Ch 36
Hogwarts finished for a year and the students returned home. Sinead was hoping that would allow her more time with Severus but she was wrong, he had to spend most of his time at Spinners End with Wormtail who had been assigned as his assistant. Severus managed to spend some time away from Spinners End usually using the excuse that he needed to pick up supplies for potions he was brewing or to attend meetings with Albus. Even though she was disappointed with the limited time Sinead tried to enjoy every minute with Severus.
When she wasn't with him she was working in the lab in her house with Max and Sarah 3 days a week in the mornings and in the afternoons they moved to the lab at the shop. Max and Sarah each worked 3 days in the shop and were doing well with their apprenticeship.
Trent was mostly brewing out of the shop so he had the run of the lab there and he was in the shop for any questions that customers may have had. Sinead managed to fit in weekly drop ins in the Weasley's shop to help them improve their potions. Maggie was also helping out in the shop 3 days a week and then working the other 2 helping manage the orders from America. Since the shop opened in early July it had been an instant hit, they did a good business and took orders through the floo network.
In early August Sinead's father came for a visit. John stayed for a little over a week and was impressed with his daughters growing business. A week later Danny arrived, he had passed the bar exam and was now a lawyer. He was offered a position in John's firm and was due to start at the end of the month.
Sinead had arranged for a party to use the new pool she had built in her backyard. Molly Weasley had a bit of a breakdown about allowing Ginny and Ron to go back to Hogwarts but after some assurances from Arthur she agreed. Hermonie was also staying with the Weasley's and was visited to the party. Severus even promised to make a brief appearance. Danny got along great with Fred and George who were enjoying his stories about Sinead in high school.
"Oh stop it, you make me sound like a party girl." Sinead said glaring at Danny who smirked.
"That may or may not be true."
"Oh like you're a saint. This one had so many girls chasing him to be their first in high school. A regular ladykiller he was."
"I turned some of them down" Danny said as Sinead laughed.
"I better go check on everyone else." Sinead walked outside to see Ginny and Hermonie sitting by the edge of the pool watching Ron splash around.
"Having fun?"
"Yea, this is great." Ron said before ducking under the water.
"Girls?"
"Yes, this is lovely." Hermonie said moving her feet around in the water.
"My brothers are hogging your friends attention." Ginny said as Sinead shook her head.
"Ginny, you are far too young to be interested in Danny."
"But he's cute."
"Don't let him hear you say that, it'll go right to his head." Sinead muttered.
"Is Professor Snape stopping by?" Ginny asked.
"Later on." Sinead said glancing up to see Danny walking outside with Tonks and Remus who had just arrived. Sinead went over to greet them as Ginny and Hermonie started giggling as they looked at Danny who was talking to Remus.
"What you two laughing about?" Ron asked as he looked around.
"Nothing, Ronald." Hermonie said with her cheeks flushed.
"Nothing at all." Ginny said trying to keep a straight face. An hour later Danny stood up.
"Up for a game of volleyball?" He asked as Sinead grinned.
"You bet, girls versus boys?" Sinead said.
"Hell yes!" Maggie yelled. "We are gonna win, Danny boy!" Maggie said doing a little dance.
"I'm in." Trent said.
"Me too." Sophia said as Sinead started casting spells to create a sand court with a net.
"I'll play." Max said when all the male wizards didn't volunteer.
"What's volleyball?" Ron asked Fred and George.
"It's this great game that girls usually wear bikini when they play." Danny said as Maggie glared at him. Sinead and the girls began talking over plans, they were going to get the ball to Sinead who would find the easiest target out of the boys.
"Whose going to ref?" Danny asked as Bill reluctantly raised his hand.
"This is gonna be good, let's start taking bets." Ginny said watching Sinead hit a ball against a wall she had created.
Fred started taking bets as everyone moved so they could watch the game. Sinead went over the rules as Bill tossed the ball to the guys to start the game. Severus arrived during the game and stood against the house watching as Sinead launched herself in the air smacking the ball back into the boys side and it hit the sand.
"Yes!" Maggie said giving Sophia a high five. The girls won the first set 15 to 8 and the second set 15 to 9. The third set was more competitive and was tied until Sinead served out the game with the girls winning 15 to 10. When Sinead turned she spotted Severus who was actually smiling. Maggie cast a spell as Queen's "We Are the Champions" came blasting out of Sinead's stereo which was outside. Sinead walked over to Severus with a smile.
"You made it."
"I said I would make an appearance so here I am. I can not stay long, I need to return to Spinner's End." Danny who was standing next to Max and Trent let out a growl.
"There is something about him I don't trust." Trent shook his head.
"You know Sinead, she is a pretty good judge of character-"
"I trust her, not him. He's just so-"
"Intimidating." Max said.
"Smarmy is the word we use. Never liked Snape in our years at Hogwarts." Fred said as George nodded.
"It's good to know I'm not the only one who doesn't like him."
"Too bad Harry wasn't here, he's the president of the I hate Snape fan club. I guess when Harry's dad was at Hogwarts he gave Snape hell so when Harry got there Snape felt the need to return the favor."
"I just don't get it. He's too old for her and it's not like they have anything in common besides potions. I almost want to stop taking my potions and rip the guy's head off."
"Easy there, don't want to go saying that in front of the wrong people." Trent said softly. The group of men watched as Sinead exited the house a few minutes later alone.
"Snape couldn't stay?" Fred asked.
"No, he needed to return home."
"What a shame." Danny said with a fake smile before he walked away. 2 hours later Albus made an appearance specifically to ask for Sinead's help.
"Sinead, I need to get Harry tonight. I will be taking care of his things and making sure they are sent to the Weasely's house. The reason I need your help is that I need to recruit an old colleague. Horace Slughorn is his name and he was very fond of Harry's mother and I feel he will be most impressed with you as well. So to draw him back to Hogwarts I would like to offer you a position as Potions tutor, it is a flexible position and you can set your own hours."
"So I will be working with Severus?"
"No, Horace will be taking the position as Potions Master and Severus will be taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts." Sinead's smile faded. "I know this doesn't seem like a good position but it is. Severus actually was the one to suggest it."
"He didn't tell me-"
"Don't tell him I told you. He was most disappointed that he is stuck at Spinner's End babysitting Pettigrew so this will allow you two some time together."
"Ok, I accept."
"Perfect, Harry has been wandering the trains and he will most likely be at either of these two stops. I will meet you at the village listed at the bottom at that time. Once you memorize these locations burn the paper." Sinead nodded as Albus went to go socialize with some guests.