Establishing a Business

Severus walked along the gloomy corridors of Hogwarts. The term start was worse than ever. The children burned and messed the potions out of sheer lack of concentration. Most wallowed in dreams about being a Triwizard Champion or encouraged their mates to apply despite the age as if anybody could fool Dumbledore. Severus ranted silently. The staff room was full of teachers preparing the castle for the guests and planning extra lessons. It seemed as if the adults outrivalled the students with excitement and jabbering. Severus completed the curriculum for potions in summer already, still awaiting the consent of the other two headmasters. His mood dropped even further when Alastor Moody strode noisily into the room stamping his wooden leg rhythmically until he flopped into a chair.

Severus understood Dumbledore's concern about the dangers of the tournament and agreed to the Ex-Auror for the sake of the students and Potter. But Moody made Severus' life more miserable by searching his office and lurking everywhere. Moody picked on the wrong persons. Severus hardly admitted it to himself, but he preferred Scott. After all, she had been a looker between all the older female professors. Most of them taught already while he was at school. She proofed adept and some fresh ideas could outshine a paranoid old warhorse. Severus hid behind the Daily Prophet to flee the constant vigilance, even though he knew the newspaper couldn't shield from Moody's magical eye. An advertisement caught his attention. Scott announced the launch of the apothecary in Hogsmeade. The opening was soon. Maybe it was time to establish the relationship to the guild of potion makers again. The guild crest and the ministerial licence to practice displayed prominently in the notice. Albus hadn't shown much interest in Severus' work or research and since Potter's arrival at Hogwarts Severus had been busier with other things. He seemed to be spare for Potter's safety anyway. The headmaster hadn't really spoken to him since Black's escape. Dumbledore only made clear to the staff that Potter must remain at the school before issuing the exam results. Severus answered Dumbledore's side glance coolly. Potter was at least talented enough to pass the potions exam without many efforts or paying attention in the classes.

A badge of bitterness crept through Severus. Dumbledore put all his faith into the 'old' comrades, but it wouldn't be enough to win the next war. The Dark Lord was rising again. Severus' relationship to Voldemort's faithful followers had been established well over the summer break. Everybody saw and felt the growing intensity of the Dark Mark and started to prepare. The skull and snake were still feeble but growing stronger. Everything was a question of time. Severus would return into the Dark Lords service guarding Potter's son, even if Dumbledore had 'new order members' to better care for the boy. He felt liable by the blame for Lily's death. The thoughts wandered from the green-eyed beauty to the eagle owl with the scribble on a postcard. The owl found him at Spinner's End. He had been furious and apparated within minutes to Leonor's whereabouts driven by a random magical trace to the village. Severus had scolded himself for the investigations of the Greengrass family. The unsteady handwriting implied the worst even if the text said otherwise. His anger calmed when Leonor walked out of the pub and disappeared into the darkness. Her senses had been strong enough to notice the magic and arrive safely in London. Severus put the newspaper back to the large table in the staff room. The next bunch of fools waited in front of the dungeon door to burn some more cauldrons.

XXX

The house in Hogsmeade had been in a bad state. In the meantime, the windows were clean and the wood on the outer facade had been glazed. Jackson's old furniture stood in the house of his daughter in a nice room on the ground floor. The old man found pleasure in playing with the grandchildren and wouldn't return. The apothecary changed the owner for a reasonable price plus a regular treatment of the pain in Jackson's knees and back. Leonor grinned about the idea of the grump to play Quidditch with the youngsters. Leonor relished a self-made Ciabatta after another long day. Pauline was still on the way to France. She had sent the owl to a bird trader after delivering the invitations for the opening of the healer's business. Some unused prints lay still on the workbench; there was one more invitation to write. Leonor came around and took a blank page to write a few words only. A post owl transported the missive with the regular morning mail to Hogwarts. Leonor went upstairs to the empty living room and transfigured a board into a mattress and summoned a pillow and bed covers. It would be her first night in Hogsmeade. The provisional bed in front of the fire was soft and Leonor quickly asleep in the heat of the flames.

