New Chapter for The Gilded Cage
The Gilded Cage
ApollinaV311 Reviews | 5.59/10 (311 Ratings, 0 Likes, 221 Favorites )
Clever Miss Hermione Granger believes that by marrying Azkaban prisoner 11652 she can effectively skirt the new Ministry Marriage Law requirements. A story about morality, mortality, and pickled walnuts.
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About ApollinaV
Author
ApollinaV
Member Since 2008 | 25 Stories | Favorited by 97 | 169 Reviews Written | 627 Review Responses
Like many proud alumni of the honorable Hufflepuff House, ApollinaV is a rabbid Huffle-hugger, champion pear-tickler, and founding member of Cleansweep-Streakers Guild (the AV-Eyeful is so named in her honor). Since graduating Hogwarts, she done 'responsible' and 'professional' things - and resolves not to do that anymore. Dreadful amounts of paperwork.
Reviews for The Gilded Cage
I like Severus's meticulous scrutiny of the boxes. Who knew he had such taste... Oh, I feel the tension building. It's exciting! Can't wait for the next chapter.
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Tension building for you already... good. My evil plans must be working. Thanks love! AV
I'm glad that helped him. Poor sot.
I look forward to more chapters! Excellent.
omg. that is so horrible.
Excellent. I love it. Poor Snape.
poor Snape. :(
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Indeed. Thanks for reading! AV
Excellent chapter, I'm so looking for more. Now she knows and he feels betetr for it. Thats a good thing. She will come to realise she loves the man in the future...at least thats what I hope :)
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
There will be an eventual happy ending. They've just got to clear the air a bit more. Thanks! AV
Love the chapter title! :)
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
So do I. Everything is better in Latin. Thanks! AV
Great title chapter! I'm glad that Severus has finally unburdened himself to someone, and also that Hermione now knows what happened and why that night on the tower. They've obviously both got some heavy thinking to do, Hermione on what's right (not just right in general but also what's right for Severus and for herself) and Severus on whether or not he's blamed himself enough for the past and should he begin to look toward the future. Is the soul degraded more if one no longer even tries to make up for past transgressions? Severus seems to think that once you've screwed up on that grand of a scale, you're done for metaphysically speaking, so why bother with atoning? I prefer to believe that there's always an opportunity to claw your way out of that hole, and I hope that Severus can be persuaded that such an attempt is worthwhile as well.Great story, and it's been fascinating to see Hermione slowly grow from the hyperactive, stim-fueled woman with no time or patience for anyone to someone who's now closer to who she used to be as a young girl--someone who can empathize with the people around her and make those emotional connections again. And she owes it all to Severus Snape! I hope she appreciates the irony of it all!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Oh, I think there's irony everywhere. Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying the character development. Hermione is definitely changing a lot here. All the best, AV
Well, he should be carefull. Because she might change her mind and want to wake up to his face every morning. And so try to free him against his will. Because she's in love with him. And with a bit of luck she might even convince him that he isn't guilty and that he, too, is in love.
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Exactly. Finite statements like 'never' and 'always' are great ways of getting in trouble. They could both change their minds. Thanks! AV
The title of the chapter is a scream.(Why does everything sound so ... dignified ... in Latin?)Ok, to the chapter--So Hermione finally knows the truth! Thank goodness for that. And I think her basic honesty will not allow her to just do...nothing.But I am a little surprised, in all the time they've spent together, that she hasn't yet developed any ability to look beyond his...face.She's learned to look beyond his outward irascibility, to see his intelligence, to trust his business sense, to enjoy being in his company exchanging conversation and ideas---and now she's stymied by his _appearance_?Hoping Hermione (who in canon is presented as normally a plain girl--only 'strikingly beautiful' when she takes the effort to doll herself up, which she finds too impractical and unimportant to do on a daily basis) will come to realize what I believe is her 'real' reluctance---to have to submit to some outside entity telling her what she will and will not do. While my independent soul respects her for that, and for trying to turn the government's decree on its ear by only in name submitting to their ML but in actuality making fools of them by getting around it, I hope she won't find herself in the position of one who "cuts off her nose to spite her face"---by refusing to recognize a very good thing when it's right in front of her, merely to prove the point of "you can't make me!"Looking forward to your next!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
I think the 'you can't make me' is a bit of arrogance, but understandable when faced with an opressive regime. Thanks for your thoughtful review. All the best, AV
Gay Harry is always fun! Is he seeing Draco by any chance? Hey why are there only 6 chapters over here? Get busy posting slacker!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
You know, I never once mentioned the fate of any Malfoy in the fic. He's seeing Oliver Wood by the way. And I'm adding more chapters as they clear the Q. I started late. AV
I am twittering all over again about the "marriage contract meeting" Poor Hermione has no idea. Ha! PS: Yes I do think I'll use a different little face for each chapter
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
A different face for each chapter - whatever makes you happy my dear. I'll look forward to seeing them.Hermione is clueless... -AV
Hermione had always inexplicably been drawn to the wrong sort. Well if thats not forshadowing I dont know what is!!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
There is no better badboy than SS. He's got it in spades. I just wanted to broaden her experiences beyond the canon pairing - she's young and vibrant, the idea that she's only had one miserable boyfriend is unrealistic. AV
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
"the idea that she's only had one miserable boyfriend is unrealistic" I agree. Also I think it makes her a more credible match for Snape if she has been out in the world dating a bit, deciding what she is looking for etc...
