Nine: In which a goddess ponders
Chapter 9 of 11
richardgloucesterRon, Harry and Hermione discover the consequences of their inaction with regard to saving the life of one Chosen by the gods – or in this case, goddess. And it all becomes vastly more complicated when the school hires workmen to fix the battle damage at Hogwarts.
ReviewedNine: In which a goddess ponders
The gentle breeze still stirred the draperies, and the myrtles and roses still scented the air, the sea still glinted below, and the last rays of the sun cast a warm glow on the paving, but otherwise an uneasy hush prevailed on the mountaintop. Aphrodite leaned against a pillar and gazed unseeing across the bay far below. The doves were cowering somewhere, the swans had decamped to a lake on the other side of the island, and the nymphs had fled from the divine wrath, two of them incontinently transforming into flowering shrubs on the way. Which was a nuisance, because these days nymphs were not nearly as expendable as they used to be.
The Granger girl's words still chafed after two weeks.
You know nothing of love.
For two weeks, whenever Severus wasn't available to be doted on, the goddess had raged and screamed and cried until she was weary of her own voice.
She knew nothing of love? She showered love on Severus even when he was preoccupied and silent. She caressed the lines away from his forehead and coaxed him to play draughts or to talk of calming things.
And then he went back to bury himself in work and fumes and arguments with That Girl.
It was Severus who knew nothing of love.
She sighed.
Mortals were so flawed. Almost a year of her care, and Severus knew nothing of love. He even chose to spend some nights away from her – like tonight. He wasn't unkind to her, but he gave nothing of himself any more. Not for a long time, in fact. Not since the old witch at the school tempted him with all those stupid repairs she couldn't do herself.
Was it his work he loved? Didn't he need her any longer?
She frowned. Could love be felt for something as mundane and troubling as work?
Or, said a little voice, something as mundane and troubling as That Girl ... ?
Hephaestus was always so bound up in his work, too. No time for his trophy wife after he'd shown her off a bit. So she'd gone and got some trophies of her own, just to show she could.
Was that all love was? Was that all she was for? No wonder existence was so lacking. Nothing to live for but the rage of passion. Nothing to think about but tasting that storm again and again.
But what was there when the storm passed?
She reached for a mirror and studied her flawless face. Through the reflection of her own blue eyes, she seemed to see Eris' carmine twinkle lurking. She replaced the mirror upon the table, face down.
What was there beyond the storm?
She gazed out over the calm and endless sea.
Her foot brushed against a rose that lay wilting and broken where she had thrown it in her rage. She bent to pick it up and held it to her lips, breathing life back into its battered petals.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Whom the Gods Annoy
73 Reviews | 6.16/10 Average
" sitting in the sunshine with nothing but a chocolate egg for company" * sigh * sounds good to me.
Severus is mahing hay while the sun shines.
Oh dear, I never thought I would say this but poor Ron. 
Possibly a strange comment, but good call on Homer being color blind. There is speculation that some ancient cultures could not see blue or green. They had no word for it. Of course, there's always James Joyce: "the snot-green sea."
Sounds like Hermione had a happy Christmas after all.
It seems only fitting, that the Gods should drive the most perfect car ever built.
Only Severus would sit playing draughts with the Goddess of love, and worrying about his hemline.
I know she wants a project but one this big will be a challenge, even for a Goddess.
Have just read the story in one go. Really enjoyed Aphrodite's 'gifts', Hermione's new healthier attitude to life, and Severus' musical tastes. Gran is great; would like to see more of her! I really liked the style of the last chapter too.
Lovely
This was so much fun to read! All the immortal characters were so cleverly written. Sev's first chapter obsession with boobies had me in stitches. And I adored the predicaments that Ron and Harry suffered. Thank you for this A-plus, 5-stars, blue ribbon, 1st place story!
I forgot to add that I wish Gran had revealed herself.
This is perfect! Love this chapter - how inventive! Adored everything about it. Positively guffawed about Ron getting a job with Pixar. Love the bit about the nectar (extended life span, hm?) and also that last bit about the chain and the rose... Oh Dicky, this fic was perfect! So unusual and unique and just sheer fun. And a lot of food for thought about the relationship between thinking and doing...
This is so wonderful. And funny. And ABBA? ~cracks up~
There is nothing to say but LOL!
Your Severus is pitch-perfect. From that line about snapping back so hard he's surprised no one heard the twang to this: "Severus felt the uncomfortable twinge in his guts that meant he was about to start saving people again. It was a habit that was proving impossible to break, and usually gave him severe indigestion." -- perfection. Also, Severus would be the one man who finds something lacking in the Goddess of Love. ~snrt~ And the line about Pink Floyd -- more giggle-snorting. And holy God, Snape sings Bohemian Rhapsody in the shower? I am dying here, Dicky! How on earth did I not read this sooner? And the Circe comment? OMG. "Not the right thing to say." Almost died. (Can you tell I'm just commenting as I read?) Well, this is a bloody effing delightful fic, Dicky. I'm quite enjoying myself.
I'm in love already. Your Aphrodite is positively delightful. "Seen one calm day, seen them all." LOL. I am quite excited to see how Severus reacts to being taken under her wing...
I am still reeling at the originality of this idea. The thought of there existing bigger and better magicians than wizards is a compelling idea; that should bring them down a peg or two. Lets face it, even the ones who reject pure-blood ideology and fight against it are patronising towards Muggles at best. This is great! I'm really loving it.
ROFL! Oh! Of course he listens to 'The Wall' and 'Wish you were here' - Where else do you go to for angst? Oh of course, The Smiths: I can hear him in the shower singing at the top of his voice: "I am human and I need to be loved... just like everybody else does." So many LOL lines.
What a fantastically clever excuse to have a purple prose frenzy and get away with it. It's so well done, too. And this is a great premise for what promises to be a very funny take on SS/HG.
I'm just wondering who on earth the Goddess is going to pick for her project.
What a fantastic story. It was sweet, and smart, and oh so very funny, but in a subtle refreshing way. This was an unusual storyline and made for a very enjoyable read. I especially like the manner in which it wrapped up with the last chapter. Thanks for sharing such a fun story!
Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Your anglo-saxon turn of phrase often makes me chuckle, something I sometimes miss when reading american authors work. And your description of the scottish weather - spot on.
Bugger, just realised I forgot to stock up on marmite when I was over in the UK. Sigh!
John Smith, eh?
Gods are just boys deep down, as it seems. They love to play around with shiny tools. But they do prefer to make their hands dirty at the end of the day.
Cleverly written with much humor and lots of references, of which I probably didn't get all.
Chapter love!
Only Severus could be "not in the mood" when being pursued by the most beautiful female in creation.
There were just too many lines or quotes in this chapter which made me smile, to single one out, but I'll try nonetheless:
"Bazoombas."
Of course I have read this story when it was posted on the Exchange. Back then I was reading it in a frenzy - I just wanted to know what was going on. Much too quick to really appreciate your style ... altough I did learn a fair bit about mythology :-)
Good grief, you truly have a way with words. My words fail me in my attempt to praise you for that.
Just let me say one word: Brilliant.