Chapter 14
It took a lot of work, but Harry, Severus and Draco had the shop up and running within a month with the shelves that lined the walls filled with different potions and healing ointments. Everything anyone needed was now available and the shop was proving to be successful. Severus spent most of his time making potions or healing ointments, Harry would build shelves, adding his charm to stop vials or jars being knocked accidentally, Draco spent a couple of weeks overseas buying all the ingredients you could not get in this country.
Harry was behind the counter in the shop, there were two customers reading the labels on some of the potions. Harry was checking his receipts when another customer came in, he never looked up, just kept reading.
‘You deserted your friends.’
Harry slowly looked up, ‘You got what you deserve I just wish they killed you instead, at least one of you died, that made me happy.’
‘Harry, enough,’ Severus stepped in front of Harry blocking Ron from his view.
‘It’s not enough, I wish he was killed and to me the pain and suffering he’s going through now is exactly what he deserves. Now either get them out of here or I will?’
Severus turned, ‘You both should leave.’
‘Figures,’ Ron snarled.
‘You figured what?’ Harry glared.
‘That you would take his side.’
‘I take the side that is right. You’re a lying piece of shit that just couldn’t get past your jealously. You wanted to be important, you liked having the chosen one as your friend. Well that changed when you refused to tell the truth, which is something you were good at. Now get out before I do something you will regret.’
‘Come on Ron,’ Charlie took Ron’s arm but glared at Harry before dragging his brother out of the shop.
Harry was panting heavily before he hurried from the shop with Severus and the few customers that were in there staring after him, Draco went behind the counter until Severus and Harry retturned.
A week later Harry was again behind the counter when someone stepped up to him, ‘Will this help?’
Harry looked up, ‘It will do what it says on the label.’
‘Did Snape make it?’
‘Why would you believe he made this?’
‘I heard he was here and he was good at potions,’ Hermione pushed her hair away from her face, ‘Will it take these away?’
‘It will reduce them, so do you want it or not, I’m busy.’
‘Yes, please,’ Hermione dug some money out of her pouch ready to hand it over when another hand clamped over hers.
‘No charge Miss Granger.’
‘Sev.’
‘No charge Harry.’
‘Fine, is that all you want?’ Harry snarled at Hermione.
‘Just to say I’m sorry professor, I should have stood up for you.’
‘Then why didn’t you?’ Harry snapped.
‘Ron said he didn’t deserve it for what happened to Neville and the others, he talked me into staying quiet.’
‘You used to have a mind of your own,’ Harry turned so his back was to Hermione then started to move potions on the shelf.
‘Harry, let it go.’
Harry slowly turned to see Severus staring at him, ‘You could have died in there and they wouldn’t have cared. I told them everything, the whole truth and they turned their back on both of us. No, I won’t let it go, I can’t.’
Severus stuck his head through the door, ‘Draco, take care of the shop for me please.’
‘Of course Severus.’
Severus took Harry’s hand and pulled him out of the shop and made him sit outside a small café where he ordered two coffee’s.
‘It’s all over Harry, their dead, I’m here. I think your old friends have suffered enough.’
‘They don’t know what suffering is.’
‘You don’t really believe that, do you?’
Harry sighed, ‘It’s like I have to punish everyone that hurt you which hurt me.’
‘They have been punished, look at Hermione’s face, you saw how Ron is, some died, like his sister, don’t you think they have all suffered. There is no one left Harry, all of them have suffered in some way.’
‘Not all, there’s two that needs my punishment.’
‘The guards?’
‘Yes.’
‘Will you let it go if you punished them?’
Harry stared at Severus then placed his palm on his cheek, ‘Yes.’
‘Then deal with it, I would like you back Harry, the annoying, lovesick prat I fell in love with.’
‘Do you love me now?’
‘Yes, of course I do, I will always love you. But that innocent boy is someone I miss. I love how you are now, more assertive, you say what you want and you are not intimidated by me. But that boy Harry, he needs to come out sometimes. There was a beautiful innocence about you then, I just want to see that boy, occasionally.’
Harry’s lips turned up slightly, ‘You want me fawning and drooling over you like I used to?’
‘Sometimes, I also like the student who will do anything I want and I mean anything. I believe if anyone had seen what you did it would shock them so much they would become blind.’
‘Sev,’ Harry said softly as he blushed, ‘I can’t believe you did that to me.’
‘You never said no, but it was good to see the great Harry Potter lose it so much so that he came all over himself without me even touching you.’
