Superinflation
Chapter 22 of 24
Rose of the WestThe circle of information grows.
ReviewedDisclaimer: The characters here and the world they inhabit are the property of JK Rowling and her assigns.
Hermione couldn't say any more and rushed away. She walked around the house even though she was desperate for a warm hug, for someone to tell her it would all work out. Andromeda was the one person Hermione knew would give her comfort, and yet she was the one person she couldn't stand the thought of. She couldn't face the woman who was now... her stepmother… or that woman's kindnesses. Severus had been dishonest and Mrs. Malfoy had manipulated her, yet the focus of her rage now centered on the one person who had been invariably kind.
What a lie it all seemed now. She got to the spot on the crest of the hill where people usually Apparated or Disapparated and couldn't decide. Where could she go, what could she do, to cope with this disappointment and anguish? She realized that there was someone who might know exactly how she felt just then, who would feel the same sense of betrayal.
During a great show of clemency, several Death Eaters were released from Azkaban on the anniversary of their Master's downfall. In the short time after that, the Malfoy family had developed a habit of spending the afternoons together in the drawing room, chatting or simply sitting together quietly, reluctant to be apart. It was into this domestic scene that Hermione Granger burst.
“Mrs, Malfoy, your sister has ruined everything!”
Narcissa quickly rose from the couch beside her husband and steered the girl toward the door. “Perhaps we should discuss this in the room where I write my letters.”
Father and son looked at each other. Lucius was the first to speak. “What do you suppose Andromeda has done, and why is the Mudblood speaking so emphatically?”
Draco looked up with ill-concealed laughter in his face. “If I had to, I would guess that Granger has discovered that Aunt Andie and Severus are shagging each other senseless.”
“Indeed?”
“He can barely keep his hands off her during the day, and at night there's no telling what a person might stumble across.”
The elder Malfoy's eyebrows shot up. “Why does the Mudblood care?”
“She thought Severus fancied her.”
“Ah.” There was a grunt of laughter. “I see the humor in the situation. Why does your mother care?”
“She seems to think there's some social or economic advantage to promoting the match between Granger and Snape. When I mentioned finding Aunt Andie in Severus's room on Christmas morning, she slapped me and told me to take it back.”
“Which you couldn't do.”
“Not if I told the truth.”
“What did your mother do after that?”
“She went to see Aunt Andie and came back fuming. The next time I went to Aunt Andie's cottage, Severus had essentially moved into her bedroom. He's been using his other bedroom as a study, and Granger’s thought he was still sleeping there.”
The elder chuckled again. “What do you suppose they're discussing, now?”
“I can't imagine.”
“Why don't we listen in, then?” Lucius led his son to a corner of the room, where he slid back a painting, showing a space in the wall and the back of another painting.
Hermione was talking. “He told me everything. They've been doing it since Christmas! Oh!” she said as a new thought burst upon her. “I very nearly walked in on them at least once! If I had gotten there just a bit earlier, I would have seen them...” There was a flurry of tears.
“This could get tedious quickly,” Lucius observed quietly to his son, who nodded his agreement.
Narcissa was pacing the floor. “I'll kill her. We'll stop this, one way or another. It's just a setback, Hermione, we'll get back to plan.”
“Never mind. They're married.”
“What?” screamed a newly enraged Narcissa as her son whispered, “Cool, that makes him my uncle.”
His mother was still talking. “Don't worry, Hermione, we'll get it annulled or divorced. They won't get around me like that.”
“There's more,” moaned the girl.
“Don't tell me—”
“—up the duff,” mused Lucius quietly as his wife shrieked vile invective. “I wouldn't have thought Severus had it in him, and I pictured Andie as some sort of dried-up stick.”
“Oh, no,” answered his son. “Much curvier, and Sev—Uncle Severus—is a little different since almost losing his life. He's less like a walking cadaver.”
“I'm trying to picture her. Does she still look like Bella?”
Draco made a face. “Speaking as a nephew of course, she's way better, and she's nice, too. I can't believe it... a cousin!”
Narcissa's voice broke into their quiet conversation. Her voice was quiet and controlled, now. “Even that is not an impediment, Hermione. There are potions, and they don't even need to know, if you're pouring the tea...”
Draco swore he could hear Hermione's hair crackle from her head shaking so hard. “No, it won't help,” she said, her tears giving way to resignation. “He's never going to leave her. He loves her, and it wouldn't work anyway.” She breathed deeply enough for them to hear in the other room and delivered the most important fact: “He's my biological father.”
