I probably should slow down on all the updating, but I'm sure it's leaving all of you readers happy. Here's the next chapter.

Harry ran through the halls as fast as he could. The timer said five minutes and was continuing to drop. He had to find Sirius. Where in Hogwarts was he? Harry took a turn around a corner and was suddenly stopped by a long arm around his waist. He struggled against it.

"Easy, Harry. Why are you always running? What's the rush for?" He heard his father's voice.

"Dad, let me go! I've got to find Uncle Siri!" Harry said.

"Why? Did he forget how to navigate through the school?"

"No. We're playing hide-n-seek. I need to find him before the timer runs out or I lose. I've got four minutes left! Daddy, let go!"

"Alright, alright. Quick kiss before you go." Harry paused to reach up and give his father a quick peck on his cheek which Severus returned. He really is an affectionate father. Then he felt Severus release him. As he took off, he heard Severus call to him.

"Look for something furry. And slow down before you fall and kill yourself."

Harry didn't bother to slow down, but he did take his father's advice. Something furry. Harry stopped in the hall with the shiny armor in it. He looked around. Two minutes left. He slowed his walk just a bit more, checking behind each suit. Finally, he saw a fluffy tail lying to the side of one suit. Harry smiled and dropped to the floor next to the armor where the dog was hiding.

"I found you, Uncle Siri!" Harry cried. Padfoot crawled out from behind the armor and shifted back in to Sirius. The timer chose that moment to go off.

"Well done, tiger! Just in time too." Sirius praised.

"My turn! My turn!"

"Just one more time Harry. We've done this four times each already. Aren't you getting tired?"

"Dad said you have to keep me busy so I don't bug him while he works. Two more times!" Harry demanded.

"Harry, your father's last class is in five minutes. One more time, you can go both turns, if you want." Sirius said.

"No, two more times! Or I'm telling my dad." Sirius rolled his eyes. He didn't think Severus would care much for Harry's poor argument, but he'd probably be annoyed if Harry interrupted his class.

"Fine. Two more games. But then we head back to your quarters, deal?"

"Deal." Harry agreed.

Sirius set the timer for twenty minutes, then turned toward the wall to count to thirty. Harry took off down the hall.

It had been another year at Hogwarts. A year since he bit Ashley Rela's hand and learned how to swim from Freyr. He was seven now and had just a little more freedom to run around the castle as long as he was with another adult and steered clear of any strange corridors or rooms.

Harry took a turn around another corridor, counting to thirty in his head. Sirius should be at twenty by now. He needed to hide! He stopped at what looked like a door. He had never seen the door before. It only stood about waist high to an adult. For Harry, he was just a head taller than it. He opened it and found a small little room. There was nothing inside and it reminded Harry of his old cupboard from the old world.

Footsteps were coming!

Harry took his chances. It was a perfect place to hide. Sirius would never know where to look. As the footsteps got closer, he could hear Sirius calling for him. Harry silently closed the door behind him, enclosing himself in the dark.

"Harry! Come out, come out wherever you are."

Harry heard the footsteps pass, then grabbed the door's handle to peek out.

Only the door wouldn't open.

Harry pushed at the door, but it wouldn't budge. He tried harder, digging his feet into the ground. The door felt as though it was solid rock. But he had managed to get in. Now, how does one get out? Harry stared at the door for a moment, unsure of what to do and panic settling in. He did the only thing that came to mind.

Pounding on the door, Harry tried calling out for help.

"Uncle Siri! Help! I'm in here! Uncle Siri!"

Harry paused wondering if anyone heard. Then a thought came to mind. What if no one could hear him? What if the walls were soundproof? What if the room was untraceable from the outside? What if the room didn't even exist in Hogwarts anymore? He remembered hearing about rooms that would disappear from Hogwarts for years before ever reappearing. If that was the case, he would most likely perish in the room. Harry began to feel the child take over in him and he went with the instinct.

"Help! Someone, help me! I'm trapped! Get me out! Please! Daddy, help." After pounding on the door for what felt like hours, but really ten minutes, Harry collapsed to the floor, crying.

"He's been doing really well in reading. His handwriting is improving. He still seems a bit behind in math though. He struggles with some basic subtraction and division." Remus reported to Severus. He was seated on the armchair in Severus's living room.

"Hmm, I may start working with him on his mathematics while he does his homework. He's never really asked for help on his homework before so I thought he was grasping it." Severus commented from his place on the couch.

"That may prove beneficial. He enjoys the science projects we do and he loves being outside."

