Author Note- Just wanted to thank everyone who has favorited, followed and commented. It means a lot to me. Enjoy the new chapter. :)

Chapter 14

The Unknown

Albus raised his hand and knocked on the familiar door in front of him.

He felt weary to his bones. He had mulled over a lot of his past decisions since the battle at the Ministry. He had thought of his regrets. The people he had let down. Guilt was not new. He had lived with guilt since Ariana's death. However, he had become blind to the people around him. He knew he needed to speak with someone. See if he could not salvage things before they got worse.

"Albus?" Minerva said as she pulled the door to her quarters open.

"What's happened? Did they find Harry?" Minerva questioned worriedly as she ushered Albus into her rooms.

Albus just shook his head as he took a seat in one of the chairs in Minerva's sitting room.

"No, my dear, I'm afraid he hasn't been found yet. Remus and Severus found evidence that he came to Grimmauld at some point. Part of me hopes he was seeking out the Order but, if he was, I've let the boy down again. Perhaps I should have informed him no one would be there." Albus sighed.

"Did the Children know anything?" Minerva asked shortly.

Albus ran his hand through his beard and shook his head.

He thought about his conversation with the two youngest Weasley children and the Granger girl. They were understandably upset to learn that Harry was missing. He hoped they would heed his words and not go looking or try and contact the boy.

He had been vaguer when contacting the Longbottom's and Lovegood's. They were light families, but he did not want the news getting out that Harry was missing and unprotected. He'd just inquired about any visits or summer guests.

Madam Longbottom had assured Albus that they'd not had any company yet this summer. Xenophilius and his daughter had not spent much time at home. They had been out camping looking for some creature. He'd said they hadn't even gotten much mail this summer.

"No, they sent him one letter when Ms. Granger joined the Weasley's at the Burrow. Then they received two messages saying he was fine but nothing else. The last they received was earlier today. However, the message could have been sent any time depending on how far away he was. The other children have not heard or seen him since the train ride home." Albus informed Minerva.

"Were they sure the messages were From Mr. Potter?" Minerva asked.

Albus nodded.

"Yes, they seemed certain although they wouldn't elaborate." Albus answered.

"Potter's owl is at the Burrow. Who's owl did he use? Did they recognize it?" Minerva questioned.

Albus shook his head.

"Ms. Granger was the only one to see it and she didn't recognize it. I've asked them not to try and send any return letters. If it was not this child, I may try and use a tracking spell on an owl to find him. However, that may backfire and alert others to his location before we can find him." Albus sighed.

Minerva's face had a pinched expression. Albus knew she had something to say but was holding her tongue.

"What can I do Albus?" Minerva asked.

"I need help, Minerva." Albus replied.

Minerva nodded once.

"Anything. You know that." Minerva said with conviction.

Albus knew she was devoted to him. But he also knew that she was a no-nonsense type of woman. It was exactly the type of person that he needed to help him. Help him untangle the mess he had managed to get himself in. However, first he needed to make his apologies.

"First, I want to apologize. I have been asking too much of you. I have lent on my intuition for so long that I think I sometimes forget that my gut reaction to a situation isn't the only option. I have found myself rethinking many of my past decisions. How I might have made different choices. Choices that could have had better results. Choices that could have saved lives." Albus said thoughtfully with a distant look in his eyes.

"Hindsight is twenty- twenty Albus. You can't always know how a situation will work out." Minerva tried to console.

"I know. That does not relieve me of the guilt or responsibility I have for the outcome though." Albus said sincerely, looking into Minerva's eyes.

"You do ask too much of all of us Albus. But you expect too much from yourself as well. If you truly can see these errors in judgement, then you cannot continue to keep your own council. You must trust one of us or better a couple of us with the whole picture. We have been functioning on limited information. In a war that leads to mistakes. It…It unfortunately leads to lost lives…" Minerva said with a long sigh.

Albus watched as she turned away from him and wiped her eyes.

Albus saw his Deputy Headmistress straighten her shoulders and put her stern mask back on. He knew he needed to fix this. This mess with the boy was just the latest in a long line of mistakes. Mistakes that were having a bigger impact on people then he had realized. These were his people. Not just people he had recruited for the light side. They were his friends and coworkers. The people he cared most about. He was letting them all down.

"I believe you are right my dear. I can no longer be my own council. There is knowledge that I have that I believe will end this war. I have mistakenly kept it too myself. I believed it to be dangerous to share. And I worry what the fall out of this information will be." Albus sighed.

