Arrival and Revelations

International port keys were never one of Severus's desired modes of travel but he detested muggle transportation even more. Upon arrival at the Italian Ministry he had checked in his wand and papers for travel as he was approved to continue. He only carried with him a single cross body backpack with undetectable extension and feather light charms upon it. Minerva had insisted that he bring her back a few bottle of Italian wine of course. When he arrived it was already late day and he checked his muggle wrist watch. For the first time in over a year Severus wore muggle cargo pants, comfortable and supportive shoes for walking and a simple band shirt of one of his old muggle bands he used to listen to when he was home in his youth. His long black hair pulled back out of his face at the nape of his neck by a simple elastic and a muggle baseball cap and sunglasses to keep the sun off. Taking in the fresh air that was not of the Scottish country side relaxed him as he stepped out into the muggle street once he was done with his registration.

While he knew that his ultimate destination for Tuscany he also wanted to travel the entire country from Milan to Vatican City and then to Sicily, he wanted to make the most of his three month vacation and he was going to do it his way. The Italian Ministry of course gave him a small map of all the Wizarding towns and villages that existed in the country so it would be easy to apperate if need be. While long distant muggle transportation was not something he enjoyed local transport was fine, if only a bit awkward. For the night he had made reservations at a wizarding hotel in Milan, luckily it was not tourist season so fares were cheaper. Once settled he decided to just explore the city. Luckily he was fluent in Italian and while pale his roman style nose gave him the look of being a local rather than a tourist which kept street peddlers and miscreants away.

Severus only spent a few days in Milan before heading out deciding he was going to just hit random larger cities first before venturing into the smaller cities, asking along the way if any of the wizarding apothecaries that he come across have heard of the establishment on the card. Of course it was not until a month into his travels, a hot summer day when he had ducked into a rather small deli on a whim. He had been traveling all day and had yet to eat and the smell of the cured meats had lured him to the small shop where they sold tea and coffee with their sandwiches.

"Scusami sai dove posso trovare questo negozio?" Severus asked the shop keeper who looked at the card and the old woman gave a smile and nod and told him that he was looking for 'Signore Evan James' on the island of Isola del Giglio in the small muggle and wizarding town of Castello, of course that made sense to Severus as he thanked the old woman and paid her for the meal and for the tip as well. He sat outside of the deli and enjoyed his tea and meal glancing to the small map in his hand as he planned out his apparition route to the small island. Being a world renowned Potions Master he was excited to find new avenues of getting rare exotic incidents from other counties and hopefully this shop would agree to allow him to become a partner with them as many Potions Masters had certain apothecaries they worked with exclusively. Finishing up his light meal he stood and made his way to the apparition point of the small village and was on his way.

Finally arriving on the small but notably beautiful island he took a few moments to just take in the beautiful view as the sun was lowering in the sky. The village was rather small but clearly older residents lived here. The small village was nothing to be impressed about as it had a small inn but only held four rooms as tourist were not very common. He of course showed the card around and was soon pointed up into the hills were a older looking shop was nestled in the trees over looking the sea below. Severus of course made his way up as he did not want to catch the shop owner right at closing. One of the locals had mentioned that the shop usually was open past dark. The trek up the hill was very beautiful with smattering of wildlife along the way. Upon approaching the shop it was clear that it catered to both muggle and wizarding patrons which was very smart on this small island. He noted with interest that the shop had its own gardens on each side one side was for herbs the other for what seemed like personal produce with hanging pots with various plants hanging about. The front door was wide open with only a single large window that over looked the town below. The path to this place was well traveled and as he came closer the sound of an old woman talking gave him pause as she was talking loudly as she gave a small wave back into the shop and then turned to exit. She smiled up to him as she looked like she could have been almost a hundred years old, most definitely muggle as she carried a cloth bag with her purchases and had told who ever she had been talking to that she would send someone with cookies back up to them later in the week to pay for the purchase. Severus rose a brow at this as it was odd these days for someone to barter off their wares, but perhaps on this small island it was more common. He shrugged gently to himself as he stepped in.

The shop was not overly large and while one side had natural light filtering in the other was noticeably darker for the more light sensitive items. Severus was a rather tall man and he looked around for signs of a shop keep but found none. His eyes then surveying the layout of the small apothecary. It was obvious there was an extension charm on the building but it was not in the front where the business was but in the back as the shop on the outside looked to only be the size of the room he was standing in, yet it was clear there was more. He slowly strolled the small isles as he took in the bins and vials of very well kept ingredients. Some were muggle of course but much of it was genuinely there for the wizarding population for home brewing. He stopped near the back of the shop where a long counter was positioned with a catalog with the name of the shop upon the front. Lifting it he gently leafed through the pages as it was a mail order catalog so he obviously received more traffic than those of the village below.

