Come the Maëlstrom

Chapter Thirty Three

Severus was in the habit of sending cryptic notes. However, he wasn't too happy to be on the receiving end of one of them. In addition to being cryptic, was the manner in which it was written. Potter's writing wouldn't be winning penmanship awards, but it was but it was generally neat enough to be legible enough. This hastily scrawled monstrosity only managed to convey that something was wrong. He sat at his office desk, wondering if he should owl Hermione and ask her to translate – as that was probably the most accurate description of what would need to be done– this scrap of parchment when his office door opened. He looked up and found Hermione standing there, a paper clutched tightly in her hand.

"Hermione," he rose from his desk. "If I may, Potter sent this piece of illegible garbage and –"

The remainder of Severus' sentence dried up as Hermione ran forward and hugged him tightly, her body shaking. He froze for a moment, surprised before he tried to pull her away to see her face. Her grip on him simply tightened, causing him to sigh heavily in resignation. Right where her face was, he could feel a damp patch developing from what must have been tears. He looked at his open office door and flicked his wand at it. It swung shut and he turned his attention back to Hermione. He wasn't all too sure what to do so he settled on stroking her hair.

"Now," he began after a few minutes. "Would you care to tell me what has you so disturbed?"

Hermione sniffled as she drew back a bit, holding up a newspaper. "Harry's missing. They think he's been kidnapped."

Severus said nothing as he took the paper from her and looked down to see the image of a pockmarked ground and the large front page headline of, "Boy-Who-Lived – Kidnapped in Death Eater plot". A scowl came to his face as he opened the paper and was faced with an archive photo of Draco and the second headline of "Malfoy heir tells all!". Severus resisted the urge to burn the paper to ashes and hex said ashes as he looked at who wrote the article.

"Rose Yasutoko," he snarled as he looked at the front page. "The new Rita Skeeter in training."

"I tried to tell him that Dumbledore only wanted to help him but he said he would be fine on his own." Hermione sniffled. "And now this happens, and I warned him to be careful, I warned him, and –"

"This is far from your fault Hermione." Severus said firmly. "I daresay Potter should have had better wards in place if they could manage to get into his home and drive him from it."

"Why would you say that?" Hermione asked, wiping at her eyes.

"I know how they operate. Shall I assume that Dumbledore knows about this already?"

"I guess he does. I didn't think to see him first."

"We'll do that now then," Severus said. "If we work quickly enough, Potter may just have a chance."

Hermione nodded and left from the office. Severus took a moment to write out a note that the morning class was cancelled and stick it to the classroom door before they made their way to Dumbledore's office. The gargoyle sprang aside as they reached it and they remained silent as they walked up the staircase. When Severus opened the door, a strange sight greeted him. Ron Weasley stood next to his brother Percy, two unfamiliar figures were seated in the chairs and Lupin was standing beside Fawkes' stand with a serious expression on his face. Albus regarded them from his seat.

"Please close the door behind you," Albus said. "We have a very grave situation on our hands."

Hermione nodded and closed the door. Almost immediately, Ron was beside her.

"You all right 'Mione?" Ron asked.

"I'm fine," Hermione said in a small voice. "I figured someone should get –"

"Good thinking," Ron nodded.

Severus didn't say anything as Ron looked at him for a moment, a resigned expression on his freckled face. Well, that certainly was a new one. He was expecting nothing less than spitting anger.

"Why don't you both have a seat?" Albus said, conjuring two more seats.

Severus shook his head, but Hermione sat down. Ron took the other chair and moved it closer to her, murmuring something. She was nodding her head and leaning in closely as well. A somewhat irrational queasy feeling of jealously rose up in Severus' stomach but he quashed it immediately.

"As it seems we all got here within minutes of each other," Albus began. "So why don't you tell us what you've learned so far Ron."