"Which is good. An active, busy child is better than a lazy, bored one."

At that moment Sirius walked in to the room, slowly and a bit cautiously. Then he started looking around the place. He went into the kitchen and cabinets could be heard opening and shutting. Then Sirius went into Harry's room. After a moment he came back out. As he practically crawled behind the couch, Severus stood and faced him annoyed.

"What in Merlin's name are you looking for, Sirius?! Get out from behind my couch!"

Sirius jumped to his feet, looking slightly guilty and a bit worried.

"I may have lost something. Something . . . really important." Sirius started to say.

"And what may that be? Your wand? Your common sense?" Severus asked not really sure if he should care or not. Whatever it is, it better be important enough to be searching my quarters for. Severus glared at Sirius when all the man did was open his mouth then shut it again, still holding that guilty look on his face.

"Well?" Severus asked impatiently.

"I . . . I think . . . well, I don't think, I more so know that . . . well, I'm not entirely sure . . ."

"Damn it, Black, spit it out!" Severus snapped.

"I can't find Harry!" Sirius finally said.

There was a long quiet pause. Then Severus was moving threateningly towards Sirius.

"You can't what?!"

"Severus, it's not like I meant to . . ." Sirius tried explaining, backing away. "Remus!"

Remus stood to his feet and grabbed Severus's arm.

"Severus, I'm sure Sirius didn't mean to lose him. Focus on finding Harry." Remus reasoned.

Severus breathed in a deep, angry breath, glaring at Sirius.

"Where did you last see him?" Severus asked as calmly as he could.

"We were playing hide and seek around the Great Hall. It was his turn. I had to find him before the timer ran out. And I still haven't found him." Sirius explained holding out the timer.

"And how long ago did the timer run out?" Remus asked.

"About an hour ago . . ." Sirius looked at his watch. "Or two."

Severus saw red.

"You've known my son has been missing for two hours! I'm going to murder you, Black!"

Severus reached for the man as Sirius jumped out of his reach, apologizing and trying to reassure Severus that they'll find him. Remus caught up with Severus as he was cornering Sirius and restrained the man.

"Severus, we need to find Harry! He is probably stuck somewhere and very scared. Sirius was the last one with him, we need his help." Remus said.

"Thank you." Was Sirius's response.

"You can slaughter the man later, Severus. After we find Harry." Remus added.

"Wonderful. I knew I could count on you, Remus." Sirius growled.

"Let go of me!" Severus roughly pulled away from Remus, sending one last death glare to Sirius before heading over to the Floo to floo call the headmaster.

"At least hold him off long enough for me to write my will! Honestly, Remus." Sirius glared.

"He was ready to strangle you with his bare hands. He's furious Sirius. You lost Harry. You know how dangerous this castle can be. Harry could be anywhere. And then you don't say anything about his disappearance for over two hours? He has every right to be angry, as do I." Remus followed Severus.

Sirius felt horrible, for lack of a better non-curse word. He should have gone to Severus the moment he felt something was wrong. That had been about twenty minutes after the timer went off, but he had been too afraid of Severus's reaction to losing the boy, and of being responsible for whatever may have happened to him.

Harry opened his eyes. He must have cried himself to sleep. Harry frowned at his childish reaction to the situation. He learned to accept the childish instincts that took over at times, but there were times like these where he really hated them. The room was warm now, and Harry realized that it was an entirely closed off space. Soon, his air supply would disappear. Harry was sure he'd die from lack of air before he perished from days of no food or water.

Tears sprung to his eyes again, but Harry wiped them away angrily. He had to have been noted missing for some time now. There was no way someone wasn't looking for him, more specifically his father. Harry tried to control his breathing. Long, slow breaths. That should save some of his oxygen. Severus crossed his mind again.

Harry smiled despite the situation. He was amazed at how strong his connection was with the once scornful man. He had never felt such deep care and love for someone besides Ginny. But this kind of love was a parental and child love. Over the years he's lived with Severus, he felt the connection grow. Whenever he was hurt, the first thing that came to mind was find Severus. Whenever he did something wrong, the first thing that came to mind was don't let Severus know. He felt very much like a child. At the Dursleys, he had always tried to do as they say and earn his keep. But with Severus, he felt very much like the child he should have been: carefree, mischievous, and loved. And he definitely adored his father.

Harry could feel his childish instincts taking over with all his thoughts about Severus. Pushing those instincts down, Harry tried pounding at the door again.

