A/N: My first try at a fanfic after a long while. Don't expect it to be completed considering my track record but have fun reading regardless. Stay safe everyone!

-- START --

Harry was five years old when he met the Hook-Nosed Man. It was the middle of winter, and Aunt Petunia had kicked him out of the house because he had dropped and broken a plate. It wasn't even his fault! Dudley had knocked him over after he had ignored him while washing the dishes. Of course, Dudley didn't get punished, but Harry was used to it at this point. Complaining wouldn't help with the cold.

Instead, he settled down in the front porch, shivering and waiting for Aunt Petunia to let him in. In the meantime, he found himself lost to a dream. In it, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were nicer and gave him all the food he ever wanted. Just like what Dudley got! He still remembered Dudley's birthday cake this year. He'd stolen a tiny piece and it tasted better than anything he'd ever eaten before.

"Boy!" He was snapped out of his daydream by a voice he'd never heard before. As he looked up, he saw a weirdly dressed man. He was in some black 'flowy' clothes and his hair was shoulder-length, but his most discernable feature for the child was his hooked nose. He'd never seen such a nose before.

"Yes, sir?" Harry answered.

"Why are you outside with those clothes?" the Hook-Nosed Man asked. Harry looked down at his baggy, ripped clothing and shrugged.

"I always wear this shirt and pants though?"

The man looked angry for a moment before he shook his head. He looked like he was thinking hard about something, Aunt Petunia would have that same look when she was deciding on what clothes to wear, then he shook his head and waved him over.

"What's your name boy?"

"Oh! I'm Harry Potter sir. It's nice to meet you Mr. Hook-Nose Man." The man's face contorted into one of those angry looks Uncle Vernon had when he did something wrong and Harry immediately recoiled.

"I'm sorry sir! I shouldn't have called you that." The man's visage softened.

"Don't worry about it Mr. Potter. You can call me that if you wish."

Harry brightened up. "Really? Then you should call me Harry, or 'Freak', Mr. Hook Nose Man."

"Harry will do." The man's face didn't change, but his stern voice seemed to get even colder at the mention of his nickname. "Now, tell me why you're outside today."

Harry told him about the broken plate and his punishment by Aunt Petunia. "Aunt Petunia says I have to stand outside until dinner time and think about what I did wrong. But Dudley pushed me so its his fault right?"

The man nodded. "Yes, it should have been his fault. Now I'm going to do something special alright. You can't tell anyone about it okay?"

Harry nodded, excited. "I won't tell anyone Mr. Hook-Nose Man, I promise!" He took out a long stick and waved it around while whispering some words Harry had never heard before. Then, suddenly, Harry didn't feel so cold anymore. In fact, he felt a lot warmer, like he was standing next to the fireplace in the house.

"Oh wow! Is that a magic trick sir? Can you teach it to me?"

"Maybe one day Harry. For now, I have to leave." Hearing that, Harry's mood plummeted. "Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it." The man ruffled his hair and smiled, showing his crooked yellow teeth and hurried away. Harry waved goodbye before once again settling down on the porch. He wondered when he'd meet Mr. Hook-Nose Man again.

-- BREAK --

Severus Snape apparated out of the neighbourhood in a rage. Lily's son was living with Petunia! Petunia of all people! He'd thought Dumbledore had left him in the care of one of his supporters, but he was wrong. It took all of his willpower not to head to Hogwarts and demand the Headmaster's explanation, but he knew the old man would just brush away his concerns and forbid him from doing anything about the situation.

Funny how he could predict what the headmaster would do after so many years of working for him. Shaking his head, he entered Diagon Alley and headed straight to Gringotts, the goblin-run bank. There, he requested a meeting with his personal accountant, Silverscream.

"What can I do for you today?"

"I'd like to request Gringotts' help with a kidnapping." The goblin stared.

"A what now?"