"You know, I'm glad you readjusted the wards so I can apparate to your house too. Having to walk was really annoying."
"It's only a mile, and I keep brooms in there! You never had to walk!"
"Still…Merlin, Dobby, don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry Draco." The house elf said, not looking at all apologetic.
"How is he, Dobby?"
"Dobby is wondering, should he wake professor Snape for his snack? Dobby lets him sleep so far…"
Harry smiled. "Where is he?"
"Livingroom. Fell asleep on the lounge looking out the window."
"Tell you what, we're going there anyway. We're pretty hungry too, we had a really annoying Order meeting. Can we have some snacks too?"
"Of course, Dobby will bring foods and drinks. Does you be wanting butterbeer?"
"For us, yes. Tea or juice for professor Snape."
"Feeding him up then, are you?" Draco said, smiling.
Harry turned to him with a serious expression.
"Draco, he spent three years in there. While he managed to stay sane, his body has suffered. Don't be too alarmed when you see him, he's pretty thin."
They entered the livingroom to see Severus curled up on the lounge. He was so thin the wide, comfy chair could have fitted three of his size with room to spare. Draco stared at the frail figure with tears in his eyes.
Harry smiled and gently touched a shoulder.
"Severus? Wake up. Time to eat something and say hello to Draco."
The Potions Master's eyes snapped open.
"Easy, Severus, you're safe."
The man blinked, and focused on Harry's face. "Not Azkaban?"
"No, you escaped, remember? You came to my house."
Severus sighed. "Oh yes, I remember." Then he noticed Draco.
"Hello, Draco," he said, smiling slightly, "I heard what you've done for the Order over the past years. I'm so proud of you."
Draco knelt next to the chair and took his old Head of House's hand in his, careful not to squeeze too hard.
"I missed you, sir. I'm so sorry."
Severus stroked his head. "Hush, child. Harry told me you doubted my guilt but I can imagine you didn't want to believe your father capable of something like that."
Draco shuddered. "When he killed Pansy, I was sure. I started to give Harry any information I could."
Harry smiled and left them to talk while he relieved the owl that had just flown in from its burden. He grinned when he saw his fake name on it. Opening it, he burst out laughing. The other two turned to him.
"What's so funny?" Draco said.
Harry snickered. "Listen to this.
Dear Mr Jones,
Some years ago you purchased the Snape Mansion from us. As you may have read, it has now come to our attention that Severus Snape was innocent of the charges on which he was sentenced to Azkaban.
Sentenced indeed! There was never even a trial. But it goes on.
This means his estate was wrongfully confiscated. Since all of this is not your fault, we do not wish for you to loose money over this, but we do want to buy back Snape Mansion. We offer to buy it back for the sum you paid for it, plus 10 for your inconvenience.
Please let us know by return owl if this is agreeable to you.
With all due respect,
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts."
Harry took out a quill and parchment.
"What are you going to respond, Harry?" Severus asked.
Quill scratching over the parchment, Harry answered. "It is obvious he wants the house desperately. First because it would look bad on him if he didn't, and second because he thinks you will return there, and will be within his reach again. So I can easily demand more money.
Here.
Headmaster Dumbledore,
I received your communication today concerning Snape Mansion. I must admit I am not inclined to sell it. Your offer seems a bargaining price to me, and you will have to do a good deal better for me to part with the place.
I have grown attached to the mansion, and although I feel sorry for mr Snape, I am sure with the money you also admit to owing him, he can find temporary quarters until you and I reach an agreement. As you seem to be in a hurry to acquire the place, however, I will be lenient. I will sell it back to you for twice the original sum."
Draco snorted. "Wicked, Harry. Not only are you milking him for all he's worth, you're also making him feel guilty for keeping Sev's money. You are so Slytherin."
Harry beamed. "I am, aren't I? He is trying to manipulate mr Jones into feeling sorry for Severus and taking the first offer. I'm just letting him know he's wrong about that."
They looked fondly at the figure on the lounge, who had been forcefed some fruit by Dobby and then fallen asleep again.
"Will he recover?" Draco asked anxiously.
