Thank you again to everyone that commented. Your excitement about this story really keeps me going. I hope you enjoy this chapter. As always I love hearing what you think.

Tobias sat at the little restaurant drinking his coffee and watching the other patrons around him. Arthur had left about 10 minutes ago and the boys should be back in a few minutes.

5 minutes later: Tobias frowned when he looked at his watch, those boys were going to be getting a strongly worded lecture.

10 minutes later: Tobias was angry, he had been very clear to be back ON TIME. He was mentally deciding whether he was going to spank them or ground them.

15 minutes later: Worry had now pushed aside the anger, Severus was generally very responsible and seldom ever late, he was going to give them a couple minutes more before going out to look for the boys.

17 minutes later: A young man, a couple years older than Severus, came in and looked around the little restaurant, once spotting Tobias he came right over.

"Are you Mr. Snape?" he asked.

Immediately Tobias's stomach flipped "Yes." he responded briefly, he started to gather the parcels.

"Oh I'm glad I found you, there's been an incident will you please come with me."

"Are my boys alright?"

"Please just follow me."

Tobias was irritated by the lack of response but quickly followed the young man out and down the street towards the joke shop and the back of the store where a stately woman was standing next to a smaller man who must have been nearing 70. Neither looked very happy as they spoke to the manager, who looked more than a little angry as he gestured towards the mess at the front of the store.

"Are you Mr. Snape?"

"Yes. What is going on? Where are my boys?"

The manager nodded to the young man who opened up a back door and Severus sheepishly stepped out. Tobias rushed over and gave him a hug, looking him over to make sure he was ok. "Where's Harry?"

Severus looked at him, bit his lip nervously and shook his head.

Tobias gave his son a good shake and anxiously asked again where Harry was.

"I… I don't know." Severus cried as his father shook him, "After the crash, he ran out, I … I tried to go after him but they wouldn't let me."

"So no one knows where my son is?" he asked the group around him. He felt sick.

"Sir, we need to discuss the merchandise that was damage." The manager used the inopportune moment to bring up his concern.

Tobias wheeled around to face the man with a white beard and mustache "I don't give a damn about your product right now. My 8 year old is missing, no thanks to you."

/

Harry's sobs started to slow down and he wiped his nose on his shirt and made a face at it Little kids are so gross he thought. He would have been 16 in his own time by now and here he was sitting on a step crying like a baby, he needed to calm down and think. Dad would be expecting them at the restaurant, it was probably well past the time to go there, and he didn't even want to think about how much trouble he was going to be in but he couldn't sit on the step in some back alley forever either. Determined to find his way back Harry stood up and set off in what he thought was the direction he had come from.

After a short while Harry heard a familiar voice and ran towards it, but then stopped when the familiar face was in sight. Harry realized he wouldn't know him, oh well, not really much he could do about that.

"Excuse me, sir." Harry said as he tugged on the man's jacket.

The large man turned around and peered down at the small boy in front of him "Well hello there little one, what can I do fer yeh?"

"I got lost. Can you help me?"

"Of course I can. Names Rubeus Hagrid. You just call me Hagrid alright. Let's get you to your mum and dad, they're probably worried sick right now."

Harry smiled as the half giant lifted him up and put him on his shoulders. He could see everything from where he was now.

"I was supposed to meet my dad at the little restaurant. But I got lost."

"You weren't by yourself were you?" Hagrid asked with a frown.

"No, I was with my brother Severus. Do you know him? But we got seperated."

Hagrid frowned again, he was certain Severus was an only child, maybe a different one, he thought, but how many kids named Severus where there?

They checked the restaurant but Tobias wasn't there then Hagrid insisted that they go to the joke shop. Harry agreed that it made sense to look there but was hesitant on going back.

/

"Dad!"

Tobias heard Harry cry out and he turned, what he saw took his breath away, the tallest man, more of a giant actually, walking towards him with Harry sitting atop his shoulders. The huge man quickly lifted Harry down and the little boy ran to Tobias open arms. He pulled the boy in for a hug and the looked him over to see he was alright, once that was determined he landed two of his hardest swats on the boys seat before pulling him into a protective hug again. "You don't ever run off like that again. I was so worried."

"I'm sorry. I just got scared." Harry sobbed into his father's chest.

"He's had a right rough day from what I can tell. Don't be too hard on the lad." Hagrid jumped in, hating to see any child upset, even if it was from a well deserved smack.