He had only been in the shop about ten minutes when a muffled voice sounded from the back.

" I will be with you in a moment!" Obviously male. Severus placed one of the catalogs in his satchel for later as he straighted himself up a bit and waited. Only a moment later the door to the back opened and a young man stepped out, instantly Severus was in shock as before him stood not only a very alive Harry Potter but a very attractive and tan Harry Potter. The young mans hair had grown out and was kept tied back much like his as the nape of his neck. Gone were the large round glasses that so resembled his fathers. Large green eyes blinked at him in shock as well. His angular face was smooth but one could tell it would not be long until a five o'clock shadow might appear. He was still short for his age, but neglect would do that to a person. He was clearly tones as his crisp white button down shirt, rolled up sleeves showed, toned well built arms with muggle tattoos snaking down the left arm to the mans wrist. The shirt was untucked from the well tailored trousers that fit him very well. The jar he had been holding had slipped from his hands as his attention suddenly went to that as he ducked down to pick up the spilled items.

"Shit" the younger man cursed in English this time as Severus instantly knew this man was clearly the real Harry Potter.
"Your Alive" he stated simply as he looked over the counter as the young man looked up to him and slowly stood placing the jar of seeds on the counter as he gave a simple nod.

"I guess it was only a matter of time that someone let it slip. Was it Hermione…or the twins…perhaps Draco?" he asked as Severus blinked, his friends had known all this time. Of course the twins knew, other wise they may have just been more forth coming to whom their supplier was.

"None of the above…this card was in the bottom of a box that the Weasley twins gave to me for their latest project" he stated and pulled out the business card as Harry snorted and shook his head. He however did not seem at all worried that his secret was out.

" Well…isn't that just my luck?" he said more to himself as he shook his head and chuckled. His green eyes sparkled in the low light of the shop as it was getting darker outside. Harry however waved a hand as candles around the shop lit and he shrugged as he then looked back to the older wizard.

"I wont be going back to England so I guess I will have to trust that you wont divulge my secret to anyone…" he stated softly as he rose a brow to the older man who blinked down at him.

"Why would you want to fake your death in the first place, many mourned for you loss…Minerva was beside her self." He said softly as Harry frowned a bit. He truly loved the older woman like a mother figure and felt horrible for at least deceiving her.

"I do regret not at least telling her of all people, and Hagrid of course but Hagrid can not keep a secret" he stated as he began counting out the pumpkin seeds that he poured out onto the counter, tossing the bad ones and making small piles. Severus of course watched him as he worked.

"I must say I am rather…impressed by what I have seen of your products so far…I would have never guessed that you would have taken up this type of work." Severus stated as Harry only smirked gently and continued counting.

"Well…once Harry Potter was confirmed as dead and Evan James was created, I had to find something to do. I of course traveled for a year. In my travels I found myself entranced with all the magical ingredients that were just laying around in nature and well…after some research I enrolled into a small wizarding University in Rome. I surprisingly was very drawn to potions and of all things apothecarial business ventures. There were so many older generational wizards who were just wanting to get out of the business when their families did not want to help" He shrugged.

"So I traveled around buying up the shops and when I found this place and fell in love I just opened up shop. I have learned a great deal in the last three or so years…and if it were not for Neville and Luna I would have been in trouble" he stated as leaned down and brought out a very nice medium sized jade mortar and pestle placing it in front of the older man.

" Care to help? I need two piles ground up into course and fine powder" he said simply as he continued to count out piles. Severus placed his satchel on the floor and took the tools and began working easily with the pestle to ground of the seeds as needed.

" I was drawn to finding out who owned the business when the Weasley's provided me not one for three perfect specimens of moon flower. A very rare and expensive ingredient, one specimen is nearly a couple of hundred Galleons" he said simply as Harry looked up at him with a look of pure confusion.

" Your joking?!" he said as he looked to the older man and then started laughing.
"I have almost an entire grove full…they bloom once a month" he stated as Severus almost choked in surprise as he looked to the younger boy in disbelief.

"Now this I want to see" he stated as Harry nodded.
" Well the full moon is not until next week but I can show them to you for sure. I have been only selling them to the twins and Neville for 10 Galleons each" he said as he flushed softly. Severus shook his head.

