Severus felt his heart stop and he would have falled over if it weren’t for the many hands of healers and nurses grabbing him. His bandaged arms were slowly turning red and his chest hurt from the reopened wound. He took a few deep breaths as the healers tried to push him down in a wheelchair. He closed his eyes. He had to make the connection reach out. He had to find Harry. He had to find Harry.

               “Severus,” Ashley said, standing in front of him, helping him sit in the wheelchair. He opened his eyes. “We need to find Harry. Do you have any idea where he might have gone?”

               Severus shook his head. “No, if I knew . . .”

               “You’d tell us.” Ashley nodded. “We’re going to find him. I’m so sorry this happened.”

               “You should have expected it!” Severus couldn’t help but shout.

               “Sir, please,” the healer said, “you need to remain calm. Your blood pressure is spiking. Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

               “We’ll look for him, Sev,” Eileen said as he was wheeled back to his room. “We’ll find him.”

               Severus closed his eyes again, forcing his mind to reach out to Harry. If he could not make the bond act by thinking about Harry, maybe he could get it to respond with Legilimency. He focused all his magic on that gift and reached out to an image of Harry in his mind. He felt a twinge of a connection, and suddenly he was swallowed by an overwhelming warmth. For a brief minute, he felt like he was walking on air and he finally opened his eyes.

               Harry’s patronus-like form stood before him, wide-eyed and visibly shaking.

               “Wait!” Severus shouted, and everyone froze and stared at him. Harry’s form had jumped at the loudness. “I see him.”

               Eileen smiled while Ashley frowned and walked over to Severus and the healers and nurses, who were staring at him dumbfounded.

               “You see Harry?” Ashley asked, but Severus was focused on talking to someone in front of him.

               “Harry,” Severus said gently, “where are you? Please tell me. I know you’re scared and hurt, but . . .”

               “Bull,” Harry whispered.

               “Excuse me?” Severus frowned. He wasn’t sure if Harry meant a serious bull or if he was calling him out.

               “Who are you talking to?” a nurse asked, looking back and forth between Severus and the space in front of him.

               “Bull,” Harry repeated, taking a slow step back. “On the other side of the fence.”

               Severus suddenly knew what Harry was talking about as the memory of helping Peadar fix the mangled fence jumped to his mind. His eyes widened and he whispered. “Harry, don’t run.”

               Harry froze. Then he whispered, “help me.” Tears welled in Harry’s eyes.

               “Back away slowly,” Severus said. “Very slowly. Mother!”

               “I’m here,” Eileen said, rushing to Severus’s side.

               “He’s in the neighbor’s pasture. The crazy bull’s pasture.”

               Eileen’s eyes widened and she quickly pushed away and ran through the hall, Ashley running at her side.

               “How does he know that? Who was he talking to?”

               “It’s a long story.” Eileen said. “We need to hurry.”

               “How did Harry even get to your neighbors?”

               “He’s quite the little runaway,” was all Eileen said as they passed the anti-apparition wards and apparated away.

               Harry was slowly backing away still, his patronus image starting to fade.

               “Hurry,” Harry said before he faded completely.

               Severus sighed and leaned back in the wheelchair, starting to feel lightheaded. The healers and nurses shared a look before shrugging and pushing him along to magically resew his wounds.

               Peadar was letting out the last of the horses into the fields when Shandy and Finn began barking madly. Peadar turned around but did not see anyone in his fields. He frowned at the barking dogs.

               “Quiet,” he said. “There’s no one there.”

               The dogs hushed for a second, before Shandy started barking again, Finn following his lead. Peadar rolled his eyes and walked over to the dogs, kneeling next to them and looking off into the distance, trying to spot what they might see at their height. He still didn’t see anything. He shook his head and ruffled Finn’s head.

               “You boys are barking at the wind. Come on, let’s head back to the barn.”

               Shandy snorted, then bolted forward.