Ron rose clearing his throat. "Well, Harry and I were at dinner one night and we got to talking about Ginny. I won't go into the details but we noticed some very odd things about her. First Ginny said that she wasn't sure who was responsible and then she starts accusing Lucius Malfoy as if she saw only him do it. And then after a family dinner…" he glanced at Percy. "Something not right with Ginny. I think it might be connected to her new friend and Harry's disappearance."

"And from all indications, Mr. Weasley's guess would be correct," the man in the chair said as he rose.

"And you would be?" Severus asked archly, taking in the ratty shoes, ripped jeans and stained shirt.

"Jaime Carter." The man inclined his head. "Sorry I look like a mess; I was doing some home repairs when I got Mr. Weasley's firecall. Now, I've been working the case for the past week. And I'll tell you one thing; there has never been an Octavia Miller. Whoever this person is, they're very adept at disappearing and concealing themselves."

"Tell me about it," a woman in the corner snorted, looking over one of Albus' knickknacks. "It's like looking for a flobberworm on a muddy, rainy day."

"This is Morgan Hunter," Ron explained. "She's been working with Jaime for the past few days."

"This 'Octavia' is a very slippery person," Morgan continued on without missing a beat. "One minute you have her in sight, next she's gone; it's almost like she's playing with us. The only thing I've seen at this level is –"

"A Death Eater." Severus finished for her.

Morgan nodded her head gravely. "If we are dealing with those remaining rogue Death Eaters, we have to act fast. They're desperate and in a very bad position, and we don't know how they'll react."

"What about Draco? Apparently Yatsuoko's article indicates that he was present." Severus asked.

"Tonks is with him now at St. Mungo's," Remus said. "Morgan's right. The quicker we act, the better our chances."

"I think what is needed is some damage control," Percy stepped forward a bit. "Before we have Merlin knows how many amateurs out there looking for Harry and getting themselves hurt, or possibly killed."

"Not to mention complicating our jobs." Jaime grumbled. "I'd like to get my hands on that silly twit."

"It would be greatly appreciated if you and Miss Hunter would work with some of our best Aurors on this case." Percy had a resolute expression on his face.

"Who is working the case?" Morgan asked, slight curiosity in her voice.

"Nymphadora Tonks, Okolo and Lindsay Harrigan." Percy replied. "Between the five of you, I have full confidence that this can be resolved quickly."

"You bet," Jaime grinned like a kid in a candy store. "Ministry resources."

"Within reason." Morgan said in a patient voice.

"Wait a minute," Ron said. "Isn't Tonks Lucius Malfoy's parole officer? Why would she need something else to worry about?"

"How do you know that?" Percy demanded.

"People talk at work you know." Ron simply said.

Percy nodded his head but had a displeased expression on his face. Albus turned to face Ron, his expression grave.

"Tonks sent in a very preliminary report," Albus began. "All she could find out from Draco when he was brought into St. Mungo's was that Lucius was there as well. And taken with Harry. We must find them both for Lucius' safety as well as Harry's."

Ron's brow furrowed. "What on Earth would Mr. Malfoy be doing anywhere near Harry? Draco… Draco I can understand."

"That we don't know," Albus said. "And I'm sure Tonks is doing her best to find out. Does this bother you?"

"I'll get over it Sir. We need to get Harry back before something bad happens to him." Ron replied.

"Definitely," Percy said. "How about we get back to the Ministry and get started on looking for them?" Percy looked between Jamie and Morgan.

Both nodded their heads and the three left the room quickly murmuring goodbyes. Severus watched as Albus regarded Ron for a moment.

"This is quite out of your hands now and – "

"No it's not," Ron said fiercely. "I'm not going to sit and let them do all the work."

"Ron – " Hermione began.

"I won't!" he snapped.

"I was going to say maybe you should inform Parvati."

Ron's jaw tightened. "I haven't seen her since a few days after dinner. Her parents found out about us."

"Oh no," Hermione said. "Was it that bad?"

"I sent owls, firecalls, gotten nothing and…" Ron stopped, taking a deep breath. "Look, I can't just sit around and do nothing."

