Chapter 10
"Severus, I want you to put the memory of you the night you got drunk. Not the part that I've already seen but before that." Hermione told her ex professor.
"Why, what do you hope to fine.""The reason."Severus sat on the chair and using his wand pulled out the memory of the time when Harry was not there and he sat drinking."All right lets go." Hermione said
"I don't think I want to view any more of these memories."
"You have to do this. For one reason is that now you will be able to look around for clues. Two heads are better than one and solving mysteries, I will be able to see some things that you won't notice and you will be able to pick up on things that seem strange or out of place to you. Don't pay attention to the person in the pensive as much as the surroundings and the events that took place. Are you ready?"
"I hope you know what you are doing, because I still feel that this was all just my fault from being drunk."
"I won't accept that not until I see for myself that there were no outside influences. I know you love Harry and for you to do what you did even drunk was not a normal thing for you to do." Pulling up as much courage as he could Severus and Hermione entered the pensive.A beautiful bottle with amber liquid that resembled fire whiskey sat off to the side untouched. When Hermione noticed it she asked Severus to come close. On the label it read, To Harry and Severus Snape, Congratulations on this glorious day. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic.
"I don't recall seeing that bottle before."
"Ok lets just watch the rest of this to see what happens.In each of the scenes the Severus in the view was calm and sad. He sat staring at the fire for what seemed like hours on end. Finally something happened, the pensive wizard looked down at his empty glass and got up to refill it. Not paying attention to which bottle he opened. It was the one from Minister Fudge; he filled his glass and sat back down to continue to stare at the fire. As he took the first sip he blanched at the taste speaking to himself saying. "Almonds?" shaking his head he drank down the glass and went to get another.
Soon after that they both noticed the man in the pensive was becoming agitated and moody. Instead of getting up to fill his glass he summoned the bottle and drank right from it. When he was half done the bottle he was rapidly pacing the floor cursing his husband and planning his revenge. Hermione looked over to the real Severus and could see his color draining out of his skin, she reached over and held his hand for support.
"I can't believe that this is what I was thinking of doing to Harry." He choked out.
"Neither can I, I have a feeling that it has something to do with that bottle of whiskey. Do you have any of it left, so we can analyze it?"
"I banished all the alcohol from the house, but I am sure I can summon it back."
"Good, lets go I don't think we need to see anymore tonight." Hermione tugged at the hand and pulled them both out of the pensive.
Severus quickly let go and ran from the room holding his hand over his mouth. He returned half an hour later with an almost green tinge to his pale skin.
"Are you all right Severus?"
"No, but I will be."
"Good come I brought you medicines down for you and made some tea to calm your nerves."
"Thank you Hermione." He sat down and looked at the young witch wondering, "Why are you doing this?""Doing what?" she acted as if she didn't know what he meant and continued to stir the sugar into her tea.
"Helping me solve this, whatever it is that I did."
"By the looks of things Severus, you had no control over what actually happened. When we find out the reason and get to the bottom of things maybe it will give you a small fraction of peace of mind that you are not to blame. I am only helping out a friend, you are one now even if you don't believe it you are."
"Thank you."
After they drank the tea and Severus had taken his heart medicines, the young witch spoke up. "All right now can you summon the bottles back, we need to get started on analyzing the liquid."
Severus nodded and thought of the bottles, using his wand he called them all back to the room where they settled on the table before them. Hermione reached over to pick the one up that she recalled was from Fudge and handed it to Severus.
"Smell that see if it has any strange smells, you mentioned when you first drank it, that it tasted like almonds."
He held the bottle to his nose and sniffed, what he found shocked him. "Leach root, fennel, fairy dust, sneeze wart, scurvy grass, lovage, those three cause confusion, he sniffed again, hellebore? If added with the leach root will cause the opposite effect, the hellebore causes peace if leach root is added to this mix then it makes the consumer irate and uncontrollable. The sneeze wart, scurvy grass and lovage added to this also counters the effect, the drinker would not be able to recall one thing that had happened unless like we did by viewing it in a pensive.""Why was the almond added then, does that do anything?"
"No it was meant to cover up the smells of the other ingredients, which it did effectively as I was already drunk and not thinking clearly. Why would someone do this to me?""I believe that is a simple answer, Fudge. He has always hated you and Harry, if either of you drank this at the same time I'm sure it would have been worse. I think he was hoping you'd both kill each other and he'd be rid of his two thorns once and for all."Severus stared at the bottle for a long time until Hermione spoke up, "Do you know what this potion is called?"
"No I have never heard of something like this."
"Can you recreate it?"
"I'm sure I can, if I analyze all the ingredients list them as properties and add them accordingly yes. I'm sure of it."
Good well you should get started on that and if you can possibly make a counter potion for it. If you can get the proof then we can get Fudge for good."It would take over a month to reconstruct the potion and another two weeks to brew the counter potion after that. Hermione and Severus worked together listing all the things that would happen should these ingredients be mixed. The end result was a thesis worthy enough for any potions journal.
From the opposite side of the breakfast table one morning Hermione broached the subject of Harry and the kids.
"Severus, I was wondering how you feel about the visit that is scheduled in 3 days."
"To be honest, I am completely afraid to go. I have never been as fearful as I am to see my children and my now ex-husband as I was facing the dark lord.""You will be fine, just don't pressure Harry into talking with you or attempt to be alone with him."
"I don't even want to be in the same room with him, not after want I have done."
"I know Harry still loves you Severus, once we have proof that this was not your fault he will see. He is very stubborn and until we can give him the evidence he will not accept it. In his mind you betrayed him and until he can see that you didn't things will be rough going. I hope you can handle it for as long at it takes. Severus don't give up, you two belong together I know it."
