Dumbledore sat at his desk as he wrote in an old notebook. The room was getting dark because it was nearing dinner time, and he was about to get up to leave to the great hall for dinner when Professor McGonagall stormed in looking really frightened.

"What is it, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked with concern.

"It's Harry!" she replied with her eyebrows raised. It was quite unusual to see Minerva in such a state.

Dumbledore and Minerva were hurrying down the empty corridors as fast as they could go. They arrived at Harry's dorms and there was a huge mess, Harry's books were everywhere and his bedding was on the floor. Dumbledore noticed random objects on the other side of the room that looked like they were thrown, and Dumbledore also noticed that the window was open.

"What happened?!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

"The boy hasn't been seen all day, and he hasn't been to his classes! I came up to check on him because he hasn't been seen since yesterday morning, and I found his dorm-like this!"

Severus was sitting at his desk in his office writing down the recipe for his newest potion. He took a sip of calming draught, he had always enjoyed the taste of it. He was about to close his notebook when Dumbledore burst through the office door.

"Ever heard of knocking!" Severus called out.

"Severus!" Dumbledore looked rattled and was out of breath. Severus was taken back a bit.

"What is it, sir?" Severus asked a little more calmly trying to hide his panic.

"It's Harry! He's missing!"

"What?!" Severus couldn't hide his alarm anymore.

"He hasn't been seen all day and hasn't been to his classes!"

"Maybe that reckless Potter boy is off exploring the corridors with his invisibility cloak," Severus sneered trying not to think of the worst case.

"Now is not the time Severus! His rooms were found with his books everywhere and his bedding on the floor, but I also noticed that the window was open!"

"What?!"

"Harry's gone," Dumbledore said a little more calmly.

"Maybe he ran off to be with Sirius. He probably couldn't handle me being his father." Severus said under his breath.

"That's a good point, Severus." Severus looked up, he wasn't expecting Dumbledore to agree with him, let alone hear his snooty remark. "We should check to make sure Harry is with Sirius."

Severus and Dumbledore were in Dumbledore's office. Severus grabbed some floo powder and stuck his head into the fireplace, and threw the powder in.

"Number 12 Grimmauld Place!" Severus yelled.

His head twisted and turned until it reached Sirius's house.

God, I really hope Potter is here...

"Sirius!" Severus yelled into the kitchen. He heard footsteps coming nearer.

"What is it, Severus?" Sirius appeared at the end of the kitchen.

"Is Potter here?"

"No."

Severus's heart skipped a beat.

He's not here. I'm so sorry Lily, I have failed you.

Severus appeared back in Dumbledore's office. He was sitting on the ground and was looking up at Dumbledore, who looked quite hopeful.

"Well?" Dumbledore asked. Severus looked at him and watched Dumbledore's hopefulness drain away.

"No, sir."

"We must call an emergency order meeting!" Dumbledore said as he turned away and hurried to his desk. "Severus, you go back to Sirius's place and I will alert the other members."

Severus nodded and once again grabbed a handful of floo powder and yelled "Number 12 Grimmauld Place!"

Severus felt his insides move around for a second and then he was back in Sirius's kitchen.

"What are you doing here Severus! I told you Harry isn't here!" Sirius was still in the kitchen and had jumped from Severus's sudden appearance.

"I'm not here for the boy. Dumbledore has called a meeting and I-"

Severus was interrupted by a loud crash coming from upstairs.

"What? Was that?" Severus asked.

"Oh it's just Kreacher," Sirius said anxiously.

"Well then, I will sit here and wait for the other members!"

After everyone had arrived Dumbledore started the meeting.

"I've called you all here because Harry is missing. I am hoping that this is a misunderstanding and he hasn't been taken by death eaters or worse, " Dumbledore said. There were gasps and murmurs around the table.

"What?! What are we going to do?" Molly asked.

"I was hoping that everyone would keep their ears open and most importantly, Severus go find out himself if the death eaters have Harry."

"That sounds reasonable," Severus said.

There was another thump from upstairs. Severus looked around, no one else seemed to notice.

"But what if it turns out that the death eaters do have Harry?" Arther asked.

"Leave that up to me if the time comes. For now on, everyone should go home and pay close attention to everything." Dumbledore said.

After a few other questions were asked everyone started to floo back home. Severus decided to hold back and wait until everyone left so that he could check out the noise from upstairs. He didn't trust Sirius, he knew that a house-elf wasn't capable of making those noises. Severus stuck out of the kitchen when Sirius wasn't looking and headed up the stairs quietly. He opened every door hoping to find something. He got up to the last floor with no luck. He opened the door on the left and saw Buckbeak, Hagrid's hippogriff.

