#
They walked for at least another hour and Freddie began to suspect they were going in circles. She saw the same large birch tree at least twice.
"Are you sure you're not lost?" she asked and he scoffed at her.
"I do not get lost, little girl," he said, pinching her arm slightly. "I know this forest better than you know the back of your own hand."
Freddie glanced at the back of her hand then up at him.
"How?" she asked curiously.
"How what?"
"How do you know the forest so well?"
"Well I am the Potions Master. I've spent a great deal of time collecting ingredients in these woods. It saves money and fresh-picked ingredients are always best."
"What about when you were in school? Did you ever sneak out into the forest?" she asked with a grin.
He glanced down at her, smirking slightly, but did not answer.
They walked a little while longer until Freddie heard the sound of hoof beats. Snape stopped and let go of her arm. Freddie looked up at him but he didn't look concerned.
"Put your wand away," he advised as he stowed his in his pocket. Freddie did the same and was about to ask why when a herd of centaurs burst through the trees. They circled them once through the trees, slowing down, then came back to stop in front of them.
"Professor Snape," greeted the large centaur at the head of the herd. "A little late to be gathering Potions ingredients."
"Good evening, Bane," Snape said, bowing slightly. "We are not here for ingredients. We are searching for any clues regarding the missing boy."
"We have seen no trace of your young one," Bane said, his gaze on Freddie. "You should not be here. The forest is no place for a filly."
Freddie prickled a being called a filly but she knew better than to mouth off to a centaur.
"Winifred is under my protection," Snape said smoothly, putting a hand on the small of her back. "We were wondering if the herd had seen any signs of Professor Kettleburn's missing chimera?"
"We have," Bane confirmed. "But your student is not with her."
"How can you be sure?" Freddie blurted out, then cowed slightly under the centaur's intense gaze. "I'm sorry, sir, it's just...he's my best friend. Daniel. He's been my best friend for 6 years, he's like a brother to me."
"You were with him when he disappeared?" Bane asked.
"Yes sir."
The centaur scrutinized her closely a moment.
"Your friend is not with the chimera, Miss Gray. He is not in the forest. We would know."
Freddie sighed softly and looked at the ground, trying to stop the tears from welling in her eyes.
"Thank you, Bane," Snape said. "We appreciate your help and expertise."
"We will let you know if anything turns up," Bane said with a nod, then he turned and led his herd away.
They listened to the hoof beats disappear into the woods. Freddie swallowed heavily and managed to blink the tears away before they fell.
"I'm sorry, Winifred," Snape said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It was a long shot," she said with a weak smile. "We can go now, I guess."
In a surprisingly tender gesture he stroked the back of her head gently. She closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them he had taken a few steps away from her.
"Come on," he said roughly.
Freddie followed him through the forest, feeling worse than she had before. The centaurs said Daniel wasn't in the forest. They would know better than anyone.
But they didn't say he was dead either, she said, feeling a glimmer of hope.
Snape let out a loud yawn as they walked through the trees. Freddie checked her watch. It was after 3 in the morning.
"I'm sorry I made you bring me out here so late," she said softly. "I just thought...I don't know..."
"You did not make me do anything," he said. "And you do not have to apologize. If I thought Lily were still alive, I would not stop looking until I found her."
He paused briefly, then continued walking at a faster pace. Freddie knew better than to as but she watched him as she followed him, having to jog to keep up.
Lily, she thought to herself. That must have been his friend who died...the Gryffindor girl.
Neither of them spoke until they were back in the castle and Snape stopped outside the entrance to the Common Room. He gave the password and the door opened.
"Thank you," Freddie said softly. "For taking me out there to look."
"If you are thinking of hugging me again, I will hex you, Gray," he said dryly.
Freddie let out a bark of laughter. She gave him a quick hug, then darted down the passageway to the Common Room. She was only a few feet away when he hit her with a Trip Jinx. She hit the ground with an 'oomph' but got up quickly.
"Worth it," she said, giving him a quick grin back over her shoulder.
"Go to bed, Gray," he said irritably.
"Goodnight, sir."