Chapter Three
Chapter 3 of 15
_Levicorpus_Years after the Final Battle, a new professor strolls into Hogwarts only to captivate Severus to the point of obsession.
ReviewedChapter Three
Author's Note: Thanks a million to SoulBound, my wonderful editor. =)
“Admittedly, it was a bit lecherous.” Draco grinned.
“You think so?” Severus asked sarcastically.
“It’s just so easy,” he replied.
“Well, that’s no excuse to sexually harass your colleague.”
“It was just a comment on her clothing!” Draco said, holding his arms out wide.
“It starts that way.”
There was a pause in which the ominous ticks of Severus’s clock reverberated across the dark, grey study.
“Are you all right?” Draco asked. “You’ve been especially frightening lately.”
It was true. Severus had assigned enough detentions that he hardly ever left his dungeons. He took meals in his room since the display at breakfast a few weeks prior. He hadn’t had any more dreams, but his thought patterns did a constant tribal rain dance around their latest goddess—Professor Granger. It was like every time he did leave his study, he was assaulted by her image or reminders of her. Just her name on a student’s lips made him think about her for hours. And it wasn’t that he was thinking anything in particular really. No, he was simply remembering her. His mind hadn’t yet had the gumption to think much about the future.
“I’m fine,” he replied, discomforted as usual by inquiries relating to his well being.
“Are you really?” Draco grumbled obligatorily.
“Yes.”
“So Father sends his greetings from France,” Draco said, running his fingers though his blond hair. He was in every way the superior candidate in the race for Hermione’s affections. With his six-foot three frame and striking features, what girl would not be taken with him—a Malfoy?
Severus gave a disdainful chuckle. “Is he enjoying the countryside?”
“He is,” Draco said. “He is enjoying himself so immensely that he has even taken a French mistress.”
“That’s Lucius for you,” Severus said.
“Indeed,” Draco remarked distractedly.
He was off to bed soon after, and Severus retreated to his rooms to crack open a book. Even the dry literature couldn’t soak the emotion out of him. He paced his room for a while. He then went to his classroom and wrote out lessons. Even after that, he couldn’t get himself to sleep. His thoughts of her disgusted him and weighed him down with a sickly guilt that made his stomach feel as though it was afflicted by the flu.
“You look terrible,” Malfoy remarked the next morning at breakfast.
“That is what happens when one does not sleep,” Severus replied irately. He had, with his bleary judgment, decided to take breakfast in the Great Hall. Several first-years had actually jumped at the sight of him—with his darkly circled eyes sunken into a ghostly pale face. He was so tired, in fact, that he had not yet thought of her.
She came into the hall, tossing her glittering hair over her shoulder. His stomach turned with guilt and disappointment again. He would have given anything to escape sitting at the same table with her that morning. But, since fate was in no mood to accept bargains, he was forced to continue the dance.
Blissfully, she did not address him since she was busy talking with Pomona about one womanly issue or other. Severus never kept track. He left the table nursing a migraine that concentrated where his brows usually met when he was angry. He slammed into his first class after a trip to the lavatory to rinse his grimly arranged visage with cool water. The sixth-years worked diligently on copying down the notes he had left on the board without a sound.
They worked until a knock sounded at the door. Severus ordered them back to work, but most continued to watch as he flung the door open. Before him stood a trembling fifth-year. She stuttered out a few syllables, but ended up just looking around without making a sound.
“Yes, Miss Martin?” he asked irately.
“Professor Granger sent me down with this.” She thrust a note at him. His face adopted a look of curiosity.
Please give a jar of fwooper feathers to Miss Martin. I will return them this evening after lessons.
A self-important signature followed. He tossed the letter into the waste bin by the door and walked back to his ingredients closet to fetch the rare ingredient.
“If you lose these,” he said slowly, “you will pay for every plume. Do I make myself clear?”
The girl nodded and gulped as her knees trembled. He knew this threat would make an impact since she was a scholarship student. He returned to the classroom and sat regarding the students calmly. Well, it seemed calm to those who did not know Professor Snape. They knew if any of them did anything he could deduct points for, he would. They worked in silence and bottled their potions with shaking hands and brought them to the desk for inspection with trepidation.
