Exploring Other Interests (for braye27)
Gifts for Potter Place Winners
Chapter 7 of 8
AnythingGoesPrizesCheck out the goodies scored by Potter Place's Anything Goes Challenge winners.
ReviewedThis still has been written for braye27. She left the best reviews for Potter Place authors during the Anything Goes Challenge!
Thanks for all the brilliant feedback! The authors appreciate it very much.
And I'd like to thank ladyintheclaok for the once over. :)
-----------------------------
Exploring Other Interests
Severus watched his assistant slam into his shop with his eyebrows arched. “You do know that not only the customers have to purchase what they break.”
“Sorry,” she muttered, tossing her bag behind the counter. “And I know I should have been here an hour ago, but things were really… Ah, it doesn’t matter. I’m here now. What should I do first?”
“I’ve already stocked the new potions. If you’d like to make sure everything is where it goes, you could. There was an old bloke browsing not long ago. Saw him moving things about as he did so.”
She arched her eyebrow. “And you didn’t tell him anything?”
He shrugged. “He reminded me of someone.”
Her expression softened. “Dumbledore?”
“Why would you say that?” he snapped.
“Well, I just… You get that look, when you talk or think of him, so…”
Severus nodded. “Very well. He reminded me of Albus.”
“I’ll just go check the shelves.”
He was surprised she hadn’t peppered him with questions or tried to get him to open up about his feelings. She was always doing annoying things like that. Unable to look away, he watched as she gently moved a phial to its rightful place on the shelf above. He enjoyed watching her work. She was quite lovely.
And this line of thinking always brought him back to the same question. What did she see in Weasley? Numerous times she’d come into his apothecary shop and ranted about something or other the idiot had done, and yet she always forgave him. Stayed with him anyway.
A muffled sob drew him from his thoughts. “Hermione?” It was rare that he saw her cry.
“It’s over. Ron and me.”
He strode over to the door, flicked his wand so that it would appear closed to customers, and then approached her. Without thinking, he extended his hand to her. When she took it, he led her behind the counter and into the back office. “Sit.”
When she did so, he conjured some tea for them. Handing her a cup, he sat across from her. “Tell me.”
“I don’t know where to start,” she said, sipping her tea before speaking again. “The last few months have been really stressful—his work with George, my work here, our arguments.”
“Yes, I’m aware of your problems, but you always,” he shrugged, “seem to want to stay with him. What’s prompted this?”
“You.”
“Me?” He sat back, startled.
“Damn,” she muttered. “That didn’t come out right.”
“Explain.”
“Severus, lately I think of you a lot more than I should. Last night…”
“Yes?”
Hermione’s cheeks reddened slightly. “He and I, we were on our way to making love, and I realized that I wished it would be you.” Her eyes shifted away from his. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, and you’ve never given me any reason to do so, but it just happened somehow.”
He was shocked. Had she just said that she wanted him, sexually? Had she read him somehow? No, she’d just said that he hadn’t given her any reason to have such feelings for him. He’d hidden his interest well, thinking it would never amount to anything. Not when she was Weasley’s girlfriend.
“I don’t want this to change anything,” she blurted. “Please don’t be upset. I just thought that maybe you should know.”
“Di-d…” His voice betrayed him by cracking. “Did you tell Weasley?”
She nodded. “I told him that I’ve been having these thoughts.”
“And what did he say?”
“He asked if we’d been doing anything besides working, and I told him the truth. He believes me.”
“And that’s it?”
“Yes.”
“How could he simply let you go?”
She shook her head and smiled slightly. “I think he was relieved. Said maybe it’s for the best that we explore other interests for a while.”
“And are you… ah, going to do this?”
“Severus?” Her eyes widened. “Are you saying that you would want me to explore this?” She pointed between them. “Us?” Her expression fell. “Oh, you mean am I going to see other people, don’t you?”
He knew she was disappointed, so he took her teacup from her hands and placed it on the table next to her chair before taking her hands in his. “I would be honored if you would have dinner with me, Hermione.”
She blushed beautifully and bit her lip, nodding in answer.
Unable to help himself, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers in a chaste kiss. “Excellent,” he said silkily.
AN: Hope you liked this, Beth! :)
Cheers,
SW69
Story Actions
To follow, favorite, like, and more either log in or create an account.
Leave a Review
Log in to leave a review.
Latest 25 Reviews for Gifts for Potter Place Winners
31 Reviews | 5.48/10 Average
Thank you for the banner and icon! :) I love leaving the reviews!
if she didn't, i did! thanks
That is a really cool piece of art that I won. Thank you so much. ~soft hugs Tamara aka
*blushes and hugs everybody* Thank you so much for that lovely version of Hermione's advert! I can't wait to put it right in the story!
WOW, thanks, SW. That looks fabulous!
Awe, that was really sweet. Pays to open up, doesn't it.
Really nice. I don't mind at all that you made the icon for her story. I know both ladies appreciated them.
wow, these are really lovely! Very nice job on them.
Awe, so sad.
First one is really funny, and I love the frog. The second fits teh story so well. Nice gifts.
Really cute. Fits the pictures nicely. 
These are really cool! I bet they love them!
