Saving a Death Eater
Bambu157 Reviews | 6.79/10 (157 Ratings, 0 Likes, 189 Favorites )
Post-Deathly Hallows plot. While Harry is immured in the headmaster's office, sunk into Snape's memories, Hermione is spurred into action of a different sort.
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About Bambu
Author
Bambu
Member Since 2005 | 27 Stories | Favorited by 542 | 117 Reviews Written | 1,029 Review Responses
I have loved the written word since watching my mother’s fingers trace the lines of a book, luxuriating in riveting tales and well-turned phrases. Many a night I read until dawn, a plastic flashlight hidden under the covers to light the pages as I raced the rising sun to finish my latest must-read.
Since joining the HP fandom, I've been privileged to receive more than 50 awards, including Best Author (Quill to Parchment Awards) and Best Classic Author (Most Potente Passions). Among others, my stories have won awards for Best Hurt/Comfort (Spoils of War, Morning Has Broken), Best Novel Length (Calling Card, Guard…Check…Mate), Best One Shot (A Beach in Ireland), Best WIP (Saving a Death Eater, The Summoning), Favorite Overall Story (Complexities), and Readers’ Choice (A Quest of Paladins).
Aside from a judicious polish for formatting and egregious typos, I don't plan on revising my early work. Those stories are the stepping stones of my writing journey. Please note some stories contain adult content. None is more graphic than equivalent scenes in the television shows True Blood or Game of Thrones, and age appropriate warnings are posted.
I no longer write fanfiction prolifically. Like many fanfic authors, my focus has shifted to original work. A member of the Romance Writers of America and the Southern California Writers Association, I write under my name: Lin Thornhill.
My original story Verisimilitude published in Thoroughly Modern Monsters (Story Spring Publishing, 2013) reached the top 100 fantasy anthologies and broke into the top 10 in the UK the first month of release. Ben and Christine’s story will continue in 2016.
Fixation, my latest short story, slated for publication in J. Aldis’ anthology Immanence, with a winter 2015-2016 release, is particularly exciting as it anchors the Messengers of Inari novel series I’ve been developing for the past year.
9/2015
Reviews for Saving a Death Eater
Wow, what a chapter! I’ve been so busy, but when I saw that this updated, I dropped everything! Here nor there… I really loved Poppy in this chapter. Hermione’s concern for the Healer was touching. For a brief minute I thought it was the Horcrux scar that had reacted – then remembered that Harry had that scar, not her. I really enjoyed Kreacher’s “haste or leisure” LOL
You’re description of Severus in the magical Healer’s ward was so apt and well described, I wonder, are you a nurse or doctor? You have a good understanding of wound care, it seems. I was thrown by Severus’ reaction to Harry’s voice, until the Healer explained it – and then really felt sorry for Harry. Boy, that won’t add to his guilt at all!
I was disturbed by Kingsley’s actions at the first of the visit – the Hit Wizards and Aurors, what was he afraid of? Why all the extra precautions? And the older Hit Wizard glaring at Harry – he just saved the world for crying out loud! I think I understand the ‘protection’ factor, but oh, how oddly over reactive they were. BTW Merlin I really approve of what happened to Umbridge in this and was stunned by the numbers! Eek. Veritaserum on the Ministry personnel – oh gods, I used that one… in one of mine (current WIP), but it was great the reactions you have and how Harry reacts! Brilliant!
I’m still giggling about the fact that Harry, Ron and Hermione will be working for Gringotts – that was a stroke of ingeniousness!
And Kingsley’s reactions to the ‘story’ LOL Boy, I’d have thought he’s have said, “F-ck me,” a few more times during that retelling!
It’s so sad about the Unicorns! And heart breaking that Snape seemed so upset at their demise – says a lot about the man. Especially at how hard he tried to protect the other heard near Malfoy Manor! But he was gored! Agh! Poor guy! At least the stallion cured him.
Great chapter.. I really look forward to the next one!
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Wow! What a wonderful and enthusiastic review. Thank you, thank you, thank you.I'm overjoyed you liked it so well.I'm not a health care professional at all, but I always spend a lot of time doing research for things I don't know about. You should have seen how many websites and medical procedurals I reviewed for this story. I've seen more venomous snake bites than I ever care to, thanks. ::grin::As for Umbridge, I calculated that she had almost ten months to work, and she wouldn't have hesitated to include spouses and children in her cleansing mandate. I think she was probably quite zealous in the performance of her duties, don't you?You used Veritaserum with Ministry personnel, too? How marvelous. GMTA!I do hope you like the next one equally well, and thanks again.