He arrived at his free period after assigning four detentions, and it was only the middle of the day. He sat at his desk rubbing his temples and looking at an essay he didn’t have the patience to grade quite yet. He jumped, yes, actually jumped, when he heard a glass bottle being set down on his desk.
“You don’t have to harass them, you know,” she said, glaring at him. He was altogether unprepared for the intrusion.
“Perhaps you don’t,” he said. “But you clearly have no scruples against barging into someone else’s classroom while they are trying to work”
She scowled and started to pace. “It makes a terrible learning environment if you are constantly threatening people,” she remarked.
“I’m glad that you’ve taken the time to impart your wisdom, but I really must insist that you—”
“Just don’t scare my students.”
“If they are in my dungeon, I will do as I please,” he said calmly, leafing through papers he didn’t even need to look at.
“But—”
“I will remind you, Miss Granger,” he said, holding up a finger, “that I have a vast seniority over you here. As Deputy Headmaster, I could easily have you thrown out for barging in here and questioning my ethics.”
“I won’t stand for—”
“Bye-bye,” he said curtly and sarcastically, opening the door with a wave of his wand. She stormed out and slammed it behind her.
“Defacement of school property!” he cried. She did not return.
It's Me!: I look forward to your thoughts. I've really been enjoying the reviews so far!
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Latest 25 Reviews for Captivation and Obsession
255 Reviews | 6.53/10 Average
Wow....what a disappointing ending..............Ron and Hermione makes me sick. Well written though. God speed in your future efforts.
I liked this story, in spite of Hermione's lame ass explanation there at the end. I guess it's a way to keep almost strictly DH compliant, anyway. Not many will try to incorporate the epilogue so faithfully in a SS/HG fic. Thanks!
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
Thanks for respecting the effort
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
Thanks for respecting the effort
there is nothing quite as cathartic as reading a truely sad story - i love it poor bless the snarky bastard
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
What a releif! I saw that I had a review for this story and was gearing up to hear another person say that hate it! I'm glad you enjyed it despite the sad ending. Thanks for your review :)
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
What a releif! I saw that I had a review for this story and was gearing up to hear another person say that hate it! I'm glad you enjyed it despite the sad ending. Thanks for your review :)
Good writing, but it was the worst ending I've read yet on this website. I absolutely hated it. I wish I had never read it, because it made me so sad that I fucking cried. D:<
I don't think your writing is shoddy and I don't think the story is bad. I'm bummed by the ending, sure, but, you know, Hermione didn't really get to grow up because of the war, so I think she's entitled to a little bit of confusion and flippancy.At least Severus is happy in the end even if he is still alone.
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
That was the problem about adhering to canon! I keep wondering if I should write a post-epilogue but I think it's time to move on.
Please don't discount your writing. Sure, it doesn't have the happy ending that we all are looking for, and yes, I have wanted a good time for Severus and Hermione for more years than I can count...but look. You started this three years ago, you were different, we have all changed. this story tells yet another twist in the characters personalities that could have been a progression to a logical conclusion.
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
I LOVE YOU! :) Hey, though, I'm seriously psyched about this new story! I hope you check it out!
Response from maridesalyn (Reviewer)
I am looking forward to it!!!
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think a lot of people will be really really dissapointed in the last few chapters of this story and the way it turned out. It really wasn't a "Happily Ever After" story about Severus and Hermione staying together despite the odds like we are all used to. Don't be suprised if you don't get the reviews for the ending, either. It left me feeling quite lousy too, and I seriously thought of not reviewing, but then I thought, what would that prove? That I just walk away from stories I don't like the ending to? Yeah, I've done that more times than I care to admit, but you're such a great author that I don't believe you deserve that. I think this Hermione is very immature. I find her fickle and unsure of exactly what love is. No, she didn't "love" Severus. She liked him enough to find potential in him, but she didn't have the emotional maturity to stay exclusive with either Draco or Severus. And to flip flop to safe old Ron after playing with both of them is really odd. Draco as well, wasn't thinking with his upper brain. To bounce between Camille and Hermione and lead Severus to believe there might still be hope for him...then to go shagging with Hermione to me shows relationship immaturity as well. And where does that lead Severus? Let down again, by another woman he loved. Why did he have to get the short stick again? It really wasn't fair to him. No, life doesn't always have a happy ending, but I'd rather at least have sad endings be because someone was a prick and not because they were led on again.