               “Hey!” Peadar called, grabbing Finn’s collar before he could take off after Shandy. “Shandy!”

               Shandy ran through the fields as fast as he could, flying between the fences’ boards and heading for the newly installed electric fence in the farthest pasture.

               Harry kept backing away slowly toward the fence as the bull advanced on him, swinging its head and mooing lowly. He held his breath and his heart thumped in his chest loudly. He shivered as a chill went down his spine and he looked around for a place to hide. He didn’t think he could get through the fence fast enough without the bull charging.

               Harry slowly reached a hand back to the fence.

               A jolt burned his hand and shocked his body, and he was thrown forward as he cried out in pain.

               The bull roared and charged, and Harry covered his head as the horns just missed him. The bull was right over him, the horns in the grass on the other side of Harry, and he was trapped between the bull’s horns and feet. The bull struggled to free its horns and shuffled its feet to do so. It kept angrily growling.

Harry found his breath that had been knocked out with the shock, and he crawled out from under the angry bull who freed its horns from the grass. It turned and eyed Harry, swinging its head once more.

Harry back crawled away as the bull walked towards him. He screamed when it charged, horns lowered.

A flash of red flew by and latched on to the bull’s nose, and the bull veered off to Harry’s right, running right past him as it swung its head and rammed the ground to try and loosen the animal biting its nose.

Harry watched shakily as the bull raged and bucked. The animal was finally thrown off, but it rolled and got up on its feet, darting around and barking at the bull, baiting it to follow. Harry saw the red collar from where he sat. It was Shandy.

               The bull chased Shandy in circles while the dog galloped at full speed. Harry looked at his hand. It was blistered and red. His lip trembled and tears fell out of his eyes. His hand really hurt, and the pain throbbed up his arm. He looked back just in time to see the bull trample over the dog, Shandy yelping loudly.

               Harry gasped.

               The bull ran off and turned a few yards away from Shandy, who laid still in the ground. Harry crawled forward slowly, keeping an eye on the bull as he moved closer to the dog. He reached Shandy and slowly touched the dog, running his hand over the whimpering dog’s side. It felt welt, and he lifted his hand and stared at the red blood staining it.

               “Shandy,” Harry cried. “Get up. Come on.”

               The bull roared again and swung its head as it charged Harry and the dog once more. Harry leaned over the dog and hugged him, tears falling down his cheeks. He’d never be able to outrun the bull. He closed his eyes tightly.

               Suddenly, he felt fur brush his side and his head shot up as he watched the other dog, Finn, fly by and bark at the dog, charging it head on before darting off to the side at the last minute. Leading the bull away.

               “Harry!” Eileen cried, running over to him. She picked him up, Harry wrapping his arms around her and crying in relief. Eileen gasped at the blood all over his hands and shirt. “Are you bleeding? Where are you hurt?”

               “Just my hand,” Harry said. He pointed to the ground. “Shandy.”

               Eileen looked down and gasped. Peadar caught up to everyone in time to see what Harry had pointed to and he took a deep breath as he kneeled next to the dog. Ashley had a hand over her mouth as she felt tears in her eyes at the sight of Harry and the dog.

               Four horsemen galloped into the field and three of them began roping the bucking cow. The fourth galloped straight to the group and an older man jumped off his horse, running up to Peadar and looking down at the dog.

               “I’m so sorry about this,” the man said. “I saw the commotion from the house and got my boys saddled up as fast as we could. I’ve got this, okay?” The man pointed at Shandy. “Let me take him to the vet, I’ll take care of everything.”

               The man looked up at Harry, and his eyes widened at the blood on him.

               “Is he okay? Did the bull get ya, son?”

               Harry shook his head and pointed at Shandy again. The man nodded, picked up Shandy, and said, “You’ve got yerself a brave, loyal companion here. I’m going to make sure he gets all the help he needs.” The man jumped up on his horse with the dog and galloped out of the field. One of the young men offered Peadar a horse and Peadar followed his neighbor.

