So I decided to get on with it, so following will be the first chapter of the school year. I will try to update more often. Also I took the beginning idea from the book, but it is in no way from the book.

Chapter Seventeen

Harry was nearly vibrating in his seat. It was September 1st the first day of second year, and not only was he going to begin his second year with a new dad, but he even was going to be riding the train. He had managed to convince his dad in the last three or so days that his staying over at the Weasley's the night before was a good idea as well as his idea to ride the train with the Weasley's. He couldn't imagine starting the year without doing so, not after the amazing experience of having met his first friend.

His dad had been convinced, and Harry thanked his Slytherin side for his ability to persuade the protective man. He hadn't faired too horribly last night even with all his worries making him nervous. They had had a fattening meal from Mrs. Weasley some light cleaning of the garden by de-gnoming of all things, and then some light flying before bed. He had slept in Ron's room, which apparently had a ghoul over it. It wasn't too scary, and he had managed to fall asleep without nightmares even.

They had struggled to gather themselves this morning, with Harry being the only one finished, as all he had was an overnight bag. It seemed all Weasley's, including the adults, were not like his dad and were packing and sorting themselves only a few hours before the train was to depart. Harry thanked his lucky stars that he was at least a little more organized because he worried for the health of the family as frazzled as they seemed.

They managed to make it into the car, which thankfully Ron informed his was magicked to fly. He was sure his heart was still about to leap out of his throat as they took off into the sky. They made record time flying through the air and only encountering a flock of some sort of bird. They managed to land with stability and park themselves safely.

Mrs. Weasley went to get the carts while Mr. Weasley and the older boys worked to get all the trunks out of the boot. They gathered their things and were sprinting off for the platform. King's Cross was busy that day, and Harry was having a hard time keeping up even without a cart. He was small and his legs were shorter, but Ron was sticking back with him as his family started to get farther ahead.

They made it to the pillar between nine and ten, and orderly started pushing through to the platform. Harry and Ron finally caught up to them as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were herding Ginny through to the other side. Ron looked at him grimly as they spotted the clock ticking closer to eleven. They went together, running toward the platform, and the worst thing Harry could imagine happened. They collided with the wall, which had been the thing he was most afraid of last time.

People were looking at them, muggles all around confused as to what they were doing. Harry was feeling confused as well as the clock wasn't at eleven. The platform should have been opened. Harry scrambled up to his feet with Ron and helped him right his belongings on the trolley. They looked at the platform in horror as the clock chimed the eleventh hour. They were stuck, and they wouldn't make it to Hogwarts. What were they supposed to do now? His dad was going to be so worried and maybe even mad at him. Harry felt his hand twitch in anxiety as he looked to the still blocked wall.

He looked over to Ron to see the larger boy, seeming as nervous as Harry was. "What do we do now, Ron?"

Ron gulped and soon he looked less nervous and more grimly determined. "I'm not sure, Harry. I mean Mum and Dad may be stuck on the other side."

Harry gulped, feeling panic sink in at that possibility. He had to get to Hogwarts. His dad was going to be worried, and he might even get expelled. What would he do then? Would his dad even want him? A failure for a son did not seem like it would go over well with a man like Severus Snape, let alone a Hogwarts Professor. What was he going to do?

He felt tears well up, and his breathing hitched. "Ron, what are we going to do? My dad will be so mad."

Ron seemed to look panicked at the tears before having the light of an idea pierce his eyes. "The car!"

Harry felt confused before understanding dawned on him. "The car? Are you sure? Can you even drive?"

Ron scoffed. "Course I can! Fred and George took me joy riding before. How hard could it be?"

Harry worried his lip between his teeth. "If you're sure," he conceded uncertainly.

"Course, I'm sure. Don't worry, Harry. I will get us there before the train."

They ran off back toward where the car was parked. Ron loaded his things into the backseat and hopped in along with Harry. Ron used his wand to start the car and jabbed at a button causing Harry and everything else to become invisible. Getting the car shifted into gear, Ron started to pull out of the parking spot.