A unified front to save Snape. Excellent! :)
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Yes, indeed, and thanks!
Nice idea, the bath as a pensieve. :)
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Thank you so much.
Good old Poppy! :)
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Isn't she wonderful? She's always been a favorite of mine. Thanks!
ahem..... (tap, tap, tap) a new chapter, please? 
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::snort::Working on it!::smooch::
Response from June W (Reviewer)
smooches back.... now get back to that keyboard! 
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::gigglesnort::
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::snort::Working on it!::smooch::
Response from June W (Reviewer)
smooches back.... now get back to that keyboard!
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::gigglesnort::
i was excited to see you had updated this, but i had to save it to read until i could reread it all to refresh my memory. it was interesting to read your vision of the aftermath of the war - it gave depth to those events from the book. and i also appreciated your vision of the relationship between harry and hermione. mostly, i just love your writing. :D
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
What a wonderful compliment. Thank you for taking the time to read and savor the story, and I'm thrilled you enjoyed my concept of what comes next for these characters. I do hope you like the next bits as well.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
What a wonderful compliment. Thank you for taking the time to read and savor the story, and I'm thrilled you enjoyed my concept of what comes next for these characters. I do hope you like the next bits as well.
Dear Bambu, do you ever write anything that I don't want more and more and more of? Excellent story so far, of course. I really love the 'Snape is saved by Hermione' stories, and yours is the best one yet! To make my life perfect, there is one other little fic of yours that deserves an update...*hint, hint*
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
My dear Wickedly Wanton, it's so wonderful to see your name on my screen -- I have just discovered the notice of your review in my Spam folder (grrr! I thought I'd fixed that!)There is indeed one other of my stories with deserves an update -- you're so right. I've recently revised and updated its outline and I'm just about ready to go! Four/five more chapters and it's done.
Response from WickedlyWanton (Reviewer)
*Jumping for joy* Now, two perfectly brilliant stories that I am waiting for...I don't know that I can take the suspense! I, of course, didn't want you to think that I was only reviewing to get another chapter of The Summoning out of you, but I have to say it is still my favorite fan fiction piece ever. However, I think that with every fic that you create you get better and better, and Saving a Death Eater is evidence of that. But falling in love with your writing began with The Summoning for me, and it will always hold a special place in my heart and mind-not to say that you can't keep trying with new stories to supplant it...
squeeeeeee!! you're continuing this story!!!! I am SO very glad. that bit of memory-strand around her leg is fascinating; leave it to you to create something that nobody else has ever thought of. can't wait to see her meeting Severus again. thanks for the new chapter, and for giving Kreacher more action!
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Thank you, thank you. The memory strand around the ankle is a gimmick Lillithj is going to use in an upcoming story, too, and we're going very different ways with it. I'm looking forward to exploring some of the possibilities it brings to mind. It's really intriguing.I, too, look forward to Hermione's seeing Severus again -- although I don't think the course o' true love will run very smooth. I can safely say that this story isn't plotted out at all, so I'm letting the characters do the driving. It's sort of an experiment!Thank you so much for commenting, JuneW! You're always so encouraging.
Wicked, Bambu, wicked. The whole idea of unseen, naked Hermione in one room with Severus, even partly naked in one instance, is a great shortcut to their relationship. I believe I have not encountered one so fresh yet. A great, quick way to make her see him differently and exchange those proper thoughts in her mind with something more fanfic-like.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Ah, yes, I plan to shock her sensibilities at a time when her entire world view is in flux; his, equally, is in flux, because he never expected to survive. That she was naked makes her vulnerable, that he was partially so, renders them on comparable terms, even if it was a memory. This won't be a quick leap into the sack, by any means . . . at least I don't think so, but sometimes the characters have different ideas.Thanks so much for giving it a read.
what a great story! i like that all of this totally could have happened, at least so far, since it all happens in spaces around what happened in the last book. let's just say, so far yours is shaping up to be possibly my favorite version of these events. so, big thanks!
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Thank you very much -- you've given me an exquisite compliment. I want this story to be plausible, at least to begin with. There are a number of years which are unaccounted for in canon, and even the EWE doesn't say explicitly that Hermione and Ron are married, nor that Hugo and Rose are her children. I hope to use all those loopholes, and I'm thrilled you've decided to come along for the ride. Thanks again.
Oh, I'm so glad you continued this story, and with such a perfect chapter! After the physical and emotional exertions of the battle, it's Hermione's moment of solitude and reassessment, and the moment when her appreciation of the events topples over in a deeper, more mature view - just as her body topples over in the magical bath. The device of the silver strand and of her total immersion in Severus' memories is incredibly poetic.Then there is a wealth of excellent details, like Kreacher confronting Snape about his loyalties. It's perfectly plausible, and it made me realise the parallelism between them - after all, Kreacher is a kind of Snape-of-the-elves, embittered by terrible experiences.I truly hope to see more of this soon. Please?