Maria and Francesco arrived the next morning through the fireplace in the sales room. Francesco's first travel with the Floo Network impressed him deeply. He was full of amazement. Maria and Matteo took his arms through the swirl of the Floo because they didn't like to leave husband and father behind. Hogsmeade was a 'wizards only' village and therefore Francesco couldn't just go by car. The Italians would do the catering and Leonor invited them to relax for some days in the Scottish air. The weather was still pleasant for a deckchair in the sun. Maria liked the idea to leave London and Francesco agreed anxiously to close the restaurant for some days diving into the wizarding world. Maria would cook, Francesco mixed the drinks and Matteo served the guests while Leonor shook hands. She felt a mix of nervousness and joyful anticipation towards the opening.

XXX

The student's flustered state lifted slowly, and today's lessons had been uneventful. Severus checked the cupboard with the potions supplies and locked it carefully before leaving the classroom.

"Ah, Severus," chuckled the old man, "are you on your way to Hogsmeade?" Severus grunted and was slightly annoyed. He planned to visit Hogsmeade alone and walked to his office faking to be busy.

"Pomona visited the apothecary already and recommended the food and drinks as well as brilliant cough drops. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Same counts for business I guess—" Dumbledore chortled again and walked back into the direction of the entrance.

Severus knew the headmaster was waiting and quickly changed the teaching robes into a fresh shirt and frock coat. Hattie prepared it; he could rely on the elf by simply leaving a note on the desk. Severus smoothed the fabric and run his fingers through the long black hair. A move of his black wand shrunk a small card box with a white ribbon to the size of his pocket before following the headmaster. Hattie had done well again selecting the colours and Severus knew, she shared his hope to serve the female professor again. The old devoted elf couldn't contain the sadness of not being 'utilized' enough with the Slytherin House, but Severus didn't like the elf around all the time and other Slytherin teachers were hard to expect soon.

Severus and Dumbledore walked swiftly across the lawn and through the gates. The headmaster blabbed about several things. Severus didn't even listen. A muscle twitched in Severus' jaw. The shame of being searched on Dumbledore's order was like a spike in his heart, but he swore to himself to hide his disappointment and remain calm. The Hogs' Head Inn on the opposite side of the refurbished house looked filthier now, even though it hadn't changed. It was cruddy as always, but Aberforth wouldn't mind about Jackson. The two lone wolves never understood each other. Severus was curious to see how the relationship worked with Leonor. She got along in Knockturn Alley and Aberforth used to meddle with the same sort of clientele. Severus pulled a grim face about the thought of Leonor setting a foot into the filthy tavern.

The small sales room was stuffed with people. Dumbledore was welcomed and immediately conversing with some official looking men, much to Severus pleasure. Lucius and Narcissa greeted imperceptibly and left quickly. Slughorn waltzed through the crowd; his cheeks glowing from the wine. The most guests gathered around the food and drinks. Severus took a goblet from a bewitched silver tray and looked for some space. Members of the potions' guild nodded friendly. The corner next to the fireplace was free and Severus leaned lazily against the mantelpiece sipping the red wine. Snatches of ministry business and St. Mungo's researches filled the air. Severus searched Leonor and found her in an animated conversation with a tall bloke and the man from the photograph in the Daily Prophet. Severus recognized her easily on the picture, even if her face was blurred and half-hidden behind the person next to her. Today she was dressed in dark blue, formal and elegant, the dark hair fixed accurately in a bun revealing a delicate neck. Severus remembered the handsome tall man vaguely from his time at Hogwarts. He put an arm around Leonor and an odd feeling stretched through Severus, but moments later Leonor wriggled herself free. She turned and considered Severus' eyes. The touch of surprise changed into a genuine smile. Severus watched her unsuccessful tries to cross the room, but Leonor was caught in new conversations. Dumbledore bowed and continued talking to her severely until interrupted by a cheerful Slughorn. Eldred Burke, annual chairman of the potions' guild, and his wife monopolized Leonor after view steps; she was clearly nerved but followed the conversation with fake interest. Severus smirked taking two drinks from another flying tray.