"I most defiantly want to become one of your clients then if these are the prices we get." He said as Harry shrugged.

"I don't really need the money. What I make supports my hobbies and adventures." He shrugged.

Severus nodded before putting his attention back into his simple work. He had not prepared ingredients for over a month and it felt good to get back into the feel of things.

" It looks to be a simple life here" he stated gently as Harry gave a nod.

"It is…I mostly barter with the locals, and I live upstairs. I have a garden fully stocked and live stock with beautiful views…and the best part…no obligations to save the world"

Severus looked at the young man for a few moments, his eyes softening at those words. To be truly free had given the man before him peace. He still looked much like his father but with out his glasses and the longer hair he also was clearly his mothers child.

" I doubt I could ever call you by your new name you have given yourself…and I doubt your friends do either…" he stated as harry chuckled.
"No…they all still call me Harry, I don't mind as it was who I had been and the name my parents gave me, it is one of the only things I have of them remaining." He of course had the Potter and Black Vaults.

" However to the world at large, Harry Potter died with Tom Riddle or Lord Voldermort at the Battle of Hogwarts his body destroyed together with the Dark Lords and his grave stone at Godrics Hollow beside his parents" he said softly.

"The best place for him to be" he added.

There of course was nothing that Severus could say to that, who was he to argue with the young man. No he just finished the task he had started and then packaged the finished product in small paper sleeve he was provided with.

" Thank you sir, for your help" Harry stated softly as Severus gave a nod.
" Your welcome, I dare say I may have kept you open past your closing time" the older man stated as Harry shook his head.

" Nah, its fine I don't really have set hours, unless there is an emergency…which there never is, then my hours are if the door is open then I am open, if not, try back later" he shrugged at the simple answer. At that Harry moved from behind the counter, he was rather well dressed for this community in which he worked. Severus watched him as he moved to manually close the front doors and lock up.

"Have you already inquired in the village a place to stay?" he asked as he went through the motions of closing up for the night. Severus watched him from the counter quietly.

"No I was going to apperate back to the main land and find a place in the city" he stated as harry turned to him and rose a brow.
" Nonsense you can stay here if you wish, I have the room and I dare say you have many more questions and I have learned to make a mean cup of tea" he stated as he walked back towards him. This man was nothing liked the Harry Potter he knew, this man was more confident and stood up straighter and walked with confidence. Severus took a breath as the shadows of the shop and the flickering candle light accented the mans toned features.

Severus Snape had always been a man to appreciate the finer things in life, while he had been raised in poverty by a drunk and abusive father and complacent and weak mother as an adult he learned to take advantage of the finer things when they were offered. The entire world knew that he had been in love with Harry Potters mother, his blasted memories gave that away but what they didn't give away was it was not the same type of love it had been when they were teenagers. No, Severus Snape loved Lily Evans as his dearest and best friend. No one knew they had made up a year before she had died and at that time she had held one of his dearest secrets. He was a man that enjoyed the company of men opposed to that of women. Of course he mostly enjoyed the company of intelligence over all but it was men to caught his fancy. It had been the reason he had been so drawn to Lucius Malfoy as a friend, or the allure of Tom Riddle before he turned into the monster. Being nearly forty-five he was considered a very young man still in wizarding terms and his appreciation of the man whom had approached him was clear, even if he were the son of not only his beast friend, but school enemy. He found himself nodding gently as he leaned down and picked up his bag.

" Thank you, a cup of tea would be appreciated" he stated as the younger man motioned for him to follow. He could not help but let his eyes wander over the man in front of him before he caught himself and shook his head to clear such thoughts from his mind. Following Harry through the swinging door he found himself in a spacious storage area and lab. His eyes taking in the sight before following the younger man up a set of stairs and through an entrance way. The top of the shop was indeed the entire shop size it in he could guess.

" You can sleep here if you wish" Harry motioned to a room as he flipped a switch and muggle lighting showed off cozy guest bedroom with a single bed next to a window over looking the right side garden.

" The bathroom is over here" he motioned from the door as he showed him a small bath with shower and amenities, clearly a guest bathroom as well as it was much tidier that he suspected the young man might keep his personal bathroom. Harry then led him into a larger open space which housed a comfy looking couch, recliner, desk with a muggle computer and a large muggle flat screen TV. By the window was an owl perch where a large black hawk owl was perched sleeping.
"My room is through there" he motioned to a door leading to the left.
" Please have a seat" he motioned towards the couch. Walking around a bar counter Harry entered what looked to be a rather huge and modern muggle kitchen that had the view of not only the village below, but the path leading up to the shop and the ocean below as well, it was a very beautiful view with a small door that led to a covered balcony with two rocking chairs and a small table between them. Harry rooted around in a cabinet and pulled out a metal container as he went about putting water on boil. He also took a pan out of the fridge and put it in the oven turning it on.

