Severus watched the boy, grown man, weep before him. He said nothing as he waited for the weight that Draco had been carrying slowly lifted away. He wasn't the kind to comfort those who were suffering loss. No, Severus knew exactly what was needed during those times. Understanding silence.

Draco sniffled softly and wiped his eyes on his sleeves letting out a huffed smile. "I told myself not to lose it in front of you." He said almost as an afterthought. "That you didn't need more tears." He said softly slowly rubbing one puffy red eye, "They're useless." He said quoting the words that were spoken to him so many years ago by the very man before him. Draco sniffed a bit and pushed himself up.

"I don't know what to do now..." He said with a quirk of his lips, "I never even thought I'd succeed." He said running a hand through his longer hair, it almost matched Severus' own in length but didn't hold the same crispness of his fathers. It was slightly discolored in places, his mother's more dark hair having come through with his age.

He pushed a bit of it behind his ear and turned to look at Severus who still sat silently, watching, waiting. "So...doing a bit of spring cleaning?" He said gently nudging the discarded duvet with the toe of his boot. He tried to lighten the mood with the change of subject and Severus acquiesced his wishes.

"I am...expecting company." He said dryly his throat throbbing lightly from use.

Draco couldn't keep his eyes from wandering to the scar as it moved with his words. He swallowed a bit before nodding his head, "I uh...didn't take your for the having company type." He put his hands in his pocket moving to look out the window into the back garden.

"It would seem," Severus paused watching Draco move, "You were not the only one looking for me." He let his words hang in the air, smirking internally as Draco mirrored his very own eyebrow arch. He gave him one, in turn, tilting his head away looking at the arm of the rocking chair where his fingernail was lightly picking at a bit of bubbled staining.

"Are you aware that St. Mungo's have your invention in their possession?"

Draco did so miss the games they would play. He nodded his head, "Yes I am aware, as I did offer it to them." He played with a coin in his pocket while he spoke. "I do believe it was to be used for a very specific patient." He finished coolly, glancing sideways to judge his Godfather's reaction.

"Indeed." Severus slowly crossed his legs leaning back in the rocking chair a bit more, "It has come to my attention that, this particular patient, will no longer have access to your invention." Severus watched the cogs turn in Draco's head. At first, his brow furrowed in confusion before slowly his eyes widened and he turned looking at him in shock before quickly schooling himself into a calm aloof manner.

"Is that so?" Draco shifted and leaned against the window seal, "I suppose, if I were allowed visits here on a regular basis, I may perhaps, help in this situation."

Severus chewed over the others words very carefully. For five years, he'd been peacefully alone, all this time left to stew in his own laments had left him with a serious case of agoraphobia that he didn't so readily want to rid himself of.

He rested his chin on his fingers as he glanced in Draco's direction. The boy did really seem to be speaking the truth and he'd always had a small soft spot for the boy seeing himself so many times in his actions.

He took a slow breath and looked down to the floor with a sense of carelessness. "I suppose that would be agreeable." Severus missed the large beaming smile that lit the boy's face and the way his grey eyes shone an almost beautiful pure blue. Draco resisted the urge to run over to him and hug him once more but he knew, he'd gotten away with way too much today as it was. Gradually, he turned to properly face the window.

"Two days time?"

"Two days."

With those final words, Draco transformed himself and flew out of the window. Severus took a deep breath closing his eyes, he let his head thunk back against the chair. He felt a deep rumble in his chest but it was not of frustration or anger rather simply, the annoyance of having yet to finish cleaning the room. He rolled his head side to side and slowly pushed himself up. Glancing about, he started to it.

oOo

As the sun reached late afternoon, his stomach could no longer be ignored and with a swipe of his brow, he tossed the duvet over the clothesline stretching it out so as to dry properly. Once satisfied, he glanced towards his small garden of tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. He noticed a rather nice looking tomato hanging low on a branch and decided to have a nice light lunch. He moved over plucking it from its stem rubbing a bit of rain-dust from its outside as he walked towards the back door.

