Hey, readers, I've updated this chapter (along with others) to include chapter titles; any re-readers might notice that. I've cut out an entire part here that was irrelevant information by now, so here's what's actually relevant. Something I don't think I've brought up! Reviewing! Please review guys, it's very much appreciated. It doesn't have to be much of anything if you don't want to, just point out something you liked or a mistake or anything! Just let me know someone is reading this story. There are a few of you though (you know who you are) who have reviewed before and I thank you! Thanks so much for those, they make my days sometimes.

Sorry for the whole spiel there, but, a summary: Review, review, I'll update every so often during exam time!

Also, everyone should give the 2009 version of Wuthering Heights's soundtrack a listen, it's gorgeous. (It's the one with Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley on the cover) It's literally my inspiration for this story! I think it fits the mood rather well. -Gabriel


Chapter Six: Conversations

Cross my heart and hope to die
Burn my lungs and curse my eyes, I've lost control and I don't want it back,
I'm going numb, I've been hijacked

-Panic! At The Disco, "Nicotine"


Severus looked at the letter in his hand in disdain. He couldn't mail it. All that trouble was for nothing. Tired and frustrated, Severus left the letter on the kitchen counter and went upstairs, tripping on the box on the way. He picked it up and took it with him to his room. After he pushed it under his bed, he went to sleep.

His sleep didn't last very long, because there was a pecking at the downstairs window. He got up, and went downstairs and opened the window. An owl perched on the windowsill. It was a fine looking owl, probably belonging to someone who was on the richer side of things. The sight of the owl perched on the windowsill reminded him of that fateful day when he was eleven and he got his Hogwarts letter. His mother had been so happy...

Snapping out of it, Severus took the letter from the owl. He opened it, and it read:

Severus,

I was wondering if you would like to come to my house sometime to talk more about our recent discussion? I hope you're doing okay.

-J. Potter

Severus narrowed his eyes at the last sentence. Did he mean it? Did he really want to know if he was doing alright? Or was it just a formality? Severus decided to keep that thought in the back of his mind to think about later. He quickly accioed a new paper, and wrote his response:

James,

Sure.

-S. Snape

He gave it to the owl and it flew off.

Severus was halfway up the stairs when he realized he was still clutching James's letter tightly. He looked down at it, and ignored the slight anxiousness that rose in his chest. He wouldn't stress himself out over this. He had done enough of that last year. He returned to his room and put the paper inside the box under his bed. If it was taped away with the others, maybe he'd forget about it easily. Out of sight, out of mind, he thought. He went back downstairs to try and get some potion supplies together to make himself Dreamless Sleep. The vivid dreams kept returning, especially the nightmares.

Maybe, just maybe, Potter could do something to change that.


"Lily," James said once the owl arrived with Severus's answer, "Where does he even live? How is he going to get here?"

"I'm assuming, unless I'm wrong, that he still lives in Spinner's End. Cokeworth," Lily replied from the kitchen, where she was making herself tea.

"What number house?"

"Are you planning to Floo him or something?" Lily asked. James was, so he could at least either get Severus from his house or tell him his address. James didn't expect the answer to come back so fast, or for it to say 'Sure'. He didn't think that Severus would be willing to be open with anyone, much less him.

"Yeah. You know what, why don't you just do it?"

"James," Lily said, coming into the room, "I don't think his house would be hooked up to the network. He's a halfblood, but his father detested magic. I doubt he would have had a connection."

"Then why don't we go there?" James suggested. That could be easier, but James grew slightly uneasy because of the look on her face after he made his suggestion.

"I don't really think it would be the best idea..." Lily said, "I didn't see his parents at graduation, but I don't know if they're still there or not. I'd write to him and ask, first." James nodded and he wrote back to him, asking if it would be alright if he and Lily went over to his house instead, since Lily knew his address. He sent it off with the owl, and waited for his response.


Severus was coming back up from his basement where he was making his makeshift potions laboratory to get water, and he heard the pecking at his window. He went over to the window over the sink, and opened it for the owl. It flew in, and landed on his table. Severus took the letter, and read it. James and Lily wanted to come here? His house? He didn't really want them to see the state of things, especially since he gave up on cleaning everything all those weeks ago. Lately, he had been too tired to continue, so he never got to it. Lily would be used to the state of things, probably, because she already knew what his life was like. James, however...he wouldn't be accustomed to anything in here.

And that, Severus thought, would ultimately lead to pity. He couldn't exactly refuse, because he would rather stay there in his house than go to James's house and come home feeling terrible about how he left everything as it was and didn't bother to continue cleaning. Severus replied with a yes, and he didn't add his address there because he knew Lily would know it. He sent the reply off with the owl again (saying they could come at any time that day or the next), brought down the water, and continued in making his potions laboratory.

Severus thought his basement would be the best place, mostly because it was cold and darker, like the school dungeons were. Also, there were lots of storage spaces down there, so he could easily have all his supplies in one place. And, if he ever had any guests, they wouldn't have to deal with any fumes or anything. He had leftover supplies from potions kits. Once he could make simple potions, which he thought would be more like medicines, he would be able to sell them to the muggle people around. His mother had a positive reputation among them, and she had treated their ailments too. The thing was, she never made the potions completely by herself. She would make some while his father was gone, but she could hardly finish more than ten. But, she got them out regardless.

Severus had yet to look in his mother's Gringotts vault for anything. He knew his family was older, but he didn't know where the vault was exactly. He highly doubted much was in it, but there might have been enough to kick-start his business a little. Severus finished setting up a prototype potions laboratory, and he walked back upstairs, satisfied with his work. He was finally getting somewhere.

Now all that was left to do was to wait and see when Potter and Lily would come.