An Unexpected Purpose
blackeyedlily50 Reviews | 7.1/10 (50 Ratings, 0 Likes, 22 Favorites )
Originally written for 2008 SS/HG Exchange. Severus Snape unexpectedly survives Nagini's attack due to the aid of Lucius Malfoy. Now that he has outlived both his Masters and the promises that drove his life for the past 18 years, what is his purpose? How does he find meaning in life and learn to love beyond his previous life of guilt and penance? A special thanks to Little Beloved for lending her beta skills.
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About blackeyedlily
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blackeyedlily
Member Since 2006 | 4 Stories | Favorited by 22 | 166 Reviews Written | 122 Review Responses
Reviews for An Unexpected Purpose
Fascinating chapter. I was convinced at the beginning that Snape would bite Harry's head off, but he was actually civil. What a pleasant surprise. But yet, still very Snapeish.Well done. I anxiously await the next installment.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you! It is music to my ears to hear that my Snape remains Snapeish. The next chapters are in the queue.
I am in total agreement with Severus, the memories of Lily have controlled his life way to long, it is time for new beginnings. Great update.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Exactly my thoughts, time for Severus to have new beginnings.
Two chapters and you've caught my attention. Interesting elements and character relationships in play. I'm finding I like the stories best that feature Severus and Lucius surviving and the Severus/Hermione pairing is one of my favorites. It will be interesting to see how you bring all the characters into play.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
I'm glad I've captured your attention. I'm a die hard SS/HG shipper, have been practically since I found fanfic. I also like a slightly reformed Lucius, still an arrogant SOB, but wiser and definitely not evil himself.
That is a good use for Harry, actually.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
I'm glad you agree. Thank you for your continued reading and your review!
That was quite sweet. And a lovely ending.
It's Durmstrang, not Durmstrung.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thanks for the spelling correction!
excellent. I'm so glad Severus is finally enjoying life!
So well written. Great story line and many meddling people... I LIKE IT!
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you, thank you! Your compliments have me blushing. The final chapter is in the queue.
Poor guy, losing his voice on such an important evening. It seems that Hermione doesn't mind a bit. Can't wait to see what he's planned.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
I don't think Hermione minds one bit. She's just too happy about the date and a chance to spend the evening with him. Thanks for your encouraging words.
well done. poor Severus.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you. He is a bundle of nerves, poor fellow.
The stress of the date made him lose his voice? That is cute in a stressed-out Severus sort of way.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you for your review. The original prompt was about Severus losing his voice during a conversation with Hermione, due to lingering effects from Nagini's attack. I'm glad you find stressed-out Severus cute.
I had to laugh rather heartily at Severus' wanting to hex Potter. Really, though, if the man only had some confidence in himself prior to finding out Hermione fancied him. At least now that he has the inkling, he's not beating around the bush. Whoot, whoot! I did think he had a nice combination of bravado yet trepidation when he asked her out.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you for your glowing review! Our Severus is a complicated person, indeed. Sometimes, I don't know what to do with him. I just trust that Hermione will.
I rather like this forward-thinking Severus. Although scaring a 3 year old was rather petty.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Yes, Severus' behavior was terribly juvenile, but I think sometimes nerves brings out the worst in people. I'm glad you recognized the positive changes in his behavior as well.
Fun chapter. I loved the conversation with Snape and Harry.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and are enjoying the story! Positive feedback on my little fics is so heartening to recieve. I hope you enjoy the final two chapters!
What a wonderful chapter, full of great information.I loved the banter between Harry and Snape at Harry's house. Harry is right, Severus should be ashamed of himself for scaring a 3 year old! It was brilliant of him to make the kids growl at their future professor. Puts Snape in a whole different light.Fun stuff. I can hardly wait for the date!
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you! Your praise of my story makes my day. I had fun with Severus, Harry and the kids, but it was hard to figure what might be believable and what would cross the line to totally out of character.
I'm kind of appalled with Severus. Intentionally making a 3-year-old cry? That's rather awful. While I wish him all the best with Hermione, he's really got to grow up before he's ready for that wished-for domestic bliss.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Very true, I quite agree with you. However, in his defense we all have our petty and immature moments, even more so when it comes to Severus. I think his nerves didn't help the situation. We can only hope that Hermione will be a good influence! Thank you for your review.
