~ Chapter Two ~

Harry Potter was missing. Ciaran was missing. His son was missing. His son was missing.

They were the only thoughts flowing through his head as Severus sat through the Order meeting. Why did that brat have to be so rash so much like a Gryffindor… well his mother was a Gryffindor maybe there was hope that he had some Slytherin qualities buried deep in his head. He could always hope… but with that one rash decision Severus was going to have a hard time trying to locate his son especially with everyone attempting to locate him. How could his son go missing when he had just found him, just discovered him? Nothing else had really registered yet.

He really should begin to pay attention. Maybe then he would have a clue as to where his son might have gone.

"This meeting is called to order." Dumbledore called in a booming voice to calm everyone down before he continued. Everyone was panicked now that Harry Potter was lost.

"Early this morning when the guards changed shifts from Fletcher to Kingsley, Kingsley noticed immediately that Fletcher was nowhere in sight. Upon further inspection it was realized that Harry Potter was no longer in residence of Number Four Privet Drive, Surrey. After checking the wards, it was noticed that they had fallen leaving the family in the open and unprotected from an attack. Harry Potter's belongings were not located in the house upon further exploration. Does anyone have anything to add?"

Kingsley stood and addressed the Order. "When we went to examine the scene we noticed that there was no sign of a struggle though he could have easily been asleep at the time of his abduction. This would explain why there was no mess in the room. Also there were no pictures of him in the house. When the family was questioned this morning they didn't appear to have any knowledge that Potter had been living there. It was assumed they were obliviated."

Severus watched as Charlie Weasley snorted at the mention of the abduction revealing to Severus that Harry despised the muggles he called family. He didn't know what connection Harr- Ciaran had with this Weasley but it was obvious that they were close, much closer than any others even his supposed best friends. That would have to be one question he bought up when he located his son eventually.

"How do you know that it is abduction? Harry could have simply left the house on his own accord since he hates those muggles and they obviously hate him if they could forget him so easily." Charlie spoke calmly.

"They don't exactly treat him properly do they?" Molly fretted, "He always comes to us with bruises and is barely even fed Albus surely they can't be all that protective of him?"

Severus hid his shock successfully at the mention of abuse towards his son by the muggles he was told loved and cherished the child. How could he not have noticed this when Charlie and Molly made it sound so obvious and appalling? Obviously he had been so caught up with seeing James Potter that he hadn't actually looked at Harry… well Ciaran. That would have to change. Albus was hiding a great deal of information from him and when he discovered what he was going to fix everything.

"Nonsense, they treat him like any other normal family member." Albus said in his grandfatherly voice.

Severus scowled at the blatant lie. Even if Albus was an accomplished Occlumens it didn't mean that he was any better at lying directly to people. That he still needed work on thankfully.

"But-"

"Enough! Harry has always been happy and healthy with his relatives and nothing you say shall sway me otherwise. It is obvious he has been abducted by none other than Lord Voldemort so we shall focus on that."

Dumbledore ignored the flinch that was associated with Voldemort's name. Even if they tried to tell him not to use it he would always reply with, "Fear of the name only increases fear of the thing itself". Honestly how many times had he spoken that line? However no one dared to speak. Once Albus laid down the law that was the end of it, no one dared to speak against him. After all he was Albus Dumbledore and he could do no wrong as far as the wizarding world was concerned. Regardless of the many things that Severus could list to his name.

"Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, have you been writing to him often?"

It was only then that Severus noticed that his son's friends were in the room… and were being included in the Order meeting. That shouldn't have been possible since they weren't members yet. They were hardly of age how could they be? Or were they members? He really should have been paying more attention to others during meetings.

They both blushed crimson. It was obvious that they hadn't even given their 'friend' a second thought they were so caught up with each other.

"Well you see… we've been busy… with school work and…" Ron stuttered trying to make up an excuse.

"We only wrote to him on his birthday." Hermione finished pathetically. At least she seemed to be smart enough not to try and lie to Dumbledore.

"What you mean to say is that you've been too busy in a relationship that you neglected your –according to you- best friend." Severus said glaring.

"Does this mean that you haven't been writing to him? We'll just have to forget that monthly payment to you accounts then won't we." Dumbledore said ignoring Severus.

The horror was etched on their faces as they realized they weren't getting paid for the month. Severus was really beginning to get annoyed. These people didn't care about his son. Sure they cared about what the public thought of him but that was the extent of it. As long as they had their weapon wrapped around their fingers they didn't care what happened to him or whether he was happy. That would change immediately, Severus decided. All he needed to do was find his son before the meddling old fool and his Order.

