The Catch

Chapter Twelve: Where is Severus Snape?

"He said he's canceling." Ron frowned at the note he was holding in one hand.

"What?" Harry looked up from polishing his broom. "Did he say why?"

"He said he's busy." The slight wrinkle didn't leave the spot between Ron's eyebrows. The note had sounded...rather abrupt. Very unlike Sev. Or at least the Sev that he knew.

"Oh, then that's too bad. Dinner's really tasty." Harry continued on his task. "I'll just tell Herm that it'll just be the three of us. Oh wait! There'll be four. Dobby wants to come."

"Yeah, you do that." Ron stood and walked to the door. "I'll just check on Sev for a while."

"Okay."

But Ron didn't hear Harry's last word. By then, he was running down the stairs of their dormitory and was out at the hall in seconds. He was worried. Something about that note was wrong. Sev wouldn't ditch their date just like that. There must be another more substantial reason other than "I'm busy." His footsteps pounded on the stone floor as he hurried towards Sev's office. It was still early. He might still catch him there.

He arrived at the office door breathing hard. He knocked and called out.

"Sev! Sev, are you in there?" When he didn't hear anyone reply, Ron tried the door. It was locked. He tried calling out a few more times but after a while, he decided to try the private quarters instead.

When he reached the rooms, he didn't even bother to knock. He turned the knob and pushed the door open, only to come face to face with an empty room. Still, he walked around it, checking. The bathroom was empty, too.

Where could Sev be?

***

Inside the office, Severus didn't move as he heard Ron's fading footsteps. The boy was probably going to check on his room next.

His hand relaxed as silence returned. He heard something fall. Startled, he glanced down. He had been clutching his ink-bottle so hard that it nearly broke under his fingers.

He picked it up, ignoring the dark blotch that stained his robes. He mustn't think about Ron anymore.

The contract lay there on his desk, mocking him silently. But for some reason, he couldn't move to destroy it. He couldn't even stand to touch it.

He closed his eyes, willing his mind to take control. He had work to do. Potions. Like always.

***

"I just don't understand. I sent him dozens of notes and he just wouldn't reply!"

Ron was nearly crazy with worry and frustration as he walked to the Great Hall the next morning for breakfast with his friends. He had been awake most of the night trying to analyze the situation; turning it around his head so many times that he nearly drove himself dizzy with it. He just couldn't think of anything that made Sev act this way.

"Are you sure you didn't fight or anything before you separated yesterday afternoon?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"No! Well, there was this one time when we had a minor disagreement but we made up soon after. He came three times for Merlin's sake!"

Behind him, Harry choked. Ron turned around and glared at him blackly.

"Sorry... It's this silly cough that's been going around lately." Harry coughed twice unconvincingly as he smiled innocently at Ron. "Now what were you saying?"

Ron sighed, turning back to Hermione. "And he never, ever, leaves any note unanswered! What happened to those notes I sent later?"

"Maybe the owl lost its way?" Hermione suggested weakly.

"How? A freak tornado came and blasted a dozen stupid owls away while I was sending the note? Great, just great."

"Maybe he just didn't like the idea of dinner," Harry drawled, moving to walk alongside them. "I mean, he probably couldn't stand eating with me in sight."

"But that doesn't make sense. He agreed already. And he was excited about dinner!" Ron wailed.

Hermione touched his arm in sympathy. "Well, there must be some reason. I'm sure you'll work it out between the two of you."

Ron huffed and stamped into the Hall. "He must be here somewhere this morning. And I am not leaving this room until I get some answers!"

"Hmm... well he doesn't seem to be around." Harry pointed to the teacher's table. Like he said, Snape's chair was conspicuously empty.

"Oh, he'll arrive," Ron said confidently. "Have you ever seen Sev absent even once at anything?"

An hour later...

"Well, Ron, there's always a first time for everything." Harry twirled his spoon around his fingers as he surveyed the Great Hall--completely empty except for him, Ron, Hermione, and the four House tables.

"I just don't get it." Ron's carefully combed hair was mussed up now. He had run his hands over it a hundred times since the beginning of the meal. "Why is he avoiding me? Doesn't he love me anymore?''

Hermione shushed him and hugged him comfortingly. "Don't think that way. Something probably came up. Something really important that he had no time to tell you about it or answer your notes. It'll be okay in a while when you do talk to him."

"You really think so?" Ron looked up hopefully.

She smiled confidently. "I know so."

***

Severus closed the door of Dumbledore's office quietly. The Headmaster had been shocked with his request. He had even offered to check Severus himself for curses or potion effects of any kind. But the Potions Master had been adamant. He needed this, and it was the first time he felt the need for this in years.

He thought back on their conversation:

"Are you sure about this, Severus?" Dumbledore's eyes were sad as he surveyed his former student, and one of his most trusted friends.

