Chapter 24 - Severus

It was in his free period before his class of Fifth years, when he finally had a chance to think through the mysterious letter and the new Dark Lord rising. Of course, at the time, he and Albus discussed it briefly, but the Headmaster was in a rush to inform the Ministry. They had to take precautionary measures to keep people of the country safe, not to mention the girl of the monster's desires. It was clear who the girl was: Candice Black. Or at least all hints went to her. Albus told him that Candice lived in Australia before meeting her uncle, and that is where this man began his killing spree, as well as collection of followers. Moreover, the letter was sealed with the House of Black's crest. Only direct descendants had access to that.

But Regulus really have had another child? Severus wondered. The girl had never mentioned any siblings, so perhaps the boy wasn't from the same mother. The woman could have been anyone from the Dark Lord's assignments to someone Regulus found on a night out. They had no luck narrowing down the spectrum. Suddenly, a cat patronus ran through his door, and Minerva's anxious voice filled his ears.

"Severus, Candice just ran out of my class. I'm not sure what happened, but I can't go and check on her as I have the rest of her class here. Please could you check on her?"

The cat vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving the Potions Master puzzled. Why would the girl run out of her class? She knows she had no hours to waste, since the O.W.L.'s were fast approaching... So what could have caused her unusual behaviour?

Severus stood from his desk, forgetting his quill that dripped black ink on a student's homework. He strolled out the door thinking of places where the girl could've gone to. Maybe she was hurt? Yes that would be his first stop: the Hospital Wing.

"Poppy?" he entered, and kept walking to the mediwitch's office after seeing all the beds empty.

"Ah Severus. What do I owe for your visit?" the elder looked up from her own desk.

"Has Miss Black been here at any point today?"

"Miss Black?" Poppy furrowed her brows, "Oh you mean Candice!" realisation came to her.

He kept the inward scowl of his face at the thought of everyone addressing the girl so informally. Well, he had too in the past, but only when it was truly necessary.

"Yes. Has she been here?" the professor tapped his foot impatiently.

"Not today no. She hasn't been for a while. Why? Is something wrong? Is she okay?"

Ugh, women and their motherly instincts, the man thought and turned on his heel.

"She's fine. As far as I know. I just need a word with her is all." he lied smoothly.

"Oh. Is she not in class?"

Severus mentally face-palmed himself. Of course the healer would see through his fib.

"Erm, no. Left her class in a hurry that is."

"That's unlike her." Poppy muttered then called after the dark mass, "Oh and Severus? I could use some more Calming Draughts. My stock is running low."

"Give me a week and I'll have another box ready."

"Thank you Severus." she shouted after him, who was already out the door.

The Potions Master was starting to doubt that the girl stayed on Hogwarts grounds, when his lesson came by and he still couldn't find her. He checked everywhere! The library, the Astronomy tower, the greenhouses, the courtyards, the quidditch pitch... Even Hagrid's hut! The half-giant was especially surprised when Professor Snape came knocking on his door. He invited him in for a tea, but his visit was short. Severus' last hope was that Miss Black was to turn up for her Potions class. She didn't.

His heart sank, and yelled at everyone to get inside, unable to control his emotions. Penmark and those stupid idiots were in that class, raising Snape's anger to a new level. He set the class to brew Calming Draughts, as Poppy needed them anyway and it was a simple task that had the least chance of explosions or trouble with the dunderheads. As they worked, the students spoke amongst themselves quietly, which Severus usually blocks out. Except he heard Miss Black's name being mentioned and his head snapped up from the parchment he was marking.

"What was that Mr Penmark? Care to share with the class?" he sneered and the arrogant Slytherin smirked back.

"Of course Professor." the boy drawled, "I was just saying how my friend Candice seems to dislike a friendly touch."

The Ravenclaws in the class looked up curiously, while the other Slytherins just snickered.

"Outside. Now." Snape snapped and walked over to open the door.

The snickering stopped and the now pale boy walked out with his head down. Severus didn't hesitate to slam the door behind them and question what the insolent twit meant.

"Nothing much, Professor."

Instantly, Dais was pressed against the wall, with a black wand pressing into his throat. He stared into shadowed eyes of his Head of House shocked.

"In case it has escaped your notice Penmark, I was a double spy during the Second Wizarding war, working for the Dark Lord himself before that. I do not, I repeat, do not tolerate dim-witted buffoons like yourself thinking you can get away with treating women like pieces of trash."

"I don-" the professor pressed his wand further to shut the boy up, nearly piercing his skin.

"Nor do I appreciate liars, Mr Penmark. Legilimens!"

The Potions Master ignored most of the memories that came at him, and chose two particular memories for them to watch. The first was from the night he found Candice on his floor, and the second was in their Transfiguration lesson hardly an hour previously. Severus pulled away with distaste and sent Penmark to the Headmaster's office. He threatened to hex the boy if he didn't go straight to Albus.