A Fine Divide
sweetflag103 Reviews | 7.22/10 (103 Ratings, 0 Likes, 12 Favorites )
Snape is once again bound, and as he struggles to accept yet another yoke, he meets a fellow wizard, who suffers a similar undeniable and unbreakable tether. This was inspired by the 'Anything Goes Challenge' and is based upon the prompt that Snape is encouraged to take a vacation. The slash is not explicit, but is slightly more than just implied.
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About sweetflag
Author
sweetflag
Member Since 2007 | 27 Stories | Favorited by 35 | 180 Reviews Written | 1,104 Review Responses
Hello. I love reading and writing... what more can I say?
Reviews for A Fine Divide
A little progress perhaps. Snape should think some more. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Caught up with you! Yes, he should, but I think he's being purposefully obtuse. No worries, he'll soon see what needs to be seen. Thank you so much for the reviews and I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I'm writing at a tectonic pace at the moment--glacier just whizzed by! :(
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Caught up with you! Yes, he should, but I think he's being purposefully obtuse. No worries, he'll soon see what needs to be seen. Thank you so much for the reviews and I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you. I'm writing at a tectonic pace at the moment--glacier just whizzed by! :(
Oops. The mud was a giveaway! :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
LOL... I don't want either character to have the upper hand at the moment; I'm having too much fun to set them in their roles... although, I suspect they're subconsciously settling themselves down.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
LOL... I don't want either character to have the upper hand at the moment; I'm having too much fun to set them in their roles... although, I suspect they're subconsciously settling themselves down.
Good on Neville for taking charge. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
It was a good chapter to write.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
It was a good chapter to write.
LOLOL:D
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
:D I got the idea from a lovely reviewer and a weekend attempt at weeding my garden. I swear the weeds kept replanting themselves when I wasn't looking.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
:D I got the idea from a lovely reviewer and a weekend attempt at weeding my garden. I swear the weeds kept replanting themselves when I wasn't looking.
I love the way Minerva looks out for Severus. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I've always admired Minerva (probably also because I think Maggie Smith is just fab), and I see her as a protector... maybe sometimes a little overly so. I can't recall if she has family in canon, so I see this 'adoption' of Severus as a natural development. And I'm looking forward to her reaction when she confronts the Ministry.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I've always admired Minerva (probably also because I think Maggie Smith is just fab), and I see her as a protector... maybe sometimes a little overly so. I can't recall if she has family in canon, so I see this 'adoption' of Severus as a natural development. And I'm looking forward to her reaction when she confronts the Ministry.
Poor Randall.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I know... but he's made of stern stuff.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I know... but he's made of stern stuff.
Hmm, wonder if Rhine will develop a crush on Nev. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Guess you know the answer by now. Hehehe
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Guess you know the answer by now. Hehehe
That was one way of dealing with the Sprout problem... ;)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Isn't it done that way all the time? :P
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Isn't it done that way all the time? :P
The receptionist is rather perceptive. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I had to get the title in the story somehow :P I have this really annoying/weird habit of thinking up titles and making a story up around them.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I had to get the title in the story somehow :P I have this really annoying/weird habit of thinking up titles and making a story up around them.
Neville has some interesting depths. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
He always carried a lot around with him in the books and buried it deep. I like Neville; he's so similar to Harry, yet from the books, he doesn't seem to get the same attention or support as Harry does. He never struck me as wanting his dilemma to fuel or impact upon his life through school. In a way, I feel he's braver than Harry.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
He always carried a lot around with him in the books and buried it deep. I like Neville; he's so similar to Harry, yet from the books, he doesn't seem to get the same attention or support as Harry does. He never struck me as wanting his dilemma to fuel or impact upon his life through school. In a way, I feel he's braver than Harry.
Sounds like two people who could help each other in many ways. :)
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Hello
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
, I was always fascinated by the interaction between Snape and Neville in canon, and as I thought about this pairing, I wondered if that fear/anger could possibly be borne from a deep recognition of something in the other.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Hello
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
, I was always fascinated by the interaction between Snape and Neville in canon, and as I thought about this pairing, I wondered if that fear/anger could possibly be borne from a deep recognition of something in the other.
