Notes: I definately don't own Harry Potter.

Thank you for all your kind messages! I will post my new chapter soon!!!

Chapter 17: How can you find what you cannot see?

Severus Snape grumbled quietly as he swept through the classroom just after his last class of the day, making sure no student left potions ingredients, quills (or Merlin forbid), treat wrappers on his floor. That's all I need, thought Severus, one of those dunderheads leaving sugar trails for the next student to drop boomslang skin on...they'd be cleaning the sticky mess for a month.

Satisfied after taking one last spot check in the student's workspace, the tall man gathered submitted essays of the day and ventured out into the cool, damp hallway of the dungeons. Wrapping his cloak a bit tighter at the sudden chill, Severus stalked his way towards the warmth of the upper stairwell.

Upon reaching the first landing, the Potions Master paused at the spot where he and a certain Gryffindor sat just days before. Although Ms Granger hasn't strayed too far from his thoughts these past few days, he was surprised to have forgotten the incident that happened in the classroom earlier today.

Severus was immensely curious of her progression throughout the unfortunately incident. Although it was a purely selfish motive, the young woman provided an opportunity to re-exam an issue that should have been exposed to its very core years ago. Pushing those dreadful memories away, he continued his trek through the school.

He decided, after climbing the last few stairs that lead into the main hallway, to visit the student in question and to see how she has faired her first transitional period. Shrinking the parchments in his arm, Severus continued his climb towards the infirmary. He was surprised he didn't run into many students but then realized it was dinnertime.

Perfect, he thought, no nitty nanny Mediwitch to ask him ridiculous questions.

Although she should be better informed of Ms. Granger's condition, he wanted to leave that particular news quiet for at least a few more days, when she starts showing signs of accelerated aging.

Just as he finished his thoughts, Severus opened the doors to the infirmary and was surprised at the sight that greeted him.

.

.

.

Shite. All the beds were empty. There was no sign of the Gryffindor student.

Gathering his wits, Snape left the dark infirmary in search of her, wishing he had that ingenious little map (even if he hated to admit it, it did come in handy). He did not want to draw to much attention to her disappearance, although he was certain her two friends, if they haven't already, would be visiting her shortly after dinner. From what he knew of the young Weasley, he did not like to miss a meal handed to him.

He would be thankful for their momentary distraction but it would be short-lived.

Stalking down the corridors with deft and speed, he searched nooks and alcoves for the young woman when he came across the two students he wished not to find. He could hear them like a herd of Hippogriffs.

'I told you, Ron, I don't have the map on me…I must have dropped it somewhere back in the room so we have to go back and find it.' Spoke Harry Potter, as he walked alongside his best friend.

'Geez, mate. Too bad we didn't duplicate it. It would save us from having to walk all the way back up to the common rooms.'

'True, Ron. I wonder where 'Mione is. I don't think Madame Pomfrey would let her go so soon. I mean, you saw her. She was probably not feeling well enough to get up those stairs.' Harry spoke, suddenly realizing where she must be. At this exclamation, Severus, who was tucked in an alcove listening to their conversation, spun in the other direction down and dashed towards the dungeons through a lesser known passageway. It would get him down faster than the two Gryffindors and hopefully to find her before they do.

He felt the responsibility weigh on him. He should have ensured she got up to the infirmary safely, by at least sending one of her little friends with her. Severus did not like feeling this slight guilt. Swallowing his pride, he stalked down to the darkened dungeons to see if he can find her before this guilt gnawed at him more.

A/N: Will he find her before her friends do? How is she?