Chapter Ten: Jam Tarts
Chapter 11 of 118
MMADfanMonday, 31 August 1998. Severus has a pleasant visit from Hermione, though they can’t escape uncomfortable topics.
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Chapter Ten: Jam Tarts
Monday, 31 August 1998
"Hi, Severus! Mum and I spent Friday putting up jam, then we made some tarts on Saturday. I thought you might like some."
Severus took the basket from her and nodded, stepping back to allow Hermione entry. "I am uncertain when I will be able to eat them, however. The potions have some unpleasant side-effects."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "The tarts should stay good for a several more days yet; I put freshness charms on them. The jam, of course, you can eat any time. I'm sorry you're sick again."
Severus stiffened. "It will pass."
"Of course. Gareth didn't give me any details, but it sounds as though Melina caught whatever it was just in time."
"You needn't worry." He set the basket down on the small round table in the back of his sitting room. He hated seeing the concern on Hermione's face.
"I can't help it. I care about you. And you were so sick before . . . you seemed to be getting better."
"I thought I was."
"What happened?"
Severus gestured to her to have a seat on the sofa. "Nothing happened, Hermione. It's just more of the same." Aware that he sounded cross and dismissive, he added, "Nagini's venom had some continuing effects. It was not completely gone from my system. The magical components of her venom were still there, causing trouble and apparently beginning to grow or multiply, sapping my own magic."
"That sounds dreadful!"
"The Dark Lord's reach is long," Severus said softly. Unconsciously, his right hand grasped his left arm where his brand once had been.
"But he's dead, and so is Nagini," Hermione said forcefully. "Once Melina has finished treating you, you will be fine...you will be fine, won't you?" The note of concern crept back into her voice.
Severus shrugged. "That is what Healer O'Donald reassures me. Yes."
"Gareth told me you have to rest your magic."
"I am not allowed to use it." Severus frowned. "Exercising my magic could cause the effects of the venom to increase and for my magical reserves to decrease. In addition, one of the potions I am taking acts on my magical core, and it can be dangerous to use magic whilst taking that elixir."
Hermione thought for a moment. "When can you use magic again? It must be difficult, especially here at Hogwarts, not to use your wand."
"No spells, no potions, no wandless magic...especially no wandless magic." Severus met Hermione's worried eyes. "It will be at least another week. If it's not forever."
"Forever?" Hermione blinked.
He shrugged slightly and shook his head. "It probably won't come to that. But . . ."
"But you are afraid that it might," Hermione said softly.
"What good is a Potions master at a wizarding school if he can't use magic?" Severus asked bitterly. "Worse, I could lose it altogether, become hardly more than a Squib. As it is, I can't even use any Charmed objects that depend upon my magic to activate the charm. I never should have returned."
"You mean to Hogwarts? But you will be fine, I am sure of it. Mr Weasley never had any problems with his magic after he was bitten; he recovered completely..."
"It was different for him," Severus interrupted. "For one thing, his bite wasn't as severe, and for another, Nagini's venom changed over time. The mundane components remained the same, and some of the magical ones that were inherent to her nature, but the Dark L, Riddle, had been doing things to enhance her power, including feeding her magical creatures. She ingested the magic with the bodies."
"I thought that magic disappeared after we died," Hermione said, confused.
"The active magic, yes. But there's still magic remaining. Think a moment, Hermione. If magic disappeared completely from our corpses when we died, the same would be true of all other magical creatures and plants. And a Charmed object always retains some amount of the maker's magic. And remember Riddle's Horcruxes. They required not only a physical object to hold them, but some magic to encase them and tie them to the object; that magic still resonated with Riddle's own, and his magic called to it whenever he cast a spell. We die, and our spirits may go wherever it is that spirits or souls go, but there is always some lingering magic remaining...though you are right, it does dissipate over time. That is why some magical potions ingredients must be used fresh, depending upon the source."
"Of course . . . I suppose I see that." Hermione smiled. "This reminds me of our brain holidays, but a bit too serious."
Severus smiled. "Hello, my name is Severus and I am a recovering Death Eater. Care to take a brain holiday with me?"
Hermione laughed. "Well, we could discuss all this later, when you are better and it isn't all so serious anymore. But we could take a different sort of brain holiday now!"
"Do you have any particular destination in mind?"
"Oh . . . what about Transfiguration? Gareth and Alroy have discussed my Animagus training, and I'm going to begin meeting with Alroy one afternoon a week. Right now, he just has me doing more reading, but pretty soon, I'll begin doing some of the preliminary exercises."
"I thought McGonagall was going to have you concentrate on just the apprenticeship for now," Severus said.
"Gareth said that as long as I don't neglect my apprenticeship, I can get a start on my Animagus training. Alroy's agreed not to give me any exercises that will tire me too much or require monitoring yet." Hermione made a face. "I hate having them make all the decisions about what I study and when, but it's part of the deal!"
"You are an apprentice, Hermione, or you will be tomorrow. Your life isn't your own any longer," Severus said warningly.
Hermione laughed. "Well, it's not that bad. I think Gareth will be okay about most things. I get weekends off...that's when I'm meeting Alroy, on Saturdays...and if things go well this autumn, he's going to let me take a Muggle class or two next term and just adjust my Arithmancy schedule."
Severus nodded slightly. "You are fortunate, then. He would be within his rights as your master to insist you study nothing but Arithmancy."
