#ahopenstarter

The shrill ringing of a bell indicated to Severus that another customer had wandered into the apothecary.  Staring at the bubbling cauldron in front of him, his jaw tightened and he glanced at his scrawled instructions.  This was his second attempt at improving the potion, and it did need to simmer for some time before he stirred it again.  It was unusual that a customer would arrive this early, which irritated him all the more.  Closing his eyes, he composed himself into a neutral expression before turning to leave the back room and appear almost soundlessly at the counter in the back of the shop. 

“Welcome to Slug & Jiggers.  May I offer you any assistance?”