“Godric's flaming sword!” ejaculated Lucius.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Stars are Blind
60 Reviews | 5.77/10 Average
Go Lucius! You shut that bitch up haha. Still can't believe she was seriously talking about murdering the baby! But I suppose she would have thought about it and thought against such an abonimable thought, right? Especially since she wants another baby so much herself. Hope she gets considerably busy with her own life very soon! Because she needs it!! I shudder at what a daughter would have to put up with from her though, or maybe she would soften with her own daughter, who knows? Let me guess, Hermione has decided to go get comfort from Viktor Krum cos she's feeling rejected and is craving attention haha, and who is the person who Draco recognised and bothered him... Curious! Hoping for a longer chapter next :P
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thanks for the review!Very clever suppositions! Yeah, Narcissa needs something to keep her busy. Lucius will try to fill that gap as well as he can, LOL!
If this is how the Malfoys take the news, I can hardly imagine how the rest of the wizarding world will react. I'm unsettled by Narcissa's belief in her ability to reverse the situation, but at least Lucius and Draco seem somewhat accepting. I look forward to the next chapter as soon as possible. Thanks!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Yeah, Narcissa is quite a piece of work.I think she's got an uphill battle now, though. Thank you for the review!
Hi, I just discovered that there is this sequel. What a unique thought of linking Severus with Andromeda! It works really well here--good job!This chapter: Severus now sees first-hand what it means to raise a baby. He surely realises that he had been in no position to raise his daughter adequately 19y back. I actually wonder how seriously he was asking for her--had he even thought it through?? Most boys that age wouldn't, and he definitely wasn't overly mature but seeking recognition among all the wrong people! Nevertheless, Hermione is going to need some time and someone who listens and moderates carefully. Could that be Molly perhaps? Looking forward to another chapter!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Excellent points, all! I don't think young Severus worried about what to do with a baby other than what he hoped it would get him. So yeah, not thinking it through, for sure. And yes, Hermione needs to find herself some good advice. The question is whether she'll actually find it or follow it. Thanks for the review!
How many people know of her affection for Severus? Poor girl will have some heavy humiliation to deal with if the public are aware, hopefully not too much though. I hope her attitude improves a lot!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
I don't think her feelings were too obvious to anyone outside the family, and Severus completely misread them. By not actually having her tell Severus what she thought, she gets to save face, but the fact that Andromeda has tried to be so helpful, through her own ignorance, is going to be a sore spot. Or maybe I've really balled this up. We'll see. ;)Thank you for the review!
Man is she a little shithead! "some lovesisck mortal" but I guess she is terribly confused regarding her affections and probably feeling a bit disgusted at the same time! hahaha I do feel sorry for her, but she's still been a bit of an annoying idiot the whole time anyway thoughout this story. Looking forward to what comes next :)
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
It was meant to show that she's a bit enamoured with something she's constructed in her mind rather than what he reallly is. She's just turrned 19, by my calculations, and her growing up got interrupted, so now she has to catch up. She'll be ok, though.Thank you for the reveiw!
Poor Hermione! Narcissa is to blame too, of course, she could have guessed something earlier, having known all the pertinent people, and maybe Hermione would not have acknowledged her feelings. Do you pair her with Tim, I wonder?
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Yes, a lot of people should have known better. Hermione hasn't quite made a fool of herself to Severus, but she suspects a lot of people will be laughing at her, now, and that's going to be unbearable. Tim would be an interesting pairing, for sure. We'll have to see how things progress.
Wow! I just spent a few very enjoyable hours catching up with this story. If you are going where I guess you are it will get even more exciting. I really like how you bring a minor character to life, thank you! Your Andromeda is a remarkable woman.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! I love Andromeda myself, because I love her husband and daughter, and she must have had some amazing internal resources to survive everything.
Yayyy! So excited! I hear what Joan is saying about Andromeda's problem with Sev/Hermione dragging out a bit, but it looks as though things will turn around very soon! Don't stop updating pleeease xx
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you for the review! I'm afraid I dug a bit of a hole in this one, but hopefully it's going to work out soon.
I have spent the better part of two days reading The Life and Times of Perseus and this story so far. What an enjoyable time it has been! I've not read other stories about Andromeda and Ted so your stories are wonderfully filling that void for me. At this point I'm somewhat frustrated that Andromeda can't just tell Severus that Cissy told her he would marry Hermione. It seems as though there is quite an ongoing, long-standing miscommunication that, from my perspective, is beginning to drag this story out. But I am thankful for your recent update, and I hope you will continue to update regularly. Thanks for yor beautiful work!
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
In a nutshell you're describing the reasons why this story went on hiatus, LOL Hopefully the next few chapters will pull things out of the doldrums. Thank you for your honesty, and for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it.
Oh my, another great twist! I'm so looking forward for more!
What a patchwork family!
