It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 20

Ron's mouth dropped open.  "I wasn't going to snog her . . . not here . . not now . . ." he sputtered.

"OOooooo," Fred turned to George.  "We need a camera . . . . "

"Too right, the blackmail potential is too good to pass up!"  George rubbed his hands together.

"Shove off, both of you!"  Ginny gave them a push toward the door.  "Why don't you two go and start making plans for your store!"

"Brilliant!" Fred nodded, then 'pop' was gone, presumably to the upstairs bedroom.

"Excellent idea!" George agreed and 'pop' he was gone, too.

"Smooth, Ginny," Dan smiled at her, as he passed by her, on the way to the DVD box.  "Want to watch some of the 'behind the scenes' stuff about the movies?"

"Yeah," Harry replied. "As long as you can stop it if we have questions to ask."

"Sure," Rupert flipped through the DVD's and found the one he thought would be most interesting to them.

"And we've got a lot of questions for all you, too," added Tom.   "For instance, well, actually, I guess I should ask Severus this one . . . why do  you all have to drink those vile potions . . . can't anyone in the Wizarding world figure out how to make pills or capsules?"

"I've asked myself that every time Madam Pomfrey shoved that "Skele-gro" bottle into my hand after Lockhart deboned my arm!" Harry laughed.  "Modern methods, especially if the Muggles use them, are not very accepted by the Wizarding world; ' this is how it's always been done' attitude.  Bloody backwards, if you ask me."

"Well, I think I'll have a little talk with Draco about starting a company to make Magical pills . . .  maybe get Severus on board as an advisor . . . Draco could make a packet!  After this is all over, I mean.  Would be his own source of income, get him out from under Daddy's thumb, too!"  Tom announced, looking very pleased with himself.

"Ah, your Slytherin side is showing again, Tom," teased Rupert  "Maybe he should talk to Fred and George  . . .   they might have a few contacts to help get the whole thing off the ground."

"Will do!  It'll be a surprise for Draco, when he comes back on Friday."

"If he can get away," Dan reminded him. "He and Narcissa will have to be careful and find a time when Lucius isn't around the Manor."

"Right, forgot that bit . . . but they'll manage . . . they really ARE Slytherins!"

 * * *

As Severus Snape descended the cold stone stairs to his private potions lab, he couldn't get the thought out of his head; even though he knew it was a Muggle movie, even though he knew it was a fictionalization of their future lives, the fact that both Lily and he had said 'always', was making him both elated and saddened.  That they both were thinking only of Harry, that they were both striving for the same goal, made him smile, inwardly.  However, she would never know his part in it . . . but, then . . . maybe she did. . .  maybe she has seen everything . . . if her spirit, and those of  Pott.....James and Black...... Sirius and Lup.....Remus were there, too. 

Ah, well, this time, it will be different!   He'd gotten a second chance; to make it right and also to survive, with a bit of luck.  He almost chuckled at that slight pun, as he reached the heavy, ancient wooden door.  Waving his wand, he lowered the wards, the lock clicked and he entered the high ceilinged room. 

The weak winter sunshine barely made its presence known, as it shone through the deep set leaded windows.  A wave of his wand and scores of candle flames ignited, chasing away the shadows and making the rows of bottles and jars lining the shelves sparkle, despite the light coating of dust on all of them.  Another wave and a thick, ancient volume floated from the bookcase and landed with a soft thump on the work table in the center of the room.  Shrugging off his cloak, and then his frock coat, he rolled up his sleeves as he flipped through the musty pages, looking for the formula he'd need for the 'Felix Felicis'.   As he scanned the ingredients list, his eyes flicked to various shelves and specific jars and bottles began floating over, landing with small thuds, to line themselves up on the table's broad surface.  A flick toward the fireplace and flames burst out from under the largest cauldron hanging there.  Next, a cutting board and several different shaped knives landed on the other side of the table, along with several bowls of various sizes.