"I know. And I get every weekend off, both Saturday and Sunday, and that's more than the law requires. And," Hermione said with a sly grin, "Professor Dumbledore put in a 'renegotiable' clause for me."
Severus's eyebrows rose. "Renegotiable?"
"Yes, after six months, and Gareth agreed to it. I still would have to continue in my apprenticeship for at least another six months, of course, or until I qualify, but I can renegotiate the terms or even decide to take an extended break. If I take a break, he's not obligated to take me back at the end of it, though."
"Why would you do that? I can understand wanting to renegotiate some specific term that you might decide in retrospect was unfavourable to you, but breaking your apprenticeship in the middle...it would be frowned upon by other masters and employers, and it would not be in your best interests educationally, either. You need the continuity and intensity of training, or doing an apprenticeship is pointless. You will have wasted the first six months with nothing to show for it."
"Oh, I don't intend to take a long break from it; it's just one option. I thought . . . I'd like to take Muggle courses. Maybe I might decide I want to take more than one or two at a time, that's all. Or there might be some other opportunity that I don't want to pass up."
"Opportunities are fine, but you don't want to throw away your apprenticeship on a whim."
"Don't worry about it, Severus. I doubt I'll be leaving my apprenticeship until I attain my mastery."
"Hmmph. Good, then."
"But I've been reading more about internal Transfiguration. Alroy said that if everything is going well, I might be able to begin trying it by Christmas." She sighed. "That seems so far away. I'm sure I could perform internal Transfigurations sooner."
"Perhaps, but as you say, your first obligation is to your apprenticeship. You will likely find yourself so well occupied that you have no time to contemplate the pace of your Animagus training."
Hermione smiled. "You're right, of course. I just always want to dive in and do as much as possible."
"But thoroughly, Hermione. That is important." He looked over at the basket. "You know, I just might try one of those jam tarts."
Hermione brightened. "Oh, good! I hope you like them."
Severus started to reach for his pocket for his wand, which wasn't there, but stopped himself. He stood, retrieved the basket, and set it on the coffee table in front of them, then sat back down in the chair at the end of the couch.
"You made them with your mother? No magic?"
"No magic. I actually am not very good at cooking, either with or without magic, but at least I know my way around a Muggle kitchen. I'd be hopeless in Mrs Weasley's kitchen." Hermione stopped, remembering that the Weasleys' kitchen was now bereft its mistress. "That is, I don't know how to cook using magic."
Severus nodded, subdued. It was never a comfortable thing for him to remember those members of the Order or of the staff who had died, and Molly's and Sinistra's deaths weighed particularly heavily upon him. Had he lived at their expense? Or at least, at Sinistra's expense?
"I'm sorry . . ."
"It does not seem that we can speak of anything without the conversation turning toward . . . more serious matters," Severus said. "It is simply the way things are, Hermione."
"What about those tarts, though? If you think you could eat one."
"My potions were a few hours ago. I believe a tart would be welcome. And some tea to go with it. I should have offered when you arrived."
"Tea would be nice."
"Twiskett!"
Twiskett arrived with a hollow pop.
"Tea, please, a large pot," Severus requested.
Twiskett smiled shyly at Hermione and nodded.
"And light the lamps," Severus added.
Twiskett snapped his fingers and the lamps lit; another little flicking of his fingers, and all the candles but one were snuffed. When there were no further orders, he disappeared with a small snick.
After Twiskett delivered their tea, Hermione poured for them. Severus took two tarts from the basket and set them on the table.
"They look nice," Severus said, trying to think of something appreciative to say. The jam filling was beautifully glazed and the crusts, golden brown.
"Thank you." Hermione blushed. "Actually, these are ones that Mum put together. I helped with the jam and rolling out the crust, but . . . well, the edges on hers were nicer. Mine were kind of blobby."
"You have had little opportunity whilst at Hogwarts to practise any culinary arts," Severus pointed out. "I am sure that your skills will improve if you wish to spend the time on such things."
Hermione nodded as he took a bite of the tart, waiting anxiously for his reaction. He chewed, swallowed, and took another bite. She relaxed. She supposed that taking a second bite meant he liked it.
"Did you know that they used to teach a twice-weekly course in Culinary Charms and Housewitchery at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.
Severus nodded, mumbling something through another bite of jam tart.
"I didn't. Well, I found out, obviously. When I was doing research for Harry a couple years ago." Hermione didn't mention that that was when she had discovered the identity of Severus's mother. "But they were optional courses, I guess. They never gave NEWTs in them, and they stopped even giving OWLs in them by the fifties. I don't know when they stopped offering them."
Severus took a sip of tea. "It was when I was a student. It wasn't something I would have been interested in or noticed...but Madam Penrose still came in and taught a Housewitchery course one afternoon a week until my fifth or sixth year. She retired or got sick, and they never hired anyone to replace her. I don't think there was much call for it. It was more of an organised activity than a real course."
"I would have been interested," Hermione said.
"You're interested in everything, though," Severus said with a smirk.
"Not everything," Hermione said with a roll of her eyes.
"Who used a Time-Turner her third year to try to take every optional course offered?"
"But I dropped Divination! You knew about that? About the Time-Turner?"
"Mmph. How else were you to take all the classes with the conflicting schedules?" Severus asked rhetorically. "Not that I was told until after the foolishness had begun. I would not have approved."
"Would you have forbidden it?" Hermione asked, eyes wide.