"Help!" Harry cried. "Someone help! I'm stuck!"

Harry waited. No answer.

He was about to try again when he remembered his lack of air situation. Lying back down, Harry focused on breathing and listening for a sound of someone outside.

Severus stood next to the headmaster in the Great Hall. His anger was mostly replaced with concern and fear. Albus at the moment had gathered the entire school to help search for Harry. He was explaining to the students that when they found Harry to report immediately to a professor with the boy. If the boy was stuck somewhere or in a situation that the student believed he could not handle, he was to lead the professor to the boy. Then the search began.

The professors had already tried several locator spells. Nothing had worked. They concluded that Harry had to be in some kind of protective barrier.

Or a dangerous enclosure. Severus couldn't help but think. What if Harry was hurt, or unconscious, or worse! Severus felt his heart quicken and he started taking slow, deep breaths, trying to calm his anxiety. Albus must have noticed.

"We'll find Harry, Severus. I'm sure he's fine. He could just be lost. The castle is fairly large."

"I can't help but fear the worst for him Headmaster." Severus said.

"I know Severus. It is what parents do. We will find him."

Severus breathed in, willing his heart to slow.

"I'm sending professors down different halls with students so they are close in case someone finds Harry."

Severus nodded, not really wanting to speak anymore. He started off, calling for his son, hoping he was okay.

Harry was dripping in sweat. It was getting harder to breath and his strategy of long, slow breaths was forgotten. He just had to keep focusing on his breathing. The room felt hotter than it had been just a few minutes ago. His head was throbbing and his stomach felt queasy. Where was his dad? He had been sure Severus would have found him by now. Did anyone even know he was missing? Was Sirius still looking for him thinking it was still a game? He wouldn't put it past Sirius to do so.

There was a noise outside. Or was Harry imagining it?

"Harry!" It sounded like a girl's voice. Harry blinked lazily. He couldn't bring himself to move. He felt his eyes starting to close on their own as he kept struggling to breath. His breathing was jagged and slow.

"Harry!" There it was again, accompanied by a couple male voices. People were looking for him! He had to get their attention.

"Help me." Harry tried to yell, but it came out in a whisper. He needed more breath. Taking his chances at the hope of getting help, Harry took in as much air as he could.

"Help!"

"I doubt we'll be the ones to find him, so save your breath, Liz." Matthew, a Gryffindor fifth year said. He, Liz, and Ryan were searching for Harry down a usually empty hall.

"You don't know what might happen. Harry!" Liz called again.

"Will you quit screaming like that? You're hurting my ears!" Ryan complained, giving his right ear a rub.

"Will you two shut up and listen? And if you don't help me at least call for him I'll hex you both to the moon and then tell Professor Snape that you didn't even bother to look for his son." Liz threatened. Both boys paled.

"Harry!" Liz tried again, glad the boys quickly followed her lead.

"Help!"

Liz froze.

"Did you two hear that?" Liz asked. Ryan and Matthew nodded, looking around.

"It sounded like . . . it came from the walls." Ryan thought aloud.

"Ryan, you're a genius!" Liz declared, pulling out her wand.

Ryan looked prideful.

"Hey, you know, I try to be as helpful as I can. Anything to save a little boy. I'm all about children."

"Shut up, you idiot. She's not even listening to you, Romeo." Matthew muttered as he joined Liz in scanning the walls.

"Hey Liz, what spell is that?" Matthew asked as Ryan joined the two.

"If you two bothered to pay attention in Professor Flitwick's class, you'd know that it's a scanner charm." Liz said annoyed, quickly showing the two what to do before dedicatedly searching the walls. "I read that sometimes rooms appear and disappear in the castle, but the way they disappear varies on the room. Some rooms disappear completely from the castle. Some rooms dissolve into the wall. And some rooms only the door becomes a part of the wall. So my guess is that . . ."

"Oh, shut it, Liz. We have a real emergency crisis here. We don't need a lecture on vanishing rooms." Matthew said annoyed.

"Hey guys, I think I got something!" Ryan shouted on the other side of the hallway. He held his wand still where it glowed the brightest near the wall.

"Merlin, I think you found him!" Matthew said.

"Revelio!" Liz shouted.

A hidden half door appeared. Liz thrust her wand to Matthew as she opened the door and crawled inside. Harry lay on his stomach, his eyes closed and his body still.

"I found him! He's in here!" Liz dragged him out in to the middle of the hall. "Oh no, I don't think he's breathing!" she laid her head down on his chest. Then she shouted to Ryan.

