Chapter Eleven: Don’t Frighten the Firsties
Chapter 12 of 118
MMADfanMonday, 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.
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Chapter Eleven: Don't Frighten the Firsties
Monday, 31 August 1998
Severus looked out across the dock at the first-years, who were clambering from the boats with varying degrees of ineptitude, though two of the boys sprang from them as though they'd done nothing more difficult than step across a crack in the pavement. He noted with approval that both of the boys then assisted their less-adroit classmates out of the boats, speeding things up considerably. With the two boys helping, Hagrid and Rath herded them together, and the new students were soon standing in a more or less orderly fashion in front of him.
Severus opened his mouth to begin his very carefully prepared speech of welcome when one of the girls in the front, a very little thing with dark hair and large brown eyes, whispered something to the girl next to her. Severus raised his eyebrow, then when that had no effect, he frowned at her, but had no time to do more before the girl threw up. All over his robes and his carefully polished boots. The students gasped. It looked as though the girl had indulged in every variety of sweet available on the Hogwarts Express, including every flavour of Bertie Bott's Beans, and all of it had come back up.
Severus hissed and stepped back, and the mess disappeared. The students gasped again. It hadn't been Rath, who had only just turned around in time to see the mess disappear, and certainly not Hagrid, who was just now getting over his shock and coming towards him and the girl. It must have been Twiskett, who was quite seriously following Minerva and Poppy's orders to take care of him. Severus hadn't appreciated Minerva's suggestion that Twiskett shadow him during classes, but perhaps he would prove useful. It had certainly impressed the first-years when the vomit had vanished from his robes without even the appearance of a wand.
"What is your name?" Severus asked, directing an icy stare at the girl, who was now holding a handkerchief over her mouth. At her look of distress, he said, "Never mind. Go with Professor Hagrid. He will see that you..." Don't frighten the firsties, Severus, he thought, hearing Poppy Pomfrey's voice. He took a breath. "He will see that you are taken good care of and brought to the Great Hall."
A muted, "Thank you, sir," came from behind the handkerchief.
"Bring her to Pomfrey," Severus directed Hagrid softly, "then get her back to the Great Hall before the Sorting begins."
There went his wonderful welcoming speech . . . no matter what he said now, they would only remember that the girl had thrown up all over him.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Shortly, we will be going up to the Great Hall, where you will all be Sorted into Houses." Severus looked them over. There were forty-eight new students, forty-seven now that Hagrid had taken the dark-haired little girl away. They looked to be the usual assortment of gawky preadolescents. It was the largest group of incoming students that Hogwarts had seen in more than two decades. He was not looking forward to grading the additional incompetently written essays or sloppily brewed potions. But a few of the students looked promising, a bit more circumspect and self-contained than the others. Perhaps they were among the half-dozen twelve-year-olds of whom Minerva had spoken.
"I am sure that you have all heard about the Hogwarts Houses," Severus continued, cutting his speech short and now caring only that he get it done and without frightening any of them back into the loch...or into vomiting on him. He had been going to say something about the different Houses and each of the Heads of House, but somehow, the moment for that had passed. "Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each with its own characteristics, ones that you will share with others in your House, whether by nature or by nurture. Work hard and exemplify the finest traits of your House, and you will bring honour to yourself, to your House, and to Hogwarts.
"We will proceed together to the Great Hall. Mr Rath will stay with you as you wait for the Sorting to begin. Do not fidget," he said sharply, looking at a few of the children who were already doing just that. "Remain quiet and when you hear your name, come forward."
Someone whispered something.
"What was that?" He disliked the interruption, but the last time he'd tried to ignore a whisper, the whisperer had thrown up on his highly polished boots. He fixed the speaker with his gaze.
"Um, nothing," came the nervous reply.
"He wanted to know if it would hurt," the boy next to him volunteered. A few people tittered. Severus glared and the laughter ceased.
"It will not hurt," Severus said. "Generations of Hogwarts students have been Sorted in this way, and I have never heard that any of them suffered any pain." Embarrassment, perhaps. Simply sitting on the stool and waiting to be pronounced a Slytherin had embarrassed him, he remembered. All those eyes on him. And there had been relief that he hadn't been Sorted into the same House as Black, but into a real pureblood wizarding House, the one that his grandfather had belonged to, and his mother, as well.
