A/N: I am SOOO sorry that it has taken me so long to update. However, the story is finished and I am uploading all the remaining chapters and the epilogue now. So chapters 23-26 and the epilogue are being update at the same time, so make sure you don't miss a chapter! Thank you all for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing! I love you all!
Chapter 23: Business Ventures and Apparating
When Brixton and Dobby appeared in front of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes Brixton grabbed her stomach and fought back the urge to vomit. She had only apparated a couple of times before and was not accustomed to the feeling. "Is Brixton alright?" Dobby asked.
"Yes, Dobby thanks for asking. Let's go inside," she answered.
"Brixton doesn't want Dobby to wait outside?" he asked with a sense of wonder filling his voice.
She sighed and said, "Of course not! I know that you are more than welcome in George's shop. If I actually had money and you wanted something I would be happy to buy it for you too, but unfortunately my income hasn't started coming in yet. Dobby, you are going to have to get used to being treated properly if we are going to be spending so much time together with us both working at Hogwarts. Just assume that I would treat you just like an equal because that is what I think of you."
Dobby smiled brightly and said, "Dobby is most lucky to have Brixton as a friend."
Brixton smiled back and said, "Likewise," before entering the shop. She smiled as her senses were flooded with all the colorful displays, upbeat music, and loud preteens running about. It only took a minute to spot the tall redheaded man she was looking for and she told Dobby to enjoy himself looking around. She weaved through the displays until she met George.
"Hello Brixton! Are you enjoying the summer holiday?" he asked as he pulled her into a hug.
"Actually, I am looking forward to the start of term. I am eager to begin teaching properly and meet the new first years. I very much enjoyed teaching last years' new wide-eyed students," Brixton replied as she hugged him back.
"Typical. I swear you and Hermione are the most hardworking witches I have ever met. You sure I can't hire you to create potions for me full time?" George asked eagerly.
"Not a chance. I consider getting the position at Hogwarts an absolute dream," she smiled.
"What a shame. Well, follow me to my office and we will get to business," he said before turning and leading Brixton up a spiral staircase. They made their way through the second story displays towards a door in the very back of the building. George opened it and gestured for her to go in ahead of him.
The office was exactly what Brixton imagined: an utter disaster. There were boxes of love potion bottles piled to the ceiling in the corner, piles of various packaging supplies all over the floor, some shelves leaning up against the wall unhung, and a desk that was covered in haphazard stacks of paper work. Brixton turned to George and asked, "How in the world do you get anything accomplished in here?"
George looked at the floor and said, "It's a struggle. Fred was always the organized one here."
Brixton's heart sunk. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know," she said.
"It's okay. Not like we can pretend he's not gone. It's just harder some days than others," he answered.
Brixton pulled out her wand and waved it around the room and saying a variety of spells. The shelves mounted themselves to the wall, the paperwork sorted and stacked itself, and the packing supplies all settled onto the shelves in a tidy fashion. George smiled at Brixton and said, "Thanks. You would think I would think to do that every once in a while but I'm honestly just a messy person. Oh well, let's get to business."
They settled into the chairs on opposite sides of the desk and Brixton asked, "So, what did you think of the Scar Removal Paste? Your letter was very short, but I assumed you liked it or I wouldn't be here."
He nodded, "It's brilliant. I used it on several scars of my own. You get a lot of those as a Beater."
Brixton lit up, "So how is this going to work? I immediately thought of selling to you because I love the idea of it benefiting a friend and I know your bruise paste must fly off the shelf as much as I have seen it around Hogwarts."
"I was thinking you could get forty percent of the profits monthly. Considering that all of the work from here on out will be on our end here at the shop I think that's more than fair. In fact, if you weren't a friend it would be much less. Does that sound alright to you?"
"Absolutely! More than alright! Thank you so much George!" Brixton exclaimed.
"Perfect! I can deposit the money straight into your vault at Gringotts," said George.
"I don't have a vault. I've never had any money before really," she said a little embarrassed.
"Oh, well we will have to fix that. I'll take you over and we can get lunch, you can tell me how you and the old Bat are an item now?" George teased.
Brixton just laughed, "News travels fast I see."
"I never thought of using window charms to brighten up the dungeons," Severus said as he stepped into the classroom.
Brixton was at her desk working on some lesson plans for the upcoming term and smiled when she looked up from her writing, "Professor Flitwick did them for me. Rather genius on his part and I really enjoy the effect. You've been gone longer than you said you would be I was a little worried."
Severus crossed the room and planted a kiss on Brixton's forehead, "My apologies. I have been working on something and it is taking longer than I anticipated."