"Find a professor, hurry!" Ryan bolted down the hall. Matthew watched helpless at first before deciding to offer some advice.

"You're a lifeguard, aren't you? Don't you know CPR?"

"Kind-of, but I'm not licensed for it."

"Try."

Liz looked down at the boy. It was only moments before that the boy had cried for help. Perhaps there was hope. She focused on remembering her training, then began. She had been performing mouth to mouth for an entire minute when Ryan came running down the hall with a professor running with him. But it wasn't a professor she recognized.

"Guys, I found . . . someone." Ryan said. It was Remus.

Remus slid to the ground on the opposite side of Harry. Liz continued with her CPR, knowing that she shouldn't stop once started. Remus felt for a pulse on Harry, allowing the girl to continue. It was there, but slow. And the small hand was still warm. Harry had simply stopped breathing. Remus had sent a patronus to the other professors, letting them know Harry had been found. Severus was the first to appear, bolting down the hall. He stopped when he saw what was happening with Harry, covering his mouth with a hand. Sirius appeared from the other end of the hall with more professors and students behind him.

Severus noted the open door and looked inside. He figured Harry must have suffocated from lack of air. He took deep breaths as he turned back to look at his son, fearing that they were all too late.

Remus watched the girl's progress. He knew CPR as well, and a spell that might aid them, but the girl was doing everything right and seemed truly focused, he restrained himself from pushing her aside and taking over. At this point, either one of them had the chance of reviving Harry.

Liz wasn't even aware that she had a large audience watching her. She did note Severus settle by her side. That made her more anxious as she kept trying with mouth to mouth. Head was tilted back, two breaths, thirty chest compressions, watching for any breathing and repeat. She had to have been at it for at least a couple minutes now and her faith was starting to fade as tears filled her eyes. Two more breaths, thirteen chest compressions and a miracle.

Harry was breathing! His eyes squinted tighter as he took a deep breath through the mouth. Liz fell back out of pure joy, tears falling freely. She felt herself pulled in to brief, strong hug as the Potions Master thanked merlin for her rescue.

Harry slowly opened his eyes. His chest hurt and so did his head. He saw many people around him, they looked like they were cheering and clapping their hands. How confusing. Harry spotted his father hugging another person who appeared to be crying. He wanted his Dad.

"Daddy." Harry said weakly, half holding his arms out.

"I'm right here, baby."

Severus released the girl and lifted Harry, holding him gently when he really wanted to hug the boy and never let him go. But the boy probably still hurt. He rested his head on Harry's and began to descend towards the dungeons. That was until Sirius stepped in front of him.

"Severus, look I'm sorry this happened . . ." he started to say.

"Get out of my way." Severus snapped.

Sirius froze, surprised at the harsh tone. Remus grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.

"Later, Sirius." Remus told his downhearted friend.

Severus sat down on the couch with Harry still holding on to him. He rubbed the boy's back and ran a hand through his hair, gently rocking him. How close he had been to losing Harry still shook him. He knew he couldn't blame the mutt, but he was still angry at the lack of immediate action. But Harry was his focus right now.

"Harry, do you need something to drink? You missed dinner, are you hungry?"

He felt the boy shake his head. It took a moment to realize that Harry was silently crying. Severus felt stupid for not realizing.

"Baby, it's okay. You're okay now, I have you." Severus soothed.

"I'm sorry, Daddy. I'm sorry." Harry cried.

"What are you sorry for, Harry?" Severus pulled the boy back so he could see his face. Harry's face was puffy from crying and his eyes were red. The boy hesitated before answering.

"I saw a door appear on the wall and we were playing hide-n-seek and he was coming so I hid behind the door. I'm sorry."

It took Severus a moment to figure out what Harry was talking about, who 'we' and 'he' were and why Harry felt the need to apologize. He remembered his rule of staying away from unfamiliar or strange rooms.

"So, you went into a room you've never seen before. Was that safe?"

"No." Harry's lip puckered out.

"Now you know why I gave you that rule, right? You don't know what some rooms in this castle may do. You nearly died Harry." Severus scolded lightly before pulling Harry in to a hug. He felt Harry return the hug. He knew the boy was expecting punishment, but Severus couldn't bring himself to do anything. He just wanted to hold Harry and never let him go.

Never let him go. Severus thought. He had an idea for punishment now. It was simple enough.

