Safe Haven

Skeletons

Severus didn't realize how much he enjoyed his new routine. Well, new as in the last several months. It was now September, and the days were beginning to cool. He had begun to wake up early and prep for his days work while Sam made the pastries and then they walked through the forest together searching for herbs and mushrooms. It gave them a way to talk with little pressure, there was a purpose.

Severus didn't know why Sam had chosen to take up foraging with him in the mornings but he didn't want to question it. Sam didn't push him to talk, although he would happily chatter about and Severus found that he didn't mind that. Mindless chatter in the classroom or while he was at Hogwarts would drive him crazy. But with Sam, he didn't mind the sea shanties or anecdotes spoken in that lighthearted Scottish drawl. He was finding Sam's company to be more enjoyable than his own solitude and that, quite frankly, was terrifying.

They were closing down the shop for the night; he, Sam, and Hazel were all starving and while they usually made dinner had decided that they would go down to the local pub and eat there. Severus' heart was pounding in nervousness, the social anxiety of having to perform social niceties gave him a headache. Not only that, he was terrified that someone would recognize him.

"Hey, you look like you're about to be sick?" Hazel immediately stopped him, clucking about like a mother hen

Despite her being fifteen years his junior, she prattled on about him like he was her baby duckling. She helped him learn the ins and outs of the apothecary, how to order clothes by mail order owl rather than venture out into a more crowded space, listened to his complaints, and rightfully told him when to shove it when she felt he was getting "too big for his britches" which she had told him was an American phrase for being egotistical.

"I'm fine, I'm annoyed at having to face people in order to eat my dinner" he explained sarcastically, rolling his eyes

"I told you that our town has old magic protecting it from outsiders. No one who wants to find you will be able to. And no one will recognize you, the guards in place shift features and alter memory when they sense someone may have ulterior motives" she re-explained to him a bit impatient

"I know you've said that before. But after twenty years of being under constant scrutiny and alarm has made it so I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop" he explained sharply, knowing that she didn't understand

The constant fear of being found out by either side, of Voldemort digging around in his mind at every meeting and sometimes a light torture session just to remind him who was in charge had conditioned him to live in vigilance. Hazel had lived a blessedly safe life and had a lot of privilege around the idea of security.

"Listen, we'll make a plan. If you see someone you don't want to, just tell me the phrase 'it's time to turn in' and we'll high tail it out of there" Sam shook his hair out of the bun that was on top of his head, his v-neck forest green tee shirt set off the deep red of his hair.

While Severus was strong but lanky, Sam was strong and heavily muscled. He easily shoved stones and downed tree trunks out of the way when they were venturing through the woods on their hunts. There was a softness about Sam, despite this overt display of masculinity. He laughed easily, picked up his old Bassett hound Otis like a baby and spun him around the cafe, doted on Hazel much to her chagrin, and spoke respectfully to him in a way that most people hadn't bothered. He asked dozens of questions about the mushrooms and herbs they collected and was turning out to be a fast learning forager. Severus hadn't tried to read his thoughts, although he had been tempted. It wouldn't be fair, he had no defense. There was something sad behind Sam's laughter, a sorrow that ran deep and hidden. As much as he wanted to dig and find out, he knew that it wasn't the right time yet. Those kinds of discoveries had to be earned with time, trust, and loyalty.