A/N: So sorry that it has taken so long to update. I've been in a rut. I just needed a little down time.

Chapter 50: Business Minded

The days that followed the new year were calm and quiet ones. With all the excitement and anticipation that had led up to Christmas and the New Year's Eve celebration, the Willow House guest almost felt like they needed a vacation from their holiday. The excitement and activities had taken a lot out of all the inhabitants of Willow House and now rest was something everyone sought out.

The day right after the New Year's Eve party was spent in nearly complete seclusion until dinner time. People slept late into the day and kept to their rooms, when they did finally wake up. Dinner was the first reconnection and it was simple and quiet.

The children were fussy and irritable most of the dinner and after it was over the party broke up once again for the evening; sending the little ones back to bed in a bit of a fuss.

The following day was better for all of the moods in the house. They met for breakfast and enjoyed the company of one another but no plans for the group were made. Severus was asked by Bill Weasley to head out to the laboratory and it was agreed to. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black would join the gathering and Gloria was persuaded to join them as well. Harry stayed with Molly and Arthur Weasley, and Augusta Longbottom. Dumbledore made his way back to the Hogwarts castle, via the fireplace in the master's study, while Kingsley Shacklebolt hung back in the study to write letters. Most of the children remained at play together, supervised by the Weasleys and Augusta, while the Pairywhether family traveled into the village to help in any way that they could with the festival for their master - all but Gloria.

In the laboratory, Sirius and Remus were impressed with Bill Weasley's aptitude and Severus's patience with his questions. Gloria tended to other potions while Severus and Bill worked on ones to finish before Bill would return to school.

"Quite the set up you have here," Remus commented when Severus had put Bill to work on the last of the ingredients for their final potion.

"It is impressive." Sirius agreed.

"So much nicer than the Hogwarts dungeon classroom and having to wander all over to obtain ingredients," Remus jumped in once more.

"It's my space, and as reluctant as I was to begin with, I'm happy to have it now. But I feel it will be neglected once my very studious pupil has returned to school." Severus commented as he looked up and down the space. "I do like it though."

"You've always found solace in study, why would you stop now?" Remus asked.

"There is so much more to my life now, and it does fill my days. If we are to grow and establish a community here, we are going to have to get to work and other activities will have to be side lined," Severus explained. "And with Harry as active as he is now, I have very little time for much else, but I have the Pairywhethers and they are my saving grace." He added and saw the blush that rose in Gloria's cheeks.

"Perhaps we should settle here," Sirius suggested. "The Blacks are wealthy enough and I do detest the family home in London. I have my whole life ahead of me now and little to show for it. What do you think, Sev? Could I make a gentleman of myself? Would you be willing to take on the challenge of civilizing me for the better?"

"I would assume you could have a lot to offer to a growing community as a man from a well to do and long lasting family," Severus answered vaguely.

"Not that I would want to be anything like my family," Sirius counters.

"Not the dark side, I'm sure, but you might look into your family history to see how they lived and built their fortune, and take that and become better," Remus offered to soften the tension that was growing.

"The past has wounded us both, but with Remus to mediate we may yet be friends." Sirius half joked but the mood had lightened.

"Indeed," Severus said with a bow of his head. "And if you are serious about settling, I would gladly work on your behalf to secure a house and property for you."

"I wouldn't know the first thing about property management," Sirius said after a long moment spent in silent contemplation.

"I knew nothing of it either when I came into this part of the country but there are good people here to help you and more to be sought out and hired into it." Severus explained.

"You would not be game to lend me your Pairywhethers, would you?" Sirius asked jokingly.

"No," Severus answered decisively. "But I'm sure they would gladly help you locate just the right kinds of people of your own."

"No more days of being a gloomy old bachelor," Sirius laughed.

"We're hardly old, Sirius," Remus protested. "Though you are much more gloomy than you ever were."

"You would have me be a lively young gentleman after all that we've been through?" Sirius asked. "I did spend a short time in Azkaban. It changes you. And those Dementors had it out for me from the get go."

"It is better to be lively and live than to be gloomy and fade deeper into despair and darkness." Remus countered. "You have Severus to thank for your escaping the Dementors and more to come, I am sure. Don't be as dark as your family, but bring light to the Black name."

"Though this was never the life I would have chosen for myself, I am inclined to agree with Remus. I am a maker of my own happiness, and tyranny against my family does bring me great joy," Sirius said optimistically.

"I have no doubt about that," Severus chuckled.

Sirius thought long and hard for a moment. "I'll have to really think on this. London is such a hub of activity but here I would be closer to Harry. What do you think Remus? Could you live a country life?"

"I live a country life at least once a month during the lunar cycles. I don't know how much different it would be to move into this village but to be close to the forest is a good thing for me and if Severus does carry on with his potions, it may be beneficial for me to be close to my potions master. A lot would have to be done to make it safe for me and the people around me. Being a great gentleman might not suit my situation but a cottage and some occasional company sounds about right." Remus explained thoughtfully. "Perhaps I become a gardener, or a great poet, all while hiding my ties to the Order."

"And I suppose I would keep the house in London just in case I need to get away from this life." Sirius reasoned out loud. "Perhaps not Grimmauld Place."

"All things considered, you might do very well renting rooms out in London," Severus piped in again. "Another income property, or two, and it would always be available for you if you needed it."

"Business minded, that is what you've become," Sirius mocked. "I don't know who in their right mind would want to stay in that house, especially with that hellish little elf that lurks around the place and my screaming ancestors upon the walls cursing at anyone who might enter."

"Well we do know one kind of people that would rent rooms there and should anything be said in that place you might be able to gain information, though who in your family would cooperate?" Severus wondered aloud.

"Actually, that is a very good idea. It could put up a front if I found the right person to run the place as if they were against the right side, a housekeeper perhaps," Sirius said thoughtfully. "And if I do set up other properties and live off the income they generate, who would question the dark dankness of such a place? And that Elf would be constantly busy."

"Like a spy among the enemy," Remus stated and shot a cunning looked at Severus.

"Exactly. I'm sure Dumbledore could find me just the right wizard for the job and the family would be happy to be rid of me to some extent. I know they hate it that I've inherited all that became of the Blacks when the war was lost and my name was cleared."

"Seems like ages ago already." Remus said wistfully.

"Don't get too comfortable with the idea. We would be fools to think it was all over," Severus warned.

"Too true, Severus," Sirius agreed as Remus nodded.

"Well then I suppose it is settled. We have plans, good ones, and to clear the air I feel that we have made progress on our current status. Perhaps we may consider ourselves among friends?" Sirius asked as he held out his hand to Severus.

"I should hope that we might consider ourselves just that," Severus agreed and accepted the gesture in good faith.