"London?" Snape repeated. "What on earth for?"

"I have a friend, Matt, at Magical Menagerie in London who could help. He probably knows some way to get the baby to eat."

"We can't go to London this late," Snape said, looking at his watch. "It's-"

"It's not even dark out yet, it's just now dinnertime."

"I'd have to speak to Dumbledore-"

"I'll ask him myself," she said haughtily, getting her bag and slinging it over one shoulder. "You heard Hagrid, this kneazle won't survive the night if he doesn't eat and I promised I'd take of him, with or without your help! Now I'm going to talk to Dumbledore and I'm going to save this kitten!"

She knew she was being harsh but she felt extremely protective of the tiny kitten in her hands. She wasn't going to let him die, not on her watch.

She left Snape standing in his office looking perplexed. She hurried to her dorm, which was empty. Everyone was at dinner and the headmaster most likely was too. She left her book bag and got her money pouch from her trunk. She shrugged on her thick traveling cloak and held the baby close to her chest as she left the Common Room. She found Snape waiting in the corridor outside the Common Room.

"That was quite a dramatic exit," he drawled, following her as she headed for the stairs.

"You're coming with me?" she asked, noting that he had his traveling cloak on.

"I put a stasis spell on our potions," he said with a curt nod, following her. "We'll have to stay up late to finish them."

She took the stairs out of the dungeon two at a time. She knew every second counted and she didn't want to waste a moment. Snape caught up with her in the Entrance Hall. They were about to enter the Great Hall when a booming voice spoke from the Grand Staircase.

"Looks like I'm not the only one late for dinner, Severus," said Dumbledore with a laugh, his star-spangled robes flowing around him as he came down the stairs.

"Headmaster," Snape acknowledged with a nod. "Actually, we were looking for you."

"Oh? Hello, Miss Gray, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Professor," she assured him. "However..." she opened her hands to show him the kitten.

"Oh my. That's a kneazle, is it not?"

"Yes sir," Freddie answered and quickly explained the situation. Dumbledore listened without interrupting, not moving except to pet the kneazle kitten's head.

"So you see, sir, I thought I could go to London. I have a friend who works at the store Magical Menagerie. He takes care of all sorts of animals, I thought he might have some idea of how to help."

"You want to go to London tonight?" Dumbledore asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Yes sir. I really don't think he'll last the night without help," she said desperately. The little furry body in her hands was already growing cooler in the night air that was drifting into the hall.

"I'm afraid you may be right, Miss Gray," he said somberly. "Very well. You have my permission to travel to London this evening...so long as someone accompanies you. Severus? I trust you're not too busy to escort Miss Gray to London."

"We have several potions brewing," he said slowly and Freddie glared at him from behind Dumbledore's back. "but I have placed stasis spells on them and they can be left unattended until we return."

"Excellent," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together. "I suggest you use the fireplace in your office to floo to London. It would be unwise to attempt Apparition with the little one being so weak."

"Yes Headmaster. Come along, Winifred," Snape said, sweeping her back towards the dungeons.

"Good luck, Miss Gray," Dumbledore called cheerfully. "Do let me know how it turns out."

"Thank you, Severus," she said quietly as she followed him back down the steps. He nodded silently. When they reached his office he shut the door behind them and placed the charms that warded his door.

"I hope that your friend can help," he said as he got the floo powder from the shelf.

"Me too," she murmured, holding the kitten close to her chest.