               “You all okay?” one of the boys asked the ladies and Harry. They ladies nodded while Harry hid his face in Eileen’s shoulder. The bull was roped and calm, two men still pulling tight on the ropes. Finn ran over to Eileen and sat at her feet. “I’m real sorry about the bull. He’s been more of a danger than anything else lately. I think it’s time we call it for him.”

               “Thank you for getting here and stopping it from hurting my grandson,” Eileen said, rubbing Harry’s back.

               “Of course, ma’am.”

               Eileen and Ashley walked to the gate of the electric fence. Eileen softly muttered a spell and pushed the gate open, the electricity momentarily turned off. Finn followed at their heel and she sent the dog ahead to the barn. When they were sure the men weren’t watching, Ashley and Eileen apparated back to the hospital.

               Severus slowly woke up from the light sleep he had been put under in order for the healers to sew up his wounds again and rebandage. He was still slightly out of it and dozed in and out for another twenty minutes before he was fully awake again. He groaned and sat up, hissing at the pain in his ribs. He gasped as sharp pain shot through his chest and he leaned back again. He closed his eyes and leaned against the cold, metal bedframe.

               He vaguely remembered what had happened that morning. Harry had run away from his foster family. He had finally made the connection reach out to Harry intentionally and found out where the boy was. He also learned no one else could see the ghost like forms when Harry and himself used the bond. And Harry had been in the neighbor’s yard where a mad bull was being held. He sat up suddenly again.

               Where was Harry? Was he safe? Did the bull maim him? He had finally been approved and his first day as father ended with Harry being chopped to pieces. A dread filled his chest as he tried to push himself up but found that he could not get his legs down. He saw the bell above his head and rang it.

               No one came immediately.

               Impatient, he rang it again incessantly.  

               “Hold on!” Eileen shouted.

               Severus was surprised to hear her voice and he frowned. Was that a good sign? Did Harry survive the encounter? Severus waited a moment. He could hear the mutters of Eileen and some of the healers, as well as Ashley’s voice. What on earth could be more important than telling him where Harry was.

               Once again, Severus rang the bell.

               This time, he was rewarded with Harry running into his room, all smiles as the boy ran up to Severus’s bed, smiling up at him. Severus couldn’t help but stare in surprise at first.

               “Nana says,” Harry began, “if you ring the bell one more time, she’s going to shove it down your throat.”        

               Severus chuckled at that and picked up Harry, holding him in a tight hug on his lap.

               “Are you okay?” Severus asked him, taking note of his bandaged hand.

               “I’m okay,” Harry said, snuggling against Severus’s chest as gently as he could. “Are you okay?”

               “I’m going to be just fine. What happened to your hand? Did the bull get you?’

               “No. I touched the fence and it zapped me. It got Shandy.”

               “The bull got Shandy?”

               “Yeah,” Harry said, his eyes tearing up again and he sniffed as he leaned more into Severus. “It’s all my fault—he was trying to help me and the bull got him. I never even got to hug him.”

               “Hey,” Severus shushed, tightening his arms around Harry. “It’ll be okay. Shandy knows how much you thank him for saving you. He’s going to get a big juicy bone tonight.”

               “What if he dies because of me?” Harry cried softly.

               “It won’t be because of you,” Severus said. “Shandy would have done it for anyone of us in trouble. He loves you.”

               “Really?” Harry asked, looking up at Severus.

               “Really.”

               “I never said I love him back.” Harry sniffed.

               “You’ll get your chance,” Severus said. He adjusted Harry off his lap and to his side as the weight of the child was starting to hurt his chest. He leaned back on his bed and ran his fingers through Harry’s hair. Harry snuggled up against him, still teary eyed but calming down as he rested his head on Severus’s shoulder. Severus pulled him closer against him. “I’m sorry I sent you away, but I didn’t have a choice then. But now, I would very much like to adopt you so no one can make me send you away ever again. How does that sound?”