Albus looked gravely at Ron. "Very well then. As you were a candidate for Auror school, that certainly says something." He turned to Severus. "If I may ask you – "

"Done." Severus cut him off, already running through a mental checklist of who could be squeezed for information.

"And take Ron along with you, if you don't mind."

Severus watched Albus for a moment, before looking at Ron. The redhead was looking at him in shock and surprise, his face an ashy colour. It seemed like the possibility of working together had just occurred to him and he couldn't accept it. But he still looked like he was willing to do whatever it took. Only someone like Weasley could blend two separate emotions into one expression.

"While Mr. Weasley might have been an Auror candidate, considering the places I will have to… attend, that might not be a wise idea."

"I don't think anything you might encounter would be worse than a Dementor." Ron said tightly.

"He raises a very valid point." Albus said. "But I shall leave the decision up to you."

Severus looked at Ron for a moment, before he glanced at Hermione, and then Albus. He didn't even have to look at Ron; there would definitely be a resolute hope on his face. Hermione and Albus looked like they were ready to weigh his decision very carefully against some moral standard he had yet to see. He pursed his lips and made a curt motion for Ron to rise. The redhead scrambled to his feet.

"We leave immediately. You are to remain quiet and speak only when spoken to. Any foolishness on your part and you'll find yourself back here, understood?"

"Yes." Ron said.

"Excellent!" Albus beamed. "And I could certainly use your help Hermione; I daresay there will be a lot of information to sort through when it starts coming in."

"Not a problem Sir." Hermione replied as she made herself comfortable in her chair.

Severus looked at her once and she gave a slight smile and nod. He inclined his head slightly and turned to leave the room, Ron's hasty steps behind him. He could hear Albus asking Hermione if she knew of any good socks and how she liked her tea as he stepped from the office and down the stairs.

"Er, Sir," Ron began.

Severus only stopped long enough to give Ron a withering look. Ron fell silent and after that the rest of the trip was made in silence. It didn't take long to leave Hogwarts and head down the path to Hogsmeade. Severus looked back at the school once and judged that they were certainly past any of the wards.

"Um, Sir?" Ron asked in hesitant voice as he stopped walking. "Why did you stop?"

Severus looked at Ron, resisting the urge to snipe at him. Gryffindors were the worst for obeying instructions "I believe that should be obvious."

Ron looked puzzled for a few moments before a light of understanding appeared in his eyes. "You're Apparating?"

"If you wish to Floo, by all means, go right ahead." Severus said caustically.

"Oh… er…" Ron began fidgeting.

"What now?" Severus asked, irritation in his voice.

"Well, you see…" Ron began slowly.

"Spit it out! I don't have time to dawdle!" Severus barked.

"I can't Apparate yet; I'm saving up to take the test."

"Oh for…" Severus said in a disgusted tone. "Come here."

Ron hurried up and Severus scowled down at him with crossed arms. "What now Sir?"

"I suggest you hold on tight. If you splinch because you have a poor grip, I will not be happy."

A horrified look crossed Ron's face before he screwed up his face, took a deep breath and threw his arms around Severus' midsection. Severus wasn't quite expecting the strength behind the move and felt his ribs forcibly constrict and the air rush from his lungs.

"Not so tight, you twit!" he wheezed and smacked Ron hard on the head.

Ron winced and relaxed his grip. "Sorry Sir."

Severus grumbled and closed his eyes, concentrating on the small spot tucked away out of sight behind a building, close to the entranceway to Knockturn Alley. Once it was fixed in his mind, he willed himself and Ron to go there. Everything seemed disoriented for a few seconds before it was all over with. Severus only waited long enough to see that Ron wouldn't topple to the ground before he shoved Ron's arms off of himself and started walking again.

They walked quickly through the fairly empty Diagon Alley streets, attracting no attention. When he stepped into Knockturn Alley, he could hear Ron's steps quicken behind him. Well if the boy did eventually become an Auror, better he learn about this place sooner, rather than later. Severus went into a number of establishments, and found none of the information that he needed. He had a feeling it was because of the Weasley's presence as most of his contacts were appraising the second youngest Weasley and giving him half-hearted answers, despite varied threats. He had one place left to go, and should it yield nothing, he would have to come back and repeat the entire trip, minus one brat.