His mind was blissfully blank while he washed the fruit and set it up on the cutting board. He'd already fallen into mundane Muggle routines; having always to manually prepare his food even during his stay at Hogwarts.

Oh, how the house elves loathed him, to him it was about the thought placed in the meal that gave it it's nutrition. Like everything else in his life, he believed the intention was an integral part of the way the world twisted around itself.

He took care to cut the slices thin and wash the seeds away. He placed them on a piece of wheat bread with a bit of lettuce. He cleaned up quickly, sweeping everything into the sink before taking a seat at the table, realizing that he'd only but one chair. He glanced at the small kitchen table and groaned softly as he added it to his ever-growing list of things. Now with three possible 'guests', he would have to make some changes. Though he thought with a smirk, perhaps if he left it as it was it would deter prolonged visits. He snorted with a smirk to himself and he continued to eat.

oOo

As evening rolled around he had managed to write an actual list of need to buy things and had settled himself down in his wingback chair in the sitting room. A book resting neatly on his lap, a cup of strong tea in hand. He was never one to indulge in alcohol. Though over the years he'd made one or two exceptions it wasn't something he kept in the house. A strong coffee or tea suited his pensive moods very well.

Severus rested unknowingly in the chair. Having been up all night had taken its toll. His cheek laid against the wing of the chair, his face relaxed in a peaceful sleep. His hand twitched slightly and he shifted just so as his otherwise peaceful slumber started to turn.

"Severus..." Came a hissing voice. The man in question found himself spinning place, searching for the source of the sound. His wand held high in defense.

"Severus..." Came another voice, this time disarmingly gentle, beckoning him closer. He turned once more on his heel, watching in awe as the darkness started to dissolve into a more calming visage. His wand still held high as he took in his new surroundings. He could feel the calming presence calling out to him silently and went to step forward. However, his foot found no purchase and he tumbled forward.

He caught himself on the ground, though no longer was it the beautiful fields but rather stale waterlogged wood under his fingers. His wand had gone and he stared down at the planks of wood beneath his fingers, he trying to catch his breath. He could hear, rather than see, something moving behind him and a cold dread filled his dream body and he couldn't help but turn to find its source.

"You'll never be free..." Hissed the snake that slowly slithered towards him. The voice belonging to his dead master, though unexpectedly, it was not the voice of Voldemort that left the snake's mouth. It was Albus Dumbledore's. The snake continued towards him rearing up to strike, it opened its jowls, its fangs dripping with poison as Snape tried to back himself away.

Snape jerked awake just as the snake had lunged, a cold sweat having formed on his brow. He could feel his heart pulsing through his mind. His eyes wide with the shock of the dream, he touched his neck gingerly finding that it was still healed. He shook out his head just a bit closing his eyes tightly to chase away the already fading images.

He glanced around his home to find it dark and cold. He rubbed his bare arms just a bit before standing to retrieve the duvet he'd left outside. The night was calm, only the sounds of nighttime creatures seemed to be stirring. He glanced at the heavy tree line out of practice but noticed nothing unusual. He pulled the duvet from the line and folded it over an arm before retreating back into the house.

He flicked his eyes at the clock in the kitchen when he passed, noting the time to be just after 8. He decided to set the duvet in the sitting room for now and turned on his heal with a snap. Hereturned to the kitchen with a very loudly protesting stomach. His meager lunch had left him ravenous and his disquieting dreamscape had left his nerves frayed.

oOOo

Severus had continued slowly through all his personally assigned tasks. The trip to the store had been uneventful with no prying eyes, his disguise having kept his anxiety at bay. Though Minerva had managed to send him missives they had stopped three years ago, but now two people had managed to find his secret solitude. He greatly wondered if his Godson's recent success hadn't been aided in some manner.

As he carried the bags back to his home he pondered the complexity of the intrusions. He wasn't a dim-witted man; he understood the complex workings of those around him and had a sneaking suspicion that these two visitors were in fact connected. Though as it was, he had nothing to base his claims.