Severus twitched. "I could not have forbidden it. I had no say in the matter. My class was not one of the ones affected and you were not a student in my House. It was up to the Headmaster and his Deputy."
"But you would have."
"It is moot. I was not even asked an opinion. And I understand from the impossible events at the end of the year that it proved a useful device." His tone was grudging. "For at least some people."
Hermione remembered that although she and her friends might have been relieved that they could effect the simultaneous rescue of Sirius and Buckbeak, Severus likely had experienced it all quite differently. Especially since he'd been hexed. And she'd been one of those who had done it. He had done what he'd thought was best, and even though he hadn't liked them, he had tried to save them. Of course, his dislike of Sirius had probably played a role, too. Finally getting revenge for Black's prank all those years ago . . . and for his presumed betrayal of the Potters.
"I'm sorry," Hermione said. "We were all in the dark, really."
"Some of us more so than others," Severus said, setting down his teacup.
His shift in mood was palpable, and Hermione felt a sudden chasm open between them, as though the events of the last few years hadn't happened and she was sitting with the Potions master who "had seen no difference" when she had been struck by the curse on her teeth, the teacher who had hated Harry from the moment he'd set foot in his classroom, the one who had made so much of their school experience unpleasant, to say the least.
"I'm sorry," she repeated softly.
Severus shook his head slightly, seeming to contemplate his tea. "It was all . . . . It was a lifetime ago. I don't even know what I feel about it all any longer. Too much has happened. And for you to apologise or express regret...you really had little to do with any of it, Hermione. Not then. And not what had already happened, what couldn't be changed." He raised his head and looked at her. "You can be glad that you had the Time-Turner, that you could change what seemed to be the inevitable. And not for the last time, either. My own . . . inevitable death . . . my unexpected survival . . ."
"I know that you said that you sometimes wish you hadn't lived," Hermione said. "Do you still feel that way?" Immediately, she regretted the question.
Severus grimaced. "You cannot know. When I returned to Hogwarts last week, I thought I might have some normalcy, even though I'm not sure what that is. But it seemed better, a little better, at least, than sitting at Spinner's End. Now, though." He took a breath. "I tell you not to worry, but I don't want to become a Squib. I don't even want to have to recover from this. I don't think I have the energy left to do it. Hard enough, just living."
Hermione reached across the coffee table and took his hand. "Is there anything I can do? Anything I can do to help?"
He shook his head and folded his fingers around hers. "Nothing . . . except . . . another brain holiday? If you can visit again. We'll both be busy." He cleared his throat. He feared he was sounding maudlin.
"Of course! I'm sure we can find the time. But if there isn't anything I can do, you should still ask for help from anyone who can help," Hermione said. "If you aren't well enough to teach this week, I'm sure that Professor McGonagall would understand and..."
"I must teach," Severus interrupted. "The Headmistress already inquired. I don't want her to think I'm incapable. Or for the students to learn of my current state. I need to get on with it. She's already made allowances for me, for my illness, for my absence this summer. Flitwick is practically her deputy already." He sighed. "I don't want to be ungrateful, but I want everything to be as normal as possible."
Hermione frowned. "As long as you don't ignore your health. I'm worried that you'll do too much. You seem so tired. What about your classes?"
"Strong coffee will help. And I'm not doing any demonstrations until I can use my magic again."
"But there might come a time when you think you have to use your wand. You could hurt yourself. And you might just overtire yourself even if you don't."
Severus grunted and released Hermione's hand. "It's not that dire. Madam Pomfrey is being annoyingly conscientious in checking on me every few hours, and the Headmistress is requiring me to have Twiskett present whilst I teach, just in case one of the students has an accident. As for my wand," he added, trying to lighten his tone, "I am not carrying it, so I can't use it. The way that I feel now, I doubt I will forget I'm not supposed to perform any magic. The potions I am on are quite enervating. I actually felt in better health before the Healer got her hands on me."
"Well, I still think you should ask for help if you need it. I'm glad that you are being well-looked-after, but don't be stubborn. I am sure that Professor McGonagall wants you healthy, and if she wanted to replace you as deputy, I think she already would have done it."
"Speaking of which, I need to speak to Flitwick about some staff issues, and it is almost lunchtime."
Hermione stood. "Do you need anything from Hogsmeade? I should have asked before I came up this morning, but I have the entire afternoon free. Or if you need anything else? Something I can do?"
Severus stood and quirked a smile at her. "The only thing I needed this morning was a brain holiday with you. I have appreciated your visit. I am sorry if it was not pleasant for you, especially on your last day as a free witch before you begin your apprenticeship."
"Oh, no! I enjoyed it! And if you need any help . . ."
"No, I have my classroom set up, with the house-elf's help, and Flitwick is assisting me with the few other tasks I might have had today. The Sorting is this evening; I thought I would take the afternoon to . . . to prepare for that." He needed a nap, but didn't want to say that to Hermione.
"All right, but if you change your mind, just owl me. I'll only be settling into my new room this afternoon, or maybe helping in the garden. Nothing that I couldn't leave."
"Have a good afternoon, Hermione. I will owl you when the Healer pronounces me fit for magic, and we can take another brain holiday. Perhaps in more pleasant environs." He walked her to the door.
"I enjoyed spending time with you. I hope you enjoy the jam and the rest of the tarts."
Severus smiled. "Thank you for those. I will enjoy them, I am sure."
