Severus is trying to keep the Muggle-borns from harm, but the clues that have been discovered don't give him any ideas as to who is behind the attacks. Severus must stay focused if he's going to suss out the clues to catch the one responsible. That is if his resurfacing feelings for Hermione don't get in the way. Meanwhile, Hermione and Ginny learn the truth about the two deaths at the castle from Harry, shocking both girls. Lucius Malfoy makes another trip up to Hogsmeade to visit Hermione.

Murder, Magic, Mayhem, and Madness

November Continues

Lucius waited, watching from the bedpost as Hermione finished off her mead, moaning and undulating on the soft duvet as she touched herself, giving herself pleasure. After she'd finished the first bottle, he'd refilled her glass from the second bottle hidden in his robes, undressed her and had laid her on the bed to watch. He was entranced by the wanton, passionate display. The sight was exquisite.

Since she'd been drinking from a glass, it had been so easy to simply refill it, and he'd toyed with the idea of letting her have the third. One of the two chocolate covered strawberries he'd fed her at lunch had been filled with a strong Befuddlement Draught, just enough to make her pliable, and the other had just enough Forgetfulness Potion to erase this hour from her mind, maybe even two. He slipped the empty bottle of mead into his pocket of his robes hanging in the bedpost, and moved to the bed. He wanted to be with her in the worst way, but knew he had to wait. He had to wait until the wedding night to seal their union.

His clothes were open and he was touching himself. He couldn't help it. He moved to the bed and lounged next to her. He kissed and suckled on her breast while she touched herself. His free hand continued to stroke himself in rhythm with her undulations, until he increased his tempo to satisfy his own need, following her into orgasmic bliss as she climaxed for a second time. Soon. Oh yes, soon. This will be mine. Who'd have known she was so passionate, so sensual.

He lowered himself to her center, inhaled and licked her. She nearly screamed his name, and he pushed a pillow under her bum to raise her hips for easier access. Still stroking himself, smugly reveling in the way he'd made her thrash on the bed, he caressed her body, kneading her flesh while literally feasting her lower lips, watching her squirm and undulate from his administration, both crying and pleading for him to continue and begging him to stop. He chuckled as he continued, knowing she was extremely sensitive. Her pleading only increased his desire, and he worked himself as he pleasured his witch into her final orgasm. His second release came before Hermione finally succumbed to sleep. He'd taken full advantage of the situation, enjoying every moment and now lay next to her, spent.

Lucius called for the house-elf to wash her and redress her, getting up to stand at the bedpost to watch. He checked his pocket watch. She'll wake in about thirty minutes. He smiled as the house-elf combed her hair. She'll have dreams of this—of us for at least two weeks, if not a month. He didn't know if there would be another Hogsmeade weekend for the students before the Christmas hols, although he'd been told there would be twice as many as in previous years. He needed this to hold her to him until Christmas, when he'd make her his, and she'd conceive him a child. A month and a half… she will be mine by Christmas.

Severus saw Hermione walk out of The Carriage House, followed closely by Lucius. Hermione had a flushed look about her, and her lips are swollen as if she'd been savagely kissed. Severus narrowed his eyes and slipped into the shadows. Hermione was conversing with Lucius in a much too familiar manner. He watched as Lucius led her to the bookshop and decided to follow them.

Severus knew that after the war, Lucius had gotten off lightly on a series of technicalities. There was no one to testify against him, or at least no one who could claim he'd done any further atrocities for the Dark Lord. The Death Eaters had been fighting for their lives toward the end, feeling no compunction at using whatever means necessary to avoid being sent back to Azkaban. The causalities had been high. Lucius had claimed that he'd been only trying to subdue Potter and his friends in the Department of Mysteries until the members of the Order arrived, then he was simply trying to defend himself. The night Potter had left the Dursleys' for good, Lucius had claimed that he'd only fired spells to appease the Dark Lord, and that his curses had missed, intentionally. At the final battle, Lucius had been conspicuously absent; his only real action had been to inform Severus that the Dark Lord had summoned him. Lucius had claimed that he had no idea the Dark Lord intended to kill his friend. In fact, none of the survivors could remember seeing Lucius raise his wand in the final battle.

