gryffindortabby: Severus?  Are you free at the moment?
surlysnake: More or less.  Please tell me you have something resembling useful information to 
impart.
gryffindortabby: I'm afraid not.  I haven't spoken to Remus in a couple of days... the last time I 
saw him was in the Great Hall two days ago for supper.
surlysnake: I spoke with him last evening, and was expecting to see him this evening.  He 
apparently missed his afternoon classes, and I'm sure I don't need to tell you how out of 
character that is.
gryffindortabby: You are right, that is highly unlike him.  Who took over his classes for him?  
...did someone take over his classes for him?
surlysnake: No, no one bothered to tell _anyone_ apparently, until I inquired on this system when 
he missed our appointment.  Unless Albus knows something, and I haven't spoken to him in days, 
none of us have a clue.
gryffindortabby: Oh, dear.  No note, no message of any sort?  He just dissapeared into thin air, 
are you telling me?
surlysnake: I'm afraid so.  I don't need to tell you I have a very bad feeling about this.
gryffindortabby: Of course.  I am beginning to feel uneasy as well... surely he would have been in 
touch with Dumbledore if he had a sudden need to get away for a time.  I am guessing that he would 
alert you as well.
surlysnake: One would surmise as much.  Bulstrode and he apparently spoke at length last night, 
but she said he indicated nothing about potential plans or stress or really anything at all.
surlysnake: And, in case you were wondering, but I can't imagine why, Trelawney hasn't even had 
any visions of his death, which is certainly anything but reassuring.
gryffindortabby: Trelawney has other things on her mind, let me assure you.  She is probably too 
busy looking into her orb for matters concerning herself...
surlysnake: Indeed.
gryffindortabby: I do not mean to be on the pessimistic side of things, and yet... has Remus 
mentioned anything lately about feeling threatened lately?  Would there be any cause for alarm so 
very early in this perdiciment?
surlysnake: Other than he's the most conscientious person in this school? Or the fact that he 
recently broke things off with his ill-tempered ex-convict lover?  Or the fact that he recently 
spurned Lucius Malfoy or is currently involved with an ex-Death Eater?  No, no cause for alarm.
gryffindortabby: No need to be crass; seriously, do you believe that his relationships (or 
lackthereof) have anything to do with this little vacation, intentional or not?
surlysnake: I can find no other line of reasoning that would produce a plausible narrative, and 
while Black and I have remained as cordial as ever, things have been particularly ugly between 
myself and the older Malfoys of late, so yes, it concerns.
gryffindortabby: I've noticed that Lucius has been quiet as of late.
surlysnake: Too bad one can't say the same for Narcissa, although I've not heard much from her 
since the Percy incident.  Lucius I chatted with briefly, about nothing at all around the same 
time.
gryffindortabby: They have not been in touch since Remus' disappearing act?
surlysnake: No, several days, at least, but there's nothing unusual about that.  Although, it was 
Draco who was the first to mention that he wasn't in class today.  You can imagine the degree to 
which I don't wish to examine the possibilities there.
gryffindortabby: Draco Malfoy is but a child, you must remember.  Are you not the one who has been 
coddling the boy since he first arrived at Hogwarts?  Certainly, you don't think Draco knows what 
has happened...
surlysnake: I'm very fond of Draco, he reminds me of Lucius, in simpler times.  And no, I don't 
think he knows anything.  I think he's been spending to much time with Finch-Fletchley to know 
anything at all, quite frankly.  But the fact is, he could.
gryffindortabby: So could Peeves, but I would rather eat my own spectacles before I asked that 
ghastly thing.
gryffindortabby: The point is, I guess, we do not know anything yet.  It might just be a sudden 
holiday that he felt was needed.
surlysnake: Ah, yes, Peeves.  One of our more delightful problems.
surlysnake: And you're right of course, things have been stressful, but I can't believe he 
wouldn't make arrangements for his classes, or at least tell me not to expect him.  I would ask 
you how long we're supposed to sit on our hands, but since I don't know what we'd do if we 
weren't, it is most likely a futile question.
gryffindortabby: I'm afraid so.  If nothing is more clear by tomorrow afternoon at the latest, we 
may take further steps... for as for now. Well.  We will simply busy ourselves and hope for the 
best.
surlysnake: Indeed.  If you see Albus, do tell him about this.  And Potter, he and Potter are 
close....
gryffindortabby: Of course.  Your fevered note in your journal, however, will have the entire 
school aware of his absence by dawn, I am sure.
surlysnake: Perhaps.  If they're not all off shagging or being depressed about other people 
shagging or trying to figure out just what is wrong with the recent alumni, although, I suppose 
that's nearly the same thing. *sigh*
gryffindortabby: How delicate your ways of saying things are, Severus.  If we need someone to 
complete a guide to our project, I do hope Dumbledore asks you.
gryffindortabby: It is a lot more complex then you put it.  It is so complex that I am lost and 
enjoying my ignorance on some subjects...
surlysnake: I regrettably find both that I agree, and that I do not have the taste for arguing 
with you tonight.
surlysnake: If you hear anything, let me know, otherwise, we shall speak in the morning, I suppose
gryffindortabby: You will be the first to hear any news from me.  Do get some sleep, tomorrow is 
regretably another school day for us both. Good-night.
surlysnake: Goodnight, Minerva