It didn't take long before the sign advertising tête-à-tête was visible, creaking slightly as it swung. Severus looked back at Ron who had a grim expression on his face.

"After this, we're done." Severus simply, a hand on the doorknob.

"Is it because I'm here?" Ron asked. "That you can't… you know, get any straight answers."

"Yes." Severus replied as he strode into the bar.

It was dimly lit and had the usual patrons nursing the glasses of alcohol. Severus surveyed the room for a moment before he walked up to the bar. The barman gave him with a sour expression as he restocked glasses.

"What do you want?"

"Your manners are horrible Richard," Severus tsked; the quickest way to get an answer out this man was to annoy him.

Richard ground his teeth a bit. "I said what do you want?

"Grund. Where is he?"

"He's busy in the back at the moment," Richard went back to the glasses.

"Surely he can't be that busy."

"He can be." Richard grunted.

"Very well. Then I shall need a room." Severus said, changing tact quickly.

Richard looked at Severus before he shifted slightly and looked at Ron, just behind him. "And since when were you that inclined?"

"That is none of your business," Severus replied easily as he reached in his pocket and brought out a money purse, jangling it lightly.

Richard made a face but his eyes never left the money purse. "Fine, you can have one. A Galleon an hour."

Severus paid the man and motioned to Ron. Those freckles looked abnormally bright against pale skin. Ron looked as white as a sheet. Richard moved out from behind the bar and drew out a key ring, unlocking a door that led to the back.

"Don't disturb Grund." Richard said as they walked in. "I don't think even you want to deal with his temper."

Severus slid the Richard a cold look. Richard grumbled to himself and closed the door with a slight slam. The hallway was just as dimly lit and had only five doors. There were four with two on each side, and one at the end. Only the door at the end was shut tight; the rest were open a crack.

"Sir?" Ron said in a shaky voice.

"As my contact is undoubtedly busy at the moment, I'll have to catch his attention sufficiently enough." He glanced at Ron. "Should you feel the urge to be sick, do try to aim away from me."

Ron got a puzzled looked on his face. Severus strode down the hallway, before pausing a few feet from the door and drawing his wand. He didn't waste any time, swishing his wand and bringing it down with a fast hard motion. This spell was most effective when conceptualised rather than spoken. The result was the door flying open with a tremendous bang. Severus strode into the room, with Ron right on his heels. The room was sparsely furnished having only a bed, night table and a chair. The bed was a complete mess and there was Grund, scars and all, looking at Severus in surprise. Severus didn't even want to look down and see who was occupying the bed this time, but he could see a child's knobbly elbows from the corners of his eyes and the glint of a blade on the night table and the dull gleam of matte metal around a neck.

"Oh my God."

Those were the only words Ron gasped out before the sound of retching came. Severus didn't say anything for a moment, keeping his wand on Grund. Considering some of Grund's… proclivities, this was rather mild for him. Rectifying this situation would have to wait until a later time; namely informing the appropriate people and seeing this seedy part of tête-à-tête closed down once and for all.

"I'm so glad you're not occupied at the moment," Severus said in a deprecating tone. "As I need information."

"You're getting shit out of me. Now get lost." Grund growled.

"Consider it the last thing I might ever curse you for." Severus said easily.

Grund considered that for a long moment before he snapped an order to the child and got off the bed. He stood there, naked and arms crossed with a belligerent expression on his face.

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"The last few Death Eaters. What have you heard?"

Grund snorted. "What hasn't anyone else heard? It's – hey!"

The child had scrambled from the bed and went directly for Ron, clinging to him for all they were worth. Grund looked angry, and started towards Ron. Severus only looked long enough to see a young boy's face. Ron looked momentarily surprised before he drew his wand aiming it at Grund, an arm going around the boy. Dear Merlin, Ron just complicated everything. If he felt the need to be heroic, couldn't he have done it after the information had been extracted?

