Chapter 3: Finding Miss Daybrook
If the situation at hand were any less dire, Professor Snape would go to alert the Headmaster, but he knows that every moment he wastes could cost Miss Daybrook her life. Knowing he should not leave the fourth-years unattended in his classroom, the professor marches around the room, shoving unclaimed books into students' hands and and barking, "We do not have all day! Leave at once!" The last student to leave his classroom happens to be Miss Emily Davis from Ravenclaw. Professor Snape vigorously shepherds her out, and rushes out right on her heels and slams the door after him. Miss Emily, unlike the other students, simply cannot contain her curiosity. She calls after Snape, who is already traipsing quickly down the hall: "Professor, is something wrong?" But the potions master doesn't seem to hear. Without turning back, he sweeps down the hall with a rather impressive air of duty and importance, and turns the corner. As his long strides quickly take him out of sight, a large group of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw fourth-years are left standing in front of the potions classroom, looking rather confused.
Snape heads in the direction of Hufflepuff House, knowing that Miss Daybrook could not have made it very far in her condition. But he has not gone very far at all before he notices a crowd of students gathering in the hallway just ahead. He rushes forward, his lengthy strides carrying him up to the group of students, who seem to be of varying ages and Houses. The students are gathered in a tight circle,and they all seem to be speaking at once, in hushed and disconcerted tones. But Professor Snape doesn't even have to say a word. As he approaches, the crowd disperses to allow him a clear view of Miss Daybrook, who is lying face down on the floor, her potions book lying open beside her where it had landed when she fell, and her book bag still half over her shoulder.