"Each House has its virtues," he continued. "Whichever House you are Sorted into will provide you with your home for the rest of your Hogwarts career. Mr Rath, if you would follow and make sure that none of them gets lost . . . or worse," he added after a heartbeat. He couldn't help himself, he thought with a slight smirk, but this way they might all stay together with no stragglers.
He turned sharply and began up the stairs leading from the docks to the castle.
Severus sat on the edge of his bed in much the same position he had that morning. His head ached, he was exhausted, and he wanted to go to bed, but he had to wait for Poppy to arrive so that he could take his antivenin potion. He had taken his evening dose of Ferron's Elixir immediately after the Welcoming Feast, and had felt so ill as a result that he hadn't thought he would make it to Slytherin to give his yearly speech to the House. As it was, he had made it shorter than usual...though he had still recited a few of his favourite Salazar Slytherin quotations...and had left the prefects to deal with whatever came up. Which might be Suzie Sefton's dinner. She'd looked rather green about the gills when he'd left.
He shook his head. Of all the first-years to be Sorted into Slytherin. When he saw that Suzie Sefton...or "Suzanne," as the Hogwarts book had her, though Filius had written "Suzie" beside her name on the Sorting list...was the girl who had thrown up on him, he was sure that she would be Sorted into Hufflepuff, or possibly Gryffindor. After all, she not only lacked the good judgment not to eat herself sick on sweets, but she was a Muggle-born. But no, she had smiled up at him when she sat on the Sorting stool, her eyes shining, and the Hat hadn't even settled upon her head when it called out, "Slytherin!"
Apparently, Hagrid had told her what a wonderful wizard he was, and one of the most courageous heroes in all of wizarding history, and then Poppy had added a few kind words, as well, so that by the time she entered the Great Hall, tiny dark-eyed Suzie Sefton knew that she wanted to be in his House. Foolish girl. So he had one Muggle-born amongst the purebloods, and out of the twenty-six students who had either a Muggle or Muggle-born parent, not a single half-blood had been Sorted into Slytherin, although they were divided fairly evenly amongst the other Houses.
The half-bloods included one of the two competent boys from the boats, twelve-year old Andrew Campbell, whose mother was a Muggle-born. The other boy was Campbell's eleven-year old cousin, it turned out, Cyrus Sprangle, and a pureblood. Campbell had been sorted into Gryffindor and Sprangle into Ravenclaw. Of the forty-eight new students, Slytherin only received ten of them. It was unusual, though not unprecedented, for the Sorting to divide the students unevenly, but Severus was unsurprised that the year after the Dark Lord's fall, Slytherin should be less than popular. Still, of all the students to be Sorted into Slytherin, Severus thought Suzie Sefton one of the more unlikely ones.
And then there was the Bloody Baron. It hadn't occurred to Severus that he hadn't seen the House ghost since returning to the castle. The Baron was not a particularly sociable ghost, anyway, and Severus only noticed his absence when the other three House ghosts had appeared for the Feast and the Slytherin ghost had not. Bloody ghost . . .
"Twiskett!"
The house-elf appeared in his bedroom doorway without even a pop. Must have been lurking about silently and invisibly in the sitting room.
"When Madam Pomfrey arrives, please show her in. I am going to get ready for bed...and please remain visible when we are alone," Severus added. It was a bit unnerving to think of the house-elf following him about invisibly. If he wasn't alone, he wanted to know it. "But thank you for your assistance with the cleaning charm this evening."
Twiskett nodded happily and stepped back into the sitting room.
Exhausted from the long day and longer evening, Severus began readying for bed by removing the gold and silver double-snake ring he had put on in preparation for the Welcoming Feast. A gift from Zabini after the Merlins, Severus wore it only occasionally, but had thought it fitting to wear that evening. Many of the Slytherin students had similar rings, denoting either their participation in the Battle of Hogwarts or their simple allegiance to Snape despite being required to remain in the Hospital Wing during the battle itself. Severus recognised that the youngest of them had had no choice in the matter: Zabini had simply rounded up the first- through third-years and taken them with him and the others, not wanting to leave them possibly vulnerable to any older Slytherins who had aligned themselves with Goyle and the other Voldemort sympathisers. Severus hoped that there would be no dissension arising between those who wore the rings and those who had none. He would have to speak with them about that, and about not condescending to any who hadn't been a Snape's Slytherin. That would be one way of creating a new generation of Death Eaters, even if they went by some other name.