Severus walked casually into the bookshop and strolled slowly among the shelves. Hermione was busily shopping for books while Lucius assisted her solicitously. Severus ground his teeth in annoyance. He's using her. His probation hinges on his being truly reformed, having become repentant for his past associations and beliefs. But the son of Abraxas Malfoy would not change his beliefs so easily. He saw Lucius' hand slide on Hermione's body and felt the urge to hex him. If Lucius had been a seventeen—no strike that—nineteen-year-old boy his actions would be enough to convince Severus that they were actually an amorous couple, possibly even in a romantic relationship.

Preposterous! He's using her. Using her to show his supposed change of heart and to solidify his return to acceptable society. He saw Hermione fiddle with the charm on her bracelet and look around alarmed. When her gaze caught his, he inclined his head to her in greeting, and then turned back to the shelves in front of him, pulling the first book he saw from the shelf. Robert's Guide to Botanical Herbals. A completely worthless book full of redundant, trivial nonsense and idiotic suggestions from a complete dunderhead I would not have allowed in my potions classroom past third-year if it'd been up to me.

He put the book back, selecting another at random, appearing to be scanning the contents all the while watching Hermione turn and hand Lucius three books with a warm smile. How could Hermione have fallen for his lies, his charade?

Lucius followed Hermione from the aisle, pulling her into the Transfiguration section. This—her—with him, this cannot be happening. Hermione fingered the charm on her bracelet again, looking around as if aware she was being watched.

He selected another book. Healing Herbals and Natural Remedies, by… T.R. Hornbrey. Hornbrey… Theresa? Spare me. That girl was hardly better than Longbottom at Potions. He turned slightly and noticed that Lucius was leading Hermione to the register to pay for her books. He replaced the book, pulling out another. Natural Organic Soaps, Body Bars, and Shampoos by Susan Jane Kritchens.

He put the book back without even opening the cover.

Across the street, a pair of blue eyes narrowed dangerously. They watched Lucius Malfoy escort Hermione Granger into the bookshop. With a hurried step, the cloaked figure crossed the street and entered the bookshop, perusing the shelves until the man and girl came into view. He was hovering over her, that pureblood was leaning toward her, caressing her hair and laying his hand protectively on the girl's back. That Mudblood girl. Rage flashed in the cold blue eyes, full of furious indignation at the sight. The Mudblood looked at her bracelet and glanced around.

Movements made the mousey-brown-haired head turn, as the Headmaster entered the shop and walked past the couple, stopping at the Potions section. Moving carefully so as not to attract attention, the figure moved, keeping everyone, the Headmaster, the Mudblood, and Lucius Malfoy in sight. The Headmaster took his time, carefully examining the contents of the books he considered, all the while watching the affectionate pair in the aisle near him. As Lucius pulled a large book from a top shelf, the girl toyed with the charm on her bracelet again, and looked around in the otherwise empty section of the store.

The Mudblood handed Lucius three tomes and inhaled in surprise when he picked up one she'd discarded, laughing that it was, "Too much."

Lucius smiled and asked if there were any others she'd like to have.

The Mudblood shook her head, laughing when Lucius drew her into the Transfiguration section, indicating the shelves with a flourish of his hand. They carried nine books to the counter by the time they were done. The Mudblood vainly examined the back of her hand and her fingernails as Lucius paid for her books. She thought she saw a flicker, a glint on her finger… like a light refraction and dismissed it.

The blue eyes followed the Headmaster's movements as well as Lucius with the Mudblood. A frown appeared at the realization that the Headmaster had been watching the Mudblood girl the whole time too, with the pretense of perusing through the books. With a casual air, the watchful figure walked toward the door, pausing, seemingly to look at the display of new cooking books, as Lucius and the Mudblood left the store. A small gasp escaped the sneering lips when the observant eyes saw a flash of light on the girl's hand as she walked through a beam of sunlight. A ring! On the left hand. She's wearing an engagement ring? No! That can't be!

The Headmaster left the bookshop only a few paces behind the obviously engaged couple, passing right by the smaller figure standing near the door, his attention focused on the Mudblood and Lucius Malfoy. But his look, the Headmaster's expression, was nearly possessive, clearly annoyed by the scene he'd been watching. The blue eyes read his body language, the clutching of his fists, and the tick in the jaw. The Headmaster likes the Mudblood! No matter. She's on the list of those who have to go. Only she'll have to go soon. That Mudblood tramp will not get either one of the Dark Lord's two most favored followers! She is completely undeserving of either one; not Lucius Malfoy, one of the wealthiest pureblood wizards in the country, nor Severus Snape, master of Potions, the Dark Lord's most trusted advisor, and the Headmaster of Hogwarts. No, they should marry properly—a pureblood. No, no, no. That girl has to go.

