Chapter One Hundred-Six: Refuge
Chapter 107 of 118
MMADfanSeverus and Gertrude arrive at their destination.
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Chapter One Hundred-Six: Refuge
Easter Sunday, 4 April 1999
Reeling from the Side-Along, feeling nauseous and dizzy, Severus reflexively held on more tightly to Gertrude, slumping against the old witch and gasping. She turned in his arms and looked up at him, scrutinising his face. Severus, aware suddenly that he was in an almost intimate embrace with Professor Gamp, let go and stepped back. He swayed, and Gertrude reached out and steadied him.
Severus closed his eyes, then opened them again, trying to stand up straighter and regain his balance. He looked around himself, and he recognised nothing.
"You have a bit of petechia, but that is easily reversed," Gertrude said. "All your parts there? No Splinching or Spliking?"
Severus stepped back again. "I believe I am intact," he replied, "with no injuries." He took a deep breath and let it out, then he felt of himself. No Spliking...no bits of trees or rocks or walls had found their way into his body. "Yes, I appear to be fine."
Gertrude nodded. As Severus began to take another step back, however, she grabbed him once more. "Take care, Professor. Do not step off the edge."
Severus looked around again. There were no buildings that he could see, nor any trees, and what few bushes he could see were several yards off. Little danger of Spliking in a barren place such as this. He was standing on a large rock, and now as he turned around, he saw that he was only feet from the edge of a rocky cliff. Below was the ocean. All he could see was water, white-capped waves stirred up by the wind.
To his left, a winding path led down a rocky slope, and to his right, the path narrowed and led uphill. He could see now that there were a few scrubby trees on the side of the mountain, and they seemed to lead to a denser, dark wood, but here, and along the path leading up, there was nothing but stone and a very few tough, defiant plants.
He had thought it was still, except for the crash of the waves against unseen rocks below and the wind whistling over the stone, but now he heard harsh bird calls high above, and other sweeter songs from somewhere behind them.
Perhaps it was Cornwall, where Severus knew the Gamp estate to be, but it didn't feel like it. "Where are we?" he asked, though he thought he already knew the answer.
"Eilean Tèarmunn."
"The island where you lived."
Perhaps she nodded in reply, but she said nothing, and Severus turned again to face her. "I thought you were not to come here," he said questioningly.
"I promised I would not come alone." She looked at him a moment. "Unless you choose to leave before I do, then I am not alone."
Severus nodded.
"You may leave whenever you wish," Gertrude continued, though she began to walk uphill. "The wards will keep you from returning, unless you are ever joined to them, but they do not prevent you from Disapparating to wherever you choose."
Severus began to follow Gertrude up the rocky slope. It was steep in places, and smaller stones slid underfoot and bounced away down the hill or skittered over the edge to the rocks below.
"Where are we going?" Severus finally asked, but Gertrude made no response but to gesture to him to continue following her, beckoning him onward.
Around a bend, she seemed to vanish, but then Severus saw that the path forked, and there was a narrow way leading between two large stones, too tall, straight, and regular to be entirely natural formations, and he followed her through them. The rocky path became a primitive stair now, with long, broad steps, each step a few feet from the next, making walking irregular and the pace uncomfortable, but Gertrude continued steadily upward.
"Professor Snape," she said softly.
"Yes?"
"Professor Snape, do not hurt my son."
Severus blinked, he walked forward a few feet, then stepped up. "I would not hurt him."
Another long step, another step up. "Professor Snape, do not hurt my son."
Severus shook his head. "I will not hurt him." Perhaps he ought to cancel duelling practice with Gareth, he thought, and tell Flitwick to cancel their duel, as well.
One long step, up another foot. "Professor Snape, do not hurt my son."
"I will not hurt him. I will be careful."
Gertrude glanced back at him. "Severus. Do not hurt my son," she said softly.
