Chapter Thirty-Seven: An Exercise in Harmless Flirting
Chapter 38 of 118
MMADfanMonday, 8 March 1999. Severus decides to try out some harmless flirting after having been told that he has “a darkly smouldering magnetism.” It doesn’t go quite as planned.
*End of Part Three*
Chapter Thirty-Seven: An Exercise in Harmless Flirting
Monday, 8 March 1999
Severus went down to the Hospital Wing to see Poppy and check on the nitwits. It could be that she required more information about what they had done to themselves, although she had been at dinner and hadn't come over to talk to him, so he presumed not. He remembered his thoughts about her the night before. He wondered if she would agree with Pomona that he had a darkly smouldering magnetism. Of course, Pomona had probably been teasing Filius about something. She probably hadn't meant it. But Filius might be right about Duffy. She had blushed. It was possible that she had blushed because she thought he was flirting with her. She hadn't minded, either, if that was the case. She had asked him down for a drink. Duffy was a bit scrawny for his taste, though, and she was a giggler. He also couldn't imagine being with anyone involved in divination.
Poppy, though, she was attractive, now that he thought about it, and he liked her. She was a warm, caring witch, and she a sense of humour. She had always been good to him, even beyond the requirements of her job. She had even volunteered to be Obliviated once, simply for his sake, though he had declined her offer. He wondered how Poppy would react if he looked into her eyes. He had never really flirted, but he could recognise it when he saw it. Gareth flirted. He'd seen him flirting with various witches, and even with Hermione, though he didn't seem to flirt with her as much now that she was his apprentice. Flirting usually involved smiling. He thought that if he smiled at Poppy for no apparent reason, she would think he needed her professional help. Besides, he had bad teeth. Even when he did smile, he didn't usually show his teeth much. But looking into her eyes, he could try that. If she found him attractive, she might blush. He wasn't entirely sure why he would want to flirt with Poppy, but it was harmless, and he liked her. People always talked about harmless flirting, after all. If he didn't do anything too overt or too odd, there couldn't be any harm in it. It would be good practice.
He rapped on the door to the infirmary, then pulled it open. Poppy came out of her office as he walked toward it.
"I hope I am not disturbing you," he said, deciding that beginning politely might be a good start to some harmless flirting.
"No, not at all, I was just going to close up and leave for the evening, so you caught me just in time," Poppy said.
"I am sorry to detain you. I came to ask about Cheever and Hargraves," Severus said.
"Oh, they're fine," Poppy said briskly, turning to close up her office and ward it for the night.
It was difficult to flirt with someone whose back was to you, Severus thought. "May I escort you to your quarters as we discuss their conditions?" he asked, feeling stupid.
Poppy turned and smiled at him. "My rooms are just around the corner, Severus. That would be a very short conversation. You're welcome to come in and join me in a cup of tea."
Severus walked with her to the infirmary doors. "How are they?"
"They will be more careful in the future," Poppy said as she warded the infirmary doors behind them. "By the time they reached the Hospital Wing, their escort was having quite a time with them."
"Hallucinations?" Severus asked. He wondered whether he should have accompanied them.
Poppy gave her password, Titan, and opened the door to her suite. She looked up at Severus. "Coming in for that cuppa?"
He nodded shortly and stepped into her rooms.
"Yes, hallucinations, both visual and auditory," Poppy said, taking off her hat and pinnie. "The other students were able to tell me what they'd been brewing, but didn't know what they had done to create the effect. I presumed that they didn't use dragonfly wings, but some other substance. I treated them, but the hallucinations lingered for a while. Have a seat, Severus. I'll bring us some tea."
"You don't need to. I should be going now. I just wanted to be sure they hadn't caused themselves permanent damage. The paperwork for that sort of thing is most onerous," he said, trying to smile and hoping Poppy would know he was joking.
Poppy laughed. "No, no permanent damage, though I can tell you some of the more amusing things they said if you stay for tea."
He wasn't sure now about his flirting. It was probably too late for him to develop that skill. But she had laughed at his rather pathetic joke.
"All right. That would be nice, thank you," he found himself saying.
He took a seat on the couch as directed and waited for her to bring the tea from her tiny kitchen. When she brought it out, she set a cup and saucer in front of him and bent to pour the tea. With her attention on what she was doing, Severus allowed himself to notice her breasts. If Anitra had similar breasts, he thought, he could understand what Gareth had liked about them. Poppy had removed her pinny and hat as soon as they entered her suite, and he had a nice view of her cleavage as she poured first his tea and then her own.
"Milk?" she asked raising her eyes to meet his.
He paused a moment, looking into her eyes as he had Duffy's earlier in the evening, then he said, "If it's no trouble."
Poppy shook her head. "No trouble at all. I prefer it with milk, too."