~oo0oo~

Hermione entered the Great Hall for lunch the next day, surrounded by her friends. Luna gave her a hug before skipping off to the Ravenclaw table. Lucius had shown her the invitations after she'd awoke from her nap. They had white roses and white peacocks on a powder blue background with silver lettering. They were lovely. Lucius had promised that as soon as she gave him her list they'd be sent out. She could hardly wait!

Amanda, Margery, and Luna had already agreed to be her bridesmaids when Hermione had shown her friends her ring in Hogsmeade, and Ginny was going to be her Maid of Honor. Hermione wanted a blue and silver wedding, and Lucius had readily agreed. He'd asked Hermione to send sketches of the robes she wanted to have the girls wear and said he'd have Estrith Wertheim, of Twillfit and Tattings, send her the robes for the girls to try on. Hermione wasn't much of an artist, but between Amanda and Margery, they had come up with a sketch everyone liked.

The Manor would be decorated with garlands of greenery and white flowers of every kind. Even the Christmas trees would be decorated in blue, white and silver, and the drapes in all the windows would be changed to silver gossamer silks. Hermione could hardly believe he was willing to do all of this for her, everything she wanted and more.

She was walking along to their usual place at the table, telling the girls about the wedding plans, when a first-year fell off her seat at the Ravenclaw table. Ginny was knocked over as the girl fell against her, and Amanda grabbed Hermione just in time so she didn't trip and fall on them. The pretty girl was deathly pale, her eyes and mouth closed as if asleep. Hermione knelt down to see if she was okay, and fought the compulsion to scream when she realized that the girl was totally limp. She checked for a pulse as Severus pushed his way to her side. Ginny stood up, allowing Severus to access to assess the girl. Hermione looked up and saw a familiar copy of Hogwarts, A History propped up in front of the girl's plate.

"Don't touch anything, Miss Granger," Severus barked as Hermione reached for the book. "Please move the students away from the aisle."

"Prefects," Hagrid yelled. "Please help clear the aisle."

Hermione stood to the side, ushering everyone out of the way so that Severus could help the girl on the floor. "Is she de—all right, Headmaster?" Hagrid asked, softly walking up, followed closely by Professors Sprout, Vector, and McGonagall.

Murmurs and speculation were starting to buzz around the room. Professor Flitwick appeared just as Severus said, "She's not dead, she's asleep." He turned and looked around, his gaze falling on the book. He rose, conjured a large cloth, and Professor Flitwick Levitated the book so he could wrap it up. Likewise, the cutlery, plate, goblet and everything the girl had possibly touched was wrapped and set into a box Professor Flitwick was balancing on the bench in front of him. Severus turned to Hagrid. "Hagrid, would you please take this up to my office." He turned to Professor Flitwick. "No one is to touch anything in this section," he said while creating a rope to portion off the section of the table. "Have the first- and second-years sit anywhere else. I would also like the Aurors to see the girl's room." He turned to the other Professors standing by. "Inform the other students to cooperate in the investigation. If anyone has any information, I want every staff member available to the students, day or night. Generous house points may be given for viable information."

"What is it? What?" Professor Flitwick asked.

Severus leaned down as if checking the girl's seat. "Draught of Living Death. I don't know how she was given the potion, but the means of delivery was here at the table."

~oo0oo~

Severus sat in his office listening to Mr. Greenwich, Mr. Khalsa, and Mr. Anderson as they gave him the report on Corinna Diggles, the girl who collapsed in the Great Hall that morning. "…five books on Potions, and numerous books on Charms and Herbology. According to her dorm mates, those were her favorite subjects. She also has a slithering snakadyillis on the windowsill, a young rosy boa in an aquarium and a half-kneasle as pets. Nothing unusual," Mr. Greenwich reported, closing his note pad and putting it in his pocket. "My partner, Amy Groves, is still talking to her house mates."