               Harry met Severus’s eyes and he stared up at him for a long minute. Then, he smiled and nodded.

               “I didn’t like it there.”

               “At the Andersons? Why’s that? Were they nice?”

               “Yeah. But I didn’t want to be there. I wanted to stay with you.”

               “I know,” Severus said. “And I didn’t want to leave you. And I promise you, I will never leave again. You are stuck with me now. So, no more running away, okay?”

               “Okay,” Harry smiled, closing his eyes, and resting his head against Severus.

               Eileen, Ashley, and a man in a black silk gown and bar jacket entered the room.

               “Well, Severus,” Ashley smiled, “Judge Reiley is here to officialize your adoption of Harry Potter.”

               Severus’s eyebrows shot up as he forced himself to sit up.

               “Really?” He tried once again to stand again, but his legs would not let him off the bed. “Is there a reason I can’t get off the bed?”

               “A healer spelled you to stay put,” Eileen answered smugly.

               “Don’t worry,” Judge Reiley smiled. “I don’t need you to rise, not here, not for this. Trust me, it won’t take long. Ashley.” The man nodded at Ashley, who stepped forward with some papers on a clipboard. “These are your adoption papers. I’m going to ask you a few questions while Ashley tells you where to sign. Is he information on the documents correct?”

               Severus saw his name, his addresss, his place of work—which was blank now and said “actively searching”—and other personal identification information, such as date of birth, parents names, and so on. He knew these papers automatically updated themselves and when he found a job, the document would magically change. He nodded his head.

               “Yes,” he said softly as he signed his name at the end of the paper.

               Ashley switched the papers around.

               “Is the information on these documents correct?”

               Severus glanced over Harry’s information, and smiled at the end where his name was listed down as “Harry James Potter-Snape.” He nodded again.

               “Yes.”

               “Do you swear to treat Harry as your legal son, no differently than if he were your own blood, and care, provide, and protect him as needed?”        

               “Of course.” Severus signed where Ashley pointed. She flipped the papers around, and Severus saw the adoption certificate this time. He smiled down at Harry and signed his name on it.

               “Harry, is this man who he claims to be?”

               Harry smiled and nodded.

               “And do you agree to be adopted by Severus Snape?”

               “Yes, please.”

               Judge Reiley smiled at Harry and nodded his head.

               “Very good. I approve this adoption. Congratulations, you two.”

               Severus felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders as he was handed a copy of all the paper work and he shook hands with Ashley and Judge Reiley. Eileen hugged Ashley and the judge as the left before she walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. Harry was curled up against Severus still, his arms wrapped loosely around Severus.

               “I am so proud of both of you,” Eileen said. She leaned over and kissed Harry’s cheek. She gave her son a look as she said, “You’re getting one, too.”

               “Mother,” Severus protested, but could do little as she planted a kiss on his forehead. Damn sticking charm. When would the doctor free him?

               “I should use a sticking charm on you more often,” Eileen smirked.

               Harry snuggled against Severus, then looked up at Severus with adoring eyes.

               “Does this mean you’re my daddy, now?”

               Severus looked down at Harry, who’s eyes suddenly looked unsure. Severus leaned down and kissed Harry’s temple as he wrapped an arm around Harry.

               “Of course. You are mine, now. And no one is taking you from me.”

               “I love you, Daddy,” Harry said.

               Eileen awed, and Severus felt his heart melt.

               “I love you, too, Harry.”

               Later that evening, a healer came in with more pain reliever potions a nurse was carrying.  

               “We’ll have you out of here in no time,” the healer said, “we’re sending you home with extra strength pain relievers and they should get you through the next week, at the end of which your wounds should have healed up by then. The bandage should be changed daily and . . .”

               “You call these extra strength?” Severus interrupted after downing one of the vials. “These are crap.”

               “Severus,” Eileen scolded, motioning to the sleeping Harry next to him.

