Dramione - Hate Is A Strong Word

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

~Professor McGonagall's POV~

    "What is it Albus?" I said to the portrait impatiently. The old head master's mouth gaped open and his calming blue eyes, beneath his half-moon spectacles, filled with alarm. He continued to stare ahead blankly.

"Albus!" I snapped.

His eyes focussed on me and he spurted out the knowledge I needed to hear.

"Nicolas Flamel, the portrait to the Head's Dorm, has just informed me that a dark figure has just exited the dorm. The silhouette belonged to neither Draco nor Hermione."

"Okay?" I pushed, sensing there was more information. There was always more information wherever Albus was concerned.

"Nicolas said the figure was pointing their wand at seemingly nothing, causing him to think they were levitating something invisible to the eye."

"So the intruder could have taken Draco or Hermione." I finished. Albus nodded.

I fled the office, purposefully striding to the Head's Dorm. Once I reached the tapestry, Nicolas Flamel opened his mouth to ask for a password. At my raised eyebrow he shut his mouth and silently swung the portrait open for me.

The common room was empty.

"Hermione?"

"Draco?"

No answer.

I ran upstairs to their rooms. Knocking on Hermione's door, I entered the room. Empty. I repeated the same with Draco's room.

Nothing.

I breathed in and out. Don't panic.

I transformed into my animagus, as I knew the cat would allow me to travel faster, and unnoticed by students, to my office.

I welcomed the familiar tingle in my back when I shrunk, as my body altered into a cat. I clawed the carpet beneath me, taking in my surroundings and adjusting to the new perspective and size. I wiggled my head, brushing my whiskers and I waggled my tail.

Then I set off, padding the floor lightly with each step, increasing pace until I was a blur of fur in a familiar rhythm of paws thudding against the floor.

Before entering my office I transformed back to my human self. Flattening my skirt and brushing stray strands of hair back off my face, I strode into the office and walked straight up to Albus' portrait.

"They're not there and I know they left the Great Hall to go to their dorm an hour ago." I said without a greeting.

Albus paused, staring at me, thinking.

"So who do we know who might want to capture Draco and Hermione?" He said a twinkle returning to his old eyes.

"Who could be angry about their new relationship?" I said my head spinning.

Albus looked at me.

"Lucius Malfoy!" I nearly screamed. Albus nodded smiling.

"Of course the prejudice old fool would be angry about his son with a muggle-born." I said. "He'll have taken them to Malfoy Manor, most likely in the dungeons. Now how will I get in there?" I muttered to myself, tapping my finger on my desk impatiently as I thought.

"Got it!" I screamed and ran out of the office.

I ran and ran, not caring about the strange looks the students gave me as I glided past, until I reached the kitchens. The house elves paused in their actions as the head of the school entered.