Chapter 19 - In Too Deep
Chapter 19 of 29
star_girlLife does not always turn out the way we want it to. Ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Severus Snape, thought by everyone to be dead, is living out his days in solitude on the edge of the wizarding world. Ginny Potter, meanwhile, is juggling a high-profile career, three small children, a Kneazle and a workaholic husband. A family crisis within the Potter household unwittingly brings Snape out of hiding and his and Ginny's lives are changed forever, with both of them ultimately offered a second chance for happiness. This story is mostly canon compliant but discounts the epilogue in Deathly Hallows.
ReviewedChapter 19 – In Too Deep
It was less than a week before Ginny and Alfric had their next rendezvous, but for Ginny every moment that she was not with him felt like torture. At work, all she could think about was how it felt to be in Alfric’s arms, and flashbacks of their previous encounters would sear across her mind when she was doing the most mundane of chores. It was as if her libido, which had been silenced by the pressures of having a young family, was suddenly awoken with a passion that burned brighter than ever for the mysterious Mr Nobel.
Snape’s thoughts, too, were consumed by memories of Ginny and the feel of her naked skin against his. He found himself staring at her name and picture in the sports pages of the Daily Prophet, wondering if their passionate fling had the same effect on her. It was excruciating having to wait for Ginny to find the chance to slip away and come to him, and a mixture of excitement and relief flooded his stomach when he finally received an owl from her a few days later confirming her next visit. He thanked Merlin and all the dieties that he’d created enough Polyjuice Potion to sustain several liaisons.
This time, it was the middle of the afternoon when Ginny arrived at Snape’s cottage. She immediately greeted him with a kiss, and he welcomed her with an embrace before leading her once more up the stairs towards his bedroom.
Soft, gentle kisses turned into slow caresses as he lay her down on the crisp white sheets. The rain drummed against the window, and the wind howled as they unhurriedly undressed each other, and he explored every inch of her in the dull light. And when he finally covered her and their two bodies joined as one, their union was as tender as it was passionate. The sound of Ginny’s climax was like music to his ears and it drove him on towards his own overwhelming peak.
Afterwards, Ginny lay in his arms, listening to the pitter-patter of precipitation and the gentle tattoo of his heartbeat, feeling totally satiated and at peace. Visiting Alfric for sex was a like an oasis for her soul; there were no expectations on her to be anything other than a woman, and to submit to the sexual ecstasy that Afric stirred in her.
Snape breathed in the sweet perfume of Ginny’s hair as he cradled her against him, enjoying the afterglow from their passion and yet knowing deep down that their affair could not last. He was lying to her with each kiss and caress, yet his love-starved soul was hungry for affection. Already he knew he was in too deep. Their meetings were no longer about just sex or pure physical relief; they were as much about holding each other and kissing each other. In other words, they were about intimacy: something Snape had always shied from but which he now seemed to crave in the way a smoker yearned for a cigarette. This could not go on for much longer; he would have to put a stop to it. It was one thing to have sex with Ginny under the influence of Polyjuice Potion; it was quite another to have her develop feelings for a man who didn’t exist, and for him to begin to reciprocate them. And if Snape was good at one thing, it was denying his emotions.
He sighed, and Ginny turned her head to look up at him.
‘Knut for your thoughts?’ she murmured, stroking his chest idly.
‘Make it a Galleon and we might have a deal,’ he replied dryly, to which Ginny giggled.
‘You drive a hard bargain.’
‘I drive a hard something else, too.’ He smirked, and again Ginny giggled. He liked the sound of her laughter. She seemed to understand his humour which very few people since Lily actually did.
‘Seriously, is there something on your mind?’
Snape sighed again. Yes, there was plenty on his mind, but now was not the right time to share his thoughts. If this was to be the last time he was intimate with Ginny, then he wanted them both to remember it for the right reasons and not the wrong ones. He would tell her another time.
‘My thoughts are not interesting, I assure you.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Ginny answered, propping herself up on her elbows. ‘I’m sure there’s more going on up there than wondering whether or not you’ve run out of Gurdyroot.’
Snape’s mouth twitched at this. ‘If you don’t stop being nosy I may well force-feed you some.’
Ginny grinned, running her fingers down his face. ‘You know you can tell me anything, don’t you?’
Snape’s heart clenched at this, and it felt like his stomach was flooded with ice cold water. This was too much; much too much. If Ginny wanted to know about him and how he was feeling, it meant that she, too, was making the transition from the sexual to the intimate. It meant that she was starting to care about him. No, he could not let that happen. He would have to let her go. But not yet. Not today.
