Sweet and Sour

Chapter Four: Missing Professors

Meanwhile back at Hogwarts....

McGonagall reread the letter she had received from Draco five days ago. There had been no news since then and she was getting worried. The students would be arriving tonight and she wanted Draco at the feast. The sound of a bell brought her out of her thoughts as she realized it was the final staff lunch before the term began. She hurried quickly to the staff lounge when the house elves were serving a light lunch.

"Welcome, I'm sure we are all excited about the new term beginning tonight. However, before we begin, has anyone heard from Draco?"

Empty glances met hers and she sighed before continuing. "Very well then, as classes will commence tomorrow, I believe we should appoint an interim Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Severus, would you be able to take some of his classes?"

"Of course."

"I'll take any classes that conflict with Severus'," Hermione said.

"Thank you, Hermione. That will certainly be helpful. Just because Voldemort has been defeated for some time, I do not believe that we should suspend Draco's classes in his absence. There is always a need to be prepared. Hermione and Severus, I'm sure you will be able to work out a schedule later today."

"Minerva?"

"Yes, Severus?"

"Might I ask where Draco is?" Severus asked, echoing everyone's thoughts.

There was a moment of silence as Minerva considered the question, feeling the gaze of all the faculty on her. Taking a deep breath, she responded. "I do not know Draco's exact whereabouts at the present moment. I received an owl from him five days ago saying that he was held up in London on personal business. Since then, I have not heard anything,, however we shall proceed as normal."

"And what are we going to tell the students?" Ginny asked. "They'll notice his empty seat at the feast."

"We will tell them what we know, that Professor Malfoy is away on business."

There was an uncomfortable silence before the faculty went back to eating their light lunch in silence as no one desired to make conversation after Minerva's announcement. Slowly, the professors finished their lunch and left in silence, leaving Minerva alone in the lounge. She remained there for the majority of the afternoon, lost in her thoughts before a house elf popped in and reminded her that it was time to get ready for the feast.

McGonagall sat down at the head table, looking out over the returning students and waiting for Severus to lead the first year students in. As if on cue, the doors to the Great Hall opened and Severus led in two rows of petrified looking students. She smiled softly, trying to reassure them as Severus walked them up to the Sorting Hat and began the process. There were cheers from various houses as the first years were sorted. When the sorting was finished, Severus took his spot and there were some whispers about the empty chair at the head table. Minerva stood up and clinked her glass to get everyone's attention.

"Firstly," she began, "I would like to welcome you to the beginning of another year at Hogwarts. A special welcome to all our new first years."

She paused for the applause that followed. "I'm sure some of you are wondering where Professor Malfoy is. He has unfortunately been detained on business in London. Professors Snape and Granger will be covering his classes until he returns. Also, let me remind you that there are to be no excursions to Hogsmeade or beyond the castle grounds except with the expressed permission of a professor. I believe that is all, so without further ado, let the feast-"

The side door being pushed in and a weary looking figure stumbling in interrupted Minerva. As the person approached the head table, she caught a glimpse of the distinctive blonde hair. She walked over to meet Draco as he stumbled and gripped onto a chair.

"Potter is alive," he said as he slumped down in his chair. Minerva gave a nod to Severus who went over and helped Draco off to the side room as there were astonished looks among the professors who had heard Draco's words. The students looked amongst themselves as they whispered theories about what had happened to their professor and what he had said that had prompted the sudden reaction among the professors. They fell silent as Minerva turned her attention towards them once more.

"It seems that Professor Malfoy has indeed returned, and hopefully will be well enough to teach his classes. I'm sure you will excuse me for going to speak with him. But, before it gets too late, let the feast begin!"

There was cheering as Minerva told Hermione to take over and rushed out towards the side room where she found Draco wrapped in a blanket as he sat by the fireplace, sipping a cup of tea that Severus had gotten for him.

"Draco, what happened? Are you all right?"

"I saw Potter. In London. Knockturn Alley to be exact. He was begging for money, Minerva. The wizarding world's hero was begging for sickles to eat. I've spent the past five days searching London and most of southern England for him. I barely recognized him, he's so scarred up and his eyes... Merlin, his eyes..."

"What happened? Where is he?"

"I don't know. We had lunch at the Leaky Cauldron and then he had some sort of attack of sorts and fell to the ground, convulsing. Then he just ran out and disappeared. I don't know what happened. There were reports of a beggar in parts on London that matched his description, but he hadn't been seen in days. We still have his wand and Ollivander hasn't sold him a new one. So if he's using magic, I don't know how. And he wouldn't say what happened to him. He just made me promise not to tell anyone."

"Draco, did he say anything at all?"

"Just that the wizarding world should forget about him and not to say anything. I don't know what's happened to him, but whatever it was, it changed him... he's like a shadow of a man."

There was a silence before Minerva spoke. "Why don't you get washed up and join us at the feast if you feel up to it. We can talk more about this tomorrow after you've rested a bit."