A/N: Thanks so much for reviewing this story- it means a lot that some people keep coming back to it. You really are great. And thanks for the reviews of The Prophecy too- if you want to read more of Angel's great fics, send me an e-mail and I'll be glad to direct you to it. Or to her, if you like. Thanks to her for beta-ing this too. Please review if you like this chapter!

9. She Will Be Found

When it seemed that she had nothing more to say, Trelawney lunged forward.

"The Lion is near. In a place unmarked. She will be found."

As the last words fell, Trelawney's head drooped. Severus stared at her, disbelieving.

"How can you..? You're not a real Seer...how," he trailed off weakly. Trelawney's eyes fluttered for a second and she lifted her head.

"What's...Severus? Is something the matter?"

Composing himself quickly, Severus drew himself to his full height. His hands gripped the shoulders of a confused Sybil Trelawney.

"What did you See?" he asked roughly. "Why did you say those things?"

Trelawney looked truly bewildered now. "I didn't say anything, Severus. What are you talking about?"

"You spoke! Just now! Can you not remember?"

"I didn't utter a word. Perhaps I fell asleep for a moment."

He let out a cry of frustration. "You said something about a Serpent, a champion!"

"My dear, I didn't say anything of the sort. You are behaving rather oddly." She rose from her chair. "Maybe a visit to Madam Pomfrey would not go amiss."

"I don't need-!" He softened his tone. Trelawney looked even more unnerved by his yelling. "I don't need a medi-witch! I'm quite alright. I-I should go."

He fumbled for the doorknob and slipped out of the door, escaping her concerned gaze.

He was wrong. But he did need Dumbledore however. Severus just hoped he was wrong about another matter also.

Walking quickly, he reached the entrance to the Headmaster's office. It was now locked.

"Sherbet lemon!" he yelled. Nothing happened. He thudded on the wall with his fists. "Cockroach Cluster! Chocolate Frog!"

Suddenly, there was movement and a flight of stairs appeared, spiralling upwards. He scowled. "Damn passwords."

When he reached the top of the stairs, Dumbledore was there to meet him.

"Severus? I heard you shouting. What's happened?"

There was neither the Minister, nor the three Aurors were still standing in the office. Instead, there was just McGonagall, looking alarmed.

"I need the use of your Pensieve. Quickly."

"Albus, I hardly think we should be looking into Pensieves with Hermione still missing."

Dumbledore studied Severus. "Please tell me what has happened."

"I am not sure myself. If I can just see..."

Dumbledore nodded. "You know where it is, Severus." He gestured to the corner of the room, where the Pensieve stood, covered by a red cloth.

Severus hesitated and looked at McGonagall pointedly.

She stared back at him. "What...?" Realization dawned on her face.

"Absolutely not! I am not going to leave while we are still looking for Hermione. If this concerns her, it concerns me! I am her Head of House, Severus, not you."

Severus simply looked back at her.

"Minerva," said Dumbledore, softly. "Just for a few moments."

McGonagall looked furious as she swept down the stairs. Dumbledore turned to Severus.

"I do not enjoy dismissing my colleagues, Severus. I hope there is a reason for the secrecy."

Severus took his wand from his robes. He brought the tip to his forehead. Slowly, a mist of some silvery substance drifted from his head, floating lazily towards his wand.

He brought the wand downwards and gently placed the silvery tip into the Pensieve. The mist erupted into it.

Severus crossed the room to sit in one of the many chairs and looked to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore slowly dipped his head towards the bowl.

Minutes later, he emerged. His face was grey. Severus thought for a moment. Amazing how the age-old wizard never truly showed his age until times like these. The power that was never doubted to those around him overshadowed the oldness within him.

Dumbledore spoke. "I believe you already know."

At this point, McGonagall had obviously had enough of pacing impatiently, waiting to be called in. The door to the office burst open.

"I've had enough!" She blurted out. "Hermione is more my responsibility than yours, Severus!"

"That's ridiculous," said Severus, scornfully. "What has been discussed here is something you know not of."

"Then you should tell me," replied McGonagall, her eyes narrowing to dangerous slits, a red twinge appearing in her cheeks.

"And if I don't?"

"Quiet. Petty squabbles will not get us anywhere," said Dumbledore. He shook his head at them. "Severus, Minerva is entitled to know what we have discovered. Minerva, you are not the only one who cares about Hermione's safety."

He looked towards McGonagall. "I will tell you all in a few moments." Then he spoke to Severus and guided him down the stairs, leaving a tight-lipped McGonagall behind them

"You heard what she said. She will be found."

"But where-"

"Sometimes child, the answers that we seek are not before us. But in fact can be found behind us." The elder wizard said, his eyes glittering as though hinting at a wonderful secret. Popping a lemon drop into his mouth, Albus Dumbledore disappeared up the stairs leading to his office.

The Slytherin was left with a puzzled expression sketched onto his face. Turning, Snape abruptly turned on his heel and stalked down the deserted corridor.

Hermione groaned. It was getting late and she'd skipped lunch today. Now she wished that she'd taken more than that slice of toast for breakfast. Her stomach rumbled again and she pulled her knees up to her chest, resting her head on them.

Still, she refused to eat the meal that he'd provided for her. A glass of milk on a tray stood beside a plate of meat and potatoes. The vapour wandered into her nostrils, making her stomach grow more insistent that she ate something.

But she wouldn't. That's exactly what he wanted. For her to give in to him. To crawl on her hands and knees and allow him to carry out his plan without resistance.

Through the bars she could see the speck of light that had shone through the wall, beginning to dim, and with it, her hope.

Severus strode hurriedly out of the castle grounds and towards Hogsmeade. In the village ahead, few lights were lit and only the odd person was walking through the streets.

He was still perusing Dumbledore's words. "Behind us? Why can he never just come out with a straight answer?" He thought harder. What was in his past that stuck out the most? The answer came quickly. The most unpleasant memories were often the most prominent, he thought ruefully. The Marauders. Of course. They were but one bane in his painful life. But what…

He froze. "Oh, Gods!" Without another word, he turned and raced in the other direction, across the grass, robes billowing wildly.

Treading softly in the dry mud, trying to keep his harsh breathing from the attack outside quiet, Severus made his way cautiously through the dark passage. When he reached the door, a flash of memories captured him. Shaking himself free, he took a deep breath and pushed the rotting wood inwards.

Hermione heard the sound, as did her captor. Charlie turned to her, an unnerving familiar white grin lighting his face. "Now the fun begins," he whispered. Ironically, her hope died as the speck of light grew.

A soft glow hummed, piercing the fathomless darkness. Beads of sweat dribbled down his clammy skin, a soft moaning echoed hauntingly from the shadows. Snape swallowed in anticipation as he felt the adrenaline surge through his veins effortlessly. Of all the places on heaven and earth.......