She hadn't precisely blushed, but he thought her cheeks were a little pinker. But that could be the steam from the tea. She returned a moment later with a small pitcher of milk and held it out to hand it to him. Severus quite deliberately touched her hand as he took the pitcher from her, just brushing the tips of his fingers against her skin.
"Thank you." He met her eyes again. The colour in her cheeks heightened, then he looked down at the pitcher, which she was still holding onto. She let go.
Severus poured just a little milk into his tea. He raised it to his lips, and as he sipped it, he looked over at Poppy, who had sat down beside him and stirred her sugar into her tea. As she picked up her cup, she glanced at him, and he gazed into her eyes again, then lowered his own cup and looked away.
"Very nice tea," Severus said, setting down his cup.
"I'm glad you like it."
"Perhaps sometime I might return the favour . . . though you are unlikely to find yourself in the dungeons," Severus said.
"I might do if I were invited," Poppy said.
"I will remember that," Severus replied, trying to think of other things that one did in order to flirt besides staring into someone's eyes. If he did that too much, she might find it peculiar. He had touched her hand when he took the pitcher, but as he was not known for touching people, if he were to do that randomly, Poppy would certainly find that odd, as well. He didn't want to be too obvious about it. Laughing when she said something funny . . . he didn't think he could laugh convincingly, but he could smile. "You mentioned that Cheever and Hargraves were amusing."
Poppy smiled broadly, "Yes, they each thought they were talking to people and creatures that weren't there."
She proceeded to tell him about some of the things they had said when hallucinating, and Severus found himself smiling without expending any effort on it, and when she said that Cheever started promising to save invisible purple hamsters from the predations of equally invisible green Kneazles, Severus choked on his tea. It was not simply its absurdity, but the way that Poppy described it. It seemed that she had been encouraged by his smiles, and she'd become even more lively and descriptive.
Poppy handed him a napkin.
"Sorry," Severus said, wiping his mouth then blotting his trouser leg. He had spit his tea on her robes as well as on himself. He almost reached for his wand to finish cleaning her and himself as well, but instead, he took the napkin and dabbed at the tea stain on Poppy's robes, patting it gently and very aware that he was touching her thigh.
"That's all right. I should have avoided the squeaky hamster voices until after you'd swallowed," Poppy said with a smile.
Severus raised his eyes slowly from her leg, up her body, to her face, and then he met her eyes. He held the napkin still, resting his hand on her thigh.
"It was most unfair of you," he said softly. "You should warn a wizard."
The napkin still in his hand, Severus squeezed her leg slightly. Now there was no doubt in his mind that she was blushing, though he was not sure whether it was one of pleasure, attraction, embarrassment, or something else. Either his flirtation was a success or he had made her uncomfortable. Or both. He began to move his hand away and wondered whether he should apologise for having touched her inappropriately, but then her hand met his and she took the napkin from him.
"You missed a spot," Poppy said, and she took the napkin and dabbed at the lapel of his open teaching robe, then moved it aside slightly and wiped at the front of his jacket.
"Thank you," Severus said. Now what did he do? He had intended some harmless flirting, but this was beginning to feel like something different. "I should go. It's getting late."
"It isn't that late yet," Poppy said. "But I am sure you have better things to do than to humour a school matron by pretending to enjoy her dull company."
"No. That is," he added hastily, "I'm not humouring you. Your company isn't dull and I am enjoying it. But I have imposed upon your hospitality long enough."
He made a move to stand, but Poppy placed a hand on his arm.
"It was good to see you, Severus. And I am very happy you are doing so well. I remember . . ." She touched the side of his face with her fingertips, and he didn't flinch. "I remember when you returned last spring almost dead, and I remember how convinced you were that you would die before the end. I am very glad that you didn't."
"So am I," he whispered, and finding himself meaning it for the first time. "You were very good to me, Poppy. Always. I am sorry if I was sometimes less than grateful to you."
Poppy smiled slightly and nodded. She brushed his cheek with her thumb. "You are still a conundrum, Severus Snape. I don't know what to make of you."
He quirked a slight smile. "That's all right. I don't know what to make of myself most of the time."
She removed her hand from his face, but then took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "You will. Thank you for coming by. You're welcome any time, you know."
If he said or did just the right thing, he thought, he could possibly seduce her. Or perhaps not. She might appreciate a flirtation but not be susceptible to anything more than that, and then he would offend her. Besides, he didn't want to seduce her. He worked with her, and he already had sufficient complications in his life with Hermione and Gareth...and Gareth wouldn't be a complication for long. He would make it clear to him that that weekend had been an anomaly that would never happen again. He wondered what Gareth would say if he knew that he was in Poppy's sitting room flirting with her and that he found her attractive. Very attractive.
"Severus?"
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"About you," he said before he could stop himself.
"Really?" At Severus's brief nod, she said. "I hope they were good thoughts. You seemed dazed for a moment."