"Severus, go and see whether Voldemort has any information."

Severus left without another word spoken not even to comment on the incompetence of Fletcher. Remus watched as he walked out the front door and couldn't help but wonder what had caused the sudden change in the obnoxious Potions Master. It didn't fit, nothing did. Remus was positive that Harry was alright. The last time he had seen his cub had been at the train station where the only thing he had noticed was the slight alteration in his smell. He had thought it was to do with Sirius' death now however he was beginning to question himself. The scent had been awfully similar to Severus and Lily. That didn't make any sense but he would find the answers if not only to help his cub.

x-x-x-x-x

Apparating from Headquarters, Severus arrived with a small pop at Riddle Manor the current headquarters of the Dark Sect. Hastening inside he knew that the Dark Lord didn't possibly hold his son captive as everything was slow moving as if they were bored out of their minds. That at least was one less thought to worry about. Now he knew that his son wasn't being tortured or already dead. Rushing through the corridors he came upon the doors to the throne room where the Dark Lord was currently residing. Wormtail had obviously run out of uses as he was the doorman.

"Pettigrew, I must speak to the Dark Lord."

Whimpering silently, Wormtail opened the doors to inform the Dark Lord of his arrival. "M-master, Severus is h-here to speak with you." He spoke stuttering liked Quirrell. How he was sorted into Gryffindor, Severus would never know. Then again he wasn't really ambitious enough for Slytherin, loyal enough for Hufflepuff or smart enough for Ravenclaw.

"Send him in."

Sweeping past Pettigrew, Severus walked up to the currently silent Dark Lord. Voldemort, after using Severus' potions, had regained some of his youthful appearance. He appeared to be in his early fifties. His nose had returned fortunately, as had his auburn hair. The man's eyes had remained crimson though and he still had a pale white complexion. Even in his youthful state he was still to be feared perhaps more so than before. Severus bowed before the Dark Lord. He needn't kiss the hem of his robs thankfully as he was loyal and useful above the others well except Lucius perhaps.

"My Lord I have some news that you should be aware of."

"Very well Severus"

Now that he was acknowledged, Severus stood to give his report. Even if he was loyal and useful that wouldn't stop the Dark Lord from punishing him for being disrespectful. The Dark Lord's Cruciatus was to be avoided at all costs.

"It would appear as if I have been deceived my Lord for I have a son who has been hidden behind another name and appearance."

Crimson eyes settled on him in a glare as the Dark Lord listened to him. Obviously he wasn't pleased with this seemingly unimportant piece of news. He wouldn't believe that soon enough.

"Severus, why are you wasting my time with this nonsense?"

"Forgive me my Lord however the mother of my son was… your daughter, Lilith Merope Riddle better known as Lily Anne Potter."

There was a pause. "You have his birth certificate?"

"No my Lord, she wrote a letter to me explaining many things however how she discovered her past was not written amongst them. I am hoping that the secret was either given to our son and he is in possession of the documents or they are hidden in the Potter Vault in a trunk that Lily left behind."

Silence followed his words as the Dark Lord thought over this information. It was entirely possible that his daughter could have survived. How he didn't know. What he intended to find out was why Dumbledore kept her alive and why he had sent her own father out to destroy the only family that remained from his line. Speaking of relations…

"That would mean that Harry Potter is…"

"Yes my Lord he was named Ciaran Marvolo Snape. He is my son and your grandson. He was never a Potter." Snape spat out the surname as if it were filth.

Regardless of the fact that Potter had aided Lily and his unborn child, he still despised the man for what he had done to him as a teen. All of humiliation he had suffered at the hands of the Marauders, that would never be erased.

"Go fetch him then and bring him to me." It wasn't a request it was an order and one of which Severus would be glad to accept. He also wanted his son away from the 'Light' and closer to his true family.

"That is why I have come to see you my Lord. Dumbledore flooed me not half an hour ago telling me that Ciaran had left his summer residence. He could be anywhere in either the muggle or magic world and I have no idea what his appearance may be currently. It is my guess that he discovered Lily's letter and left having desired no more connection to the muggle family. I know for a fact that he was abused there every summer. How I'm not sure."

Voldemort seethed at the thought of a Slytherin heir being harmed by filthy muggles. His childhood had been filled with nightmares and children who thought him an abomination to the human race. No he was far better than that and he would make sure that Ciaran would have at least some memories that he could cherish from his childhood.