Severus placed the ring in his nightstand drawer. He would take it out only on special occasions rather than wear it regularly and possibly create a divide within his House...which was as he had planned, anyway. His two Merlins were there in that drawer, too, his Merlin third-class and his Merlin Without Peer, and a small flick knife that had been a gift from Gareth McGonagall and with which he had injured the snake Nagini, whose venom was still causing him trouble. Shoved to the back of the drawer was his watch, the watch that Albus had given him on his "death bed." Severus couldn't bring himself to carry it again, nor to look at it and be reminded of his tears and his guilt when he had believed that Albus was dying to spare him from the Unbreakable Vow. By the time it became clear that Albus was alive, both Riddle and Bella believed him to be dead and the Vow, moot.
Severus paused before he closed the drawer. He drew out the Order of Merlin Without Peer, a large medal of platinum surrounded by gold. "Severus Snape, 1998, Theurgus Absque Pari." Mage without peer. An engraved wreath of holly and ivy encircled both sides of the medal, though his Merlin third-class bore the classical laurel wreath of heroes. Rather than the cup and the sword that adorned the obverse of his Merlin third-class medal...and all other Merlin awards, as far as Severus knew...his Order of Merlin Without Peer depicted a throne carved of stone sitting upon a hill, the sun either rising or setting behind it. On the reverse side of the platinum medal was an apple bough, laden with apples of gold, and the text read, "With the Eternal Gratitude of the Wizarding World."
Severus had never asked the meaning of any of the images, though he assumed that they had some association with the myths of Merlin's end and his continued safeguarding of the greatest wizarding mysteries with the true throne of the king. He had never seen any images quite like these in any existing wizarding iconography about Merlin, however.
Theurgus Absque Pari. Severus gripped the large medal tightly, though he couldn't wrap his fingers entirely around it for its size. Melina had said it, too: he was a wizard without peer. No matter how enervated he felt, he would make it through this, if any wizard could.
Twiskett woke him a few minutes before six. Severus wanted to groan and crawl back under his covers. Instead, he rolled over and swung his legs out of bed as he pushed himself upright. He blinked in the low lamplight. This morning was something of a milestone: the last dose of the Nagini antivenin potion. That potion never seemed to cause him as much distress as the Ferron's Elixir, although perhaps the combination of the two was not a good one, but he was glad nonetheless to be finished with one of the treatments.
When Severus stepped from his bathroom after a quick shower, Twiskett was there, standing in the centre of his bedroom. The house-elf had made the bed and laid out his clothes for the day, his usual uniform of black trousers, white shirt, black braces, black waistcoat, black jacket...this one with a Nehru collar...and his favourite unadorned black teaching robe. His silver cufflinks were on the bedside stand, and his short black boots waited at the foot the bed. Severus usually got his clothes from his wardrobe himself, but he appreciated the house-elf's effort to make his morning easier. Twiskett had even placed his carefully folded underwear and socks on top of the shirt.
Severus nodded to the house-elf, who turned on his toes as Severus crossed the bedroom.
"Ma'am Pomfrey is here," the little grey fellow said softly. "She waits with a cup of tea."
"I will be out when I am dressed."
Twiskett nodded solemnly and, with a succession of two quick pops, Disapparated from the bedroom to the sitting room. Severus heard the murmur of Poppy's voice as she spoke to the house-elf. She didn't sound impatient, but Severus was not about to hurry, in any case. Despite taking his time, it took him only a few minutes to dress, then he combed his damp hair once more before going out to meet her and take his final dose of Nagini potion.
"Good morning, Severus!" the Hogwarts matron greeted him cheerfully. "Twiskett kindly provided me tea whilst I waited. There's another cup, if you'd like some."
Severus shook his head. Poppy took one more sip of her tea, then stood and drew her wand. Severus waited, apparently patiently, as she cast her diagnostic spells and recorded the results. When she was finished, he picked up the vial of potion, uncorked it, and swigged the last of it down without measuring it into the spoon. Poppy furrowed her brow.
"One dose remaining," Severus said in response to her frown. "I took what was remaining."