‘Right now, I don’t want to talk,’ he muttered, wrapping his arm around her. ‘I just want to be.’
Ginny thought she knew what Alfric meant by that. Like her, she thought, he wanted to exist in this moment, in this precious bubble they’d built for themselves, free of everyday humdrum reality and external pressures. Like her, he wanted to close the door on the world for a little while and escape to a place where only the physical mattered, where the currency was kisses and caresses.
Ginny smiled, blissfully unaware of his inner turmoil, as she sank once more into the haven of his arms.
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Second Chance For Happiness
167 Reviews | 8.14/10 Average
I LOVED this pairing, dear! The adultery thing did bother me a bit initially, tbh, but the realistic and aesthetic portrayal of things was a great help! Thanks for the roller-coaster ride which ended on a happy note for everyone, especially Severus! I solemnly swear to be a loyal (if somewhat inconsistent) reader of your fics!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
THANK YOU so much for taking the time to both read and review. I know the adultery theme isn't to everyone's taste, but I was hoping that by showing unhappiness on both sides that it lead to an understanding of WHY adultery might happen, rather than glorify it. And it had to be adultery if I wanted to remain as canon as possible. I am so glad that you enjoyed this story and stuck with it til the end, your reviews have put a big smile on my face :)
Engaging chapter. Btw... BOSTON BRAHMIN???!!!! Hehe... I am a Brahmin girl and have a cousin staying in Boston. Gotta pay more attention to her accent during her next visit to India!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Sending much love to India :)
Response from MayavanavihariniHarini (Reviewer)
Loads of love (and greetings! Yes, it's the festive season here :) ) in return, dear!
Hey! I did NOT notice the rearrangement of letters back then, though the choice of pseudonym certainly intrigued me (I mean, Nobel and all, LOL!) *hurries back to reading*
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
I'm glad it was a surprise :)
Response from MayavanavihariniHarini (Reviewer)
You are indeed a product of your House! :P
Stack up more Polyjuice, Severus! :P
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Oh, he's going to have to make a whole barrel full! :p
I must confess that the quill is quite *pause, looks for the appropriate word* extraordinary!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Tricksy!
*jaw hits floor hard* Polyjuice??!!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Classic eh?
Response from MayavanavihariniHarini (Reviewer)
'Classic' would be an understatement!
Ah. He steps in. Finally!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Finally :)
Albus. Severus. Potter. Yes, that does sound bit of an oxymoron, doesn't it? :P
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
It's not the best of names is it? :p
Response from MayavanavihariniHarini (Reviewer)
Most certainly not. The mere idea of 'Severus' beside 'Potter' sounds scary!
As a newly graduated doctor, I loved your description of the hospital scene! Very poignant, yet very realistic!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you, that's a huge compliment :)
Response from MayavanavihariniHarini (Reviewer)
Trust me, it's as hard for the doctor as it is for the mother. I found the Paediatrics (especially the Sick Newborn Care Unit) posting to be one of the toughest phase of my internship days... Watching so many children suffer (and even die) while you are forced to keep cool proved genuinely tough for me. So I can understand Ginny's pain, even if it is to a very tiny extent. ;(
Response from MayavanavihariniHarini (Reviewer)
Trust me, it's as hard for the doctor as it is for the mother. I found the Paediatrics (especially the Sick Newborn Care Unit) posting to be one of the toughest phases of my internship days... Watching so many children suffer (and even die) while you are forced to keep cool proved genuinely tough for me. So I can understand Ginny's pain, even if it is to a very tiny extent. ;(
'Churning out offspring'... 
Like mother, like daughter! Thanks for the rec... I'm thoroughly intrigued!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Oooh you found this one! I'm so pleased you were intrigued!
Nice pseudonym! *HUGE GRIN*
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
*Bows*
Hooray for a happy ending! I think you did a nice job staying close to canon. I am a huge SS/HG shipper, but I will agree that the fandom is saturated with that pairing. It is nice to read something different every once in awhile. I don't believe you glorified adultery at all. Yes, Ginny's affair felt exciting, but I suspect that is the case in real life, or people wouldn't do it so often. It happens in the real world, why not in fic? I think you've done quite a nice job here.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you for your kind comments, I'm flattered that you took time out of your usual ship to read this and thrilled that you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you for your kind comments, I'm flattered that you took time out of your usual ship to read this and thrilled that you enjoyed it. Thank you.
I love that Harry and Ginny are amicable and even happier and more family oriented than before. I do hope that Snape is able to come out from hiding. Maybe it is nice and peaceful in his seclusion, but it will be hard on Ginny, I think, to not be able to be totally upfront about her relationship to others. I do like his solution so they can live together, yet not.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Glad you're enjoying how this is turning out. Thanks for leaving a note.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Glad you're enjoying how this is turning out. Thanks for leaving a note.