"I usually have tea on the balcony in the evenings" Harry said as Severus stood and walked into the kitchen.
" You know…I have never seen you in muggle clothing…it seems rather fitting for you however" Severus could feel the other man looking him over as today he was wearing a dark blue Black Sabbath t-shirt, tan cargo pants and his black walking shoes.
" For that matter…I think it is the first time I have ever seen you wear color" the younger man added and Severus rolled his eyes.

"It is June in Italy, it would be unwise to travel in such dark clothing, even with cooling charms" he scoffed lightly as Harry chuckled but nodded in agreement.
" This…is true" he conceded. Once the kettle whistled Harry made them both tea, sliding a tin of sugar and taking out a container of cream and milk from the fridge. He added some cream and a small bit of sugar to his own as he had offered him a coffee cup of tea and a small spoon. Harry then turned and made his way to the balcony where he sat on the right side of the table, obviously this was his chair as he sat his cup down on the table to cool. Severus had to admit the darkening view of the country side and the muggle lit village below was very nice. The distant sound of the ocean relaxing him as he sipped upon his tea. It was an earl gray with a hint of lavender, clearly an evening blend to calm ones self after a long day. Severus rocked gently almost forgetting where and who he was with for a moment.

Harry of course said nothing as he was just enjoying the relaxing view and tea, he had just made the blend that Monday so he had plenty to share. Closing his eyes he rocked lightly as a gentle warm breeze brushed over him. He however flushed when he opened his eyes and noticed that the older man and former Professor was watching him. Glad for the fading light as his cheeks twinged with pink,his face warming as he sipped his own tea. Since his time after the war Harry had come into his own. He had experienced the world in his travels. He had lost his virginity to Ginerva Weasley in sixth year. He loved the younger girl but he found he was not in love with her as much as he had hoped to have been. She did not know he had survived. He had heard from Ron that she had married Dean Thomas and had two lovely children and he was happy for her. He had also lost his virginity in other ways only a year after the war in Barcelona to a very hansom muggle man by the name of Geroldi. He had met him in a night club after a few too many shots and it had been one of the steamiest nights of his life. He had never thought himself to be attracted to men like that seriously until that night. He of course bedded women and men through out the years in various counties, even engaging in several threesomes with both sexes as he came into himself. While he loved both sexes his eyes always lingered longer on men and when he had taken in the sight of a very healthy Severus Snape he could not help but feel an attraction to the dark man. It seemed since the war Snape had made some changes. No longer was his skin overly pale and sallow, or his teeth yellowed and crooked. His nose seemed to even be straighter. Harry knew that Snape was only in his forties, the same age as his own parents so it was only fair to assume that even Snape might want at some point companionship, and odd thought still for him but he felt heat rise once again in his cheeks at that thought of the older man and his skilled hands. He almost choked on his tea as he coughed at the thought.

"Shit…sorry" he choked back as he leaned forward so not to get tea all over himself as he composed himself. Severus rose a brow.
" Are you going to live there Mr. James?" he asked as Harry shook his head a bit trying to clear his throat.
"Harry…please…just call me Harry" he coughed and finally managed to clear his air ways.
"Sorry, tea went down the wrong way" he stated with a flush. Severus of course gave a gentle nod as he sat his own cup down.
" Must have been quiet a thought then" he stated as Harry's cheeks reddened a bit more but he shook his head.

"Nothing like that I assure you" he easily lied as he sat back in his chair trying to calm his racing thoughts.

"You know…I would have thought that you and the youngest Weasley, Generva…would have settled and had offspring" Snape stated as Harry looked at him a bit in confusion but shook his head.
"Oh don't get me wrong I love Ginny, but not in the way she would have wanted, besides she is not quiet my preferred type" he said with a shrug. Snape blinked at this new information.

"The idea of war makes people do certain things, but after fighting, winning, almost dieing also makes you do things. I found not only do I enjoy the comfort company of a woman but men as well and Ginny, much less Mrs. Weasley would like that one bit" he chuckled as he once again sipped at his cooling tea. Severus's brows shot up one again at this even more shocking bit of news about the other man.

"Indeed" was all he could say as he looked back down over the small village.