Of course! That's what was causing the thumps.

Just to make sure Severus opened the last door on the right. It was pitch black and had no windows.

"Lumos," Severus said quietly. The room was practically empty except for a window to the right and an old wardrobe in front of him. The window was covered with cobwebs and the floor was covered with dust and dirt. He looked to his right and nearly dropped his wand. Someone was sitting in the corner of the room. He walked closer and saw Potter lift his head up. His knees were tucked in and he was peering at Severus. His eyes were puffy and he clearly looked like he didn't want to be found, but looked like he had lost hope, but hope for what?

Severus's heart skipped a beat.

Thank god I was so worried! What is Potter doing here and why is he hiding?

"Potter! What the hell are you doing here?"

"I was hoping I wasn't going to be found."

"Clearly! But why?" Harry shrugged. "Why are you so arrogant! Did you just think you could hide in Sirius's attic for the rest of your life?"

"I don't want to go back to Hogwarts where everyone is going to know!"

That was Severus's worry as well. He didn't want other staff and students to know.

"Well, you are just going to have to get over that! Besides, I'm only your father through blood! We don't have to acknowledge each other if you don't want to."

Harry didn't say anything and looked down at the floor. "I don't want you to not speak to me," He looked like he was scared he was going to get yelled at. Severus sighed and sat down beside him. Harry looked up in surprise that not only was Severus not yelling at him, but he was sitting next to him.

"Are you okay with all this?" Severus asked.

"I don't know, I need time to think."

"Understandable Potter."

Harry didn't say anything for a bit.

"I suppose I'm in lots of trouble." Harry finally said.

"Yes. Not as much as Sirius though."

"Why's that?"

"There was just a meeting for the order regarding you, and Sirius didn't say anything about you being here!"

Severus quickly stood and grabbed Harry's arm.

"Ouch! What are you doing?" Harry gasped.

Severus dragged Harry out of the room and down the stairs. As Severus pulled him, Harry kept tripping and nearly falling. When they reached the kitchen Severus let go of Harry.

"Sirius!" Severus yelled.

Sirius quickly turned around and looked stunned to see him.

"Severus! I thought you went back to Hogwarts already!"

"What were you thinking of letting Harry hide out here and not telling the order!"

"Oh right.. About that."

"How can you be so foolish! I was so worried!"

"Wait, you were worried about me?" Harry asked. Severus quickly turned around. He did not want Harry to know this.

"What?! No, of course not! Come on, I'm taking you back to Hogwarts. Also, five nights of detention with me Potter, for being so foolish."

Severus grabbed Harry's arm again and led him outside. It was the middle of the night. The air was crisp and chilly.

"Ready?"

"For what?" Harry asked.

"Apparition of course," Severus said as he linked his arm with Harry's.

In a couple of seconds of stomach twisting, they were back at Hogwarts.

Severus could smell the forbidden forest and the fresh rain on trees.

"Follow me, Potter," He said.

"Where are we going?" Harry said following Severus quickly up to the castle.

"To the dungeons."

Severus didn't slow down his quick pace as they strode down the corridors. When they reached the dungeons they passed Severus's office.

"Uh, sir… Where are we going?"

Severus didn't answer. They reached a portrait and Severus said the words "Amica mea". The portrait swung open and Severus headed inside.

"Follow me, Potter." Harry listened and followed Severus inside. In front of them was a sitting area and to their left was a kitchen and eating area. To their right was to rooms with their doors shut.

"Stand over here Potter."

"You know I would like it if you stopped calling me that."

"Why?"

"My name is Harry." Severus thought for a moment and realized he should call him Harry. After all, he was a Snape, not Potter.

"Okay, Harry. Stand over here. I need to observe you before you start changing. I want to see how quickly you will change." Harry moved to the center of the sitting area. Severus looked down on Harry and observed his height. He was much shorter than most boys his age, and he was shorter than James was. Harry also appeared to be too thin. James was then, but Harry appeared to look starved. His hair was dark brown and messy. Severus wondered if Harry ever brushed his hair. He took Harry's glasses off his face.

"Hey!" Harry yelled. Severus shot him a glare and Harry knew not to say anything. His eyesight was terrible Severus thought to himself. After Severus thought he observed Harry enough he let him go.

That night Severus laid awake all night twisting and turning. Severus was so worried about Harry looking like him he forgot that he was now Harry's father. He had no idea how to be a father, especially because his own father wasn't much of one himself. He did want to be better for Harry, and Lily. After all, Harry was his and Lily's son, not James's.