Chapter 3

A couple of weeks went by and all of Severus' correspondence to Potter went unanswered. He refused to send anything via the man's assistant; he was no ordinary member of the public after all.

He didn't know if he was being deliberately ignored or if Potter was just that busy, but either way it was irritating. If he was entirely honest he had imagined that once Potter knew he was back in England that he would find it difficult to get rid of the brat. Clearly that wasn't the case.

He left it until he could stand it no further then decided to go straight to the man's home. He didn't know exactly where it was but he knew it was around Ringstead Bay and, really, how hard could it be to find a home owned by a wizard along that stretch of coast?

As it turned out, the answer was very. He should have known that Potter's security measures would have been extensive, he himself had taught the man after all. There was no trace of magic at all and as for a house the only places he found were a couple of holiday cottages near the beach, none of which contained Potter and his offspring.

It was frustrating, but he should have expected it. Years living away from the shadow of war had dulled his senses when it came to such protective measures, but no doubt there was still a contingent of people who would like to see Potter pay for doing away with their beloved Dark Lord. That was to say nothing, of course, of the legion of fans Potter could still boast who would like nothing more than a free pass to the man's door.

Still, it was damned annoying for those who simply wanted to stop by for a cup of tea, or perhaps something stronger.

Giving up the endeavour as a lost cause for the time being, Severus decided to have lunch in the village a mile down the coast. It was an easy walk to Osmington on the cliff path and the pub was a cosy and comfortable place to enjoy a meal.

He was halfway through his second pint of dark ale when a movement past the window caught his eye. Not being entirely sure that his vision wasn't playing tricks on him he watched as the door opened and sure enough Potter entered, accompanied by an odd-looking dog that followed at his heels.

He walked to the bar, greeting several people as he went, then asked for a woman called 'Wendy' who appeared from the kitchen.

"Here you go," Potter said with a smile. "All knackered from a long walk."

"Ah thanks, Harry. You're a star. Go on Basil, off to your bed," Wendy commanded, and the dog loped off to a bed in front of the fire. A dog's life indeed. "Pint on the house for your troubles?" she asked Harry.

"Have you ever known me to say no?" Potter replied.

"Good lad."

Potter waited for his pint then made small talk for a few minutes more before turning to find himself a table. It was at that point that he noticed Severus sitting by the window. It was possibly only those well-honed Seeker reflexes that stopped the man from dropping his glass in surprise.

"Good afternoon, Mr Potter," he said smoothly, stretching his legs out and crossing them at the ankle.

"Professor," Potter said, recovering his equanimity quickly. "I hadn't expected to see you here."

"I would rather think not. Join me, won't you?"

Potter hesitated, looking around the pub to see if there were any other options, then walked slowly to sit at Severus' table.

"You've branched out into dog walking?" Severus asked, nodding his head towards the softly snoring dog by the fire.

"I do the owners a favour now and again. A walk's made better by a dog at your side. Basil's good company."

Severus kept his opinion on that subject to himself. If he was to restart his campaign to woo Potter back into his bed insulting the man wouldn't be a wise move to make.

"Are you here visiting Drake?" Potter asked, his expression as guarded as Severus had come to expect.

Severus shook his head, thinking quickly, and said, "I'm viewing property in the area."

Potter's eyebrows rose and he said, "Oh? I hadn't thought you had any interest in this part of the world."

"I didn't…until recently," he said, injecting the slightest hint of suggestion into his voice. Potter coloured slightly but said nothing and Severus continued, "I've found nothing that's taken my fancy yet although perhaps you know of some property that my agent might have overlooked?"

"I can't say that I do," Potter said, taking a delicate sip of his pint. "Houses are rather far and few between along this stretch of coast, perhaps you might try looking a little further east?"

Severus inclined his head slightly and said, "I've been rather charmed by this particular stretch of coastline. You live here, do you not?"

Potter nodded. "I doubt you'd have come across it in your search, though. It's very heavily warded."

It was just as Severus had suspected then. It seemed Potter was in no rush to be forthcoming about the location of his home and Severus was damned if he was going to be made to beg.

"If it's so heavily warded, could it be that the letters I've sent you have gone astray?" Severus asked and he was pleased to see Potter's cheeks colour.

"No…they did reach me. My apologies but I've been very busy and all requests for commissions have to go through my assistant."

