This tale came into being by a bookend written for one of Pekeleke's tales, a request for a tale from YenGirl and Lizzy0305, and the song "Cherish" by The Association. The lyrics of the song inspired the chapter titles and the "theme" for the chapters.

Yen has been nice enough to take this one under her wing and clean it up. It is much better due to this. ^-^

Cherish

Harry walked quickly down Diagon Alley, his steps dogged by reporters who wanted a personal interview with the Vanquisher of Voldemort. Looking right and left, he tried to find a place he could hide, somewhere the reporters would not dare go. He could hear them getting closer and started walking even faster.

He spied Gringotts up ahead and briefly considered dodging into it, but he was positive the goblins wouldn't protect him as he didn't have business with them. He continued passed the white edifice, praying that somewhere would appear – a business with a shopkeeper who would be more interested in helping him instead of the press.

His eyes landed on The Dungeon Apothecary, tucked into the corner of Diagon Alley and Barrel Alley. It was built of stone blocks, the windows were thick panes of glass, and the door heavy and solid – all making the structure bear a strong resemblance to its name. The Dungeon was already as popular as Slugs and Jiggers, if not more so. Former students knew who ran it, knew just how meticulous he was, and came here. Yes, most didn't care for Snape even if he was exonerated, but it didn't stop them from trusting the quality of his work, they had all faced the exactitude of his standards.

Harry knew the press would never step foot in there, not after the first and only time they had tried. One did not enter Snape's territory and harass the man without consequences.

Praying he would not be kicked out, he rushed in.

§§§§§

Severus Snape watched as his former pupil strolled about his store, looking at all the wares as if he were truly interested in potions.

"Mr Potter," He waited until the green eyes snapped to him before continuing. "Is there something special I can help you find?"

Potter searched his face as though he were looking for something before answering him.

"A safe haven, sir." Potter clasped his hands together and cast a beseeching look at him. "Can I please stay here for a while? Until the reporters stop hounding me?"

Severus raised an eyebrow at the request.

"I'll clean for you. Wash cauldrons, stirrers, knives … whatever you need cleaning." Potter crossed the room and rested his hands on the counter, still breathing quickly.

A glance through the front windows showed Severus the media waiting for Potter's exit. He could not in good conscience send him back out there. Ever since the fall of the Dark Lord a month ago, the press had chased Potter about as if he belonged to them. One would think four weeks would be plenty of time for them to find someone or something newer, but obviously the Saviour of the Wizarding World was hard to beat.

Giving into habit, Severus frowned slightly and waved the young man into the back room. Leaving the door open, he nodded towards the large double basin sink in the far corner. Stacked all around it on the counter and floor were crates of vials as well as cauldrons and other equipment he had used that morning. "Start with the vials."

He barely refrained from rolling his eyes at the relieved smile tossed his way. The tinkling of the front door bell called him back to the front of the shop.

§§§§§

Harry watched as Snape left the room, his heart slowing down and his smile staying on his face. The man had not thrown him out. Harry hadn't truly expected his former Professor to do so, but there was always the fear that they might revert to their previous ways of associating. 'Well, on his side, not mine.'

Ignoring the pangs of his heart was easy after almost two years of practice. Harry had fallen for the Half-Blood Prince during his sixth year, and had suffered similar pangs when he learned it was none other than Snape. Those pangs had turned to heart wrenching grief, gut tearing anger, and stabs of vengeful spite after he witnessed the death of Dumbledore. Harry had learned to ignore those feelings as well. Ever since the truth was revealed after the war ended, he was back to gentle pangs. They were now accompanied by small waves of gratitude.

Filling the sink with hot, sudsy water, Harry carefully empty the crates of vials into it. Soon he was elbow deep in water using a special brush designed to fit through the neck of the vials. The sound of Snape's voice came through the half open door, each word understandable though the customer's was an indistinct mumble. A silent chuckle left Harry. He knew from experience that Snape could be understood across the Great Hall even at a whisper if he wanted to be.