"What is it Albus? What do you know?" Minerva asked worriedly.

Albus just shook his head.

"I would like to speak with you and Severus together. I have the most faith in the two of you. Perhaps the three of us can begin meeting once a week, once term begins." Albus said thoughtfully.

"Why wait so long? We've hardly started the summer." Minerva questioned.

Albus thought about the information he had gathered on Tom Riddle. He had planned on private lessons with Harry this year. He would need to know all the information. However, he was second guessing the wisdom of that decision. Perhaps he was asking too much of the boy. He would have to be told at some point but maybe they weren't there yet. He wanted time to organize his thoughts and notes before he presented everything to Severus and Minerva.

"What I will share will be upsetting. I'd like time to organize so that I will be able to answer all the questions that are sure to come up. I'd also like to wait for Harry to be located before I put more on you and Severus." Albus said quietly.

"Very well Albus. I appreciate you seeing your limits and asking for help. We all want to see the end of you-know-who. We must all be united." Minerva said quietly.

Albus only nodded.

"Is there anything else I can do for you this evening? Anything you can think of that might help us bring Mr. Potter home?" Minerva asked hopefully.

"Not that I can think of." Albus sighed.

His thoughts went to Harry. He felt like he had overlooked something important. Albus felt a little disconnected from the students in the school. Even Harry, who arguably got more of his attention, given the situations he had managed to get himself in.

"Have I missed something Minerva? I know the boy wasn't happy there, I just didn't see this coming. He knew he needed to stay there." Albus mumbled.

"We've missed a lot Albus. A basilisk petrifying students. A grown man living in the boy's dorms, and a mass murderer at that. A Death Eater posing as a teacher. Who knows what else we have missed. The students have not been safe here. I think we may need to take a chapter out of Severus' book and start having individual meetings with the students, like he does with his snakes. Especially during these times. We know students are scared. What if we miss something else." Minerva replied.

Albus nodded and ran his hand through his beard.

"Yes, we haven't done our best. I was informed when Molly returned with the children that Mr. Thomas had also arrived at the Burrow. He didn't feel safe in the muggle world after hearing about other muggle-born classmates and there families being attacked. Perhaps we can send out some of the staff to contact muggle-born families and place wards or give them emergency port-keys." Albus said in thought. Remembering the look on Molly's face when she had whispered to him about Mr. Thomas showing up. She'd been concerned at how disheveled the boy was. He'd assured them he hadn't been hurt. He'd just had a long trip.

"Was he alright?" Minerva asked her brow furrowing in concern for another of her lions.

"He was tired and hungry from his trip but unharmed." Albus assured.

Minerva sighed a little in relief.

"Once the term starts, we may be able to contact some of the parents and see if they would be able to take on an additional student over the holidays, If it becomes necessary." Minerva proposed.

Albus hummed.

"I'm not sure removing students from there families is the best action." Albus replied.

"Albus, you came here asking for help. Asking for advice. For some of these kids it isn't safe to return. With Death Eater Activity what it is, keeping them somewhere else may be the option. It could keep them and there families safe. I'm sure Severus will want to weigh in. I know he has helped students with bad home lives or complicated situations find other accommodations before." Minerva stated.

Albus nodded. He knew Slytherin house had an unfortunately high concentration of non-ideal homes. Sometimes something could be done. Unfortunately, families with certain influence were not able to be addressed in the limited scope of the school. They were often handed over to wizarding children services. Unfortunately many of the cases disappeared after donations to certain political figures.

Albus sighed again. He felt exhausted. He wanted to see the best in people. He wanted to believe the best of families but perhaps it was another way he had allowed himself to be blind. He had certainly missed it years ago with Sirius and Severus. They had both had rough home lives and had resorted to fleeing to friends. Sirius had become remarkably close to the Potters, even seen as another son.

Severus had run to Malfoy. Although likely a better place initially it had allowed him to become trapped in the Dark Arts and shortly in Voldemort's services.

"As far as Mr. Potter specifically? Unfortunately, Albus I don't know. I have not been as present for the students as I should have been. My role as head of house has taken a back seat to my Deputy Head position and teaching. I wish I knew more about the students in my house. Or that There was someone to take the post that could be more attentive." Minerva replied.

Albus nodded.

"I will investigate the matter. I would like to have someone we can trust in all posts in this coming year. The defense post has been the weakest for a long time. However, I will be hiring the next teacher by agreement of the staff." Albus reassured.

"Thank you Albus." Minerva responded.

"Well, my dear, I have a few more people I need to speak with. See if anything has come of the search." Albus said. Standing and brushing his hands down his robes.