Response from Severus49 (Reviewer)
I just realized I spelled disappointed wrong! My bad.
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
I completely agree. I'll be honest, I have a hard time standing by this work since it was done so long ago. I am working on a new one, which is in the queue right now, that I hope will make up for the incredible suckitude of this shotty piece of work. Here's the 1st paragraph of the 1st chapter:"The ruins of Hogwarts were bathed in the scant light of a crescent moon. And gliding through the darkness below was the imprint of a lost hero. The spirit flexed its growing permanence, feeling the unnerving sensation of swallowing boulders with its newfound form. It, or rather he—he had been a ‘he’ at one point—moved through the dewy, body-strewn grass tense with the memory of the extraordinary choice he’d been given."
I’ll be working with what JK left in order to create a much more solid, formed love story. The love story all of you fans deserve. I am so sorry that this one was put together so poorly. I hope I can make it up to you.
I kind of feel let down by the ending, but at the same time it makes sense.
Poor Severus getting the completely rotten end of the stick. But, I thought he was supposed to be dying? I kind of expected to find Hermione mourning and lamenting at his graveside for her shoddy treatment of him.
Oh well, thanks for sharing!
I followed this story hoping for a happy ending and THAT's what you give me? So bummed right now. yuck. I hate Ron and Hermione about as much as I hate Draco and Hermione so boo. Well written but very disappointed. That should not be listed under Sev/Mione without a warning on the first page that they don't end up together!
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
I think I would have a lot more energy to argue if I hadn't finished writing this 3 years ago! I actually agree with you. Shotty writing, shotty ending, cheap cop out. I was so struck with guilt that I wrote a new chaptered fic, which somewhat follows Canon, will give readers a more real Sev and Hermione relationship--one that is actually worth reading. Here's the summary preview:"The ruins of Hogwarts were bathed in the scant light of a crescent moon. And gliding through the darkness below was the imprint of a lost hero. The spirit flexed its growing permanence, feeling the unnerving sensation of swallowing boulders with its newfound form. It, or rather he—he had been a ‘he’ at one point—moved through the dewy, body-strewn grass tense with the memory of the extraordinary choice he’d been given."
So the story will deal with the idea that Severus has died, but Ghost Severus and living Hermione will fall in love. This will be interspersed with flashbacks, dreams, et cetera so it won’t all be depressing. The challenge here was to take all of book 7 into account (except maybe the epilogue) and still find romance for Sev and Hermione despite the book’s bleak end.
So I hope you haven’t given up on me!
EXCELLENT!!!!!!
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
I'm so glad you liked it! I was worried that the semi-Canon ending was too depressing! And please, please, please read this new Sev/Herm fic I have in the pipes--I am super excited about this project! It's coming from a place of understanding canon in a way that creates obstacles to their love, and then conquering the obstacles in order to make a really unique love story. It's all I think about! How strange to get a second wind for fan fic after several years away!
i'm lovin' severus in this great story!!
love the plot, so far!!!!
I've just caught up reading this incredible story! I hope you don't wait very long to update again. There aren't many readers who will journey four years through a story, let alone inspiration that will let someone continue while life goes on. Severus is dying. Draco is flitting around with everyone. Severus hasn't confronted Hermione about the tryst with Draco - even though they're well past the 'how do you do' stage themselves. So, what is going on with her? Is she seeing Draco on the side? Does she know about Severus' health issues, but is trying to act like she doesn't know and it's bothering her? Things need clarified, and I hope it doesn't take two more years to find out!
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
Bless your heart,
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
! This chapter took forever to make it through the queue. I will post the next chapter (and stick two chapters together so you'll get a little more out of it.. or maybe three... I'll see what I can get away with) tonight. The problem is that I did write this so long ago, and my style has changed so much... I did write a Bellamort recently, maybe I'll post that as well... Thank you so much for your perserverence! I hope to reward it!