A few pops came from the car, and they turned visible. Harry looked around worriedly as they already were gaining some height from the ground. "Ron! The muggles!"

"Right! Right!"

The red-headed boy pushed at the button, and nothing seemed to be working. Ron cursed and took off higher going into clouds. "There that should settle it!"

"We have to find the train, Ron."

The older boy nodded and dipped them back down. Harry spotted the scarlet train trekking its way along the tracks. "Due North, we'll just pop back down every half-hour or so."

Harry nodded still worrying his lip between his teeth. They shot north for Scotland, hoping to be able to find the train along the way. Harry still felt nervous about this plan, but it was better than not making it to Hogwarts. He had to get back home, he couldn't be left in the muggle world, not ever again.

The ride was at first so impressive. Every dip to check the train was another sight to see, another landscape, but as they realized they had nothing to drink and flying so close to the sun was hot, they started to feel the heat of the car and wish for the cold, pumpkin juice and air cooled compartments of the train. Harry wondered not for the first time why they couldn't get onto the train.

It was hours later when the car started knocking again. Ron looked as nervous as Harry felt about the car just cascading down from the sky. It was dark and the car was sputtering in upset, but off in the distance they finally saw it. Hogwarts in all her glorious lights was straight ahead, and they were just over the Black Lake. "Come on, just a little further!" Ron shouted at the car, sounding panicked.

He was pushing the car, but even Harry could tell that they were losing speed and altitude. "Ron! Are we going to make it?"
Ron was gritting his teeth, but he nodded determinedly. "Of course, Harry. Your dad would kill me!"

Harry managed a smile that Ron returned, but it was at that moment that a loud shot fired from the car and the engine died. Ron went white as a ghost. "Uh-oh."

Harry screamed along with Ron as they started dropping out of the sky. They were heading straight for a wall when Ron jerked them another way with the still functioning steering wheel.

They were flying over the vegetable patches, the green houses, and Ron had managed to get his wand from his back-pocket, beating the dash with it, yelling at the car. Harry was gripping his backpack in his hands and looking everywhere around them. He spotted a tree not that far from where they were heading and went wide-eyed. "Ron! The tree! Watch out!"

There was a big crunch, and all Harry knew was that he forgot to belt himself in because he went flying head-first into the windshield. He hit his head and yelled out, hearing Ron groaning in pain as well. Harry looked to Ron as his head throbbed. "My wand!"

Harry looked at the split in half piece of wood Ron was waving around. He felt bad for his friend, but he couldn't say much as his head hurt quite a bit. The next moment a huge clunk stuck the car on the roof. Harry cursed as well as Ron as they noticed the branches of the tree were hitting the car as well. "Bloody magical tree!"

Harry agreed silently with Ron as they both pushed to make their way from the car, but one well placed hit had them both collapsing on the other. "We're done for!"

It was at that moment the car came back to life, the engine turning over. "Reverse," he shouted at the car.

The car pulled out, falling from the tree, causing the two occupants to hit each other some more in the confusion. The car just kept going until they were near the entrance to the castle from one of the side alcoves. Harry and Ron let out heavy breaths, trying to gather themselves. Harry was almost about to thank the car when the doors bursted outward and the seat tilted them out onto the grass in a heap.

Harry groaned, his aching head feeling worse. He really just wanted his dad to come and save him from this horrible day. He managed with Ron to gather their things. His small bag went onto his back, and he helped Ron pull his trunk toward the castle. Harry was tired and hurt, and he wanted his dad very badly. He was waiting to say so though as he was with Ron, and Ron seemed to be as hurt but not being a baby about it.

They got to windows outside the Great Hall and were looking in, knowing that the sorting should be happening around now. They were right in their assumptions and watched as the small first years came in, Ron's sister Ginny being among them. Harry was searching out the head table, looking for the teacher in all black. Unluckily, he could not find anyone matching the description and also came away seeing an empty seat. "Ron, where's my dad?"