He decided to simply put his keen mind to the task of watching them closely. The urge to flee had struck him many times over the course of the days that passed. Though his promise to assist in his oncoming visitor's ailment kept him in place— for the time being. He had no doubts in his mind that as soon as his task was complete he would retreat further.

As he walked up the steps of the unseen porch his mind rolled over the small bit of information his godson had let slip. The world thought of him as a hero. A hero. He couldn't help but sneer at the poor door before him. He was no hero, he was a coward of the highest caliber. He nudged open the wood with his foot and stepped through.

The world was doing just as well without him, he thought idly and kicked the door closed behind him. There was no need for his kind any longer. Let the boy who served the final blow bask in the glory of his ill fate. He had no need for anyone's gratitude. He did it only for himself and one other.

He sighed softly as he set the bags on the small kitchen table. He truly was a selfish man. He took a cleansing breath and pulled the new sheets from the bag starting the arduous task of unwrapping the plastic and placing it in the appropriate bins.

As he worked his mind couldn't help but turn, it was the day Draco was set to return, he glanced up at the ticking of the antique pendulum clock. Half past noon, he supposed he should expect his visit in the coming hours.

He glanced at the windows to the back garden before turning to push one open. The breeze was cool against his fingers as he stared into the back garden for any sign that his Godson had slipped past his wards undetected as before. Though when no sight greeted him, he turned away again resetting in his task.

It was as he had just finished opening the last of his packages did he hear the distinct flutter of wings. He stacked the new supplies neatly on the corner of the table and glanced behind briefly as he felt black wings flutter past. This time he came encumbered, a large wooden box that had been clutched in his claws thumped heavily onto the table and threatened to fall over the edge, thankfully, Severus' quick reflexes kept the box in place.

The owl flew back and transformed instantly, hands moving near Severus' with a deep huff to do just as he had done. Protecting the precious contents. Severus pulled back slowly, dressed in his former self's clothing made him look all the more dark and foreboding as Draco lifted his blond head.

The boy smiled slowly and thanked him under his breath, "Who knew this flying thing was so tiring." He said softly before straightening himself up properly. "I thought perhaps you could use a few things." He said with a small smile on his face and moved to open the box.

It held inside many things that ought not to have fit, having been magically expanded Draco started to slowly pull out various empty vials. Severus watched him with a quirked brow as he set out basic supplies for brewing. Finally, when he pulled the cauldron free he sighed and stepped back.

"I know how much these would have meant to you." He said softly, noting that Severus did, in fact, recognize his own personal collection of vials, knives, and rods, still wrapped in the carefully crafted leather sheath. "Also." He said slowly, turning away just a bit as he dug into his own elaborately decorated coat, that suspiciously resembled Severus' own had it not been a horrid color of hunter green detailing it's every trimming.

Draco pulled whatever he had from his jacket very delicately. It was wrapped very thoughtfully in a red silk clothe. "This wasn't easy to obtain." He very slowly held it out to him with both hands. The small rounded object seemed to pulse and Severus couldn't help but be drawn to it.

Cautiously, he accepted what was offered and rested it gingerly in the palm of his hand, taking care to pull the wrappings away just so. As the ebony wood came into view Severus felt a pull of magic like he'd never felt before. His fingers wrapped languidly around the slender wood and it felt like everything inside of him that had been raging out of control had suddenly calmed and clicked into place.

"My wand." He said simply as he took in its worn and scratched surfaces, the finish was dulled in some areas from extreme friction and years of use.

Draco nodded silently, having a mind to not interrupt the man's internal struggle. He simply watched as Snape's face showed the most minute of changes, a twitch of an eyelid, flex of a cheek muscle. He wouldn't have bet his life on it, but he was sure that Severus wasn't happy to have the wand back into his possession.

