Smarter Than Anyone
Chapter 2 of 6
juniperusAfter surviving Voldemort's psychosis, Dumbledore's machinations, and Nagini's bite Severus Snape tries to begin anew half a world away from home. "It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." - Marcus Aurelius
"…feekeepseeOOOmega!" the boy (no, Simon Marcus Aurelius Gregory, Severus reminded himself) wheezed, then gasped for breath, grinning up at his companion. "See," he said proudly, "I told you I could recite the whole thing in one breath!"
Severus looked down at Simon, dark eyes crinkled in amusement in spite of himself, and drawled, "So you did, so you did. Very impressive, indeed." The two continued on through the gates, leaving the cool, tree-lined walkway upon which they had ambled across the park. Severus had shortened his strides to match those of the boy, so the otherwise brief span of the park turned into a long stroll filled almost completely with Simon's energetic monologue.
"Mister, do you want to know who I was named after?"
"Severus."
"Hey, you do know! Awesome! He was named…" Simon counted the names off on his fingers, "Marcus Annius Catilius Severus first, and then…" he continued as he jogged backwards in front of Severus so he could look at him while they were, he was, talking.
"What?" Severus stopped, looking confused.
"Huh?" The boy peered at Severus. "You said Severus. That was one of the names Marcus Aurelius had when he was a boy like me. That's where my middle names come from." He turned as if to start down the sidewalk again. "I've read all about him. Mom said he was one of the best Roman Emperors."
"My name, Simon - Severus is my name." He corrected, beginning to scowl as the boy's enthusiasm for what appeared to be his favorite subject approached impertinence. Americans! Severus inwardly huffed.
"Oh. Oh!" Simon grinned. "You're named after an Emperor, too! Hey, we're here!" Suddenly the boy took a sharp turn and pulled open a glass-fronted door. "Mom, Mom, Mooooom!" Simon called out.
Severus winced at the explosion of volume as he followed the boy through the door. He stopped, and a small smile started to form as he took a deep breath and looked at an impossibly narrow shop filled with impossibly tall bookcases packed full of old books all the way up to the antique tin on the impossibly tall ceiling. 'There is nothing better than the smell of old, leather-bound tomes,' he thought to himself as he succumbed to the feeling of calm that always accompanied his entry into a book-filled space.
"Mom, I brought my new friend Severus for lunch! Mom!" Simon continued to holler as he disappeared between towering bookshelves.
Lunch? Friend? Severus was startled out of his reverie. It was with a look of surprise, then, that he greeted the woman who was dragged out of the shadowy rear of the store by a steam-driven locomotive of a boy.
"Simon! I'm so pleased! Where is this little friend of yours…" her voice trailed off as her eyes traveled up from the point at which she expected to find a face to stop two feet higher at dark eyes wide with shock. "Oh!" She stammered, "W-well, how n-nice! Er, lovely, uh, I mean..." She stopped and took a breath, then thrust out her right hand. "Ursula Gregory," she smiled, "I'm afraid today is tuna salad, but the bread is fresh for a change and I have peaches from the pushcart."
Severus took her hand gingerly as he replied, "Severus Snape. And I didn't intend to interfere with your mid-day meal, Mrs. Gregory." Severus, although uncharacteristically warmed by the idea that the odd young lad declared him friend, he realized the myriad ways his befriending a young boy might appear, none of them positive. "I'm not, I had no idea he'd…"
"Nonsense, you're welcome to stay," she dismissed his interrupted apology with a wave, then frowned, "But I'm a miz, not a missus - in any case, please call me Ursula."
Simon looked up at him expectantly. "The tuna is really gooood," he wheedled.
Severus tried to muster a scowl at the boy who had so cleverly ambushed him, but could only manage to look down his nose imperiously and ask gravely, "Is that so?"
Simon grinned and nodded enthusiastically before taking Severus by the hand and leading him further into the bookstore, following Ursula's throaty chuckle.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Beginning To Live
42 Reviews | 6.69/10 Average
Oh, no! I just found out that it was the end of the story. Yikes! You are a good entertainer. "Always leave them asking for more." Am I going to spend all day craving sequels? No matter. I love your fic.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
No worries - it will eventually have more (although obviously my working time line leaves rather much to be desired...)