Harry nodded reassuringly. "Certainly. He is weak now, but a few weeks of good food and plenty of rest will work wonders, I assure you. Would you do me a favour, Draco, and stay with him for a while so I can go to Diagon Alley to pick up some things for him?"
Draco nodded eagerly. "But won't people be suspicious when they see you purchasing things that are clearly for Severus?"
Harry smiled. "Oh, don't worry. I have a potions lab here. It's not surprising if I pick up ingredients. And the bookstore treats me like royalty; if I want my purchases to remain a secret, no one will ever find out. And Madam Malkins, well I'll just buy robes my size and ask Dobby to fit them for Severus."
He tied the note to Dumbledore to the owl's leg and gave it some owl treats. "Back to Hogwarts with you," he said, stroking its head while he carried it outside. The owl hooted gratefully and flew off.
"I'll be back in an hour or two," he said to Draco before flooing to the Leaky Cauldron.
He visited Gringotts and took money from his own vault. Then he headed to Madam Malkins and bought a few black robes his own size, as well as boots and other necessary clothes items. He also purchased dragon hide gloves and a lab coat, and had them all delivered to his house. The same with the cauldron and extra ingredients he ordered.
The bookstore opened the door to him excitedly. "Welcome, mr Potter, welcome. What can we do for you today?"
"There was a small accident in my library, I'm afraid. A few shelves of books have been damaged, most beyond repair. Quite embarrassing, really."
"How so, Mr Potter?"
"Surely you've read about Snapes innocence? I've been trying to convince the Headmaster of it for years. When I finally found the proof, I'm afraid I could only hold my temper so long. When I got home I had an…hmmm…accidental magic incident in my library."
The man laughed. "Understandable, Mr Potter. Which books do you need to replace?"
"Most of my potions shelf, unfortunately. Some Defense books. I've made a list. Have Gringotts take the money straight from my vault, and have the books delivered to my house, will you?"
The man glanced at the rather long list and noticed several expensive volumes.
"Certainly, mr Potter. They will arrive at your mansion today, or tomorrow morning latest."
"That is fine, thank you. Now, I also wanted to purchase some lighter reading. With Lucius Malfoy in custody I finally have some free time on my hands. I'll take those immediately. Anything you can recommend?"
A while later he walked out of the store, shrunken books in his pockets.
"Magical Menagerie…hmmm…Severus will need an owl," he thought, "or perhaps some other pet."
As he entered the store and started looking at the animals, he suddenly felt two hands on his shoulders.
"Hello Harry," the Weasley twins chorused.
"Hey guys. What are you doing here?"
"Well, you know we are still inventing…
"…and we test our inventions on mice, usually."
"This time we invented a bonbon that increases your intelligence temporarily…"
"…and fed them to the mice. Unfortunately…"
"…they grew so intelligent that they managed to work together, open the cage and flee."
"So now we need new ones," they explained, grinning widely.
Then they sobered.
"Harry…will you please let Snape know we are sorry?"
Harry frowned. "What makes you think I know where he is?"
The twins grinned. "You know us, Harry. You've been purchasing a lot more then is reasonable, considering you don't need a new wardrobe or a new pet."
Harry sighed. "You know he is innocent, don't you?"
The twins nodded, and lowered their eyes. "We've always had our doubts. He and Mom got along so well. For Snape, that is. But…well….the evidence seemed so overwhelming, and we weren't in the mood to question it…Please Harry, tell him we're very sorry, will you?"
Harry nodded. "But don't tell anyone where he is, ok? Especially not Dumbledore. He will confront the world again when he is ready, I don't want to force him into anything."
The twins nodded, and left the store with their new supply of mice.
Harry walked over to the owl section.
"Looking for a new owl, Harry?" he heard the voice of his second godfather behind him.
"Hi Remus. Just browsing, really. I don't think Hedwig would forgive me if I bought a new owl. But she is getting on in years and not up to the frequent long journeys to Ginny anymore."
The werewolf grinned. "So you still correspond with her?"
"Naturally. We always did. We write at least once a week."
Remus sighed whistfully. "I had hoped so much that you and Ginny would end up together."
Harry smiled. "Who knows, in the future…but not now. We're still very good friends though, but with everything going on with Voldemort, I just don't want to risk marriage."