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::blushes:: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I thought for a time that the first chapter would be a stand-alone, but it seemed to have other ideas.I'm thrilled you like the blending of secondary and tertiary characters. It won't be a front and center sort of story, really.
Anonymous
Really a fascinating and enthralling beginning. I like this very much and really do hope you will be continuing it.
The idea of the tub becoming a pensieve is fascinating.
I'm curious about what you are going to make of the snake venom and its effects. I always supposed that there must be more to it than just the blood-flow-encouraging part Arthur Weasley experienced; probably Nagini was milked just bevore it attacked him? Now we know that Snape did indeed have a use for the venom before ;o).
Author's Response: Why thank you so much. I won't continue it quickly, but I have a couple of avenues of exploration I'm rather intrigued by: the quality of the memory silver, and the venom's effects. I have a little research to do before I'm ready to tackle the next chapter.
I like how you portray the almost crushing weight that is on Snape as headmaster - trying to influence or support the effort against Voldemort while not tipping his hand - that he must bear alone because he has no confidant. It must be a bit like white-water rafting without any oars to use to steer. He is at the mercy of the current but he desperately wants some type of influence or control. It is very realistic. It is also very realistic that he could never show his true state to another person (only portraits and elves) as it doesn't match with his persona. You have done a good job of drawing back his curtain just enough. As the first "person" to see him as he is, I wonder what Hermione will do with the insight - take it at face value or consider the ramifications of how much else she knows to be true about him that may only be persona.I also wonder about her relationship to the memory strand. Will she grow to view it as something unnatural or someone else's body fluid (like the blood she wanted to be cleansed of). Or will she see it as something like a token of affection (like a piece of jewelry). Or will she see it as some type of link to Snape or as a pet that provides companionship and comfort. I think you are the first author I have read to assign any type of "cognitive nature" to the strand itself. That has opened a lot of doors as to how it might relate to her (beyond simply providing the content of the memory).Thank you so much for sharing your imagination with us. I am always challenged to think when I read your stories. I like the way you explore themes. Your stories are always the highest highlight for me. Thank you.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
I'd like to return the compliment, because I'm unbelievably blessed to have such astute readers. Your review is quite thought-provoking, and gratified to think I've spurred your own interest in the theme.I'm still toying with the concept of the memory strand and haven't quite worked it all out yet -- but I have a couple of thoughts I want to explore.You make an excellent point about her being the first person (beyond portraits and house-elves) to see him as he really is ... today. Harry has seen him as he is early and in extremis, but Hermione has been graced with the opportunity to see him alone, as the essential man himself.Thank you very much for reading and letting me know what you thought.
Wowzer! This is my favorite pairing to read, and most especially the way you write them! This is just excellent, and I am impatiently checking the sites for the third chapter.... (I can't believe I wrote "wowzer," much less that I am going to leave it in! That's how much I like this story--I'm willing to be foolish over it!)
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::giggles and blushes:: Is that possible to do at the same time? How marvelous to have rendered you semi-articulate (although Wowzer is really a lovely accolate all on its own.)There isn't a third chapter yet, but it's percolating in my brain. I do hope you continue to enjoy the story.Thank you very much.
I'm so glad that you are continuing this.
I loved the idea of the bathtub becoming a huge pensieve and the memories were very intriguing and hopefully paving the way nicely for more than recognition between Severus and Hermione. I'm looking forward to more!
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
You're most kind to read and review my new chapter -- so many months after the first. I hadn't originally intended to write any more in this vein, but the plot bunny bit! Thank you very much.
This is just wonderful! I've always had a soft spot for those stories that show off-stage moments from the books, and this one is is so beautifully done. I love the idea of his memories clinging to her ankle, and the efforts she makes to preserve them for him. The memories themselves are perfect - nothing overtly romantic, but a recognition of her worth that represents a deep shift for him and would mean so much to her. Just a little step towards a possibility of something, delicately told.One little quibble - I really didn't earn the credit you gave me. No loss, I can't see that you needed my eyes on this one.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
What a very generous compliment, my friend. I'm very glad you liked this outtake. I think a relationship between these two, in any plausible way from a canon genesis, would take a very long time in the making. So from such tiny steps as these something might build.As for the quibble, did you not get my email and attachment last week? I suggested that I'd make your changes after the first posting (because I had a need to post it sooner rather than later,) and I've assumed you've been busy which is why you didn't get back to me.