I actually did laugh when I read this line: "It was good to be king." Not only was it funny in context, but it's a great promotion from being a Prince, and it reminds me of the series of posters and greeting cards that used to say the same thing about being queen. Your original characters are terrific. I haven't even finished the whole story yet, but had to stop now in order to comment after laughing.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
The story is unfinished, unfortunately, as real life had intervened - but there are future-chapters written, and it will eventually be complete.Thank you so much - I really enjoyed devising the OCs, they became very real while I was writing this.
Anonymous
Nice chapter! It's good to follow Snape's musings and thoughts like this. And it's good there's someone interested in him, at last...
Author's Response: Thank you!
If Lily's shade/spirit/whatever wants Severus to move the hell on I sure wish he would. Why isnt Simon in school my leige?
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
He is homeschooled, dear - more on that forthcoming. :DI wish he would too - stubborn man! :D
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
He is homeschooled, dear - more on that forthcoming. :DI wish he would too - stubborn man! :D
Egads what a head case! All that he has denied himself and punished himself for over the years. I want to see it fall by the way side. Go Urlsula GO 
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
:D Lots more to come! I've already written the last scene (seriously) and a bunch in-between - I'm working my way through the plot and letting that grumpy bastard in my head dictate when he needs to - damn Snape.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
:D Lots more to come! I've already written the last scene (seriously) and a bunch in-between - I'm working my way through the plot and letting that grumpy bastard in my head dictate when he needs to - damn Snape.
Mr. Hooperstein? He wouldnt be a relative of Mr. Hooper of Sesame St would he??I like that the chapters are getting longer. Hint hint nudge nudge poke poke
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Well spotted - I have very fond memories of Mr. Hooper, and I think all city neighborhoods need a grocer just like him. :DWell, you know - the first chapter was a one-shot-gone-nuts for hp_con_envy. And then I began to increase their size from there... but don't expect *mongo* chapters from me. I intentially try to keep them managable for the never-time-to-read reader to enjoy. You know how insane my life is, and I always got frustrated with massive chapters I'd have to re-skim to finish reading because they were too long to finish at one sitting (given my schedule) - so I'm writing with that in mind. They will be longer from here on out, unless the story requires a short breather.
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
Ohhhhhh I didnt realize this was a HP con envy start up. That explains it then ((nods))Get to work on the next chapter sister. I like Urs! 
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Well spotted - I have very fond memories of Mr. Hooper, and I think all city neighborhoods need a grocer just like him. :DWell, you know - the first chapter was a one-shot-gone-nuts for hp_con_envy. And then I began to increase their size from there... but don't expect *mongo* chapters from me. I intentially try to keep them managable for the never-time-to-read reader to enjoy. You know how insane my life is, and I always got frustrated with massive chapters I'd have to re-skim to finish reading because they were too long to finish at one sitting (given my schedule) - so I'm writing with that in mind. They will be longer from here on out, unless the story requires a short breather.
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
Ohhhhhh I didnt realize this was a HP con envy start up. That explains it then ((nods))Get to work on the next chapter sister. I like Urs!
Ahhhhhh a muggle woman then. I can see how that might make a wise choice for our dear professor. LOVE that he sells the potion he invented to save his life. Very crafty Mr. Snape.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
He is, indeed! I could imagine him doing nothing less!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
He is, indeed! I could imagine him doing nothing less!
10 points to your house naming her Ursula. Very witchy. There would have been violence if you named her Tiffany or Ashley blech!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Oh I would NEVER do that! Ursula means she-bear (or little she-bear, perhaps), and she certainly *will* be! :D You know I am entirely too much Ravenclaw for my own good - everything has a reason...
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Oh I would NEVER do that! Ursula means she-bear (or little she-bear, perhaps), and she certainly *will* be! :D You know I am entirely too much Ravenclaw for my own good - everything has a reason...
"he rasped" because that big meanie snake bit him. This is a great start to hopefully a friendship between the boy and SNape?
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
What a sweet story that would be - a Boy and his Snape.ROFLMAO!:D Thank you for coming to visit me here!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
What a sweet story that would be - a Boy and his Snape.ROFLMAO!:D Thank you for coming to visit me here!