Draco almost moved to speak when his Godfather placed the wrapped wand down on the table. Draco swallowed thickly but wisely decided not to comment. He looked back into his box, "I have one more thing..." He nearly whispered as he reached inside the box he'd brought, pulling out a small ornate white oak box.

He said nothing more as he placed it in front of Snape aside his wand. He chewed his lip unconsciously before pulling open the top. It revealed a silver banded temporal reader. Though this one seemed more valuable and more worn, if the staining of the silver near the stones was anything to go by, it had been used very often.

Severus glanced up at Draco who had fallen solemnly quiet. He pulled the device from the box and inspected it with his fingers and eyes before setting it gently in the box once more.

"You...you'll need a wand to activate it." He said dumbly shifting from foot to foot.

Severus said nothing as he waited for more of an explanation on what exactly it did. Sensing the boy's hesitation he motioned for him to follow him into the sitting room, at which time he took a seat and crossed his legs folding his hands into his lap.

Draco himself managed to walk with purpose, gathering his courage to speak as he moved. After he sat himself down, he took a deep breath and leaned back in the chair before changing his mind and leaning forward onto his elbows while he studied the threadbare rug.

"When mother fell very ill following Father's death, she had locked herself away in her rooms." He started slowly, "It took no time for her health to decline and I often found her staring off into the fathoms of space." He said slowly picking at a manicured fingernail. "After a while, my voice no longer reached her. She stayed that way always." He paused sighing softly, "I didn't want to let her go...I wanted to see what she was seeing."

He rubbed the tip of his nose a bit as he readjusted himself, "I know you'd taught me to shield my mind, but I hadn't any idea on where to start on seeing inside of another's." He idly kicked a small stray piece of wooden charcoal that must have tumbled free of the hearth. "I did some research, in our family library and came across many things." He leaned back now keeping his eyes anywhere but at Snape's. The man himself was quietly and passively listening; no emotion present on his features.

"Anyway, I managed to combine a few spells together and charm some stones." He waved absently towards the kitchen, "The device not only allows you to see into the other's mind." He said softly finally taking the moment to look Severus directly into the eyes, "You can live their experience with them." He shifted deliberately, leaning forward just a bit more, "You can enter their mind, but not just as a spectator. You can actually interact with them as if they were there with you. Really there with you."

His eyes turned down, "Of course aside from you and the person nothing else is actually real." He leaned back, a heavy weight falling upon his shoulders, "Anything that the person thinks of is real to them of course, but you really have very little control over what everyone else in the memory is doing."

He licked his lips slowly, "Though I suppose if one was strong enough they could alter the memories to their will." He glanced over at Severus but saw nothing to tell him what the man was thinking, "I've never been strong enough myself." He started picking at his finger again, "The device also has a passive mode, to tell you when someone is in pain, or hungry, or thirsty. You know, basic bodily needs." He sighed softly, "I hope you can find more use than I."

Severus said nothing just watching the torrent of emotions fall over the boy's unguarded features. As the silence stretched on he watched as the boy finally decided on defeat. He lifted his eyes to Snape's and gave him the saddest smile, "I truly hope that it will bring you more use." His voice filled with an emotion that Severus knew all too well. He nodded his head before slowly shifting his crossed legs. He leaned forward raising his hand slowly. Draco couldn't stop himself from closing his eyes as that large, heavy hand, rested so carefully atop his head.

How many times had he cried before this man? This man whom he had never seen break. The weight of his hand felt so comforting and releasing at the same time. Draco didn't move as the tears started to pour silently from his eyes. The hand never moved, yet it brought the most extreme comfort to the raging storm inside the young man.

How he had wanted to feel that comfort, it was all he needed in that moment. When his tears slowly came to a stop, the hand gently lifted from the top of his head. He took a deep breath and straightened himself up looking up at the man now standing before him. He was like an insurmountable mountain of strength. Severus would never know how much Draco aspired to have his resolve in the face of such torment. Draco slowly swallowed down the remaining pain in his heart and stood.

"Do you think Father...ever cried?" He whispered between them.

