3: Rung Two - Her
Chapter 3 of 27
ubiquirkVictory did not make life perfect, and two years on, the shock of surviving the war is finally starting to wear off. Waking to everyday realities, Hermione and Severus discover the delights and pains of living - all prompted by a ladder. HG/SS eventually, but HG/RW and SS/NT for the first bit.
ReviewedDisclaimer: Not mine. No money. Special thanks go to JKR for sanctioning HP fanfic.
Gobs of thanks go to my beta Southern Witch 69 and to my Brit-picker the amazing Saracen77.
3: Rung Two – Her
June 30th, 7:35 pm
I stand in a dark corner of Tonks’s temporarily enlarged sitting room and look across a mass of drinking, laughing, talking, dancing humanity, unable to join in. I can’t believe it’s only a half hour in – the party will last for at least five more hours. I claim a headache if anyone asks, and such a response caused Ron to ricochet back to his brothers about ten minutes ago.
Actually, my body feels fine – wonderful even.
And why is that, hmm?
I sigh. It’s my mind that needs a break. Which of course means it’s in overdrive. Maybe if I think of something other than Snape, I’ll be able to enjoy the party.
Who am I fooling – the Victory Celebration is excruciating this year. It was last year as well, but for a different reason. Then, I’d found it almost impossible to feel like celebrating because, even though we’d brought down Voldemort, we’d lost too many loved ones in the process. A year hadn’t been enough to dull the grief of losing them all: Cedric, Sirius, and Albus early on; then Luna, Justin, Seamus, Padma, Hannah, Neville, Fred, Charlie, Remus, Professor Spout, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Vector during the Final Battle; and, finally, Harry – Harry, who knew he was Voldemort’s last Horcrux and killed himself right after finishing off You-Know-Who. Harry, who’d never really gotten to live.
This year, instead of sadness, the mood of the Order is a feeling of quiet desperation. If so many of our friends died so that we could live in a better world, well then, we’d better get on with being happy. And not just happy – deliriously happy.
In the middle of the room are the Weasleys, who are pouring all of their substantial emotional energy into Fleur and Bill’s impending child and George’s marriage to Parvati. THE FIRST GRANDCHILD – and yes, this is always said in such a way as to denote an occurrence so important as to be in all caps – will be smothered within the first minute of life if Molly clasps it to her bosom with the death grip she uses every time she hugs me. Although George and Parvati have a natural connection as surviving twins, their courtship has a feeling of desperation to it. The sheen of their smiles is only outdone by the manic gleam of their eyes as they move together on the dance floor.
The lunacy extends to the other children. Ginny, crushed by Harry’s sacrifice, has only recently begun to date a similarly subdued Colin, yet Molly is already hinting about the beauty of spring weddings. Even now, I can see her pushing them onto the dance floor. Ginny’s back is stiff, and Colin stares at his shoes.
For Ron and me, who only got together a year ago, she has brought out her full arsenal: Ron had to help George select an engagement ring so he’d know what to do when the time came, and when my bridesmaid dress was made, Molly had Madam Malkin keep my measurements on file, saying they’d be needed soon for a white dress of my own. She even bought me a subscription to Witchy Weddings and expects me to bring each issue to lunch as soon as it arrives to discuss dress styles, flower preferences, etc. Arthur takes Ron to view houses the Ministry has recently repossessed for back taxes in order to find a good deal since Ron’s Auror salary isn’t very substantial and I’m just out of school.
I look over at Ron and see him making wild gestures that describe one of the amazing plays he’d made today. Ron, who really wanted to play Quidditch but went into Auror training because that was Harry’s dream. Ginny did the same. They speak of job satisfaction with big, bright smiles but never look as joyous as he is right now.
This desperation extends past the Weasley clan. Minerva has Alastor cornered, trying once again to defend her non-sexist language campaign to the old codger. Kingsley spins Tonks across the dance floor so quickly her red and purple striped hair appears to strobe – his face intense. Ernie and Dean are already pissed; laughing overly loudly, they attempt to help each other stand, but aren’t very successful. George must have spiked the punch in a determined effort to show he’s just as wild as ever, even without Fred. Mundungus finishes a dirty joke, and Hagrid’s laugh fills the room, yet sounds strained and hollow.
And me – how does this mood extend to me? Fortunately, what I have always wanted to do corresponds to what others expect of me and what I expect of myself. I am an academic. After Portkeying to Beauxbatons five days a week for the past two years to apprentice with Master Javier Santiago, I have obtained the rank of Arithmancy Master and will return to Hogwarts in autumn as a professor.
No, my sense of desperation comes from a completely different source – my relationship with Ron. Until today, I thought my reluctance to commit to him was due to Molly’s pushing – a desire to maintain a feeling of autonomy. Now I realize that everything Ron and I have together is comfortable: simple conversations, nice cuddling, okay sex.
And what do those add up to? Only one thing: boring.
I might not have known that sex could be something other than okay until this afternoon, but I’ve always recognized that simple conversations weren’t enough. I’d been able to satisfy my intellect by discussing various areas of magical theory with Professor Santiago, but that ended last week. What will I do when most of the people I interact with are teenagers?
What about Snape? He’s brilliant, and Minerva’s determined to have him return.
I’m not going to think about Snape.
Or sex. Or mind-blowing orgasms.
Nope, not at all.
