InsaneJournal

"I think it is time I leave," Severus Snape declared over dinner. They ate dinner in the formal dining room because it was easier than arguing with Kreacher about what was right.

"If you think so," Harry replied carefully. "Where will you go?"

Snape shifted in his chair, an infinitesimal movement that Harry had learned by now meant that he was very uncomfortable. "I... I have an option to work with the Healers at St. Mungo's, in their Potions laboratory," he started.

Harry grinned. "That's brilliant!" He let Severus set the pace for the rest. Harry had learned something about patience over the last year as they lived – recuperated – together in Grimmauld Place. Poppy Pomfrey and Minerva McGonagall had been regular visitors over that time. Madame Pomfrey had seen to Severus as he healed from Nagini's wounds and had kept a close eye on Harry as he had dealt with his experiences in searching for Horcruxes. Physical and emotional exhaustion had taken their toll and Harry needed as much care as Severus. Professor McGonagall had been a relentlessly cheerful distraction for both of them.

They ate more of Kreacher's delicious meal in silence.

"I find that I do not have the resources to live on my own at the moment," Severus continued. "The house at Spinner's End needs major renovations to make it livable. Being empty has exacerbated the problems."

"What sort of renovations?" Harry asked.

"It's largely physical. The wards have kept people and vermin out but the structure itself is in dire need of restoration. The roof must be replaced and new windows would assist in keeping the weather out," Severus – wait, when had it become Severus in his head? – explained.

"That sounds expensive," Harry replied, thinking how Uncle Vernon had complained bitterly about the price of a new roof one summer, something that he probably would have faulted Harry for if he could have. Only that others in the neighborhood were also having the same work done had saved Harry from blame.

"Quite," Severus agreed. "While you have been generous in your defense of my character, I find that does not translate to financial support in the Wizarding community. The Goblins at Gringotts will provide financing but only at usurious rates that I cannot afford and refuse to pay."

"Wait," Harry stopped him. "You need a loan?"

"That is what I just said," Severus replied with a touch of asperity.

"Did Professor Dumbledore provide you with any money?" Harry had to ask. He had no idea if or how much the Professors at Hogwarts were paid.

"Not as much as you would think," Severus said. "What little I have been able to save will not be enough."

"But, I can lend you the money," Harry offered. "I have more than I know what to do with. And you're welcome to stay here, you know. Not like you have to leave."

"I do not want to impose on your good will any more than I already have." Severus looked down at his empty plate. "You have been more generous than I had any right to expect."

It had taken both Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey together to get Harry and Severus to talk to each other like adults. The two women had taken advantage of what they had each learned about Severus and Harry, telling what they knew about the men's lives. Hearing the stories from someone else helped them come to the understanding that most of their beliefs about each other were false. Madame Pomfrey -- Poppy had made the proposition they all should use first names but today had been the first time that Professor Snape became Severus in his head.

"Okay, then let me know what you need," Harry responded firmly, making plans in his head.

A touch of embarrassment flickered over Severus' face, gone as quickly as it appeared. "I have an appointment with a construction firm tomorrow morning for an inspection and an estimate of the cost," Severus admitted. "And another firm next week. When I know more, I will have a proposal for you."

"You don't need..." Harry started but stopped at the glare that statement generated; Severus was obviously over anything resembling feelings. "A proposal when you are ready will be fine." Deciding to change the subject, he asked, "When do you start at St. Mungo's?"

"Next week," Severus said. "It's an afternoon shift with occasional evenings and weekends. The Healer in charge of the laboratories warned that it will be a loose schedule at first but I should have a fairly regular schedule after a couple of months."

"Sounds okay, I guess," Harry said.

"I suspect you have homework to complete?" Severus asked, taking his turn at changing the subject.

"Yeah," Harry sighed. "Sometimes, I don't know why I let Professor McGonagall talk me into going back to school." It was mostly a rhetorical statement since Harry had jumped at the suggestion when it was made. Harry was attending the University College of London, working on an undergraduate degree in Arts and Sciences.

Professor McGonagall had dangled an offer to employ Harry as the Muggle Studies teacher at Hogwarts with the caveat that even he needed to know a lot more about Muggles than he did. Going to the Muggle University and earning a degree there would go a long way toward enhancing his suitability as a teacher.

"You also need some time to yourself," she declared. "You spent most of your time at Hogwarts working to deal with You-Kno—" she stopped and had taken a small breath "—Voldemort. You did well in your classes when you wanted to, but I think spending a couple of years away from Hogwarts will give you a chance to, well, I'll be blunt... you need time to grow up."

"Muggle Studies?" Harry had been horrified.

"Yes," she was firm. "Your upbringing as a Muggle and your knowledge of the Wizarding world makes you uniquely qualified to bring them together. And I'd think you'd've had enough of Dark Arts for a very long time."

"Can I think about it?" Harry had temporized.

