Faithful, Indeed
Chapter 21 of 21
Elise_WandererEpilogue? What Epilogue? Canon-compliant--despite JKR’s best efforts. This is what the final chapter did not reveal in print.
A/N: Well, here we are at the end of my romp within the world created by JK Rowling. Whatever you recognize, she owns it (except of course for Ms. Brontë’s poetry). I make no money from this. My only profit has been the fun of trying to stay within canon.
My incredible beta, sshg316, has worked to keep me on track (she saved me from another big boo-boo in this chapter when I didn’t go back and correct something from an earlier draft). Shug, it’s been a wonderful ride, and I thank you for every comma, every question, every funny comment, every bit of hand-holding and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you!
Thanks also the admins at TPP–you’ve been thorough and supportive throughout, and I really appreciate all your help, as well as having a great place to post my little excursion into the Potterverse!
EPILOGUE? WHAT EPILOGUE?
“Faithful, Indeed”
Cold in the earth—and fifteen wild Decembers
From those brown hills have melted into spring:
Faithful, indeed, is the spirit that remembers
After such years of change and suffering!
- Emily Brontë, from “Remembrace”
Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The group of adults was huddled together on the platform, stamping their feet against the cold. They watched silently as the Hogwarts Express bore their children away to another year of magical education.
“They’ll both be back for Christmas break sooner than you know,” Ginny said softly, patting her husband’s arm. “And Albus will be fine, whatever House he’s sorted into.”
“Yes, he will,” echoed Hermione from the other side. She turned to the redhead on her left. “Rose will keep her eye on him, won’t she, Ron?”
Ron grinned at her. “She’s as smart as her mother and bossier than her godmother.”
“Glad to hear I’ve been a healthy influence,” Hermione grinned back.
“Harry, can I give you a lift?” Ron asked, dangling his car keys in what he hoped was a tempting manner.
Harry shuddered. “Um, thanks, Ron, but we’ve got errands to run. We’ll see you Saturday.”
“Sorry Romy couldn’t make it today,” Ginny said sympathetically. “I think it might’ve helped her to be here.”
“Yeah,” Ron replied, a bit uncomfortably. “Well, you know how she is about goodbyes.”
“Lily!” Ginny called, suddenly distracted. “Get back from the edge!” She hurried after her daughter, and with a wave and a laugh, Harry followed her.
Hermione turned to Ron. “Everything okay?” she asked lightly.
Ron shrugged. “You know how it is. You’ve been married almost as long as I have. Every day can’t be a honeymoon.”
She squeezed his arm. “Could be worse,” she teased him. “I could’ve actually said yes one of those times.”
He laughed. “I was a bit of prat, wasn’t I?” he admitted.
She slipped her arm around his shoulder. “You? Are you kidding?” She giggled. “And half the world thinks we actually did marry each other.”
“Stop it,” he gasped, pretending to be shocked. “Who’d think a thing like that?”
“Didn’t you see the way Draco looked at us today? That speculative little pursing of the lips?”
“You always did pay way too much attention to those Slytherins.”
She punched his arm affectionately. “You are a git.”
He chortled. “Well, you married one, so you would know!”
Collecting Hugo from the news vendor’s stall, the two old friends headed for Ron’s car.
As they approached the squat little vehicle, an owl suddenly swooped down and landed rather ungracefully on its hood.
“Minx?” Ron asked a little uncertainly, recognizing his wife’s familiar.
The bird thrust her leg at him haughtily, and he untied the parchment fastened there. Hermione fished in her pocket for a treat, patting the owl awkwardly with her other hand while Ron unrolled the note.
She watched him carefully as he read it. A shy smile spread slowly over his face, and he exhaled a soft whistle. He looked up at her, meeting her eyes.
“Everything okay?” she asked again.
“Let’s just say...” he began, and then he shrugged. “Let’s just say, there’s hope.”
She grinned encouragingly. “Do you want me to take Hugo home for you?” she asked.
Ron glanced down at the note. “Umm, would you?” he answered quietly.