Tobias looked up at the half giant, "I'm sorry, and you are?"

"Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts"

"Thank you for helping Harry out, Mr. Hagrid."

"Ahem, now that the matter of finding the boy has been taken care of perhaps we can discuss my losses." the store manager cut in.

Harry and the other teens told what had happened and by the end everyone was giving Sirius a dark look.

Mrs. Black was not pleased to hear of her son bullying a child. She might not like muggles, muggles borns, and half bloods, or anyone really but you didn't openly show your feelings, it was a most unslytherin thing to do. She sighed reluctantly "Send us the itemized bill please, it's obvious this wouldn't have happened at all if my disgrace of a son had behaved himself."

The manager easily agreed and as far as he was concerned the matter was closed. Severus and James both let out a sigh of relief to not be blamed at all for this mess although Severus was still a little worried that he would be in trouble for not having Harry tethered to his side.

"You just wait till I tell your Father." Mrs. Black said. Sirius blanched and his mother grabbed both her son's and apparated away with a pop.

Mr. Potter turned to his son to leave when Tobias stopped him. "A word if you don't mind, Mr. Potter."

"Of course." the little old man said, he was a happy sort of fellow with a similar twinkle in his eye that Dumbledore usually had. Harry liked him at once and felt a warm glow knowing this was his grandfather.

"It seems our boys have had a few issues over the years in school." Tobias began. Severus groaned, he couldn't believe his father was bringing this up.

Mr. Potter looked confused, "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"Has Professor Dumbledore not contacted you over the years?"

"No." Mr. Potter looked at his son for some explanation, James stayed quiet however.

Tobias frowned, "Your son has been bullying and tormenting my son since their first year at Hogwarts. I get at least 3 notes a year from Professor Dumbledore that Severus has been victim to a prank by your son and his friends. I want it to end."

Mr. Potter looked shocked and dismayed, he looked at James "Is this true?"

James bit his lip the same way Harry always did when in trouble and nodded.

Mr. Potter apologized and said he was quite sure this year would be different before giving James a disappointed look before leading his son out.

/

The drive home had been long and painfully silent. Both figured they were in trouble but they couldn't quite figure out how much.

Tobias used the time to think about how to handle it. Even if Severus had been right next to Harry, Sirius would probably still have started something. But he shouldn't have let Harry out of his sight.

And Harry… should certainly not have shoved Sirius and run off. He sighed he couldn't just let it go and decided a few smacks and some time in the corner were all that was needed for Harry. Severus could go to bed at Harry's bed time, all children hated that especially teenagers and after the emotionally draining day he knew the teen needed the rest anyway as much as he would hate it.

Having figured that out, Tobias enjoyed the silent drive home as the boys quietly waited their fate from the back seat.

/

"It's not fair, I want to go too!" Harry whined. Severus rolled his eyes. For the last 3 days Harry had whined non stop about going to Hogwarts. They finally made it to platform 9 and ¾ and Harry had upped the intensity.

"You will cease this nonsense this moment or you will have a very uncomfortable ride home, am I clear?" Tobias said sternly.

Harry pouted out his lip and nodded. Then gave Severus a tight hug, "I'm going to miss you!" he said honestly.

Severus was surprised. He had never anticipated Harry missing him, or perhaps more surprising him missing Harry. "I'll be sure to write."

"Promise?"

"Yeah."

"Every week?"

"Not likely."

Harry frowned and then shrugged he knew no one ever wrote home that much.

Severus turned and saw at the far end of the platform were Sirius and Regulus Black with their parents. They gave Regulus the typical hugs goodbye, clearly going to miss him. Sirius just stared at his feet while his father cuffed his ear and then mother berated him for something. He then limped to the train and got on without so much as a goodbye or hug. Regulus spotted Severus and ran over "Want to get a compartment?" he asked.

"Sure, why was Sirius limping like that?"

"Oh that. After Diagon Alley Father took his cane to him, he couldn't walk for two days!" he said this last part in a bit of a whisper "Still a bit sore I think, but father wouldn't let anyone give him something to help. Madam Pomfrey probably will when we get to Hogwarts." Regulus said this with a nonchalant air. He only cared about finding a good spot on the train.

Severus gave hugs to his father and Harry and followed Regulus on board.

Tobias turned to Harry "We'd better head home now, you start school tomorrow too."

Harry wrinkled his nose and Tobias chuckled.