"Certainly," she agreed cheerily. "You don't have to do anything, if I understand your current status correctly. But you can do a lot of good if you do something with your life."

In the end, Harry had embraced the option to simply be normal. It was a novel experience, taking classes with other students who had no idea that he was The Boy Who Lived and had saved them all from a painful future had Voldemort won the war.

Severus excused himself for the night long before Harry had completed his work. Harry also did not have to be in class before late morning so he could afford to stay up later.

It was two days before he and Severus met up again over the dinner table.

"How have your classes been?" Severus asked.

"Not bad," Harry replied. "I have this Maths class that is driving me spare, though. I've signed up for a tutor to get some help. I missed so much Muggle training by going to Hogwarts and I have to re-learn some of the Maths I did before Hogwarts."

"I know enough that the Arithmancy that I know won't be of much help to you," Severus admitted.

"That's okay," Harry was surprised. This was the first that Severus had made anything like an offer to help him. "Any word on the work on your house?"

"Yes." Severus grimaced. "It's going to be more expensive that I had hoped," he said. "I'm reconsidering having the work done at all. Not sure the building is worth the effort."

"If you want to do it, then do it," Harry encouraged. "Put your proposal together and maybe you can have someone else who's not as closely involved as you to have a look at it to give you a second opinion."

"That's actually a reasonable idea," Severus replied thoughtfully.

"The money's not a factor," Harry said. "Just that whatever you're doing is worthwhile."

"Money is always a factor," Severus said firmly. "I do not want to undertake financial obligations that I cannot repay."

Knowing that he needed to back down, Harry waved a hand, "Do what you think best."

"I will," Severus gave a small smile.

On Severus' first day at St. Mungo's, Harry skived off his Italian class. Not to see him off or anything, he told himself, he just didn't want to go to class. Kreacher had also packed a meal for Severus to take.

"Thank you both," Severus said solemnly, taking the lunch bag from Kreacher. "I appreciate this."

"You's welcome Master Severus," Kreacher squeaked. "I makes you lunches every day if you want."

"That is very thoughtful of you," Severus said to the house elf.

It was another month before Severus had his proposal ready.

"I've decided to have the work done," he announced, laying a sheaf of papers down on a table in the Library. "I'd like to have something of my own and while the house at Spinner's End is not much, it is mine. I have worked out reasonable payments for the amount I need to borrow."

"I don't need to..." Harry started to say but stopped at Severus' hard look. Harry held up his hands in surrender. "All right. Please, show me what you propose."

Severus sat next to Harry on the couch. Harry could feel warmth radiating from Severus as they sat next to each other. It was a comfortable feeling.

It was as detailed as Harry had expected it to be. An outline of the work to be done, estimates from three companies to do the work, and a schedule of payments for... "Twenty years!?!"

"That is not an unusual plan, especially in the Muggle world," Severus temporized. "Muggles make payments on their homes for twenty to thirty years. For the amount of money involved, it is a reasonable proposal."

"When do you think your house will be ready?" Harry asked.

"Looking to get rid of me already?" Severus asked, deadpan. Then he gave a small grin, taking the sting out of the question.

"No!" Harry protested. "Just curious."

"The contractor estimates at least three months but that is dependent on the weather and the availability of some of the materials," Severus told him. "It may be as long as six months."

"Okay then," Harry replied. He looked at the stack of paper on the table. "You'll have to break this down for me," Harry admitted. "I guess I need to take that Finance class sooner than I thought."

Severus picked up the papers and leaned closer so they could read the pages together, "This is the original proposal for the work to be done..."

An hour later, Harry put his hand on Severus' knee, which brought Severus' head up sharply. Harry caught an odd look on Severus' face. "I trust you for this," he said. "I understand the basics and it's good enough for me."

It took Harry a minute to remember his hand on Severus' knee. His face went red before he could stop it and he snatched his hand back, mumbling, "Sorry."

Severus smirked but to Harry's eternal gratitude he made no reference to the touch. "All right then," he agreed. "If you would sign the documents... here..." He produced a quill and handed Harry one set of the papers. "And here," Severus handed Harry another set. "And one more, here," he finished. As Harry signed the last set, there was a flash of gold light that sealed the agreement.

"I've already set up a vault at Gringotts," Harry said. "I'll get the Goblins to transfer the money tomorrow, if that's all right?"

"That would be acceptable," Severus replied. "Thank you."

Between Severus' odd hours, his involvement in the work on his house, and the end of the term for Harry's classes, they only saw each other at odd times and rarely for very long.

Making new friends at school had been good for Harry – getting tutored in his Maths class and a study group for his Italian class had him meeting people and kept him out of the house on a regular basis.

