It had been a couple days since Severus had regained his freedom, and he had spent the last few days at Spinner's End. He hadn't so much as contacted anybody since he agreed to take up the post at Hogwarts in a few months' time. He supposed he should eventually, but he really wanted some time to himself.

He hadn't even gone into Diagon Alley to get a new wand, as his old one had been snapped upon his initial conviction. He would need do that soon, but he hadn't had the desire to be in one of the most crowded places in the British Wizarding World. He had never been overly social, and after over a year in a cell, well, he just wasn't used to crowds at all any more.

He spent a lot of time checking out his private potions stores lately, as well as cleaning most of the house. He also had to tidy up his library and some boxes of papers, as the Aurors evidently fished through his house looking for evidence against him.

Finally, Severus decided that it was time to go purchase a new wand. Luckily for him, he knew Wizarding London exceedingly well, so it wasn't hard for him to pop up in one of the quieter areas of the Alley and make his way to Ollivander's. He just wanted to get in and out.

He was so focused, that he simply didn't acknowledge most of the dirty looks he was receiving. Unsurprisingly, whispers followed him as well.

The shop was still as narrow and shabby as Severus remembered it. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivander's: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.

A tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop as he stepped inside. It was just as Severus remembered it; a tiny place, empty except for a single, spindly chair near the window. Severus felt strangely uncomfortable; the last time he saw Ollivander he was a prisoner. He quickly used his Occlumency, to try and relax himself, and glanced at the thousands of narrow boxes piled neatly right up to the ceiling.

"Good afternoon," said a soft voice. Severus looked up.

The old man was standing before him, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.

"Good afternoon," drawled Severus.

"Ah yes," said the man. "Yes, yes. I thought I'd be seeing you soon. Mr. Snape." It wasn't a question. "Ash, ten inches, rather springy, wasn't it?"

"Indeed," said Severus exasperated.

"Good wand, that one. But I suppose they snapped it in half last year?" said Mr. Ollivander, suddenly stern.

"Yes," said Severus through gritted teeth. He did not appreciate his incarceration being thrown in his face. "Might I suggest we get on with this? I have other things to do today as well, if it's all the same to you, Ollivander."

"Very well," agreed Mr. Ollivander shaking his head.

"Fantastic," drawled Severus.

"Now - Mr. Snape," he said as he pulled a long tape measure with silver markings out of his pocket. "Hold out your wand arm."

Severus raised his right hand.

The tape measure began to measure Severus from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit and round his head. Mr. Ollivander was flitting around the shelves, taking down boxes.

"That will do," he said, and the tape measure crumpled into a heap on the floor. "Right then, Mr. Snape. Try this one. Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches. Nice and flexible."

Severus took the wand and waved it around a bit, but Mr. Ollivander snatched it out of his hand almost at once.

"Walnut and phoenix feather. Seven inches. Quite rigid," said Mr. Ollivander. "Try-"

Severus tried - but he had hardly raised the wand when it, too, was snatched back by Mr. Ollivander.

"No, no - here," said Mr. Ollivander. "Ebony and unicorn hair, eight and a half inches, springy."

Severus took the wand. He felt a sudden warmth in his fingers. He raised the wand above his head, brought it swishing down through the dusty air and a stream of red and gold sparks shot from the end like a firework, throwing dancing spots of light on to the walls.

"Yes, indeed, nice fit," said Mr. Ollivander.

Severus glared at Ollivander, and paid seven gold Galleons for his wand. He was just about to exit the shop, when he was stopped.

"One last thing, Mr. Snape," said Mr. Ollivander.

"What is it?" drawled Severus.

"It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody," said Mr. Ollivander walking closer to Severus. "That includes yourself, hmmm."

Severus just looked at him stunned.

"I assure you, that I have no idea what you're talking about," said Severus.

"I've also found that the best lies are the ones we tell ourselves," stated Mr. Ollivander before shoeing him out of the shop.

Severus didn't hesitate to take his leave.

Back at Spinner's End Severus immediately start scoffing to himself. Ollivander had no idea of what he was talking about.

The senile old coot really needed to keep his nose in his own business.

Severus had done horrible things in his life, and he bloody well knew it. He didn't need Ollivander to bring up how badly he screwed up his life. The Hogwarts staff, Azkaban guards, and Dementors did just a fine job on their own. Not that he hadn't already known.

"Damn you, Dumbledore!" hissed Severus. "Why did you have to ask too much?"

He definitely had a love-hate relationship with his former mentor. As much as he admired the man, he didn't know if he'd ever forgive the man for making him cast the curse.

Deciding that he wasn't hungry, he pulled out some of Ogden's finest, and sat in his lounge chair.

A couple hours later he yawned and went to his potion stores, taking out a vial of Dreamless Sleep that he had discovered stashed away. He knew full well that it was the only way he'd get any sleep.

He changed into his nightwear and tipped the vile to his lips. Laying back in bed, he relaxed, as the world faded, and a deep, dreamless sleep consumed him.