Updated: Friday 11th February 2005
Disclaimers: See Chapter One
Black Light
By Dante Lewis
Chapter Twenty: Gone
Turning on his heel, Severus raced from the dungeons, headed for no particular destination. His normally ordered and perceptive mind was blurred into a malleable mass of barely contained anxiety and he was unable to decide on where would be the best place to start looking.
'Hagrid's Hut!' A exasperated voice he could barely identify as his own exclaimed in his head, willing his feet to move more purposefully.
Hagrid's Hut, however, was eerily reminiscent of his previous destination. There was no sign that the giant, let alone his niece, had been there all day. Severus could only hope that wherever the missing pair were, that they were together. It would not do well for his mind to start thinking of the possibility that Estella was alone in Hogsmeade or lost in the forbidden forest; especially since it was the afternoon of a full moon.
Severus considered heading into Hogsmeade, but decided to check the infirmary first, clinging to the hope that perhaps something minor had occurred on her return from school that required Hagrid to take her there.
'If that was the case, why was he not sent for?' A conspiring voice in his head spat, niggling away at his resolve.
The increasingly concerned potions master was half way to the infirmary, and just outside the Headmaster's office when he saw the man in question approach him merrily.
"Why good afternoon Severus," The headmaster beckoned. "Such strange weather we've been having today!"
Severus glared at the man incredulously, his face an impassive mask. "Have you seen my niece?" he asked evenly.
Albus Dumbledore narrowed his eyes at the younger man before him, his years of experience belying Severus' efforts to conceal the full extent of his concern. "I'm afraid I haven't seen young Miss Black since last night at dinner, is something the matter?"
Severus deepened his glare. "Of course something is wrong!" He snapped, his resolve slipping. "She hasn't returned from school!"
Albus looked unaffected. "Oh, that." He said dismissively, much to Severus' chagrin. "I sent Hagrid away on official school business and sent a message to our friend Remus Lupin..."
Severus paled, his eyes conversely darkening dangerously. "What?" He asked quietly in a menacing tone. "Have you any idea what you've done?"
The twinkle died in the elder wizard's eye as he noted Severus' volatile response. "I'm not quite sure I understand, Severus." He pleaded. "I apologise but I assumed this arrangement would be amenable to your needs."
Severus shook his head forlornly. "Tell me Albus," he said gruffly, desperately clinging to an impossible hope, "that you arranged this with Lupin personally and didn't just send him a message."
"Well I did indeed send him an Owl…" Albus began. "It was such short notice, dear boy, that there wasn't time to await a reply. I assumed Mr Lupin would be reliable…"
"Oh dear God." Severus cried, "did it not occur to you, old man, that tonight is a full moon?"
"Of course," the headmaster responded, nodding. "Though it is still daylight Severus, I did not anticipate that you would have a problem."
"My problem is that Lupin is unlikely to have been in a state to read any Owl we send him today! Do you not recall either Lupin or I mentioning to you several weeks ago that I was testing him on a new potion I am developing? The man has been in the Shrieking Shack all day as a precaution, in case there are any side effects! I wager that the message you sent has since come back unopened!" Severus was beside himself with anger. "Damn it Albus, you should have come to me!"
"Merlin!" Realisation hit Albus full force. "I do apologise, Severus. Shall I notify all available staff and mount a search?"
"I think you've done enough." Severus said coldly before heading towards the nearest floo that would take him to Hogsmeade.
Albus, meanwhile, watched Severus' back as the younger wizard sped away. With a vulnerable look on his face, he alerted the rest of the Hogwarts staff anyway and mounted a search party, desperate to appease his conscience and redeem himself. The last thing the venerable Order leader needed was to have his most valuable spy hold him responsible for something happening to the Black child, causing him to retaliate by revoking his allegiance with the light.
End Chapter Twenty: Gone