Ron looked surprised and looked to the staff table as well. "I don't see him, Harry. I'm sure he is fine. Maybe he is looking for us."

"Wise assumption, Mr. Weasley."

Harry was almost jumping for joy at the sound of his father's voice. He turned to face the man and realized looking at the man that he should probably be less excited to see him. "What in Merlin's name were you two idiots thinking?"

Snape

How could he have let this happen? Why had he let the boy convince him to go? Why was he becoming a soft sap? Well no more of that, was going to be happening. Harry would never ever be going on the train, and when he found that little idiot…

He needed to calm down. He had a few hours before the train was due to arrive, and he hoped the car… a blasted car! They would arrive safely. They had to. His son was going to be writing lines and having time outs for the rest of the year. He would go to bed early, he would have no sweets, he would be Severus's prisoner for making him worry this badly.

He left his quarters, moving purposefully toward the old man's office. He could only hope his father had the word's of wisdom needed to calm him. He had just reached the main floor when he saw the one person he had avoided these last few weeks like the plague. "Severus! Severus! Wait!"

He had pivoted at the sight, but it seemed he was caught. Lockhart was calling him and running of all things to catch up with him. Severus internally groaned, but turned to face the man wearing aqua of all things. "Yes, Lockhart, what is it?"
The man smiled, using those charms that must have made women swoon at his book signing. Severus was sure all he felt was sick, knowing his son would have to associate with this buffoon. "Have you heard? The papers! You must read them, Severus!"

Severus growled tearing the paper from the man's hands and ripping it down the middle. "Of course, I have heard you, imbecile! He is my son!"

The man looked less sure of himself, but soon the cocky smile was back. Severus thought him mad. "Yes, well, I dare say he is doing this for the publicity. Young boys have such odd ways of getting attention from the papers. If you'd like, I could of course take him under my wing."

Severus felt his whole face flush in anger. Was that why the boy had done this? It couldn't be. He was honestly more sure this was the Weasley boy's idea. The child was related to the twins of all people. His son would never, but the idea had already made him angrier than he was. He stepped into the man's space, placing a menacing finger into the man's chest. "Stay the hell away from my boy, Lockhart! I have told you once, and this will be your last warning! Do I make myself utterly clear?"

The man gulped, backing away and nodding as he made space between them. "Of course, Severus. Of course."

The man fled, and Severus pivoted again, stalking angrily up the stairs. He went to the Headmaster's idea of security and shouted out the password at the bird. It jumped aside, and he fed up with taking any longer stalked up the stairs rather than letting them carry him. He pushed open the doors with the force of his anger, smacking them into the stone. The bird squawked in upset, and his serene father pet the damned thing calm and remained unchanged.

Severus felt angry that the man had no reaction, but he had come here for that reason to be calmed by the man. "Severus. please, close the doors and take a seat."
Severus sighed and did as he was told, picking a comfy armchair and sinking into it with his arms over his chest. "So, begin, I need to be calm by the time Harry makes it to the castle."

The man dared to chuckle, chuckle at him. "Come now, Severus, there is no reason to be so worried."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I'm not worried! I am angry. Taking a flying car with another twelve year old boy across Britain! Why were they not on the train? Why take the blasted car?"

His father stood and moved to sit on the edge of the desk in front of Severus. "If you recall Molly and Arthur said they could not get back through the platform."

"But, why take the blasted car, Albus?"

"I do not know, Severus, but they are only young boys. I am sure once they are here we can get some answers."

Severus sighed, losing some anger as his worry shined through. "What if they don't make it here? They are driving a flying car, at twelve!"

"Severus, your boy will be fine. He is a lucky boy, and Ron will make sure he is safe. Go take some time in the lab before you scare the poor boy when he gets here."