"We tested all the china and cutlery. There were traces of the potion on the goblet and the handle of her fork, but nothing significant. What we did find was on the book." He put on a pair of gloves, unwrapped the large leather book, and placed it carefully on the desk. "There is powdered root of asphodel mixed with an infusion of wormwood that had been soaked into the leather of this book. The best I can say is that the girl got enough of the potion on her hands, and it had transferred to her food while she was eating… It's a theory. I can't prove it."

"What I don't understand is why douse a book with a potion and leave it for anyone," Mr. Anderson said, standing with his arms crossed, staring at the book. "This girl is a fourth generation witch, so it isn't likely that our Muggle-born killer was after her."

Severus waved his hand to make the book lie open. "This is an older copy… Subsequent editions of this book were updated after the Triwizard Tournament and after the death of Dumbledore as well as the new edition printed after the fall of the Dark Lord. We have six of those new editions." With a flick of his wrist, he made the bowers card slide out of the pocket from the inside of the cover and read down the list of names.

Mr. Anderson leaned over to look at the card and whistled. "Miss Granger checked out this particular book well over a dozen times."

"No, she had this book an extended amount of time, renewing the loan several times her second year and her sixth," Severus stated. "Miss Pince marks extensions differently than when a student first checks the books out. Few know her subtle coding. But yes, this edition is apparently a favorite of Miss Grangers."

"So, Miss Granger was the intended target?" Mr. Greenwich asked.

Severus looked up at the Auror. "Miss Granger is a Muggle-born. If there is a Muggle-born killer, she is a possible target. As for the book, she last checked out this book in May of her sixth year. I cannot say that the potion applied to this book was specifically intended for Miss Granger."

"So we are back to square one," Mr. Khalsa said with a sigh.

"Apparently," Severus said smoothly, although he felt he was forming a profile on the one responsible. If everything we've collected had been done by the same person.

Severus had to close the library to have all the books checked for contamination. The next morning, Victor Sturckey, from the Department of Magical Catastrophes, brought his entire staff and many volunteers from the Ministry to help examine every book for any harmful substances or any more hidden messages. The methodical search uncovered nothing untoward or unusual.

After ten days of exhausted searching by fifty witches and wizards, Severus announced at dinner that the library would be reopened the next day.

The Daily Prophet had reported the incident with Miss Corinna Diggles as nothing more than an unfortunate accident of a first-year's experimenting with her potions ingredients. Headmaster Severus Snape was exalted for his quick identification of the girl's condition, his timely action to protect the students, and for brewing the antidote that revived Miss Diggles.

The Diggles family, although grateful that their child was all right, nonetheless, wrote to Professor Flitwick that they were removing Corinna from Hogwarts. Corinna locked herself in the loo, until Professor Flitwick opened it, then she ran away from him and tried hiding in her dorm mate's trunk. Severus had to speak to the girl and finally allowed her permission to go home for the weekend to discuss the situation with her parents. He had to promise the hysterically crying girl, almost to the point of making a wand oath, to let her return if her parents consented.

The following Monday, Corinna Diggles begged the stone gargoyle to let her have admittance to see the Headmaster, in order to give him the letter from her parents and a present for saving her life. Severus read the note from the girl's parents, granting her permission to remain in school, and dismissed her to return to her common room. He was thankful the huge Headmaster's desk was between them when the girl jumped up, squealing in delight, because without the obstruction he was certain that she would have hugged and kissed him. He dumped the lump of homemade fudge into the waste bin after she left his office, receiving a few pointed comments from the portraits, especially Dumbledore's and Dilys'.

~oo0oo~

That didn't go as planned. Angry blue eyes swept the library and stopped when Miss Think-She's-All-That came into view. That book in the library was the Mudblood's favorite book. In seven years, the girl had checked it out over a dozen times. The eyes narrowed. Mudblood. The student turned and walked casually around the bookshelf to the other side. The Mudblood was the only one to check out the second edition in the last three years. Everyone else checked out the current ones—except that silly little idiot Diggles!

Three boys were talking, heads bent over a pad of note parchments. One looked up and nodded.

"Joaquin's father is a graphics artist. Joac wants to go in business with his da when he leaves."

Trying very hard to act nonchalant, the eavesdropper edged closer as if looking for a book on plants.