"Good afternoon, Eldred. Mrs Burke!" Severus bowed slightly towards the stale looking old witch.

"Master Snape, what a rare meeting lately. He keeps his staff close, doesn't he?" replied Mr Burke with a side wink at Dumbledore.

Severus said nothing and handed the drink to Leonor with a cold look to Burke's wife. She dragged her husband away against Burke's intention to question Severus. She was playing obviously offended by the rude gesture of not receiving the other drink. Severus paid her no attention at the gatherings of the guild anymore. It didn't please her.

Severus considered Leonor. She looked strained. The careful make-up concealed the rings around her eyes only incomplete. The dark eyes met his own gaze, and he felt she would allow Legilimency for the first time; maybe only to save the effort of speaking for herself or to avoid some topics in the open. It wasn't the right place. They sipped the wine in silence occasionally interrupted by leaving guests. All of them were friendly to Leonor, but most didn't have the guts to shake his hand as well. Severus was satisfied and continued to maintain the scowl, it made the good-buys a quick affair and Leonor seemed in no mood to continue the shallow conversations.

"Do you need to be back at the school soon? Dumbledore is just leaving," she said in a low voice and pointed towards the door. Severus shook his head against his plan to just briefly pay respect to the new business. Leonor put the goblet on a near table. "Let's then get out here."

Severus copied her and put his hand loose to her back. She moved determinedly through the remaining guests, sending some more good-byes here and there and Severus scowl drove everybody out of the way. The witch and wizard exited the room through the front door. Dumbledore was nowhere to be seen and likely in the pub on the opposite side of the street. Leonor turned left and walked around her house to a small garden fence. A lazy wand wave revealed a gate, and they stepped quickly through the weedy garden to the back door.

"It's me!" called Leonor opening the door to a small room, looking like a surgery.

"It's almost ready, at least for the beginning. I will use it as a consulting room and maybe later for overnight treatment. I hope the watchful eyes believe we'd followed Dumbledore." Leonor smiled at Severus removing the curtain to a chaotic looking mix of laboratory, storeroom and kitchen. Matteo, the former Hufflepuff, choked on his apple and his father patted him hard on the back. Severus looked indifferent but could hardly stifle a grin.

"Maria, Francesco, this is Professor Snape. Matteo, you know each other. Severus, these are my friends, Maria and Francesco Romano. Francesco is no wizard, but he does the best drinks and Maria is the best Italian cook." Leonor beamed literally turning a blind eye to Maria's and Matteo's shock.

Francesco who was in a kind of 'magical' trance stretched out his hand in amusement and grasped Severus' arm with the words, "Nice to meet you! You are the first wizard I meet outside my family and if I'm not mistaken the professor that made my son swear every term break. But it seems to pay out at St. Mungo's!" The father grinned widely, and Severus' lips curled upwards, almost like a painful smile when he bowed to Maria.

Leonor broke the awkward silence following Francesco's words. "I had to get out there. I don't want to hear small talk anymore. Matteo, please could you double check on the guests? I hope they are all leaving soon. I just have a few words with Severus and help you later with the preparations for the night."

Maria and Matteo looked frightened that it was almost amusing. Leonor turned and walked up the stairs hinting Severus to do the same. He gave a curt nod to the family before following slowly. The upper floor was empty except a mattress next to the chimney. A large window front presented a nice view of the garden, the shrubs around and the countryside behind Hogsmeade. The room was bright and clean even in the dim light at sunset. Leonor leaned with her back against the windowsill looking straight into his eyes like an invitation to read her mind. Severus risked a silent 'Legilimens' before Leonor looked sheepishly at her feet. 'I don't want to be overheard', was the message. He took his wand and cast 'Muffliato' around the room as well as checking the stairs. There was indeed movement at the landing and an angry hiss came from the lower floor, "Matteo, get ready with the sales room!"

