Severus Snape frowned as he read an article in the sports section of the morning Daily Prophet. The article detailing the Wimbourne Wasps exploits on their exhibition tour through Canada read more like an expose of Quidditch players bad off the field behaviour than a game recap.
The article was accompanied by several photographs more suited to the gossip page. The one that captured Severus Snape's attention was captioned, "Recently Widowed Wasps Owner and a fan, leaving the team quarters the morning after the Ottawa victory." He knew better than to believe everything he read, but Severus Snape thought he knew the truth.
Severus neatly folded the paper and placed it on the side table. The black haired witch in the picture smiled up at him with a slightly feral look as she put an arm around Severus' partner. Severus' lover was no Wasp fan.
He put the picture out of his mind as he went to the window to answer the tapping of an impatient owl. He opened the window, and for a moment, savoured the sweet spring air. An odd thought that he should fly back to Hogwarts from Spinners End instead of apparating to Hogsmeade entered his mind. He brushed the thought away just in time to keep Cashmere from leaping through the window.
Cashmere was one of the cats he had agreed to keep for a short while for Elinore. The cat was a young female with beautiful, intelligent green eyes that had just hint of blue around the iris. Her full name was Cashmere the Huntress. And right now, she was making his owl quite nervous. Her companion, Argyll, a large grey and white male, with a patch like a pirate over his left eye and a tendency toward furballs due to his excessive grooming, was twitching his tail.
Severus glared at the cats. He would need to take them to Hogwarts with him, if Elinore didn't return on time. Elinore was his closest friend, but the rambunctious cats needed quite a bit of attention. "You are already on my bad side for opening the freezer. If even one tuft of a feather is missing from Duncan, I shall banish you both to China. Furthermore, you know you cannot go outside unattended. It is too dangerous."
The cats blinked and chased each other up the stairs.
The tawny owl Duncan gave a relieved hoot, and held up his leg. Severus removed the parchment. The owl flew to the curtain rod while Severus sat in the middle of his faded red velvet sofa. He sighed again. The envelope was an international express.
"Well," Severus mused, "Someone must need a hangover potion." He snorted at his meagre attempt at humour.
He didn't need to be a seer to know who sent this.
He thought to delay the inevitable by pouring himself the last of the elf wine. The cats had returned. They gazed at him from their perch on the window seat.
He opened the letter, and pursed his lips at seeing the tidy handwriting. He was expecting a "Dear Severus" letter. His partner had been restless of late, and their age difference weighed on Severus' heart. They had been together for over five years. At 25, he was sure his young lover was feeling the pull toward things Severus couldn't give. Like a large family of children together. A fashionable address. Dancing in public.
Ronald Bilius Weasley had surprisingly neat handwriting.
I was photographed with a witch. Severus, please, do not believe whatever gossip is in the papers. We need to talk when I get home. Ron
"You are free to do as you wish," he told the letter.
He ran his hand through his hair, and shook it free from his collar.
"As am I," he thought.
He would fly back to Hogwarts, and he'd leave this afternoon. He summoned his small trunk and the cats' transport crate. He placed the parchment for the draft of his new book inside, as well as Duncan's cage and the sleeping basket the cats usually ignored. At the last moment he summoned the large moving trunk he rarely used. He packed everything he owned, and a few things in the house that he didn't.
Duncan flew down from the curtain rod. Severus wrote a brief note, and attached it to Duncan's leg. "Please return to Hogwarts after you deliver it. You don't need to wait for a reply." Severus opened the window, and set Duncan off.
Severus shrunk the trunks and placed them in the side pocket of his broom. Now, he had to herd the cats into their transport crate. Of course, they had disappeared. He called their names. Cashmere mewed in response. Argyll was too dignified to meow. The sound came from the crate; they were already inside.
Severus cast a disillusion charm, an anti-locating spell, and a warming spell for the cats. He apparated to Hadley Heath just outside town, checked the cats were secure, and kicked off. He was going to fly at a little higher altitude than he usually did. It would be well after dark by the time he arrived at Hogwarts. He would take the route that went over the Forbidden Forest where he was less likely to meet other travellers.
Severus enjoyed flying. It always provided time to think. He considered his situation with Ron. He didn't want to lose him. But, he couldn't hold Ron back either. Perhaps Ron didn't need him now. Severus thought of the first time they played chess. It was the moment he had first seen more in his unlikely companion.
Then came the final battle.
Severus knew why Potter thought he was dead as he laid unconscious on the floor of the Shrieking Shack. He was more dead than alive. All his ribs broken and one lung collapsed. Internal bleeding and a rather poisonous snake bite. Ron Weasley, of all people, had come back. Ron apparated him to the small muggle hospital near Ottery St. Catchpole instead of St. Mungo's. By the time Severus healed, he'd been officially declared dead to the wizarding world and become a bit of a hero.
The days in the hospital were blurry. Some days Severus thought someone was stroking his arm and whispering endearments. He decided that was a side effect of his medications. He was sure Ron visited. He didn't know how often. Always Ron. Alone. When the day finally came for his release, Ron appeared with Arthur Weasley.