"A reply to that effect might have been courteous," Severus said, trying to keep his tone neutral.

"I did tell you much the same the last time we spoke," Potter said, swirling the condensation on his glass with his forefinger.

"Am I to understand that you won't be able to fulfil my commission? Should I go elsewhere?"

Potter paused for a moment. Severus was hoping to appeal to the man's professional pride, something he surely possessed if he was half as good as Draco had made out to be. The fact that Potter then shrugged and said, "If that's what you want," surprised him.

Severus narrowed his eyes and said, "Should I take that as your refusal to take my commission?"

Potter sighed and took a long draw of his pint then placed it on the table and rubbed at the end of his nose. "There are other wand-makers in the world."

"None as good as you, or so I'm led to believe. Perhaps Draco was simply exaggerating out of some…sense of loyalty."

He could see that Potter was trying not to bristle at that comment and Severus felt bolstered by the thought that he was closer to hitting his mark. "It would make sense," he continued. "I know how…fond Draco is of you. It's only natural to embellish the talents of someone you hold in high regard."

Potter's lips pursed and he said quietly, "If I wasn't as good as I am I wouldn't be up to my eyes with other people's commissions."

"Of course," Severus said, his tone indicating that he was being generous. "You needn't worry, I'm sure you more than live up to your reputation."

"You're so transparent," Potter said with a disapproving click of his tongue, and Severus tried not to show his surprise at being so easily called out. "Fine, as I can see no way of getting peace otherwise, I'll take the commission."

The part of Severus that would have done a victory dance was dampened by the fact that Potter had managed to see through his tactics. "How gracious of you. Can I make an appointment now or do I need to go through your assistant?" he asked snidely.

"For Merlin's sake, you can come back with me now if it'll keep you happy."

Gratified that he had won, Severus stood and gestured for Potter to do the same. The man rolled his eyes and got up, moving towards the door.

"You haven't finished your pint, love," Wendy called from the bar.

"Sour stomach," Potter called back, looking as though it might well be true.

They left the pub and Potter led them back up the same coast path that Severus had walked down from Ringstead. He kept his hands thrust in his pockets and seemed to be in no mood to make conversation.

Severus was getting used to lack of civility on Potter's part but it still rankled. It also didn't fit with his plans to reacquaint himself with Potter's body and he hoped to rid the man of his cool indifference sooner rather than later.

They walked back to Ringstead and Potter led him away from the cliff path and more inland. As they walked, Severus felt the faint tingle of magic dance across his senses and he knew they were getting closer.

"Just stand there a minute," Potter said, and Severus did as instructed while he watched Potter move forward a few more paces. The man extracted his wand and held it gently aloft, murmuring softly in a language that Severus wasn't familiar with.

After a moment or two the property began to materialise and Severus watched as a three-storey house appeared before his eyes. It was impressive, that was for sure, and confirmed that Potter wasn't short of a galleon or two. It looked older than Draco's and seemed to radiate more magical energy too.

Potter motioned for him to step forward and he did so, raising his hand to the door when Potter gestured for him to do so. Potter waved his wand in a delicate arc and said gently, "Zadání". Severus felt a tremor of magic run through him and although he hadn't understood the language Potter had used, he felt the house welcome him.

The door opened and Potter stepped inside, saying, "Follow me". Severus was led through a light and inviting entrance hall, passing several rooms as they went. The house was large but not vast and although Severus could see that it was spotlessly clean it also looked lived in.

He was shown into a bright, well-appointed study, the walls lined with cabinets that contained wands of all shapes and sizes. As there was no work bench or tools of any kind, Severus had to assume that Potter made the wands elsewhere.

Potter seated himself behind a sturdy mahogany desk and gestured for Severus to take a seat in the chair in front of it. Severus did so, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the muggle clothing he was in. He much preferred robes; it was much easier for a person to be elegant in robes than in tailored trousers.

Potter pulled out a quill and a roll of parchment then said, "Now, what will be the primary function for this wand?"

Severus was irritated that Potter was so determined to keep things purely professional but then he supposed he had been the one to insist upon having a wand made. "I've been thinking of keeping my old one for day-to-day uses and for using this one solely in potions making."

Potter nodded and asked, "What's the core of your current wand?"

"Dragon heartstring."