"What does Dumbledore's holy Order believe happened to Ciaran?"

"They believe that Harry Potter was abducted from his summer home on your orders and is currently being held captive and being tortured."

The Dark Lord sat back in thought. Everything was changing. To have his grandson, his heir, by his side would be a huge blow to the Order especially since he was once known as Harry Potter. Yes Ciaran would be a great addition to his ranks. Not that he would mark the boy. No he was far too precious for that. He was after all a Slytherin descendant and spoke the noble tongue. No further identification was needed to claim him.

"Allow them to believe that then. We shall move headquarters to Slytherin Citadel as soon as we locate my grandson for now we need to focus on him."

Severus couldn't help but feel relieved at this information. He hadn't thought that the Dark Lord would care even if Ciaran did carry his blood. Thankfully he had agreed. He never thought that it was possible for the Dark Lord to care about anyone except perhaps Nagini. The Dark Lord's familiar was always ranked above his Inner Circle much to the displeasure of some Death Eaters.

"Very well my Lord, I shall begin the search in Diagon Alley and from there move into muggle London and search the area around Surrey."

"Go then I shall organize other arrangements." Severus knew when he was dismissed.

x-x-x-x-x

Ciaran was moving slowly down Diagon Alley. It was pure bliss being just an ordinary person. No one stopped to ask about your personal life or gawk at the scar that reminded everyone especially him of who he was. He was just a regular person. He was getting stares because of Citren though. The cat wouldn't sit still on his shoulders and refused to let him go. Citren could be found crawling along his shoulders or slipping down his chest when his claws didn't grasp the material properly. Thankfully he didn't want to be parted from Ciaran. He had to admit that it was definitely better than the Boy-Who-Lived-stare. Though he wondered what would happen when someone finally pieced the puzzle together and figured out he was Harry Potter… he didn't want to think about it at least not yet.

Now that he was finally free, he was enjoying it there was only one tiny problem… sure he had left the Dursley's but where would he go now? There was no way he was going to approach his father, Snape or his beloved grandfather, Voldemort. He still wasn't very comfortable with calling Snape father yet and even thinking about Voldie as a grandfather was simply terrifying. Ciaran was pretty sure that either option would get him maimed or worse killed, if not for simply leaving the protection of his 'family' then for simply existing in the first place.

After all he was the child of a Death Eater and the daughter of the most feared Dark Lord the wizarding world had ever witnessed, it wasn't likely he would ever be accepted into Light society. They would more than likely torture him for information he didn't have.

Ciaran decided that he would wonder around Diagon Alley before he decided on where he would spend the remainder of his holidays. Then he would have to think about what would happen should he return to Hogwarts. Was he even welcome there or should he just go to another school? Those were questions for later, first he wanted to go and check his financial status and then he would go shopping. He didn't want that stupid headmaster to get into his vault anymore and give away his money to those traitors he used to call friends. Making sure Citren was still resting on his should, (his tail was now wrapped firmly around his neck like a monkey) he walked calmly down Diagon Alley towards Gringotts.

Approaching the goblins was still very unnerving for Ciaran regardless of whether he was Harry Potter or Ciaran Snape. They never seemed to like him or anyone. Though that was probably because everyone was so impolite with them believing that simply because they were human they were superior. Breathing deeply to remain calm he walked up to Griphook who he remembered from the first time he entered the bank with Hagrid not that he tried to remember that day. Even Hagrid was on orders to befriend him. Everything in his life was a total lie.

"I would like to see a detailed list of all my accounts please Griphook." Griphook looked up to see who had approached him and nodded. If he was shocked that someone had remembered his name then he didn't show it.

"Very well Mr Snape, follow me."

Ciaran followed behind Griphook as they walked further into the bank wondering how the goblin had known his name. As soon as they had reached a private room, Griphook pulled out the correct paperwork for his vaults. Ciaran didn't bother asking how the goblin knew that he was Harry Potter either after seeing the Potter name at the top of the sheet. It just seemed that all goblins knew exactly who was who regardless of what your appearance was.

"Here is a detailed description of all your accounts."

Ciaran read down the list in shock. Sure he had guessed that he was rich but he didn't quite believe that he was that rich. If it hadn't been written down on paper he would never have believed the goblins regardless of whether they lived for gold.