Severus paused, looking up at her, and now he understood. She wasn't concerned about the duel. "I will not hurt him, and I will try to never bring him into danger. If he is in danger, I will protect him, and I promise that I will do all that I can for him if he ever needs my help. I will not hurt him."
Gertrude nodded, then turned and continued up the path. She beckoned to him to walk beside her now as the path grew broader and less steep.
"My son is fond of you, Professor."
"He is a friend," Severus said.
Gertrude looked up at him, a crooked grin crossing her face. "A friend? You may be honest with me, Severus. I am old, and I may have lived an isolated life for much of these last years, but I am rather beyond being shocked by life."
Severus, had he the energy, would have blushed at her implication, but he just shook his head. "We are just friends, Madam Gamp."
"And he knows this? That you are 'just friends'? I do not want him hurt."
Severus nodded. "We are good friends, but that is all, if you are asking what I believe you are asking."
"You are letting him move into your house."
"It is practical. I am never there, apart from a couple months in the summer. It is convenient for us both...and we have not determined what he will do during the summer holiday. I value my privacy...though perhaps with a schedule, he could still use his computer there even during the holiday."
Gertrude nodded. "I see." She let out a short laugh. "Gareth preferred to leave me wondering. Therefore, I drew my own conclusions." She looked up at him. "You do not seem a man to be involved with another man in that way. I worried that he would become too attached . . . that you were . . . enjoying yourself, but that you might . . ." She shrugged.
"No."
"Good."
"Why are we here?" Severus asked as they appeared to be reaching the peak of the mountain. They could have discussed his relationship with Gareth elsewhere.
"I wish to show you something. And then I thought we could gather a few things from my from the house."
Now that they were at the top of the mountain, Severus could see that they had been climbing one of three mountains on this hilly island. Looking south, he saw two others, each one smaller than the one they were now on. In the far distance, he saw black shapes that he thought were buildings, perhaps the cottage and work shed that Albus and Minerva had each referred to from time to time. Closer, near the peak of the second mountain, the one closest to them, he could see a network of paths, a low stone wall, and what looked like the roof of a building rising just high enough on the other side of the mountain to be seen from where they were standing.
"That was my home," Gertrude said. "There is a house, sheds, a chicken house, a barn for my for some goats. I had gardens, too. You can't see them from here. Overgrown now, I am sure. Nature reclaims its own very quickly."
"What happened to your goats and chickens?"
"Aberforth came for them. He and Gluffy brought the chickens to the Gamp estate, but I gave Abbie the goats. They came from his stock, after all."
"You miss it."
Gertrude nodded. "Not all of it. But the house, the gardens, the work . . . the rhythm of life. That I do miss."
"And . . . the isolation?" Severus asked.
"I miss it and I don't miss it. I do not desire it again, and yet . . ." She looked out across the water. "I am not a very sociable person by nature, Professor, and yet I have loved my family and friends, I enjoyed my work at Hogwarts with the students, and I was accustomed to a life of freedom to come and go...not only to travel about freely, but to come and go amongst people. And here, I became accustomed to solitude and to silence. Often weeks would go by when I would speak scarcely a word. Gluffy was with me, but . . . one may love a house-elf and find him companionable, and yet still have few words pass between you. Then suddenly there would be a visitor, and I would find myself almost shocked by the presence of another human being here. Abbie would come by, check on me, see the goats, stay perhaps a few hours or one day, or two, then leave. He was a quiet one, though, and easy company. Albus or Minerva or both would visit when they could. Sometimes Johannes would come, occasionally bringing Hafrena with him, if it were just for an afternoon, although other visits would be longer, and he would stay for a few days or a week, and Siofre would visit for a while then, too. It would be jarring to have others here when I was so used to solitude and had my own well-set routines. Yet I would enjoy their company while they were here. In the summer, more would come. Albus and Minerva would stay on the island for a week, two weeks, three, sometimes, when things were peaceful in your world, and they would bring family to visit for a few days now and again. Gareth would always join me for a few weeks every summer. When Gareth was a boy and living with Robert and Thea, they would arrive with Madelief to fetch him. They would all stay a few days before taking Gareth back to Amsterdam with them. And then it would be September again, once one of the busiest months of the year for me, and the month that once heralded the influx of new students, of relationships with colleagues . . ." Gertrude shook her head.
