Hermione was heading toward Hogsmeade with the rest of the school and made it to Zonko's when she stopped and turned around. She looked all around her, but the feeling of something being off wouldn't go away.
"Hey Ron, I think I'm going to go back to the castle." Ron was already heading into Zonko's and she had to chase him down. He was standing in the back corner with Fred and George and the three looked pretty guilty, but she really didn't want to know why. The less she knew the better.
"Are you sure, 'Mione?" Ron was piling things in a bag, some of which the twins were removing every time Ron turned his head.
"Yeah, I think I'm going to go and keep Harry company. He hasn't had a moment's peace all week." She watched Ron think it over, and then nodded.
"Alright. I'll bring him back some sweets." He began refilling his bag with the things the twins had removed. She walked back toward the castle and kept her eyes peeled to see if Harry was out on the grounds. She walked over to the lake to see if he was in his normal spot, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. She made her way to the common room, but didn't see him at the fireplace in their normal spot, so she checked the boy's dorm. He wasn't there, and neither was his cloak, but that was normal. She checked his trunk, knowing she shouldn't snoop, but she wanted to see if he had his potions book. She knew that was the only book he kept with him whenever he went to the den, and she didn't want to needlessly go up there if he wasn't there. She found the potions book as well as the charms book tucked into a worn shirt she didn't recognize.
"Well, there goes that theory. Where are you, Harry?" She climbed down the stairs and went to the fourth floor. If he wasn't outside he might be in Professor Lupin's office. She knocked on the office door and waited while faint footsteps became louder. Finally the door opened to a smiling, but confused Remus.
"Hermione, what a pleasant surprise. Do come in. Would you like some tea?" She nodded and took a seat across from his desk. She liked how comfortable she felt with her defense professor. Being in his office was like a welcome respite from everywhere else in the castle.
"I thought you would be in Hogsmeade with everyone else." He set down the tea set and sat in the chair next to her and handed her a cup.
"I thought Harry would like some company. He's had a pretty long week. That and I've been to Hogsmeade enough. It's kind of lost the appeal. You haven't seen him, have you?" She couldn't figure too many places he could be.
"Actually, I saw him head for the library just after everyone left. It looked like he had quite a heavy bag, too. Must be catching up on homework, though I would have rather liked him to go see Severus. Last week was pretty intense for all I suppose." She nodded, relieved that Harry was in the library.
"Did Professor Snape tell you about potions class? It was horrendous." She narrowed her eyes. Remus was laughing!
"Yes, he did tell me. I found it rather amusing; I wish I could have seen it. Oh, Hermione don't look at me like that. I've known Severus for many, many years. He likes to get as good as he gives. Not many people, if any, will stand up to him and be as snarky as him. I've told him from the beginning that they needed each other and I stand by it. Not just as father and son. Severus needs someone to care for, believe it or not. It is in his nature to care. Oh I can imagine it is hard to believe, but trust me, he was always looking forward to having children. He and Lily used to talk of it all the time. He has hidden his heart for so many years, it is going to take him some time to adjust, but I'm confident they shall work through it. What do you think?" He wanted to talk to Harry himself, but this was the next best thing.
"I think it depends on the day you ask him. At first he was confused. Then we confronted him and despite being mad about that, he enjoyed the idea. I think he has spent too much of his life ignored that he latched on to the idea a little too quickly. Then their argument happened and now he's back to being confused. One hour he's excited and the next he's miserable about it. I think only a small part of him is upset that it is Professor Snape, and that is only because of the last three years. But I, too, believe they will work through it. If we can get them in the same room, that is."
"Ah yes, that is the task, isn't it? Well, what do you say to an escort to the Great Hall? It is nearing dinner. I'm sure Harry should have surfaced by now." He stood and waved his wand, clearing the tea set. He held out his arm to her and she slid her arm through the crook of his elbow. They continued chatting through the staircases and into the Entrance Hall. He released her with a smile and headed up to the head table. Severus walked in not two minutes later and scanned the tables before sitting down next to Remus.
"Have you seen Harry today?" Severus again scanned the tables and noticed Hermione sitting by herself. Highly unusual considering the other third of their trio was on the way back from Hogsmeade.
"He was headed toward the library when I saw him earlier. He'll be around, I'm sure." Severus nodded but didn't believe it. Not that Remus was lying, but that Harry spent the day in the library. He narrowed his eyes and shot up to his feet. He stalked down the small stairs from the head table and stopped behind Hermione.
"Miss Granger, a word if you please." She obediently got to her feet and followed him out of the Great Hall. They walked wordlessly to the Entrance Hall and then toward the library. Hermione figured they were looking for Harry. Severus swept through the library doors and stalked the aisles. Hermione walked straight to the very back corner where she knew Harry preferred. She found his bag, but all chairs were pushed in tight to the table. No way was he there. She grabbed his bag and shouldered it and walked over to Snape.
"Sir, I found his bag, but I don't think he's here." She saw the momentary flash of fear that crossed the man's face, but he schooled it immediately.
"Very well. Miss Granger, go ahead back to the Great Hall. We will sort this all out. If he shows up, do let me know right away. And let us keep this quiet for the time being."
"Got it sir. Harry is in detention." She gave him a smile and handed him Harry's bag, then walked to the Great Hall. Before she sat down she sought out Remus and shook her head sadly. He gave her a small nod and got up from his seat and out the side door.
Severus Snape was not a patient man. He presented a front that he was, but his blood was boiling and he was at the end of his nerves. He was pacing in front of his fireplace, willing it to flare green and see Remus' face saying that he found the boy. He needed to keep it from getting out that Harry was missing. It would also make it easier for him to kill the brat when Harry was finally found and not be suspected. The longer he paced the more fearful and agitated he became. He was about to floo call Remus, just for something to do when he heard an odd tapping against his door. It was soft, but insistent. He vowed whatever foolish first year that was at his door would pay dearly. He yanked open the door only to come nose to beak with a very agitated jet black owl. He opened the door wider for Draven to enter and then closed the door.
"What do you have there you bloody menace?" Draven gave him a pointed look and dropped the patch on the table and the hooted rather rudely to Severus. The man walked over and picked up the patch and stared at it for a mere second until realization dawned on him.
"Take me to him, Draven." Severus was on his feet and out the door, Draven right behind. They both turned toward the wall at the end of the right hall. Severus waved his wand and walked through the wall to the grounds on the other side. He waved his wand again and the wall sealed itself. Since it was dark, he was able to move freely and set off at a run. He casted a disillusion spell over himself to remain hidden from those last few stragglers heading back to the castle. Within a few minutes Draven began to slow his pace and flew lower to the ground, nearly at Severus' eye level. A few moments more and Draven stopped altogether. He jumped a few paces and hopped up on Harry's invisible legs. He turned around and hooted toward Severus. A wave of his wand and Severus was no longer disillusioned. Relief passed between father and son, until something far more sinister crossed over the older man's gaze.