She gave him a brief, tight hug. “Go to her, Ron. Talk. You’ll find the words.” She released him and pushed him toward the car. “But for Merlin’s sake, remember to drive carefully!” she admonished. She turned briskly to Hugo. “Now, come with Auntie Hermy, Hugo, your dad has an appointment to keep.”
Hugo took her hand and pulled her back toward the stalls with hardly a glance at his father. “They’ve got a new ‘Muggleman’!” he proclaimed loudly, and Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron as the boy dragged her away.
Comic book now in hand, Hugo continued to steer Hermione through the station, out into the swirl of Muggles blissfully going about their magic-free business. She saw him before he spotted her, a dark figure, dressed mostly in black, leaning against the bricks.
She studied her husband as she approached him. She very much approved of what she saw, especially these days. He was tall and lean but solidly so, with just the faintest brush of silver beginning to suggest itself in his neatly trimmed jet black hair. He no longer looked haunted or angry with the world or as though he were suffering from perpetual indigestion. Marriage obviously agreed with the man.
As he turned his head and spied her, a rare but genuine smile lit up his angular face, softening its lines and turning her weak in the knees. She took a few more steps and was in his arms, ignoring the curious stares and Hugo’s impatient tug on her sleeve. She kissed him, and he kissed her back.
He broke the kiss to smile down at her. “You are a preposterous woman,” he said.
She looked up into his dark eyes. “Never forget that,” she replied. She released one hand and reached down for Hugo’s hand. “Come along, my dear,” she told him breezily. “We have to take this man home.”
Hermione leaned her head against her husband’s arm. He stroked a wisp of hair away from her cheek, caressing her gently. Arms linked and godson in tow, they headed out into the London crowd. Dark times were past, at least for now. All was well.
~~~~~~~~~~fin~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: We all just assumed JKR married Ron and Hermione off to each other. But she never actually says it, if you read that Epilogue. So, Severus/Hermione fans, just as JKR left us enough wiggle room to resurrect him, she also gave us enough dock space to keep this ‘ship afloat. This is my version of their story as I think it should have happened. The first and last lines of the Epilogue, the characters, and the world they inhabit are all JKR’s. Everything else is wishful thinking.
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Spirit That Remembers
221 Reviews | 7.48/10 Average
LOVE this story. I know I read it once, long ago, back in the days before I ever wrote reviews.
At any rate, I absolutely love everything about this! I adore totally canon compliant SSHG fics, but many authors take the easy way out - pick up afterward, and either give H&R a divorce or kill Ron off. It's a delight to watch you skillfully strip off all the assumptions and inferences of the epilogue to bring our couple together as they were meant to be!
But even without that bit of sleight-of-word, this is simply a wonderful story. It's got it all - wonderful pacing, lovely slow-building romance, believeable characters, great OCs (Riley! *sniffs*), and layers upon layers of mystery and intrigue. I love the use of Severus' old chess set - first as a touching relic of his childhood, then as Hermione's clue, and finally as the tragic symbol of Riley's end.
I also loved Severus' immersion back into the Muggle world, and how that was why Hermione would be the one capable of tracking him. Leave it to the Muggleborn to figure out what totally passes over the Purebloods' heads. (I'd say it wasn't on their radar, but know what kind of blank stare they'd give me!) Seriously, though, there is a lot to think about regarding the pros and cons of living in the Muggle vs the Magical world.
While I'm glad you're now writing original fic, I'm so very happy that once upon a time you spent a lot of time and effort writing absolutely delicious SSHG fanfic. Thank you!
(Btw, here because of Juni's Fab Friday rec earlier this summer on TPP's FB page.)
Great story !!!!What lie is Hermione refering to here ?
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
It's been a long time since I wrote this.... Glad you like it, but I don't recall what point in the story you are talking about. If you tell me what chapter you are referring to, I will probably be able to answer.
Response from pansycat (Reviewer)
Sorry about that, I was reading rather late last night:).It was chapter 6 and the following from Hermione:She stared up at the boarded windows and marveled at Dumbledore’s ingenuity. Snape wasn’t the only one with a wildly overdeveloped sense of the theatrical, she thought. This whole, ramshackle building was part of a lie. Albus had set this up less than thirty years ago, yet she had talked with villagers who swore the Shack had been here for hundreds of years. Its weathered wood looked weary and derelict. It had become an abandoned, forgotten hulk, inaccessible to the world. It had outlived its purpose."Specifically the lie about Shack being haunted ?
