16-year-old Severus walked into the small Bed and Breakfast he had found walking through the small town, hoping to find a warm place to sleep on an unseasonably cold July night. He walked into the house and looked around waiting for someone to come. It was fair size house that appeared to be old but well kept up.

Eventually an elderly lady who looked to be about mid to late fifties came around the corner. The lady smiled at him taking in the young boy in front of her, and her mother instincts kicked in. The poor boy was so thin and looked like he hadn't had a decent nigh sleep in quite some time judging from the circles under his eyes. She smiled a warm loving smile at him.

"Hi, how long do you need place for sweetie?" She kindly asked.

Severus pulled out a little wad of cash and quickly counted how much he had, which wasn't much, "I think I only have enough for one night."

She laid her hand over his and said, "I didn't ask how much money you had child, I asked how long you needed a place to stay?"

He looked up into her kind eyes and shrugged. He had no idea when, if ever, he would go back home.

She walked over to him and took both of his hands in hers. "Come along dear, I have just the place for you."

She led him up the stairs down a hallway and through to her most comfortable rooms out of the three she had available, "Here you are sweetie."

"Thank you ma'am," Severus said as he stepped into the room, "But I don't think I can afford this," he said looking down.

"None sense child, stay here as long as you need, it's on the house," she said with a smile.

"No I can't," Severus said not wanting to take advantage of her kindness.

"Okay then you can pay me by helping out around here," she said, "My youngest just moved out not that long ago, and now since all my children have moved and I lost Hector, I find that I need more help around here."

"Okay, thanks again," Severus said gratefully, now he didn't have to worry about finding a warm place to sleep anymore, and besides there's no way his dad would look for him here in a small muggle village of all places.

"Don't mention it Sweetie," she said as she patted his cheek and made her way out the door, "Have a good sleep, I'll see you in the morning," she closed the door and was gone before Severus could say anything.

Severus sat his bag down on the bed and looked around the room. It was a fair size room with a bathroom attached. He pulled out a pair of pyjamas from his bag and made his way to the bathroom to have a shower. After he was all clean and ready for bed he got between the clean sheets and sighed, it was nice to have a warm shower and clean sheets. Luxuries that he didn't realize he had until they were gone. Less than a week ago he had run away from home, more specifically his father.

It all started with him befriending a muggle born, Lily Evens. She was in his grade and spent lots of her time in the library, just like him. He always had people following him around to make sure he was 'okay' and not in 'danger' or getting into 'trouble', it was so annoying. So often he went into the library to study, or even just to get away from everyone for a while. That's where he met Lily, they talked and eventually became pretty good friends. They kept it mostly hidden due to house rivalries and such, and in Severus' case, he didn't want news of this getting back to his Dad.

But eventually dad had found out, and words were exchanged, all leading up to him running away. If Dad was going to be unreasonable then so was he. Every night he used the same logic to talk himself out of going home. He rolled onto his side and fell asleep.

Elsewhere...

Voldemort signed as he sat down in his favourite armchair beside the fire. What use was it being powerful and having followers if he couldn't even find his son? It had been 6 days, 14 hours and 36 minutes since he had found his son missing. He wouldn't admit to but he was worried. His little boy was much too young to be out there all alone. He also felt guilty for letting their latest fight get as far as it did. He had caused his baby to run away. As he sat there he thought about the time when he had found out about his son.

4 years ago...

Abraxas Malfoy came to Voldemort after a meeting, with some news. His son had come across a boy who was in first year that showed promise to being a valuable asset of their cause, especially with his vast talent in potions at such a young age.

Like all his other potential or current followers he wanted to run an in-depth background check on the boy, to make sure that he wasn't totally of muggle decent and to assess their blood line and potential. All he needed was some of the boys hair. Abraxas said that would have no problem obtaining that seen as how the kid was staying at his house for part of the summer.

When Abraxas brought him the required ingredients he started by immediately making the paternity potions first. When he got the results back he was beyond shocked. After doing the potion three more times he was finally convinced that what the results said was true. Something would have to be done about this pronto.

It was the summer of 1972, just after Severus finished his first year at Hogwarts, and he was staying at his new friends, Lucius Malfoy's house for part of the summer. Severus lived with Tobias Snape, his mother had met him when he was just one year old, and they were married a year later. His mom had died when he was 5, but her husband raised him like his own. He never knew his birth father and his mom didn't like to talk about him, so he eventually gave up asking.

Lucius was four years older than him, but he had taken the little first year under his wing. They were sitting in the Malfoy's grand library as Lucius was telling him all about the dark Lord, he was going to be one of his followers as soon as he left Hogwarts. Lucius was in the middle of a particularly grotesque story that Severus was sure he was making up as he went along, when someone burst through the doors.

"Leave us," Voldemort ordered both Lucius and Abraxas who had followed him into the library.

"Yes my lord," said Abraxas right away and when he saw his son about to argue he grabbed his arm and both Malfoy's left poor Severus alone.

Severus stared up at the man that he had never met yet heard many stories about, with wide eyes. He didn't really know what to do, or what he wanted with him.

Voldemort looked down at the young 12-year-old sitting before him and his face softened. This scrawny, innocent human being was his son.

Severus sat there uncomfortable for what felt like forever as the man just stared at him. Then he did a very un-Voldemort like thing and pulled Severus into a big hug. He could no longer contain himself, he had to hold his boy. Most people would be surprised that he really did have a heart, because he rarely showed any emotion other then anger, but right now he couldn't help it, he had to hold his son.

Present...

Now his little boy was older and more rebellious. Oh how he longed for the little 12-year-old back! He had to find his son and soon. He was too young to be out by himself and Voldemort knew what was out there and he would die before he let anything happen to his son. With that thought in mind he called another meeting. He wouldn't sleep until he found his son.

The next day...

Severus rolled over and looked at the clock sitting beside his bed. 10:54am, he never slept this late. Maybe all those sleepless nights finally caught up to him. He laid in bed for a bit relishing in the warmth before he got out of bed and got ready for the day, once he was ready he walked down the stairs but once he was back to the main entrance he had no idea where to go. Just when he was about to start exploring the lady from last night came through the door.

"Oh good morning dear, did you sleep well?" she kindly asked upon catching site of the young teenager.

"Yes, ma'am, thank you," Severus politely responded.

"Oh none of that ma'am business, call me Martha," she replied, "Come to the kitchen your breakfast is warning in the oven."

"You didn't have to make me anything, I'm not really that..." Severus started before being cut off.

"Oh none sense child, you need to eat, your practically skin and bones!" Martha said as they got into the kitchen and she placed his breakfast in front of a stool at the counter.

"Eat," she commanded and surprisingly Severus found himself listening to her.

"So sweetie, I never did catch your name," Martha said once when was convinced that he would eat.

"Severus," he replied once he swallowed.

"Oh what a lovely name," she said with a smile to which Severus blushed and looked down at his plate.

She continued to ask him simple questions as he ate. When he was almost done she asked casually, "So why did you run away from home?"

Severus, who was just kind of mindlessly answering, caught himself before giving that piece of information away. How clever, she had lulled him into a false sense of security then pounced on him when she saw his unfocused state.

"Who said I ran away from home?" he replied.

Dang he caught her trap, well she would get it out of him sooner or later. Instead of answering she changed the subject and they continued to talk. After breakfast she had him help clean up the kitchen then they went outside to do some yard work. Their time together was spent working with pleasant conversations.

The rest of the week went by in pretty much the same way, with Martha still trying to get Severus to tell her why he ran away. She never got that piece of information but they both learned a lot about each other, and grew pretty close. Severus was pretty sure that this is what having a grandma would be like.

TBC...