Severus grew bored and annoyed of the playground quickly. Lily was worth it, but he had no idea if she would be out today.

The uncertainty brought him firmly back to the ground when one of the children began wailing loud enough for London to hear in response to a facefull of grass and dirt.

He wandered into the woods again, convinced he had the necessary ingredients for a migraine draught. At least then he could do something productive until Lily had her next occlumency 'lesson.'

He set his course for the shack in the woods.

Not far from his destination, he was intercepted by Bauers.

"Snape! You can help us!"

He regarded the boy who's father regularly spent time with his…who was definitely alone. "Us?"

"Jet is looking too."

He knew what the boy meant, but he couldn't help but prod. "You're being awfully vague, Bauers."

"The nightmare. We heard it last night. And get this: the shack is missing."

"You actually believe Park's mad theory?"

"Well, yeah, we heard it! It sounded like a wolf." The boy brushed some of his bushy hair away from his eyes.

"Hmm. You do realize the prankster probably made whatever sound you heard artificially…"

That stumped him for a moment. "I hadn't thought of that…"

"The good news, or bad, depending on your perspective, is you probably got close to your prankster. Close enough for him, or her, to react to your presence?"

Bauers nodded.

"Good for you then…" he continued on his way, "happy hunting."

"Wait!" The boy caught him by the arm. "You're not going to help us?"

"I already did." He pointed to his vice-like grip.

Bauers released him. "But…"

"I said I was done. Helping you lot has caused me enough trouble. I have better things to do than play hide and seek in the woods with some nutter trying to get a rise out of anyone who'll play. If you're that bored, by all means, try and catch them. I'm not interested."

"Snape, the shack vanished. Don't you find that suspicious at all?"

"Sure, but alas, I find no motivation to care."

The boy narrowed his eyes. "It's you."

Severus raised an eyebrow and let a smirk play on his lips. That was an interesting conclusion to draw. He could twist that into his favor with ease. "Is it?"

"You've been weirdly knowledgeable about a lot of stuff. Like following a practically non-existent trail, being conveniently around when something's happening, the way Evans looked at you like she knew something too...you're the prankster."

Severus raised his hands in an exaggerated shrug. "Oh no, you caught me, I'm guilty." He thrust his wrists forward to the boy. "Arrest me, Sheriff Bauers, for I have set traps and gags in the woods for nearly a week and a half. Congratulations for solving the mystery."

Bauers looked dumbstruck. Shocked even. "...How?"

"Magic tricks, illusions, you've heard of those, yes?"

The boy nodded.

"I'd tell you the specifics, but I don't want to spoil the fun. I like the idea that magic is real, don't you? I'd say it was a rather successful test run for the most part."

"...You killed the animals?"

"No, that wasn't me, I wasn't even home when that happened. The pranks were for the killer, though, not you and your friends to stumble upon. They've been caught by the way, the one who was poaching. Just a kid with a werewolf fantasy, hence the full moon ritual sacrifice of small mammals...I told the parents and they are dealing with the punishment and such. Shan't be a bother anymore."

He smirked at his on the fly rapid fire half-truths.

"Who was it?"

"None of your concern. I've already shared more than I should since it's already been taken care of." He gestured around him. "Notice the lack of flayed squirrels?"

"But the police...and that investigator lady?"

"Are likely giving up on the search for what is now literally nothing."

"And the shack?"

"Someone probably tore it down thinking it unsafe, it was rather rickety...the parents, thinking the kid was using it? The police could have too, or the investigator you mentioned. Anyone really, perhaps it was even used as firewood."

Bauers took a moment to process, but accepted his explanation with a nod. He would certainly relay the false truths to his friends as well. It was far more 'logical' than an actual monster in the woods, and no one should need obliviated if the ministry happens by. The bloody barbarians.

"I didn't know you did magic tricks, Snape."

"Hobby I picked up at school." He brushed past the boy and continued on his way towards the warded firewood that contained his potion supplies.

"Wait."

He stopped with a sigh.

"What are you doing out here, then?"

"Believe it or not, Bauers, I actually like it. It's relaxing...so long as there isn't a bunch of people stomping about to disturb the tranquility by looking for someone that upset half the town who wasn't even out here but twice in two months."

"Oh…"

Severus left for the third time, finally without interruption. He might need the first migraine draught for himself.