods and looks at Elsbet. "I...am not certain. I believe we have much to discuss." The Old Man glances at Remus and Tonks, then back at Snape. "Yes, I believe you do." Bea pats Perdurabo's shoulder and he smiles softly. "You still have plans for the day, and I do not wish to keep you from them. You should be out there enjoying yourselves."

Capadocius, Thelonius, Maverick and Shiver volunteer to take the stones and scrolls to the little tribe's home for them; Snape carefully hands the Orthanc-stone to Maverick as the others take the two trunks, then file out of the study. Bea helps Perdurabo turn his chair toward them and Elsbet hugs him. He hugs her back and holds her as tightly as he can, telling her that she is the most precious thing in the world to him. She kisses his cheek as he lets her go and tells him she loves him, and she thinks she sees the glimmer of a tear in his eye. Therion grips his hand and pats his shoulder; their communication is swift and silent, then the Brown wizard ushers Elsbet out of the room after they give warm hugs to Bea. Remus and Tonks thank him for everything, and he tells them that he is so very glad that they are there in the Sanctuary and safe.

Something poignant and unspoken passes between them, and while neither the werewolf nor the Auror understands it now, they leave the chamber feeling that they truly belong. Layne looks at the Old Man for a moment before taking his hand, then grips it as firmly as he dare. You'll talk to them about it tonight, won't you? Perdurabo asks, the thing Tommy boy is looking for? You know what I mean. There is a twinkle in the elder wizard's eye and Layne laughs in spite of himself, and despite the fact that all the hair on the back of his neck is standing on-end. The wolf-wizard nods and Perdurabo says, "I'm trusting you Layne not to lose sight of what is really important. Trust in yourself, and trust in those you love."

Layne hugs him suddenly, fighting back tears, then hugs Bea, then quickly leaves the study. Perdurabo sighs and looks up at Snape, and the Potions Master looks down at him. What is there to say, really? They both know what this is. They gaze at each other for some time, then the Old Man smiles softly. "Severus, you are a truly remarkable man. It has been an honor for me watching you blossom, so to speak." He takes Snape's hand, gives it a gentle squeeze, then lets go. "There is so much more for me to tell you, but I just haven't the words." Their eyes meet for the last time. Please, Severus, please, do not let Ellie know...I can not bear for her to be sad because of me. Snape's brows knit and a deep crease appears between them. She will be... Perdurabo nods. I know. But not now. Not today, not tomorrow...not for a while. Please. Snape gives him his word, and then, he knows it is time for him to go.

He turns to Bea and she hugs him, caresses his hair, then shuts her eyes tightly as Snape slips from her arms and leaves the room.

At last it is only the Great Mother and the two former Dark wizards. Perdurabo offers his hand and Malfoy takes it; the fair wizard is not expecting what he finds. His eyes widen and Perdurabo chuckles wickedly then says, "it is the great injustice of age for some of us, my friend. Our power grows, but our bodies fail." Malfoy discovers to his horror that Perdurabo's very magic is consuming his body. He knows the elder wizard hasn't long left; he's amazed he is still alive. A dozen questions leap to Malfoy's mouth, but he can't even ask one. As Perdurabo releases his hand he tells him, "it's not my great age that has done this, my friend. It's what I've done with magic that has. It happens to all of us who walk this path. Which fortunately," he smiles ironically, "has been but three wizards this century."

Malfoy doesn't know whether he should relax or not, and he finds he can't seem to get rid of the knot in his stomach. "I know Dumbledore thinks that no one has gone farther with magic than Tom Riddle, but he gives Riddle far too much credit. I had already been "there" and back again before Riddle had even thought of going, and Gellert Grindlewald was right behind me, so to speak. I know where Riddle's been, I know what he's seen and done, things that even Grindlewald never dreamed of, horrific, mind-bending, soul-shattering things, and both Grindlewald and I know the consequences of all of his actions. Why do you think Grindlewald never attempted to escape Nurmengard? Not because he feared facing Albus Dumbledore again, and I assure you I would not blame him if it was, but because he knows he belongs there. Because he feels remorse for what he did!"