"Full Circle" by sunny33 held my attention from start to finish. I truly had no idea how the story would unfold, but from chapter to chapter the clues teased this reader to surmise a conclusion which had to be discarded a chapter or two later, only to be replaced by new ideas. The conclusion was so much to my liking, and it was handled in such a way that no one was hurt and every one was happy with the paths their lives had taken. My favorite kind of story!"Lily Marlene" by diana_hawthorne has captured my attention, too. Though I am only up to Chapter Seven, I am hooked. Each chapter brings new bits of information, provides answers some questions I have, and poses more questions for me to consider. Very much a mystery to me now, but I look forward to following this to completions!"The Real Me" by Debjunk is a different kind of story for me. Sybill Trelawney is the major character and is quite different from the Divination Professor I have become used to. I am only at Chapter Five so far, but what I've read has been very interesting and has given me a new way to think about this singularly different Seer.Congratulations to all of these authors. Well done!Beth
StormySkize's "A Minor Inconvenience" tells the captivating story of how Severus Snape added another pair of lace knickers to his collection, now totaling 16. And a good time was had by all... fantasies fulfilled.In sc010f's "In His Garden" we learn the bittersweet story of the boy, Severus Snape, where under the tutelage of his Grandmother Snape, he found a place where he was loved. In his last will and testement he requested that upon his death that his heart be laid to rest next to the Lenten Rose he had planted for his mother. "My garden has been kind to me: I wish to rest there, where I will be welcomed.""Candle" by CharmedForce is a lovely story of the redemptive capacity of love, and Gregory Goyle who learned to forgive himself and others and went on to build a wonderful life with a beautiful family.sliverdos's "Pang of Contrition" allows us to see into the mind of Lucius Malfoy as he ponders his future. Having accepted a period of five years of servitude to a witch or wizard who volunteers to have him, he is left to ponder who this wizard or witch will be and what his duties for them will entail. To say that Lucius is surprised is an understatement.Contratulations to all!Beth
Congratulations to the awesome top reviewers, Arabella Bloodgood, sunny33, and elsolel. Together they had 823 reviews. That is totally amazing!!!!!
Beth
*squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees*Thank you for the lovely image!
ladyinthecloak's "Travel, Men, and Conspiracy" is a very entertaining story about how love can change the world. And the love that Lucius, Hermione, and Severus share is warm and caring and hawt!chivalric's "Reincarnation" is a wonderful look at what kinds of decisions Severus Snape might have faced if he had returned as a kitten after Nagini's bite killed him, and then been offered a chance to return to his own body as it lies a-mouldering in the grave. I'm glad he went for it and won the love of a good witch, Hermione Granger.beaweasley2's art "Making Friends – First Year at Hogwarts" is a delightful look at a young Minerva McGonagall and Pomona Sprout becoming friends when they were students at Hogwarts.ladyinthecloak's video "Sacred" has beautiful original music to accompany the stunningly beautiful scenes that tell the story of finding one's own true love.beaweasley2's art "Lily and Petunia Having a Tea Party" is a softly colorful portrait of the two sisters sharing tea... at a time before the problems began, before Lily discovered she was a witch, and before Petunia came to feel jealousy.Well done, one and all!Beth
This drabble fits perfectly with KellyH's marvelous video.Well done!Beth
"From a Frog to a Prince" by CocoaChristy is a fabulous story that took me from sadness to joy, from angst to relief, and I adored every chapter!chivalric's "Snape's Bed" mesmerized me with its beauty and symbolism. The story was shot through with the kind of love and healing that I have always thought JKR should have showered on the Potions Master."Unrequited Love," the video by KellyH was both breath taking and heart rending in its entirety. I wanted to cry for Severus and Hermione.All three deserved the accolades. Congratulations to them all.Beth
OMG Thank you for this! Squee! It was so lovely! Yeah for unhappy endings! XD
The commentary is great and Shug's "Dancing with the Staff" is HAWT!Beth
I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to the authors and Potter Place Anything Goes Challenge for the wonderful opportunity I have been given to enjoy hours and hours of reading pleasure.
Beth
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
I want to add a few comments about these First Place Winners:LadyTuesday's tale "Bundle of Joy" is an absolute joy to read, and I am very eagerly awaiting the next chapter since the winners have been announced!chivalric's "Divorce" is as hilarious a take on the Marriage Law as I have read. Highly recommend!and...sshg316's "Dancing With the Staff" is totally drool worthy!!!Well done, all of you!Beth
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
I want to add a few comments about these First Place Winners:LadyTuesday's tale "Bundle of Joy" is an absolute joy to read, and I am very eagerly awaiting the next chapter since the winners have been announced!chivalric's "Divorce" is as hilarious a take on the Marriage Law as I have read. Highly recommend!and...sshg316's "Dancing With the Staff" is totally drool worthy!!!Well done, all of you!Beth
Merlin! I was so surprised to see my name as an honorable mention. Surprised isn't even the right word. I am flabbergasted!!!Beth
You hope I like it? I abso-freakin'-lutely adore it! I can't tell you how surprised I was to have gotten an honorable mention as a reviewer. I am honored!My darling, Severus, gets his one true love, Hermione! It just doesn't get any better than this!I read almost exclusively in the SSHG ship, and nothing pleases me more than to find a well written story that leaves little clues like bread crumbs... especially when I discover the major points that they are tied to later in the story. When an author puts their heart and soul into writing something for us readers to pour ourselves into, I feel that the best way to show my appreciation and to offer encouragement is to do my best to leave them a well thought out, well reasoned review. I am so very grateful for all the hard work they put into their narratives. I do understand that it is a labor of love on their part, but I am eternally grateful for the gifts they give me. The hours of pleasure I get from reading and reviewing are beyond priceless! Thank you to all of them.And thank you for "Exploring Other Interests." I am truly blessed to have found TPP!!!
I remain your loyal servant,
Beth
*snigger* I simply love kittens! Thanks for the lovely picture dear. Like the others, it will get attached to the story asap.*hugs you for all your effort and for being there and for... well. Everything!*