Cards on the Table
Chapter 23 of 26
HechiceraA witch from the Andean altiplano arrives at Hogwarts to teach DADA. Culture clash, conflict, and smut ensue.
ReviewedA/N:
Thanks as always to RedSkyAtNight, who betas and Britpicks me like a pro.
For the next two weeks, Rawa was as happy as she could ever remember being. She and Snape spent every night together, either in her rooms or in his, and he had not accused her again of deceiving him. Of course, she thought wryly, this might simply be because he had had no time, as they seemed to spend every waking minute they were alone together culeando.
Her contentment was marred only by the continued need for secrecy about their marriage and by Sirius Black’s unrelenting persistence in the face of her rejection. One evening after dinner he caught up with her in the corridor and began again, and she turned to him in annoyance.
“Sirius,” she said, “please stop it.”
He grinned. “You know I can’t do that. Eventually I’m going to wear you down.”
“No,” she said, “you are not. And you are beginning to really irritate me.”
He dropped the teasing manner immediately, and said, “Rawa, I mean this—I’ve never felt like this about a woman. I honestly think you could be the one.”
She softened just a little. “I am sorry, Sirius, but it just is not going to happen.”
“Why not? Can you give me one good reason why not?”
In desperation she said, “Because I love someone else.”
For a second he looked taken aback. “You’ve got a boyfriend back home?” Then an idea seemed to strike him, and he added, “Or a girlfriend?” A little of the teasing manner returned. “Because if it’s a girlfriend, I can be very flexible.”
She shook her head. “Go away now, Sirius.”
“I’m not giving up, you know,” he said. “Love the one you’re with, and all that.” The grin was back in full force now. “Are you coming down to play cards?”
“Probably,” she said. She loved to play cards—and besides, Snape had started coming down to the staff room to join the evening games.
“I’ll see you there, then.”
And he did: by the time she arrived an hour later, he was already there, as were Snape and Flitwick, who was shuffling the cards. Snape looked up at her and gave a little jerk of his head in the direction of the pigeon-holes where the staff post was delivered, and she saw that there was an envelope in her box.
She picked it up, and looked over at him, and knew that he had seen the return address. She opened it with shaking hands, and took out her passport and a folded letter. Inside her passport was a small pentagonal stamp, with the date and the words HOME OFFICE IMMIG & NAT DEPT.
The letter informed her that she had been granted permission to stay in the country for twenty-seven months, after which she could apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Relief flooded over her, and she looked at Snape and nodded.
“Good news, I hope,” said Flitwick, looking from one to the other.
“Yes, my visa has been extended. Good for two more years.”
“Really? Was there a problem?”
“Sort of.” She permitted herself a small smile.
“Bad news for that Ecuadorian boyfriend,” said Sirius with a grin.
Snape gave her a questioning look.
“Sirius,” she said, “the Ecuadorian boyfriend exists only in your imagination.”
“I knew it!” he said. “I knew that business about you loving someone else was rubbish.”
“No,” she said, “I do.”
“Who, then?”
“Severus.”
There was a moment when it seemed as though he was going to laugh, and then he stopped himself. “Oh my god,” he said, “you’re not joking.”
“No, she’s not,” said Snape. He gave Sirius a look that said, I’ve waited a long time for this moment, and I mean to enjoy it. “As a matter of fact, she married me.”
“She what?” Sirius looked at the letter she was holding, and then at Snape, and then back at her. “Rawa, you foolish girl, what have you done?”
There was a discreet cough from Flitwick, who got down from his chair. “I’ll just be going, then,” he said, and disappeared through the doorway.
Sirius was still staring at her. “I would have married you, you know. If you had a problem with Immigration, why didn’t you come to me?”
She heaved an exasperated sigh. “Sirius, understand this, please. I did not want to marry you. I wanted to marry Severus.”
“Why? He can’t possibly love you!”
“Actually,” said Snape quietly, “I do. I love her very much.”
Rawa turned to look at him, astonished. It was so unlike him to say such a thing that she hardly knew what to think. The warm glow that spread through her lasted all of five seconds, until Snape added, “Besides, she sucks me off like a pro.”
“Severus! Jesús de Veracruz!”
Sirius looked at him, tight-lipped. “You are disgusting,” he said. “Unbelievable.” And he turned and left, slamming the door behind him.
“I doubt very much that he’ll be bothering you any more,” said Snape.
“Severus!” she said again. “I cannot believe you said that!”