Severus nodded, knowing that his father was right. He sent a growled apology to the bird and the old man before heading out the door. He went back down the floors to his wonderful dungeon for some peace inside his lab. He was able to focus on the potion, an easy pepper up and dreamless sleep draught to calm his nerves. He completed them easily and bottled them, deciding last minute to take them personally up to the hospital wing.

He saw the matron, making the beds smooth and prepping the wing for the first of the students to visit. "Good Evening, Poppy."

She smiled, one of the few he worked with that dared. "Good Evening, Severus. Is that more dreamless sleep and pepper-up?"

"Yes, Poppy. I needed the distraction, and I am sure the first years and others will exhaust the two in the first few days."

She pursed her lips. "Is it Harry? I am sure he will be fine. I can vouch for his ability to survive anything."

Severus growled. "That is not the point, Poppy! He has been so good! Was it all out of fear? Is he going to be up to mischief all year?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "Severus, he is a child. He will make mistakes. You must express your disappointment to him and lay out expectations. That is your responsibility as his father."

Severus groaned. "Yes, of course, but why did he do this?"

"How about you ask him?"

She was right. He would have to be mature about this and allow the boy a moment to speak. He would still be in trouble, but he knew the boy better than he thought in his anger. He could understand this better with the boy's point-of-view. He would just have to go wait for him to appear with the younger Weasley.

It was only about an hour later that he saw from his father's office that the car was coming in from across the lake. It looked to be losing altitude at a fast rate, and that scared Severus more than he expected. It turned away once almost hitting the castle walls and was streaking across the skies above the grounds.

He ran from the office, going out toward the where the Whomping Willow stood, seeing that the car had been heading in that direction. He was to the alcove when he saw the boys traipsing across the lawn with the Weasley boy's trunk. They looked beaten up and tired. Severus felt his worry grow at the knot on his son's head. He would have to take care of them after getting some answers from the little monsters.

"Ron, where's my dad?"

"I don't see him, Harry. I'm sure he is fine. Maybe he is looking for us."

Severus came up behind the two miscreants. "Wise assumption, Mr. Weasley."

Severus felt satisfied seeing how happy and relieved his son looked when he turned around to see him. Watching the look leave for more worry and fear made him sick to his stomach. He strode forward grabbing each boy by the shoulder, watching his son flinch for the first time in a few weeks. He pushed them toward the alcove and toward the dungeons, watching carefully for any signs of his boy being more upset.

Both boys were shivering maybe in fear or from the cold as he pushed them inside his quarters. He was angry, but he was not a professor at this moment. He herded them onto the couch and called for tea. He covered the boy's in blankets and settled them with some tea before he began his interrogation.

"Explain."

Harry

Harry's lip was bleeding. He was sitting on his father's couch inside their quarters, and even with all these signs that his father was still his father, he felt like he was about to be thrown out of his father's life. He had made the worst choice he could have made. Why did he agree with Ron to take the car?

"Explain."

Harry felt like he had swallowed his tongue. His dad sounded so angry. Ron looked white as a sheet, but Harry couldn't talk so he nodded to the older boy. "We were locked out of the platform, sir. We tried to push through, but it made us crash into the wall. We didn't know what to do. We thought my parents were stuck, and Harry was about to cry. I'm really sorry, sir, but I think we've been through enough tonight."

Harry sucked in a breath as he felt his tears building in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Daddy."

The man seemed to take a minute to breathe before casting a spell at the flames and speaking into it. Moments later he turned around, and Harry felt tears running down his cheeks and his breathing was hitching. His father was going to hate him forever.

"Mr. Weasley, I have just informed your parents you are safe, they only ask what happened to the car?"

Ron gulped and groaned. "It drove away, sir, and my wand is snapped, sir."

His dad nodded to the red-head. "I will inform them of that. I am sure we can have this remedied that way you are not limited during classes. It is now a Tuesday, but if you can hold on for the weekend, I will take you to get a new wand myself."

