A/N: Wow has it really been all week? Sorry for making everybody wait. Thanx to all my reviewers, you guy's really made my day!

Disclaimer: Still not (sigh)

Chapter 4:

"I know it was wrong, but what should I do Albus?"

Severus sat in the headmaster's office, sipping some coffee while they looked at the Daily Prophet edition spread between them.

"Well Severus I have no doubt that Hermione has read this already. And I believe she knew who it was the minute she did. I suggest that you try to find her, but send an owl to the Daily Prophet first and tell them that you threatened her because you were drunk and that you didn't mean what you said. Do it anonymously of course. If you don't you may scare the poor girl to death when you find her." Dumbledore looked at his potions master seriously.

"I'll do that headmaster, but the problem still remains of how to find her. It sounds as though she gave her friends orders not to tell me where she went. All I was told was that she sent a letter to someone the evening before she left, but until I know who to I won't know where to start."

"Think Severus. Who was she corresponding with before she left, who would be willing to help her out by sending her off?"

"I'm not exactly sure I……Wait! St. Mungo's! Why didn't I think of it earlier? She had about three months of healer training left. I'm sure that's what she did. Hermione's not the type to run off and leave something as important as her career just hanging, and I've heard of their field practices. Why didn't I think of it sooner?" Severus had a look that could almost be described as glee on his face.

"Well thought Severus, but how are you going to convince the hospital to tell you where she is. You know about their healer security policy. You yourself worked there for about, three years was it?"

Severus felt as though he had been punched in the stomach. He knew there was no way St. Mungo's would tell him where she was, even if he was her boyfriend. Well, there was one idea shot down. "What can I do Albus? You're the only one who will help me. I tried to ask Potter and Weasley but neither of them would tell me anything."

Dumbledore sat wrapped in thought for a few moments. Suddenly his face lifted and he grinned happily at Severus. "I do believe I've found a way. Tell me Severus, have you heard of the locatious spell?"

"I might have heard of it before but I don't recall how it was done. I was led to believe it was only good for finding small objects."

"Ah Severus, never mistrust the simple things. It is only used when really needed and can find almost anything. However, it is usually the small things we lose and are unable to find. Now, we need something belonging to Hermione, and a good map. Can you help me here Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

"Actually she did leave this the other day." said Severus, blushing as he held up a small diamond earring.

"Perfect" announced Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "Just lay it on this map and pronounce the incantation. The map should grow a small blue dot at the location where she may be found."

Severus laid the earring on the map they had spread out. Pointing his wand at the map he muttered "Locatious.". The map glowed red for about thirty seconds then a tiny blue dot appeared. Looking closer they discovered that she was on the Isle of Man, somewhere on the west side of the island.

"There you are Severus. Now, I'm going to give you a little advice and I suggest you follow it. Don't go storming to find her. Go quietly and find a way to woo her back to you. If you want this relationship to continue you won't want to threaten her."

"I have it figured out already headmaster. Give me your opinion on this." And with that Severus pulled out a small velvet box which he handed to the headmaster.

"Excellent Severus. Now go get ready. Leave early tomorrow morning so you have the whole day ahead of you. Good evening." Dumbledore waved his hand in dismissal.

Severus went slowly back to his dungeons. He wasn't sure why, but he had small forebodings about his trip the next day. He knew he had to go after her but for some reason he didn't feel safe. 'Oh well' he thought 'we'll see what tomorrow brings.'

A/N: HA! There you go. Next chapter as quick as I can. Things should get really interesting now. All I'll say for now is "Let the games begin!" Please review.

Thanx, Cillyme