“Why?” he said, all calculated innocence. “You do, you know. Suck me off like a pro. You’re quite talented in the cock-sucking department.”
“Sirius Black does not need to know that!”
“Oh, I think he does.” He looked very pleased with himself. “Did I offend you?”
To her chagrin, she realized that he had not. She felt as though she ought to be offended, but the truth was that she rather liked being told she was talented in the cock-sucking department, and the look on Sirius’ face had been priceless. Instead of indignation, what she was really feeling was a mixture of smugness and an overwhelming desire to laugh.
“You are a very bad influence on me,” she said.
“Am I?”
“Come back to my rooms and let me show you how bad.”
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Latest 25 Reviews for Soroche
75 Reviews | 5.52/10 Average
Definitely one of the more unusual stories I've read, but i liked it very much, particularly them telling sirius that they were married lol. Glad it had a happy ending also!
"You should have told me."
Told him what? That she was pregnant, or that by doing the mental-link magic she'd be flung into this dreamworld, almost not getting out of it? Or did Snape really only killed Voldemort at the cost of his own life?
Lovely story.
Beautiful story. I'm. Not usually a reader of Snape paired with and OC but Rawa was a fascinating and believable character.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Oh wow, thank you so much! Lucky for me, I wrote this story before I was ever involved in the fandom or had read any fanfic at all. If I had, I'd have known how averse people are to reading SS/OFCs because of the prevalence of Mary Sues, and I'd probably have lost my nerve and/or second-guessed every line. As it was, I toiled on in blissful ignorance.
Response from Ljpjcg (Reviewer)
No, I think it was fantastic and I'm glad you shared this. She had many facets and her life was very interesting to read about.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Oh wow, thank you so much! Lucky for me, I wrote this story before I was ever involved in the fandom or had read any fanfic at all. If I had, I'd have known how averse people are to reading SS/OFCs because of the prevalence of Mary Sues, and I'd probably have lost my nerve and/or second-guessed every line. As it was, I toiled on in blissful ignorance.
Response from Ljpjcg (Reviewer)
No, I think it was fantastic and I'm glad you shared this. She had many facets and her life was very interesting to read about.
*snip*Dear Miss Akapana,I am writing to offer you the position of Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts for the coming academic year, as word of your extraordinary talents has reached my ear.* It is rumoured, for example, that you possess the power to compel truthfulness; such a skill would likely prove quite valuable when dealing with the garden-variety magus adolescens. I would be remiss in my duties if I failed to advise you that we have had some difficulty in keeping this position filled during the past decade: more than one of your predecessors has unfortunately lasted less than a year. However, I feel certain that if your magical abilities are as your reputation has led me to believe, you will have an excellent chance of success.If you are agreed, I will send a conveyance for you at your earliest convenience.Sincerely yours,Albus DumbledoreHeadmaster*I cannot imagine why it has reached one ear and not the other, but there you have it. HAHAHAHAHA! That is AWESOME! LOVE IT! 
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Why, thank you! I tried to make it appropriately Dumbledore-y.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
It IS! So perfect! Love that bearded wizard!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Oh - and you're quite brave to introduce ayahuasca into your fic. I spent a summer in Peru and that vine is some NASTY stuff!
fascinating plan, I love how Rawa wants to believe in Snape, but no wonder she's concerned.
“Come with me, dear,” she said. “You and I need to have a talk with Dumbledore.” oh my, yes she does.
“When you sacrifice the losers on big stone pyramids,” she said. ROFL, she does have a point. Isn't there some question about whether it was the losers or the winners that were sacrificed?
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Indeed there is--but I'm taking license to decide that Rawa has inside info.
Way to get Ron ferretboy behaving. Snicker
I thought I envied the magical folk for Reparo and Evanesco, but a mosquito repelling charm? Want.I love the interaction between Rawa and Sev, her pov on his nose is hysterical and good for her sniping back at him.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
I can't tell you how pleased I am that Soroche is getting a read!
Poor Hagrid, he did ok in the mountains going to see the giants, but then he walked so there was time to adjust.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Well, also the Andes are much taller than any mountains anywhere in the UK. Cotopaxi--which is where the Yachay Wasi school is located--is 5000 metres high.Worst. Headache. Ever.
What a fascinating character your Rawa is, I'm sure she'll make quite the impression on Hogwarts.
Better. And try to remember that my name is Esnep. He's gotten to like it, hasn't he? that's so cute :o)
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
At least he's paying attention!