"I've never felt more sure in my life," he answered quietly, his eyes unwavering as he stared back at the Headmaster.

Dumbledore held his eyes for a moment before admitting defeat.

"Very well. I shall allow you, then. Take care of yourself, my child."

"I will. You, too, Albus."

And then he left. Just like that.

He moved to an open window and stared at the sky. It would be winter soon. He closed his eyes and breathed in the clean, nippy air. He always loved winter. It was the perfect time to heal.

***

Ron walked to the Potions classroom apprehensively. It had been two days since he last spoke to or seen Sev. His lover had not appeared in the Great Hall during mealtimes the past couple of days. Moreover, he had not answered any of the queries Ron had sent by mail. His rooms and his office remained locked and not one teacher or student seemed to know where he was. He had been driving everyone crazy trying to know about Sev's whereabouts. The only person he hadn't asked yet was Dumbledore.

He adjusted his Gryffindor tie tiredly and tried to pat his hair in place. He knew he looked terrible. He hardly slept for two days and didn't even bother trying to look remotely acceptable to the public. He just couldn't stand not being with Sev for long. But finally, it was time for Potions, and for him and Sev to talk once more... even if it was about the properties of dragon spleen.

Grinning a little with anticipation, Ron pushed the door open. His eyes eagerly moved to the front, looking for Sev's tall, familiar form.

"Where's Professor Snape?" Ron demanded loudly as he glared at Professor McGonagall.

"Don't look at me like that, young man! Sit down and ask me properly," The intimidating witch commanded sharply.

Slightly abashed, Ron sat gingerly at the edge of a chair. "But where's Sev? I really need to talk to him." He was panicked now. What the hell was McGonagall doing in the Potions classroom?

The sharp look disappeared from her face as Minerva McGonagall surveyed the young man with something akin to pity. Of course, like the rest of the staff and the student body, she knew all about their 'secret' relationship.

She sighed and answered honestly. "I wish I could tell you, Mr. Weasley. But I just received orders from Professor Dumbledore this morning to substitute for Professor Snape. I don't know where he is or how long he'll be gone." With these she moved to the front and started reading the roll.

On his seat beside his best friends, Ron swallowed silently. His back of his eyes felt suspiciously hot. It just couldn't be... Sev had left without even telling him anything.

"Ron..." Harry whispered softly. "It'll be okay."

Meeting the sad green eyes of his best friend, Ron shook his head. He felt too broken to speak. It wasn't going to be okay. Not until he saw Sev again.

***

He stood nervously in front of the gargoyle at the door to Dumbledore's office. He wouldn't be here had he not been really desperate. He just needed to talk to someone who could at least help him with finding Sev. And the Headmaster must know, for he didn't know anyone else he could turn to.

He shifted his foot, feeling even stupider by the second. He didn't know the password.

"Cockroach Clusters." Professor Trelawney had approached and suddenly spoke to the gargoyle. The doorway opened, revealing the way.

Ron stared at her, amazed. He didn't even realize that she was there. "Um... thanks."

"Glad to help." Looking very much like a colorful dragonfly, Professor Trelawney waved at him cheerfully as he made his way up to the Headmaster's office.

As soon as he was face to face with Dumbledore, the words just slid from his mouth before the Headmaster could even say hello.

"Um... where's Sev?" He stopped, suddenly mortified with himself for speaking so suddenly. He stammered, blushing, as he met Dumbledore's puzzled look. "I... I mean, good morning, Professor Dumbledore. Would... would you know where I could find Professor Snape?"

The kindly Headmaster smiled. He knew this was coming. "Have a seat, Ron."

Ron sat awkwardly, sinking into one of the squashy chintz armchairs that graced the unusual office.

"Professor Snape is on vacation," Dumbledore answered his question as soon as he sat down.

"Vacation? In the middle of the term?" Ron could hardly believe what he just heard.

"I'm afraid it's no joke, Ron. He did decide to take his leave some two days ago. I allowed him to. After all, this is the first leave he has taken since he started teaching in Hogwarts."

"Leave?" Ron echoed weakly. It was true. Sev had left without even saying goodbye. He swallowed painfully. He had one more question to ask, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to learn the answer. "Would you... happen to know why he decided to ... leave all of a sudden?"

Dumbledore looked at him keenly. "He has not revealed his reasons but I believe that they are credible enough for him to ask for the leave." He tapped his fingers on the table. "You don't have any idea why?"

Ron shook his head. There was something very painful tightening his chest so that he could hardly speak. But it wouldn't do to let the Headmaster know that. He pushed on the armrest and forced himself to stand.

"Thank you for your help, Professor Dumbledore. I... I really appreciate it."

The Headmaster of Hogwarts' School stood and led him to the door. "Don't worry too much, child. He'll come around. I'm just sorry that I can't tell you where he is right now. He didn't tell us where he decided to stay."

