AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Not a single customer had entered the store, and Severus already had a raging headache.
Perhaps it shouldn't surprise him. For the last two nights, he spent more time tossing and turning than he did sleeping. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Hermione dancing with a shadowy masculine figure. Soon, the figure sprouted glasses, and gave him a familiar looking sneer. The figure had his arms around Hermione, obscuring her until she was absorbed into him. Then, in James' voice, he yelled, "She loves me not you, Snivellus!"
Beside the shadowy figure three others materializes, each one morphing into a person he yearned to forget. All of the shadows cackled along with the James shadow. The last time he had the dream, he screamed Hermione's name, hoping she would emerge from James' arms and tell him she cared for him, only to be met with more laughter and taunts of "Snivelus."
Each time he awoke from the dream, he was drenched in sweat. It took hours for him to return to sleep, only to have the same dream again, keeping him awake for another hour or so.
His only comfort was that in his waking life, Hermione remained his best friend. Despite his ability to muck up everything good in his life, he had managed not to say anything to drive her away. He had never called her "Mudblood," and would rather avada himself than squelch her spirit. She knew he cared for her, and he knew she cared for him. That had to mean something, right?
It would so long as she was only casual with her new boyfriend. Once she became serious with him, Severus risked being nothing more than a memory. He would be abandoned by another friend, with no hope of ever regaining her affection.
"Severus?"
He hummed and shifted his eyes to Ricardo, who was carrying four large boxes. "Where do you want these?"
"Shouldn't you already know where to stock things?" Severus growled.
"I do," Ricardo placed the boxes on the counter. "But one of these boxes contains the antidote to U-No-Poo. Since you just received the patent for it, I thought you'd want to put it in a prominent place. Still, I'm not sure where that would be."
He gestured towards the health aisle. "Go ahead and put ten on the display case in the window and the rest in Aisle 13. You'll see where I saved a spot for it."
"Got it," Ricardo took the top box and strolled over to the front display.
"Aren't you going to take the rest of these boxes?" Severus snapped.
"I will when I set this one down," Ricardo kept moving.
"They need to be removed now. I don't want them cluttering up my counter!"
"I know, but I need to set everything up before you open. It will only take a couple of minutes."
"I want them off my counter now!"
Ricardo didn't answer, instead putting the potions in the case.
"I'm not moving these boxes off my counter myself," Severus snapped.
"If you keep talking to me like that, I won't do it either," Ricardo warned before making his way to the health aisle, box in hand.
Severus snarled, knowing Ricardo was serious. Over the years, he'd made it clear that being yelled at was not in his job description. It was one of the things Severus respected about the man, even if it did mean his tactics as a professor had no effect.
Only the clacking of the vials interrupted the silence. It was as if Ricardo was going to slow just to prove a point.
Severus' blood pressure rose. Why Ricardo couldn't do what he was asked right now was beyond him. He was becoming just as obnoxious as any first year student.
"I would like my counter back," Severus demanded.
No answer.
He gritted his teeth and ground out, "Please Ricardo. Would you please remove these boxes so I can regain my counter space?"
"Since you asked so nicely." Two vials clanked before Severus heard footsteps approach the counter.
As Ricardo removed the boxes from the counter, Severus stared out the window. Hermione was opening her shop, her hair less wild than it had been on Saturday. A few days ago she'd mentioned having a Sunday brunch with Ginevra. Even though the brunch would have been yesterday, she must've used enough Sleekeazy's that it lasted into the next day. There was a pang in his chest. While he didn't mind her more tamed hair, he did enjoy her wild tresses. It seemed more natural and betrayed her free spirit, one he couldn't help but admire.
Everything about her was beautiful, which only hurt his chest more. Severus was not allowed to have beautiful things. All he did was destroy them, or take them for granted until they faded out of his life.
She turned around and smiled in Severus' direction. Then, she gave him a small wave. He nodded in her direction. After a moment, she opened the door and strolled into the store.
"At least I know you aren't upset about something Hermione's done," Ricardo began.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Severus snapped.