"You didn't pay for him, so give him back." Grund snarled nastily as he approached Ron looking like he could break him in half.

"How about I rip your guts out you sick fuck." Ron's voice shook a bit, but his hand remained steady. "Or I ask what the kid wants done to you."

"He'll want nothing done to me." Grund said giving the boy a warning look.

"You'd be surprised the things kids can think of when they're angry enough." Ron said.

"Kill him!" the boy screamed shrilly. "Kill him! Rip his guts from his body and strangle him with it!"

"No one's being killed until I get what I want," Severus ordered harshly. "It seems that you're in a very bad position Grund. Maybe talking is the best way to save your skin. I'm feeling indulgent today."

Severus watched as Grund looked between him and then Ron before he lunged for the bedside table. He half expected that. "Accio wand!" he cried.

"Accio knife!"

The wand came flying to his hand, past Grund's grasp. The knife went streaking towards Ron; all the redhead did was move to the side, shielding the boy, and allow it to embed itself into the wall. The boy looked at it with wide eyes, shrinking in closer to Ron. Grund ended up sprawled on the ground, expletives streaming from his mouth. Severus kept a tight grip on the wand as well as his own. The boy's grip tightened on Ron's clothes, watching Grund with an intense loathing. Grund staggered to his feet, looking murderously at Severus and Ron. Severus was in no mood to deal with that.

"If you would be so kind…" he trailed off, looking at Ron for a moment.

"I'll talk!" Grund gasped before Ron could even say or do anything. "I'll talk you bloody bastard. You'll pay for this – "

"Death threats make me very irritable," Ron warned, his wand giving off bluish sparks.

Grund gave him a nasty look that said he was next after Severus. But the large man took a deep breath and started talking. "Narcissa took command and they were holed up somewhere near Penzance."

"Narcissa?" Severus repeated in surprise; he hadn't thought the self-absorbed woman capable of anything beyond spending Galleons or griping about trite things.

"Yes, Narcissa; still married to Lucius Malfoy. Apparently, you were doing a good job of breaking up that – argh!"

Grund fell back to the ground as his legs wobbled. Severus watched him impassively.

"How careless of me," he mused in a mocking apology. "I seem to have hit you with a Jelly Legs curse."

"You bastard! You're getting nothing else from me!" Grund swore. "You can rot in hell for the rest of arrrggh!"

Severus watched as Grund flailed on the floor. He looked over at Ron just in time to see a bright orange spell fly from the wand tip and land on the back of Grund's knee.

"How about you quit griping and tell us the rest or I'll hit you with a stinging curse again." Ron said evenly as welts appeared on Grund's body.

Severus watched as Grund swore and Ron kept casting spells at him. It didn't escape his notice that Ron hit the softest parts of the body. It didn't take long before all Ron had to do was move his wand and Grund would move, attempting to dodge something that wasn't coming. Severus wouldn't admit it, but it was a very useful tactic, one that was quite impressive.

"Will you talk now?" Ron asked a few minutes later.

Grund panted from his spot on the ground, glaring up at Ron. "They left Penzance a bit ago. Last I heard they were somewhere between Cornwall and Dover."

"Are you lying to me?" Severus asked archly.

Grund swore vehemently. "I hope you both get ripped apart slowly before you rot in hell!"

"That's not a yes or no," Severus said simply.

"No!" Grund exclaimed. "Now get lost and let me get back to what I was doing!"

"How about not," Ron said flatly. "How about I take the kid and leave you be. Certainly better than calling in an Auror, don't you think?"

Severus glanced sharply at Ron, with a warning look. He was treading onto dangerous territory. Grund rose to his feet, wincing slightly, but his eyes still fixed on Ron's.

"Don't get uppity with me you little brat. Severus may tolerate it, but I sure as hell won't. Now, hand the boy over before I kill you with my bare hands."