His godfather nodded. "You're probably right. I know your mum would've loved grandkids, though…"
Harry snorted. "For some reason, I think you wouldn't mind either, Moony," he teased.
The werewolf blushed furiously.
"You know I can't risk having children, Harry, so my only chance of being a grandfather is standing right in front of me."
Harry smiled and gave his godfather a quick one-armed hug. "Someday, Moony. We're both young enough still. Say hello to Tonks for me."
Remus returned the hug. "I will. See you later, Prongslet."
"Why is it that on the one day I don't want to meet anyone, everyone seems to insist on shopping…?" Harry mumbled. He looked up into the eyes of a beautiful owl.
It was black, but not completely. The silver streaks contrasted marvellously with the green eyes.
"A true Slytherin bird," Harry thought, amused. He smiled at the owl.
"Would you mind coming with me?" he asked it, "I'm here to find a companion for a friend of mine, and I think he is one of the few who would truly appreciate such a fine owl as yourself."
The owl flew off its perch and landed in a very dignified manner on Harry's shoulder.
He went to find the owner, who was reading Witch Weekly behind the counter.
"Good afternoon," Harry said pleasantly, "I wish to purchase this owl."
The lady looked up and gasped. "That? You want to buy THAT bird? Thank Merlin, I thought I'd never be rid of it."
Harry frowned. "Now that is not a nice thing to say," he commented. "Clearly you do not appreciate true beauty when you see it. Since you want to be rid of it, shall I just take it?"
The witch waved her hand. "Yes, yes, take it, please! Just promise you won't return it."
Harry turned and walked out of the shop. "Honestly, what did you do to her?"
The owl gave him a glare that reminded Harry of Severus before he had gone to Azkaban. He laughed. That look hadn't intimidated him in Severus and it certainly didn't intimidate him in this owl.
"He'll love you," he said confidently. The owl hooted and stuck up its nose…well…beak.
Harry apparated back to his home to find Draco and Severus at the chessboard. Severus was trying to recall the finer points of the game, and was pleased at how well he was doing, considering he hadn't played in such a long time.
"Hey Harry," Draco said, "wow, look at the gorgeous owl, Severus!"
The owl puffed up his chest in pride and Severus laughed. "He is indeed, Draco. Why did you buy him, Harry, Hedwig won't be pleased, you know."
Harry smiled. "He is for you. You need an owl now. I thought you'd be able to appreciate this one."
Severus' eyes widened. "For me? Really?"
He reached out and stroked the owl, who closed his eyes in contentment.
He sighed. "I'm sorry I can't carry you yet. I will name you Pothos, is that ok with you?"
The owl looked at him for a while, then hooted his approval.
Harry smiled sadly.
"Is there an answer from Dumbledore yet?"
Draco pointed to an envelop on the table. Harry opened it and grinned.
"Mr Jones,
Yes, we are in a hurry to purchase the mansion. While I find it reprehensible that you try to benefit to this extend from our desire to provide Severus Snape with his rightful home once again, we agree to your price. Let us know by return owl what vault you wish the money to be deposited in and when the mansion will be available.
Albus Dumbledore.
So, you got your home back and a substantial amount of your money as well, Severus."
Harry took up his quill again while Severus smiled happily, stroking the owl that had perched on the arm of the lounge.
"Headmaster,
Glad to hear you agree. While you might find my actions reprehensible, they are not nearly as bad as your failure to provide Mr Snape with a trial, and your subsequent selling of his possessions.
You may deposit the money in vault number 2063. The mansion will be available to Mr. Snape immediately after I receive word that the money has been added to my vault. That would be tomorrow, if you deposit the correct sum immediately upon receiving this missive.
The wards on the mansion have remained intact, and will recognize him and me, but no one else. I will, of course, remove the wards that allow me entrance to his estate.
That is a lie, of course, but he doesn't need to know that," said Harry while he sent the note off.
Draco grinned. "I'm going to like hanging out with you guys," he said.
A/N Pothos is a greek deity, and his name means yearning. Plato explains the difference between Himerus (longing) and Pothos in that Himerus longs for something that is present, and Pothos for something which is seemingly unattainable.
At some point the confrontation between Severus and the Headmaster will take place, but I;m sure you agree he is no shape for that yet!