"It means someone pissed in your Corn Flakes, and you won't rest until the rest of the world is as miserable as you are. The only person you won't allow to be miserable is Hermione, though that won't stop your pity party."
"I'm not miserable," Severus argued. "I simply didn't sleep well these last two nights."
"Oh," Ricardo set the boxes on the ground. "Did you ever consider brewing a dreamless sleep potion?"
"No, I hate the taste of dreamless sleep."
"You do?"
Severus nodded. "I only drank them when I taught because I was desperate for any kind of rest. Now that life is less stressful, I stay away from it as much as I can."
"If it's between taking a potion with an awful taste and losing profits because you won't stop snapping at customers, I would rethink my position."
"You are fortunate not to be me then."
"I am," Ricardo picked up one of the boxes. "So, did your AC break last night, keeping you awake because it was too hot? Is that what has you so upset?"
"No."
"Then what's bothering you?" Ricardo moved the boxes.
"I did not hire you to be my therapist," Severus snapped.
"No, you didn't," Ricardo set the box down by the beauty aisle. "Still, it's clear you won't calm down until you get whatever this is resolved."
"I don't need your help," he huffed before grumbling, "not that you could help."
"Oh?"
Severus glanced at Ricardo. For a moment, he opened his mouth, only to close it. If he said what troubled him aloud, it would become real. If he admitted Hermione's boyfriend existed, he would become as real as James Potter. The last thing he wanted to face was reality, not this early in the morning.
"Did something happen with Helen?" Ricardo began stocking potions in aisle three.
"How is that your concern?"
"You're using my body," he gave him a sideways glance, "I'd say how you use it is my concern. The last thing I want is an infuriated woman pounding the crap out of me for something I have no knowledge of."
"Nothing happened in your body that would cause you any trouble."
"Other than dating a woman I've never communicated with in any capacity, and dating a woman when I am a gay man."
"When you put it that way, I can see how this situation could be problematic for you," Severus felt another attack of heartburn set in. How did one get heartburn on soggy Honey Nut Cheerios? Had he become that old over the last few days that basic food upset him? What the hell was wrong with him?
"Yes," Ricardo looked back with soft eyes, "and you not being with the woman you love is proving problematic for you."
Severus glowered at Ricardo. "Do not irritate me with your imaginary theory that Hermione and I are two star crossed lovers. Not today."
"I didn't say anything about Hermione," Ricardo shrugged, "You did."
Severus scowled.
"Hermione is the only witch who could put you in such a snit and live to tell the tale. What did she do?"
"Hermione didn't do anything. She's never done anything to annoy and/or harm me," he paused. "At least not since moving to Vegas."
"But before Vegas?"
"She was a bushy haired know-it-all, and she reveled in it."
"And now?"
Severus sighed "She's the best friend I've ever had, and the most brilliant person I know. Everything about her is beautiful and desirable."
"If that smile and wave were anything to go by, she feels the same way about you," Ricardo's voice softened.
"Let's see how much longer she feels that way now that she has a boyfriend," Severus exhaled.
"Boyfriend?" Ricardo's eyes grew.
Severus hung his head and slouched. "Yes, she has a boyfriend now."
"Oh," Ricardo frowned. "I'm sorry man. I didn't see that coming."
"Obviously I did not either."
Ricardo let out a long whistle before he resumed stocking shelves.
"She says things aren't serious, but it's only a matter of time before they are," Severus raised his head. "No man in his right mind would let a woman like Hermione walk out of life."
"Except you."
"Excuse me?" Severus growled.
"You let her walk out of your life into another man's arms," Ricardo answered.
"How? We're still best friends."
"That doesn't mean you haven't let her walk out of your life," Ricardo answered. "You have frittered away every opportunity you've had to make Hermione your girlfriend. Instead of making her feel like a woman worthy of being romanced, you allowed her to think you only wanted friendship. Really, I'm surprised it's taken this long for her to find another boyfriend."
