"Ahh Severus, thank you for coming", a rather tired looking Professor McGonagall greeted him from behind her desk.

"I wasn't aware I had a choice Headmistress", he sneered back at her.

Allowing herself a sigh Minerva steeled herself for his abrasive comments "Severus I assure you, your attendance is appreciated".

Before Severus could reply a voice could be heard coming from his left hand side "Minerva, the search was negative". Minerva gave a nod of her head in thanks as the portrait continued "Severus, my boy, it has been too long."

"Or rather not long enough", the young man retorted as he locked eyes with a pair of twinkling blue ones.

"Oh come now, the war is over, if ever there was a time..."

Before Professor Dumbledore could finish his reply however Professor Snape cut him off "Precisely and as such I am no longer in your servitude, and most certainly not in that of a portrait".

A crestfallen appearance graced that of the famed headmaster as he retreated into his thoughts.

"Thank you Albus", came the words from McGonagall before she directed her attention to the man in front of her. "Severus I have called you here in regards to Miss Granger".

The dark head man glared "I hope that you have taken my recommendations to heart Headmistress in regards to her performance this morning."

"Severus, as much I agree she does need to be reprimanded", she continued ignoring his scoff "There is a problem which first needs to be overcome. In order to punish, or as the case may be not punish", here she reached for a letter that was strewn across her desk and held it out for the surly potions professor "she must first be found".

Severus arched his eyebrow as he turned the letter over and began to read. "Albus, has at my request been searching for news amongst the other portraits and has just returned from conversing with The Fat Lady, it seems she hasn't been since she left your classroom this afternoon".

So immersed in the letter before him, he did not contradict her choice of words for the manner in which Miss Granger had departed from his classroom. After several more seconds Severus lifted his head still clutching the parchment within his hands.

"The Dark Lord, he managed to find her parents".

"I'm afraid so Severus".