Until he ruins my resolve by entering the room.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Ladder
912 Reviews | 7.45/10 Average
I love FireFly!!! and this story
I really liked this story. I usually don't like having to read multiple perspectives of the same event, but I really liked it in this story and there wasn't a lot of repetitive dialogue to shift through.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the fic, even with it's repeating perspectives!
You are a very well-read author.I think endeavoring outside of fan-fiction would be greatly beneficial for you. As far as most readers only wanting one person's POV, I think the chapter's (In between rungs # and #) were the most interesting, as it culminated with a sense of togetherness. It was a little off-putting at times to re-live the same scene twice when it could have been accomplished by putting both characters perspectives in the same scene, but you're the author- and a good one at that. I am glad this story ranks in the tens, it deserves it and otherwise I may not have found it. Might I suggest an addendum or epilogue?/ While the low-level angst was not of the adolscent variety it would be wonderful to have just a little more completion with their relationship and finding the eventual outcome of the Wolfsbane project. I also appreciated Severus not being labeled a 'disgusting pariah-git' that no one would respect or want. I think it was wonderful that people for the most part accepted him and that he had an intimate physical relationship with Tonks- showing he was not at all repulsive. I enjoyed the Relaxed Severus. :-D You may have him back now, I've showered him and wiped him clean. *smirks* Kudos on an excellent story.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's wonderful to hear you enjoyed the story! Since the form was experimental, I don't plan on writing another story like this with repeating scenes. I'm sorry to say that I don't beleive in epilogues or having things tied up too neatly. This way, readers get to do some of the work, imagining what they think follows from here. I'm so glad you liked this SS noetheless!
Good. He's good and he knows it, BUT he's not taking everything for granted.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's wonderful to hear you're enjoying the story and the way SS is pulling out his Slytherin cunning!
Oh I do like Snape's new wicked, wicked ways. Such a man one can certainly learn to love. Delicious! ^_^Weasley who?
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm really glad you liked it the chapter and SS's wicked ways!
I found this story a couple days ago on OWL.tauri. Supposedly complete, but really only a few chapters. I'm so glad I tried googling it, and so found its complete version. Excellent. I hope you're still reading reviews. I see you wrote this over a year ago. I'll be sure to read your other creations. Thankyou.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I just saw your review there, so I'm glad you're no longer frustrated with not finding the end of it. I'm very glad you enjoyed!
I loved your story....so very hot, passionate and tender at the same time!You are a gifted writer!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's been so wonderful to read your reviews! I'm really glad you enjoyed the story and found it hot, passionate and tender!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's been so wonderful to read your reviews! I'm really glad you enjoyed the story and found it hot, passionate and tender!
So very poignant!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's lovely to hear that you found this chapter moving!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's lovely to hear that you found this chapter moving!
I like the characterization of Snape very much! Well done!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so happy that you like this characterization of him!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so happy that you like this characterization of him!
This chapter was so touching. You are a very good writer and I'm glad I found this story well after it was finished because I really don't think I'd be able to wait for chapter updates!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so glad you said that, because I did write it with about 2 chapters coming out a week, so I don't know what it's like to read it all at once!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so glad you said that, because I did write it with about 2 chapters coming out a week, so I don't know what it's like to read it all at once!
So well written and so witty!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's great to hear that you like the writing and the humor!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's great to hear that you like the writing and the humor!
Just stumbled upon this juicy story this afternoon! I laughed so hard...Can't write much more as Chapter 2 is calling me!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so happy you're enjoying it!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so happy you're enjoying it!
A very hot and delicious story. I enjoyed it immensely. :)
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! It's wonderful to hear that you liked the story and found it hot!
I want more science !!! But otherwise great...
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm really glad you liked the chapter! (And you're the only person who's said that about the science - thanks!)
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Now THAT was worth waiting all those rungs for!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter and found it worth the wait!
Oh my! I really want to be her. Lucky girl. Lovely story well done. Hugs
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed the chapter!
I gave your story a five, I loved the way you gave her point of view and his from the same scene. This was a really hot story from the first moment on the ladder to when they finally consumated their burgeoning relationship. Can't wait to see how this progresses and hope to read your next chapter soon.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm really glad you''re enjoying the story and the use of the alternating POVs! The next chapter soon!
AHHH. Ahem.
That was amazing. Well worth the wait :)
I love this line: He smirks. “And priced accordingly. You were so convinced of this evening’s outcome?” That hopeful.
Mmm, I must admit, the smut is not at all disappointing. In fact, the very opposite :) Very sensual and well written.
So, well done! I await the next chapter! :) Severus' POV, hmm.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so very glad you liked the chapter and that line! It's also good to hear that you found it worth the wait and well written!
Wow, just wow...
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed it!
I loved it!! That was the perfect scene after all the build-up. I can't wait for Severus' view.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm glad you lliked the it! SS up next!
So good!!!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so very glad you lliked the it!
Well, if that wasn't the perfect climax of the story. Beautifully done. It's so much more satisfying (bad word choice, I know) when the tension slowly rises and finally explodes.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! And you're right - the story does follow the pattern of foreplay followed by orgasm-inducing sex hopefully!
Well worth the 25 chapters of foreplay. I don't even smoke, but I need a cigarette. That was intense, passionate, and extremely intimate.
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the chapter and though it ample pay off for all the foreplay!
Gods, is it hot in here or what *fans self*....(I've got to stop reading this stuff at work)! Excellent, excellent, excellent!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed it and found it hot! (yeah - smut at work induces squirming)
Love it! Love it! Love it!!!
Response from ubiquirk (Author of Ladder)
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!