Brixton knew the former Potions Master well enough by now to know that if he was being vague it was intentional so she didn't bother to ask what he was working on. He had been gone frequently over the summer and this time his absence had lasted over a week. Instead she asked, "Can you teach me to apparate?"
Severus froze for a moment before saying, "I hadn't considered the fact that you don't know how. Of course I can teach you. Would you like to start now?"
"Yes," Brixton perked up, "I want to learn before the start of term. I had some business with George while you were gone about my Scar Removal Paste and I had to get Dobby to apparate me there. I suppose I could have asked to the Headmistress to let me Floo there but I have only done that a couple of times and am not the most confident at that either."
"Apparating is tricky and potentially dangerous as I'm sure you know," he cautioned.
She nodded, "Yes, but it is something that I need to be able to do."
As they made their way through the castle and surrounding grounds Brixton told him about the meeting with George and how the paste had healed Hermione's 'mudblood' scars. "I didn't know about that, but knowing Bellatrix as long as I did I am not surprised in the slightest," Severus shuddered, "I am certain Miss Granger is thankful to be rid of such a nasty and cruel scar."
"You know, Severus, it would be nice if you started calling my friends by their first names. It is kind of weird to me when you still refer to them like they are still students given the nature of our relationship," Brixton replied.
He placed a hand on the small of her back as he opened the front gate of Hogwarts with a flick of his wand. He chuckled and said, "It's only 'weird' if you make it that way, however I will try my best to start using first names. You must remember that I have been referring to you lot formally for the last seven years."
Brixton smiled and said, "I know, but things change and we are going to be around my friends from time to time, especially Neville, and I think it would just make everyone more comfortable with us. I think the age gap would be less of an issue for them if you spoke to them like peers."
"As you wish, darling," Severus chuckled.
"OH!" Brixton exclaimed, "I can't believe I am so daft. Speaking of Neville, the potion I made for his parents worked. He was obviously so excited he owled me straight away. His parents have to stay at St. Mungo's for a little while to be studied and help them adjust, but they are going to be okay. I can't believe it!"
Severus smiled at her, "Fascinating. This will be groundbreaking for the wizarding community. You have already saved my life with your potions and now you are saving others from a fate worse than death. Your accomplishments are phenomenal for any witch, but especially someone of your age. I cannot wait to see what other magnificent things you come up with."
He then grabbed her hand and said, "I know just the place to practice." Then they disapparated away from the Hogwarts gate.
When they materialized again they were standing in a shady clearing surrounded by tall trees. Brixton grabbed her stomach as she stumbled a little bit. "Are you alright?" asked Severus.
"Yes, still getting used to that feeling. Like I said, I've only apparated a handful of times. It's not a good feeling at all is it?" she asked.
"You get used to it," he replied as reached over to rub her back.
Brixton laughed a little before standing upright and saying, "I sure hope so. I would hate for you to see me lose my lunch today."
Severus laughed and said, "I'm a Head of House. I've seen all manner of bodily fluids I'd rather not mention. You losing your lunch wouldn't faze me in the least."
"Well that's encouraging," she smiled.
Severus pulled out his wand and began walking around the clearing. He cast some warding spells to prevent any Muggles from stumbling upon them and then created several large rings on the ground that glowed different colors. When he was finished he turned to Brixton and said, "The rings will help give you a specific destination in mind when you apparate."
"Brilliant! So how do I do this?" she asked excitedly.
He spent about thirty minutes lecturing her in depth about how to channel her magic into disapparating and apparating. He stressed the importance of visualizing the intended destination in the most simple of ways so as not to get bogged down by details and end up on top of a house for example. Severus also explained the dangers of getting splinched and how to avoid that by not getting in a hurry. Brixton clung to every word, eager to learn the process as efficiently as possible.
"Are you ready," he asked?
Brixton nodded and made her way to the center of the clearing. She took a deep breath and chose a glowing purple ring just a few feet away from her as her destination. She focused her magic as she had been taught and suddenly with a POP she was gone and reappeared just short of her mark. Her left foot was in the ring and her right was just outside it. "Damn," she muttered.
"No, that was an excellent first attempt," Severus reassured her.
Brixton blushed, "Thank you, Severus."
The spent hours practicing and eventually Brixton was drenched with sweat, her blue dress clinging to her and her hair tossed up in a cascade of messy curls. She had gotten better and better and was hitting her mark perfectly almost every time. Severus was very impressed with her progress. "I think it is time we call it quits for the day," he said to her.
"I've gotten good. I want a real challenge. Let me apparate back to Hogwarts," she insisted.
"I think that would be unwise. The distance is too great for you at this point and you are exhausted. You will get there, but I won't risk your safety," Severus cautioned.
"Nonsense, Severus. Have a little faith in me," she laughed. Before he could react Brixton was gone.