"How do you know this?"
"Lets just say I've been doing a bit of research on the side, until I have all the facts I won't tell either of you. Trust me I know you two will get back together. It will just take time and a lot of healing on both parts."Severus stood up and walked around the table, taking the young witches hand he pulled her up to stand in front of him. She did not know what he was about to do and it shocked her a bit to feel his warm arms wrap around her. "Thank you, for everything."
The shocked witch could only utter a small reply. "Your welcome."
He let go and said on his way out. "I am going back to work on the potions, thank you for talking to me. You are an amazing woman Hermione Granger."
Severus waited for Harry to bring the children to the Leaky Cauldron. He stood stiff by the window as the Auror stood at his side. A long black car pulled up out front and the driver got out to open the door. This was his first scheduled visit with his children and he was very nervous. He tried to calm himself as he thought back on what Hermione had told him to do.
His breath hitched as he saw Harry emerge from the car looking as beautiful as he remembered him to be on their honeymoon. Yes they did have a honeymoon and the memory of the sight of his beloved glowing in the soft light of the candles only made him fall in love with his bonded that much more.
Severus shook himself out of those thoughts and returned his gaze to the window to see a man standing beside his love. The man gently caressed his ex-husbands cheek with the back of his hand as he smiled lovingly at him. Severus could feel his stomach begin to churn he wanted to run to hide from the sight that was before him. He knew now that he had lost what he so desperately wanted to get back. Harry had found someone who could be what he never was to him. Loving.
Outside Harry took Arianna by the hand and helped her from the car. Then Julian came out followed closely by Jonathan. Julian looked around at the tattered buildings and the desolate street wondering where this restaurant was, for he could not see it.
"Harry where is this place you are suppose to meet at?"
"It is hidden by magical spells and charms to avoid the muggles from seeing it. It is here only a person with magic can see past the protection spells."
"If you say so Harry," Julian squinted a few times trying to see what Harry could see. Jonathan tugged on his sleeve and said.
"Its right there Julian, can't you see it. It's the Leaky Cauldron."
"I'm afraid I can't see it Jonathan I guess its because I'm a muggle."
Jonathan didn't want to take that as an answer so he grabbed hold of Julian's hand and began to drag him closer to what appeared to be a wall. Shocked that the child was about to smash him into the wall or something he closed his eyes tight. Julian felt tingles go through him then suddenly they stopped moving. Opening his eyes cautiously he was amazed to see a new building where there was none before. He could hear Harry chuckling from behind him.
"I think Jonathan decided you should see the restaurant and pulled you past the wards with his magical signature. Muggles normally can't get this far as the spells make you believe you have an important errand to run and quickly leave the area. As you pass back out it wipes you memory of the place."
"Wow, this is just, I know I believe you Harry, but this is amazing. So this place has been here for what a hundred or so years?"
"I think it says on the sign, yes longer than that." Harry said as he looked at the established date then back to Julian.
Julian looked back at his new wizard friend noticing he was a bit frightened by having to see his ex-husband. Yes the divorce had gone through only a few weeks ago and he could see how much this was affecting the younger man. He lightly brushed his hand over the side of Harry's face and said.
"Are you sure you will be all right with this meeting Harry, you look rather pale?"
Harry smiled back at the caress and the worry from his friend. "I will be fine there will always be an Auror with us at all times."
"Auror?"
"Our equivalent of a policeman."
"Oh ok well I guess I better let you go then. I will be back to pick you up in 3 hours ok?"
"Thank you, for everything."
"Daddy, Daddy!" Jonathan yelled. "I see Papa in the window." He grinned and began to wave frantically to his Papa.
Harry and Julian looked up to see a sad smile form on the man's face as he aimed it towards his son.
Julian could see how Harry could love this man or wizard. He was very good looking and radiated power and charisma. He stood tall and proud even though Julian could see the sadness in those haunted eyes. The tall dark hared wizard, looked every bit to be royalty of some sort. Julian knew that if this man could show Harry the love that he so needed he himself would be losing the man he was falling for in a heartbeat. He turned to Harry and said.
"I guess I better go then, I will pick you up at 5 the car will be waiting right here in the same spot. Harry nodded giving Julian a small smile and waited for him to return through the barrier.
Taking in a few deep breaths Harry squared his shoulders and turned taking Arianna and Jonathan by the hands and led them into the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry looked up into the darkness that was Severus' black eyes and asked. "How are you, Severus?"
"I am fine Harry thank you for asking. I see you are well also."
"I am thank you."Severus turned to his children and smiled brightly, "Well now you two are growing so big, come here and give your Papa a hug."
They did as asked almost toppling the dark wizard over, Harry stood their and watched as his ex-husband smiled and laughed with their children. Severus took hold of each child by the hand and nodded to the Auror that they would be going into the room prepared for them. The Auror took up his spot behind Severus and Harry followed behind them all.
The three-hour visit went well, Severus gave each child a wizard and muggle toy, knowing that they would not be able to play with wizarding toys out in the muggle world. He hoped that they were not being kept away from their magical traditions, he thought about this an remembering that Harry was raised as a muggle and would not know some of the event that the children were suppose to go through during their younger years. He decided to make up a list of things for Harry to do with the children and the reasons and books where the information was found. He did not want it to sound as if he was ordering his ex lover to do these things but advising him on the wizarding traditions he knew he never experienced.
After kissing and hugging his children, telling them how much he loved them each. Severus stood and nodded to his ex-husband. "Thank you," was all he could say before turning swiftly and exiting the back of the pub before Harry or his children could see the tears that were beginning to run down his pale face.