"And the wood?"

"Hawthorn."

"Have you noticed any limitations or restrictions with your current wand? Anything you'd like to eradicate with this one?"

The question caught Severus off-guard slightly and he paused to consider it. He had always assumed that when a wand was matched with a witch or wizard that there would be no imperfections to consider. That wasn't necessarily the case though.

"I suppose it hasn't been all that receptive to change."

"Could you elaborate?" Potter asked, looking interested.

"Well," said Severus, crossing one leg over the other, beginning to think more carefully about the question, "most of my work involves formulating and creating new potions. Very often I think I've found the right incantation to make the potion more effective and it's…hampered."

Potter nodded and scribbled away at the parchment. "It was an effective combat wand though?" he asked.

"Very," Severus said, again surprised by the question.

"The more unyielding ones always are. May I see it?"

Severus reached into his robes and extracted his wand, passing it over to Potter who took it and held it in the palm of his hand. He examined it closely, turning it over and balancing it this way and that. He made a few more notes, his expression serious, focused solely on the wand in his hand.

"This one channels your magic well but doesn't hold it as well as it should, meaning more force has to be put into the harder spells. The wood is also from an old tree, meaning it's more connected to traditional magic, it won't adapt well to anything new. There's also something…a little off with the equations."

"Equations?" Severus asked, baffled.

"When you create a wand you have to combine the core ingredients in a way that makes them the most effective. The best way to determine that is through a series of equations but since this wand was created those equations have…evolved somewhat."

"You mean you've come up with new ones?"

Potter inclined his head and said, "I may have refined the technique a little." Potter handed the wand back and said, "You use it as a channel for your magic when you're making potions?" Severus nodded and Potter continued, "Can you ever feel it?"

"I…no…no I don't think I can," Severus said with a frown.

Potter nodded again, making yet more notes. "How far away from it can you be while performing wandless magic?"

"A few feet."

"And how quickly does it come to you when you summon it?"

"Within a few seconds."

"Any ambidextrous ability with it?"

"No, no I'm very right-handed."

Potter leant back in his chair and scratched the end of his nose with this quill. "Now for a slightly indelicate question – what's your budget?"

Severus smirked and said, "Unlimited."

"Wonderful. Looks like I'll be treating myself to a Christmas bonus," Potter said smoothly. He opened his mouth to speak further when the fire on the opposite wall sputtered to life and a small boy tumbled through it. As Severus watched the child dust himself off he realised, of course, that it was Potter's son.

"I'm back! Nan sent me home early because she and Gramps are going out for their anniversary," the child said, grinning broadly.

"I forgot it's half term," Potter said, shaking his head. "Sweetheart, I'm just with a customer at the moment so could you – "

"I know you," the boy said, looking at Severus. "You were in Diagon Alley a few weeks ago."

"I was," Severus said, nodding his head in acknowledgement.

"Josh, honey, if you could just let me finish up here I can – " Potter began, but his son was clearly having none of it.

"You're in my book as well," he continued, moving forward, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Severus more closely. "Professor Sev'rus Snape."

"I don't believe I – " Severus began, confused.

Potter sighed and said, "They reprinted 'Hogwarts – A History' a few years ago. It was updated with Voldemort's fall and…your role in it. It's one of Josh's favourites."

"Oh, I – "

"You were a spy, like James Bond!"

Potter snorted and Severus glared at him. "That was your codename, wasn't it?" he asked snidely and Severus couldn't resist a sneer.

Josh moved closer still and said, "You helped my dad, you trained him. That's so cool! Shall I show you the book? You can see for yourself!" he said excitedly, tugging on Severus' arm.

"Josh, I don't think that's – "

"No," Severus said, cutting Potter off, "I'd be more than happy for the lad to show me."

Potter's expression clearly showed what he thought of that and Severus couldn't help but feel a touch of glee at needling the man. Potter's son obviously held him in some sort of regard and wouldn't it just be fun to rub Potter's nose in it?

"After you, Master Potter," Severus said, standing up and indicating for Josh to lead the way.

He could feel Potter's glare burning into the back of his skull as they left the room and Josh led him up the ornate staircase. Severus followed along the wide landing until the boy stopped and guided him into his bedroom.