And so the sparing begins! Ahhh yes I remember back in the old days when it was all so simple. Just sign the damn contract was the only thing to worry about. If only she knew then what we know now!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
I think if she had a clue, she'd run. And fast. Thanks love, AV
So thought that if I reread TGC it would cause a new chapter to pop up. Naive of me? Besides this archive has all these cool little emotion faces
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
And yet the next chapter is up tomorrow. You must be magical. AV
Response from MollysSister (Reviewer)
ouuuuuuuuuuuuuu I always thought I was a muggle but now I am magical!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
I'm inclined to believe Magical. Proof? Dig out your pics of you at age 14-16. Those wacky costumes? Yep- totally the look of a witch trying to dress muggle. See! Gotcha!
Will you fix the bed, for the love of Merlin, Hermione! :)Great story so far!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
She totally needs to - but the bed actually gets it's own chapter. You'll see. Thanks love, AV
Poor Billy. Adds a human face to the Kiss effects.
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
*nods It does. Thanks so much Sunny! AV
Yay they're married, and wackiness will ensue! I seriously loved this chapter. You put so much detail into it and really let us see and hear everything that was going on with the ceremony and after. It's interesting to see her actually giving a crap about him in some ways even though she really doesn't want to and she can actually just say she's doing it for her benefit since she's got to visit him and all. I can't wait to see what happens next. Much Love ~ Brena
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Thank you m'dear. The dance begins. They both are going to have to give a little to make the marriage work- which is a given in any marriage, but for these unfortunate two, they'll have to get over themselves first.
“And yet you couldn’t be bothered to use your own product,” he remarked, obviously eyeing her ‘electrocuted hedgehog’ fashion statement.LOL! 'Electrocuted hedgehog' - Brilliant!
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Thank you m'dear - I'm rather partial to the quote, and the fashion statement. I sport it every winter. AV
Great as usual... and Hermione spending an hour and a half cleaning up Severus' cell is just so like her, then wondering how he'd managed to trick her into staying so long! If he hadn't yelled at her, she probably would have been there for another hour at least...Also loved the aside about trying to give Crookshanks a pill-- we've got two cats, and it's always a two-person job (at least) to force medicine down their lovely little throats. I can't imagine successfully doing it if I lived alone... they'd just have to be sick, I think.So, will Snape wait until his cell is completely tricked out and perfect before delivering his appeal?
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Yeah, Hermione would have probably stayed - and blamed that on Severus too. Giving a cat a pill is one of those universal things that translates well in fic, people can relate. Thanks! AV
"Beneficium accipere libertatem est vendere - To accept a favour is to sell freedom. (Publilius Syrus)"Oh my gosh--I cannot tell you how much I love the way you've put Latin "summaries" of each chapter up as Chapter Titles, but this one is beyond perfect. It not only summarizes this chapter, but succinctly sums up a lot of what I personally believe in. Sometimes the words of others (Pubilius Syrus, in this case) say it so much better than we can ourselves.And I very much look forward to Hermione's rousting Severus out of his self-pitying, self-imposed 'penance' as only Hermione can! Prepare yourself to be blown up, Severus!Looking forward eager to your 'bringing it on'---
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Why thank you. The Latin phrases are so much fun, and I do think it's a gift of a language - the expressions are so genuine. As for Severus and Hermione, they're headed for a happy ending - eventually - but it's a long haul. Thanks for reading! AV
I'm glad they're warming up to each other.
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
It will be a slow thaw, but there will be a gentle warming of affections. It will have a happy ending. Thanks so much! AV
Response from mimmom (Reviewer)
I really love stories with a happy ending for Snape. Oooh, that JKR and her tragic, misunderstood (even by her) spy.
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
*nods Absolutely. He's really fabulous to get into, stretch the skin a bit, and work on figuring out.
She's already softening towards him. That's so like her. She has a new pet cause and, within days, she'll start to free him of that awful prison. *grin*
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Hermione on a quest... somehow I don't think Severus will take kindly to her knitting hats for him... metaphorically speaking mind you. Thanks! AV
Response from snitchette (Reviewer)
I'm sure he won't be too happy about it, but will he have a choice in tha matter? I don't think so. After all, the girl is very stubborn when she wants too. What will be the hardest is for Severus to forgive himself. I'm practicly sure he has enough evidences to free himself (why else the particular points in the marriage contract such as a child IF he were to get out), but he doesn't deem himself worthy of being free. Surely she can make change his opinion of himself, but how long will that take?
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
Right in one. You've hit the nail on the head. Now shhhhh before you ruin it for everyone else.
That meeting is going to be unforgettable. For both of them.
Response from ApollinaV (Author of The Gilded Cage)
I certainly hope so! Thanks! AV