"How are you?" Severus asked.

"I'm fine." Leonor hedged his question feeling suddenly apprehensive. She didn't want to be scolded by him and that was what he would do.

"You feel so good to avoid moving your wand arm?" His voice snapped angrily; he didn't like to be rebuffed if correct. Leonor choked with surprise.

"It's nothing."

"Show me! Are you in for a small duel?" Severus raised his wand with a ferocious smile. Leonor moved her right side in position, but far too slow. Her self-defences were defeated easily with Severus' disarming spell and her wand moved flying into his hands.

"Are you going to tell me now?" Severus deep voice was low and concerned. And Leonor felt foolish to even try a duel with him in her current state. A noise at the stairs interrupted the silence and made them turn. Matteo and Maria stood already in the room, both looked embarrassed and Leonor steadied herself being insecure about how much they had watched. Severus rolled his eyes, returning Leonor's wand and leaning against the windowsill casually.

Maria broke the silence hesitating to move her eyes from Severus. "Leonor, we are ready downstairs. Francesco decided to spend the few days of vacation better in a muggle village, but of course, we stay overnight if you like."

"Oh, I thought you want to savour the Scottish sun?"

"Well, yes and no. Matteo needs to return to St. Mungo's and as much as Francesco liked coming here, he doesn't want to be locked up in the garden."

"No problem at all. I understand Hogsmeade is a bit too much for a muggle." Leonor grinned but welcomed the idea in general. The opening had been draining her on top of the exhaustion of the past month. Having guests was nice, but it could wait until she settled down better.

"Yes," Maria confirmed, relieved to see Leonor smile. "You want us to stay at least till breakfast?"

"No worries; go ahead with your plans. Where do you go?"

"The south coast."

"Fine, I'll come to say good-bye." Leonor followed them downstairs, and she hardly tamed the butterflies in her stomach looking forward to some undisturbed time with the dark wizard. She couldn't explain it to herself, but to be here with him felt just good.

She started to express her gratitude towards the Romano's and hugged Maria first. Matteo was next, but he just looked at her with disappointment.

"Are you sure you want us to leave?" he hissed.

"Yes. I think your parents made the right decision and I don't want to take more of their short holidays. You and they are always welcome! Nevertheless, I'm not affronted if they leave. I thought you know that."

"And what's about Snape, having an affair? You've always been protective of him!" said Matteo spiteful and added, "—you've been warned, he's dangerous and what's he doing with your wand anyway? Doesn't it open your eyes? He's not even handsome."

"Matteo, watch your tongue!" Maria tried to calm her son, but her expression belied the words. Maria had always been on Richard's and Matteo's side and only approved Snape if he was helping with the exam. Leonor was puzzled and felt a sudden mix of shame and anger. The anger about the scolding teenager won over the shame of having a male guest. The young Ex-Hufflepuff wouldn't tell her what to do.

"My colleagues are not your business and you don't need to like them." Leonor frowned at Maria and Matteo ending the discussion with a low dangerous voice. She gave a brief hug to the mother and son before they walked annoyed through the sales room to the fireplace.

"Francesco—" The man smiled despite the argument and embraced her warmly.

He whispered, "You are old enough to make your own decisions. I know little of the wizarding world, but some things are just human. He's a formidable man and surely won't bore you. Be careful, but you make a good couple from the outside. I can tell you so much."

Leonor was taken aback. "How can you say that?"

Francesco smiled omnisciently to add quietly, "It is the way you beamed introducing him and it's how he looks at you if you don't watch. I'm a barkeeper and I have a fine nose— Take care!"

The Romano's were disappeared in the green flames of the fire before Leonor realized Francesco's words to its full extent. The butterflies came back intensively.