"Please keep me notified. I'm quite fond of the boy." Minerva said with a half-smile.

Albus only nodded as he exited the room.

Harry paused at the door of the bookstore. He had returned from his trip to Miller's Grove a short while ago but had just finished helping Julie unload her truck. He enjoyed the outing. Miller's Grove was smaller than Cokeworth. He had definitely made the right choice coming to Cokeworth. Miller's Grove was bleak and headed to being a ghost town.

Harry took a deep breath and stepped into the shop. He smiled to himself. This place was so comforting. He wandered past the front sitting area and over to a bookcase and looked over the titles. There were a few he was surprised to recognize. Some that he had read in the Little Whinging Library. He had been focusing on reading his textbooks from last year and his Defense and Healing books from Sirius and Remus. He had yet to look at the other books or papers he had taken. He felt like his brain needed a break. Something light. A story about adventures. Harry raised his hand to pull one of interest off the shelf. He had yet to pull any of the books off the shelves. He had dusted and cleaned but Aunt Petunia's words about dirty little freaks rang in his head. He didn't want to get in trouble.

"Max." Mrs. Ash's voice called from behind him.

Harry's hand pulled away from the books like it had been burned. He spun around with wide eyes. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

Mrs. Ash gave him a confused look but then shook her head and took a seat in one of the armchairs.

"Come and sit." Mrs. Ash said with a wave of her hand.

Harry was quick to follow the instructions. He sat on the very edge of the chair. Even at Hogwarts he felt strange sitting on the furniture. Especially after an incident in his first year when an older student asked why he was sitting in his spot. Harry had popped out of the seat like he was made of springs. The older student had just laughed and waved him off and took a different seat. Harry never sat in that spot again.

"Did you have a nice trip?" Mrs. Ash said, handing Harry a cup of tea.

"Yes, Ma'am." Harry replied.

Harry accepted a cup gently. He hadn't seen the tea tray in his daze coming into the shop. He had avoided taking Mrs. Ash up on all her offers because he didn't want to owe her. He was trying to earn money, not collect debt. But the tea smelt nice. He took a tentative sip and smiled.

"Thank you, ma'am." Harry said softly.

Mrs. Ash just smiled back and sipped her tea.

"Here, this is for you." Mrs. Ash said, pulling an envelope off the tea tray and holding it out to Harry.

Harry tentatively reached out and took the envelope. He looked back at Mrs. Ash, and she nodded.

Harry opened the flap and was surprised to see it was full of money. He shot a surprised look back at the woman across from him.

"It's your pay for this week's work. Jack came by today and said he was going to have some work over there for you next week. I am very thankful for all your hard work, Max. This place is glowing." Mrs. Ash explained with a smile.

"I have a bit of work that needs done at my home if you are interested. You could do some of that next week if you'd like. Most of the town shuts down on Sunday. We've still got a bit of today left. So, how about you take what you've got there and go handle your business? Enjoy your day off tomorrow. Then stop by on Monday when you're done with whatever Jack has you doing. I'll close, and we can walk over to the house. Sound good?" Mrs. Ash said.

Harry felt a little choked up. This was a lot of money. He would send money back when he had access to his vault again. He would happily do anything else Mrs. Ash had for him to do.

Harry nodded.

"Yes, Mrs. Ash. That sounds fine. Thank you." Harry said in a horse whisper.

"Very well. Off you go." Mrs. Ash said.

Harry stood feeling a little shaky. He felt guilty taking so much money. He also felt so much gratitude. He was a mess. He needed to get out of here and collect himself.

Harry nodded again and left the shop.

Harry returned to his room at the Sundown and collected his dirty laundry. He had asked Julie about the laundromat, and she had pointed it out on her way back to town. He waved his hand over a left-over sandwich bag and transfigured it into a large cloth bag to put all his clothes in. He turned out pockets as he went. When he came across the sweatshirt he'd shown up in, he pulled the map from the pocket. He felt a little silly that he had forgotten about it. He would take it with him. Maybe he could check out a couple of shops while the laundry was running.

He felt something else in the pocket and furrowed his brows. He pulled his hand out of the pocket and was surprised to find the bag of drugs Justin had given him. He had meant to hand them back but must have just shoved them in his pocket. He felt uncomfortable having them. He wasn't going to take them. He wasn't going to sell them. He figured he could just give them back to Justin later. He shoved them down in his open trunk. He'd worry about it later.

