Sorry about the delay. I've not only had a rough semister, but I lost the notes I made for this story for a couple weeks. Right before I left, I found them, but accidentally left them in my dorm room. Now that I have them, I'll update sooner. Oh, and because the only people who gave me an opinion said they didn't want slash, there won't be slash in this story. I may make a story close to this one with slash, but we'll see. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

Severus was just leaving Diagon Alley's Apparation point when he heard his name called. Turning, he saw his closest friend, Lucius Malfoy.

"What are you doing here, my friend? Most of the time I have to wrestle you out of your dungeons for some sunlight every few months," Lucius asked.

"I need to buy a new house. Dumbledore has manipulated me for the last time. Never again. I resigned this morning."

Lucius was shocked. He knew Severus was a spy for Dumbledore but never thought Sev would stop considering what happened to the person he loved.

"What happened? What did the fool do this time?"

"He lied to my face about Lily's son. Now I get to go on a hunt through muggle London for an abused eleven year old who has lived on the streets since he was eight."

Lucius blinked. Lily's son? That's... "He lied about Harry Potter?!"

"No, Harry Potter no longer exists. He's run away from his abusive relatives and changed his name." Severus snorted. "I'm the lucky one in charge of finding a street kid."

Lucius paused before asking, "What are you going to do for his schooling? Surely you won't send him to Hogwarts. Back under Dumbledore's thumb?"

"Certainly not. I'm going to buy a new house, find Harry, and teach him myself."

Lucius walked with Severus towards "Relator's Palace" thinking. "What about brining the boy to another school?"

"Well, he can't attend Durmstrang. He isn't pureblood. And I find Beauxbatons to be much to...prissy," Severus replied.

"Why not an American school? Maybe I'll send Draco there as well," Lucius stated, not wanting his only son to be under Dumbledore's watch without anyone to protect him from manipulations.

Severus stopped, thinking. "I think my mom had originally wanted to send me to Salem Acadamy of Magic, but my father refused to pay the price to send me over there or move."

"It's settles then. Good thing Narcissa and I hadn't sent a reply yet. I'll contact the Headmaster of Salem. I think I heard it's a man named Aaron Cooke."

"All right. So I'll get things prepared for the trip, get an apartment, and find Harry. All in one month," Severus said, ending with a sigh.

"Don't worry about an apartment. Just come live with us until you find Harry. We'll be looking for a house in America. Are you going to get an apartment there?" Lucius asked curiously.

"No, I might get a small house away from anybody. After a few years on the streets, it may be nice for Harry to have some peace for a change."

As they started walking to the bookstore where Draco and Narcissa were looking at books Draco would have needed, Lucius thought of another question. "Why couldn't the quill find him?"

"The quill only does the letters based on name. If Draco decided his name was no longer "Draco Malfoy' but instead 'Reginald Ford,' the quill would have to be told the second name, not the first. Harry probably changed his name, considering the nasty past with that fat bastard masquerading as his uncle."

"Well, I'll tell Draco his favorite godparent is coming to stay for a little while. Happy hunting," Lucius said, snickering as he walked away.

"Thanks for the help, Luc," Severus said, somewhat amused. 'Can't get his hands dirty searching for something. Oh, well. At least I have a base of operations.'

Walking out of Diagon Alley, he had to wonder how far away Harry really was.

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Harry Potter, or as he was now going by, Emrys Evans, was quite close to Diagon Alley's entrance. Only about a mile away, running with three other kids with their spoils of the day as a matter of fact. Chin length hair was no longer uncontrollabe, but falling in tameable curls. Jet black hair was now a dark brown, random strands of red peeking through. One thing about his appearnce hadn't changed, though. The large, emerald green eyes were no longer haunted, but they were no less captivating.

Emrys' slim figure moved through the shadows of the building like he was part of them, quickly outstripping his fellow street kids. Not paying attention, Emrys failed to notice the police officer at the end of the street until it was too late.

"Oomph!" Emrys grunted, slamming into the person. He instantly started struggling but could not break loose from the officer's grip.

"Keep a hold on this one. We've been looking to grab this one for a while," the officer walking towards the two said to the officer holding Emrys.

"He won't be getting away. He's a pretty one, that's for sure."

"Good breeding. What happened to him?"

The entire time, Emrys was struggling, telling them to "Let go, you bloody brutes" until they mentioned his looks. Questioning his background, for sure, but also triggering his memory of his last day in Surrey. With Vernon. Thank Merlin Aunt Petunia came when she did, or part of his remaining innocence would be gone.

"Well, come on, Bolt. We need to ask you some questions. Then, we need to figure out what to do with you. Foster homes, or juvie. It will be pretty much be you choice."

And Emrys was lead further from the Alley, thinking, 'Can my magic help me out of this?'