As he opened the door, Hermione reached up and touched his shoulder, then she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He barely had time to be startled by that when she was out the door and hurrying away. His fingertips went to the spot where her lips had just brushed his skin; he felt his face warming as he incongruously thought that he was glad he had shaved that morning. He closed his door with a gentle click, still smiling.
Next
Chapter Eleven: Don't Frighten the Firsties
Monday, 31 August 1998
Severus greets the first-years, and it's a more memorable occasion than he'd anticipated. He obtains a new admirer before the Sorting.
Characters: Severus Snape, Rubeus Hagrid, Poppy Pomfrey, Twiskett
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Long Vernal Season
1058 Reviews | 7.24/10 Average
OMG! How did I miss these last two chapters? Totally wonderful! I'm so in love with Severus and Poppy, I hope it works out for them, I'm worried about Gertrude's attack getting in the way of their happiness, Severys should really talk to Poppy about it and clear the air, I'm sure Gertrude wouldn't mind talking to her as well and explaining she's forgiven him. I'm also so curious about Poppy's middle name! I' suspicious of Gwen bein the vigilante although Severus doesn't think her capable of it, I'm dying to know whow it is and why she's doing it. Are Gertrude and Quin together now? I thought I saw a gleam of something there. Please, tell us soon! I read you haven't forgotten about this fic or any of your other WIPs so I'm hoping for an update in the near future, if live allows. Thanks!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hi! How lovely to see your name again! :) I'm glad you enjoyed those last two chapters -- though they won't be the last ones, I do hope! I am planning to pick up my WIPs very soon. I've written a couple short fics recently (for Minerva Fest and for the HoggyWarty Christmas exchange), so that kind of helped grease the fanfic cogs a bit. So many (astute!) questions -- but you'll have to wait for the answers!Thank you so much for sticking with the stories! It's very encouraging to know there are still a few folks looking forward to more chapters. :-)
Response from doralupin87 (Reviewer)
Hi! I'm glad to see you are back in fanfiction again and I do hope the cogs are all greased up and ready to go! I've been waiting (patiently!) for an update to this story and to Charming The Scottish Garden, I do love me some Johannes and Siofre! Oh! So, my questions are good? That means I might be onto something, although you did give me a little preview that Gertrude would have a new man in her life, you didn't say who it was, so I think Quin might be a good choice just because they seem connected, although I don't remember quite well if they are related or not. I don't know how much I'll like Trudie with someone other than Malcolm but since you'll be writing it I'm sure I love it, you have this way of making me fall for the craziest couples like Severus and Poppy, never in a million years would I have liked them together if it weren't for your story. Anyway, I look forward to any updates you post. Thanks for coming back, I hope life is good to you :)
OMG. I love these two. Poppy and Serverus are sooooo cute. Please update soon. I want to know what happened to Severus'sbparents and how will Serverus react when Gertrude comes to Hogwarts to teach???
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hi,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! I'm sorry it's taken so long to respond to your comment. I really appreciate your review. I am coming back to fanfic after a longish hiatus, and I hope to update all of my WIPs very soon. (Some of what went on with Severus's parents can be glimpsed in "Charming the Scottish Garden," which is set in the late 50s and focusses on Siofre and Johannes. You don't have to read that story to enjoy LVS, though.) Thanks very much for your review! I do hope to post a new chapter of Long Vernal Season within the next couple of weeks.
Im glad i chose to read this chapter last before going to bed. It's raining outside my window now which makes it even easier to imagine the scene you've set before us. I love that Severus and Poppy are moving forward with their relationshp and growing more comfortable with each other. And who wouldn't wanna be snuggled up with the one they love when it's raining outside? Sigh. LOVED IT!!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thanks! It's good to write a relationship that's progressing.I'm glad you liked the rainy seaside snuggling! :-)
It's a lovely story. I look forward to new installments.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thank you very much, Dorit!The next chapter is underway, though slowly. I'm glad to know you're looking forward to it! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thank you very much, Dorit!The next chapter is underway, though slowly. I'm glad to know you're looking forward to it!
Yay, an update!!I loved the interaction with Siofre, Poppy, and Severus in this chapter. I think Siofre is trying, in her own way, to make Severus feel welcomed on the estate and I think it was great that she gave them each a charm so they could Apparate. And the surprise with the flowers and the note at the cottage was perfect. I loved it and I think my heart melted with Poppy's. lol
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Siofre is trying to make Severus feel welcome, as you say, and to let him know that he is both safe and trusted there. It's a bit of an unusual circumstance for him.Poppy's heart sure did melt -- I think Severus should be very happy about that! :-)Thanks for the review! (I'm hoping for another soonish, but I'm working on CSG at the moment -- it's kinda fun writing Siofre at these two different points in time.)
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Siofre is trying to make Severus feel welcome, as you say, and to let him know that he is both safe and trusted there. It's a bit of an unusual circumstance for him.Poppy's heart sure did melt -- I think Severus should be very happy about that! :-)Thanks for the review! (I'm hoping for another soonish, but I'm working on CSG at the moment -- it's kinda fun writing Siofre at these two different points in time.)
I was so thrilled to see you posted another chapter! Glad to hear that the writing bug has bitten you again and hope you are well.