"The Ministry won't let him," the fifth-year boy, a Ravenclaw, said. "Muggles aren't supposed to know about magic."

The fifth-year Hufflepuff snorted. "He already knows—it's his da!"

"My parents know, and the Ministry simply sent someone over to help my mum each time I did unintentional magic," the third boy said softly.

The eavesdropper looked at the boys casually. The one Ravenclaw boy was Kritchens, the fifth-year who'd made the house team, the other was a shy boy who usually kept to himself. "But if he's making these lego's that move, morph, and change color for the magical businesses, Muggles will see them," Kritchens said.

"Logo's," the Hufflepuff said. "An no' if they keeps 'em separate. Joac said he'll have his own office an' everything! Wish my da would let me go in business with him."

"I think I want to work for the Ministry, myself," shy boy stated. "I was reading the pamphlets, leaflets, and such. I was talking to the Head Boy, Justin, about magical jobs, and he says he wants to be Minister of Magic one day. I think that's cool. I want to work in Department of Magical Catastrophes or in Magical Sports!"

"So that's why you're always reading the books on Quidditch?" Kritchens said jovially. "Here I thought you were still trying to compare it to hoopball and rugglby to everyone."

"It's basketball and rugby. Besides, there are similarities," the shy boy said defensively, scuffing his shoe.

"Well, if you're going to go into the Department of Magical Games and Sports you ought to learn how to play," Krtichens teased him, and the shy boy lowered his head to hide a blush. "How about I teach you?"

"Yeah, that'd be great!"

The blue eyes refocused on the books in front of them, the owner taking the book, The Management and Handling of Magical Herbals, down from the shelf with a soft snort. The blue eyes swept the room once again, stopping at the table where Hermione sat, working on her assignments. They dilute us, expose us, and try to take over. These Mudbloods have to go.

~oo0oo~

It had been raining nearly all week. There was a notice on the house boards that all library books were to be shown to the Auror assigned to the library before removing them. The house-elves were put on alert for any tampering of the food or tableware. Aurors became regular visitors to the Hufflepuff common room and frequently visited the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw towers, and even Slytherin had two Aurors assigned to them as well.

Auror Abhay Khalsa greeted Hermione with a friendly smile when she entered the library.

She simply said, "Hello," back and chose a table near the Transfiguration section. The library had been unusually crowded this whole week, partly due to the rain, but mainly because it had been closed and all the essays that had been assigned prior to the closing had been extended to allow the students to catch up. It seemed to Hermione like she had at least three essays per subject to complete, although the professors were being lenient with the due dates. She pulled out her revision planner to see which assignment was more urgent than the others, asked Margery to watch her bag, and then went to collect the books she needed. She was engrossed in her Transfiguration essay when she heard someone clear his throat next to her.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Justin asked. "You've a few of the books I need, and I was wondering if we could share them."

Hermione smiled and indicated the chair next to her. "I don't mind a bit." Working with Justin was enjoyable. He was polite and very considerate, even giving her a suggestion for her essay, and thanking her for the occasional suggestion. Three Ravenclaws sat down at the table to work on their assignments and four Slytherins asked to sit at the other end. Luna drifted over at one point to ask Hermione if she could borrow Transfiguration Through the Ages, and To Transform, Transmute, and Transmogrify. Hermione laughed and invited her to join them.

Margery stood, saying she was going to look for Changing Form and the Nature of Objects, and one of the Slytherin girls at the table, Griselda Drachenblut, said she had it and that she'd give it to her when she was done. Margery thanked her but walked over to the Charms section anyway. Justin excused himself, returning a few minutes later with a scowl that the book he wanted hadn't been on the shelf. One of the Ravenclaw girls excused herself, asked her friends softly to watch her things and went to the shelves.

"What are you looking for?" Hermione whispered, as two of the Slytherins got up from the table.

Justin turned and leaned closer to Hermione so he could keep his voice low. "The difference between magical metamorphic transfiguration versus a metamorphose… I swear they are the same thing! I think Professor McGonagall simply likes to use her thesaurus." A Ravenclaw girl passed by their table, looked at Justin and Hermione with a lingering glance, and then sat down at the end of the table behind them. Several boys followed, set their things down at the table and pulled out their seats loudly. Hermione turned to glare at them quickly then shook her head when Madam Pince deducted house points from each boy for disrupting the quiet.