He quirked a crooked smile at her. "You put me in a daze, I suppose." He saw her blush again. It seemed that he was becoming better at this flirting, though he hadn't intended that to be flirtatious. "If I am a conundrum, you are dizzying," he said in a low voice. When she didn't react or pull her hand from his, he turned his hand over and squeezed hers softly. "That is not at all a bad thing."
Poppy laughed softly. "You are teasing me, Severus. You shouldn't do that to an old school matron."
"No, I'm not. And you shouldn't speak of yourself that way, Poppy. You are more than just the school matron; I know that even if I have not been fortunate enough to be better acquainted with you before now. And you are not old." He saw her pulse was racing. This was a bad idea. He knew it. He was convinced of it. But he did not stop with that. He raised his hand to touch her face as she had touched his. "I hope we can become better acquainted with each other."
Now Poppy did pull away, turning her head from his touch and releasing his hand. "Now I know that you are teasing me, Severus."
"I'm sorry I offended you," Severus said. "I am inept, but I did not intend to be offensive." He stood.
"Severus," Poppy said, "you don't need to leave if you don't want to. I simply . . . you surprise me."
She reached out and took his wrist. He sat back down, this time, closer to her. This was such a bad idea, but he couldn't seem to help himself.
"Should it be a surprise that I would want to get to know you better, Poppy? We have worked together for years. You have seen me at my weakest. You have taken care of me...and cared for me, even when I did not care for myself." He remembered her Healing massage, and his tears, how she had helped him to survive the pain of those last few months of the war, and how even that autumn, she had volunteered as the sympathetic in the procedure that had finally fully Healed him of Nagini's bite. It must have been painful, but she had only mentioned it when he had asked her about it, and she had never mentioned it again since. She had even remembered his birthday. She was a friend, it seemed, and yet he had scarcely recognised her friendship, as unaccustomed to it as he was.
"Gratitude, then," Poppy said.
"More than gratitude," Severus said truthfully. He didn't know why he was moving from harmless flirtation to seduction. "But I understand why you would think that. And we do work together." He looked into her eyes. "I can be very unpleasant. If I were you, I would not have even invited me in for tea."
Poppy didn't say anything for a moment. "As I said, you are a conundrum, Severus. I do hope you will come for another visit sometime, though."
Severus felt relieved. He could leave now, cease his seduction, and yet not leave her offended by him, perhaps even leaving open the possibility of closer friendship. That would be a good thing.
"Thank you, I would like that," he said.
Poppy stood as he did, and walked him to the door.
"Good night, Severus," she said, her hand on the doorknob.
"Good night," he said softly. She really was attractive when she smiled at him. Such bright grey-blue eyes and pretty lips. He remembered imagining opening her bodice, exposing her breasts, and licking her nipples. He felt himself blush.
"Severus?" Poppy looked up at him, unable to open the door because of the way that he was standing in front of it.
Severus, mesmerised by his own movements, watched himself reach up and caress her face. He watched as his fingers grazed her lips and moved lower to her throat. She did not object or move away. His fingers came to rest at her pulse point.
"Your heart is beating hard," he whispered, staring into her eyes. "Why is that, Poppy?" He felt her swallow. "Are you afraid?"
She shook her head.
"Good," Severus said. "I wouldn't want you to be afraid." He bent his head and slowly approached her lips with his, giving her time to move away, and closing his eyes only when his lips met hers. He kissed her twice softly, then he drew back and looked down at her again. "I wouldn't want you to be afraid of anything."
He placed his hand on hers where it still held the doorknob. "Good night, Poppy. I look forward to seeing you again."
Severus opened the door and stepped through, leaving behind a bewildered Poppy Pomfrey as he rapidly strode away down the hall.
~END OF PART THREE~
~to be continued~
NEXT
Chapters in Part Four are all rated M or MA.
PART FOUR
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Playing with Fire
Monday, 8 March 1999
Severus plays with fire. Will he be burned?
Characters: Severus Snape, others
Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Morning After
Tuesday, 9 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Chapter Forty: A Matter of Timing
Tuesday, 9 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Poppy Pomfrey, Sarah Duffy
Chapter Forty-One: A Fast Learner
Tuesday, 9 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Chapter Forty-Two: Confessions
Tuesday, 9 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Poppy Pomfrey, Gareth McGonagall
Chapter Forty-Three: Distractions
Tuesday, 9 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Poppy Pomfrey
Chapter Forty-Four: No Unmixed Pleasures
Wednesday, 10 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Poppy Pomfrey, others
Chapter Forty-Five: An Esoteric Spell
Wednesday, 10 Thursday, 11 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey, Gareth McGonagall
Chapter Forty-Six: A Complicated Life
Thursday, 11 March 1999
Characters: Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall, Gareth McGonagall
~End of Part Four~
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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.)