"I am sorry..." Severus began.
"Hush...I brought you here to look, Professor, and you will look, and I will help you to see." She took his arm and led him to a long, broad, flat rock. "Sit. Sit here, and look."
Severus saw nothing but the sea, which looked hard and grey, and the sky, still light to the west, and yet dimming quickly to a deep blue above.
"Watch, Professor." Gertrude half-knelt, half-sat behind him on the broad rock, and he could feel her looking over his shoulder. "You shall see it soon."
Severus remembered what Gareth had told him about Avalon, Innis Ablach, and his mother's contention that she could see it all of the time...this vision of an island that might be mere mirage, perhaps a Fata Morgana, though illusion only, and not the work of magic.
Severus felt Gertrude's hand gently on the side of his jaw, directing his gaze. Then suddenly, he could see it. It was no mirage, and if it was a Fata Morgana, then the veil of magic had been completely lifted for a moment, for the island was clearly there: three mountains, mirroring this island, then hills gently rolling to the south. On the highest of the mountains, there was a stone building of some sort, and to the west of the building, another shape, carved in stone. Had he not seen it on his Order of Merlin, he would not have recognised the heavy stone throne. He stared, committing the vision to memory. The light would fade soon, light that was glinting off of something shiny, a bright metal, on the second mountain. And there was a boat dragged up upon the stony beach . . . he strained his eyes, but the island faded, then vanished, though he could still see the light of the sun at the horizon, but now there was nothing in between but waves of the sea.
"You saw it."
Severus nodded. "It's gone now." He felt a sudden sense of loss. He wanted to see it again. There had been a boat, he was sure of it, not just a rock in the shape of a boat. "There was a boat. I saw a boat."
Gertrude slid around to sit beside him. She nodded. "Yes, sometimes there is a boat there, or two."
"People then. There must be people there. Or is it all just an illusion?"
"I don't know. I believe we see something real, but whether what we are seeing is there now, I do not know. It could be that what hides the island from . . . from us also has somehow shifted it out of time. Perhaps we are seeing the island as it once was, or a memory of it, or perhaps we are seeing the island now, and for a moment, the past and the present merge there...Ablach is truly there, but brought out of the past to visit us in vision only."
"What do you believe?"
Gertrude was quiet for a moment. "I believe that whenever it is that the island that we see exists, it is there in actuality when we see it, and that with the right means, we could reach it, though perhaps never to be able to return to this world again."
"You still see it, don't you?" Severus asked, noting her gaze at a point on the horizon.
She nodded. "I thought perhaps . . . I have been away for almost a year. I feared I might have lost the island . . . but yes, I do still see it, though it is always easiest to see just at dusk. And now that it is becoming dark, I see torches and fires, one great fire on the peak of the highest mountain. It is not always such a large fire . . . perhaps . . ."
Severus waited. "Perhaps what?"
Gertrude twitched her left shoulder and quirked a sideways grin. "Perhaps they saw me arrive with you and lit a larger fire for me to see . . ." She laughed. "But that is truly fantastical thinking. Come," she said, standing, "we also came here for more practical reasons. I have things I wish to fetch from the house. This is the first I've been back since the battle, and there are a few small things that I left behind. Gareth and Gluffy helped Thea and Robbie pack up my things, what they believed I would want and need, but there are a few items they didn't think of."
Severus stood. It was now quite dark, and Gertrude seemed a grey shadow. He did not relish the prospect of clambering about on the rocks in the dark. "We could return another day."