Hmm. I'm not sure that Hermione would up and fail her NEWTs if she found out, and surely it would be less stressful for everyone in the mean time. But I suppose Severus will do what he will, and there is no making him understand.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
I don't think she'd fail her NEWTs, but I think she might get distracted enough that she didn't get 106%, LOL. Over-protecting her future seems to be one of Severus's little fixations, thereby furthering the family pasttime. Thank you, again. :)
Oh, I missed two chapters! I need to put this story on alert since I apparently can't be trusted to see it when it comes up. Oh, that Umbridge makes me so mad! Leave it to the ministry to try and leave poor Teddy totally without because of who his guardian is.But I hope Andromeda was listening this time when Severus tried to reassure her. Wonderful man.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Umbridge is pretty evil, but she saves us writers from having to write someone else that way, if that's a benefit, LOL?I think Andromeda is starting to pay attention. She needs to stop being fixated on the other idea. Of course, fixation seems to be a family trait...Thank you for reviewing! I so appreciate it.
I thought sure he would tell Hermione, and what is it with wizards anyway? I'm like Andromeda -- touch me when I say 'no' and get hexed (or a knee to the groin), whichever works best. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
My beta reader is a bit impatient with Severus over this chapter, too, but the poor fellow seems to be a bit chicken when it comes to confrontation with witches. I guess Stanley thought that if he pressured her she would just fall into his arms. I'm glad Andromeda was able to hex the guy, even if she didn't mean to. Thanks for the review!
it is understandable that Andromeda is unsecure in the marriage, I think Severus is behaving badly - he is in a way cheating on both women, I hope he soon will come to his senses
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Everyone's got a secret and a reason for thinking they need to keep it. He'll come to his senses... eventually. Thank you for the review!
Page turner. I've just read it all in one go! Finding it hard to gauge exactly how Severus feels - A's worries about him are strange, and, I'm assuming, due to her own lack of confidence, but there's a certain manipulative quality to him here that I distrust. Also, his relationship with Hermione is a bit of a question mark. I have to admit I'd prefer a HGSS but am now a bit torn over what should happen. I don't want H or A hurt. Looking forward to what you have planned :)
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you, again!
Page turner. I've just read it all in one go! Finding it hard to gauge exactly how Severus feels - A's worries about him are strange, and, I'm assuming, due to her own lack of confidence, but there's a certain manipulative quality to him here that I distrust. Also, his relationship with Hermione is a bit of a question mark. I have to admit I'd prefer a HGSS but am now a bit torn over what should happen. I don't want H or A hurt. Looking forward to what you have planned :)
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Well, he's not very good at the whole romance thing, and there's a secret or two he's keeping from everyone. I'm not going to tell you what will happen next, but I can promise a happy ending for everyone. My stories end that way with very little exception.Thank you for the lovely reviews!
Response from Tilly (Reviewer)
Yay! I love happy endings!ps - sorry about the duplicate posting :/
Ugh they should ban Narcissa and Druella from the house. Andromeda needs to get a backbone where those two are concerned. Love how Severus is so tender and loving with Andromeda. Can't wait for Andromeda to see that this is a real relationship, not temporary. Hope you update soon.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Wouldn't it be better if we could just decide not to be related to our relatives any more? LOL.Thank you for the lovely review! The next chapter had some major retooling and is in process right now. I hope to get it posted in a few days.
I love this already, I loved The Life and Times of Perseus,and your Andromeda. Both she and Severus deserve some happines, but we will see where you will lead them
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you, again! I hope you enjoy what happens to them as they recover from the war.
Beautiful chapter. I think that says it all. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you. I'm so glad that you're enjoying this.
Aww, I love that Andi is finally letting herself go, but her emotions are bittersweet.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! She's so sure she knows what will happen that she thinks she already knows the answers, so she won't ask the important questions.
finally!!!!!! at long last....... and draco taking care of teddy..... that's a nice touch
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
I couldn't wait any longer, myself. ;) Thank you for the review!
I liked where she looks up to the sky and can't decide if Perseus is pursuing or pulling away. So evocative. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! I'm so glad you saw that the way I hoped I wrote it. It was an important moment for her.
this was mean........... let them get close and let severus realise what she fears........
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
It is mean, and I know I'm on the edge of drawing it out too much. The next chapter will be different, I promise. Thanks for the review!
Ugh, Druella is still alive and as awful as always. Andromeda needs to get a backbone and kick Narcissa and Druella out and take the suitors with them. Severus has made his feelings clear. I hope Andromeda is listening.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Yeah... Druella is still alive when Harry and Sirius look at the family tree in OotP, so I guess she's still around, putting her nose where it's not wanted.Andromeda is listening to too many people. Given all the things they are all telling her, she might not understand it all.
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Whoops! I meant to say thanks for the review, too! :)
Ah, schemes within plots within machinations. Good job. Can't wait for the next chapter. ^_^
Response from Rose of the West (Author of Stars are Blind)
Thank you! It's coming! It's true that everyone has an angle here. Most of them are Slytherins, after all. ;) I hope you continue to enjoy it!