Notes: I'm taking creative license and making Snape alive. I'm also making Narcissa 5 years younger to fit in with my fic. See previous chapter for disclaimer.

Ch2: November 1998

Draco Malfoy rushed inside his mother's shop. "Mother, I got accepted! It's offical, I'm going to be a teacher!"

Narcissa Black stood up from her workbench and stretched her back, working out the kinks. She gave her son a hug.

"That's wonderful Draco! Are you being apprenticed to Severus?" she asked. Draco had come to her the month before and mentioned that he'd applied to become an apprentice teacher at Hogwarts. Rumors had been circulating that a few of the current teachers will be retiring in the next few years, due to the stresses of the Battle of Hogwarts and the death of Albus Dumbledore. Narcissa was proud of her son, loving the fact that he was making amends for his part in the Dark Army, however coerced he may have been to join the Dark Lord.

Draco nodded. "I'll be apprenticed to Professor Snape for the next 3 months learning Potions. He's decided to retire after this school year, still a bit out of sorts from the snakebite. Well, that and he really hates kids," Draco smiled weakly.

Many had believed Harry Potter and his friends when they said that Nagini had murdered Severus Snape in the Shrieking Shack. Bitten, yes, but not dead. Years of being around and making deadly potions, as well as serving the Dark Lord as Death Eater and spy had made Severus slightly neurotic. He always secreted phials of various antidotes on his person, and he always swallowed a good dose of Veneno Curare before meeting with the Dark Lord. Drinking the all-purpose anti-venom had saved his life and gave him enough strength to call his house-elf to take him back to his house in Spinners End. From there, the elf went to Draco for help. Together they had nursed him back to health. It was on Severus's recommendation that Draco applied for an apprenticeship at Hogwarts.

Narcissa beamed at her son and gave him a big hug. "Congratulations my love, you'll be a wonderful teacher!" She walked back over to her workbench. "Come over to Blackstone tonight and we'll celebrate!"

Draco fidgeted. "Erm, I'm meant to be having dinner with Hermione Granger tonight to celebrate our apprenticeships." Narcissa raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Granger's apprenticed to Professor McGonagall learning Transfiguration. Is tomorrow night okay?" he asked, his eyes slightly pleading. Narcissa quelled her disappointment and plastered a bright smile on her face.

"Of course it is love, have a fun night! I'll see you tomorrow!" She waved her son goodbye as he walked out of the store. Narcissa went back to her desk, rolled up the letter she had just finished writing and tied it to the handle of the gift basket that was sitting there.

"Flora!" She called. The house-elf popped in front of her.

"Yes Miss Cissa?" the elf asked.

"Flora, I want you to take this basket to Professor Severus Snape at Hogwarts for me. Also, tell him its not poison and not to dispose of it before reading the letter."

The house-elf nodded, picked up the basket and apparated off to Hogwarts.

Narcissa sat in front of her desk and looked at the pile of resumes on it. She sighed, and started to sort through them.

Severus Snape was sitting in his study, a glass of firewhiskey in his left hand, and brooding over the basket in front of him. A short while before, a small house-elf presented him with the basket on behalf of her mistress and told him quite sternly not to throw the basket out without reading the letter first. Said letter was clutched in his right hand and in danger of being crushed. He cast a dark look at the scroll, and then tossed back the contents of his glass.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered to himself as he unrolled the parchment.

Severus,

As you may have heard, Lucius and I have recently separated. The divorce was amicable, and has left me free to pursue my life. As such, I have decided to open a small household potions store in Hogsmeade Village, called 'Lotions and Potions'. I plan on opening the store in 2 weeks time.

Severus, in this basket is a small selection of my products. I've included cologne, dental potion, soaps and shampoos, vitamin tonics, a small selection of tea, and my own distilled alcohols. I would like your professional opinions on these products. Please let me know what you think of them, at your convenience.

Yours,

Narcissa Black

Severus's eyebrows rose. Lucius and Narcissa finally divorced? And she tells him in a letter? Face darkening, Severus rose from his seat, summoned his cloak and strode out of his quarters into the night.

Narcissa was just finishing writing a letter to one of the job applicants when she heard loud knocking on the shop door. She walked over to the door and opened it.

"Severus…! This is most unexpected!" She stepped aside as he swept into the store. Severus rounded and faced her as she shut the door. He waved the letter at her.

"I've waited 20 years to hear this, and you tell me in a letter?" He said quietly, dangerously. Narcissa looked into his eyes. They were filled with fury and just a hint of sadness.

"I assumed Draco had informed you," she responded just as quietly.

"Bullshit!" Severus spat. "You knew he wouldn't tell me, it's not his news to tell! What's the real reason Narcissa?"

She crossed her arms, looked away and muttered something. Severus cocked his ear. "What was that?"

Narcissa blushed and looked him in the eye. "I said I was afraid you wouldn't want me anymore!"

Severus gaped. "Not want you? What utter rubbish!" He moved quickly to her and swept her into his arms, his lips seizing her mouth and taking her into a punishing kiss.