"Yes." He said simply, watching Draco's lip curl into a small smile.

"I'd never seen him cry." He said softly.

"He cried the day you were born," Severus said softly his presence no longer holding a menace to it, but a warm comfortable aura. Draco smiled just a bit more wistfully.

"He cried the day he thought he lost you to the darkness." He slowly took hold of Draco's scar-less forearm.

Draco swallowed and nodded his head turning to hold Severus' own arm. He looked into his eyes once more and nodded his head sniffling just a bit before taking a step back releasing their arms.

"I uh, I can get you any ingredients that you need." He turned away tucking a bit of hair behind his ear, "Just write what you'd like and what quantities. I can bring them to you when you request them to be brought."

"Thank you." His voice was deep and filled with gratitude, a bit of pride having welled in his chest at the man Draco had become.

Hearing those words, Draco himself felt a swell of emotion fill his chest and he nodded his head again. He glanced around the much tidier sitting room. "Your wand, has no trace on it, to the rest of the world it was a monument to a fallen wizard." He changed the subject for fear he would lose his composure once more. Severus nodded his head in understanding.

"When...when are you expecting company?" He asked noticing that there was a seemingly new lounge in the corner of the room. Fit for someone to stretch out on should they fancy something very relaxing to read on. Definitely not Severus' style he surmised.

"By weeks end." He said calmly moving to sit once again. He watched through his hair while the boy moved absently about looking at this and that.

"I'd like to see her." He said boldly, finally addressing the elephant in the room.

Severus couldn't contain the brow that rose with curiosity. "I'm curious to see how the temporal reader works for someone else." He added quickly, covering his more pressing motives.

"That could be arranged I suppose," Severus spoke with a bit of hesitation. He didn't want more company that already warranted but he couldn't stop himself from believing Draco to be of some use to his current circumstance. As it was, he himself wasn't sure what he was going to manage in terms of successful treatment.

He'd spent his evening hours pouring over all the books he currently held on curses. But his library was limited and he needed more information than he was willing to search for. He knew the risks of seeking out the darker curse books, regardless of what the wizarding world perceived. If he were suddenly to appear asking for access to extremely dark texts, he had no doubt that he would raise many alarm bells.

"Right then." Draco said rubbing his palms on his coat, "Is there anything I can search for you now?" He asked turning towards the man in the chair. Severus nodded almost inperceivably and shifted in his seat pulling out a bit of Muggle notebook paper and offered it to him.

Draco couldn't stop himself from examining the texture and odd blue lines. Though he said nothing as he opened the list. His brows rose a bit and he glanced towards Snape before nodding his head.

"I can get everything for you easily." He said softly. "Father should have most of these books in the library." He added absently.

He squinted as he tried to read the last line of scrawl, "What's this then?" He asked pointing to a bit of the paper.

Severus leaned forward just a bit, "Piedritas negras, more commonly known as 'snake-stone'." He said simply, "The apothecary in Hogsmeade won't carry it, but if you ask they will order it for you." He said absently leaning back in the chair watching Draco's mind try and calculate just what all the ingredients were for. He'd not been bad at potions but even he didn't understand the complexity of the ingredients, though knowing his godfather, they were important.

"Right." He said folding the paper into his pocket; he glanced around noticing that he was starting to feel intrusive, and knowing he had a wife and baby girl to return to he shuffled his feet a bit, "Can I return the day after she arrives?" He said softly, "I could stay and assist in treatment." He watched Severus' face turn as he mulled over the idea.

"If I find that I am in fact in need of assistance." He said slowly, "I will accept." He pushed himself up sensing their meeting time was coming to an end.

Draco smiled softly, "Until then."

"Until then."Draco saw himself to the kitchen window and transformed with a jump.

Always a little bit of a show-off. Severus smirked as he disappeared into the evening light. He shook his head a bit and looked to his table ready to finish his preparations for the evening and settle into his well-worn routine of reading by the fire.