THank you for the happily ever after! Lovely
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank YOU, for reading and reviewing :)
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank YOU, for reading and reviewing :)
I wondered what that would be like adjusting to seeing Severus and not Alfric when they are in bed. Im glad you touched on that. Made things feel all the more realistic.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you, I'm glad it seemed plausible for you.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you, I'm glad it seemed plausible for you.
ACK I cannot beleive the personal questions the warlock asked! So prying. What would have happened if he would not have agreed to terminate the marriage? Goodness. I was on pins and needles the whole time!!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Yes, divorce is not made easy for either party! I think all three of them were relieved to get it over with.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Yes, divorce is not made easy for either party! I think all three of them were relieved to get it over with.
I almost dont want to read about the divorce. They have just admitted their love and now its going to get ugly and torrid in court. Nooooooo
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Sadly, it's the price they have to pay :(
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Sadly, it's the price they have to pay :(
Very good chapter. I hope this wasn't the end. I'm glad the divorce is done. I have liked this story a lot though in JKR's version I think Harry and Ginny would never end up here. She loved him since he was a child and family was always a deeo desire for him. But never the less i really love your take on this story. Iv'e only read one other SS/GW story and they have both been excellent. I look forward to more.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you for continuing to read. No, this is not the end, although there aren't many chapters left. I hope you'll enjoy how the story concludes. Thank you for your support even though this isn't your usual ship and the plot isn't quite what you'd expect - it means a lot to know you are still reading and enjoying it even though it's not to your usual taste.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you for continuing to read. No, this is not the end, although there aren't many chapters left. I hope you'll enjoy how the story concludes. Thank you for your support even though this isn't your usual ship and the plot isn't quite what you'd expect - it means a lot to know you are still reading and enjoying it even though it's not to your usual taste.
A very compelling drama! I am looking forward to how it all unfolds!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you very much!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you very much!
I am so relieved that things went okay, but it was so sad. I mean, there was no way I wanted Harry and Ginny to stay together, but it just finally felt so real, all of them there in one place, admitting that things would never work out. I think Harry is being very mature about all of this, and I hope that the title of the story goes for him as well. I was hoping for an interaction between he and Snape, only because I wonder if they would be civil or have a shouting match or what. Thanks for a new chapter so quickly. I hope there aren't too many bumps in the road as everyone puts their lives back together.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you! All I can say for now is trust me; I've already written the epilogue so I know how things turn out. I just need to get from here to there (and hopefully it won't take too long!) Thanks again for your support.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thank you! All I can say for now is trust me; I've already written the epilogue so I know how things turn out. I just need to get from here to there (and hopefully it won't take too long!) Thanks again for your support.
Oh, there is so much anger and resentment at the moment, and rightfully so, but at least Harry had the decency to let Snape off the hook.I will be quite interested to see how she breaks the news to him, and how he takes it. Hey, at least it gives them a reason to talk again.This makes me wonder, what happens if the second person in the affair doesn't show up in court? Or is there some way of making them appear? Doesn't matter, really, just wondering if he didn't have the option to just not show up. And would they then not be able to divorce?
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Oh yes, the next chapter is a humdinger! well, they woudn't be able to divorce if both parties didn't show up. It's a wizarding formality designed to prevent promiscuity ;)
Did that mean that she, Ginny Potter, was actually in love with and pining for Severus Snape? Yes yes YES it does! Dump Harry, grab the kids and move in. YIppeeeee!
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Again, thank you for your support! *hugs*
I do hope that after Ginny calms down and has a chance to think on what he said she will give him another chance. ((sniffle))
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
All will be revealed, my dear :)
Lovely, poignant insight into the human condition as always and as always leaving us poor readers longing for more - update asap! Pretty please? They are all in such pain, blame, guilt and conflict - love it!
Of course, I'm partial to Sev, how much more can he take? We know how *extreme* he can get sometimes... please hope he gets some relief... for better or worse, it seems Ginny holds that power...again, can't wait for the next chapter! 
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thanks for all your support nag, it means a lot :)
Ginny has some serious thinking to do. Well, more than she already has, anyway. Snape, while he is miserable, at least has no doubt in his mind what he wants. If she could see how much he is suffering, I wonder if it would make her decision easier or harder? I do hope she chooses to give him another chance. But what a thing to wrap her head around: being in love with Severus Snape.
Response from star_girl (Author of A Second Chance For Happiness)
Thanks for continuing to read. I hope you'll like where this goes.