-x-

Potter Family Vault: 17,782,559 Galleons

Potter School Vault: 52, 432 Galleons 1,277 Knuts

Black Family Vault: 53,883,347 Galleons

Snape Family Vault: 13,975,481 Galleons

Slytherin Family Vault: 97,723,884 Galleons

-x-

There were a lot of galleons in his vaults. Though he did have access to some of them, they were legally owned by other people well except for the Black and Potter vaults. Those belonged to him. He wasn't sure how the Black vaults had come into his possession though. Then there was the other list that showed how many properties he owned. He frowned when he realized that the list didn't include the properties for vaults he didn't exclusively own.

-x-

Potter Manor, Scotland

Cyprian Villa, Italy

Godric's Hollow, England

Black Manor, Russia

Grimmauld Place, England

-x-

Those were just the one's he owned. Ciaran couldn't quite believe that he actually owned them but then he was reminded that he also stood to inherit the manors from the Snape and Slytherin family. Not that he looked forward to what they would have. Once he had checked everything he was sure that the goblins didn't know about the stolen galleons from his vaults since nothing had been done about it since the death of his parents. However there was just one thing he wanted to discover first…

"Why do I have the Black vaults?"

"Mr Black left you everything in his will which was read last week. Dumbledore explained that you couldn't attend and that he would relay the message to you personally since he was your magical guardian."

Ciaran growled and that gave Griphook all the answers he needed. Dumbledore was a liar. No one lied to goblins about the importance of gold and got away with it.

"I know for a fact that several of my possession from within the Potter Family vault have been removed as well as a large amount of Galleons without my permission. Is it possible to have those returned to the vault?" Ciaran asked trying to reign in his flaring temper.

Griphook snarled once he had mentioned that someone had been stealing money with the goblins not even noticing it had been missing. That meant that one of the goblins was willingly allowing the money to be taken from the vault. He would definitely be fired for that. He would have to locate that goblin. Then there was the issue of Dumbledore. Griphook was sure that there wasn't enough in his vaults to repay the amount he had taken from the Potter vaults. That only caused him to grin maliciously.

"Yes Mr Snape, we shall locate your money and have it back by the end of the day as well as your possessions."

Ciaran waited patiently for Griphook to look up the transactions that had occurred from his vault. He was certain that his school fund was only touched by himself. After all there truly wasn't that much money in there to waste on Order funding. The other vaults had all been owned by someone else except for the Potter vault which had been under the influence of his magical guardian, Dumbledore. That however Dumbledore couldn't claim anymore.

"It appears as if the galleons have been removed by several people," Griphook said after five minutes, "Money has been removed by the following people: Albus Dumbledore, Molly Weasley, Cornelius Fudge, Minerva McGonagall, Ginerva Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Of them all the main amount was taken by Albus Dumbledore. Also a Remus Lupin has been removing money from the Black Family Vault for the past three years. Would you like them all returned?"

Remus, the last Marauder. In all this confusion he had forgotten to write a letter to Moony and explain everything that had occurred. Obviously, Remus had been given the key in Ciaran's third year after they had discovered Sirius' innocence. That he would allow since Sirius' had allowed it. By the looks of it he didn't take much anyway which he would have to fix. Remus deserved to be happy especially since Sirius was gone.

"Remus Lupin has my permission to continue to take money out of the Black Vault only. The others however I want returned immediately. Do not inform them of the changes."

"It shall be done Mr Snape. Is there anything else?"

"No thank you that will be all." He still had plenty of galleons from last year's visit.

Ciaran left Gringotts feeling better than he had in ages. Finally he would be able to put his so called 'friends' in their place beginning with the stolen money. He just hoped that once they knew what he had done they wouldn't be able to locate him and demand that they have the money returned to them. That would not be pleasant and he hoped that he could hide his identity by then. Maybe he could ask someone who was trustworthy to help pull the wool over the wizarding world's eyes. If that was even possible he needed the help of two very important people.

"Well Citren let's go and visit Gred and Forge."

Walking away from the bank, he noticed that there were several people watching him from different points throughout Diagon Alley. There were two people sitting talking animatedly outside Florish and Blotts. At least three were standing by the window in the Quidditch store. Glancing around as if browsing, Ciaran noticed that nearly every store had someone watching his every move, except for his destination.

Several people were walking past him however they gave themselves away by staring outright at him. All of them were wearing glamours. Ciaran could tell by the way they were haphazardly applied as if they had rushed to apply them. That meant that they weren't members of the Order who didn't need to hide themselves in the well-known Alley. Hurrying in his steps he reached Weasley Wizarding Wheezes with few problems but severely freaked out.