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Ah, yes, now I remember. Yes, you're right---Dumbledore built the Shack to give Lupin a place to transform and made up a story about it being haunted to explain the strange sounds that would come from it every month. He pretended it was a really old, haunted building, when it wasn't at all. Rather clever of him, really.Thanks for reminding me!
Response from pansycat (Reviewer)
Sure, I remembered that but I thought it was a lie about Severus that I didn't remember...Interesting use of the epilogue, by the way....Actually, you could do the same for Ginny and Harry.It's funny. JK is pretty clear about what happens, when she speaks, but often times when she writes things are more unclear. To this day, I 'm still unclear what happened when Sirius tricked Severus into the shack.It seems like he must have seen Remus as a werewolf.So what did James actually prevent and how did he prevent it ? Is Remus even aware of what happened ?I think he must be ,because he doesn't really react to Snape's jibes.But none of this is really clear....
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
It's been a long time since I wrote this.... Glad you like it, but I don't recall what point in the story you are talking about. If you tell me what chapter you are referring to, I will probably be able to answer.
Response from pansycat (Reviewer)
Sorry about that, I was reading rather late last night:).It was chapter 6 and the following from Hermione:She stared up at the boarded windows and marveled at Dumbledore’s ingenuity. Snape wasn’t the only one with a wildly overdeveloped sense of the theatrical, she thought. This whole, ramshackle building was part of a lie. Albus had set this up less than thirty years ago, yet she had talked with villagers who swore the Shack had been here for hundreds of years. Its weathered wood looked weary and derelict. It had become an abandoned, forgotten hulk, inaccessible to the world. It had outlived its purpose."Specifically the lie about Shack being haunted ?
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Ah, yes, now I remember. Yes, you're right---Dumbledore built the Shack to give Lupin a place to transform and made up a story about it being haunted to explain the strange sounds that would come from it every month. He pretended it was a really old, haunted building, when it wasn't at all. Rather clever of him, really.Thanks for reminding me!
Response from pansycat (Reviewer)
Sure, I remembered that but I thought it was a lie about Severus that I didn't remember...Interesting use of the epilogue, by the way....Actually, you could do the same for Ginny and Harry.It's funny. JK is pretty clear about what happens, when she speaks, but often times when she writes things are more unclear. To this day, I 'm still unclear what happened when Sirius tricked Severus into the shack.It seems like he must have seen Remus as a werewolf.So what did James actually prevent and how did he prevent it ? Is Remus even aware of what happened ?I think he must be ,because he doesn't really react to Snape's jibes.But none of this is really clear....
I love it <3
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. You made my day.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. You made my day.
That was perfection!!!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much! You made my night!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much! You made my night!
Just as I thought that I have basically gone through all the DH-compliant SSHG fics worth a read that I stumbled upon this wonderful gem of a story.I love your Hermione (as well as liking your Ron and Harry), and when she prevailed over Dolohov, I found it hard to repress my `Yay! Go, Hermione`.I am really glad you gave SS and the Trio an ending they deserved. Thank you very much.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you! I am especially fond of this one, not only because it gave me the chance to reinterpret that infamous Epilogue (and reveal what it really says!), but it also showed me that I could write something longer (and that I could write a fight scene). So Hermione and Severus inspired me to focus more on my ofics (I'm nearly finished a second murder mystery novel, and my agent is working on selling the first one). I still write once a year for the SSHG Exchange, though, because I love this pairing so very much.I'm so glad you found this and enjoyed it. Thank you very much for reading and reviewing!
Great story, I really love Severus and Hermione together. Great solution for the epilogue.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you! High praise from a Ravenclaw! Thanks for reading & reviewing.
By all means, let's keep this 'ship afloat! Loved the story and the ending. Even better you kept me hungry for more.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much---and thanks for coming along on the journey. Your words are my reward!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much---and thanks for coming along on the journey. Your words are my reward!