"Tomorrow, you will remain in your room for the day. You will not leave unless I say otherwise. You are grounded, is that clear?" Severus told his son as gently as he could. He felt Harry nod. Severus sighed, laying his head down on Harry's. He wasn't about to let Harry wander the halls of Hogwarts alone any time soon, but the boy didn't need to know that now.

"Let's get you some dinner and then it's an early night for you." Severus decided. Lifting Harry up as he stood, he set Harry down on the couch and left to the kitchen. After a light meal, he escorted Harry to bed.

"Can you read me a story?" Harry asked.

"Of course, son." Severus answered.

Harry woke up the next morning to find a large tiger in the bed beside him. He smiled as the tiger lifted his head and chuffed gently.

"Dad, what are you doing in here?"

Freyr lowered his head to nuzzle Harry, softly moaning as he gave Harry a gentle lick with the tip of his tongue. It felt rough and made Harry's cheek itch, but Harry smiled nonetheless. He could tell that Severus had been worried about Harry and probably couldn't sleep, thinking that his son might stop breathing during the night.

"I'm okay, Dad, really. I'm still breathing." Harry snaked an arm around the great cat's neck, though he could barely make it halfway. Harry curled around the tiger, feeling the warmth of his fur. He closed his eyes and had nearly fallen back to sleep when he heard his door open.

"Hey, kiddo. Do you know where . . .?" He heard Sirius's voice. But it was cut short when Freyr propped himself up more with his front legs and snarled.

"Okay, I may just come back another time." Sirius started to retreat, but was stopped by Remus, who entered the room.

"Severus, we need to talk. Sirius has a lot to say to you." Remus said.

Freyr growled as he descended from Harry's bed, shifting completely before his hind legs reached the floor. Severus glared at the two, though it was mostly directed at Sirius.

"Make this quick, I have classes starting in an hour and I'd like to get my son settled before I leave." Severus growled as though he was still Freyr.

"Right." Sirius said. He led the way out to the living room, Severus following.

Remus approached Harry's bed and sat on the edge.

"You gave us quite the scare last night, cub." Remus said.

"I know. I was scared, too." Harry confessed.

"I take it you still got in trouble." The statement was almost worded like a question.

"Not really. Or not as bad as I thought I'd be in. Dad only grounded me for the day and I can't leave my room."

"That's it? Well, if anyone had been the most terrified it would have been your father. When Uncle Sirius told us that you were missing, your father went straight for the mutt ready to rip his head off his neck. Good thing I was there to stop him or you wouldn't have your Uncle Siri anymore." Remus gave a chuckle. Harry laughed as well, imagining his father trying to get to Sirius while Remus held him back.

"I was surprised to see Dad in my bed this morning. He must have been up all night."

"He might have been. You did stop breathing, Harry. There could have been a chance you would have stopped breathing again while you were sleeping. It's a very slight chance but I'm sure it was more than enough to have your father up with anxiety."

"Yeah." Harry agreed.

"So the lesson in all of this is no more exploring strange rooms that appear out of nowhere, right?"

"Yes, Uncle Remus. I'm sorry."

"It's okay Harry. As long as you're safe." Remus gave Harry a quick kiss on the forehead before standing. "I better go make sure Uncle Sirius is still alive. I don't think it was wise of me to leave the two in the same room alone. Goodbye Harry."

"Bye."

Remus left and it was a couple minutes before his father reentered the room with a tray of food.

"You may stay in your pajamas or you may change. However, you are to stay in your room. I've set up an alarm so I will know if you leave. You may play with your toys, read or color. I'll be back here for lunch. If you stay in your room for the remainder of the day, we'll eat dinner in the Great Hall."

Harry smiled at that. "I'll be good Dad, I promise."

"Good."

While Harry was reading in bed, his father's owl, a large great gray, flew into his room. Harry set the book down and stroked the bird.

"Hey, Phantom. What do you have?" Harry accepted the scrolled note the owl held out to him. It was from his father.

Just checking up on you, Son. How do you feel? I am in the middle of the fifth year's Gryffindor and Slytherin class, always an entertaining one, indeed. Try to take a nap at some time today. Rest will help you feel better. If you need anything, call for a house elf to come find me. And rest! Love you, Harry. - Dad.

"I swear, Phantom, Dad worries too much." Harry turned the parchment over and began writing.

I'm okay, Dad. I feel a lot better. I guess I'll try to take a nap. Love you, too. - Harry.

"Here, boy. Take this to my Dad." Harry handed the owl the note and watched as it took off.

Rolling over in his bed, Harry closed his eyes and thought that a nap would be just what he needed.