Hi there! I wanted you to know how much I am enjoying this story! I think you are handling the development of the relationships really well. I hope your hands are feeling better!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Hello
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
. Sorry about the delay in replying; I've been computerless for a while. Thank you so much for the lovely review. I hope my hands get better soon, too; they're driving me nuts! On the plus, getting into choccy bars is now so much hard work that I've lost a fair few pounds :D I hope to finish some chapters soon, but unfortunately have to put a so-called 'proper job' first *grumbles* Take care and thanks again.
Response from Proulxes (Reviewer)
Excellent positive attitude! lovely to hear back from you and I do hope that your hands fully recover (and slightly more selfishly of course that you are able to develop this rather delicate love story in the future). Best wishes!
Response from Proulxes (Reviewer)
The fact that Snape is so energised by seeing the connection between his mother's fading life and the situation that the Longbottoms are in is inspired - but only serves to direct our attention to Severus' own condition. Are they all connected, I wonder? Here's hoping that you are able to update soon. This story is sooooo damn good, sweetflag. Pxx
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Hello
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
. Sorry about the delay in replying; I've been computerless for a while. Thank you so much for the lovely review. I hope my hands get better soon, too; they're driving me nuts! On the plus, getting into choccy bars is now so much hard work that I've lost a fair few pounds :D I hope to finish some chapters soon, but unfortunately have to put a so-called 'proper job' first *grumbles* Take care and thanks again.
Response from Proulxes (Reviewer)
Excellent positive attitude! lovely to hear back from you and I do hope that your hands fully recover (and slightly more selfishly of course that you are able to develop this rather delicate love story in the future). Best wishes!
Response from Proulxes (Reviewer)
The fact that Snape is so energised by seeing the connection between his mother's fading life and the situation that the Longbottoms are in is inspired - but only serves to direct our attention to Severus' own condition. Are they all connected, I wonder? Here's hoping that you are able to update soon. This story is sooooo damn good, sweetflag. Pxx
I love seeing the update e-mails for this story! I like where it's going, the characterisations and the writing. Keep it up!!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Hello
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
, thank you so much for your lovely review. I am so glad that you like this story. Thanks again :)
ha! Well, what kind of relationship will Severus and Neville have I wonder? a relationship or a Relationship?
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for the review. This is an lightly implied Relationship... I hope that's okay for you? I don't think I added that as a chapter genre... I'm going to have to check now that I've included it in the main category/warning thingy :S In truth, it will centre more around their slightly less emphasised relationship. Thanks again for reading :)
Response from feisanna (Reviewer)
no prob - I'm cool with either. just wanted to make sure i was actually picking it up and not making it up.you have a nice "voice" i'll be interested to see where yu take the story.
Hard to say who felt more vulnerable in that first moment of waking - and who might have been more relieved that someone was actually there when they did. And Minerva... not much gets past her... under any circumstances.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for the review. I would like to think that they handled the moment as well as they could. Minerva was certainly a unifying concept that they could both agree on. Minerva has a keen eye on Severus--not much that she'd miss. The same can be said for Pomona. Next cahpter will hopefully be a bit longer. Thank you for reading :)
Wow, you've updated this story! I'm so happy! Neville knows more now than most, but then again he knows too little to see a big picture. It's all very confusing to him and so intriguing for us. What's going on and why is this girl missing? ARE Slytherins involved?You're nearly killing Severus; please give the poor man a rest!!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for reading. I know *lower lip wobbles* I have been so busy and caught up in the throes of life that writing for any reason has been restricted and quite impossible. I can't predict the next update, but I am half-way through it. Thank you for the support... it's much appreciated :)
I find these story in the afternoon, it's beautiful and haunted. I hope neville can find out what is happening with Snape.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for reading and reviewing. Neville is a curious Gryffindor, which means he has the strength to be nosy.
ohhh... interesting!!! Has Severus become addicited to it, prehaps that's what Neville witnessed? That's the pain/despiration - S was out helping look for the lost girl and missed his nightly dose. Or prehaps it simply set off a chain of events that triggered his emotional response. I really like where your going with your story. Keep up the good work and thanks for posting
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Hello
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
, thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad that this story has caught your imagination. Thank you for the boost, too.
