Chapter 2: Find Him.
Due to the delicate nature of my latest reconnaissance mission there was only one I could send – Fawkes.
My phoenix had always been fond of my sincere – maybe that's why he chose the name. I knew my familiar would not fail me nor Severus. Only I did not know where to start, I sent Fawkes first to the old Riddle Mansion, I knew it to be unlikely for Voldemort to use his muggle estate as a prison but the place had more cellars than the Malfoy estate.
It had been three painfully silent weeks and tomorrow was the start of term. I was getting steadily more panicked as the hours went by, although by early evening I felt an excruciating pain rush through me. It meant only one thing Fawkes had found Severus, but in turn had been caught and torturing by Tom Riddle. If I did not wish to grieve for the loss of my familiar, I had only one choice open to me summoning Fawkes back to me – which would look like surrender to the Dark Lord.
I would have to find Severus the old fashioned way. Which unfortunately meant informing the Professor's, I would deal with Slytherin's – perhaps they could be of use to the situation. I sent my patronus to Professor McGonagall,
"Minerva, Severus has been discovered need help to find him before its too late." After pacing my office waiting for a response which didn't come; it was around nine when I made it to the Slytherin common room. After using the master password to gain access to their dungeon lair, I was pleasantly surprised to see how comfortable it was; and rather tastefully decorated. Despite this I had the distinct feeling that I had interrupted something of importance.