A feeling of contentment swelled up in his chest. This is where he wanted to be. Yes, he had asked for a safe haven, it was the only reason Snape would allow him to stay, but in all honesty, Harry wanted to come back here. This was the one place reporters feared to tread, and the one place he could unobtrusively cherish the one who held his heart. 'I did ask for a haven until the reporters stopped hounding me. I am sure they will not give up anytime soon.'

Smiling down into the sink, he finished scrubbing the new vials. They were different from any others Harry had seen and he was positive they were a special order – something to make The Dungeon's potions stand out. That they were washed before being used was just one example of Snape's standards, and Harry was willing to serve what was basically a detention to pay the man back for granting him a safe place. He would do his best to show the man how much he cherished him. He would clean anything just to make Snape's life a little bit easier, to make it a bit harder for the man to do without him. He knew his affections would be dismissed, so he was going to take full advantage of this one chance.

§§§§§

Severus stirred the cauldron one last time before shifting his attention to his companion. Potter might be there to escape the press, but Severus appreciated his company nonetheless. The Dungeon was enjoying increased sales because the papers were publishing that this had been the Saviour's hiding place for the past month.

Personally, Severus enjoyed not having to wash the cauldrons, vials, and other things he used in his work. Potter would arrive at seven and start in on the stacks that were building up since five, when Severus started brewing. It didn't hurt that Potter had also learned to converse and admit if he didn't know something. The icing on the cake was that he was now willing to listen and learn.

"Potter, why are you still here?" But just because Severus enjoyed Potter's presence didn't mean he had to show it.

Green eyes flashed towards him from the sink where Potter was washing cauldrons. "It is safe."

"You would be safe with your friends, the two who never left your shadow." There, maybe he would learn what was happening with the rest of the trio. They had fallen off the face of the Earth according to the Press. The hunt was on, but where ever they were at was better guarded than his store front.

"Hermione is in training at the Bolt Broom company – the Charms Masters there were willing to apprentice her even without her scores. She is going to be taking her NEWTs around Christmas time, along with Ron. He is sequestered in St. Thaddeus Academy for Healers. He agreed to be hidden from everyone if they would accept him and train him. The only time they are letting him past the doors is during the holidays, so that is when he is taking his NEWTs and visiting family. He should be a Master Healer in two years, and then he and Hermione plan to get married."

Potter stopped for a moment, his constant smile softening at some thought before sighing lightly. "What all that means is that I can't be with them. They are pursuing their own paths. We will always be best friends. I see Hermione regularly and write Ron every week."

Severus was surprised by where the other two were and their career choices. He could completely understand why St Thaddeus would hide the fact that Weasley was training there, and was not in the least surprised that Bolt would accept Granger based on her OWLs and class scores. Only one thing puzzled him. "The paper has nothing about your meetings with Miss Granger."

Potter chuckled before answering. "Because we meet in Muggle Bath or Muggle London. The Wizarding Press doesn't extend their influence there."

Severus narrowed his eyes slightly before nodding. "A sound plan. Why do you not just sequester yourself there instead of my shop?"

§§§§§

Harry felt his eyes widen. He couldn't answer that question honestly. There was no way he could tell Snape that he was there to be with him. To enjoy the man's presence the only way he could. Yes, he loved him, yes he desired him, but he also knew the moment he said those words, he would be out on his ear. Since the war ended there were too many people who professed their desire for Snape – maybe not physically but they'd all wanted something from the former Headmaster.

At least Harry was using Snape in a way the man could understand and accept, as a haven from the world. Anything different would land him on his rear outside of the front door.

Scrambling for an answer that might be acceptable, Harry trusted his instincts and blurted out the first thing he could think of. "I want to be a shopkeeper, and to do that I can't disappear from the Wizarding World. They have to get used to me being around. I am hoping that the … fervour will eventually end and allow me do what I want."

When those dark eyes studied him, Harry kept his face as sincere as possible. He had no plans for his future except making it through this craziness, so being a shopkeeper was as good a plan as anything. Maybe he would go work with George later.

"You are hiding here to protect yourself from the press." Snape waited until Harry nodded. "You are also here to study how to run a shop?"