Regarding this chapter I found your ideas about arithmantic charms fascinating; what a creative mind you have! Severus bringing up procreation was funny and interesting. I had assumed Poppy was past her childbearing years. As always, looking forward to more.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thanks,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! Glad you liked the Arithmantic charms -- it was fun to be able to work them in here and show Gareth practicing his specialization. I figure that with much longer lifespans than Muggles, witches have correspondingly longer procreative years, although it would be a rare thing for a witch past a certain age to actually have a child, both due to a decline in fertility w/o recourse to potions and to personal choice. You may remember that in Death's Dominion, Severus didn't automatically realise that Gareth was Gertrude's son because, as he remarked later to Hermione, she was pretty old when she had him, unusually so (67 yrs old). So Poppy continues to take contraceptive potion on the off-chance that she might become pregnant even without any fertility potions. It's good to be back with my characters and stories again -- I've missed them! I've also just missed having the mental and emotional space to write; it's good to have RL calming down a bit! I'm glad to see you're still around, too! It's been a while!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thanks,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! Glad you liked the Arithmantic charms -- it was fun to be able to work them in here and show Gareth practicing his specialization. I figure that with much longer lifespans than Muggles, witches have correspondingly longer procreative years, although it would be a rare thing for a witch past a certain age to actually have a child, both due to a decline in fertility w/o recourse to potions and to personal choice. You may remember that in Death's Dominion, Severus didn't automatically realise that Gareth was Gertrude's son because, as he remarked later to Hermione, she was pretty old when she had him, unusually so (67 yrs old). So Poppy continues to take contraceptive potion on the off-chance that she might become pregnant even without any fertility potions. It's good to be back with my characters and stories again -- I've missed them! I've also just missed having the mental and emotional space to write; it's good to have RL calming down a bit! I'm glad to see you're still around, too! It's been a while!
Loved it! I thought Severus was about to propose! You're killing me. 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hiya,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! I'm glad it didn't kill you, since then you'd miss the rest of the story! haha! 
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! It was really fun to get back to the story.Thanks very much! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hiya,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! I'm glad it didn't kill you, since then you'd miss the rest of the story! haha! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! It was really fun to get back to the story.Thanks very much!
This is the first time she said it, isn't it?Oh, that's wonderful :) glad you're back again!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Indeed it is!It's good to see you -- I'm glad I'm back again, too!
Response from herby (Reviewer)
Oh, I forgot: Congrats on 2nd place! :)
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thank you!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Indeed it is!It's good to see you -- I'm glad I'm back again, too!
Response from herby (Reviewer)
Oh, I forgot: Congrats on 2nd place! :)
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thank you!
When will your next updaate be?
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hi,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! I'm not sure. October was a really hard month, so I wasn't able to write for the last few weeks, and November is looking a bit better, but I'm trying to get myself back on track with things before I can write. I'm glad you're still following the story! :-) Thanks for staying in touch with it even if it's been a bit skimpy in updates recently.
Response from BitBit (Reviewer)
Sorry you've been having a hard time! Don't worry, I LOVE this story. Can't wait!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hi,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! I'm not sure. October was a really hard month, so I wasn't able to write for the last few weeks, and November is looking a bit better, but I'm trying to get myself back on track with things before I can write. I'm glad you're still following the story! :-) Thanks for staying in touch with it even if it's been a bit skimpy in updates recently.
Response from BitBit (Reviewer)
Sorry you've been having a hard time! Don't worry, I LOVE this story. Can't wait!
I can't wait to hear what happens next! Hope to see the next chapter soon!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hi,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! It's in the works -- it's been a really tough month, so little energy for writing, but I'm trying to plug away. Thanks for dropping me a note! I always enjoy hearing from readers who are enjoying the story. It's very encouraging.
Response from Applebee545 (Reviewer)
So happy to hear that!! Your welcome and can't wait to see it! :)
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hi,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! It's in the works -- it's been a really tough month, so little energy for writing, but I'm trying to plug away. Thanks for dropping me a note! I always enjoy hearing from readers who are enjoying the story. It's very encouraging.
Response from Applebee545 (Reviewer)
So happy to hear that!! Your welcome and can't wait to see it! :)
First off let me just say I love this story, very creative, but come on! You're driving me insane! Please just marry them already it would be adorable! And Severus talking about children- I almost fainted! Can Poppy still have children? Anywyas, I can't wait for your next update! 
Response from BitBit (Reviewer)
Oh and when will you tell us Poppy's middle name, that whole thing is hilarious!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
I'm glad you love the story! There's more to go -- mysteries to solve & all that -- and I hope you enjoy that, as well. :-)Witches can continue to have children a few decades longer than Muggle women, though in the last decade or two, they may need a bit of help from potions. Gertrude had Gareth when she was 67 with a bit of help from potions -- and because Malcolm really wanted a child with her. There are actually hints to the reader as to what Poppy's middle name might be -- in the title of the story (though that also expresses what Severus is experiencing throughout the story), in Firenze's prediction back in Part 2, and in Aine's prediction a little while back.Thanks for the review! I might try to write a bit on LVS today.
Response from BitBit (Reviewer)
Oh and when will you tell us Poppy's middle name, that whole thing is hilarious!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
I'm glad you love the story! There's more to go -- mysteries to solve & all that -- and I hope you enjoy that, as well. :-)Witches can continue to have children a few decades longer than Muggle women, though in the last decade or two, they may need a bit of help from potions. Gertrude had Gareth when she was 67 with a bit of help from potions -- and because Malcolm really wanted a child with her. There are actually hints to the reader as to what Poppy's middle name might be -- in the title of the story (though that also expresses what Severus is experiencing throughout the story), in Firenze's prediction back in Part 2, and in Aine's prediction a little while back.Thanks for the review! I might try to write a bit on LVS today.
