His Secret

Captured

Ron was the first to react, his wand out in front of him before the others had time to move. The man gave a derisive laugh,

"I've caught your leader boy, you think you can beat me?" Ron just glared, knowing his voice would betray the fear he felt. The others had soon followed his lead, wands out they stood united against evil. United against Lord Voldemort.

***

Snape watched the ink drip from his quill onto the blank sheet of paper, the Dark Lord was about to take over Hogwarts and he was sitting here making a lesson plan. Something wasn't quite right about that. And what Dumbledore had told them, his biggest advantage over Voldemort...lost. Snape knew he had to do something, he knew he had to find the boy.

Throwing a fistful of powder onto the fire Snape called out,

"Ministry of Magic," and into the roaring emerald flames he stepped.

***

Stepping out of the fireplace, Snape looked around the bustling Ministry, despite the few confused glances he received, he was unnoticed. Head down Snape began walking briskly towards the lifts, Department of Underage Magic, he just had to get there then he could get out.

Eventually he reached the right floor, he then slipped through the open office door to find himself face to face with a wide eyed, rather petrified looking girl.

"Professor Snape?" She squeaked, it was Eva Neil, a Hufflepuff he'd taught a few years back.

"Miss Neil." Snape nodded curtly, what could he say to her to explain this?

"It's Mrs Kington now actually," her voice sounded more confident and Snape felt a small surge of pride for the girl who he'd taught. Although he forbade it to show on his face, instead he said,

"Ah, Mrs Kington it is then, I wasn't aware you married,"

"Well I did and it's none of your business, you can't tell me what to do anymore and as a matter of fact I'd like to know what you're doing here, if you would be kid enough to tell me, sir." The way she sarcastically spat out the last word made Snape realise that this was seven maybe more years of hatred finally coming out, she wasn't going to be easy to convince.

"We have a small...issue...in the school. Apparently our famous Boy-Who-Lived has decided to go on strike in the middle of term and we have...lost him. I was sent to see if we could possibly use your information to see if he has been using underage magic where we can track him to?" Snape watched her face as he retold the story as carefully as he could without giving to many details, if he told her too much he could place her in danger.

"Wait a minute, you've lost Harry Potter?" She laughed, a real laugh Snape had never heard when he taught her.

"Yes we lost Harry Potter and I'd appreciate it if you hurried up to help me find him," Snape snapped irritably. Eva just frowned at Snape,

"Of course, but I hope you don't think I'm stupid. You would never go to look for Harry Potter if you could help it, so what's happening? Why were you sent? Even when he was in first year you couldn't stand the sight of him, I remember."

"Mrs Kington, what is happening at the school at the moment is none of your business and not should you seek to make it so. Would you please tell me where the boy is and then we may both continue with our lives."

"No. I want answers first, I can't let you in without complete certainty you aren't working with ulterior motives, enough people have suspected you."

"Oh for Merlin's sake, the Headmaster has been captured by the Dark Lord and the Potter boy is the only one who can help. Are you satisfied now?" Eva looked at Snape, her mouth popped into an 'o' shape.

"Pr-professor Dumbledore?"

"Yes, the Headmaster needs help and Potter is the only one who can provide it, now would you please show me what you know and I shall be on my way." Nodding Eva lead Snape into the office and traced Harry's magic.

"What in Merlin's name is he doing in a Muggle Youth Hostel?"