With all the laundry in the bag he stuffed in one of the boxes of soap and put the tokens in his pocket. He headed out feeling good about his afternoon to explore.

The laundry was quickly started, and he met Kelly. Apparently, she was a close friend of Julie's. She was very excitable, and Harry felt a little overwhelmed by her. She said she would keep an eye on his washing. So, with a hesitant nod he headed out to explore.

Harry hoped to take a peek in as many shops as he could. The laundry mat was a block behind the grocery store, so it wasn't on the main road. As he made it back to the main road, he figured he would start at one end and work his way around. At the end of the block across from the grocery was Mary's Book Nook, and then Paws & Tails, Julie Bakers pet shop. Then there was an art store. He figured he would start there.

When he stepped inside the smell of clay and paint reached his nose. A friendly shop keeper waved but did not engage him. Which he appreciated. He wandered around and looked at the various supplies. As a child he had spent much of his time locked in the cupboard drawing. He had loved his little escape. He wondered if he could still draw. Was that a skill you lost? He didn't know. When he found a cheap sketch pad and a small set of pencils, he approached the counter.

The man smiled and rang him up.

"You're Max right?" The man asked.

Harry just nodded. He felt his stomach clinch. This wasn't as bad as being the boy-who-lived but the fact that everyone seemed to know him was a little unsettling.

"It's nice to put a face to the name. see you around kid." The man said politely and waved.

Harry nodded and left with a small bag.

Maybe that wasn't so bad. He imagined this might be what interactions would be like if he lived here. Maybe one day. He thought with a small smile. Then his stomach rolled. That day would never come. He was going to die; He was going to die killing Voldemort.

Harry walked past the clothing store. He would look later. He slipped into the side alley and leaned against the wall. He took a deep breath and slipped into his mind. He took the thought of the prophecy and dug a hole and buried it like treasure. He couldn't throw it into the hole and hope it disappeared, but he needed it to be buried. It had to stop popping up in his thoughts. With another deep breath he came back to himself. He felt calmer. He had moved away from the numb he had lived in at Privet Drive. He wanted to enjoy his time. He felt the guilt raise and pushed it aside. He walked back to the main road and told himself to keep going.

He passed the Hoover repair and popped into the music shop. He didn't know anything about music and the loud music in the shop quickly had him overwhelmed. He left quickly. He'd like to learn about music. Even just hear some of the songs of the bands from the shirts he was wearing. He had taken to wearing a band T-shirt over one of his long sleeve shirts every day. It was a little warm, but he didn't want anyone to see his arms and the long sleeve shirts were full of holes.

He passed by the bicycle shop and vet clinic and stopped outside of an antiques shop. He was fascinated by all the cool looking things in the shop windows. They all glittered in the summer light. He opened the door and found himself in a very packed store. It was like someone had shook out all the attics in town into one shop. He was amazed as he walked around to find a few wizarding items. Or muggle items that had been effected by magic. They held a variety of auras. When Harry reached the back of the store, he saw the counter and was amazed to find that the man had and aura like Filch and Mrs. Figg. Harry had begun to suspect that this was the aura of a squib; they weren't all the same, but they were similar. He almost turned around when he saw the man. Even a squib living in the muggle world likely knew who Harry Potter was. And although he didn't look like himself, he still feared being caught.

"'Ello, see anything of interest?" The man said with a friendly yet board tone.

"It's a very interesting shop." Harry replied quietly.

The man just hummed and watched him with bored eyes.

Harry's eyes were drawn to a shelf of gold-colored trophies. He could see something there. As he got closer, he noticed another aura. He was shocked to see that it was like the locket. It felt familiar and dark.

He just stared at the shelf for a moment trying to find the memory. The one that explained why this magic felt so familiar. Then Harry felt like his breath left his body. The Diary. Tom Riddles Diary. Voldemort's Diary. He felt like he was going to pass out. What was he looking at?

Was Voldemort possessing the locket in his trunk or this unassuming gold cup on a shelf in a muggle antiques shop?

"Have an eye for shiny things?" The man joked as he walked towards Harry.

Harry whipped his head around. How long had he been staring at the cup?

"Um…How much for this one." Harry said pointing to the cup.

The man hummed and reached out to grab it. Harry wanted to grab the man's hand and keep him from touching it. However, nothing happened as he pulled it down.

Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

The man told him the price. It was expensive. He could afford it, but it would be all the money he had. He thought about it for a few minutes. He had hoped to get a few meals out of that money. But how could he leave something oozing Voldemort's magic sitting in this shop? The longer he looked at it the more alarmed he became. He knew this was connected to Voldemort. The magical aura was the same that he saw on the man as he had stepped out of the cauldron in the graveyard. It was the same aura he had seen mixed with Professor Quirrell's his first year. It was the same aura that radiated from Snapes arm and off his own forehead. He still didn't know much about auras. He would be looking as soon as he got back to Hogwarts, but he knew that aura. That was Voldemort.

Why had he not recognized it at Grimmauld? He was so confused. He felt like he was losing his mind. Or finding it again? Had he been obliviated at some point?

"Do you want to buy it?" The man asked.

Harry felt himself pulled from his thoughts. He had to buy it. So, he nodded.

Harry got an idea then. Maybe he could work for the cup. It was worth a shot.

"Excuse me. I was wondering if I could possibly work for the cup. I've been doing odd jobs in town, and I could do some work for you in exchange for the cup." Harry offered.

The man's bored look faded away and a sneer replaced it.

"I know who and what you are. I've no use for a street urchin in my shop. Make your purchase or leave." The man growled.

Harry was taken aback by the man's quick switch in attitude. Harry looked at the cup in the man's hand and wondered if the magic was effecting him. Harry definitely wouldn't be touching it.

Harry nodded.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the envelope of money. He counted it out. He would still have enough for dinner at the diner so he figured that would be fine. He was used to going without.

He laid the money on the counter and watched the man count it and then nod. He wrapped the cup and then placed it into a bag. Harry was thankful he was not going to be forced to touch it.

Harry hurried out of the shop and practically ran back across the street to the Sundown. He raced across the parking lot and unlocked his door. Once he was in, he locked it with a wave of his hand and raced over to his trunk. He dug to the bottom and retrieved the box with the locket in it. He waved his hand to unlock it and opened it.

He had been right the auras were exactly the same. He sat heavily on the end of his bed.

"What are these things?" Harry said to himself. An edge of panic creeping into his voice.

He pulled the wrapped cup from the bag and enlarged the box to be able to hold both items. Then locked them away. Harry felt the waves of panic begin to overtake him. He dropped the box on the bed and the bag from the art store.

Harry slid to the floor and leaned against the bed hugging his legs to his chest. He felt like all the air had been sucked from the room. Something about these things wasn't right. Something about him wasn't right. He felt shaky and dizzy.

Clear your mind. The voice in his head sounded a lot like Professor Snape. Harry sucked in a shaky breath and closed his eyes. He started to build a wall around the forest. Large stones like the castle walls. He watched as the forest disappeared behind the wall. Everything was blocked away.

When Harry opened his eyes, he felt hollow and numb. He stared blankly at his trunk. Nothing felt real. He stood and placed the box back at the bottom of his trunk and shrunk his trunk and placed it in his pocket. Then he left his room and went back to the laundry mat.

Kelly had turned over his laundry. Harry vaguely nodded his thanks. He didn't feel like he could even speak at the moment. When the dryer finished, he took his clothing to a table and folded them to Petunia's standards, like he had been taught.

He left on some kind of auto pilot and returned to his room. He set the clothing on the dresser and sat down on the bed. He continued to stare blankly. The vague thought that he had done something wrong floated through his mind, but he didn't know how to fix it. He wasn't sure he wanted to. He knew what was behind this intense numbness. So, he laid down and just stared at the ceiling until his eyes felt heavy. He closed them and fell into a shallow sleep.

Severus groaned as he and Remus turned yet another corner, to go around yet another empty block. He wanted to go home. He had been walking all day. Neither of them had seen anything to indicate that the Potter brat had been anywhere they had looked. They had talked to teens on the street discreetly and no one had recognized his picture. Although Severus thought from the level of distrust in their eyes, that Potter could have been standing with them and they still would have lied before turning a kid over to an adult.

"How much longer are we going to do this Lupin?" Severus huffed.

"I just want to find him." Remus muttered.

"I know. However, we have lost the light several hours ago and we haven't gotten any indication that he's been any of the places we've searched." Severus grumbled. It was bad enough that he had been saddled all day with Lupin. Worse that they were searching for Potter. And yet worst still they hadn't found anything.

Remus sighed.

"I know. Just could we go a few more blocks and if we haven't found anything will call it a night." Remus pleaded.

Severus sighed. He did not want to continue. However, He'd made a promise on Lily's memory to protect her son. Apparently, that mostly meant protecting him from his own idiotic plans. Also, the words Lupin had used earlier ran in his head on some kind of maddening loop. Lupin considered Potter his son. And although Severus couldn't care less about either of them, if Draco were lost, his own godson. He would want all the help he could get. Even if he couldn't imagine asking for the help. Insufferable Gryffindor's.

