18: Confrontations
Chapter 18 of 47
Fawkes_07A certain subject of recent controversy is brought to Our Hero?s attention. A study of how different provocateurs create different reactions to the same topic.
ReviewedRemus Lupin showed up at Snape's door that same evening. He never suspected the elated mood hiding behind Snape's dour, disinterested expression, but even their ensuing argument could do nothing to tarnish it.
"Severus, damn it, you had no right to stop the Occlumency lessons!"
Snape folded his arms. "I most certainly have. You, on the other hand, have no right to barge into my office and issue orders. You have at best a superficial understanding of the issue, Lupin, not nearly enough to draw any conclusions."
"If I could reach Dumbledore--" began Lupin, but Snape spoke over him coldly.
"Albus would support my decision. Unlike you, he is acquainted with the relevant facts."
Lupin slammed his fist on the top of Snape's granite lab bench, which must have hurt, yet he showed not a grain of it. "I am acquainted with the fact that Harry came across an unpleasant memory that all of us would rather forget!" He swallowed hard and continued in a milder tone. "Severus, please. Be angry. Be hateful if you must. But don't be shortsighted! You know he has some reason for sending Harry these dreams. Please don't let your own personal pain--"
Snape cut him off with a snarl. "Do not speak as though you understand my reasons, or anything within my heart, for that matter. I've told you, Lupin, the lessons will not continue. That decision will not change." Some small part of him wished he could tell Remus everything, but it was a foolish whim. Honesty had worked wonders with Hermione, but too much of it was a bad thing.
Lupin stared at him, the eyes of a predator sizing up an enemy, sharp and cold. Snape had always marveled at the intense, primal power just below Lupin's surface. Fenrir Greyback let the wolf run free within him and thus had all the subtlety of a turd in a punchbowl, but Lupin had turned self-control into an art form. Lupin carried himself with grace and humility, never revealing his potential to be the most dangerous man alive (excepting, of course, the Dark Lord himself). Snape did not fear the wolf in Lupin but was a little intimidated by the man--not because he was so deadly, but because he was saving that deadliness for a special occasion.
Lupin never blinked, but eventually he shook his head in disgust. "Merlin's beard. I should have let Sirius come up here after all."
Rolling his eyes, Snape replied scornfully, "Don't make me laugh. Neither fisticuffs nor hexes would change my mind."
"Probably not, but at this point I wouldn't mind seeing him try."
"Shame the moon is waning now, or you could threaten me yourself."
Lupin clenched his teeth. "That was a low blow even for you, Snape."
"You have disregarded my gentler attempts to explain the situation. If you don't like the heat, Lupin, then by all means get out of the kitchen." Snape pointed to the door, stretching his arm to its full length to emphasize his point.
"And what if I refuse?" he asked.
"Suit yourself," Snape said disinterestedly and settled behind his desk, picking up a stack of essays as though intending to mark them. He knew Lupin was bluffing; the man could hardly afford to stand there in his office for hours on end. However, he could conceivably drag this out long enough to catch Hermione in the Floo... "I should worry that Black might soil the carpets if you're away too long," he said with silken viciousness.
"Bastard!" Lupin hissed.
With a smirk that the werewolf could not possibly comprehend, Snape replied, "I don't deny it, Lupin. Now get out of my office before that hag Umbridge finds you and makes a bloody Ministry decree about leashing one's guests."
Snape remained at his desk attempting to concentrate on essays, until the fire flared green and red. Her eyes lit up as she spotted him, which delighted him beyond measure. "What are you doing up?" she asked with cheery reproach, flicking the ashes from her robe. "I thought we might finish Reivers tonight, and I brought a new book too. Unless you have one you'd prefer me to read."
He shook his head as he crossed the room to take her in his arms. "Hermione. Anything you choose will be perfect." He was so glad to see her in his office again, he didn't care if she read aloud the Prat's last Potions essay. In fact, if all she did was stand here so he could press his cheek against the top of her head, it would be a perfect night. Well, almost.
Regrettably, she reared back from him and rolled her eyes. "Silly. Perhaps I should borrow one of Lavender's romance novels. Wandless In Love would make you eat those words fairly quick, I should think!" She wrinkled her nose in a mocking sneer.