This is just adorable.And I never thought I'd say that, but: hooray to Lily!Cheers. /M
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
No kidding - me neither. She was pretty insistent on getting her say, tho. Pushy damn characters. :P He never knew what hit him when it comes to Simon - poor sod will never be the same. :P Thank you!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
No kidding - me neither. She was pretty insistent on getting her say, tho. Pushy damn characters. :P He never knew what hit him when it comes to Simon - poor sod will never be the same. :P Thank you!
Wonderful!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you!!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you!!
This is perfect! Lily giving poor Severus the what for (at least virtually)... Oh, he's coming out of his shell and I'm so looking forward to it!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Me, too! :D Thank you so much!!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Me, too! :D Thank you so much!!
Great internal dialogue with Lily. She needed to tell him all of that. But what really needs to happen is that he actually believes it.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
I agree - she was rather insistent to get her say, after all! Thank you! :D
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
I agree - she was rather insistent to get her say, after all! Thank you! :D
That's really sweet. Cute how it's the boy that will bring him out of his shell.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
:D Thank you! It's pretty tough to be immune to the charm of young master Simon... even for the likes of Snape! :P
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
:D Thank you! It's pretty tough to be immune to the charm of young master Simon... even for the likes of Snape! :P
Anonymous
Lemoncurd and loose leave Twinings! *big grin* Would have been exactly my order, too - though I do make my lemon curd at home, now, and order my tea over here, as there is really superior quality to be had.
Great new chapter! The part about his self-punishing is most interesting... and so intereresting, too, that he entirely forgot about it, too ;o).
Author's Response: Amazing what can happen when a man is taken out of familiar (emotionally charged and burdensome) surroundings, and away from the people for whom he carries baggage (and that carry their own as far as he's concerned)! Having to forge new emotional responses and patterns is both a blessing and a curse, eh? :D Thank you!
Wonderful story, can't wait to read the next chapter. Thank you so much. Keep going! :)
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you! Don't worry - I plan to! There is more on the way, and now that some of my assigned writing projects have hied themselves away by their deadlines, I can finally bring my attention back here for yet more - it's not done yet - not by a long shot!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you! Don't worry - I plan to! There is more on the way, and now that some of my assigned writing projects have hied themselves away by their deadlines, I can finally bring my attention back here for yet more - it's not done yet - not by a long shot!
Well, it's nice to see him not beat himself up over being attracted to someone. Poor thing. Lily did a number on him, probably without even realizing most of what she did.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
I don't know - Lily was a smart girl... but still a member of her house, after all, and just as likely to fall prey to the machinations and propaganda there as he was in his house. I think he always had a much harder lot than anyone--even Dumbledore--could have guessed, and much of that had to be part of his internal geography to truly keep it hidden. Thank you for the review!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
I don't know - Lily was a smart girl... but still a member of her house, after all, and just as likely to fall prey to the machinations and propaganda there as he was in his house. I think he always had a much harder lot than anyone--even Dumbledore--could have guessed, and much of that had to be part of his internal geography to truly keep it hidden. Thank you for the review!
This is a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing! /M
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you very much!!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you very much!!
So he's trying to decide whether he likes her...and now he's trying to decide how much. He already likes the kid a lot
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Oh, the poor sod is in quite a twist - it's a good thing he has Simon on his side! Thank you!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Oh, the poor sod is in quite a twist - it's a good thing he has Simon on his side! Thank you!
Poor Snape. Thanks for the update, I really like your story.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Thank you!
I'm intrigued too, but I'll keep my opinions to myself, as there isn't much story to go by yet, and my mind tends to make up outlandish possibilities.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
More is coming (as fast as the queue can process it). :)
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
More is coming (as fast as the queue can process it). :)
I'm intrigued too. Nice beginning, I look forward to the next chapter.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
:) It's on its way! Thank you!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
:) It's on its way! Thank you!
Oh I am intrigued, too. Very much so.
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
I'm pleased - I hope you'll remain so!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
I'm pleased - I hope you'll remain so!
oohoooh is it Hermione?? ss/hg fic lol ?
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Nope! We're on a baggage-free trip, this time!
Response from juniperus (Author of Beginning To Live)
Nope! We're on a baggage-free trip, this time!