Severus scowled as he read Draco's note and ran a hand down his face. What kind of potion would Lucius have given Draco and his family? The possibilities were endless. If he was still in Upper Slaughter, he might have more information and once again he cursed the timing of Rodolphus' discovery of his true role. Without a spy within Upper Slaughter, they were hamstrung.
But he couldn't leave Hogwarts. If this was some kind of attack, he needed to be here for his Slytherins. He might get some indication of the timing and there would the associated 'Slytherins are all evil' reaction from the rest of the school whenever it occurred. He needed to be here to monitor and control that.
But Faustus didn't. Draco was right about that. If anything happened, Malfoy Manor would be safer than Hogwarts. Johnstone Manor would be safer still but he wasn't going to have Faustus locked up in a manor with no one but a house elf with him. Malfoy Manor had Draco, Tracey and Violet and he could trust Faustus to keep up with his studies.
Draco,
Thank you for the warning. Do you have further information regarding the potion you were given? It may be useful in determining what Rodolphus is up to.
I cannot leave Hogwarts. I cannot abandon the Slytherins, especially if Rodolphus does have some kind of attack planned. You know as well as I do the general reaction towards the Slytherins when something like that happens.
But I am sending Faustus to you. You are correct in saying that he will be safer at Malfoy Manor than here if something does occur. And you may be assured (and you may assure Faustus) that I have no intention of risking my life if something does happen.