Fog

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Harry Potter or anything related. =(

In his darkened chamber, Snape crossed his arms and pouted, staring murderously at the empty cauldron pot. His fingers flexed and gripped his upper arms. To fit his mood, Severus lit a measly, dinky candle and crammed it into the corner. This allowed for maximum moping while still getting visibility. Crammed into his chair, all he could think about was the misery of the day, the idiotic Lucius and faculty, and what he had lost and probably could never get back. And the infernal humiliation and the dignity- destroying behaviors of himself and Lucius. His door opened and a flood of light came into his room, blinding his eyes and inflaming his temper.

Livid and exasperated, Severus kicked the cauldron, "What?"

Professor McGonagall marched in, "You! How—"

"Close the door, woman! It's as light as heaven here."

After closing the door, McGonagall strode in, looking particularly vexed, "I just had the pleasure of hearing about Malfoy's being expelled. I hope you realize that you have just ruined his Hogwarts career."

"What news, Minerva. I have been doing absolutely nothing but sit with my cauldron for the last nine hours."

"I do not give a whit about what you say, but I sincerely hope that the tragedy of this will hit you before we all whither and die of old age." Minerva walked closer and stood behind Severus. After a moment of silence, she softly spoke, "I'm sorry about what happened today. Everything. Including my own behavior at the breakfast table." Rubbing his back in slow, broad circles, Minerva continued, "Dumbledore is trying to contact Lucius. I haven't heard anything about his returning the calls, but then, I'm always the last to know anything."

Severus' muscles finally eased and the tension abated slightly. He uncrossed his arms and lifted one up to touch her arm, "Thank you, Minerva."

McGonagall pulled herself a bit closer to Severus and gave a quick hug, "I'm sure wherever Draco is, he's safe, warm and happy. Count on that." She bent down to the side and faced Severus. His face seemed a lot less stressed and his mood seemed lifted. Tousling his hair, she pushed herself up, strode across the room and whisked out the door.

Severus watched her go. A faint tug pulled at his heart. After a perfectly fine visit from Minerva, I still can't stop thinking about Draco. But only Minerva's face was on his mind. Agitated and confused, he stood up and paced methodically around the room, clearing the swarming thoughts in his head. Finally he stopped and stooped over his cauldron pot, and stared into the darkness.

Over the next few days, Potions class had worsened and changed somewhat. More than just the empty seat at the front of the class, but also in the points system.

"Weasley, did I not write explicitly on the board to add porcupine quills?"

Ron's face contorted as he squinted to see the massive scribbles on the board, "Sorry Professor, but it is a bit hard to read that big mess up there."

"Five points from Gryffindor for that comment."

"But I seriously don't see anything about porcupine–"

"Ten more points and detention. See me after class."

Sitting next to Ron, Hermione had an indignant look on her face, "Sir, but the Black Hair potion does not require porcupine quills."

"Ten points for your outburst, Granger. Another one and I shall take off fifty."

In truth there was nothing on the board about porcupines, or quills, but Snape felt he needed an outlet for his irritation. Later that day, two Ravenclaw girls' potion had been knocked over and had to serve detention cleaning the dungeon floor. Gryffindors found themselves missing invisible ingredients on the board, and even the Slytherins were at a receiving end of glares and grumps. All of this was swarmed in with a flood of negative House point values. By the end of the day, Snape's throat was raw from yelling, but was snug enough when seeing various students glowering and walking to their detentions.

However, there was still no word from Lucius. Snape's eyebrow furrowed. Dumbledore too agreed that it was very strange, and not at all comforting, but there is a way to find out about Draco's whereabouts without intruding on Lucius.

"I'll have you know, Severus, that our school owls are very intelligent and willing to carry out orders, whether it has to do with mail or not. An average owl can blend in well with the trees and streets and act like your own little spy." Dumbledore leaned in closer and his eyes had that twinkle again, "Perhaps you could borrow one of our Hogwarts owls to see where Draco is? Hmmm?"

The next morning, Severus crept into the Owlery and selected a brown owl. He nudged it until its eye's opened sleepily. Snape almost sighed thinking about talking to an owl, "If you could find Draco Malfoy and, well, watch him for a little bit, that would be terrific." The potions master restrained the urge to roll his eyes, "When he moves somewhere permanently, just bring me back something from the place. That way, I know where he is. Understand?"

The owl hooted.

Snape grabbed the owl and walked with it in his hands. He smelled the disgusting scent of a barn animal in need of cleaning and clutched the owl harder. The owl frantically flapped its wings, sensing a danger of being suffocated, and a fury of feathers flopped over Snape's face. To this, Snape clutched even harder, only to send more feathers in his face. It seemed an eternity of stray brown wings and nauseating smells, but the pair finally reached a window.

"Remember, when Draco Malfoy – got that owl? When – Draco – Malfoy – has moved in somewhere permanently, give me a marking of cloth from the place so I know where it is." The owl still stood still and blinked. "Blast it, owl! Go on!" Professor Snape fanned his hands toward the bird. The owl gave an angry hoot, flapped its wings and flew off.

tbc