Severus watched as Grund stepped forward a bit. "Do as he says."

"No!" Ron exclaimed angrily, eyes still on the large hulking man. "I won't!"

"You've tried my patience enough," Grund growled. "Hand him over, or you'll both regret it."

"And I have none for paedophiles." Ron spat.

"Just do it!" Severus barked.

"Bite me!" Ron snarled, looking at Severus for a moment.

That was the only moment, Grund needed as he charged for Ron with a roar. The words of a curse were forming on Severus' lips when he caught a blur of motion from Ron's side. Then the room was filled with a screech.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion, as the boy let go of Ron, grabbed the blade from the wall and ran for Grund, both small hands grasping the hilt tightly. Grund noticed the boy only when it was too late and the blade sank into his crotch up to the hilt. The roar changed to one of pain as he stumbled back and fell on the floor, trying to flee from the attack. His head hit the floor with a sickeningly loud crack and he went unnaturally still. But the boy didn't let up and leapt on his stomach, blade sinking in repeatedly with a crazed expression.

"Stop! Stop!" Ron yelled, scrambling forward after a moment of shock.

Severus was much quicker and stunned the boy. The small body toppled to the floor, blade falling from senseless fingers. But the damage was done. A pool of blood was forming around Grund's body, as he bled out from the crotch and the numerous stab wounds on his stomach. Ron slipped a bit in the pool of blood and looked at the boy in a slight panic.

"We have to get someone here!"

"No, this is what's going to be done," Severus said simply. "I will get Richard back here. He will tidy up this mess. And we will leave."

"You can't be serious!" Ron exclaimed as he roused the boy.

Severus watched as panic started settling in those young eyes "I am serious," he said flatly. "If you want to be an Auror, learn this: things are very different in Knockturn than they are in Diagon. Now if you will stun the boy and leave him on the bed, I'll see about having Richard dispose of this body."

The boy made a vehement sound of protest and clung to Ron, blubbering all the while as Severus started down the hallway. He could faintly hear the sounds of Ron trying his best to placate the boy. He opened the door a crack and waited until Richard looked over. He didn't do anything beside make a curt motion for the man to come. Then he retreated back to the room. Ron had taken off his shirt and pulled it over the boy at some point. And the boy was stunned, so Ron must have managed to calm him down and clothe him before the stunning. But Ron was holding him in his arms with a stubborn expression on his face. He seemed to have no inclination to leave the boy on the bed.

"I'm not leaving the kid." he said resolutely.

"Then he's your responsibility." Severus said simply; bloody noble Gryffindors would be the death of him.

Ron looked momentarily surprised but nodded his head.

"What's going on here?" Richard looked into the room, face paling when his eyes landed on Grund's body. "What do you think you're doing?" he hissed.

"Informing you of the mess that you have to clean up." Severus stated as he motioned to Ron and started down the hallway.

"I didn't kill him!" Richard exclaimed angrily. "And just where d'you think are you taking him?"

Severus turned around to see Richard glaring at Ron. And Ron's expression was dark, face flushing the infamous angry Weasley red. Good Merlin, would the things never cease? Why did he seem to be surrounded with the most stubborn people on the face of the very earth?

"I'm taking him with me," Ron said finally in a quiet voice. "If you have a problem with that, why don't you go talk to the Ministry. Though they might have a small problem with the sort of business you're running here."

Richard looked galled and outraged for a moment. But then he swallowed and nodded his head, turning his attention back to Grund's body. Severus didn't flinch as the door was slammed shut behind them, but Ron squeaked in surprise before he sighed in audible relief. Severus looked back at him with hard gaze. Ron looked back at him, puzzled.

"Yes, Sir?" he asked a moment later.

"Tell me," Severus began as he paused walking. "Where did you learn tactics like those?"

Ron didn't say anything for a moment. "What does it matter? We got the information we need."

"That is not an answer to the question." Severus stated in a withering voice.