"If you wish to leave, you may," Gertrude said. "But I will stay. I brought some food. I thought we could have a light meal. Bread and cheese." She touched the bag that hung crossways around her from her left shoulder.
Severus remembered his own mission for the day, and also Gareth's fears that his mother might one day try to Apparate to Innis Ablach and vanish from their lives forever. "I will not leave you here alone."
"Good. I will Apparate us...here on the island, it will not be as uncomfortable as it was to arrive, Professor," Gertrude promised him. "And if you ever return with Albus, Minerva, or Gareth, you will find it an easier trip, as they are joined to the wards in a different way than I am."
Trusting her, Severus took Gertrude's arm, but he closed his eyes and clenched his teeth against the sensation of Side-Along Apparition. There was a crack, and when he opened his eyes and released her arm, he breathed a sigh of relief. It had been as smooth a Side-Along as any he'd ever had, though they had not hopped far. He saw Gertrude wave her wand, and a few torches on poles flared to life; another swish of her wand, and the paths were lined with glowing stones; one more flick, and a lamp lit in the cottage in front of them.
He took a moment to look around. There was a long, low barn to his right, which probably had been home to Gertrude's goats, and it appeared there was an area behind it enclosed with low stone walls. To his left, there was a good-sized shed, and then another slightly larger building, which he presumed was the chicken coop, though it seemed to have windows; there was a relatively bare fenced-in area in front of it, though there were weeds now taking it over. All of the buildings were of the same black stone, and all were thatched but the cottage, which had a slate roof.
"The gardens are behind us, and there's an herb garden on the other side of the house, off the kitchen," Gertrude said.
As they walked up the path toward the cottage, Severus thought how very odd this entire experience was, and how incongruous it felt to be on this isolated island with this woman whom he had so gravely injured all those years ago. Gertrude had fallen silent again, and her mood seemed dampened with their arrival at her former home.
They approached the house, and Gertrude flicked her wand again. A lamp lit beside the door, which was painted dark green.
"What happened to it?" she suddenly asked softly.
"Pardon?"
"I always wondered . . ." Her left arm went around her, hugging herself. "Albus went back for it. It was gone. I could only imagine . . ."
Severus swallowed. "I took it with me."
"And then?" she asked, stopped in front of the door.
"I . . . I brought it to him. To show him that I . . . that I had done as he had asked." There had never been any death notice in the paper, but after the first undetailed report of the attack on the house, there was also no report on the fate of its occupant, much to Severus's relief. The Dark Lord had believed her dead. He had believed it likely, himself.
"What happened to it?"
Severus turned his head away, closing his eyes, though he could not close his eyes to the memory of the Dark Lord's delight, and the contortions he had put the witch's arm through, dancing on its fingertips, waving at everyone in the room, gesturing rudely . . . The Dark Lord had been going to keep it, use it for some foul purpose, but Severus had bowed to him, kneeling before him, and had begged to be allowed to have it for himself, as a souvenir and to experiment with. The Dark Lord had laughed and had given him the dead arm. Severus had not kept it.
"I incinerated it. With a spell."
"Truthfully?"
Severus nodded. "He wished to have it . . . but I asked him for it, and he was pleased with me, so I was allowed to keep it. I incinerated it just before dawn."
Gertrude let out a long breath. "Thank you."
Severus shuddered. She thanked him for it . . . What world had he stepped into? He touched his pocket, remembering his resolve as he felt the small book still there. He would find the words and he would offer reparation, what measure of reparation he could make. He flexed the fingers of his right hand and stood straighter.
Gertrude reached out and opened the door to warm lamplight. No complicated pass-phrase here, no wards needed, not on this island sanctuary.
"Come, Severus, we will have our supper, I will fetch my few things, and then we can return to Hogwarts. We can take care of that bit of petechia, too. You will be back before curfew, safe and sound. We do not wish to worry Minerva unduly."
Severus stepped across the threshold, following her into the cottage.
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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.)