"Missing?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"As in not here? Cannot be found?" Ron spluttered angrily.
"Did you check the map?"
"Of COURSE I checked the map!" the redhead howled.
"What is going on out here?" a silky voice hissed from behind them.
"Oh, Severus Darling," Hermione crooned, smiling cruelly at Ron, "Ron here wants to go visit Harry. Won't you please take him?"
Snape's yes was wooden and Ron noticed a glassy quality to the Professor's eyes. A feeling of dread crept into Ron's stomach. "Hermione?" He asked frantically.
Hermione gave him a smug smile.
"Follow me Weasley." Snape commanded.
Hermione watched as Severus led the nervous redhead down the corridor towards the dungeons. She would have to thank Albus one of these days for the side exit he had created fro Severus' use; it was turning out to be quite useful. She found she could really get used to the new Severus. Who could have imagined that Unforgivables could be so easy to cast and so worthwhile in accomplishing one's desires? Well, she admitted to herself with a smirk, Lucius may have mentioned it once upon a time, but she could hardly believe the cunning Death Eater's every word.
Severus led the young Weasley boy out of the castle and then paused. "I need you to follow my lead. And don't say a word."
Weasley gaped in an impressive imitation of a carp.
"Good. Walk in front of me. We have to get off the grounds."
Weasley continued to gape at him.
"Now is NOT the time for you to give in to the family trait of idiocy. Do you want Hermione to come out here to see what's taking so long?"
Silence.
"No, trust me, you do not." Severus snapped in answer to his own question. "Let's go."
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione turned to see who it was. McGonagall.
"May I have a word?"
"Of course." Hermione's stomach twisted nervously as she followed Minerva to her office.
"Sit down."
She sat obediently fighting off her fear.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this dear but Harry and Ron have been kidnapped."
Hermione drew a sharp breathe of surprise. How did they know?
Minerva's features softened. "Oh, don't be so distressed dear. We'll find them. Professor Snape is already looking into it."
At that Hermione burst into tears and fled the room before Minerva could see her triumphant smirk.