Silence filled the hallway as he regarded Ron for a long moment, with a slight scowl and his arms crossed over his chest. It only took a few minutes for Ron to squirm uncomfortably.

"Hex the Augrey." Ron finally mumbled.

"Speak up." Severus ordered.

"Hex the Augrey," Ron said a bit louder. "We used a modified version for the DA."

"Modified how?"

"We used nastier hexes and curses," Ron mumbled. "Harry and 'Mione figured it would be good incentive for people to learn to duck spells cast at them if they actually hurt"

Somehow, Severus was not all that surprised. He watched Ron for a moment. "When we get back to Hogwarts, you will bring this to the Headmaster's attention. Such a drill will not be needed any longer."

"Yes Sir."

"And the bluffing?"

"Bluffing?" Ron echoed.

"You sounded relieved for no reason at all?" Severus asked in a somewhat irritated voice; he found himself wishing he could dock house points for sheer stupidity, even if it was nothing but useless.

"Oh," that," Ron didn't say anything for a moment. "That was necessary when playing Hex the Augrey with Fred and George."

Severus watched him for a moment before continued walking, out from tête-à-tête and back to the very fringe of Diagon Alley; Ron's steps not that far behind him. He paused for a minute and looked out, not noticing many people. However, Ron walking out of Knockturn Alley, shirtless, a bit bloody and carrying an unconscious boy was bound to attract attention. Once the morning crowd thinned out considerably, he motioned for Ron to hurry after him. They made it to the Leaky Cauldron without notice. He hurried Ron over to the fireplaces before Tom the barman looked over their way. Ron had just disappeared in with a burst of green flame when Tom spied him and waved hello.

Severus didn't even bother to respond, simply pretending as if he hadn't noticed and stepped into the fireplace. He reached out and grasped a handful of Floo powder. It wasn't long before he was standing inside the Three Broomsticks, with Madame Rosemerta looking at him. Ron was standing off to the side with a somewhat flustered expression.

"Would you care to explain this?" Rosemerta asked him, gesturing to Ron, as he stepped out from the fireplace and dusted the remaining Floo powder from his robes.

"I believe that young Mr. Weasley has taken in a stray." He replied coolly. "And we must be heading back to the castle. Urgent business."

Rosemerta didn't say anything as she nodded her head, motioning them to the door as she headed in the back for something. Ron was already pushing the door open with his back and stepping outside. Severus followed after him, and they hurried along as the street was fairly empty and no one noticed Ron yet.

"Er… why didn't we just Apparate back Sir?" Ron asked as they reached the fringes of Hogsmeade.

"Apparating with a unconscious person is not a wise idea." Severus said simply.

Ron opened his mouth, as if to ask another question, but thought the better of it.

The walk back up to the castle was silent, save for the sound of feet against dirt and the occasional discomforted grunt that the boy made. Severus wouldn't have gone about it in Weasley's particular manner, though, for all its problematic rashness, it did some good. By the time they reached the Hogwarts gates, the boy was awake once more, looking at him in wary silence. Severus didn't say anything, and Ron certainly didn't appear to notice. But then again, the redhead had been full of surprises today. They walked along the side, coming in through the courtyard doors. There were a few students milling about, and they got curious looks as they headed up to the second floor. By the time they reached the door to the staircase leading up to Dumbledore's office, the boy had wrapped his arms around Ron's neck.

"Perhaps the infirmary would be the best place for him." Severus said as he turned to look at Ron.

"Yes Sir." Ron said as he started for the flight of stairs up.

The child was staring at him all the while, and once they had rounded the curve, Severus let a small shiver pass over him. He figured the boy would be in hysterics now, not have that cold, calculating expression in his eyes. He shrugged it off, said the password, and climbed the stairs and opening the door.

There was a large map attached to a wall and Hermione was holding a sheaf of papers in her hands. She had a few red pins between her lips and every so often, she would refer to the sheaf and push a pin into a particular place on a map. It wasn't until he was a few steps away that she noticed him.