Bea offers Malfoy some hot tea and he takes it, but he hesitates taking a sip just yet. He's trying to get his mind around things and he is having a very tough time of it. Perdurabo reads his face easily, and knows the turmoil brewing inside him. "Grindlewald killed many in his rise to power, but for him, the cruelty and killing wasn't the point. His point truly was Magical dominance over Muggles, but after his defeat, well, as I've said, he realized just how wrong he was. For me, it wasn't power, it was the quest for knowledge. I wanted to learn all I could about everything. I realize how foolish that sounds, but compared to the other two..." He shrugs slightly, laughing softly, but the laughter fades. "I have never killed anyone, but I have caused pain and grief, and while it was unintentional for the most part, I regret it. All of it." He sighs, and at last, Malfoy takes a drink.

"Do you know what it is with Riddle?" Malfoy blinks as he swallows and thinks, he's a sick fucking bastard, and Perdurabo chuckles. "Yes, but it's more than that. The cruelty and killing give him pleasure. He doesn't give a damn about Blood Purity, really, he doesn't. Trust me. He's not doing this for Magical dominance, either. He's doing this for his dominance. His dominance over the whole world, and he doesn't care about any of his followers. They're nothing more than puppets, toy soldiers wound up to do his bidding. And Bellatrix is an idiot if she thinks he values her as anything more than a tool." Malfoy feels his insides cringe. "She worships him," he says softly, and Perdurabo nods. "And he enjoys that, but if she thinks there's going to be some great reward for her loyalty, she's mistaken."

He sighs, exhaustion creeping over him, but he pushes himself to keep talking just a little longer. "It's bread and circuses, my friend. He lets his little puppets murder and torture whomever they will because it keeps them busy, keeps their minds off of the reality that they can all perish, so long as he alone survives. When it comes right down to it, he's a coward. He can't really face the people he kills, unless they're too weak or unable to defend themselves. He can't risk harm to himself. And that's ultimately what this is about. Him. But here's the kick. He hasn't insured his immortality. And if he manages to kill the son of Lily and James Potter, he'll only bring about his own end much, much quicker. Every life he takes brings him closer to it, but that boy's life...or your boy's--" Malfoy sits up straight and gasps, "Draco..." The Old Man nods, knowing he must sleep soon.

"Do you know what a geis is, Lucius?" Malfoy tells him quietly that he does not, and he smiles softly. "A geis is something from Celtic magic, and it is both exceedingly ancient and powerful. It can be a curse, a gift, or even both. If the geis is broken the one who breaks it will die. But Riddle's ignorant of things like cultural idiosyncrasies, because to him they have no meaning, no value. And that will be his downfall. A geis was placed upon Harry Potter by his mother on the night she was murdered, and a geis was placed upon Draco last year, when his mother turned to Severus to insure his safety, at the very real risk of her life. She was willing to die to protect her son. This geis, more powerful because it is born of love, means death to whomever would take the life of either boy."

Malfoy swallows another sip of tea and it goes down hard. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he says in a strangled voice, and Perdurabo leans forward with some difficulty. "Let's hope not," he echoes, and he knows their time together is up. He gently brushes the fair wizard's white hair away from his neck and touches the Azkaban tattoo there. "Lucius, my boy, please let this go. Let the Silhouettes heal it away." Malfoy looks away from him. "It's a mark of my shame," he says quietly, and the Old Man brings his gaze back to him. "But you've paid, and it does no good for anyone. Please, promise me you'll get rid of it." Malfoy nods and takes Perdurabo's hand. "There's nothing I can do to help you, is there?" Perdurabo sighs again and tells him that his fate is inescapable. "I know how hard that is for a healer to hear, but you can do something. Be happy. Live. Love them dearly. And never lose your hope for the future."

Malfoy rises slowly and places his hand on Perdurabo's shoulder for a moment, but no more. There is no farewell spoken, but he knows he will not see the elder wizard again. As he leaves the room Bea helps Perdurabo out of the chair, and other Silhouettes come to aid them. Malfoy passes through the quiet hallway and hears up ahead of him laughter and chatting, and the voice that stands out for him is Elsbet's. He can't let her see the stinging tears in his eyes, he can't let her worry...they're having an extraordinary day, and with luck, the evening will be even better. They have their swan friend to pick up, and he doesn't want to ruin it. He straightens himself out, swallows his tears, then pushes through the doors.