New Chapter for The Measure of Mercy
The Measure of Mercy
moiramountain21 Reviews | 8.57/10 (21 Ratings, 0 Likes, 8 Favorites )
A profound moment between Severus Snape and a victim of the Dark Lord.
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About moiramountain
Author
moiramountain
Member Since 2008 | 10 Stories | Favorited by 33 | 329 Reviews Written | 307 Review Responses
A Celtic heart residing in Denver in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains,I've been posting fictions for about a year now and have met some wonderful new friends, including an outstanding beta.
Professionally I'm the Operations Director of a modern dance ensemble, and personally the proud mother of two wonderful daughters.
Those of you who read my works know my passion for the beauty and power of language -- it is my goal to lure the reader into the story -- invoking powerful images, and waking the magic of the tale in their hearts. Much like a potion, I hope to bewitch and ensnare. I VERY MUCH appreicate reviews and critiques. Very helpful to see what my readers are thinking. Currently working on an epic piece and am so happy that so many of you are becoming immersed in it, and are also saying you like my shorter pieces as well. It's an honor to be in the company of some incredible writers - and readers as well !!
Reviews for The Measure of Mercy
Thank you for depicting Severus helping Charity to face the horrifying inevitable with such peace and dignity... and hope... love the imagery of her focusing, envisioning across the loch... the depth of humanity and awareness of Severus' pov is painfully, poignantly spot on, as he has to sit impassively witnessing yet another one '...he could not save'. Lovely, lovely work!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
This small piece was my "first born" in fan fiction. I still get a jolt of giddy joy when someone new discovers and enjoys it. Thank you so much !!
This says so much about his character. She is going to die regardless, so he is under no obligation to do more than sit there and watch it happen. And yet he makes the choice to step in and comfort her in the only way he can. And a very effective one I might add as evidenced by her smile of perfect peace. I'm glad that it troubled the Death Eaters, it's the least they deserve. And who knows, maybe when he meets her same fate, she will be waiting for him on the other side of the loch, arms ready to receive him. What an absolutely stunning piece of work!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so much -- this was my very first fan fiction several years ago, written because I found that scene so incredibly awful. This all spun off of "lately, only those I could not save" which I found the most riveting sentence of the entire series of books.
Truly beautiful and comforting - to Charity, to Severus and to me. Whenever reading that scene in the book (which was not too often as I found it disturbing) I was looking for something like this to appear on the page but of course it never did. Thank you for showing the perfect way for Severus to make Charity's last moments less painful 'cos that is what he would have done. I am glad I found your story.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Imagine how many times he may have endured such circumstances and been unable to act. Perhaps that accounts for the "hatred and revulsion" on his face the night of the Avada as he remembered all "those whom I could not save." I'm so glad there are readers still discovering this little piece. It was my very first fan fiction to be posted anywhere. Thank you so much for your kind review.
Response from slythkid (Reviewer)
That was a fine debut you made. And yes, I agree with you about what else you said. This inability to act certainly contributed to the "hatred and revulsion" on his face that night. As for me, "Lately, only those whom I could not save" is one of the most haunting and moving sentences in the book. I joined this site only a month ago but I'm beginning to think that fan fic should be obligatory for HP-readers. (That, of course, might be the look-at-him obsessed me.)
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
An obsession I confess to sharing, which is evident in the other two works I have posted here on TPP, a one-shot and an epic work in progress. Happy reading !!
I'm glad you paid attention to the story pulling at you - this is very good. I like when we're able to repair canon to make it a little more palatable.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Many thanks. There are those times, when the voice of the Potions Master sounds softly in my head -- urging me to tell his story correctly, and I'm compelled to comply.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Many thanks. There are those times, when the voice of the Potions Master sounds softly in my head -- urging me to tell his story correctly, and I'm compelled to comply.
I'm glad he could offer her at least a painless death. It was very disturbing and hard to believe that he could stay so calm and cold in this scene. Of course he may have witnessed that kind of situation a few times but ther he did know the victim. You've made a wonderful piece with this and I enjoyed it a lot.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so very much -- I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
By the way -- your English is quite good -- far better than my French could ever be !! Tres bien !!!
Response from snitchette (Reviewer)
Thank you for saying so. I should certainly say thanks to HP world and PP authors and staff. They helped a lot.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so very much -- I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
By the way -- your English is quite good -- far better than my French could ever be !! Tres bien !!!
Response from snitchette (Reviewer)
Thank you for saying so. I should certainly say thanks to HP world and PP authors and staff. They helped a lot.
I must admit, that is a scene that troubled me the first time I read it. Thanks for the insight. It was beautifully done.
The magical voice through the mind, sends shivers of peace as well. Brrrrrrrrr! *happy sigh*
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
I am so pleased to have given you a shiver ... imagine the shiver Charity felt .... to hear that beautiful tragic voice in your mind and know it would stay with you until the final breath. I just had to give Severus that choice and that opportunity... I only wish Jo had given him the same kindness when he was left alone on the floor .... I'm still angry with her for that .....