Although a few choice innuendos came to Snape's mind, they would have to wait another year. "Hermione, I quite doubt you could make it through five pages of a book titled Wandless In Love before your throat would strangle itself to silence the agony."
"Well, you have me there, I suppose," she said, laughing, but her playful mien suddenly turned somber, a vertical furrow appearing between her eyebrows. "That reminds me of something." She paused, obviously searching for the proper phrasing.
Wanting only to see that smile reappear, he took one of her hands to guide her to the divan. Settling beside her, he raised her hand to his lips without thinking, but gave it only the lightest peck. "Out with it, then," he said gruffly, though the words were meant with tenderness.
"Don't rush me! I know you don't like to discuss this." Let me guess, my love: you want to talk about the Little Prat. "It's just that I'm worried about Harry." Right again, huzzah. The little furrow was quickly evolving into a full-fledged frown. "Severus, I'm still not sure he was ready to stop the Occlumency lessons. He won't admit it, but he's having bad nightmares--poor Ron is getting woken up every night."
Snape let the breath out of his lungs slowly, stalling for time as he attempted to cool his anger. "You're quite right, Hermione. I don't like to discuss this."
Ugh. He knew better; how many times had he seen that nitwit Weasley try to stave her off with a weak attempt at humor, only to fuel her ire even further? The frown had now become The Look. Having just won back her favor mere hours earlier, Snape was in no mood to start a new row.
"Well, you will anyway," she said heatedly. "I'm sure he convinced you that he'd learned enough, but I think he might have exaggerated. He... didn't exactly relish giving up his evenings for the lessons," she observed tactfully. "Or, maybe three weeks ago Harry could block You-Know-Who, but since then he's increased his efforts. It doesn't matter; the point is that Harry still needs you!"
Snape sighed. Of all the topics they could discuss, all the things they could be doing, why in the name of Merlin, Mordred or Morgana did she have to bring up The Prat? For lack of a better plan, he sighed again in complete frustration; there didn't seem to be any way out of it except forward. Very well. Any conversation with her was better than another evening alone.
"What did th--Mr. Potter tell you about our last lesson?"
She gawked at him in confusion. "Tell me? Nothing. He never says anything about what you two do."
Interesting. "Hmph. He did not explain why we... discontinued the lessons?"
She shook her head. "Only that he got the basics enough to practice on his own."
Very interesting. He told Lupin and Black, but not his peers? Either I scared the little git enough to shut him up, or he has a fragment of a conscience after all. Snape nearly made a razzberry sound out loud in response to his internal musings. He was glad he didn't; it would have given Hermione an accurate but unnecessary impression of Potter's true "mastery" of Occlumency.
Things were certainly becoming awkward. Harry had lied to Hermione, and now it seemed that Snape would have to perpetuate that lie. How tritely ironic: a Gryffindor started a lie that went on to ensnare a Slytherin. Drat that prat! Snape had no desire to lie, even once, to Hermione; once the first lie succeeded, it was all too easy to resort to the second, the third... until lies became a habit and honesty became inconvenient. He looked into her eyes, and recalled the mind behind them, clear and genuine. No. No lies. Not with her. It was bad enough that he was forced to withhold certain truths, and this would be one of them, but he would not deliberately undermine her trust. Potter wasn't worth it.
"Very well, Hermione. I will explain this once. Potter indicated to me, in a way that need not be described, that these lessons were no longer... appropriate. He has shown some aptitude for Occlumency (HAH!), though I concede that he could probably benefit from further instruction. But Hermione, I have no intention of persuading (or even attempting to persuade) him to return to our lessons. Such efforts would be for naught; if he resists being taught, then I cannot teach him. You understand the process, Hermione--both parties must participate actively."
She nodded, still frowning. "I do understand that, Severus. But Harry can be so stubborn sometimes, maybe if you could--"
"If Potter truly wants to continue," Snape interrupted, "he knows how to find this office. He knows why the lessons have ceased, and what he must do to resume them. If he comes to me with a sincere..." apology "interest, I suppose I will not turn him away. But I will do no more. I must leave it to him at this point, Hermione."