In spite of keeping busy, Harry missed his oldest friends. Once Harry had been settled in Grimmauld Place under the care of Madame Pomfrey, Hermione had decided she needed to go to Australia to spend time with her parents. Not sure what he wanted to do and not wanting to work for the Ministry, Ron had ended up working with George at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. The threesome kept in touch sporadically, Hermione's regular letters guilting Harry into responding semi-regularly. Ron would pop by the house occasionally, dragging Harry out for a pint where he mostly complained about his long distance relationship with Hermione. Severus kept a supply of Hangover Draught in the bathroom for Harry for these occasions.

Ginny had taken the offer she received to play professional Quiddich, not-quite-regretfully breaking off her relationship with Harry. Harry found it interesting that he only vaguely missed her.

Severus' schedule at St. Mungo's settled in; he worked regular afternoon shifts on weekends with days off during the week. Harry spent weekends either doing homework or working with Kreacher to clean up and renovate Grimmauld Place. Harry understood the attachment the house elf had to Black memorabilia, so he didn't dispose of anything but stored non-magical items in the attic and had Dark or questionable items transferred to the Black vaults in Gringotts.

Which is why Severus' announcement, "I'll be moving out tomorrow," caught Harry totally by surprise.

"Already?" Harry asked. Hadn't Severus just started this project?

"It's been nearly five months," Severus replied. "There are only a few finishing tasks that need to be completed and I will undertake those myself."

Harry looked in dismay. "I..." He swallowed. "I've gotten used to you being here." He didn't want to think about how ... pitiful ... that sounded.

"I am not going that far," Severus pointed out. "Besides which, you have your friends and your studies, and it's time for both of us to be on our own for a bit."

"I guess," Harry groused.

Severus sighed. "We've hardly seen each other over the past few months," he stated.

"But..." At Severus' patient look, Harry had to agree. "Right, then. Are you free this evening? We can at least have dinner together." The hell with homework; he wanted to spend some time with Severus.

A look Harry could not interpret came over Severus' face before it settled into his usual stoic mask.

"Certainly," Severus agreed graciously. "Dinner together would be fine."

Kreacher made all of Severus' favorites, including a strawberry cream pie for dessert. They talked about Harry's classes and Severus' colleagues at St. Mungos. Harry laughed at Severus' description of a junior member of the lab attempting – badly – to brew Skele-Gro.

"Smythe is the worst brewer I have ever encountered," Severus sighed. "And after all the students I had the misfortune to teach at Hogwarts, that is quite the feat."

"Worse than Neville?"

"Smythe makes Mr. Longbottom look like a brewing master," Severus said, with a twinkle in his eyes.

At some point, Harry had no reason to keep Severus talking. The hour had grown late and they had finished the excellent bottle of wine from the Black cellars Kreacher had served with dinner.

"As much as it pains me to say this," Severus said finally, "I am going to miss spending time with you."

"I... I'm going to miss you, too," Harry admitted.

"My thanks for allowing me to stay here with you," Severus said formally. He stood. "Good night. Harry."

"Good night, Severus," Harry said softly. He sat, savoring the taste of the name he had rarely had occasion to use aloud.

Determined not to make a fuss, Harry went off to class the next day as usual. Severus was gone by the time he returned and Harry found Kreacher muttering in the kitchen. Harry had eaten alone many times when his schedule and Severus' were opposite, but now it seemed particularly lonely.

Harry doggedly completed homework, calling it a night when he was no longer getting anything done. He went to class, met with his study group, ate another lonely dinner, and did more homework before crawling into bed. He kept at it for two weeks before he gave in.

The newly renovated house at Spinner's End looked slightly out of place on the drab street. It was cleaner and the new windows shone in the sunlight. The patch of yard about the house had been dug up and carefully raked to provide a semblance of grooming. It was too soon for anything to be growing but Harry could imagine the greenery that would appear soon.

Severus opened the door in response to Harry's knock.

"You're lucky to have caught me at home," Severus said.

"Checked your schedule at St. Mungo's," Harry admitted. "Figured if you weren't there, you'd be here." Harry shifted in place awkwardly. "Invite me in?" He held up the package in his hands. "Kreacher sends strawberry pie."

"That was thoughtful," Severus replied. "Come in."

Harry looked around as he entered the house. "Turned out nice," he said. There were books everywhere but the windows allowed in daylight and the obviously new shelves showed the books off to their advantage.

"Yes, it did," Severus said. "Come and let me give you the full tour."

Much smaller than Grimmauld Place, the tour did not take long, and they soon stood in the modest kitchen.

"I miss you," Harry blurted before he could stop himself. He wrapped his arms about himself. "Sorry, I shouldn't have..."

Severus held up a hand to silence him. "I miss you, too." A brief hesitation in which Harry's heart beat loudly in his ears. "Perhaps... we could come to a suitable arrangement."

Harry didn't even try to hold in his broad smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Title from Walt Whitman:

The paths to the house I seek to make,
But leave to those to come the house itself.