Luna leaned forward. "I know a book that will help, Variant degrees of Transfiguration. I just saw Marianne Belchley carry it over to the book trolley."

"I know another one," Hermione stated as Margery sighed and said, "This isn't helping me at all." Both girls rose at the same time. As Hermione searched the shelf for Understanding Transfiguration Theory, Blackwelder, one of the Slytherins who'd been sitting at the same table as she, entered the aisle. Hermione nodded in acknowledgement, but the girl simply sneered and turned her attention to the bookshelf. Hermione shrugged, locating the book in question. When she returned to the table, Justin was talking to Madam Pince and Luna was over at the card catalogue files. Margery returned a second later, carrying six books. "Do you need help?" Hermione asked, rising.

Margery dumped the books on the table. Making the other students turn their heads at her and a few scowled, before turning away. "No, I can manage," Margery replied softly. "Who'd have thought? I'm turning into you!"

Hermione smirked, and then smiled as she recognized one of the books. "Oh, cool, I want this one when you're done," she said, pointing at a book in her pile.

Margery pulled it out and handed it over. "Here. But you'll have to share."

Foughtery, one of the Slytherins leaned over. "Do you mind if I borrow it a moment?" Hermione looked at him. He had a serious expression, but he was asking friendly enough. "I promise to hand it right back. I just needed to check something."

Hermione handed the book over. "Sure," she said as Foughtery said, "Thanks."

Hermione smiled. "Just pass it back when you're done."

He nodded. "No problem."

Justin returned and looked at the books stacked up beside his parchment and inkwell. "Are you all right?" Hermione asked. "You look confused. Does someone have the book you need?"

"Yes… a, what?" Justin stammered, still staring at the book on the top of the stack. "Did you get this for me?"

Hermione looked at him confused. "Margery brought a book over for you, I think, but I didn't."

"Yeah, here," Margery said, holding up a heavy book for Justin.

Justin ignored her. "You didn't get this book?" he asked, picking up A History of Serpents and Magic.

Margery set the book she was holding down with a thump. "No, why would I? You're working on Transfiguration, aren't you?"

Justin examined the book, and his brow creased as his fingers flicked on something, "Yes, I am." He opened the book flipping through the pages. His disconcerted expression changed to one of alarm, then of worry, as he looked up and scanned the library.

"What?" Margery asked as Hermione sat up straighter asking, "What is it?"

He turned to the Ravenclaws sitting at their table. "Did you see who left this book here?" he asked, and both shook their heads in the negative. He then turned to the Slytherins. "Do any of you lot know anything about this book?"

Foughtery and Wellsmiter both looked up, Foughtery with an expression of confusion saying, "No," and Wellsmiter with an angry glare who snapped, "What, blaming us, are you? Not in the habit of dolling out books. Ask your blonde here. She's the one dumping books on the table."

Foughtery looked at his housemate and then back to Justin. "There's a lot of people in here today. The tables are practically full, and everyone is moving around. It could have been anyone."

"You didn't see anyone, though?" Justin asked, still unnerved.

Foughtery shook his head, looking at Justin as if he was tired that Slytherins' were being blamed for everything lately. "Nope. None of us did."

Miss Drachenblut said something about Hufflepuffs always suspecting Slytherins, to which Mr. Wellsmiter agreed to with a snarl.

Justin nodded and apologized for his tone, then stared at the book again. "Justin, what is it?" Hermione asked, concerned. His demeanor really worried her.

"Someone defaced the book," he said softly, although the worry was still evident in his voice.

Hermione reached up to snatch the book, and Justin turned it so she could see the page. She gasped seeing,'sstrikess him, bitesss him, killss him,' written on the page in red ink. "It's not just defaced—it's another threat! Aimed at you!" she exclaimed, unable to hide the fear and concern in her voice. Her hand even started shaking. "Justin, we better show that to the Auror! Or better yet, Severus!" She scrambled from her seat and carried the book to the door, followed closely by Justin.

Mr. Khalsa stopped her at the door. "All books need to be checked, Miss Granger."

"No this one has to be shown to Professor Snape," Hermione insisted. Mr. Khalsa held up his hand to stop her from leaving while reaching for the book with his other, and Hermione drew her wand, sending her Patronus to Severus, telling him to come immediately.

