A/N: so here is another chapter. this chapter is not really a filler because it IS important. i believe that being able to picture a scene enhances the effect of what is being read. There is a lot of descriptions in this about surroundings and of course, Harry's shop. There's a bit of background information and well the new piece of info at the end. I really hope you enjoy it as i'm certainly enjoying writing this. Oh yes and THANK YOU to everyone who has put this story on alert. It truly makes me smile and feel appreciated. Continue to review! x

Beta: Onyx Thanatos Theodore Lerins. All remaining mistakes are mine.


Harry spent Christmas at the Burrow every year and even though he was always invited to spend Christmas eve with the family, he usually turned it down to spend his night in his favorite spot under the stars on a clearing not too far off from Diagon Alley. This year was just the same.

Harry had settled onto the only spot on the ground free from snow and placed down his rucksack with a bit to nibble on before he either got too tired and had to return back home or he got too frozen out in the cold.
Harry loved this spot; he'd come here whenever he needed time to think away from the world or on the anniversary of the Final battle. The clearing was beautiful; untouched by man with its trees forming a protective circle around Harry's spot. At this time of year, the snow hung off bare branches and the grass crunched under your feet but in summer, the scene was truly the most beautiful with flowers of every kind and freshness filling the air. Harry suspected that no one ever thought of going beyond the trees in fear of a cliff, although he did imagine that there was one beyond the trees furthest from him.

He'd found this spot by chance when he'd got into a fight with Ron four years ago over his and Ginny's future. Oh yes, that was a rather awful day. Ron had wanted to know when Harry had planned to propose to his sister but Harry had argued that he wasn't ready for commitment as yet so soon after just having got out of the one he had where he promised to free the world of Voldemort.

He'd been searching frantically for a place to vent out his anger, release his magic and destroy as much as he could but once he'd seen the natural beauty of this place, he had somewhat sobered, not able to destroy something so wonderful. Of course, Ron had apologized afterwards and stated he was only concerned since Ginny waited for Harry all through the war and he thought she deserved some happiness finally.

Harry was shaken out of his thoughts by a rustling in the trees behind him. He immediately got to his feet wondering whether it may just be some animal when a dark figure stepped out, hands up in surrender saying, "Potter its me, don't hex."

Harry let out a sigh of relief upon seeing the Professor, "I wouldn't have known who 'me' was had it not been for your voice, Professor." Harry teased.

Severus scoffed at that comment and asked, "And what exactly are you doing out here, in the cold and dark, without your wand and on Christmas Eve?"

Harry ignored the wand comment as he realized any sensible wizard would have drawn out their wand the moment a strange noise reached their ears, "I spend time out here thinking, it relaxes me. And well, this is how my every Christmas Eve is spent; just me and my thoughts. How did you find this place anyway?"

"I was about to ask you the very same thing Potter. This place, at the right part of the year, flourishes in many useful potion ingredients that would otherwise be very hard to find." Severus looked at Harry and realized there was a silent unanswered question, "I noticed footprints leading in here and I followed, that's how I found you."

Harry smiled, "Oh well I was just about to head back now."

"Don't leave on my account."

"It's actually getting really cold here. Say Professor, would you like to come back to my place?" Harry realized his mistake faster than Snape's eyes opened wide in astonishment and he rephrased, "I mean for a drink, something to keep warm. Unless of course you were heading elsewhere then that's fine, otherwise I really wouldn't-"

"Potter, enough, you're rambling on like an idiot. Would you shut up if I accompanied you back to-" at that moment, Snape realized that he had no idea where Harry had lived. He had only ever met him in Diagon Alley so he asked, "Where is it that you live now Potter?"

Harry shut up rather well once Snape agreed but answered obediently, "Oh yes, I never mentioned, I live in the shop." Once again Snape's eyes widened momentarily, "Sorry not as in, in the actual shop but above it. There was some really great space upstairs so I converted it into my new home." Harry smiled proudly at that.

Snape noticed that it was the first time he'd seen a genuine smile on the boy since his escapades in school, "Very well then Potter, after you." And he gestured with his hand for Potter to lead the way.

Harry picked his belongings off the ground and headed off to his shop with Snape a few steps behind him. There was silence as none knew what to speak of to the other.

As they reached the shop and Harry opened up, Snape took the time to look around and actually appreciate what Potter had done with the place. It wasn't very big but it was set up in such a manner that it still seemed spacious. On the left of the entrance was the small counter where the cash register stood among other little brochures and flyers. The wall behind it and directly opposite it was lined with huge book shelves which held large, thick volumes; probably the informative ones, Snape thought. Directly in front of him were four bookshelves that stood as tall as him neatly aligned with smaller books which he assumed were novels, both muggle and wizarding, he realized

And beyond all of this, at the back of the shop, on a slightly raised platform was the place he'd first seen Potter. Two large armchairs and one couch surrounded a little table in the middle with its backdrop being one more, large bookshelf. Snape was astounded. Besides himself and of course other bookstores in general, he'd never imaged that Potter could come up with a set up as intimate and welcoming as this. He then realized that his appreciation was probably all over his face as Potter now stood in front of him, grinning like an absolute jackass. He placed his neutral mask firmly in place again as Potter gestured to the side and asked, "So Professor, lets see if you appreciate my humble abode as immensely."

The brat left to proceed up a staircase with a laugh as Snape noticed a staircase that escaped his scrutiny which he assumed led to Potters rooms. And wasn't Potter right about his appreciation because as he took the final step, he was greeted by a beautifully designed living room just the same as downstairs. There was a hallway too, expansion charm he thought, with three doors, one a bedroom, the other a bathroom and the last the kitchen. That was where potter was heading now. He realized he'd missed the question about whiskey and was now going to be offered coffee. He didn't mind it at all. In fact, if he was going to try to find out why potter was so different, he'd best be comfortable and happy in his surroundings.

Potter returned, gave him a mug and took his own. They occupied separate armchairs and Snape couldn't hold his tongue any longer, "Potter, pains me as to admit but this is all rather nice however I do not understand exactly why you'd choose to live above a shop in Diagon alley away from everyone else. Surely when you said you wanted peace, you didn't have to go into absolute isolation from the public?"

Harry didn't know whether he would eventually regret this. He didn't know why he felt compelled to tell this man anything, why he even brought him to his home. But there was just something about the man who he hadn't seen for five years and his interest and well disguised concern for Harry that made him reveal something he hadn't even told his closest friends, "Well Professor, I lost my magic."

A/N: Cliffhanger! Please don't hate me for making you wait but i promise it will be good. I hope you're intrigued by this though.

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