Nice chapter, I loved how Hermione teased Severus about his spy skills getting rusty.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you! Let us hope that's all that's rusty....
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you! Let us hope that's all that's rusty....
Anonymous
I'm truly sorry that I didn't give you any reviews on the last chapters. I read them all offline and printed-out. I just wanted to say that I really and thoroughly enjoyed these chapters and the end of the story as much as every chapter before, and to thank you for sharing it with us! It was a wonderfull, catching and captivating reading, and I'm just sorry that it's finished now...
Author's Response: I'm sory it's finished too--because it menas no more reviews from you! I've really loved reading your comments throughout. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and to review--online and off!
What a fabulous story! I'd delayed reading this, thinking that it would feature a Dead Snape, and I really wasn't in the mood for that. I'm so glad I started reading. I love the way you teased the reader with 'maybe it will be Ron and Hermione after all', and I especially enjoyed the way she came to her senses. This was really an excellent read, not too long and not too short. Thanks so much for writing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I'm so glad you gave it a shot--and that I didn't disappoint you! It was great fun to string people along, making them think that things would turn out exactly as JKR planned (rather than the way we know it really should!), but I was very afraid that true SSHG lovers would be put off by those teases without a way to reassure them. But I couldn't give it away--the surprises were part of what make it interesting to write. I'm so glad you enjoyed it--your review makes it worth doing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I'm so glad you gave it a shot--and that I didn't disappoint you! It was great fun to string people along, making them think that things would turn out exactly as JKR planned (rather than the way we know it really should!), but I was very afraid that true SSHG lovers would be put off by those teases without a way to reassure them. But I couldn't give it away--the surprises were part of what make it interesting to write. I'm so glad you enjoyed it--your review makes it worth doing!
This was wonderful! I just read all of this so far all the way through. Just could not stop and almost missed kindergarten pick up! Loved how it came back around to Ron and his problem and tied it together. Excellent. Looking forward to the epilogue.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Am I a bad person for being secretly delighted to have nearly made you late? What a lovely testimony! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing and letting yourself be distracted! (The Epilogue is being validated, hope it will be up soon.)
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Am I a bad person for being secretly delighted to have nearly made you late? What a lovely testimony! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing and letting yourself be distracted! (The Epilogue is being validated, hope it will be up soon.)
Ah, Sophie was the mole.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Yes, I never liked her....Had to leave one mystery to be solved later. Thanks for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Yes, I never liked her....Had to leave one mystery to be solved later. Thanks for reviewing!
i liked all the delightful banter in this chapter. you almost had me worried there for a minute wondering what was going on with severus. looking forward to seeing what you do with the epilogue. :D
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Well, there had to be a little suspense.... Glad you enoyed the banter--it's so much fun to write!Epilogue should be along shortly--hope it satifies. Thanks so much for reviewing!-w
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Well, there had to be a little suspense.... Glad you enoyed the banter--it's so much fun to write!Epilogue should be along shortly--hope it satifies. Thanks so much for reviewing!-w
ah, mysterious to the last! You have done a good job giving us more questions and answering only some of them. -Wahoo
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
...or simply forgetting to answer them.... Glad you're enjoying the journey---thanks for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
...or simply forgetting to answer them.... Glad you're enjoying the journey---thanks for reviewing!
I am absolutely dying to know who Ron is married to... Loved the proposal bit, as well as their arguements. So funny. Can't wait to read the wrap up.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I have to admit that I'm a little vague on Mrs. Weasley's percise identity. As long as it's not Hermione, I'm happy.So glad you like their interplay--they are a great match in my book. Epilogue should be up soon, I hope (they have it but have to validate it). Thanks for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I have to admit that I'm a little vague on Mrs. Weasley's percise identity. As long as it's not Hermione, I'm happy.So glad you like their interplay--they are a great match in my book. Epilogue should be up soon, I hope (they have it but have to validate it). Thanks for reviewing!
