HOUSE SNONKSGOOD.

[bestunrevealed]

This is the house of Snonksgood. To the street it is a three story brownstone in Brooklyn, and distressingly plain. There is no neon in the single window, which does not allow a view of the inside; deep, dark green curtains obscure the inside of the shop. After all, quite a few of the potions and ingredients are heat and light-sensitive

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[markofawitch]

Lily has decided to pay her oldest friend a visit. It's a good day for that sort of thing, and she doesn't see enough of him. She's never actually been to his house, so she can't help but laugh when she sees "Lovesnonks" written there.

She knocks on the door, and waits. She hopes he's home. She hadn't thought to check before coming to visit.

[bestunrevealed]

Oldest in years, longer known -- it's a small honor, but it's Snape's.

Still, he rarely leaves and come evening once the shop is closed, he retreats downstairs to his lair. But he comes up to the ground floor door when a simple peek through his scry-finder lets him see who it is.

He honestly debates not going up -- but that'd be cowardly, and while Lily makes him many things, a coward will not be it today. He comes upstairs, looms in the doorway, and greets her with simply, "Lily. I hadn't expected you to call."

Ever.

That's sort of why he moved out of the MAC.

[markofawitch]

"Surprise." Lily offers, with a small smile. "I hadn't really expected it, either. It was more of a 'I should go say hi' sort of moment. So I'm saying hi."

[bestunrevealed]

This is the awkward moment where you realize you have no idea what to do. Where you stand there, feeling confused about what to do.

He never took her to his home. It was filthy and small and he was sure, sure that his father would call her a nasty name and perhaps even hurt her. And if there was anything that could put the fear in young Severus Snape it was the very idea of his father putting his hands on Lily Evans. It was the stuff of youthful nightmares.

"Come in," he finally says, as he thinks of all the things lurking about his door. Much less frightening then Tobias Snape was to his prepubescent self, but all the same, he can at least-- bring her inside. And. Talk to her. Maybe. "This is not the best neighborhood to stand on -- stoops. Such as the stoops are."

He pointed at the stairs; "I'm downstairs. The Tonks and Luna are upstairs. The mainfloor is dedicated to the shop."

[markofawitch]

Lily is actually surprised when he invites her in, because it is the first time he's ever done so. She's so surprised, in fact, that she forgets to comment on being able to take care of herself in bad neighborhoods. Instead, she smiles, and accepts his invitation in.

"How is it living with them?"

[bestunrevealed]

Oh, Lily. You asked for it... "Andromeda has difficulty with boundaries and steals my food on occasion. Tonks plays the Weird Sisters at all hours. Luna comes into my rooms at night and steals my books without a by your leave. Frankly, Hogwarts was quieter and there were hundreds of children there at any given time."

Still, he doesn't sound unhappy, as he turns toward the stairs. "We'll see if Andromeda has left us any scones."

And down the steps he goes, invitation to follow there without being said.

[markofawitch]

Lily picks up on him not sounding unhappy, and her smile grows, though she tries to hide it as she follows him down the stairs. "At least there's never a dull moment."

[bestunrevealed]

The place is dark, cool as expected of the basement, but remarkably like a home instead of like a cellar. Snape has had more then enough of cellars for his life, thank you.

Something smells good; there is food on in the kitchen as Snape makes supper. Something on the stove. Summer vegetables are being steamed. A roast in the pan. He finds his covered tray of scones, and sets a kettle on. It shouldn't hurt to share one with Lily while dinner cooks.

"I'd--" invite you to stay? ask you to join me? So many words, so loaded with potential sentiment that he has to pick them very carefully, "--offer to share supper, but I imagine you have- other plans."

[markofawitch]

Lily chooses her answer just as carefully, though it may not seem like she does. "Maybe some other time. It smells delicious." While she doesn't exactly have other plans, she does have a husband, a son, and a Sirius to look after, and she supposes that counts.

[bestunrevealed]

And two of those three hate his guts, so -- yes, careful answer to careful suggestion noted and dismissed.

"They prefer the nights I cook," he says as he puts the tray on the table. "Though Andromeda is threatening to take over a few. She does better with poultices, I'm afraid, if the way she speaks is any indication."

[markofawitch]

"Just imagine what the two of you could create if you joined forces for a meal." Lily quirks at half smile at him. "I didn't actually know you knew how to cook. But I suppose it would come naturally, with you being so good at potions."

She looks thoughtful. "Though that doesn't really explain why I burn more than half of what I cook."

[bestunrevealed]

"I would do must of the work," Snape points out. But he glances back, just for a second, and glances away again, looking for the jam and honey.

It keeps the scant smile hidden.

"As -- things progressed, during the war and away from the school, I found I needed something other then food from a box to sustain me," he replied. "You get used to eating well at Hogwarts, and-- it filled the hours."

[markofawitch]

"You must have watched a lot of cooking shows on the television, then." Lily's trying to keep the conversation light, and easy. She's teasing him. "Or attended cooking classes."

[bestunrevealed]

"Do you see a television?" he shakes his head. "Just read a great deal."

And burned several things, but what is science without progress?

[markofawitch]

"Ah, a library of cookbooks, then." She nods solemnly, still smiling. "I suppose that would be a more logical conclusion to jump to, than cooking shows."

[bestunrevealed]

Bringing the items he needs to the table, he pulls out Lily's chair -- waiting for her to seat herself before tucking in, and then takes his own seat to break bread and enjoy some jam and scones.

"A library is generous, but apt."