"Not study, just observe. You've had this shop only a couple of months, and business is thriving!" Harry tried to inject the right amount of awe into his tone, hoping that Snape would not see through it. The raised eyebrow told him he needed to tone it down. "I would never presume to ask you to teach me how to run a shop, Snape, but anything I could glean from watching you would be worth it."

"Why not ask Weasley to help you? His shop is successful."

"The press aren't respectful of his place. They would follow me right through the door and then remain camped in the shop – hurting business." Harry watched, hoping the man would buy his excuse. It did play into the safe haven idea, so he should.

"Very well, Potter. You wish to learn and you wish to remain here for the time being." Snape stirred his cauldron one time and added an ingredient before looking back up. "The most important thing in a shop is its inventory. What you plan to sell, or what you use to create your merchandise. As a shopkeeper, you must know what is being sold and in what quantity. You should also know the trends, what your patrons are going to be wanting. Anticipate their needs and desires so that you have it on your shelves when they come looking. To do this, you must keep track of what you have on hand and so you take an inventory. As of today, you shall be required to take a complete inventory of everything in this shop that deals with the merchandise. At the end of the day, you will check to see what is sold and determine what is needed to be replaced."

Harry stared at him. He knew Snape trusted him – the man let him in the lab – but to let him take an active role in The Dungeon? That stunned him. Shaking his head, he stepped towards the front room's door. "Do you have a list I can use?"

The fleeting smile that curved those thin lips warmed Harry's heart.

"It is sitting on my desk. You have permission to enter my office, do not abuse it."

Fighting his own smile – knowing it would show more than he ever wanted Snape to discover, Harry went to retrieve the list.

§§§§§

"Harry, where are you?" Ron's voice came from the floo, echoing off the almost empty room.

Harry rubbed a tired hand over his face as he sank to his knees. "I'm here, Ron. Where are you?"

"At the Burrow, where you are supposed to be."

Harry's eyes widened. "I forgot today was Christmas Eve!"

"How in Merlin's beard – never mind. Get over here. Mum is worried, going on about how Snape is keeping you and working you to death." Ron smiled and shook his head. "She doesn't seem to understand you would rather be there than here, and I am not going to be the one to explain to her that you care for the bat."

Harry yawned and gave up on the idea of a nap. This morning started around three o'clock with a floo call from Snape. St Mungo's lead Potions Master sent out an emergency request to all local brewers and apothecaries for Pepper-ups, Fever Reducers, Flu Flyaways, and Calm Rest Potions. Harry never got the particulars of what happened, but Snape had spent the morning muttering about incompetent idiots being allowed to brew between ordering him to prepare ingredients and wash cauldrons, knives, mortars and pestles, and stirring rods. On very rare occasions, Harry was even allowed to stir or add an ingredient to a bubbling cauldron.

"I'll floo through, just let my grab everyone's presents and my bag." Harry stood and looked about for his things. He vaguely remembered setting them near the floo as he rushed out that morning.

"Dinner's going on the table, so make it quick." Ron's head left the floo.

Spotting the gifts near the hearth, Harry wondered if Snape had left The Dungeon yet. When he was ordered to go home, the Potions Master was still brewing while an owl sat watching impatiently, waiting for its next delivery. Another one had almost raked Harry's head as it dived through the open door.

Stepping through the floo, he decided to take a plate later. Snape would never refuse Mum Weasley's cooking, he knew better.

Ron and Hermione hugged him the moment he came out of the fireplace, preventing him from falling, and Ron took his bag.

"Mum said you're staying there tonight. I'll put this up in my room, save me a seat near you and Hermione!"

"Will do!" Harry and Hermione headed for the table while Ron took the stairs two at a time.

"Harry!" Molly crossed the room and pulled him into a tight hug. "Why in the world do you let Severus work you like this? It's Christmas Eve!"

Harry returned the hug before he pulled back and answered. "It wasn't Snape's fault, Mrs. Weasley. For some reason St Mungo's desperately needs potions. They sent out an emergency call to all brewers and apothecaries. Snape and I have been working since three this morning. He sent me home so I could come over – I was supposed to be off today. He was still there, and probably still is. Can I take a plate to him later?" He found a seat at the table, and smiled at Ron as he plopped down next to him.