That was one of my favorite proposal scenes I've ever read! Though, come to think of it, I actually haven't read many proposal scenes. *racks brain* Well, yours was brilliant, and I had tears in my eyes because they LOVE each other so much! Yup, they do, JKR! Interesting twist with the Avery girl, btw. And I look forward to your proper take on the epilogue. Five stars, as always, dear.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I love writing proposals! (I have another one in "One Very Good Thing," my one-off sequel to "Speak Now.")Glad you liked the Avery subplot. And yes, Jo, they are crazy about each other. How could they not be? They are a perfect match.Thanks so much for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I love writing proposals! (I have another one in "One Very Good Thing," my one-off sequel to "Speak Now.")Glad you liked the Avery subplot. And yes, Jo, they are crazy about each other. How could they not be? They are a perfect match.Thanks so much for reviewing!
just a tiny minor detail, that albus asked/ordered him to do it. it's a relief that he has his memories back. hopefully now he'll realize he deserves to be happy and make a life with hermione. :D
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Yeah, minor detail, probably doesn't make much difference.... Thanks so much for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Yeah, minor detail, probably doesn't make much difference.... Thanks so much for reviewing!
OMG! What wit in this chapter! I loved it!There's nothing like a snarky Snape!“I can’t begin to tell you how relieved that makes me,” he said with a sneer, and his voice was nearly back to Classroom Terror level.Thanks for such a wonderful story!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I'm so very glad you're enjoying this! I don't know why snark comes so easily---it's as though I'm possessed by the most snide, dry wit ever when I write him. Wish I could that quick-witted myself, but I'm always afraid I'll be too nasty. Snape never has that fear.Thank you so much for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I'm so very glad you're enjoying this! I don't know why snark comes so easily---it's as though I'm possessed by the most snide, dry wit ever when I write him. Wish I could that quick-witted myself, but I'm always afraid I'll be too nasty. Snape never has that fear.Thank you so much for reviewing!
Thank you for another wonderful chapter. I really enjoyed their exchange and their portrayal continues to be dead on.This struck me as being so true to Hermione's character:"She swung back out into the darkness and began to search for Severus Snape all over again."She's a brave one that girl!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Severus may be the bravest man Harry ever knew, but Hermione's probably the bravest woman. Hence, their suitability. Once more into the breech, dear friends!It means a lot to me that you're liking this!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Severus may be the bravest man Harry ever knew, but Hermione's probably the bravest woman. Hence, their suitability. Once more into the breech, dear friends!It means a lot to me that you're liking this!
Lovely, this was quite a moving chapter.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Thank you so much!
Thank you for this chapter. I'm glad he took his memories back! Looking forward to more.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I do believe he found it worth remembering.Thanks so much for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
I do believe he found it worth remembering.Thanks so much for reviewing!
Finally, he has his memories back!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
He does indeed.And now he's ready to make some more!Thanks for reviewing.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
He does indeed.And now he's ready to make some more!Thanks for reviewing.
Anonymous
Oh, that's lovely! A very intense, dense and complex chapter, I enjoyed it very much. I like the bit how you describe her finding him beautiful.
Author's Response: Love it what makes a person truly beautiful, both to the one who loves and to the beloved.
Somebody probably said that better somewhere.
Thanks for reviewing!
*sighs* They love each other! And I sense a happy ending and a properly written Epilogue on the horizon!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
YES, THEY DO!!!Your senses are reliable...just a minor mystery still to solve and some (proper!) resolutions to go! Thanks so much for reviewing.
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
YES, THEY DO!!!Your senses are reliable...just a minor mystery still to solve and some (proper!) resolutions to go! Thanks so much for reviewing.
Nooooo! Don't cut off there... So interesting how they've come to relate to one another. I'm extremely anxious to read the next bit!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Just one more chapter and then my own Epilogue, so I had to save something! So glad you're enjoying their new relationship--I think you like what's to come, as it continues to evolve. Thank you so much for reviewing!
Response from Elise_Wanderer (Author of The Spirit That Remembers)
Just one more chapter and then my own Epilogue, so I had to save something! So glad you're enjoying their new relationship--I think you like what's to come, as it continues to evolve. Thank you so much for reviewing!