"It doesn't surprise me. Hermione doesn't trust anyone easily, not after what happened to Ron."
"I could see that."
Severus pinched his nose. "Who is on the docket to speak about Dumbledore's Army this week?"
"You're changing the subject."
"Yes, but I need to know how many people will be trying to barge into Hermione's store."
"Because you want to protect her."
"Exactly," Severus tensed. "I'm the one who protects her, the one who plays poker with her almost every evening, the one she laughs with even when she's depressed, that she talks to about all her problems, with the exception of this one. I'm doing all this for her, not him!"
"Yet he's the one who told her he wanted to be in a romantic relationship with her, not you."
"That's because I don't want to be in a romantic relationship with her."
Ricardo smacked his head.
"Why do you keep looking at me like I'm an imbecile?"
"Because you are being one."
"No, you just won't stop peddling the idea that Hermione and I have some grand love story."
Ricardo groaned.
"I don't want to be Hermione's lover. I only want to protect her," Severus stood straighter.
"Which is why you hate her boyfriend."
"Exactly," Severus put his arms over his chest. "It's doubtful that her new boyfriend is worthy of her. I'm just saving her from heartache by stepping in."
"Sure," Ricardo shook his head. "Sure, that's all this is."
Severus snarled. Why couldn't Ricardo accept the truth? Why did he need to create relationships out of nowhere? Did getting married rot out one's brain until they thought everyone should be a couple?
"The people they're interviewing this week are Neville Longbottom, Dennis Creevey, and Terry Boot."
"Shit, they're interviewing Boot," Severus' headache intensified.
"Is there a problem with that? I thought he liked Hermione."
"She turned him down after the war so she could continue to date Weasley. He was quite hurt after that, so much so he became Kingsley's political campaign manager when she ran against him."
"Ooh," Ricardo gulped.
"Longbottom hates me, but I can deal with his accusations. He won't say anything I haven't already heard, and he won't demean Hermione. Dennis, well he's still irritated that he was threatened with trespassing when he tried to interview Hermione."
"That interview will be rough."
"Yes, but at least he's where we can't see him," Severus put his hands behind his back. "That is something which works in our favor."
"I guess." Ricardo knelt on the floor. Then, he began putting away some of the vials.
"How does Joseph like his new coat?"
"He loves it," Ricardo's eyes gleamed. "Between that and the cape, he's coming up with a show, which in my completely biased opinion, is very exciting. It's the best he's ever come up with."
"Indeed, you are completely neutral on the matter."
"Yes, though even I admit it isn't ready to show RuPaul."
"He wants to show this act to RuPaul?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"He's always dreamed of performing for RuPaul. He thinks this act has the best chance of getting his attention." Ricardo continued putting the the vials away.
"It is pleasant to have dreams anyway," Severus stared out the window, the memory of his dream about playing strip poker with Hermione still fresh in his mind. Until now, he hadn't realized how sweet of a dream it was. Now, it would never become reality.
"Before I get too involved putting these away," Ricardo approached Severus. Once he reached the counter, he pulled a parchment. "I received this in the mail yesterday."
Severus' eyes widened as he smelled the aroma of Helen's perfume. His heart fluttered, relaxing his muscles.
"Please think before answering it," Ricardo answered. "You, Helen, and Hermione all deserve happiness."
Severus stared at the parchment. Hermione deserved happiness. If that was with another man, then so be it. Although it would kill him to exit her life, if she would be happier without him, he would love her enough to release her.
There was hope for him though! If Helen could find a way to love him, then he wouldn't be alone when Hermione moved on with her new boyfriend. Someone would love him for who he was, assuming he didn't find a way to muck everything up.
"Please," Ricardo's voice was soft. "Please follow your heart. Everyone will be happier for it."
"I shall do just that," his lips curled upwards, knowing that he held his happiness in his hands. Hermione was a lost cause, but Helen was still in his life. She was ready to love him if he allowed himself to be loved.
In the end, it was less painful to focus on what one had than on what one did not have.