               “I apologize, sir,” the healer said, “that they are not satisfactory. We could play around with the dosage for you and . . .”

               “Who’s your brewer?” Severus asked.

               “Retired three years ago. These are from freelance brewers.”

               “Well, they’re doing it wrong.”

               “Would you like us to prescribe a different potion?”

               Severus growled under his breath. He had to do everything himself, didn’t he. He carefully removed his arm from around Harry and said, “Just bring me a cauldron. And while you’re at it, grab three ounces of willow bark, 3 grams of turmeric, a pinch of ground mandrake root, unicorn horn dust, and a teaspoon of honey. Get to it.”

               The healer and nurse shared a look before the healer shrugged and said, “You heard the man. Go get him a cauldron.”

               It took twenty minutes until three nurses managed to find all the ingredients and a cauldron for Severus. The healer cancelled the sticking charm on Severus and created a makeshift workplace for him. Severus worked quickly and effectively, adding the ingredients where they were needed and stirred strategically. In the process of another twenty minutes, he had gained a large audience of healers and nurses who watched him closely. He used a final pain-relieving charm on the potion and turned off the heat. He used his wand to cool down the potion and he smirked.

               “There,” Severus said. “Now that’s an extra-strength pain reliever.”

               Everyone cheered and clapped.

               Severus dipped a vial in and let it fill before chugging it. His healer stepped in and took the vial.

               “I think you’ve had enough pain potions for one day,” the healer said. “But that was very impressive. Would you consider a full-time position as Brewer of the Hospital? We are in urgent need of someone who could keep our inventory in stock, as well as brew blood replenishing potions on the spot with the blood of a relative drawn fresh and brew any other emergency and/or rare potion we might otherwise not even think of. What do you say?”

               Severus blinked. He had not expected to impress anyone that much with his brewing skills. He looked at Eileen, who raised her brows and offered a small smile to him. He glanced back at Harry, who was stirring from his nap. He had just adopted his son and now he wanted to spend time with him, not jump into another busy job. He frowned. But he did need the money.

               “May I have a few days to consider it?”

               ‘Of course,” the healer said. “Take all the time you need. This position has been extremely hard to fill, I doubt anyone else will jump on it.”

               “Thank you.”

               “We will vial your potion for you. Do you mind if we keep some for our stock?”

               Severus shook his head, and everyone cleared out of his room, carting the cauldron out as well. Severus used the chance to rush to the restroom and splash water on his face. He looked at the bandages on his chest and cast a see-through charm. There was a large, long scar across his chest. He wondered how well it would heal. With one last long look, he returned to his bed and sat down on it. He rubbed Harry’s back as the boy yawned and blinked up at him.

               “You’ve slept all afternoon, honey,” Severus said. “You’ve had a long day, huh?”

               “Is Shandy okay?” Harry asked.

               Severus sighed. He had not heard any news about the dogs. He looked at Eileen, who looked down, avoiding his eyes. Harry’s lips were already starting to tremble as the worst entered Harry’s mind.

               “Shandy is okay,” Peadar announced as he entered the room, Shandy scooped in his arms, his chest and front legs wrapped in green bandage, a cone on his head. “He’s going to make a full recovery.”

               “Shandy!” Harry cried, crawling to the end of his bed and opening his arms. Peadar was surprised, but he settled Shandy at the end of the bed, and the dog wagged his tail as Harry carefully wrapped his arms around the dog. Shandy licked the cone in an attempt to lick Harry.

               Severus smiled at the two while Eileen filled Peadar in on what had happened. Peadar grinned at Harry, his official grandson. Harry was busy holding on to Shandy as the dog wiggled on the bed. Severus scooted down to the end of the bed, petting Shandy’s back and wrapping an arm around Harry. He leaned down and kissed the top of Harry’s head, getting the boy’s attention. Harry smiled and leaned against Severus, Shandy lying down across Harry’s lap, wagging his tail all the while.