I am really enjoying this and can't wait to read more! I hope you update again soon!
"and that’s the only good reason! ;)"--Hahahaha! Nope, just a big incentive :P
The scene between Hermione and her hyper-attentive student was so sweet. But it was also poignant in that it reminded Hermione how/who she used to be.
And it seems to have awakened her hope.
"He grinds his teeth, expecting it to add to the fury burning in his chest but he feels it lower, much lower than that. Inhaling deeply, he quickly dismisses it."--No! Give into it. That's intuition knocking at your nuts.
"Or maybe he remembers."--Baaaah! What the fuck does that mean!?
Insouciant--word notebook
"He hadn’t been as unaware as she suggested. He just didn’t know it was her."--Ah, thank God, some of my questions have already been answered. But I suspect there's more.
The tension between the two of them was great. I look forward to more misunderstandings and revelations :)
I could really do with her help at work, things are going crazy. - nope, you wouldn't. She's downright annoying, giving me ideas when I should be focusing on my work >.<
I just love the first part and her conversation with "minnie me" student. Meeting a girl like that must be thrilling but also painful. She is not the only one, and she si not that person anymore (and not by her own choice).
“They’ve all turned,” she informs him. “No, wait . . .” Raising her nose she sniffs. “One hasn’t. You might catch them before it does.” - ok I love this, the way she forced him to see her value and her usefulness.
Is this to be the entire run of his life? Lurching from one crisis to another? Being left to shoulder the blame, to carry the burden of yet another predicament that was not of his doing? - :'(
He’d suffered more damage than he’d ever let on. His olfactory sense wasn’t a fraction of what it had once been. He’d had to rely upon sight and touch alone for both selecting ingredients and determining the status of potions. - oh ffs, I nearly start crying! Do you have to be so cruel? You are making a difficult for him, one thing he had left... And with what he's doing for school... that's just... :'''(
She’s never seen him harassed like this before. - I do hope she won't start bullying him, I truly do. He is who he is, and you don't teach an old dog new tricks forcefully and expect him to obey or bow down - you build up the trust first. But, they are both damaged profoundly, so...this is going to be...difficult.
“You have not suffered the same.” - well he has a point, his senses are dulled, hers are hypersensitive. But that's it, whatever it is...they are, in fact, two sides of the same coin :)
“There is never a better teacher than one for whom it is a ‘second option’.” - wasn't he that type of teacher? If memory serves me, he wasn't applying for teaching job, it was Albus who placed him there, to keep an eye on him. And yeah, it is a truth, the weaknesses and faults we hate in others are usually the ones we hate in ourselves.
His shoulders sink as the door slams closed./He hadn’t been as unaware as she suggested. He just didn’t know it was her. - There is that too, but also the problem that she was there - she seen him weak and she detected yet another weakness he has. Unforgivable crime!
I hope you are better :*
Waiting with anticipation for the next chapter (still not hurrying you - take your time).
Hugs, kisses and good vibrations sent to the other part of the world (namely you) :* <3 xx
she seems to have calmed down a bit - she's going to go crazy on me fast, today I got new project, quite demanding, she seems to like times like this >.<
I have a bit of knowledge from my work and family (and myself) - sorry to hear that :(
Hermione part is just perfect, graphic and you are inside her skin all the time while you read.
And first part of Minerva's and Sev's conversation - so realistic, everyday struggle of so many educational facilities :(
Snape’s jaw tightens as his head snaps up. “I am already brewing day and night.” - this just makes me sad :( He is still there, and fight for the school...part of an atonement (acerbic but noble, as always, and doing thing his on way - as always) and part because he has no other home :(. Really heartbreaking.
“In fact, I considered that Miss Granger may be able to provide the additional assistance that you require.” / “She may be rather fragile but she is extremely bright as you know. And with her current condition happens to come certain assets that could be quite valuable.” - now I'm intrigued, it can be million things and I'm wondering which one (or several) did you pick
“She is not being paid.” - if my memory serves me right...there was another teacher in Hogwarts, in original canon, under the same conditions, and he also needed Snape's help ^_^
“Don’t you think you owe her that much, Severus?” - this is promising :)
Hugs and kisses for you, and a bucket of good mood and smiles, until the next chapter xx
The first section with Hermione was so beautifully written. Desolate but not without hope. Her life has become so devoid of all pleasures (except the exquisite joy of bathtime of course). She's wasting away on so many levels.
The lack of funding for the school is a sticky predicament. Now I'm wondering how Hermione's going to save the day.
Fav lines--
"His eyebrows plunge together, united in shock and anger"--I love this so much.
"Of course. Having her shuddering in a corner will be of immeasurable benefit.”--Hahahahaha! So mean, but it made me laugh.
"Surely even you can manage to dredge a little up from wherever you have buried it.”--I must be a bitch, cause I thought this was hilarious too.