"The Headmaster is really busy, I'm sure I can figure out what's wrong with the book," Mr. Khalsa snapped irritably, still holding out his hand for the book.

Justin stepped forward. "This one the Headmaster should see. There's nothing wrong with the book, it's what has been done to it."

Hermione could hear someone running in the corridor through the open door. "Did you see anyone using red ink today?" she asked, hoping to stall. The Auror scrunched his face in confusion. "Or anyone using a double broad quill tip?"

"Now how would I know that?" Mr. Khalsa snapped.

"Any of the professors would know who favored a double broad quill tip," Hermione stated as Severus entered the doorway.

"What is so urgent, Miss Granger?" he asked, slightly winded. Hermione smiled inwardly, knowing he must have been running full out to get to her. Two more Aurors, Paltiel Edelstein and Albert Doering, came running in seconds later.

Hermione opened up the book and handed it to Severus. "Justin just found this. The ink looks like its fresh."

Severus examined the writing and looked up at Justin. "Step out here into the corridor." They followed him, slipping around Auror Khalsa who was still blocking the doorway. "Now explain." Justin told Severus what he knew, and Hermione added what she did. Severus nodded. "Mr. Khalsa, please keep everyone inside. Mr. Edelstein, Mr. Doering, we're looking for red ink and a double broad quill tip. Anyone refusing to turn out their bags will have detention with me."

Severus followed Hermione and Justin to their table, while Mr. Edelstein and Mr. Doering stopped at the table nearest to the door. Foughtery and Wellsmiter both looked at Hermione with hostile glares.

Severus approached their table, nodding to the Slytherins. "A threat was found in a book at this table. To rule you out quickly, I am going to ask you to turn out your bags." He tuned to the rest of the students sitting staring with their mouths agape. "That goes for the rest of you. Now, please. Do not make me ask twice."

The Ravenclaws and Margery complied quickly, and Severus nodded, turning to the Slytherins. They emptied their bags and stood, the boys turning out their pockets. Severus nodded, his expression indicating that he didn't really believe that they would have anything. "Mr. Foughtery, Mr. Wellsmiter, thank you. Miss Drachenblut, Miss Blackwelder, I apologize for the inconvenience." He looked up at the others. "You will all wait here a moment. Do not leave this table."

Four more Aurors showed up and after talking briefly to Auror Khalsa, began checking the students in the library. The search was handled efficiently and quickly. Nevertheless, no one had red ink, although a few did have double broad tips on their quills. The only bottle of red ink found was at Madam Pince's desk.

Severus swept from the library, his robes billowing behind him. It was time to take action. He strode purposefully down to the kitchens and entered quickly, making the portrait slam closed behind him. Every house-elf froze and turned, with varying degrees of shock and surprise on their faces. "I must ask you once again for your assistance," he said as politely as he could, although he was furious that the troublesome student was still causing havoc.

The elves quickly recovered from the Headmaster's abrupt appearance in their kitchen and bowed en masse, then stood, looking up at Severus expectantly. "What can we do for you, Headmaster?" a female elf asked, lacing her fingers together tightly to hide her nervousness.

Severus pulled the small, pink bottle of the expensive, iridescent black ink out of his pocket, and held it up for them to see. "I'm looking for a student, who uses this type of ink. He or she may also have red ink in their possession. I want all trunks searched immediately and check under all the beds. You know where students hide and stuff things. I want this search thorough and done quickly." He set the inkbottle on the nearest table, and the elves all clustered around him. "Report to me the moment you are done or if you find anything." He looked at the female who'd spoken to him. "You, I have another request for."

All the other elves nodded and vanished. Severus took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Please inform all the professors I want an immediate meeting in the staff room before the start of the next lessons. Then you may assist the others in the search."

"I will tells them right now, sir," she said and disappeared.

Severus went up to his office to get the riddles and poems. He was going to catch this miscreant, and he didn't care if he stepped on a few toes to do so.

November continues ~

~~oooo0oooo~~

Author's Notes:

So, Severus is going to enlist the help of all the house-elves. Hope that helps!

Many thanks to my betas, Pookah and MadBrilliant, for helping me clean up my many mistakes. I really appreciate it more than you can possibly know.