"Ron, why don't you get us something from those lovely vending machines we saw on the way in," Arthur said.
Ron looked, and sounded, disgruntled as he asked what kind of crisps Severus liked. He gave his father a dark look, but left the room. Arthur looked at Severus. He cleared his throat.
"Ron hasn't been exactly clear on the details, and I don't really want to know more than I already do. You've got two choices. Leave well enough alone, and live as a muggle. Maybe quietly leave the country. Or, try to come back to the wizarding world. It isn't going to be easy. I can't guarantee anything."
Severus was about to volunteer to leave the country, thinking he might enjoy Norway, when Ron returned. He looked over Arthur's head, and met Ron's blue eyes. He wasn't sure what he saw in them. He heard himself say, "I'm coming back. I only remember waking up here. There shouldn't be any consequence to anyone except myself."
There had been a trial. He had seen Ron only once across the crowded courtroom, the day Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy testified. Severus had killed Dumbledore using Avada Kadavra after all. However, the wizarding world had some different thoughts about death. It was decided that Dumbledore had "voluntarily chosen and arranged a medically assisted method to avoid excessive suffering at death." Severus was free.
The Weasleys and the Malfoys had given him an open invitation to Sunday dinners which he did not attend. He did not return to Hogwarts to see the damage. He did not have company.
Then, one crisp, sunny Thursday afternoon in late January, the first winter after the battle, a precise knock sounded on his front door just before tea time. He looked through the peephole to see Hermione Granger. Ron Weasley, shoulders hunched against the winter wind, stood behind her. Severus took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley. I don't recall our appointment." He waited expectantly. Ron winced.
Hermione gulped, then started speaking rather nervously. "Oh, Professor Snape. Ron and I were just talking yesterday. We, well, I...uh..we." She finally took a breath and was about to carry on when Ron interrupted.
"Stop Hermione. We apologize for intruding on you, Professor. We will owl for an appointment." As Ron was about to turn away, Severus spoke.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger...I must say I am intrigued by your sudden appearance. Do come in. I find myself reluctantly interested in the full explanation."
Hermione entered first carrying a portable potions kit. Ron brushed by and swung a daypack from his back. They stood awkwardly for almost a minute.
Ron broke the silence. "I'll make tea." He opened the backpack, and Severus watched as Ron pulled out all the necessities for a formal tea. All three were silent as Ron worked. Severus noted Ron's attention to detail, as he followed the traditional formalities of serving to an honoured guest.
Severus saw the irony of being his own guest as he carefully regarded his visitors. He sipped his tea. The tea warmed him, and he settled more comfortably in his wingback chair. Ron visibly relaxed. Hermione squirmed. Severus decided to let one of his visitors take the lead. It was Ron.
"I have been...concerned...that you haven't accepted our family invitations. I know you haven't accepted the Malfoy's either. Not even for Christmas. You did not attend the annual Malfoy New Year gala. Is there some reason you have been avoiding all of us, Professor Snape?" Ron sounded both curious and defiant. Not at all deferential.
Hermione held her cup at an odd angle. "Ron, that's not..." Severus interrupted.
"Ronald, as you are no longer my student, you may call me Severus." He held Ron's gaze, and continued slowly. "I have not been avoiding you. While I have fully recovered physically from my injuries, I find that I have needed some time to plan for the future," his voice trailed off. Severus had not expected to have a future after the final battle.
Hermione was about to speak when an owl tapped on the window. She offered to let the owl in. As her back was turned, Severus felt Ron's eyes on him. Ron moved to offer him more tea. His hand brushed against Severus' knee. Severus felt the wandless message incantation that Ron had devised during the Horocrux hunt. "Well, if you aren't avoiding me, I expect to see more of you."
Hermione moved back from the window, a large Eagle Owl perched on her wrist. "He nipped me when I tried to take the letter," she complained.
Severus held back a small smile, as he recognized the International Potions Institute seal on the letter.
"May we know your plans?" Ron asked.
"I will know my next step once I read this letter." Severus opened the letter. He had received the funding he requested. "Do the two of you have any fear of returning to Malfoy Manor?" Severus did not look up.
Ron immediately answered, "No."
Hermione paled. She finally said, "I can do it. If it is for something important."
"Good. I have received funding from the International Potions Institute to take on several apprentices. Enough for four apprentices and a paid assistant to be precise. After completion of the course I have designed, you, Miss Granger, would have the Master Potions Certificate you seem to desire from the contents of your portable potions kit. I believe those are examples of the work you were required to deliver to any full member of the Institute by today as a condition of your provisional acceptance?"
"Yes," she stammered.
Severus continued. "For there to be potions, brewing must occur. I do not have the proper facilities here, and Hogwarts, even if it were completely repaired, is not a place I wish to return to at this time." Severus paused, "Malfoy Manor has an advanced potions laboratory, as well as the other needed facilities. The two of you will be at the gate to the Manor with whatever you need to live for the next six months on Sunday by noon. Since you have both been to the Manor, I trust you are able to locate it on your own. We will have dinner with the Malfoy family, the other apprentices and several guests that afternoon at two. We start work on Monday."
