The rest of that weekend, Severus stayed in a small hotel in Muggle London, just outside of Surrey. He heard from both Lucius and Molly, who both insisted the trip to Diagon Alley was a success and that the Granger family was convinced that Hogwarts would be the best place for Hermione to go to school. Apparently Draco, Ron, and Hermione got on fabulously, which sealed the deal for the Granger parents as Hermione had never had real friends growing up- even if these friends were boys. They just wanted their daughter to be happy and saw this would be the best way to make her happy.
By the time Monday morning rolled around, Severus was glad to get out of that hotel. He was not, however, looking forward to dealing with the Potter brat. Severus just knew today was not going to be a good day for him or anyone involved.
After waking, he showered, and then put on some muggle clothes- the same as what he wore to the Granger's house and subsequent trip to the Leaky Cauldron.
He checked out of the hotel, and walked around to a back alleyway before apparating to Arabella Figg's house. Figg was a member of the Order of the Phoenix, even though she was a squib. She lived a few streets over from the Dursley household, where Potter lived.
Severus righted himself after apparating, as Apparition took a bit out of him, before walking down the street and over to Potter's house. Once at 4 Privet Drive, he knocked on the door and waited for an answer.
A man who was whale sized answered the door, "If you are selling something, take your business elsewhere." He about slammed the door, but Severus placed his hand on the door.
"I assure you I am not selling anything, I am here to inquire after your nephew, Mr. Harry Potter."
The man turned bright red, and Severus was sure he was not going to like whatever he was about to hear. "That freak has been gone for almost two years. To where? Who knows, I am just glad he is gone."
"He is gone? As in disappeared? Did you notify the authorities?"
"I did not notify the authorities, rather threw a party when he disappeared."
"And you have no idea where he is. None at all?"
"Correct."
"Lovely," Severus snapped scornfully, "thank you for your time, Mr. Dursley."
Severus apparated right off of the Dursley's front porch to the Apparition point at the Hogwarts Gate. He then bolted toward Albus's office. He pushed past Minerva and Filius strolling through the hall and paid no mind to Argus yelling for him to stop running in the halls.
Once he got to the gargoyle, he began yelling different candy names, looking like a fool. After dozens of failed attempts he finally got the password correct and stormed up the stairs to Albus's office. He did not bother to knock, he just marched right into Albus's office.
"Lemon drop?" Albus asked as Severus stormed in.
"No. You old fool." Severus snarled.
"Ah, was your visit with Mr. Potter really that bad, Severus?"
"It would have been if he inhabited the house!"
"Ah, the Dursleys were on vacation, I presume." Albus said.
"You presume incorrectly. The Potter bot has not lived with them for two years, and the Dursleys do not know where he is!"
"So the boy ran away?"
"Apparently. Or was kdnapped, or killed, or any number of possibilities. It has been two years, Albus, two years, and we know nothing of his whereabouts."
"Yes, I am sure we would have heard if any ex-Death Eaters had him, they would not pass up an opportunity to brag that they had him."
"True, but one must wonder."
"Yes, well, I shall call an Order meeting, and we shall discuss this recent development. I suggest you chat with Lucius Malfoy and make sure he hasn't heard anything. I doubt I have to tell you to be discreet."
"Of course, Albus. I shall do it tomorrow. I want to wait until after the Order meeting, in case they heard anything, so that way we can possibly avoid discussing this with Lucius. Speaking of Lucius, there has been an interesting turn of events."
"Ah, and what may that be, Severus?"
"I took Miss Granger and her family to the Leaky Cauldron to meet with the Weasleys and the Malfoys were there. The Malfoy boy took a liking to Miss Granger and then the younger Weasleys. Apparently they walked through Diagon Alley as a group."
"Interesting. Very interesting, this may prove beneficial for us though. Come back up here in two hours for the order meeting."
Severus, recognizing the dismissal, nodded his head once and left.
His mind reeling, Severus headed back down to his chambers. He desperately wanted a scotch, but knew getting drunk would not behoove him. Instead he grabbed a blank journal, and opened it to the first page and began writing.
Potter, Harry
Age:11
Last seen: unknown
Possibly ran away
V. Dursley- glad he was gone
Gone for approx 2 years
V. Dursely- seems to have violent tendencies
Then he thought of his childhood with Lily.
P. Dursley was jealous of Lily's magic
P. Dursley thought Lily was a freak
Severus knew that Albus was going to put him in charge of the Potter search. He could just tell. Severus figured collecting notes now would help him in the long run. He knew various Order members may be able to add to his skimpy notes, and headed back up to Dumbledore's office.
Severus was one of the first ones to arrive, and quickly told Albus that he was going to keep a journal on all things Potter. Albus, Severus noted, seemed oddly pleased. Once everyone was there, people that Severus had not seen since Potter was a baby, Albus began the meeting and then had Severus take the floor to discuss the problem at hand. Albus then, as Severus was expecting, announced Severus in charge of "Mission: Find Harry Potter."
After Severus and Albus finished speaking, Minerva piped up, "I always believed the Dursleys were the worst sort of muggles."
"Why, Minerva?" Asked Severus.