It was a large room, decked out with all manner of toys, both magic and non-magic. It was not the bedroom of a spoilt brat, however, and Severus could see that steps had been taken to make sure the child didn't turn into an entitled twit. He couldn't help but feel a grudging amount of respect for Potter for that.

"Here it is," Josh said, bobbing excitedly as he retrieved the book from a well-laden bookcase. The boy was obviously a keen reader. He flicked through the pages until he found what he was after then presented the book to Severus.

There on the page was Severus' on face looking back up at him. He wasn't quite scowling but he looked stern enough to be foreboding, an unlikely hero for a 6 year old. The blurb beneath the picture recounted how he had spent months training Potter for the final battle and how he had worked for many years before that as a spy for Dumbledore.

Seeing the words in black in white, written so plainly, so straight-forwardly was jarring. Most people didn't get to see their existence boiled down to a few succinct paragraphs and it was strange to be presented with his life in such a way.

A small hand closed over his and Severus looked down in surprise to see Josh looking up at him. "There's a lot the book doesn't say," he said softly, and Severus didn't know what to say to such strange insight.

"Being a spy isn't like it is in the books, huh?" the child asked, and there was something in the tilt of his head that was so eerily familiar it brought Severus up sharply.

"No, no it isn't," Severus said, closing the book and returning it to the boy.

Josh nodded and said, "I thought so. Dad's always telling me that, saying that things aren't the way they are in books."

"He's right," Severus found himself saying, watching as Josh placed the book back on the shelf. There was something in the way the child moved that caught Severus' attention, as though he were looking at someone he had known for years.

He tried to think who the boy reminded him of, who he could have met over the years that this child echoed so closely. He was almost the mirror-image of Potter, that was for sure, just as Potter had been so reminiscent of his dear father. Still, Josh's features weren't an exact replica of Potter's and there was something in the boy's jawline that Potter had never possessed.

"You taught at Hogwarts, didn't you?" Josh asked, turning back to face Severus, his head tilted in that oh-so familiar way again.

"I did," Severus answered. "I taught Potions. I taught your father and your uncle."

Josh nodded with a smile. "They've told me."

"I bet they have," Severus said before he could stop himself. Josh raised an eyebrow and Severus elaborated, "I wasn't particularly fond of teaching."

"But you were good at potions," Josh pressed. He certainly seemed precocious for a 6 year old, but then, what else could one expect from Potter's progeny?

"I like to think so. I've made my living from them since leaving Hogwarts."

Josh was quiet for a moment, his dark eyes searching. "I like potions. Uncle Drake has tons of books about them but Dad won't let me practise any yet. He says I'm too young."

"You are," came Potter's voice from the doorway and both Severus and Josh turned to look at him. "I'm sure the professor would agree that you need to be older to start with the practical side of potions."

Josh looked at Severus expectantly. Of course, he could irritate Potter further and disagree with him. It would be funny to see what shade he could make the man's face turn but it would help with his campaign to seduce him.

"Your father's right," he said, sensing the look of surprise Potter was sending his way. "Potions aren't to be played with, they can be incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands. Still, it can't hurt to read about them."

"It's going to be my favourite subject when I go to Hogwarts," Josh said, his chest puffing proudly.

"I thought you'd decided you wanted to be a star quidditch player," Potter said, moving to stand next to his son and wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"I can do both," Josh said with certainty and Severus felt his lip twitch with amusement. He wasn't sure why; if anyone else had expressed such a sentiment he would have hated their arrogance but with Josh it just seemed…endearing.

"Well, I'm sure the professor has a lot to be getting on with," Potter said, ruffling Josh's black hair affectionately. "Why don't you say goodbye to him?"

"He could stay for dinner," Josh said, and Severus had to smirk at the look on Potter's face.

"I'm sure he has other things to – "

"No, I have no plans," Severus interjected, watching Potter's jaw clench. "Thank you, Josh. What a kind invitation."

Potter took a deep breath and Severus wasn't sure between himself and Josh who Potter would like to throttle more.

"Fine, if that's the way you want it…fine. I'll go and see what I have in the kitchen. Josh, you need to do some work on your half-term project and Professor…" Potter trailed off and Severus couldn't wait to hear what instruction the man was going to give him. "Let me show you to the living room," the man continued, his voice forcedly calm.