Harry smiled as he listened to the trio's story of how they had come to save him. He had stayed in his room all day and his father took him to the Great Hall, introducing him to Liz Walker, who familiarized him to Ryan and Matthew. The three reminded him of his own friends. Liz was very much like Hermione, Matthew was like Ron, and Ryan could have been himself. Liz continued to talk about how terrified she had been when she found him and how happy she was that she got him breathing again.

"Look at it this way, kid. Now when people ask, you can say that you've already been kissed by a girl." Matthew added.

"I'm still surprised Professor Snape awarded fifty points to Gryffindor." Ryan commented.

"Yeah, who knew that slimy bastard had it in . . . ouch!" Ryan had elbowed Matthew roughly in the side. Harry heard him however, and took offence.

"Don't call my Dad that! I'm telling on you!" Harry took off to the head table and did just that. Severus sent him back to the trio with a message. Harry was sure his father had been more amused than angry.

"Dad said that he's taken ten points away from Gryffindor." Harry announced.

Everyone glared at Matthew.

"Sorry, kid. Force of habit. It wasn't nice, I know. Friends?" Matthew said.

"Friends!" Harry agreed quickly. Matthew shook his head.

"For being the son of that – Professor Snape, you're a great kid." Matthew ruffled Harry's hair.

"I'm glad you're okay, Harry. You know, besides the fifty points, he's placing me in his advanced potions class and buying everything I need for that class. Can you believe it? I'm rather good at potions and I was wondering if they offered advanced classes and now I'm in one! I bet as Professor Snape's son that you must be a genius in potions." Liz said. Yep, she's a Hermione.

"I'm still learning. But Dad says that I'm a lot better than his first years." Everyone in hearing distance laughed at that. A couple first years groaned.

"I'm sure you are." Liz commented.

"Hey kid, I've got something for you." Ryan said reaching in to his pocket. He pulled out a miniature snitch. Harry looked at it excitedly as Ryan explained how it worked.

"It's a toy snitch made only to fly about six feet in the air. But it's a lot of fun trying to catch it. I've had it since I was nine, but I'd like to give it to you." Ryan held out the snitch to Harry.

Harry took the snitch happily and hugged Ryan, who expectantly returned it. Ryan had younger brothers so he was great with kids.

"Thank you Ryan. I really like it." Harry said.

"No problem, Harry." Ryan waved it off while Liz smiled at them both. Matthew rolled his eyes.

Harry had an idea and smiled impishly. He held the snitch up and released it, watching it fly around him before taking off through the Great Hall. Harry laughed and chased after it. Some students laughed at him while others shooed the annoying snitch away from their food.

"Maybe you should have given it to Snape to give to Harry." Matthew told Ryan.

"Maybe." Ryan slightly agreed.

Harry crawled under the Ravenclaw table when the snitch dove under it. Some students pulled their legs back, some jumped away from the table and others simply laughed. Harry followed the snitch as it flew higher above the Gryffindor table. Wanting to catch the snitch, Harry climbed on to the table and continued to reach for the winged toy. This time, everyone in the Great Hall was either laughing or screaming as students stood to avoid food falling and grabbed their pumpkin juice. Some drinks were spilt and food was dropped to the floor. The snitch paused halfway down the table, hovering just out of Harry's reach. Harry jumped up repeatedly, his had grazing the snitch.

He was suddenly grabbed around the waist and pulled off the table by his father. Severus summoned the snitch to him and pocketed it. He then set Harry down and had him face everyone.

"Apologize." Was his only command.

Harry looked at all the students in the hall. Some were smirking, others glaring and some were holding back a laugh. Some girls looked annoyed. The professors looked highly amused. Harry lowered his head, embarrassed at having to apologize to the entire hall this time.

"Sorry, everyone." He quickly said and then dove behind Severus.

"Mr. Fredro." Severus called. Ryan stepped forward.

"If you're going to give my son gifts, I'd appreciate it if you did so in my presence."

Ryan nodded. "Yes Professor, sorry sir."

Severus nodded, then led Harry out of the Hall. Once out of sight, he gave Harry a swat, though it didn't hurt. Harry took it more as a warning.

"If you ever behave in such a manner again, you'll be getting more of those. And the snitch is mine for the rest of the week." Severus scolded.

"Aww, but Dad! I just got it." Harry whined.

"And in the five minutes you had it you managed to wreck an entire Hall."

"Not the whole Hall." Harry mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?" Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing." Harry said.

"That's what I thought." Severus concluded.