Chapter Nine: Enemies No More:

Severus Snape lay sprawled under a tree dozing clad only in a pair of breeches and white shirt. He was very tired from his yearly purging he had to go through to keep his health. Slughorn had introduced him to that part of potions making, a way to keep toxins from building up in the witch or wizard brewer. They only took a day to work through his system but left him tired and sleepy. Next to him Remus sat reading and it was a far cry from their wasted youth when they shot spells at each other and fought instead of became friends as they were now. What was a miracle (and you can bet Severus believed in them now) was where they were. They were at Black castle, Sirius small castle on the Otter river that he had moved into. He had sold his house in London (but not the house elf Kreacher stating he was family) and came here. He had five house elves and one nurse as part of his house hold staff.

The reason for the nurse was evident in the two people out here, they were Neville’s parents and they had come a long way. They would never be whole, they were far too damaged for that but they had recovered to the point that Alice was able to work with the plants and though that was all she could do she was very good at it. Frank hummed and smiled to himself and both were happy even though they were so very damaged. Sirius had seen them in St. Mungos and convinced the staff to allow him to take care of them, so with a nurse here full time he was able to do so. The first weeks here he wondered if he had done the right thing as they trembled and wept whenever he came near them but finally he got through to them he would not hurt them and so here they were as whole as they would ever be. He had even done all he could to be nice to Severus as he saw how Severus made Remus happy and if he made Remus happy then he could not be all that bad.

“You think they will ever talk again?” Severus asked Remus looking over at the Longbottoms.

“Doubtful, you know there are healers that use muggle methods that do work well normally but their minds, well it’s like a muggle brain injury the damage. As if they had been in a car crash really, there was pressure on Frank’s brain as Bellatrix cast a really nasty curse and well Alice it was worse for her. By the time the healers had an idea what had happened it was too late, the damage is permanent, nothing, not magic not muggle can be done to bring them back fully.”

“All we can do is keep them happy.” Sirius said folding himself down by Remus in a purely athletic manner.

“You have changed.” Severus said, “and I now believe in miracles.”

“Well you try being around those things for as long as I was and not have all your faults put before you. I was arrogant, evil and cruel and finding out my house elf had been saved by my younger brother and then had to watch him die well that is humbling.”

“What was he going after if I am allowed to ask as you know now about my past.” Severus asked.

“Looks like our least favorite dark lord created himself a Horcrux.” Sirius replied.

“That is very evil.” Remus said nearly shuttering, “how could he do such an evil thing?”

“Don’t know, I really don’t.” Sirius replied.

Sirius watched as nurse Quinn came out and took the Longbottoms back into the house. Though they could be outside for a little bit now Frank would start to panic if he was left out too long and he could not be separated from his wife though she could stay out longer than he could happily tending to the small plot that Sirius had put aside for her. There was hope she would get better at least to the point she could tend to more complicated plants but no-one was expecting her to ever recover. Coming as far as she had was a miracle in of itself as she clearly was happy here and Quinn stated that she no longer seemed to have nightmares and was able to sleep through the night. There was a pop next to Severus and an elf clad in a pillow case with the Slytherin crest stood by him. Severus glared at his elf

who held the hated bottle of potion that Severus had to take but Dobby just glared right back.

“You let your elf get away with that?” Sirius asked trying to hide his grin.

“Look who is talking, you let Kreacher call you all kinds of names.” Remus replied, “where did you get Dobby Severus?”

“Lucius, I was looking for a hardworking, talented elf and he sold me Dobby. I cannot fathom why he would sell such a smart elf so readily but I am glad to have him.” Severus said.

“Glad or not professor Snape must take his potion.” Dobby said firmly. “Mistress Poppy told Dobby to take good care of master professor Snape and Dobby is only following orders.”

“I don’t take orders from a house elf!” Severus snapped.

“Then I must tell mistress Poppy.” Dobby replied.

“Give me that,” Severus said taking the bottle and downing the potion, “made perfectly if I say so myself tastes as it should.”

“Which means badly and of course you made it.” Sirius retorted, “is there a potion for your swelled head?”

“Funny Black, very funny.” Severus growled.