"Dumbledore isn't here." She said around the pins. "He went down to the infirmary. I think he's eaten those lemon drops of his for the last time."

"How surprising." Severus replied caustically.

Hermione glanced at him but her lips curled into a smile. "Give me a moment. I'm almost done."

He watched as she looked over the papers once more before taking three pins and sticking them on the map. She gave a satisfied smile and placed the papers on a tabletop before placing the pins on top.

"Now, then," she began but trailed off, looking at him with a furrow in her brow. "Where's Ron?"

"The infirmary; he's perfectly fine." Severus explained as Hermione's face clouded with worry. "He brought back a… stray with him."

Hermione's expression cleared up and she sighed. "Well, I've just about finished with this triangulation spell."

Severus looked back at the map, seeing the red pins gleaming dully in the sunlight. There was a trail from Hogwarts and led further and further south. It stopped abruptly at London and from there the pins were scattered about all over. He felt an admiring smile come to his face. Triangulation spells were fairly difficult, and required multiple factors to be considered in order to be successful. It was taught in seventh year, but many students didn't bother with them simply because of the work involved. But so far, it seemed like she was doing a very good job.

"Were you able to find out anything?" she asked.

"They could be anywhere between Cornwall and Dover." He said with a slight frown.

"Hm." Hermione's face became thoughtful as she turned back to the map. "Well, let's see if we can verify that, shall we?"

Severus watched as she drew her wand and traced out a triangle in the air, a soft murmur coming from her lips. She continued this, her voice speeding up gradually, until it sounded like an unintelligible babble. But there on map, he could see the faint gleaming lines of a triangle that was starting to form. Her wand was still outstretched and she pressed it forward a bit insistently. The line grew clearer before it flared.

Hermione let out a shaky breath, her wand dropping. She wiped at her brow and looked at the map before she made a frustrated sound. "I must not have included enough variables. That's a huge area to cover."

"But it also corroborates my information as well," he said, eyes following the line that stretched from the dot marked Cornwall to the one marked Dover.

"I can do it again," she began, brushing the pins off and picking up the sheets of paper. "I can narrow down the area and – "

Severus reached over and plucked the papers from her hand. "What we have now is more than enough information to go on. The last thing you need to do is overextend yourself."

Hermione looked like she was far from pleased but slowly nodded her head. "Better to be doing something than nothing I suppose."

"Precisely. And you have done more than enough." Severus said.

Hermione nodded and scooped up the pins quickly, walked over to Dumbledore's desk and placed them in a container. Severus sat down, making himself comfortable for a moment before closing his eyes. Once Dumbledore came back, it would be a simple matter of informing him and then Percy. And once Tonks and everyone else got started, it was only a matter of time before Potter was found.

"Severus,"

Hermione's voice seemed to come from right beside him He opened his eyes to find that she had pulled up the other chair close to his, fingers tracing out random patterns on the armrest. She was chewing on her lip a bit, an anxious look in her eyes.

"Yes?"

"I really could narrow down the area if I factored in more variables."

"A nice thought, I'm sure." He said flatly.

She took a deep breath. "I just feel like I'm not doing enough."

"You have done more than enough for now." Severus replied finally as he reached over and stilled her hands. "Now stop worrying so much. Potter will more than likely hex them to bits if they're stupid and give him a chance."

"Like that would really happen."

He gave a low chuckle. "Pettigrew is with them. And he has an amazing aptitude for screwing things up."

"Good point." She laughed.

After a few moments, she sighed and patted his hand before rising and wandering up the stairs to look over Albus' books. He watched her for a moment before he rose, following after her. She was standing in front of the bookcase, a hand resting on the edge of the shelf with her head bowed. He walked up behind her and wrapped her up in a loose hug.

"Potter will be fine." He murmured gently in her ear.

Hermione made a small sound and nodded her head, leaning back against his body, arms going around his.

Hex the Augrey – the wizarding equivalent of the childhood game of Marco Polo, only harmless jinxes are used to catch the others