I'm eager for Hermione and Severus to start working on something together. (And Snape needs to make her all better so they can fuck without hurting her.)
P.S.
I've never been to down under, I will have to go one day 😊
Fox xx
DS,
Chapter 2.
I don't know what to think, really. Of course your writing is superb and present tense is giving me a much fuller experience, feels more real to me, it does happen around me. It's great.
Now, Snape is an arse. It appears as if he's testing her to see what she's made of, to see if she's worthy of his time... And of course he must be curious about her condition and I'm sure he is up to a challenge, but on his terms :)) Yup.
A man like Snape wouldn't just say: "Miss Granger, I couldn't help but notice, that something seems to be ailing you..." yeah... and "Why don't you have a cup of tea with me and tell me all about it. I would love to help" ':)
But still it is sad and he is an arse , for now.
Hope you are feeling better
Love Fox xx
P.S.
It's been snowing in London today :) it looked beautiful. There were large snowflakes falling very slowly, disappearing as soon as they touched the ground (of course). But still I was mesmerised by the feather quality of their descent. Lovely.
(Apart from that it's cold, gloomy, sleepy and so dark it feels like never-ending night) -sorry I had to hahaha, moaning and whining is an English national sport, I felt obliged, since I lived here for twelve years 😊
Fox xx
I'm liking the present tense of this story. It makes for a nice change while also somehow making it more intimate. But there's also something isolating about it (which is good in this instance).
Fav lines--
"In fact, she can hear everything. Every look. Every unspoken word."--Love this.
"unhinged by the unpredictability. Not theirs. But hers. Of her body. And what lies within."--Holy fuck. That's deep. And the story of my life.
"frown slicing into the bridge of his nose"--Great description.
'He lifts only the ring and little finger of the hand that rests lightly on her desk, the gesture enough to send the students scattering back to their bags, packing hastily and exiting without a word."--Love this visual.
Holy crap, Snape. Give a first-year teacher a break. He's such a hard-ass :)
And, yes, I do blame your insane creature for jumping into my head and making this happen. I thought she was with still with you? - sadly no, she deflected some time ago, tnx to that I'm stuck on one chapter for my AU/OC story for over a month :( (I'm seriously pondering on skipping that chapter and go to the next few that I already have in my head, more or less compleatly composed)
’m sorry but when I feel sad, unfortunately it comes out in my writing. I’m feeling better now though so we will see. <3 - I'm sorry to hear that :( I hope you'll be better soon, but just in cakes I'm sending you wave of positive energy :* <3
You described Hermione's condition and her inner exhaustion, one that comes from battling long lasting chronic disease, perfectly. I can't separate all the parts I like, that would demand to c/p most of the chapter.
“You should take sugar . . . with your tea.” - oh, he just dying to figure out what is wrong with her :D
Leaning forward, she rests her elbows on the arm of the chair, the teacup held precariously over his lap. - perfect! No, I'm not threatening you, but my hands are unsteady move :D
“You presume that I wish to know,” - lol, I have a feeling that he adopted my favorite quote from Dr House "everybody lies", Snape was never one to pass opportunity to solve puzzle
He lifts only the ring and little finger of the hand that rests lightly on her desk, the gesture enough to send the students scattering back to their bags, packing hastily and exiting without a word. - just love this part
“I did this for the students. Frankly, I’m of the belief that you shouldn’t be here. I sympathise with your circumstances but as a teacher one must be prepared to put the students’ needs before one’s own. If one finds that they are unable to do so, they should reconsider their aptitude for such a role.” - oh, this is painful in so many levels, on so many planes, for him and for her :'(
As much as I'd love, I won't rush you for next chapter this time, but I do hope that story will take better turn soon (I am bit worried about you after this chapter).
Take care of yourself.
All the love xx
Ohh DS, it's so good to hear from you again! I hope you are all right... I would much prefer if you were writing out of boredom. I don't want to sound psychotic, but I feel you are a part of my life now :) so be good... or bad... not sure ; ]
Chapter 1.
Straight away I love your description of Hermione's amplified senses. It's so good, it feels almost as if I was the one experiencing them. Funny, how we do not notice sunlight or singing birds until we have a migraine... or worse in her case. Her struggles are so apparent.
And then Severus Snape. Such a contrasting description to hers. He glides :)) I like that and: "his shadow twisting like a phantom about his legs", "illusory magic", "smooth grace", "Black Ghost" brilliant narration. It shows his quiet and mysterious nature, his powerful and fear-inspiring presence, perfectly.
Snape's reaction to Hermione further demonstrates her shocking appearance and desperate state.
But Minerva... Ohh Minerva... that was a dirty trick to play :/
I am very curious as to where it all leads :)
Hope to see an update soon.
Love Fox xx