A couple of hours later and they were finishing a perfectly exquisite meal. It was irritating that Potter had turned out to be such a good cook but Josh assured him that he had learnt it all from Draco and hadn't been able to make toast before they had lived together.

Potter had been tense throughout the meal. He'd made minimal conversation but luckily Josh had been more than prepared to pick up the slack. As a general rule Severus couldn't stand children. They were loud, they were obnoxious and always wanted attention, whether they deserved it or not.

Josh, on the other hand, was none of those things. He was a bright little boy who asked insightful questions and liked to express his opinions. He had a soft, gentle voice and a mischievous laugh that put a light in his dark eyes. At first Severus had spoken with the boy because it seemed to annoy Potter, but as the evening went on he spoke to Josh for his own sake.

He could feel Potter glowering at him out of the corner of his eye and he wanted to snap at the man to knock it off. He was committing no great offence; he was simply engaging with a child who seemed to have taken a shine to him. Potter could go and soak his head.

"I think it's time we got you ready for bed," Potter said eventually after Josh finished telling his tale about the preparations they were making for the end-of-term play at his school.

"But Dad – " Josh began.

"No arguments please," Potter said firmly. "Go on upstairs and I'll be up after I've seen Professor Snape out."

Well, that certainly was a dismissal, wasn't it? No matter, Severus thought. This would not be the last evening he spent in Potter's company, he would make certain of it.

Josh turned to look at him and said, "Are you coming again?"

Ah, what a perfect accomplice the child was turning out to be.

"I certainly shall if I'll be welcome," Severus said, casting a sly look back towards Potter.

"Of course you will, won't he, Dad?" Josh asked, something in his expression entirely too innocent. Severus warmed further to the child.

"Professor Snape is my client. He'll be coming over to discuss his new wand," Potter said, clearly trying to keep his voice level.

"But I won't get to see him if he's just come to talk to you," Josh countered, and Severus felt an inexplicable warmth settle in the centre of his chest.

"Josh, I don't think – " Potter began, but was cut off by his son.

"He said he'd bring me a potions book," the boy protested. "You did, didn't you?" he said, turning to face Severus again.

"I did. I'd be very happy to do so," Severus said, feeling Potter bristle further.

"Joshua," Potter said, his voice stern. "I'm not going to sit here and negotiate with you. Go upstairs and I'll join you in a few moments."

Josh clearly looked as though he was considering arguing his point further, but the foreboding expression on Potter's face dissuaded him otherwise. He huffed and scrambled off his seat, glaring at his father as he left the room.

Potter watched him go, his jaw set firm. He shook his head with a sigh then looked at Severus and said, "I'll show you out."

Severus raised an eyebrow but stood nevertheless. He followed Potter out to the entrance hall and took his time putting his muggle coat on. "You know," he said slowly as he fastened the buttons, "I'm at a loss to understand why you'd object so strongly to your son spending time with me."

Potter's eyes widened and his cheeks flushed. He opened his mouth to say something and Severus continued, "If it were anyone else perhaps I could understand but you're supposed to know that the mistakes of my past are just that – mistakes."

"That has nothing to do with it," Potter said, his eyes flashing.

"Then how do you explain your behaviour?"

"Josh is my son, you're my client. Those two things don't need to meet."

"I'm more than just your client," Severus said, stepping a little closer, backing Potter up against the wall.

"Client and former teacher," Potter amended with a nasty smile. "Still no reason to interfere with my life. Believe me, Flitwick doesn't pop by every weekend for a cuppa and a chat with Josh."

"I'd like to think that we have a bit more of a past that you and Flitwick," Severus said, placing a hand on the wall by Potter's head.

"Maybe," Potter said, his expression hard. "But no future." He placed his hand on Severus's chest and pushed him firmly away, stepping forward to he could open the front door. "I'll put some thoughts together about your new wand and be in touch with an appointment."

Severus stepped outside and turned around. "Like it or not, your son likes me and I have to say that I've taken quite a shine to him. Just something to think about," he said smoothly before he apparated from the spot.

AN: I'm updating a little early this week as it's the bank holiday tomorrow and I'm not sure when I'd get the chance. I hope you all enjoyed it, please let me know.

For those of you who celebrate Easter, I hope you have an enjoyable weekend and for those of you don't - just use it as a good excuse to eat chocolate ;)