Another awesome chapter to the story, woo hoo.Loved the "procreation" bit of the chapter. I can't believe Severus went there, teehee. And poor Poppy ... that must have caught her off guard. Cracks me up. And I'm dying to know more about the letters!!!Update soon.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Yep, that certainly did catch Poppy off-guard! Glad it gave you a giggle!We'll get to the letters, never fear! Thanks! Glad you liked it. 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Yep, that certainly did catch Poppy off-guard! Glad it gave you a giggle!We'll get to the letters, never fear! Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Woah! That's a teaser! I am DIEING to know what the letters say! Awesome way to set the chappie up. I loved the nudges - and I won't say more on that. I am most interested in all the explanations of Arithmancy - a lot of your ideas about magic give me ideas on how to work around my ideas of magic, if that makes any sense. You and Squibby both have great scientific ideas in relationships with magic - and I just love to read how they weave together. As I grow older, I am learning - everything in this world - living, dead or otherwise, even history, is interwoven into nearly everything else. Almost every act and every creature has a direct affect on the rest of the world if you travel along the path long enough. I find this interweaving so facinating.Bla bla bla, enough of my rambling - an excellent suspense chapter - has me chomping at the bit to find out WHAT is going on with Severus' parents!And, was I misreading, but is Poppy a tad uncertain about Sevy here? She doesn't seem as relaxed and confident as usual.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
You'll find out a bit more about what the letters say in the next chapter, but not everything until Severus reads them. It ties in with a lot of bits and pieces we've been gleaning about Severus's parents since Part One, as well as tying into what we learn about Eileen & her father in Charming the Scottish Garden -- there will be a bit of a recap of that in LVS for Severus's sake (and for readers who aren't reading the late 50s, early 60s CSG fic).Poppy isn't uncertain, though she does show hesitation in a couple spots. Naturally, she was a bit taken aback with the sudden mention of procreation! lol! But her other hesitancy has a reason for it, which will come out in the next chapter. No big deal, though.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I was thining she might be a tad threatened by Gareth, since Severus has told her of a more friendly relationship that they had - thought she might have some doubts. I certainly have to get back into CSG, that's for sure - I've forgotten a great deal.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
No, she's not. Gareth just dominates the conversation here a bit. As he is quite capable of doing! lol!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
HAHA! Some of us are like that, especially when you get us on a subject we love. Gareth has good company - is all I'm gonna say! *grins* 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
You'll find out a bit more about what the letters say in the next chapter, but not everything until Severus reads them. It ties in with a lot of bits and pieces we've been gleaning about Severus's parents since Part One, as well as tying into what we learn about Eileen & her father in Charming the Scottish Garden -- there will be a bit of a recap of that in LVS for Severus's sake (and for readers who aren't reading the late 50s, early 60s CSG fic).Poppy isn't uncertain, though she does show hesitation in a couple spots. Naturally, she was a bit taken aback with the sudden mention of procreation! lol! But her other hesitancy has a reason for it, which will come out in the next chapter. No big deal, though.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I was thining she might be a tad threatened by Gareth, since Severus has told her of a more friendly relationship that they had - thought she might have some doubts. I certainly have to get back into CSG, that's for sure - I've forgotten a great deal.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
No, she's not. Gareth just dominates the conversation here a bit. As he is quite capable of doing! lol!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
HAHA! Some of us are like that, especially when you get us on a subject we love. Gareth has good company - is all I'm gonna say! *grins*
I enjoyed the exploration of Arithmancy and its many applications in the wizarding world. It must be a lot of fun to take canonical concepts and expand on them in such an interesting way.Poor Severus had a bit of a slip there! Procreation?