Wow. Beautiful. This is officially canon (in my heart).
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so much. I just felt a huge hole in canon there and wanted to attempt to fill it. So many readers seemed to feel the same about that scene. I understand why Jo left it empty -- "too much would become clear" but even so.... I'm glad it filled the need for you as it did for me.
A truly moving, butterfly wing piece. (I'm trying to say, it is a scene which is soft and fluttery, something hard to capture, something elusive and yet critical). Its wonderful. You managed to somehow, for just one moment, catch this beautiful story in your grasp, and show it to us all.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Oh my - you are a poet, or should I say poetess !! So pleased to know readers are still discovering this little piece. It was my first born so to speak - had not written creative pieces in a very long time - but the little plot bunny would NOT be denied, and now, as you see, I'm back in the fold of those whom the Muse nudges, kicks, berates, cajoles.....
Response from HermioneJeanSnape (Reviewer)
Thanks! I was just trying to accurately describe how beautiful this piece was. I know what you mean about the Muse prodding, poking, pleading, begging, bothering, etc. And those plot bunnies, they breed too fast sometimes!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Oh my - you are a poet, or should I say poetess !! So pleased to know readers are still discovering this little piece. It was my first born so to speak - had not written creative pieces in a very long time - but the little plot bunny would NOT be denied, and now, as you see, I'm back in the fold of those whom the Muse nudges, kicks, berates, cajoles.....
Response from HermioneJeanSnape (Reviewer)
Thanks! I was just trying to accurately describe how beautiful this piece was. I know what you mean about the Muse prodding, poking, pleading, begging, bothering, etc. And those plot bunnies, they breed too fast sometimes!
Thankyou for elaborating on that scene. It always did not sit well with me that he could be so cold. At the time I put it down to one of the things he would tourture his own soul with later. I was not so much disturbed that he could present the persona, but what of his thoughts internally? JKR did not even give him one line of internal dialogue (she certainly seems conflicted over her feelings for Severus as a character). However I really love your reflection on the discussion with DD on the saving of lives and this piece of work - how it slotted so well with this. Brilliant. Cheers
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
There were certain things that JK wrote that were profound, tucked away quietly amongst all the noise and fury of the books. That little scene in DD's office moved me deeply. Thank you for your thoughts, much appreicated.
Response from reets67 (Reviewer)
I agree with your assessment of that scene in DD's office. It illuminates the lightness of Severus's soul against the dark pragmatism (Machivellian-like) of DD's - which is the opposite of the public personas/ Harry's impression of these two complicated wizards.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
There were certain things that JK wrote that were profound, tucked away quietly amongst all the noise and fury of the books. That little scene in DD's office moved me deeply. Thank you for your thoughts, much appreicated.
Response from reets67 (Reviewer)
I agree with your assessment of that scene in DD's office. It illuminates the lightness of Severus's soul against the dark pragmatism (Machivellian-like) of DD's - which is the opposite of the public personas/ Harry's impression of these two complicated wizards.
i always found this scene so terribly disturbing, that he had to sit there unable to do anything to help her. your heart-rending version provides some measure of redemption to both of these characters, and to us readers as well. for that i thank you.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so much for your review. Indeed, what a terrible thing to endure - for both of them. Every victim that he watched the Dark Lord claim must have reminded him of the one victim he could never save - his Lily.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so much for your review. Indeed, what a terrible thing to endure - for both of them. Every victim that he watched the Dark Lord claim must have reminded him of the one victim he could never save - his Lily.
Your story is one of the most hauntingly beautiful accounts of the redemption of Severus Snape I have ever read. Thank you for this. I always thought that he was given short shrift in canon. To me, Severus was the one Wizard for the Light in the entire series that always pulled his share of the load, never shirking the hard job he had been given, and always quietly going about undermining Voldemort in every way possible. He had to make heartbreaking choices, but he always tried to soften the way for those he protected, and to bring mercy where he could not soften the way.Well done! A Thousand Points to Your House.Beth
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Again my sincere thanks.
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
*headdesk* I didn't realize I had double posted, but it just goes to show you that the story is twice as good!!!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
No worries -- I once atempted to post the same chapter of a story twice -- duh, imagine my chagrin when my gentle admin kindly said I'd best check my chapter title again...
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Again my sincere thanks.
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
*headdesk* I didn't realize I had double posted, but it just goes to show you that the story is twice as good!!!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
No worries -- I once atempted to post the same chapter of a story twice -- duh, imagine my chagrin when my gentle admin kindly said I'd best check my chapter title again...
Your story is one of the most hauntingly beautiful accounts of the redemption of Severus Snape I have ever read. Thank you for this. I always thought that he was given short shrift in canon. To me, Severus was the one Wizard for the Light in the entire series that always pulled his share of the load, never shirking the hard job he had been given, and always quietly going about undermining Voldemort in every way possible. He had to make heartbreaking choices, but he always tried to soften the way for those he protected, and to bring mercy where he could not soften the way.Well done! A Thousand Points to Your House.Beth
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Wow !! You honor my House with your kind comments. Thank you so much !!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Wow !! You honor my House with your kind comments. Thank you so much !!