Molly studied Harry's face for a moment before taking her own seat. "Yes, you may. I'll load one up for him just as soon as we finish."

As the meal progressed, Harry noticed it was faster than normal. It didn't feel rushed, but a glance at the time proved it. Normally, they would be talking and eating for several hours. Tonight, only an hour passed between Harry sitting at the table, and a well laden plate covered with protections spells tucked into a basket with a pot of tea, cup, and utensils placed in his hands.

"Let Severus know that he can bring the dishes by tomorrow or send it with you later this week, Harry," said Molly as she gently pushed him towards the floo.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll tell him." Harry threw a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace and called out "Dungeon, Potter entrance!"

Entering the green flames, he clutched the basket close as he started to spin, hoping not to fall on it when he emerged. He got out, stumbling slightly and grabbing the back of the chair Snape placed there just for that purpose and then he peeked inside the basket. 'Good, nothing's messed up.'

Walking quickly, Harry set the basket on the front counter and entered the potions lab, already knowing Snape was still there due to the sounds coming from the room. "How much longer are you going to be working?"

Snape's head snapped up and his knife paused in mid-air. "Potter? What are you doing here? I was positive once the Weasleys had their lost child, you would be trapped until at least Boxing Day."

Harry laughed. "You are right, but I mentioned to Mrs. Weasley what we've been doing and asked to bring you a plate. She sent me here posthaste with a basket."

Black eyes widened and darted about the room, looking for the treat.

"I left it on the front counter. I didn't want to take a chance with it in here." Harry waved at the room and took note of the three owls now roosting on the edge of a shelf. He nodded towards them, asking, "How much more do they need?"

"Don't worry about it, Potter. I have this, you enjoy your family and friends." Snape gestured towards the door, obviously telling him to leave.

Taking in the number of cauldrons and vials sitting ready to be used and the number of cauldrons already bubbling away, Harry made a quick decision and left the lab. It took him less than a minute to have a floo connection opened to the Burrow.

"Ron! Ron! Come here!" Harry heard the rush of feet and saw the entire Weasley clan enter the living room.

Ron dropped down to hearth level. "What happened, Harry?"

"Two owls became three. Snape has at least twelve cauldrons ready to start, and is working on four currently. I don't know what happened at St Mungo's, but it is obviously bad and still going on. I'm staying to help. At least I can scrub and prep. It might save him a bit of time." Harry searched blue eyes for the disappointment he was sure would be there, instead he saw understanding and resolve.

"Are they simple potions, Harry?" George leaned over Ron's shoulder, waiting for an answer.

"Some are, some aren't." Harry shrugged. "But I know I can't brew them."

"But we can." George gestured towards himself, Ron, and Hermione.

"As can I." Molly's determined voice came through the connection. The rest of the adult Weasley voices came through with similar responses.

"Come on then. You can ask Snape what you can do. You can't come through this connection though, Snape has it only opened to me." Harry grinned as Ron rolled his eyes.

"Then we will go through the shop's floo and walk there." George waved Harry out of the flames. "We'll be there shortly."

Walking to the front door, Harry stared out at the deserted street, wondering just how Snape would handle this. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he decided he would make the stubborn man understand that it was for the best. The Potion Master needed to accept help, and if making him do so fell to Harry, well it would be just one more way to show how much he cherished the man.

He opened the door to a collection of redheads and one brown. "Where are the wives?"

Percy grinned. "Staying home to take care of the children."

"And away from Snape," Charlie added.

"Where is he, Harry?" Molly strode into the shop, spotting the basket on the counter. The rest of the family followed.

"He is in the lab. I'll see if he can come out here." Harry bolted through the door, hoping to warn Snape of the others before they took it upon themselves to follow.

"Snape." Harry stopped, waiting until the man acknowledged him.

"Still here, Potter? I thought you had left." Severus looked up from his cauldron, his eyes widening at the collection of people in this lab's door way. "To what do I owe-"

He got no further before George Weasley started speaking.

"Harry said you were swamped because of a St Mungo's emergency. We can brew, let us help." George gestured to the family.

