Note: I do not, nor will I ever own any part of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece.
It was not a joyous occasion when three Heads of Houses found themselves in an audience with the headmaster in his office. On the contrary, they were all expecting the worst sort of news. One of the possibilities was that Ginerva Weasley had been found dead in the Chamber of Secrets. Or, perhaps another student had been petrified. It was a somber atmosphere indeed, even though the fireplace on the other side of the room was roaring, it seemed to have no effect for the chill in the room.
Professor Snape was the last one to join the gathering in the large, circular room. Professor Sprout stood beside Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick had opted to conjure himself a stool on which to stand. Otherwise, he would not have been able to see past Dumbledore's immense desk.
The portraits lining the walls of Dumbledore's office were not even pretending to be asleep. They were all wide-eyed, paying rapt attention to the arrival of the last Head of House, despite the late hour. Even Phineas Nigellus looked concerned. Snape took his place on the other side of McGonagall.
"Now that we are all assembled, I must impart some rather distressing news," Dumbledore murmured. The normally shimmering blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles were decidedly grave. "It seems that Mr. Potter and Mr. Ronald Weasley have not been seen at all since earlier this evening. They were last observed in the Gryffindor common room."
Professor Flitwick swore loudly, and Professor Spout clasped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes were glossy.
Although Minerva McGonagall was the one who had reported that very fact to the headmaster only a few minutes earlier, her face paled a little further. For a moment, she looked as though she might faint, but her Scottish constitution did not fail her. Dumbledore conjured a red squashy chair for her to sit down. He then offered her a lemon drop, which she politely declined.
Dumbledore continued after McGonagall seated herself. "Professor Lockhart has also apparently absconded this evening. His possessions were packed, as though he intended to leave, but did not get the chance to."
"Thank heaven for that," Flitwick hopefully assessed from his perch. "Maybe whatever is trying to murder children will go after Lockhart first."
The Potions Master didn't quite believe what he was hearing, even though it was Albus Dumbledore who was telling him that it was so. Potter was missing, two Weasleys were missing, and that pompous idiot, Gilderoy Lockhart was missing. Snape found his eyes drawn to the many interesting trinkets on Dumbledore's desk, though he was not really seeing them. His hand tightened on the wand at his side and he clenched his jaw.
"I should have kept a better eye on them, Albus," whispered McGonagall. "Now I fear that they may all be dead." She leaned her head into her hand, making her spectacles go ever so slightly askew.
"Merlin's pants, Minerva, this is not your fault. This is the fault of whoever perpetrated it." Flitwick muttered quietly.
"What are we to do in the interim, headmaster?," interjected Sprout, trembling slightly. Dumbledore rose out of his seat and turned toward Fawkes, who had been softly dosing next to him. He took his time stroking Fawkes' feathers before replying. "Should they all not be found safely before tomorrow morning, and should these events remain unexplained." He paused. "Then the school will be closed." The gravity of the situation was abundantly clear before the headmaster uttered a word.
"Minerva," he looked toward her. "I want you to stay here with me. Molly and Arthur are with Poppy at the moment. I would like your help in telling them about Mr. Weasley." McGonagall nodded, never moving her hand from her face.
"The rest of you", he looked them each in the eye, "will make sure all of the common rooms are secure before patrolling your usual corridors." He paused once again. "If you please, Professor Sprout, also wake Professor Sinistra and Professor Vector and inform them of these events."
He then directed his attention to the tiny Charms Professor. "Filius, have Professor Kettleburn search the grounds again." Dumbledore stared at the two of them. "I would like a report every hour, if you please. Pair up and good luck" he finished. Both nodded before departing; Flitwick vanished his previously occupied stool in his wake.
"And who is to accompany me, headmaster?" Snape queried, stepping forward slightly.
"I have found, Dumbledore began, "that when some individuals work alone, it is when they do their best work. Be careful Severus." Snape gave his usual slight inclination of his head and briefly acknowledged Professor McGonagall before turning on his heel and began rapidly winding his way down the staircase leading from Dumbledore's office.
"Was that wise, Albus?," said McGonagall finally, shifting in her seat. "Sending him by himself?" Dumbledore wasted no time before speaking. "Severus is an exceptionally capable wizard, Minerva. He is one of the best that this school has ever produced."
The headmaster paused as he walked out from behind his desk. "Whatever entity that has taken the students should be substantially more afraid of meeting Severus Snape in the dark than the other way around. If by morning, Severus has not started dismantling the castle brick by brick, I shall be very surprised indeed." added Dumbledore. "He is in his element, Minerva. Let him be."