I started this because I was intrigued, and saw that it had been recently updated. Keep going! It's proceded uniquely, and I'm curious as to how it will pan out. Who came to Hermione that night? Is Severus really going to die? Please, please, more!
Severus has no idea how to behave, does he?
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
nope! :)
Long indeed! I had to go back and re-read the entire story because I couldn't remember what it was about.
Now this sad twist is my reward. How devestating. But Hermioine did fall in love with him, so he must believe in miracles, right?
Or will this be one of those "he lives on in his children" kind of fics?
Either way, I enjoy your writing and anxiously await the next installment. I just hope it doesn't take quite so long.
A lethal dose curse syndrome...with more than one victim? Hermione may well have received bad news herself. While wizarding HIPPA rules may be in force...a little exposure to research 'in the public eye' is only to be wished for.
The engagement of passion after a curse making things worse...the 'Dork' Lord's evil post mortum nastiness?
Your Snape characterization and his passion is finely drawn. Your foreshadowing subtle...till it isn't. I say, "Take your time with updates, if your story benefits." JF
"Lethal Curse Survivor’s Disorientation." This is terrible news. Surely there is something that can be done? A way to isolate the infection? Please tell me that there is a way.Perhaps Severus and Hermione can figure out just what is causing this infection and develop the magical equivalent of an anti-biotic. I know I'm grasping at straws, but it seems so unfair for this to happen just when he and Hermione have found love. I remember that when he was in St Mungo's just after the war part of his recovery was that he had been told that his passions had declined and he'd begun to read potions journals so he would be able to teach again: "The healers said that while in his coma, Snape’s passions had lessened. He believed them, since he had found an especial lackluster in all that he saw. He’d had to read potions journals for days on end while recuperating to be able to teach again. From what the Healer told him—“Well, the good news is that you can continue to teach. But the bad news is that Headmistress McGonagall may soon have difficulty keeping you employed if the disease continues to get worse.”—I can't help feeling that this Lethal Curse Survivor’s Disorientation will cause him to become confused and forgetful. Is this why Minerva might have trouble keeping him on the staff as the curse progresses? Now on top of everything that has happened it's Valentine's Day and he has to hear all of the snide remarks about his apparent lack of a love life. I'm glad that he and Hermione are still together and still in love, but it all seems so unfair.Please don't go so long with the next update. I love this story and want to find out how this resurgence of Severus' curse affects him and Hermione... and hopefully that they will be able to find a way to cure him. Please, please, please.Glad to see you back! I reread this story from the beginning so I could remember everything that had happened before.Beth
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
First of all, the next chapter is in queue! Secondly, all I can tell you about the disease is that it won't be the forefront of most of the story, but a shade of Severus's character. I'm so glad you are enjoying the story! I will definitely keep updating.
Thank you for the update - good to have you back! :) Wow, what a twist. He seems so complacent and accepting of it. (Even though he's clearly not as unaffected as he wants to be.) Is he going to tell Hermione, or just carry on as if nothing's wrong? Do we have a time frame on his infection? Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
It is always interesting to have someone so strong and stoic battling with a disease. It has been a really interesting way to write Severus.
First it's so good to have to have you back. And second how sad. I don't want him to die, I mean so soon. Surely like the great potions master that he is, and maybe with a bit of help there is a cure somewhere, well hidden that they can dig out?
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
I'm glad to be back! And you'll just have to see what happens to our dear Severus... :)
okies loving this story
draco may have been her first choice but snape is the better one
i hope you arent planning on killing him off
and who the hell was hermiones visitor grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr i hate cliffe's
hugs and chocolate julie
facinating story! thanks muchly
wonderful update! so glad you were haunted. thanks muchly
You leave us wondering what's up with Hermione and then throw in what's up with Snape?? Is it going in two different directions or are the two related? Eagerly awaiting more!
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
You'll see! And an update is in progress!
Something is definately up with Hermione. First avoiding Severus, then not wanting to kiss him. I hope she is not just using him. Can't wait to find out what is up with Severus either.
Response from _Levicorpus_ (Author of Captivation and Obsession)
You are such a perceptive reviewer! I love it!