She sat back, still frowning, but there was resignation in her eyes. "Very well. You're right, it has to be his decision. I have to keep working on him, I guess."
An irresistable force meets an immovable object. "Indeed, my dear. But don't hold your breath."
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Latest 25 Reviews for Fair Exchanges
909 Reviews | 6.76/10 Average
I've warned you that i will continue to harrass you about finishing this story until my dying day. And i always keep my word. Hope you are still around, that all is well for you, and that this story remains on your eternal to do list.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Sigh. It is. It really is. I need a time machine.
Hello again! I don't know if you are even still around, but reading the rest of this story is on my bucket list, so while I still have breath in me, I shall continue to nudge you toward writing. Hope all is well with you and yours.
SPOILER Warning******In case someone has gone this many years without getting through the last book in the series****************************I hope this new turn in their relationship keeps her from wishing she could just hold hands with someone and walk around the lake. She's had a man now. I can't imagine, at least I hope she doesn't go back to boys. What are you going to do about the Ron thing? She can't go with Ron now. It would would be too mean to Severus! I hope she understands when Albus is killed. Poor Severus! There. Again I'm saying it! I don't mind his sacrifices if I know he will be rewarded with the love he deserves for what he has had to pay to rid the world of Tom Riddle. I hope you work this out so that he doesn't suffer at the end and you'd better not kill him off like the witch who kills small beloved pets like owls, and sweet dear magical creatures like house elves protecting their loved one, cruelly rends twins assunder with one on this side alone without his other half and the other one on the opposite side of the vale tellikng jokes without punch lines! Please tell me you will not follow that part of cannon. You are already forcing Severus to do things I don't know if Hermione can forgive him for. She must forgive him though.When are you going to work on this story some more? Do you know? Are you planing to finish this story or did the last cannon book kill your joy when she killed off our Potions Master in an incredibly un-Severus Snap like end. ....As if the Potions Master of all masters wouldn't have antivenin.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
You know, it's funny... DH actually kind of DID kill off a lot of my motivation to keep writing fanfic, even though I never really thought of it that way until just now. I wrote my own Book 7 for my kids--HP and the Heirs of Slytherin, it's here on TPP--starting in about 2006, just because I KNEW JKR was going to blow it. I just knew I wouldn't like her book 7. A lot of these fics kind of spun off during the process of writing HoS, including Fair Exchanges. HoS has a lot of legilimency/occlumency in it, and Hermione asks Harry not to look at her dreams. That sparked this story... Anyway, once I finished HoS, I kinda moved on to other projects and my unfinished fics have been sort of waiting on the vine for me. I know how they all end, and some of them are just a few chapters from complete. But part of the trouble with Fair Exchanges is that I hate DH so much I have no desire to read it carefully enough to make Fair Ex canon-compliant. It can't even be HoS compliant, because my alt. universe has even more trouble ahead for Snape. If it's any comfort, though, the last two chapters of this story were written LONG ago, and it wraps up the story in a way I really liked. I posted them on some other ff sites, if you want to go hunting for them. I kept them off TPP, though, because I wanted to post the whole thing properly here.
She is being a normal girl, unfortunately for Severus. Severus Snape requires a remarkable woman. Strong, forgiving, able to make her own happiness most of the time and able to consistantly see past the Death Eater Double Spy. He needssomeone who wants him especially because he isn't like any other man on earth. And he needs someone older than Hermione. I would be thinking just exactly what she is thinking. He is looking for a life time commitment. She just isn't there yet. I don't se how this can end well for either of them unless you figure out a way to turn cannon around soon. I hate the way things turned out in the cannon. She ruined everything! I can't stand it. I hope you can salvage this back story so that it comes out much better than the original. Severus deserves better. I hate feeling sorry for Snape, damn it! I want him to show them all. I want him to end up with the best end of any stick.