So this is the secret why Snape isn't yet broken. I'm not sure HOW they insert the memories to Snape's brains, though. Rhine isn't an easy character or a sunnyboy either, what a set up!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Slughorn changed his memory, keeping the accurate one safe in a phial... I'm twisting that to say memories can be 'faked' (the memory substance altered--perhaps a word removed here, or a section transposed, etc.) and then scooped back into the recipient's skull.Glad that you've enjoyed it thus far... I hope to get back to this soon: I succumbed to RL a few months ago and have no chance to resurface just yet. Thanks for the review :)
Response from Bettina (Reviewer)
Please, please do continue this story!!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for the support for this story :) It is much appreciated.I am continuing with this story... just very slowly :(I hope to get a few chapters done before Christmas... If only Time-Turners existed... *sigh*
This is the cruellest way of torture I've read so far! Are there no limits in this Ministry at all? How can a Burke sneak into such a position? It's a wonder how Snape keeps it together at all. Will Snape crack first, or is it Peters?Neville is a poor sod, too. What have you made of them?! He has driven everyone away so thhere isn't anyone (else than you & Pomona) noticing it. Switching to active right here suits the story, since Neville and Snape have been suffering mostly so far, now the Aurors are actors.BTW in German, passive voice is called "suffering form", and it suits perfectly with your usage 
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for commenting on the change from passive to active :) much appreciated.I think it's easier to push people away than open up... as if by removing all sources of distraction, whether good or bad, will somehow make you more able to cope... or perhaps there is a shame in feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable? I'm not sure... Thanks again for the review, and apologies for taking so long to reply.
Anonymous
The idea with the pensieve per se is rather brilliant, and putting it in this place is particularly cool. I just hope the memories stored there won't be all that remain to Severus at the end of your story... I'm glad that he has good and true friends taking care of him like Minerva who waited for him, and caring for him deeply, too.
Author's Response: Thank you for the review :)
I'm glad that this chapter soothed the worry from the previous one. I think that I'll keep that in mind from now on and try to balance the hurt with the comfort within a chapter.
Alcina vom Steinsberg's response: "I'm glad that this chapter soothed the worry from the previous one." - I'm afraid I didn't get my intentions properly expressed. There was no worry of this kind; I simply wanted to express how well the suffering and the hurt was done in the last chapter, and how atrociously I think this particular hurting is. I suppose I wouldn't read on if I didn't expect everything to balance out in the end. I think you are managing well in finding a good balance with this story.
Author's Response: Ahhh! D'oh! *slaps forehead*
Thanks for helping me see the wood despite the trees... lol. In that case, I'm absolutely thrilled that you're enjoying my story :D and thank you for the lovely words.
Anonymous
I suppose this is the worst imaginable for me that I have ever encountered. How COULD a creature daring to call itslef human even THINK about something so atrocious?
I started this chapter when it went online but couldn't finish it, just re-read it now with the following one. It's bloody brilliant in regards to a way of torture that is really, really atrocious in my opinion. But it was truly hard to read and digest... oh my. I like hurt/comfort very, very much, with a strong emphasis on the comfort, but I never before have craved for the comfort as much as this time, I suppose.
Author's Response: Thank you for the review :)
It's not my intention to cause distress, although at the moment, angst and hurt are the main focus of this section of the story. I'm not naturally a morose and miserable person either (I have been accused of having a sense of humour), but hurt does happen, and I think that how we deal with that--whether it's through support, our own determination or stubborness, through faith, or through the care and attention of those who love us--is a fascinating and worthwhile 'tale' to share.
To value the comfort, I think we have to appreciate the hurt. I will offer some comfort in the fact that Snape has the support and care from his friends; they wait in the wings for him to either accept their help, or to catch him when he stumbles. I see Snape as very private and insular individual, who will resist help on general principle--he's stubborn :D
There is some light in this tale--I have to offer comfort, and I think that you know where the comfort is going to come from :)
In saying all that (I waffle, sorry), I hope that the story is okay for you...
Anyway, thank you so much for the detailed review and sharing your thoughts.
Alcina vom Steinsberg's response: "To value the comfort, I think we have to appreciate the hurt." - I agree absolutely. And I don't mind the distress I experienced in this chapter at all. I'm no fan of easy reading, I do appreciate stories where I have do delve into, where I have to suffer with my champion - provided I can be relatively sure that I can find release with him afterwards, too *g*. Likewise, I don't care much or at all for h/c-Stories where there is rather only hurt with no or very few comfort. I think the balance of both is very important to make a really good story. And to find the comfort in unexpected corners - well, all the more delightful! :o)
Where have you been Miss Sweetflag? Seems like its been a long time since this was updated. I was happy to see the stoy update email!!!The fountain is Severus' pensive? Hiding in plain sight is clever. I wonder how long till Neville figures it out? I think this torture that Severus endures is horrifying. I wish it would end!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
*looks sheepish*I've been a bit unwell over the last three weeks, and not being able to track down a beta has slowed the whole thing down. I am sorry about the delay. I wish that I could say the next chapter will be speedier, but I have a hospital appointment soon, and... well... I'll work as quickly as I can.I'm really glad that you're liking this story.Thank you muchly for reading and reviewing :)
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
a hospital appointment soon??? What does that mean? Surgery? Are you okay? You have me worried. Will you be okay?