"That's all right. I understand." He just wanted to leave and cry in peace. His chest was going to burst in seconds if he stayed any longer. But Dumbledore still had a hold on his arm.

"It's funny."

"Huh?"

The Headmaster looked down at him thoughtfully. "You're the second student today who asked me about Severus. The first was Padma Patil. She had seemed quite distraught herself."

"Oh... Well, good day, Professor."

With that, Ron rushed out of the room.

He ran through the halls, automatically heading for Gryffindor Tower. His eyes started to burn, and he could feel the wetness trickling down his cheek. He felt suddenly blank, but somehow, he couldn't control his tears. It was strange. Crying when he didn't feel sad at all.

Just as he was just about to walk into the portrait door, he heard the cheerful sounds coming from the common room. At the moment, he didn't feel like bawling in front of his House mates so he doubled back and left the Tower.

He just needed some time alone.

***

"Is he back?" Hermione whispered as Harry closed the bedroom door.

"Yeah," Harry replied in a low voice. "But you better not talk to him yet. I don't think he's eager to see anyone right now."

The two headed for the common room and settled in a quiet corner where thy couldn't be overheard.

"So what did he say?" Hermione asked urgently. "There must have been some reason."

"He didn't say much. Apparently, not even Dumbledore knows why he's gone except that he just suddenly decided to leave." Harry shrugged as he relayed the news. "Oh, and there was something about Padma Patil but I really didn't understand much of what Ron said. I had to screen through the sobs."

"Ron is crying?" Hermione's eyes widened.

"Since he showed up this afternoon," Harry replied dryly. "But don't tell anyone that. We have a silencing spell around his bed and the other guys know better than to disturb him."

"Shit! This must be serious!" Hermione crossed her arms. "I didn't realize he was this serious about Sev."

"You didn't realize?" Harry raised his brow. "Have you been listening to him lately? He hardly talks about anyone else but Snape."

"Yes but this means it's really serious." She shut her eyes, thinking. "Could you repeat what you said about Padma Patil?"

"I said nothing. Told you, I didn't understand much. Oh wait! I think he told me that she was asking about Snape, too. And she was rather upset. Yeah, that was it."

"Why would she ask about Snape? She's doing great in Potions. I know that because I check the grades. And he's not her Head of House." Hermione started tapping the table. "What could have made her upset?"

"Search me. I'm just repeating what Ron said."

"Oh well, it's probably nothing. Snape's a teacher. There are lots of reasons to look for him."

"Herm?"

"Yes?"

"We have to help Ron."

"Well, then, what do you suggest?"

"As much as I hate that greasy git--although he hasn't been that greasy since Ron happened--we have to look for him. Or else Ron will never climb out of that bed."

"Great idea. Now where do we start?"

"His office?"

"My thoughts exactly. C'mon!"

***

"Oh... I just love breaking in here!" Hermione crooned as she watched the dozens of glittering jars arrayed on the shelves. "He has the most fascinating office!"

"Yeah, just as long as we don't get caught." Harry gingerly avoided a suspicious-looking flask which was open, smoke coming from the opening. "What are the things he keeps in here?"

"They're all Potion ingredients. Remember, Harry, he's one of the premier Potion Masters in the wizarding world, if not the best."

"Now we gotta get to the bottom of this." He moved to the desk. "Look at this guy! He's so organized I feel almost too dirty to touch his stuff."

"Move over those carefully. We don't want him to know that someone touched those when he comes back," Hermione warned.

Harry rifled through the files on the desk. "Nothing here but notes. Notes on... Potions. Ha! Big surprise."

"Be careful or-- Harry!"

Harry stopped and turned in alarm. "What?"

"You nearly stepped on something!"

"What? A slug?" He looked down in panic, fearing to see his shoes suddenly covered in slime.

"No, silly." Hermione rushed and picked something from the floor. "It's this piece of paper."

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Herm! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Well, you should be more careful. What would Snape think if he saw your footprint on one of his notes?"

Harry snatched the paper from her hand. "It'll put it back, thank you. I just don't think there's anything here to... Wait! I know this handwriting! Oh, Good Lord!"

Hermione turned from examining the contents of a funny-looking box. "What is it?"

With wide eyes, Harry silently handed her the piece of paper she picked up earlier. She took it with a feeling of dread and stared at it for a whole minute without saying anything.

"Herm?"

She lifted her head and glared at him angrily. "You assholes! How could you be so stupid? You put it in writing?!"

"It was just for fun at first," Harry answered defensively. "How would I know it would end up here?"

"You should have destroyed this soon after."

"I wasn't the one keeping it!"

"Who is?"

"Neville."

She slapped her forehead in exasperation. "You boys are even stupider than I thought."

Harry merely looked at her sullenly.

Hermione grabbed his wrist and marched to the door. "We have to speak with Neville."

"Then?"

"Major damage control! We're calling Percy."

-TBC-