"Fine. Lead the way." Severus said waving his arm.

Severus continued to walk next to Lupin as they wandered through the dark streets of London. They had not heard anything from Albus or anyone else in the Order. Chances were the boy was still missing. As they reached the end of the block they came to a park.

Severus watched as Lupin went rigid next to him and then took off at a run across the park. He felt taken aback by the abrupt movement and pulled his wand. He spun around to see if there were any threats. When he saw no one, he continued into the park. Wand still in hand. Lupin had disappeared into a grouping of trees at the end of the park. Severus would not run after the werewolf. He had more dignity than that.

When Severus made it to the tree's he could see Lupin kneeling in a small clearing just inside the first few trees.

"Just felt like a run in the moonlight, or have you found something?" Severus drawled.

Remus just stared at a tree.

"He was here. For a while. I can smell his scent. It's faint but concentrated like he was sleeping here." Remus' voice was a harsh whisper. He reached out a hand and leaned it on the tree like he could reach the boy that way.

Severus looked at the tree and then back at Lupin. He couldn't be right. There was no way the boy had been sleeping in parks.

"I can also smell blood." Remus murmured.

Severus raised an eyebrow at that.

"The boys?" Severus questioned.

Remus nodded slowly.

"You think Potter is hurt?" Severus asked.

Remus shrugged.

"I'm not sure. The smell is faint, it could have been on his clothing. My sense of smell is stronger than an average human even like this, but it doesn't compare to being transformed." Remus stated.

Severus considered that. He had hoped that Remus could more or less sniff him out. This wasn't what he had expected however.

"I'm sure he's fine Lupin. Albus had people check muggle records. He isn't in the hospital or morgue. The police have no record of him. He's just run off somewhere. We…" Severus cut himself off.

Was he really trying to console Lupin of all people? He really was going soft. Losing his role as spy had let his mask fall.

Remus looked up into Severus' eyes.

Severus noticed the reflection of the moon in them and felt a shiver climb up his spine. He would never admit to his fear of werewolves, but he was never unaware of exactly what Lupin was.

Lupin looked desperate and Severus sighed.

"We…We get a few kids a year in the town I live in. The town usually refers to them as 'Summer Boys' Although I think the term is ludicrous. First, we get young ladies as well, it hasn't only ever been boy's. Summer is just as vague. They do tend to show up in the summer but that isn't the only time. Regardless they are mostly runaways. Most have found themselves in trouble and run off without much of a plan. They realize they can't live like that and go home and make up with their family. I'm sure Potter will figure it out soon and go home." Severus explained.

Remus pulled himself to his feet and stared at Severus.

"Where do you expect him to turn up. His relatives are leaving the country tomorrow. Grimmauld is sitting empty, and the Burrow will be too next week. His letter made it pretty clear he doesn't plan to return to either. Home for Harry is Hogwarts, but I find it hard to believe a fifteen-year-old kid is going to make it to Scotland on his own." Remus responded.

Severus groaned. There were to many moving pieces in this puzzle. Why Potter had to throw this tantrum now was beyond him.

"Listen Lupin I'm sure he'll figure it out. I'm going home now. If you choose to continue your aimless wandering of the streets that's your business. I will check in with Albus in the morning. If Potter is still missing by then I…I will keep looking with you." Severus said grudgingly.

"However, when we find the recalcitrant child, he needs to be punished. He cannot get away with this behavior any longer. I won't stand for it. He is pulling everyone from more important Order business to chase after him. He has caused enough problems. You want to be his father? Then act like it. The boy has been allowed to do as he pleases for too long. He's going to get someone else killed." Severus snarled.

Remus' face looked like he'd been slapped.

"Harry isn't responsible for Sirius death! You weren't teaching him! He was having his mind violated by you-know-who! Harry tried to get help! And…and Sirius…Sirius made his own choice to go." Remus' voice became choked.

Severus rolled his eyes.

"Lupin, he may not have been directly responsible for Blacks untimely demise. However, if he had thought for even a moment of the risk he was putting everyone in, the whole mess might have been avoided." Severus replied.

"What would you have me do Severus? Stand the boy in a corner?" Remus snarled back.

Severus smirked at the idea.

"Maybe not a bad place to start." Severus said casually as he left the trees and headed back to the road.

When they reached an empty alley, they said curt goodbyes and apparated separately back to their homes.