He's certainly blunt about his intentions toward Poppy in that bit. He can't have had much of a love life in the past, though, so enjoyable sex must be something new to him, as well as someone who reciprocates his love for her. It's lovely to see him have a second chance at love as well as life. I always love to see Gareth and his relationship with Snape, particularly their banter. They've come a long way from their first hostile meeting in DD, that's for sure!It was a lot of fun to see Angus Og make a little cameo at the end of the chapter, especially now that I know he's the Celtic god of love. A suitable entity for Severus to call on, certainly.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
It is fun to play with magic in the stories. I enjoy trying to systemetize it while still keeping it magical and a bit mysterious. (Heck, a lot mysterious in most cases, since it's magic! ) I see basic Arithmancy as a bit like symbolic logic combined with physics, and advanced Arithmancy like theoretical physics plus its practical application in creating effects in the world, not just describing it, so rather well differentiated from "Muggle" numerology, in which everything is reduced to numbers. In my version of magical Arithmancy, other symbols are used to, and they can mean different things and have different "powers" depending upon their juxtaposition with other symbols, whether numeric or otherwise. Yep, I have spent far too much time contemplating a wholly imaginary magical system! lol!Severus did have a little slip that showed Poppy the general direction of his intentions, didn't he?Yes, good ol' Angus Og. Minerva has been using terms from Celtic myths & legends this year for her passwords, and she's particularly fond of that one because of the story her brother Malcolm told her about Angus Og.Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
It is fun to play with magic in the stories. I enjoy trying to systemetize it while still keeping it magical and a bit mysterious. (Heck, a lot mysterious in most cases, since it's magic! ) I see basic Arithmancy as a bit like symbolic logic combined with physics, and advanced Arithmancy like theoretical physics plus its practical application in creating effects in the world, not just describing it, so rather well differentiated from "Muggle" numerology, in which everything is reduced to numbers. In my version of magical Arithmancy, other symbols are used to, and they can mean different things and have different "powers" depending upon their juxtaposition with other symbols, whether numeric or otherwise. Yep, I have spent far too much time contemplating a wholly imaginary magical system! lol!Severus did have a little slip that showed Poppy the general direction of his intentions, didn't he?Yes, good ol' Angus Og. Minerva has been using terms from Celtic myths & legends this year for her passwords, and she's particularly fond of that one because of the story her brother Malcolm told her about Angus Og.Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Welcome, Welcome back! I have so enjoyed your stories. I am currently rereading this one to again familiarize myself with the 'danglimg plot clues.' I must admit to a secret desire... Would truly love to see you get the Potions Master into a kilt. Full Scottish.regalia would be even better! Thank You again for taking the time to dream and compose a follow-on tale for the Professor.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hello, Sehkmet! (Love your name!) Yes, there are a very many dangling clues in this story, and they are going to begin to gradually come together. I'm very glad that you're enjoying the story. :-)Severus in a kilt? Hmmm, must think about how to achieve that one . . . maybe in a side-story. Could make for some fun. Naturally, it couldn't be of his own accord. Bad bet with Gareth, perhaps? The possibilities abound!Thank you very much for your kind words! It's especially encouraging coming back from a longish hiatus.Have fun with the reread! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Hello, Sehkmet! (Love your name!) Yes, there are a very many dangling clues in this story, and they are going to begin to gradually come together. I'm very glad that you're enjoying the story. :-)Severus in a kilt? Hmmm, must think about how to achieve that one . . . maybe in a side-story. Could make for some fun. Naturally, it couldn't be of his own accord. Bad bet with Gareth, perhaps? The possibilities abound!Thank you very much for your kind words! It's especially encouraging coming back from a longish hiatus.Have fun with the reread!
It was interesting to see Alastor again here. He seems to be on slightly better terms with Snape, although their relationship is certainly a tense one. They're both intense figures who can hold grudges. Burns certainly sounds like a suspect! I'm interested to see where questioning her leads. She doesn't seem to understand that not all Slytherins are as bad as Polyphemus and the toe-rag (in the immortal words of Minerva McGonagall) were.I hope the vigilante is caught soon, especially now that someone has died as a result of her actions. The use of the Conruptus spell is a truly disturbed touch, especially combined with the "diseased flesh" rhetoric. I'd certainly be wary if I was a crook and had Mad-Eye Moody on my tail!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Moody is trying to be conciliatory to Snape, but Moody doesn't do conciliatory very well, and Snape isn't the most forgiving soul. Considering their personalities and their histories, they're actually getting along pretty well now! lol!Yep, the vigilante's choice of hexes is particularly nasty. "Disturbed" is a good word for it.I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Moody is trying to be conciliatory to Snape, but Moody doesn't do conciliatory very well, and Snape isn't the most forgiving soul. Considering their personalities and their histories, they're actually getting along pretty well now! lol!Yep, the vigilante's choice of hexes is particularly nasty. "Disturbed" is a good word for it.I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
I will put a £ on Burns, can't wait so learn if I am right.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
I'll make a note of that!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
I'll make a note of that!
Seems like forever since we've had an update so I'm very happy to see one now. I'm very pleased Poppy rushed home to be with Severus after the attack. I think these two are just adorable (don't tell Snape I said that) and for her to endure the wrath of her friends upon coming home early ... I think Severus better really appreciate her gesture. And the bit about Minerva and Gertie before they became friends ... awesome. I love how all your stories tie in together. Can't stand Moody, though that's probably b/c you've written him so well. haha.Hope you'll update again soon!!CFP,the GLM
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Yeah, Moody can be pretty abrasive, and since Snape still doesn't like him, that comes through here.I'm sure that Severus both appreciates the gesture and regrets it -- since it raised questions in her friends' minds about why she would leave -- but on the whole, he is very glad she's back, and he's glad that she is willing to leave her friends when she believes he needs her, and that she is willing to be put in an awkward position to do it.I'm working on "Stray" at the moment. It's a bit weird to switch back and forth between "Stray" and LVS, but sometimes I write on one, sometimes the other. It's easier when I'm writing two RaMverse fics because, as you say, the stories all tie together, but "Stray" is not set in the RaMverse and it has a canon-compliant (pretty much) Snape, not the more reformed Snape of the RaMverse.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Yeah, Moody can be pretty abrasive, and since Snape still doesn't like him, that comes through here.I'm sure that Severus both appreciates the gesture and regrets it -- since it raised questions in her friends' minds about why she would leave -- but on the whole, he is very glad she's back, and he's glad that she is willing to leave her friends when she believes he needs her, and that she is willing to be put in an awkward position to do it.I'm working on "Stray" at the moment. It's a bit weird to switch back and forth between "Stray" and LVS, but sometimes I write on one, sometimes the other. It's easier when I'm writing two RaMverse fics because, as you say, the stories all tie together, but "Stray" is not set in the RaMverse and it has a canon-compliant (pretty much) Snape, not the more reformed Snape of the RaMverse.
