Crimson Ink

A Hard Cell

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It was only 10 seconds at most, but the wait was still agonizing for Tom. He wanted to give Neville enough time to get Harry out of the cabinet, but also wanted to move as fast as he can. The smell of Harry's blood drenching his clothes only made his panic increase even more so with every second that passed. However, when he finally raced into the cabinet he found even more blood on the other side ...

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Severus didn't show his concern as he followed Dumbledore to the Great Hall. It had nothing to do with Quirinus being absent from the staff table. That actually made sense. What did bother him was that it was taking longer than expected for Harry to show up.

"Very odd, isn't it?" Dumbledore pondered out loud.

"What do you mean, Albus?" Severus asked, staying on high alert. He prayed that the old wizard didn't notice that something was off about his horcrux.

Dumbledore just hummed as his eyes skimmed the staff table, "I don't see our dear Professor Quirrell."

"Indeed." Severus said, feeling a mix of amusement and relief. Of course, Dumbledore would be concerned about Quirinus' absence. He has been cautious around Quirinus since that traumatic spicy snack accident. "He mentioned something about a new recipe last time I saw him so perhaps that's what delayed him." Severs commented casually despite desperately wanting to laugh at Dumbledore's now pale face.

"I hope he doesn't get carried away." Dumbledore said with a noticeable hint of anxiety in his voice. Despite his deep seeded fear of an unwanted spicy attack his attention was quickly captured by two certain students pushing past the other students. "Ms. Granger, Mr. Weasley, what is the problem? Where's Harry?"

Hermione took a second to catch her breath, "Sam said Harry got a notice from Gringotts and now he's gone. The window was open and a shrunken broom was gone!"

Severus immediately became concerned after hearing that, but then felt a tug on his mind, (What's going on-)

(Harry's in danger! We're going to the manor!) Tom's voice echoed through the potion master's mind even though it lasted only a split second and he never saw Tom.

Dumbledore frowned and looked for the Aurors, "Thank you for telling me. Severus, tell Minerva I'll be gone for the day." He waved down the Aurors as they entered the Great Hall.

"Of course." Severus said despite being stunned by the news of his lover being in danger. "I'm sure the headmaster can handle things from here. Shouldn't you two be sitting down?" He asked sharply while shooting Ron and Hermione a glare.

"Yay! Cake!" Ron yelled, earning some snickers and dumbfounded looks.

An annoyed Hermione forced a smile to her face, "Yes, Professor." She said as she grabbed Ron by his collar, "It's breakfast, Ron. Not even close to dessert."she hissed clearly embarrassed by the redhead's outburst.

Severus barely noticed that strange outburst over his own worry, but he forced himself to play his role, "Minerva, Albus had to leave because of Potter." He whispered into the deputy headmistress's ear as she entered the room.

"What did Mr. Potter do?" McGonagall asked assuming Harry did something.

"It sounds like he flew to Gringotts. Albus says he'll handle that and to give everyone the day off." Severus quickly went through his mental list of excuses to find the best one. "Considering everything I think it'd be wise to do some brewing for Poppy."

The transfiguration Professor sighed, "Yes, that would be for the best. How quickly can you start?"

Severus frowned, "I'll start right now. When it's at a safe point during the brewing I'll send for food." He barely heard Minerva agree before turning and walking passed all the students.