Hermione sputtered. "You are turning Malfoy Manor into a school?"
"Potions related studies only. Unless Hogwarts has not reopened by September 1st. Then we will need to find a large premises to conduct tutoring for younger students. For now, it is adequate. Where do you think the Slytherins of your year were tutored before they went to Hogwarts?"
"Who are the students you've accepted?" Ron queried.
"Draco, of course."
Ron grimaced.
"Miss Lovegood, Mr. Longbottom and Miss Granger. The others know of their acceptance already."
Hermione scowled. She'd been chosen last. "You've taken on Neville? He is abysmal at potions."
"Miss Granger, please refrain from criticising your fellow apprentices. As it happens, Mr. Longbottom has a truly exceptional knowledge of Herbology. One of the areas of study, if you had read the entire catalogue, is plant preparation. Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood are interested in pursuing a business supplying magical plants and other supplies for commercial potions as well as the home market. Our world needs leadership in that area."
"Oh..." Hermione blanched. She hadn't thought that far ahead, to a job, the future. She wanted the credential. She had missed 7th year, and needed the advanced study. She just couldn't go to Beauxbatons, although they had offered.
"Ron will be the program assistant."
Ron said, "We should be getting back to the Burrow and start packing. Will you need to see me before Sunday to review the details of the job?"
Severus looked thoughtful. He had not expected them to accept without more questions. Perhaps they held some small measure of trust in him.
"No," he said. "We can discuss the plans each week Sunday evenings after dinner."
Hermione and Ron returned to the Burrow to find the entire Weasley clan, plus Luna, her father, Harry, Neville, the formidable Augusta Longbottom, Kingsley Shaklebolt and Minerva McGonagall gathered in the living room.
"What are we celebrating?" asked Ron.
Everyone deferred to Mr. Weasley. "Well, Ron, perhaps there is something you," he paused, "and Hermione should be telling us." He looked around the room. "Then we will decide whether it is a celebration."
Harry glared first at Hermione, then Ron.
Ron knew the look, Harry thought they'd hidden something from him.
George was more straightforward, "Explain this." He shoved a formal announcement under Ron's nose.
"Oh..I hadn't seen that." Hermione looked flabbergasted as she looked over Ron's shoulder. It was a cream coloured parchment bearing the International Potions Institute Seal. It announced the acceptance of the apprentices and included an invitation to a private dinner at Malfoy Manor. A larger reception including dancing would follow.
Ron took a deep breath. He held his father's eye. "Hermione and I had tea with Professor Snape this afternoon. He offered me a job as his assistant for a grant he got from the International Potions Institute. I'm taking it."
Hermione said, "I've been accepted as one of the four apprentices. I guess you know already, so have Luna and Neville."
Professor McGonagall was brusque. "Has he given you other details yet? Such as where he plans to hold the classes? Why is he starting a new school?"
Ron continued. "He said he doesn't have adequate brewing facilities at his home, and Hogwarts has not been rebuilt. So, for now, we will be at Malfoy Manor. Draco is the fourth apprentice."
Hermione added, "He said it's not a new school, just potions study. We don't really know much more until we start Monday."
Arthur Weasley sighed, "Ron, Kingsley, if you both could come help me get some wine from the workshop. Everyone else please start dinner."
They walked in silence to the workshop. Ron entered last and cast a silencio, a muffliato, and three different no entry wards. He spoke confidently.
"My father knows some of this already. Kingsley. I'm the one that went back to the Shrieking Shack for Professor Snape during the time that Harry went into the Forbidden Forest. I didn't think he was dead, and I had learned some muggle lifesaving techniques. The only muggle hospital I knew was the one in Ottery. At the beginning I thought he'd die anyway. I never told anyone until the day he was released when I brought my father to the hospital. I'm not sorry I did it. I don't know why I was hired. He did ask me and Hermione if we were afraid to be in Malfoy Manor. I'm not. I won't spy on him for you. Or the Malfoys, if that's what you're asking."
Kingsley chuckled. "Draco's probation requires him to stay on the Manor grounds at all times for the next year, except for his mandatory visits to the ministry. Looks like Severus is trying to improve the gilded cage. Give me that wine Arthur, I've got a feeling it's time for a father-son talk. You will report anything truly illegal. That's not a request."
Arthur sat in his workshop chair. He motioned Ron to sit.
"Ron, I know that you've felt like you've gotten the bad end of things at times. You are our son. You can always come to us. Is there anything further about the final battle I should know?"
Ron did not hesitate. "No, there's nothing." He'd decided the moment he left the Shrieking Shack. He'd never speak of what had happened there.
Arthur said, "I have just one question for you to think about. Why did you do it?"
"What?" Ron was confused by the question. "I don't understand what you mean." "Accept this particular job. Why this job? To be near Hermione?"
Ron looked his father in the eye. "Because I need it. Hermione can date Malfoy."
Arthur looked surprised. "We'd better get back inside before dinner is over."
The only thing George heard, not for lack of trying, was his father's question as he and Ron walked toward the house. "Is that a prophecy?"
Ron laughed, "No, it just makes the most sense to me."