Poor Severus. I wish she'd run off to Polynesia with him. I hope she's worth it in the end. She has no real idea what he faces here. They are living in the moment when they see each other. He knows more about her than she knows about him. There is so much more to him than there is to Hermione at this point in her life. How old is she, 15 or 16? Well, at least he can have someone pure. I hope she never asks about his other lovers. I don't think she is ready for the answer. I'm not sure I'd be ready for the Centaura. And we know that in his youth he willingly committed rape in this story, though he reqrets it now. I don't know that Hermione could really handle that knowledge. She might be able to handle the idea that he had possibly been forced to do it, but not with certainty that he had ever willingly done it. He's so screwed is she ever finds out all the things he has to do, unless she is a very unusual individual and not very judgemental. I hope for his sake she is as remarkable as he thinks she is.
Hello! I think Draco just passed out! What do you do with this lie. How to explain that 2 men who appeared to absolutely despise one another were lovers on the low down. Would Draco even fall for that? I don't think he has been present at the OP meetings to observed the apparent mutual hatred. Draco doesn't know how much the murrauders stalked and abused poor Severus. Maybe he'll fall fore it. Poor boy wil be manipulated by the Uncle he trustes. That must taste like shit to Severus.
And Hermione can't know about Draco! She would not understand.
Severus Snape is the most adept spie of all the world if he pulls this off. He must feel like he can never get clean from lying regulary to those few who trust him, beastiality, cheeting on his overly homornal girlfriend that he shouldn't be with, but amazingly they actually love each other and trust each other. Now, add buggery in order to manipulate his godson. He must keep Hermione and Draco apart. And what would the dark lord or Albus Dumblebutt have to say about all of this distasteful activity. Dude, when this is all over you are going to need some serious counceling!
OK. What should he do now? I say, let the twirp kiss you so that you can get on his good side and find out his secrets. Hey! It's a dog eat dog world out there right now. Just hope that Hermione doens't find out you cheated on her with 4 Centaras and her worst enemy at the school and all in the same week. It's a fine edge you tread, poor Severus. I actually feel sorry for you.
Lucky in many ways it seems, our Severus. The Dark Lord needed a laugh. Oooooo, let a name slip in there that starts with an H. So who actually rescued the toad in the forest after all? Make up any answer you like. I had assumed it was Albus. But why he would bother is beyond me. Does Severus have to go back to fetch her?
So! Our dear potions master is hung like a stallion! Well of couse he is! Those naughty girls. It's a good thing Hermione doesn't know. And, isn't he terrified of being caught in the act by the stallions while making love to the mares? I'm sure they would kill him. I'm glad he gets some small reward for his hard work protecting Harry. It really is too bad they didn't kill Umbridge. I know Jkr needs her later in the story. I hope she has permanent damage though.
There's no way that will happen under these circumstances. I don't believe it. Girls need a mood or something to get then started.
Don't worry Hermione, dear. After you've been married for more than 3 decades you actually will grow together down there from lack of use. You see, the little man is victim to depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and sundry medications for said infirmities, but eventually this will only spark a sense of resigned bitterness. Dreams though few and far between will be a welcomed relief. So cry no more dear girl and by the gods grab him while you can! Perhaps in your world magic will make these things not so. If that is the case, get over it you silly girl. He must truly be desperate to put up with this. You all must be. I was quite emotional the first 20 years. It was dreadful! Now I am resigned to the fact that what ever you were fighting about the first 2 years are the same things you will be fighting about in 10 years until eventually you just look at him and shake your head. Put up with it or try to train a new one. Here is the most important thing you will ever know. They cannot be trained. Don't waste your time.
I love, "like a raisin through a guinea pig"! I take it you speak from experience based on your picture of Mr. Flibbert, I believe his name was. One of the things that annoyed the hell out of me in the movie version of TGoF was the hormonal Hermione whining and bitching in her high pitched self righteous girl BS. I think she was pissed off just like in this chapter for the entire movie. I realize it is true to life but it is still annoying. I have two drama queens of my own and it doesn't get better when they grow up. I am grateful for grandsons. They are loud and every game requires growling and yelling and running in the house, not to mention accidentally bumping into each other on purpose etc. but I am looking forward to much less drama as when they reach puberty. I look also look forward to Hermione in this story finishing her O.L.W.S. I'm hyper-sensitive from PTSD after raising two daughters.
Here it is 2014 and still no end in sight. Please finish this, it is too good and to frustrating to stop here,
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Sigh... I know. I really would like to finish it someday. Too many projects, not enough time!
