Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters from it. Harry Potter is the property of J. K. Rowling.
Bookstore Surprises
Chapter Eight
At first Severus did not know what to say. He no longer hated them, but they weren't friends either. He narrowed his eyes at them. "Why," he asked bluntly.
Hermione answered first. "We know why you did the things you did and wanted to thank you for keeping us safe as much as you could. As well as to say we're sorry for all the trouble and danger we put you through."
"It would also be away from prying eyes." Harry started talking. "And it's big enough that you would never have to see us unless you wanted to. We know how much you like your privacy and will do our best not to encroach upon it. Hermione and I will be staying in Regulus' and Sirius' rooms respectively and you can have whichever of the other rooms you want."
There was silence for a few moments after Harry had said his piece. He and Hermione waiting for Severus' response.
Severus, for his part, was stunned, that they would think to offer. That they had essentially promised to be as scarce as possible in a place they should normally be permitted to live however they wished. To be quite honest Severus was touched and needed a minuted to pull himself together.
At last he opened his mouth and simply said, "Thank you."