"It may not have been precisely one dose, though," Poppy replied. She refrained from scolding the Potions master about the importance of the proper dosage of a potion, however, and simply cast her diagnostics again.
"I want to take the readings again in five minutes," she said as she sat down to drink the rest of her tea. "And then I'll be down again just before eight with your Ferron's Elixir."
"I do not wish to be late for breakfast," Severus said curtly.
"I can meet you in the antechamber to the Great Hall, then, and give it to you there at the usual time."
"Mm." They had done that the previous evening for his third dose of antivenin potion for the day, awkward as it had been for him to have left the table in the middle of the feast. When he'd returned to his seat at the staff table twenty minutes later, he was grateful that most of the students were eating their cakes. He had believed that he would be able to get back to his bedroom and lie down before his scheduled speech to the Slytherins, but then it seemed he'd hardly been in his suite for ten minutes when Poppy had come knocking, his Ferron's Elixir in her hand. At least after this morning, he would only have the twice-daily Elixir to take.
"Sure you don't want some tea, Severus?" Poppy asked.
He glared at her. Of course he was sure. He hated it when people asked him questions like that.
Poppy just shrugged, finished her own tea, and ignored Severus's sullen presence across the table from her until it was time to cast the diagnostic spells again.
She shook her head when she was through. "I don't know, Severus. I am going to Floo Melina with these results, but I believe she may want to see you before tomorrow. I'll let you know when I see you at breakfast."
Severus wanted to swear, but he merely nodded and rose to see the school matron to the door.
"See you upstairs in an hour and a half, then, Severus!" Poppy was infernally cheerful considering that she'd given him his potion at midnight and then again now, only a little after six in the morning.
He closed the door behind her.
"Melina was out on an emergency call when I tried to reach her, but I left the results with her secretary at the clinic and with her husband at home, and they both said that they'd give them to her as soon as they saw her. Brennan said he was going to try her on her . . . her mobile?" Poppy said, sounding a bit unsure about the last bit.
"Mobile telephone. Doesn't need any wires," Severus said shortly.
"Yes. Brennan said he could leave her a message if he doesn't reach her directly. So she will Floo me soon, I'm sure. As soon as you've taken the Elixir and I've taken your readings, I'm returning to the Hospital Wing so that I don't miss her if she tries to contact me."
After the usual diagnostics, the Ferron's Elixir, and then more diagnostics, Poppy frowned. "I would be happiest if you would join me in the infirmary, Severus, and wait for Melina to contact me..."
"I cannot. I must teach this morning." He sat down in a nearby ornately carved wooden armchair. He swallowed. Any desire for a cup of strong coffee and breakfast had fled. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I will be fine."
"Come to the infirmary at noon, then. I'll try to have Melina come see you then. Even if she can't, she may have instructions for me, and I will want to cast some more diagnostics to make sure you're stabile."
Severus nodded. "After the last class of the morning." He swallowed again. Damned nausea. And he'd taken his antiemetic before leaving the dungeons, too. Long practice of enduring post-Cruciatus tremors allowed him to stand, though his knees felt weak. He looked at Poppy levelly. "I am fine." He blinked, and his vertigo lessened. He would be fine.
"All right. But contact me immediately if you feel unwell...more unwell than usual. Dizziness, double vision, magical flux, tingling, prickling, burning, or other paresthesia, aphasia..."
"If I suffer from aphasia, how am I supposed to contact you?"
"Just see me at noon, if you still insist on teaching this morning," Poppy said, ignoring Severus's sarcasm.
He sneered reflexively.
"And don't overtax yourself!" For once, her tone with him was sharp.
Scowling, he turned and went to the door. As he reached for the door handle, Poppy got in one final word: "I don't want to have to explain to Minerva why she needs to find a new Potions master the first week of the term!"
He opened the door, entered the Great Hall, and was assaulted by the hubbub of students excited about the start of the year. He felt no such excitement. He didn't know whether he ever had. A wave of nausea came over him, and he stalked from the Hall and away from the babbling voices and the aroma of food.
Next
Chapter Twelve: The Stages of Brewing
Tuesday, 1 September 1998
Severus tries to make it through the first morning of classes.
Characters: Severus Snape, Poppy Pomfrey, Minerva McGonagall, Albus Dumbledore, Kevin Harper, Twiskett, and others
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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.)