Anonymous
This is really, truly wonderful. A very much missing scene to the book, too, and one you filled perfectly. I absolutely agree with you - Charity using his given name indicates that there's more to that scene than it seems. In my mind, Severus is tormented by this scene and this happening, and by her desperate plea... you gave her some solace, and some peace, and I hope he can experience some quiet of mind from this.
There's a minor mistake, I think - you choose Dumbledore as character in the story settings.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for being such a loyal reader -- you know how much your reviews always mean. Thank you for telling me about TTP -- I'm so happy to have joined this site.
Alcina vom Steinsberg's response: I'm glad you like it here! :D
Thank you for this. I am glad you gave Severus this opportunity. I found this scene in DH very disturbing, and felt truly sorry for him./M
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
I am in such awe of your work -- and truly honored you have given me such kind reviews. Thank you so very much.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
I am in such awe of your work -- and truly honored you have given me such kind reviews. Thank you so very much.
I always wondered if Severus had consoled her in such a way. I've always felt incredibly sad for him in this scene. I'm sure it mirrors many where he had too look on impassively while horrors were committed in front of his eyes. You just know that the hidden part of him was screaming to do something. Very nicely done.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so much for your very kind review. Very happy you are pleased with this piece.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you so much for your very kind review. Very happy you are pleased with this piece.
Thank you for this. Jo Rowling never did him justice. I know the books are about Harry but she shouldn't of made this character so beloved and then throw him away when he had done what he was suppose to do. We saw the humanity in him, why couldn't she.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Unfortunately even though Jo said she consideed the character of Severus to be a gift, I agree she had a very one sided view of him. Those of us who continue the story are simply wanting to fill the holes she left. Knowingly or otherwise she created a truly fascinating man --
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Unfortunately even though Jo said she consideed the character of Severus to be a gift, I agree she had a very one sided view of him. Those of us who continue the story are simply wanting to fill the holes she left. Knowingly or otherwise she created a truly fascinating man --
Beautifully written - a ray of hope in the darkness...
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you for making me feel so welcome to this lovely site. Several of you have commented on Jo's lack of respect for what I felt was her greaest character. I always felt the most haunting words she ever gave him were "Lately, only those whom I could not save." It was that phrase which prompted this story.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you for making me feel so welcome to this lovely site. Several of you have commented on Jo's lack of respect for what I felt was her greaest character. I always felt the most haunting words she ever gave him were "Lately, only those whom I could not save." It was that phrase which prompted this story.
I always hated that scene in the book, I'm glad you found a way to let Snape offer some comfort.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you. This scene always troubled me as well -- had Severus not done anything to help her, I do believe his soul would truly have been torn beyond any repair. Helping her, allowed him to sustain the fragile remnants of his humanity. I have always perceived him as tottering on the edge of an emotional and moral cliff, fighting not to fall forever. That struggle is the primary theme of most of my writing regarding this amazing character. I only wish JK had explored it more -- but then again, she did leave that door wide open for all of us !!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
Thank you. This scene always troubled me as well -- had Severus not done anything to help her, I do believe his soul would truly have been torn beyond any repair. Helping her, allowed him to sustain the fragile remnants of his humanity. I have always perceived him as tottering on the edge of an emotional and moral cliff, fighting not to fall forever. That struggle is the primary theme of most of my writing regarding this amazing character. I only wish JK had explored it more -- but then again, she did leave that door wide open for all of us !!
In a time of dispair it was a very kind gift to allow her to die in peace. i don't know how he did this, but I'm really glad he did. Sad story, but confroting in an odd way.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
This is my first posting to TTP. Thank you for receiving it so kindly. I believe by this point Severus was hanging on just trying to stay alive and keep some vestige of his soul intact.
Response from beaweasley2 (Reviewer)
Could very well be. I hope you post here again. Look forward to seeing more from you.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
This is my first posting to TTP. Thank you for receiving it so kindly. I believe by this point Severus was hanging on just trying to stay alive and keep some vestige of his soul intact.
Response from beaweasley2 (Reviewer)
Could very well be. I hope you post here again. Look forward to seeing more from you.
This part of the story has always disturbed me. It was this point in the story when the "Potter" books were truely no longer childrens books though they continued to be presented as such. Your take on this scene was very reassuring and warm. I never thought of the fact that Severus could go into her mind to reassure her and give to her peace of mind and even joy in her final moments.Well done!
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
I believe he may have instigated more than one well concealed personal rebellion against the Dark Lord. One of the things that kept him from sinking into the abyss, perhaps. Thank you for welcoming me to TTP with such kind insight.
Response from moiramountain (Author of The Measure of Mercy)
I believe he may have instigated more than one well concealed personal rebellion against the Dark Lord. One of the things that kept him from sinking into the abyss, perhaps. Thank you for welcoming me to TTP with such kind insight.
This is the missing scene I hoped someone would write, thank you very much.