Response from a_bees_buzz (Reviewer)
I did get it, but as I said, you didn't need my eyes. There's not a thing here I'd suggest changing. *bows to your perfection*
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Ah. ::blushes:: I'm very relieved. Thank you.
Oh how wonderful! You know I have read the first chapter to this again innumeral times and did not realise that you intended to continue it! I am so thrilled to see that you have. What a wonderful treat to once again be able to immerse myself in your wonderful style of writing. You have a beautiful way of weaving internal emotion with external action even when they are contrary to each other and by doing so you reveal a whole picture that is rich and vibrant. Irish
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
::blushes:: What a gorgeous compliment. Thank you very, very much. I'm so pleased you've enjoyed the first chapter, and like the way I've continued it.
I love your new story. The scene in the Shrieking Shack when Hermione announces that she must go because she believes that Harry has done something rash is priceless. Snape grabbing Hermione's wrist just before she leaves is very touching and it appears that a bond is being formed. Poppy is portrayed as such a strong, loyal and caring woman and I very much like her character. The memories wrapped around Hermione's ankle, kind of like an ankle bracelet, are certainly enlightening and give Hermione a much needed ego boost. Perhaps Snape has had more than of an emotional investment in her endeavors than he realizes. I would love to read more.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Thanks so much! I wrote the first chapter the day after DH came out as a one-shot vignette, but the idea of continuing it has nibbled at my mind for some time, and this just sort of happened. I'm thrilled you liked it.
Ohh, this was great! I loved the descriptions of Hermione's post-battle state, all hurt and weary. And McGonagall being kind. And the hint that there might not be a grand love affair between Hermione and Ron.And the Pensieve scenes were wonderful! Looks like Hermione was on Snape's mind often enough during that year (which certainly makes sense - it would have been foolish of him not to consider her as Harry's best hope for survival until the final battle). And the moment she started to see him as a man - wonderful.~Kribu
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Kribu! I'm glad you signed your review, otherwise I wouldn't have known it was you. Of course, I wouldn't have been rude to
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
, but I wouldn't have been nearly as familiar.I suspect Ron is still the same young man he's been for a long time. Hermione never comes first (even in the dungeons, all he did was get hysterical, but he didn't do anything to save her, he left it to Harry.) So, no, no grand affair for them! Not if I have anything to say about it.I don't think Snape was fond of her at all, but he has a great deal invested in Harry's success and he's intelligent enough to recognize her value. During the course of their flight, his opinion might have softened slightly, and after the moments in the Shrieking Shack they might be different still.Thanks so much for a wonderful comment. I appreciate it more than I can express.
Oh, how wonderful to see this story continued! It was the first I read after DH, and I very much look forward to more. :)
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Thank you so much! I do think our reviews crossed somewhere mid-air, but I'm thrilled you're reading this little continuation.
Wow I way on the edge of my seat the whole time. Amazing.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Really? Excellent. Thank you very much for telling me that. It just makes my whole day a bit brighter.
I have always loved your stories. And I see this one is no different.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
What an absolutely lovely thing to say. Thank you very much.
Ooo, Bambu, this is so good! I love how Hermione gets all these conflicting hints about what Snape thinks of her. And I also love how she's reacting to those hints. 
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Kel, you are an angel to give it a read, enjoy it, and review! Thank you so much. I think she's in such a state of flux that new and startling perceptions have a chance of slipping past her reflexive defenses where he's concerned. Thanks so much!
Response from Keladry Lupin (Reviewer)
You make it sound as though reading one of your fics is a chore, and I can assure you that nothing could be further from the truth.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
See! There's a reason you earn that angel status. Thank you so much for always being so encouraging.
Wow. Terrific story. This may be the first story I've ever read of yours. I'll be sure to look for more. I know if this was a slash story, it would be pre-slash. I've never heard the term pre-het, but this is story makes me wish I could find a rec list of fifty stories as good as this, all pre-het.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
Thank you so much for the lovely comments. I've never heard of a 'pre-het' category before, but it works in this case. If you ever venture into other of my stories, I hope you like them, and thanks again.
Well done, you've created a wonderful ending for Severus that JKR didn't. I feel so much happier thinking that Severus was saved.................he is one of my favourites.
Response from Bambu (Author of Saving a Death Eater)
While there were a number of things I didn't particularly like about the last book, my greatest disappointment was in JKR's handling of the Slytherins, and Snape in particular. I just couldn't leave it that as far as he was aware all of his sacrifices might have been in vain.
Thank you very much for enjoying the story.