It had taken time for the men here to even start getting along as they did now. First Severus had a long talk with Sirius and both realized they had a lot in common, they cared for Harry and both really wanted payback for what Voldemort had done. Sirius had learned from Alastor Moody who had been drunk at the time that Severus had been a death eater. Sirius had confronted Severus and Severus had actually told him everything expecting Sirius to hex him off the planet. He did not expect Sirius to thank him for doing all he could to save James and Lily and risking his life to do so. Sirius had changed and for the better and it was not all due to his time in Azkaban. He had spent a lot of time with Pomona and that seemed to temper his temper and arrogant behavior to the point that he was truly becoming the wizard and man that anyone could look up to though he was still a prankster at heart now he did it for fun and not to hurt others.

“You have changed.” Sirius said thoughtfully looking over at Severus, “not in looks, still ugly.”

“Yes well, you have changed too, you are not the bully you were in school.” Severus said thoughtfully.

“Well I have had all that time there and then Kreacher showed how good he was and then well I don’t, I don’t want to turn out like my parents and I know I was. I, I nearly killed you and Remus and I am sorry for that can, can you ever forgive me?”

“There was a time when I would have said no.” Severus said slowly, “but you forgave me for the evil I did, for joining him and after what I did telling him about the prophecy and all. What I did was worse as they are dead and I am here. I forgive you Black though I still do not deserve your kindness.”

“You do, if not for… Did we drive you to Voldemort?” Sirius asked.

“No, that was my choice and my choice alone, he will come back and I will have to go back to stop him to spy…” Severus said shuttering.

“If you do we will make sure that you are kept as safe as you can be.” Remus said, “guess that means back to acting in school, being cruel and horrible to me.”

“That is not acting.” Severus said coolly.

“Yes I am sure it is not.” Remus said smirking.

The men left off and Severus moved to the shade as the sun moved across the sky. Harry, Phin, Neville and Ron came into the garden laughing and joking and took in the sight of the dour potions master of Hogwarts sprawled in the shade clad only in a white shirt and breeches. He raised an eyebrow daring them to comment and they took a seat just as the elves brought out a fine tea. Phin grinned good natured at Severus and sat right by his uncle so happy to have him back in his life. Harry was happy too, he liked it here though Sprout Hall held a special place in his heart and always would. As if on cue Pomona came out and settled herself by Severus giving him a teasing smile.

“So you have got your studying done for the summer?” Severus asked the boys.

“Yes my mum made sure I did sir.” Ron said making a face as he took several sandwiches.

“Yes sir, the potions homework was the most fun.” Phin said.

“Well I liked it well enough but I think Charms is even better.” Harry said thoughtfully.

“I love Herbology, it’s great fun, the plants and well it’s all me mum can do now.” Neville said looking up at Sirius, “thank you sir, for allowing my parents to be here, I have never seen them so happy.”

“They were, are my friends and well I owe them, I am so sorry for what my ex-cousin did.” Sirius said darkly.

“It’s not your fault sir, you would never do something so evil.” Neville said wisely.

“No he would not.” Severus agreed.

“I wish everyone in school could see how really nice you are sir.” Ron said.

“I have a reputation to uphold Mr. Weasley, and there are things I will tell you as you get older as to why it cannot be known publicly why I am friends with Sirius or Remus here.”

“We understand sir.” Neville said and he did, “I can keep your secret.”

“So can I, you are like a spy right sir?” Phin said, “I mean that would be the only reason, you are trying to get the last of the death eaters and are trying to flush them out!”

“Yes something like that.” Severus said.

“Well we can keep secrets.” Harry said and it was true, Phin had lots of secrets he kept as did Harry.

Severus wanted to live a freer life and be himself in school but he knew there was a chance Voldemort would come back. Oh he told his Slytherins that Voldemort was dead, gone and would never come back and not to join any new dark lords and he was kind and good to his house. But he could not be that way publicly to those outside his house as he knew Voldemort would come back. When he did if he did not keep up his public appearance as strict stern he would have a lot more to explain than he already did. Yet now he had friends and his life was better for it. That and the son of one of his worst enemies in school did not hate him but liked him and was an agreeable little fellow though he dared not say that out loud. No if he did he would give Harry Potter a swelled head and that would not do at all!

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As promised Sirius is more grown up here and forgiving too. Many things have contributed to that, his finding out his house elf had been forced to leave his brother to die, his time in Azkaban and lots of talks with Sprout. That and he is living in a small cozy castle in the country instead of a dreary dark evil house that belonged to his parents. This is totally a story of hope and lightness and there will be much more fun to come!