‘Sev,’ Harry glanced around before he heard a quiet snigger, ‘Okay, so I still get a little embarrassed. But think about it, we never had a lot of time together and when we did it was sex, nothing kinky, now though, you’re bringing out a side of you I’ve never seen or thought of before,’ Harry blushed again which naturally made Severus chuckle, ‘Okay, I just don’t want you to lose any love for me.’
‘I will never stop loving you, it never changed after those death eaters died, it will not change no matter what you do. I just wish to see a bit of the young man I fell I love with, his innocence and yes, the way you drooled every time you saw me.’
Harry smiled, ‘Then I will take care of them,’ Harry put his hand to Severus’ face again, caressing it, ‘But if they do anything that could hurt you in any way I will take care of them as well.’
‘Alright, if that’s what you want, but I don’t think they will. Draco has been gathering information in regards to any of your old friends. All of them have been suffering, going through some hard times, mainly due to their injuries.’
‘I felt like my heart was being ripped out when they ignored my pleas. When you were dragged out of there and they stood there and did nothing, oh god Sev.’
‘Hey, it’s all over now, it’s time to let it go my love,’ Severus put his hand over Harry’s, ‘We’re together, nothing can ever break us apart again.’
‘I hope not because if anyone tried then I wouldn’t care about what happens, I will keep you with me even if that meant taking out anyone that stood between us. Now though, I want to ask you something which I think will help me but it’s also something I want, desperately.’
‘Ah, your desperate, that gives me ideas.’
Harry smiled, ‘Different kind of desperate,’ Harry slipped his hand into his pocket, ‘I want us to get bonded.’
Severus stared at the man’s bonding ring, ‘Years ago I would have said no, now I want you to belong to me just as you want me to belong to you, so yes, I would love to bond with you. And there is one person that we both trust that can perform the ceremony, Minerva.’
‘I thought of Minerva. Okay, let’s go back to the shop then I’ll take care of that last problem.’
Harry and Severus walked arm in arm back to the shop, Hermione was still there talking to Draco about the ointment. Severus gave Harry a nod then went into the back room.
‘I’ve got this now Draco if you were busy.’
‘Just checking inventory to see when I need another trip overseas. I’m hoping to get some dragon’s blood, pricey though.’
‘Price doesn’t matter Draco, if Severus needs it then pay for it.’
‘If you’re sure Harry, I’ll work on the arrangements to head overseas. One thing I would love to get hold of would be phoenix tears, a potion with just one tear would cure a lot of problems.’
‘Maybe I can find a way to contact Fawkes, he always liked me.’
‘Everyone always liked you…Potter,’ Draco smirked.
‘Not everyone.’
‘I’ll be in back if you need anything.’
Harry went back behind the counter and started to go over his receipts again, ‘Was there something else you wanted?’
‘To apologise to you.’
‘Are you still with him?’
‘No, once I realised that he manipulated me into turning my back on you, I left, I live with my parents and have for a few years.’
‘So what, he used your feelings for him?’
‘Yes, I did love him Harry, you know that. It’s like how you love professor Snape, I loved Ron the same way. Most people would do anything for the one they love, surely you can understand that.’
‘I can, but the truth should have been told, that’s what I don’t get. All you had to do was tell the truth,’ Harry closed his eyes and tried to calm down, ‘Okay, I get how you wanted to support him, you did love him. But it hurt Hermione, don’t you get that. All of you turned your back on me, everyone, even after I walked up to Voldemort and let him kill me, so all of you could have a chance. It was like my sacrifice, my suffering meant nothing. I did what I was supposed to do, now it didn’t matter,’ Harry put his hand down under the counter, ‘Use this with the ointment, rub it in first then the ointment it will help with the pain.’
‘Professor Snape was always very good.’
‘Actually, it was Harry that made that potion,’ Severus said, ‘He happens to be very good, he’s right as well. Using them together will ease the pain. Those scars will fade over the next few months until they are barely noticeable.’
‘Thank you professor, thanks Harry.’
‘Severus, I am no longer a teacher.’
‘Severus and again I’m sorry,’ Hermione gave a small smile then left the shop.
‘I’m proud of you love.’
‘I knew you were listening.’
‘Naturally I was, but it’s time to close up shop and head home.’
‘I’m with you there,’ Harry put his receipts back down then waited until Severus sealed his potions room and store cupboard, the three of them stepped out of the shop, Harry and Severus said goodbye to Draco then Severus sealed the shop before his arms went around his young lover, they walked down the street until they came to the apparition point where they apparated home.