I'm glad Min uses an extendable ear sometimes. LOL. These two would never get together otherwise.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Yes, they need all the help they can get. Thank you for your review. 
Yeah, it seriously makes no sense that Snape would not have been prepared for the damn snake. What was JKR thinking?!
Well, I'm glad somebody saved him!! Poor thing. It's nice to see Lucius as a true friend.
I do like this one - it really makes more sense for Luciusto have saved Severus than for Hermione to be the one -he'd have been dead long before she could get back.I always enjoy fics that have a good relationship betweenSeverus and the Malfoys; they are natural allies, far morethan Severus/Dumbledore.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you! I also like stories where Lucius and Severus have a good friendship/relationship. I know it could go either way from what we know from canon. I hope you will enjoy the rest of the fic as it is posted.
Confused..
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
So sorry! This was the prologue and the story should not have been marked as complete. There are five chapters to come. The mention of the conversation between Severus and Hermione was a direct quote of the original prompt I was given for the 2008 Winter SS/HG Exchange. You will see how it all relates once the other chapters are posted. The important aspect is that the injury Nagini inflicted leaves Severus with some lasting side effects, including occasional loss of his voice. The entire story is already written and since so many of the SS/HG authors are busy completing their 2010 SS/HG Exchange submissions, I thought it would be a good time for me to get this out to various archives as I hadn't already done so. I hope that clears things up a bit. Romantic interests will begin in the third chapter.
This makes absolutely no sense. You have in your AN that this is a conversation between Severus and Hermione, yet all this is is a long narration. There's no mention of Hermione, and it's not even in the romance category. I think you need to update some things, considering you have this fic as complete; it's far from.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
So sorry! This was the prologue and the story should not have been marked as complete. There are five chapters to come. The mention of the conversation between Severus and Hermione was a direct quote of the original prompt I was given for the 2008 Winter SS/HG Exchange. You will see how it all relates once the other chapters are posted. The important aspect is that the injury Nagini inflicted leaves Severus with some lasting side effects, including occasional loss of his voice. The entire story is already written and since so many of the SS/HG authors are busy completing their 2010 SS/HG Exchange submissions, I thought it would be a good time for me to get this out to various archives as I hadn't already done so. I hope that clears things up a bit. Romantic interests will begin in the third chapter.
Response from draegon_fire (Reviewer)
It does clear it up, thanks! Now that I know it's the prologue, I'm looking forward to reading the rest. I think that Severus and Lucius, despite being spy and Death Eater, have a true friendship. Lucius was already graduating when Severus came to Hogwarts, and needed someone to look out for him. I think Lucius did that to the best of his abilities, but he was still leaving. However, I think Lucius gave Severus the tools needed to get through school. It does make sense that Lucius be the one to save Severus' life.
Is this finished? There's no mention of Hermione except for the Shrieking Shack episode. It feels like there should be more.
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
So sorry! This was the prologue and the story should not have been marked as complete. There are five chapters to come. The mention of the conversation between Severus and Hermione was a direct quote of the original prompt I was given for the 2008 Winter SS/HG Exchange. You will see how it all relates once the other chapters are posted. The important aspect is that the injury Nagini inflicted leaves Severus with some lasting side effects, including occasional loss of his voice. The entire story is already written and since so many of the SS/HG authors are busy completing their 2010 SS/HG Exchange submissions, I thought it would be a good time for me to get this out to various archives as I hadn't already done so. I hope that clears things up a bit. Romantic interests will begin in the third chapter.
This is interesting!
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you! I have learned that this fic was listed as complete, but there are actually five more chapters to the story. It is already completely written and I hope you will enjoy the rest of the tale. Keep an eye out for the remaining chapters.
Well done! Now we know what happened to Severus..
Response from blackeyedlily (Author of An Unexpected Purpose)
Thank you! I have learned that this fic was listed as complete, but there are actually five more chapters to the story. It is already completely written and I hope you will enjoy the rest of the tale. Keep an eye out for the remaining chapters.