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Aww... sorry. Please don't worry. I've been bothered by a recurrent problem for quite some time now, and the doctor has given up telling me that it won't come back, so she's referred me to the hospital--bet she's quite sick of my face by now... lol. I was rather fed-up when I replied to your lovely review (:D) and was feeling grumpy... not one for pain, me... can easily do without it, thank you very much! lolI'll be fine :) but I have a backlog of study to finish, so it seems that writing will have to take a back seat for a while. I just felt bad that I wasn't posting as frequently as I had hoped, and I still have to include the mini-hostas at some point :DThank you for your concerm. Hmmm... how do I phrase this? Not exactly nice, not exactly lovely... it made me feel all warm. Still not right! Either way, I wasn't expecting such concerns, so I was all teary and sniffly...Thank you so much for the reviews and the concern *hugs*
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
I hope the medical folks at the hospital can clear up your pain. Having a chronic health problem is a pain in the ass. I promise to wait patiently for the next chapter as you tackle this real life problem. I have been known to be patient before I can do it again! I'll keep my fingers crossed that all goes well. ((hugs)) 
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
I hope so too :) Hopefully, I will get a chapter up before your patience wears. And thanks for the finger crossing :) I shall tell the doctor that he'll have to work quick, so I can get back to Neville and Snape.
A Dark Lord, the Order, Harry Potter, Dumbledore, vengeful wizards and personal despair had not managed to finish him off; he wasn’t prepared to let some pencil-pushing, untested Aurors push him over the edge. This sentence really stopped me in my tracks. Snape has always been fighting someone, resisting something and this maybe the worst of it all. When Snape first mentioned these "visits" to the Ministry I assumed they were assulting him sexually. Oh how you have made this mind torture seem so much worse. Hurry home Severus hurry home!
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for the review :) I was contemplating that form of abuse being used as a control method in Azkaban, but I shied away from the idea pretty quickly. The slow destruction of memory, personality and mind seemed far worse. Many thanks for staying with the story :)
Your story has a very interesting beginning! I have the feeling that Severus and Neville need each other if either is to be healed of their own curses.Reading about the pain Severus endures in his throat and vocal cords was saddening. He always had such a unique and mesmerizing voice, and now it is all he can do at times to speak.Neville seems to have grown in self-confidence and has such a strong sense of determination about himI'm really looking forward to finding out what happens to our Potions Master and his former student. Well done!Beth
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for the review and sharing your thoughts on the story so far. Snape did enjoy using the English language, and I can imagine his frustrations at having to curtail what he wants to express to minimise the discomfort. He was also well aware of the power that his voice had... maybe that's why I decided to render that aspect of him moot :DHe faced the Dark Lord--can't think of a better boost to self-esteem... lol. I think that I'm enjoying the role-reversal a bit... Snape less than he was and Neville more than he was, and both having that underlying need.Anyways, thanks for the encouraging and excellent review; I am staring at the start of chapter two as I type this... waiting for some inspiration. I know what I want them to do, but the words are being very... annoying. Thank you for reading.
Response from sweetflag (Author of A Fine Divide)
Thank you for the review and sharing your thoughts on the story so far. Snape did enjoy using the English language, and I can imagine his frustrations at having to curtail what he wants to express to minimise the discomfort. He was also well aware of the power that his voice had... maybe that's why I decided to render that aspect of him moot :DHe faced the Dark Lord--can't think of a better boost to self-esteem... lol. I think that I'm enjoying the role-reversal a bit... Snape less than he was and Neville more than he was, and both having that underlying need.Anyways, thanks for the encouraging and excellent review; I am staring at the start of chapter two as I type this... waiting for some inspiration. I know what I want them to do, but the words are being very... annoying. Thank you for reading.