You do know that as long as this story sits unfinished, I am going to pop in periodically and bug you, right? Now I am not pressuring you. I know that real life can be a bitch. All I'm saying is that I probably have a good fifty years left in me, and I am going to continue to encourage you until I take my last breath. Oh, but please don't wait that long as I do want to read the end, lol.
Hi Fawkes_07, I have enjoyed this so much! It is of course beautifully written and plotted. I think you've captured all the characters quite well. The sense of humor in this story is wonderful and was a great surprise. Love the interactions between H and Severus, and also between Severus & Draco. I see that it has been some years since you've updated. Please, please don't abandon this story! Happy writing!
Ah, I remember following this story every week. It's a shame RL got in the way and it's gone 3 years-ish without an update. I hope you're doing well and come back to it some day. Thank you for the wonderful half-fic, for what it's worth :)
What the what?? I followed you over from MNFF to see what I'd missed, holy mess!!!! I LOVE this story, it constantly shocks me!!
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
LOL, yeah, MNFF had an issue with the human/centaur thing. Glad you're enjoying it... I hope to finish it someday if I ever get my life back.
wow, this story just gets creepier and creepier, in the most interesting and hilarious way possible. this has to be the best story i have ever read on any fanfiction site. u are an awesome writer; i have never laughed this much at a story. i now see why mnff just couldnt bear it, lol, way too many disturbing things. i just got used to the thought of draco being a sex god in other stories, now u make him gay! bwahahaha, talk about a monkeywrench. im sad snape gave that 16-year-old release to the mares. i wished my girl hermione had gotten a piece of that. now that would have been fun to read and write, im sure, hehe. again, u are brilliant!
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
<laughs> Wow, glad you're enjoying it! Yeah, MNFF drew the line at the "bestiality" elements (though they don't seem to mind human/werewolf and human/veela). Eh, whatever.Hadn't thought of the 16-year gap ending with the ponies... I guess this is sort of a tragic story, huh?
More Please!?!?!? I so like how this story is going. Love the HG/SS relationship. I so can not wait for more.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Sigh... I know. I really do intend to finish it, and the funniest stuff is yet to come. You just would not believe the times I've had the past couple years--broken ribs, my mom passed away, a new nonprofit opened in town and begged me to write their grants... I don't even READ fanfic any more, much less write it. But someday things will settle down.
I tried to read this story when I was 16 years of age, back then I could barely read English (not my first language) and I had to consult the dictionary every 3 minutes or so but I do remember little bits of it... This amazing first chapter for example. It's so well written and so true to the characters. It's a pleasure to be able to read it again.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Wow! That's so cool! I'm glad you liked it well enough to come back to it! Thanks!
Aww, Snape's going to be a father. *snickers*
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Not after he gets that potion ready...
The age of consent in the UK is 16 not to mention the use of the Time-Turner so she's actually almost two years older than her peers. She could've consented before.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Hmm, I suppose so. But she used the date to such a fine advantage... had to go with it.
You are a wonderful writer, and I always look forward to reading more of your story. This is byfar my favorite Snape/Hermione fanfic ever. I thank you soooo much for updating! I love love love everything about it! Are you though, planning to go canon and kill him off in the end, or will I have to wait and see? You make my week!
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Heh, well, I don't like to give out spoilers but I'll just say I don't consider DH as part of canon. So that may answer your question...
I went back and reread the last chapter to refresh the story in my brain. It has been a damn long time woman! Come back to the potterverse! We miss you. Im all sorts of confused about H's trouble in potions. Whatever could it be?
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
Herms was totally upstaged by Harry in potions that year, on account of Harry having the HBP's potion text. She was pretty po'd about that--but she can't tell Snape or that would ruin Harry's surprise. But I think it's funny that she would be in such a good position to blow Harry's scheme out of the water...
ROFLMAO! Oohhhh noooo. Snape, you silly man. I was afraid something like this would happen. Can wizards and centaur breed with each other?! You really do love torturing Snape. It's a fun kind of torture, though.
Response from Fawkes_07 (Author of Fair Exchanges)
*snerk* It IS fun to torture old Sev. Maybe Voldy thinks so too, I dunno.