Author's Note: This qualifies as an epilogue because when I wrote the original version, that was going to be it. However, I quickly realized that it was a good concept for a story, so check out "Harry Potter and the Mysterious Potion Shop" for the full chapter and more updates!


Introducing Mr. Snape

Hogsmeade was everything Harry had imagined and more. As he walked along in the chill air, he listened to Ron and Hermione's bickering with half an ear, feeling for the first time this year that he really didn't mind their arguing. Normally it bothered him, but it was hard to be bothered by anything when a big chunk of Honeydukes chocolate was melting in his mouth.

He took another bite and took a moment to study their surroundings. They'd visited Honeydukes and Zonko's already, and they were probably going to head to the Three Broomsticks next to get their first taste of butterbeer, but before he could adjust his course accordingly, a dark little building at the end of the street caught his eye.

Curious, Harry broke away from Ron and Hermione – not that they noticed – and approached the small shop. There was no decoration on the door, but the plain sign that stood next to it read Unique Potions. With a thrill of anticipation, Harry pushed open the door and stepped inside, setting his bags and candy down beside the door.

The whole space was filled with shelves, most of which were approximately Harry's height. Vials of different sizes, shapes, and colors were everywhere. Harry approached the nearest shelf to study the vials, and was disappointed to find that he recognized all the potions there – they were all in his textbook. That wasn't very unique! There were many more shelves beyond, though, and soon he was browsing his way deeper into the shop, stopping at any potion he didn't recognize on sight for a closer examination.

He didn't notice the hook-nosed man sitting behind the counter in the back of the shop until he reached for a tiny vial of orange liquid and the man spoke.

"If you're looking for something specific, I can direct you."

Harry glanced up, startled, and shook his head. "Nothing specific, exactly. Just potions I don't know, like this one." He held the vial up in front of his face, turning it from side to side to examine its viscosity.

"I sincerely doubt you need a dose of Eye-Weakening Potion," said the man.

"Is that what this is?" Harry squinted at the vial more closely, pushing his glasses up his nose with his free hand. "I've never heard of it."

"I invented it." When Harry looked at him in surprise, the man added, "I was going for Eye-Strengthening, but sometimes one's mistakes can still be marketed as a viable potion, not that that one sells particularly well. The Eye-Strengthening Potion is the one next to it."

Harry put down the vial carefully and picked up one that was filled with bright green liquid. It was tempting, but he wasn't sure he trusted a potion made by a stranger. Besides, he was used to his glasses, and so was the rest of the world, he was sure. "I probably shouldn't."

The man gave him a shrewd look. "Take off your glasses."

Harry looked at him in surprise, and then, after carefully replacing the vial on the shelf, removed his glasses as the man requested.

"Come closer," was the next order, and Harry moved toward the counter, stopping at the edge of it. He was then treated to a close scrutiny of his face. "You look more like your mother than I expected," the man said after a moment of this.

"Sorry?"

"You are Harry Potter, yes?" said the man.

Harry nodded, flattening his fringe nervously. "What was that about my mother? Everyone always says I look like my dad, except with Mum's eyes."

The man shook his head. "Without the glasses, you look more like Lily than James."

"Did you know my parents?" Harry asked, his eyes widening.

"Your mother was a friend." The man held out a hand across the counter. "My name is Severus Snape."