Part 52
"What do you mean they never returned to school?" Hermione's voice was not quite at the stage of panic just yet, but it was close. After dinner, and before her first tutorial of the new term with Severus, Professor McGonagall had asked them both, along with the new Head of Slytherin House, Professor Hooch into her office for a meeting.
"Just as I have said Miss Granger, Denis and Richard did not return for the start of classes today. I contacted their guardians, both of whom related to me, that as far as they knew, both boys were remaining on campus for the duration of the holidays."
"There were a few Slytherin students still here on Christmas Day, we all had dinner together." Professor Hooch relayed, "but Denis and Richard were not among them."
"Did they mention anything to you about their holidays Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall's eyes looked more distinctly feline than usual, Hermione noted.
"I'm very sorry Headmistress, but they didn't confide anything in me, even at the party on Christmas Eve. I am so sorry to say that I never even thought of asking about their plans."
"They said nothing to me either; and with the ensuing excitement of the evening, they could not have picked a better time to leave unnoticed." Severus was pacing back and forth in front of Minerva's office fireplace, his chin in this hand, wracking his brain to see if he could recall anything the two of them might have said.
"Rolanda," Professor McGonagall began, "Would you mind asking your Slytherin charges if any of them might have seen or spoken to either boy after the party?"
"Of course not Headmistress, I shall go and do that now and report back to you directly if I discover anything." Her hawk-like eyes blazing, Rolanda Hooch strode purposely from the office; she'd only been head of Slytherin for one term now, and she was damned if she was going to loose any students this early on.
"I have Mr. Filtch searching the hidden rooms of the castle, and Hagrid is combing the forest. I had hoped that you two might have some ideas for me." The feline eyes still did not change the tone of concern in her voice.
"Denis and Richard both lost their parents in the war; but sadly, no trace of them was ever found. I expect that the boys have discovered some clue as to their whereabouts and have gone in search of them."
"I have to agree with Severus," there was no point in keeping up the pretense when it was only McGonagall in the room. "Both have asked me about Dark Magic on many occasions, and how to detect and trace it. Perhaps they finally found a way."
"Then we have a terrible mystery on our hands, how are we to find two boys who have likely had a ten day head start on us. Assuming, of course, they have any intention of being found."
"I can make some inquires, send a few owls. There are only a few shops who sell the ingredients they will need for some of the more advanced detection potions. Perhaps one shop keeper or another will remember them."
"What would you like me to do Headmistress?"
"Keep your ears open Hermione, and perhaps you and Potter know of a few hidden places that Mr. Filtch does not. Perhaps you could follow your hunches, as long as they aren't dangerous."
"Of course, anything we can do to help."
"Wands out you two, if something else has happened to these boys I don't want anyone running into it unprepared." Of course, everyone had assumed that the boys had been the cause of their own disappearance, but it was entirely possible that they had not, and Minerva was too well aware of that.
"What do you think Severus?" The present situation had made Hermione forget about the loneliness she had been feeling, and part of her was glad for it. She was always good in a crisis. That was why Harry had depended on her so much.
"I don't know what to think Hermione." Both of them had retreated back to the potions lab after the meeting with Professor McGonagall. "I'll send off some owls in the morning to the few shops I know. But the truth is, both boys are well able to get what they need from nature; not that it would be easy to obtain considering the weather right now."
"Love can motivate people to do amazing things Severus."
"Oh I know my Beauty. We know too well. How did things go when you told your friends about the ring?"
"Everyone was thrilled to hear it. Ginny tells me there has been a great deal of speculation over the holidays."
"Really? Well I suppose your happiness has always been a great concern for the Weasleys."
"They are my friends Severus. And they are yours as well." She reached out a hand to stroke his arm, the first semi intimate contact they had managed all day. She felt him shudder just a bit, and she took his hand.
"Well, whatever the case." He was not totally convinced of that fact, but was willing to acquiesce for her sake that it might be true. "I had planned to go into some more healing potions with you tonight, but perhaps it might be better if we concentrate on the search for Denis and Richard?"
"I agree, and I did have a thought Severus, I just didn't want to say anything in front of Professor McGonagall."
"What is it?" He held onto her tightly.
"I think we should go back to the Elder Grove. There was a great deal of power there, and whatever that entity was, all of us made a sacrifice there. They might have gone back to see about exploiting that power."
"An interesting thought Hermione. Let me take something as an offering for the spirits there. Are you well enough versed on your detection spells to assist me?"
"I believe so."
"Then fetch your cloak and your knives and I'll meet you at the front doors, we'll go right now." He leaned in to kiss her, invigorated by the sudden purpose in his chest, as much as the excitement at finally having Hermione to himself again.
Severus had the carriage ready when Hermione arrived, he must have absolutely flown she thought, but when she saw the larger tracks in the snow heading away from the front doors she surmised that Hagrid must have prepared it for them. Severus had equipped it with blankets against the cold, even though it was covered. She slipped in beside him and huddled into his body against the night wind. The smile on his face was enchanting. He clicked the reins and they were off.
The first time they had made the trip Hermione had been full of anticipation; the unknown, the chance to increase her knowledge and power, at the side of her Beloved. It had been a spell woven by the hoof beats of the Thestrals. Even the first stirrings of the curse had not spoiled the memory of the night, but this trip reeked with the ominous. She half hoped to find something, and half hoped to find nothing, but a good part of her was afraid of the spells she and Severus would be weaving in their pursuit, and she shivered against him, and pulled the blanket tighter, even as he slipped his hand over her shoulders to do the same.
