Severus managed to make a full recovery. He was happy to note his nose had been so badly damaged during the confrontation that one had to be magically constructed for him. It wasn't as large and fit his facial features better. He was grateful Minerva had stepped in when she did. The woman had taken financial responsibility for him and took charge of deciding his medical choices. He could have been left to die if she hadn't of been there!
"You ready," Minerva asked as she peeked into the guest room. She had insisted he stay with them while he and Dougal healed completely. He nodded silently. "Dougal has a suprise for you."
Severus allowed Minerva to drag him out of the cottage and to the middle of Hogsmeade. Dougal waited on them at the corner grinning largely. "There you are my boy," Dougal greeted with a smile. "I want to show you something."
"Minerva said as much," Severus said with a smile.
Dougal moved down the street and encouraged Severus to follow him. A McG's Potions and Herbs sign was hanging overtop of a newly refurbished storefront. "When you gain your potions mastery, you will have complete control of the potions side," Dougal said with a smile. "Minerva has hired a master to run the place and to finish your mastery."
Severus looked gobsmacked as he looked at the building and then back to the older couple. "I don't believe I heard correctly," Severus said in disbelief. His former Potions Master had been furious when he learned Severus interfered with the Dark Lord's plans and had ended his apprenticeship. Severus had been devastated by it. He knew he was meant to be a Potions Master!
Minerva smiled lovingly at him and gently caressed his cheek. "I have failed you for the last time," she said. "You rose above all you have known and helped Dougal knowing it would cause you great physical harm if you survived at all. You will be earning your Potions Mastery under Master Zuma and then will take control of this shop. Master Zuma needed a reason to return to Scotland and I was happy to provide him one. I shall not fail you again."
"You didn't fail me," Severus responded emotionally. "You were one of the only ones that saw past my defenses and realized how bad my home life was. I remember that green box Mum received every August. I always had a new set of clothes and pair of shoes in it. You sent those, didn't you? Mum would never tell me where they came from but I knew we didn't have the money for it."
"I did," Minerva admitted. "I wished I could have done more but the laws wouldn't have allowed me to gain custody of you."
"You looked into it," Severus said as he realized the truth.
Minerva nodded teary-eyed before tugging him towards the store. "Let's give you a tour," she changed the subject.
Severus looked at Dougal in confusion. "She's an onion," he whispered. "Layers and layers of emotional confusion and joyous wonder. Its a bit of a gamble on which you're going to get with each layer though." Severus snorted in amusement and Minerva pretended not to hear the comment.
Severus sat at the table enjoying lunch with Dougal and Minerva when an Owl swooped in the room and landed in front of the older man. He watched curiously as the old man took the offered packaged. "If you would enlarge it my love," Dougal said to his wife.
Minerva flicked her wand and watched as the brown box enlarged slightly. "Who is it from?" she asked curiously.
"My publisher," he replied as he read the attached card. His grin grew as he looked up. He pushed the box to Severus and grinned. "Open it my boy!"
Curiously Severus did as asked and looked up sharply at Dougal. "You had it published," he whispered as he pulled out a thin brightly colored book. Adventures of Snake and Flower by S. Toby was displayed proudly on the cover and spine. "It is beautiful," he breathed.
Minerva smiled at the look of wonder at Severus' face. "My copy to read," she asked Dougal.
He smiled at his wife while he pulled the box back to him and retrieved the second copy of Severus' book. "Here you go Mrs. McGregor," he teased.
Minerva smiled, kissed her husband lovingly, pecked a kiss on Severus' forehead and grabbed the offered book. "I shall be in the living room," she said as she walked out if the room.
"Thank you Dougal," Severus said emotionally. "I would have never had the nerve to send it."
Dougal smiled at him. "I will always help you," he responded. "I had a third copy mailed to Lily Potter with a simple note to read it. You wrote the book about your friendship with Lily so it was only fair she get to read it to."
Severus looked at the man in shock. He had just written it as a therapy of sorts and to heal himself. He never intended to have it published or allow Lily to read it. However, Dougal McGregor had managed to look out for his best interests. "Thank you," he whispered as he picked up the book and headed out the door. He headed to the small apartment over the Potions storefront.
"Are you certain of this?" she asked again.
"Minerva," he said aspirated. "I will not have you walking to and from the cottage so much in the last three weeks of your pregnancy! We agreed to have the baby in the castle so it's only logical for us to stay here until after Hermione is born."
Minerva smiled at her husband happily as she settled their belongings into her chambers at Hogwarts. The students arrived tomorrow and she had a lot to do although her huge pregnant belly hindered her movement. Dougal seemed to adore it though. She wanted to remember the look of absolute joy on his face when he saw the swell of her belly the first time.