Harry was as shocked as Ron as his father offered to spend time with the boy. Harry doubted he would receive the same treatment. "Now, you will have detention with me as well following the trip. Professor McGonagall will be down here soon to escort you to your dormitory where I expect you will be able to have dinner. Is that all, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron gulped before standing to his feet. Harry worried about what the boy had to say. "It was my idea, sir. Harry shouldn't be punished. I am the one that suggested we take the car and the one that drove."

His father sighed and directed his best friend out the door. Harry watched the man leave with the boy and hoped to see his friend in one piece tomorrow. He had doubts he would be in one piece tomorrow, but he hoped he lived through the night. Maybe if he packed up his things now, his father would go easy on him. That sounded like a good idea.

He went to his room and was packing his things into his trunk when he heard the man enter back into their… his father's quarters. He packed quicker, trying to shove as much as he could in the trunk. He heard and felt the man enter behind him, his breath quickened until he felt his air hitching and not coming back out in his panic.

"Harry," his father spoke softly as the man grabbed his hands to stop him. "Where's your inhaler, child?"

Harry shook his head with tears rolling down his cheeks. He heard a spell come from his father before the inhaler was being held to his lips. He took two puffs and felt his breath coming back. His father was patting his back and rubbing soothing circles, trying to calm him more. He appreciated the gesture even though he was sure the man was soon to kick him out. "Harry, what are you doing in here, child?"

"Packing, sir."

Harry flinched at the hands on his shoulders before being turned around to face the man. "Why are you packing, child?"

Tears welled up in his eyes. "So you wouldn't be as angry when you kick me out."

His father cursed and picked him up, taking him into his arms and tightening him in a hug to his chest. "I will not be kicking you out. Harry. Quite the contrary as you will be grounded for the foreseeable future."

"Grounded?"

Harry sounded hopeful even to his own ears. Maybe there was hope he could stay with the man. "Yes, grounded, child. As the event happened before the school year began, I am going to be the one overseeing your punishment. I think some lines every night for a few weeks and an early bedtime will do you good."

Harry couldn't have nodded his head quicker in agreement. "I will do anything, Daddy, please just don't send me away."

His father rubbed his back, and Harry hid his face in the man's neck in response. "You will be going nowhere beyond classes and meals for all two of the weeks of your grounding. I am very disappointed in your lack of judgement, Harry, but I am no longer angry. I am however worried about that knot on your head. We will be going to my lab for a moment so I may treat it, and then afterward, you will be having dinner, sitting in timeout, and then going to bed."

Harry nodded his head but left it settled into the crook of his dad's neck as the man carried him to the lab. He was placed on a potions table and left to sit there alone while the man gathered potions bottles and supplies. Now that he was thinking about it, his head felt pretty achy. He was given a pain-reliever, a numbing solution, and a kiss to the spot on his head. He hadn't asked for it, but it made warmth blossom inside of him.

His father picked him back up and carried him back to their quarters and to the table. He was settled with a dinner he could barely focus on but shovelled mindlessly into his mouth. He must have finished as his father took his plate to the sink and then came back for him. He was sent into the bathroom and took his time getting ready for bed. His father knocked impatiently, so he hurried himself along and stepped outside of the bathroom to see his father waiting on him.

"Ready?"

Harry nodded and followed the man into his room, where a chair was already waiting for him. He sat in the chair as his father placed a timer on the desk by the corner. He sat and waited, thinking sadly about how stupid he was. He hoped his father would not be disappointed in him for long. He doubted he could take it.

"You can come out, Harry."

The timer must have rang, but Harry was so tired, he didn't hear it. He barely lifted his head to see his father standing by him, the day having caught up to him. His father tsked and picked him up onto his hip. Harry rested on the man, not bothering getting comfortable before being settled into his turned down bed by the man. He was tucked in, kissed properly on the forehead, and wished goodnight within moments.

He let out a contented sigh, thinking about how this school year was going to go if this was the first day of the year.