"They are prejudiced against anything not 'normal,' such as magic. They spoiled their son rotten, and when he was misbehaving, they rewarded him. They were appalled by animals- such as myself when I was a cat and owls that were around their house. Of course this was nine years ago and before Harry, however I doubt they changed."
Severus added all that to his notes. He then looked around to the others.
Remus then piped up, "Lily had named Alice Longbottom and Sirius Black as godparents and provided many provisions so that their son would not go to the Dursleys. She did not want Petunia to get her claws on him."
"That, Lupin raises a good point. Why was Harry put into that household?"
Albus look conflicted, "I, believe, it was probably some miscommunication."
"Possibly," Severus said, "however, I shall have someone investigate. Nothing can be overlooked. It may lead to a breakthrough, even something as simple as this."
Severus flipped a page in his journal.
Why was Potter put with the Dursleys?
-Put R. Lupin, A. Moody, A. Weasley and K. Shacklebolt in charge
"I am going to keep each person's assignment a secret." Severus suddenly said.
"Why?" Asked Albus, concerned.
"That way I have multiple sources without secondary conversation going on- or secrets being held by someone who knows who is doing what." Severus said.
Mad-Eye Moody, though he did not like Severus, thought he raised a good point. "The lad has a point, Albus. This way he knows his sources are reliable."
A few others nodded, but some looked reluctant.
"Any other information?" Severus asked.
Elphias Doge spoke up, "When the lad was about seven, a group of friends and I saw him with his family. He was much smaller than his cousin, who we assumed was a few years older than him. I shook his hand. He seemed very adverse to touch, and his aunt leaned down and whispered something about been a freak, before cuffing around the head. Then his uncle promised of punishment later."
Severus quickly wrote all that down, before rearing on Arabella Figg, "Were not you assigned to overlook the boy, making sure something like this happened?"
"I wrote multiple letters to various officials. Including Fudge and Albus."
Everyone's heads quickly turned to Albus.
"Is that true?" Asked Severus.
"Not that I am aware." Said Dumbledore, a tone of panic in his voice.
Albus quickly concluded the meeting after that. Severus began giving people their positions and made them swear a vow to only inform him of the results their search concluded.
Severus walked back to his rooms with his mind reeling. He knew Dumbledore knew the more than he let on, and Severus was determined to get to the bottom of it. He also decide he was going to secretly bring the Malfoys into his investigation.
Once in his rooms, Severus flood over to Malfoy Manor.
"What brings you here, Severus?" Narcissa said, greeting Severus.
"I need to talk to you and Lucius. It is important." Severus said. Narcissa called for two house elves. One to get tea and one to get Lucius. Narcissa gestured towards an armchair for Severus to sit on. Severus sat and crossed his ankle over is leg. Narcissa returned to her loveseat.
Daisy, the house elf that went to get tea, returned first, with a tray of tea and poured tea for the occupants of the room, and then one for Lucius before disappearing. Dobby the house elf that was sent for Lucius returned moments later informing Severus and Narcissa that Lucius was on his way.
Severus and Narcissa engaged in small talk before Lucius arrived.
"Excuse my tardiness, I was not expecting a visitor at this hour." Lucius said, sitting next to Narcissa.
"It is quite all right Lucius, it was not planned. I have important information, but I need an Unbreakable Vow from the two of you." Severus said, resting his elbow on his knee and his chin on his fist. Narcissa and Lucius looked at each other before agreeing and they quickly performed the Vow.
"Harry Potter is missing and I think Dumbledore has a hand or two in this."
"What?" Lucius said, outraged, "You think the leader of the Light side has a hand in kidnapping the icon of the Light?"
"Yes."
"On what evidence?" Asked Narcissa.
Severus handed over his journal.
Potter, Harry
Age:11
Last seen: unknown
Possibly ran away
V. Dursley- glad he was gone
Gone for approx 2 years
V. Dursely- seems to have violent tendencies
P. Dursley was jealous of Lily's magic
P. Dursley thought Lily was a freak
Why was Potter put with the Dursleys?
-Put R. Lupin, A. Moody, A. Weasley and K. Shacklebolt in charge
Doge saw abuse- did he tell anyone
Figg notified authorities including A. Dumbledore- D seems to be hiding something
W. Weasley, C. Weasley, and E. Vance in charge of gathering info on the history of the Potters
M. Weasley, N. Tonks, A. Tonks, E. Doge, A. Figg, H. Jones, D. Diggle, A. Bones, R. Hagrid, M. McGonagall and M. Fletcher in charge of finding out about Potter's upbringing- signs of abuse, what neighbors know, favoritehaunts, etc.
A. Dumbledore- a little of everything- see what info he gives away
"Well, Severus," Lucius said, "it seems you have everything covered."
"Yes, but I want you two to help."
"Why?" Asked Narcissa.
"You two are Slytherins, who may be able to dig around different circles. Lucius, you have a sway over the goblins, see what you can get from them. I need you two to get any possible information that others cannot, for various reasons."
"Of course, Severus." Narcissa said.
Lucius nodded, "Potter may have vanquished the Dark Lord, but he was a baby. No child deserves abuse. We will do everything we can to help you."
Severus nodded and brought the conversation to lighter topics, such as their adventure with the Weasleys and the Grangers a few days prior.