§§§§§

Severus bit back the automatic denial. He needed help, that much even he could admit, and he had taught every one of those children. He knew their skill levels and he had watched both Molly and Arthur brew potions as well. "There is not enough room in here for everyone."

George frowned slightly before smiling. "We can work in the back up lab at the shop. It hasn't been used since … Fred died. It should be safe for basic potions. We might have some of the ingredients on hand, but if we can take the others down there it can work."

Severus searched the serious faces watching him. "Granger, Ronald Weasley and Potter, you three will remain here. The rest of you can work at Weasley's. Bring the potions back here to be delivered. Potter can make sure you have the ingredients you need, he knows where they are."

There. The three friends could spend some time together at least. Severus understood just how hard it could be not to be able to see your best friends. Quickly writing a list of potions he knew they could brew successfully, and their recipes, he held it out. "These are needed first. Send the first brews as soon as they are done – Mungo's is waiting for them as we speak."

Molly took the list and shooed her family out of the lab door. Potter followed, leaving Ronald and Granger behind.

"Mr Weasley and Miss Granger, let's get started." With that, he told them what to prepare and how. When Potter came back in, the young man continued where they had left off earlier – washing the equipment and preparing it to be used once again.

§§§§§

A knock on the Dungeon's front door had Harry quietly rushing across the front room, carefully avoiding stepping on the Weasleys who were catching a fast nap before the next wave of orders came in. Rubbing the sleep out of his own eyes, he opened the door, wondering who would be there at seven on a Christmas morning. Green robes were the first thing he noticed. 'The owls rebelled?'

"Good morning. Is Master Snape in?" The Healer peered around the door as if looking for the man.

"Snape is in his lab. Come in, but please be quiet." Harry pulled the door the rest of the way open to admit the man, and then quickly shut it to keep the cold on the other side. "If you will wait here, I will get him."

"Who is it, Harry?"

Arthur's sleepy voice stopped Harry's progress, and he watched as the rest of the Weasleys roused themselves. "A Healer to see Snape."

Harry opened the door to the lab, hearing Molly removing all traces of their pallets. He quietly shut the door behind him and saw Snape sleeping in his chair near a small fireplace used to heat the lab, mouth slightly open. Stopping a few feet away from the Potions Master and, with his wand in hand, Harry called out softly. "Snape."

Black eyes snapped open, and Harry tensed as a black wand was pointed at his head. He was grateful the spells he could think of were not cast at him. The wand lowered and Snape sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"What is it, Potter?"

"A Healer is here to see you, sir. He is in the front room." Harry rubbed his own eyes again. Two hours was just not enough sleep. It didn't matter, though. If Mungo's needed them, they would start again. Harry just hoped they had the ingredients to make the next order. The shop was now bare of all the common ingredients and most of the rarely used ones as well. It was the obscure one that were left, and Snape had started in on them as well.

He watched Snape levered himself to his feet and stretched before crossing the room.

"A pot of strong tea would not be amiss, Potter."

Sighing, but knowing that Snape was right, Harry walked out of the room behind the man just in time to hear the Healer's greeting.

"Master Snape!" Healer Barton smiled broadly at the tired man. "St Mungo's thanks you for everything you did yesterday."

Harry caught Snape's hand motion telling him stop what he was doing.

"I had help." Snape gestured to the others in the room. "Mr Potter worked with me since the first call for aid. The Weasley family joined us last night after dinner."

Barton beamed around at everyone. "You all have our thanks. Due to your hard work, we can make it through today, and we will be back to brewing for ourselves by this afternoon. All of us wish you a Merry Christmas. Please, rest assured there are many who will have one due to your hard work. Thank you once again!"

Waving bye, Barton left, leaving a sleepy but happy group behind.

Molly cast a questioning look to Arthur, who nodded. "Severus, come to the Burrow. We all need a good breakfast, and you need somewhere they cannot find you – just in case. I am sure we can find a place for you to kip a bit too."

Harry turned a hopeful eye towards Snape. Christmas morning breakfast would be perfect if his cherished one was there.

Snape glanced around his empty shelves, before looking at the redheads and brunettes filling his shop. Slowly, he nodded. "I'll open the floo for everyone this once."