"Hey Harry! How are you? Happy Birthday!" two familiar voices called from behind him.

Ciaran had to blink for a second there. He had only just entered the store and already Fred and George had known that he was Harry though he was sure he still looked like Snape. Peering around the store he noticed that it was empty as they had just hooked up the closed sign so they may take a break. He hadn't realized that he had spent most of the morning talking with Griphook. Fred and George hooked their arms around him and dragged him away from the window of the store and his stalkers.

"How did you two know it was me? Oh and by the way my true name is Ciaran or so my birth certificate says."

Citren jumped angrily into his arms as his shoulders were now occupied with the twin's arms. Fred and George turned to each other with devilish smiles on their faces.

"Well first of all we helped Neville and Luna wrap your present…" Fred said looking pointedly at Citren with a smirk. Citren hissed back angrily.

"Secondly just because you changed your appearance doesn't mean you change your attitude…" George continued mimicking his twin.

"Thirdly the only people who can walk into the store without getting pranked are the stores owners and their financial investor! In other words there were several things that proved who you were but only to those who really mattered." they finished together.

"Well it's good to know I can count on the two of you to spot me in a crowed no matter what I look like. It just proves that you're both people I can turn to now that I know who I truly am."

They moved into the back room which was set up as a lounge room. Obviously it was created to host only a few select people, him being one of them. Ciaran took a seat across from Fred and George with Citren curled up purring content in his lap.

"Who is that Ciaran? Who are you really? It is obvious that you can't trust the Order of the Flaming Chicken anymore but why is that? What has caused this change?" Fred asked. Both Fred and George were serious now since neither spoke in turn.

"How did you know that?" he asked curiously.

"Charlie flooed us about four hours ago telling us to watch out for you. He figured that you would turn up here eventually seeking our help." George answered.

Ciaran smiled. Charlie seemed to know what happened around him constantly. It was a relief that at least one adult was looking out for his wellbeing.

"Well my mother sent me a letter early this morning. It revealed to me that my biological father wasn't James Potter but Severus Snape and her father was Tom Marvolo Riddle. So I have both a father and grandfather, alive, well and more than likely searching for me." Ciaran began. "Mother also explained to me that she didn't trust Dumbledore. This morning I finally decided to act upon my beliefs and I have cut off everyone who was taking money from me and left the Dursley's house since there isn't any blood protection to speak of. Now though I have no idea what to do. I can't see myself walking up to either of my relatives and going 'Hi I'm related to you' even if I currently look like a Snape."

Fred and George both glanced at each other.

"No doing that would be signing a death warrant instantly." Fred agreed.

"Maybe you could stay at the Leaky Cauldron under your new name until you sort something else out? At least no one would question you appearance since you're no longer Harry Potter." George suggested.

Ciaran thought it over. Sure he had used the Leaky Cauldron in his third year after the fiasco of blowing up his 'Aunt' Marge but he wasn't sure about using his real name. If someone were to ask about his home life what would he say? It was the only plan he had though and he couldn't exactly stay anywhere else and he didn't feel like returning to Gringotts to have his money exchanged to muggle currency only to rent some shitty apartment for a month.

"Yeah I think I will. I suppose I'll see the two of you later then?" Ciaran asked standing. Citren had already jumped onto his shoulder wrapping her tail around his neck possessively.

"Of course Cia… we shall see you… whenever you should drop by… our humble little store!" Fred and George had obviously had enough of being serious.

"What was that nickname?" Ciaran growled dangerously glaring.

"Wow he actually managed to… look and sound like our… wonderful, fantastic… bat of a professor! We only have two nicknames for you Cia! They are either Cia or Ran pick which ever you like! But don't take too long or they may be taken!"

"Neither! My name is Ciaran!"

"Believe whatever you want to Cia… good bye for now! Remember to come by for a visit."

Ciaran huffed but still smiled as he left the twins in the back room and moved to walk outside. The twins would always be the same no matter what occurred. Charlie would also always be by his side. Things were actually beginning to look up for him. All he had to do was live through this month and then apply to another Magic school before September came along again.

As Ciaran heard the door shut behind him he felt two strong arms wrap around his lithe form in an embrace bringing him against a man's chest.

"I have finally located you…"

Ciaran didn't have any time to register what had been said as he was apparated away from Diagon Alley.

Alrighty for reference his name is pronounced See-a-ran. Hope you enjoyed thanks for the reveiws.

~MidnightEmber