*snip*“He’s dead. Died an hour or so after reaching St. Mungo’s. Poor sod didn’t have a chance. It was another Conruptus, but this one hit his abdomen, practically dead centre. The damage was extensive. Even if he’d been found right away, the Healers say his chances of surviving such a bad hit were close to nil. Looks like his wife has a good chance of pulling through. She was hit second, and she’d turned to shield her children. The youngest was in her arms.” Moody’s cheek twitched, and his natural eye blinked. He swallowed and shifted in his chair, his claw-foot scraping against the stone floor. *snip*Awwwwwwwwwwwwww - is that Alastor nearly getting choked up???? AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! I wuvs my Alastor! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Yeah, just a bit! I know you love your Alastor!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Yeah, just a bit! I know you love your Alastor!
Two witches, managing their men... both very skillfully.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Sometimes necessary!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Sometimes necessary!
Poor Poppy. It's a miserable feeling to constantly watch out for someone else at a party, making sure they're enjoying themselves or at least not unhappy.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
If Poppy had any clue that Severus is particularly uncomfortable with Gertrude, then she'd be even more worried about that, but she is certainly drawn from her enjoyment of the party during her initial worries that Severus is unhappy. Fortunately, that improves, because, as you say, it can be miserable to constantly be watching to see if someone is enjoying themselves! You can't enjoy the party yourself.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
If Poppy had any clue that Severus is particularly uncomfortable with Gertrude, then she'd be even more worried about that, but she is certainly drawn from her enjoyment of the party during her initial worries that Severus is unhappy. Fortunately, that improves, because, as you say, it can be miserable to constantly be watching to see if someone is enjoying themselves! You can't enjoy the party yourself.
Ha! Panacea - I knew it. The contrast between how the three of them approached the door-riddle was perfect. Flitwick loving the challenge, Poppy game for it but seemingly unconcerned about failing, and Severus annoyed at the inconvienience and protective of his dignity.And the contrast between the way Severus and Poppy viewed her younger self was sweet, too. She's still a bit worried and insecure about their age difference, and he's so in love with her that he considers any Pre-Sev version as simply Poppy-in-development.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Panacea is definitely a good one to add to the list!Glad you enjoyed the different perspectives!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Panacea is definitely a good one to add to the list!Glad you enjoyed the different perspectives!
I'm so glad he got that off his chest! And that Poppy took it well. It's a good thing she's both mature and has a real generosity of spirit, otherwise his habit of blurting things out could get him into deep trouble. And this time they were only cuddling, not even post-coital. LOL.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
That was a big blurt, too! Fortunately, Poppy also has learned to try to digest something that surprises her before blurting something herself. lol!Severus is trying to behave differently with Poppy and be as open with her as possible (though he's still hiding some big secrets from her), and he's unfortunately going to an extreme in his honesty. Still, his instincts are basically right; he's just not very good at timing or wording yet, to say the least!
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
That was a big blurt, too! Fortunately, Poppy also has learned to try to digest something that surprises her before blurting something herself. lol!Severus is trying to behave differently with Poppy and be as open with her as possible (though he's still hiding some big secrets from her), and he's unfortunately going to an extreme in his honesty. Still, his instincts are basically right; he's just not very good at timing or wording yet, to say the least!
Anonymous
Sorry if this is a short one - I just wanted to let you know how happy I was about the update, and how much I liked it.
Poor Severus, to have to meet that Gwen person - but it's only natural, of course, that this will happen to him now and then. And I nearly had forgotten about the attacks. I'm getting more and more curious about their origin!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It has been so long since I've updated on a regular basis, it's not surprising you had forgotten about the attacks. I hope to update at least twice a month from now on -- barring major disruptions in RL.
Thanks again!
What a lovely fun chapter! I'm so happy and excited to be reading a new chapter of this story. I so adore your Severus and how he's come to interact with the others in such a friendly way. Reading about dueling parctice was fun - I think I've said it before but I vastly enjoy your creative use and explanations of magic. Charms, Transfiguration, Jinxes, spells, intention, all of it actually seems to make sense in a way that I could actually use it (if I were a witch and if magic actually existed.) You make it so real, so effortless, such a part of the way of things -- it's like watching Fred Astaire dance... effortless - we all think we could actually do that. Seeing how Madam Fuller reacted to the situation makes me appreciate Poppy all the more. I loved Melina oblivating her - what a surprising and fun moment. I can just imagine the look on Severus' face and the conspiriatorial comradery he'll now feel with Melina. Hope there will be more to this story soon. Thank you for your creativity and hard work.
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
Thank you very much for the review,
Response from MMADfan (Author of A Long Vernal Season)
! I am very glad you enjoyed it.If you ever wake up to discover yourself a witch in the middle of the HP universe, you can put your knowledge of magic to work! lol! (And not go trying untested zero-g charms on people!) I'm glad you like the magic. It is fun to construct. I had a particularly good time with Flitwick's hyperbaric treatment, although the details of it weren't sketched out here.Glad you enjoyed Melina's little surprise at the end of the chapter!Thanks again for your review and for returning to the story after such a long hiatus. Hopefully, the next chapter won't be so long in coming! (I'm working on a novella-length Hooch fic at the moment, and I'm trying to get that finished sometime this week. We'll see! Keep an eye out for that one. It's not RaMverse, though -- Snape's in it, and he's our canon Potions master.)