Brutally honest description of one approach to teaching - a female version of Snape. Given the view of professors in canon and film, Ron's observation seems dead on. Hence, establishment of authority by penalizing those who vocalize the obvious. Shades of Umbridge. This is assuming you wish to display a character defect of the protagonist. Cannot rate this chapter because it is not clear this is intended as a character defect.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Nope, not intended as a character defect at all. She's not punishing Ron for stating the obvious--she's punishing him for saying something disrespectful and inappropriate to the venue.When I was teaching high school, I would definitely have called a student out for remarking audibly that I was fuck-worthy.I don't see it as Umbridge-like at all.
Hagrid rides a flying motorcycle, but gets soroche? Perhaps the Aviation Regulatory Agencies class him as General Aviation and restrict him to below 5000 feet. Good touch with the finches and Filch. And she has brought a lovely assortment of hallucinogens and poisons. Good frisson at the end.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
I always figured Hagrid flew pretty low to the ground on the motorcycle--at any rate, nowhere near Cotopaxi's 19,000 feet.
A development chapter, but it still manages some drama. I take it the humor is that our heroine can understand American-style English.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Well, it's more that she can understand standard "textbook" versions of English, but not Hagrid's rather intense regional dialect. A bit like someone who had learned Spanish in school faced with someone speaking Argentine Lunfardo.
A powerful opening. Different.
Just found your story through Thanfiction-he drew a stunning picture from your story and I was fascinated and had to come see what it was about. This first chapter is amazing. While I am not very versed in South American lore, everything you have written so far has sounded right, has had the weight of a fully realized world and culture and is so different that what one normally finds in HP fanfiction. I love this line ____________________________________________________ What was a conveyance? she wondered. Another letter? Some kind of contract? Well, it hardly mattered—she had no intention of traveling half the world away to teach in a language that made her teeth hurt. _____________________________________________________ It made me laugh and it rings true.I love your discription of the condor, that he does not speak like a human would, that he is the voice in her head as well as his own powerful entity. And this sobered and warmed me at the same time___________________________________________________________________ Daughter, you know that no one is ever told when and where they are to die. __________________________________________________________________ Finally, I love that it costs something to use magic, to reach the spirit realm. It sounds weird that the high point of this chapter for me was her vomiting in the snow but, there you go. Wonderful chapter and I am heading on to the next with high hopes!
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Woot! I was so thrilled to get to the top of the commission queue and get that picture, but it honestly never occurred to me that it would result in more people reading my fic! Because it's an OC fic, it doesn't get a whole lot of exposure. Serendipity!I'm so glad you liked it, and thanks for the details. I researched this fic for several years before starting to write it, and the cultural and linguistic informatin is as accurate as I can possibly make it.
Lovely ending! Lovely! Original work? Plz?
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Thank you so much!Not sure I know what you're asking there?
Response from Pyttan (Reviewer)
Sorry about that; I blame my swedishness. I'm not always clear on all the english stuff. Have you got a story hidden somewhere here, that is all your own? You know, whithout borrowing the characters from the divine Rowlings? I absolutly think you are good enough, you see, and since I like your stuff I would like to read it. Yes I am shamelessly flattering you, so I can get to more of your stuff.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Ooh, flattery, my favorite. More, please!Thank you so much! I don't, at the moment, have anything finished. But I'm working on it. Are you in LJ?
Response from Pyttan (Reviewer)
LJ? No. I have no idea what that might be?
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
LiveJournal. Get thee thither.
Response from Pyttan (Reviewer)
I'm now thither, what to do now I wonder?
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Friend up. See you over there :-)
Great finish. Simple and understated, but perfect. :)
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Thank you.It's hard to let them go.
I think of the line from that song as it applies to Rowlings Severus Snape ...A man gets tied up to the ground, He gives the world its saddest sound, its saddest sound...mmmm.Lovely love story!
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Thank you so much--I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Aha! More is explained...so that's why Severus deviated from his usual custom by asking to use the pool when he requested the services of Malavi at The Wayward Wand. He was trying to recreate the scene of Rawa in the bath as closely as possible so that he could act out what he had wanted to do at the time...although it's not quite clear why he chose a cold pool instead of a hot bath. As I already noted when I left a review for The Wayward Wand, he must have chosen Malavi because she of all the women probably looks most like Rawa with olive skin and straight black hair.
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Well, the bath at Hogwarts was more like a pool in size, if not in temperature. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Scary! Hope he gets back in time! :)
Response from Hechicera (Author of Soroche)
Do you doubt him for a single moment?