Chapter 10
Chapter 10 of 11
tonksingerThe second aftermath
ReviewedAN: Thanks to astopperindeath for much support and betaing.
Chapter 10
The sweat cooled on his skin, making him shiver even in the warmth of the forest. He was content to remain there for a while, eternity, a minute or two, while his mind started to function again.
The mattress shifted; Hermione was sitting up, trying to tame her thoroughly tousled hair. He watched her, seeing her plump curves undulate as she stood and went to retrieve her clothes. She picked up her wand along the way, muttering cleansing spells over her body.
She dressed quietly and with focus, adjusting and plucking at her hems, as if orderly clothing would stabilize her shaken world. She did not meet his eyes until she was fully covered, fully armored.
“Did I seduce you?’ she said.
He snorted. “Don’t flatter yourself. I am not easily lured to bed.”
“Did you seduce me, then?”
He sat up. “Granger, let us say that sex seduced us and leave it at that.”
She smiled with no humor and looked at the stream, twining and bending patterns with her fingers.
“Those spells have a very interesting affect. Pleasure from darkness, and always never enough…”
Stretching a kink out of his neck before reaching for his wand, Severus said, “There’s no satisfaction to be found in them, or in anything so insubstantial. The sins of the flesh—,” he smirked at her blush—“ are named for a reason.” And she was flesh, solid and real under his hands and against his cock and in his mind.
“Of course. Never satisfying, so you always cast more and more… but you, you and I, we ended. Satisfied, I think.” Her voice was slow, pondering.
He eyed her. This was not the wisdom of the seduced and won over.
Then he realized he should have known better than to think this woman could be offered an apple without analyzing its taste afterward, however sweet it might be.
And he wasn’t sure if he was as disappointed as he should be about her mind defying his plans.
He dressed quickly and prepared to leave, sketching the silver in the air.
“Professor?” Her voice was quiet, but firm, predetermined.
“What?” he snapped, placing the edge back in his voice and hoping it would put strength back in his wavering decisions from months ago.
“When the Horcruxes are found and you take me to defend Harry in whatever final conflict arises, I would appreciate it if Ron could come with us. He’ll go mad if the war ends without him there.” She watched him, waiting.
“I care little for Weasley’s peace of mind.”
She smiled at his callousness. “I thought as much. But he’s another person to fight alongside, and you should know what Weasleys are like when their blood is up.”
“If he causes any trouble for me, then it’s your responsibility to quell him,” he answered. “With whatever force necessary.”
“He trusts me,” was all she said. He eyed her, trying to see something behind her blithe brown eyes, and it crossed his mind that perhaps he’d done too thorough a job in imparting his techniques. That was the sort of answer he had offered Dumbledore at times.
The idea of being in Dumbledore’s position, even for a fleeting moment of coincidence, sent him through the portal without another word.
Hermione stood for a moment after Severus had left, listening to the snickering stream and the shrill birds. Her clothes were still damp, so she dried them absent-mindedly, turning the denim of her jeans crisp and abrasive.
Well. That was… yes. That was.
She grabbed her rucksack and turned to walk back through the woods, feet keeping time with her ponderings.
Right. So. I have fucked Severus Snape. I wanted to. He wanted to. We both certainly enjoyed it, and I really hope Ron wasn’t flying overhead.
She grabbed a leaf off a tree and shredded it, flesh from vein from stem, until only a skeleton remained. What she’d done with Ron… it was like having an overdone pub steak: edible, but bland, and you were glad when it was over. Severus was seared and tender and flavorful.
Steak sounded quite appetizing, as she hadn’t eaten in a while. Shaking her head at her meat-metaphor, she put her stomach from her mind.
He had almost smiled at her. “Come and get it.” A complete lack of reticence at touching and fucking a girl who had recently been his student, but then again, it wasn’t as though she had stopped to think very hard about him being a teacher. Stopped to think about condoms, yes, but there were levels of practicality that no amount of fingering would disband. Rules were far more ethereal when his skilled fingers were tweaking her clit.
Put it down to sex. And rules… were there rules here, in this Eden where she cast Dark spells and dug herself out of Ron’s heart and fucked Severus Snape? Were there rules when no one was watching?
Snape is watching.
But Snape, she decided, didn’t count as rules anymore, not here away from house points and detentions. There was no Filch or Umbridge to put up decrees and dole out punishments. Here there were flowing, evolving limits, defined only by her own judgment.
I am watching.
And, as she stepped into the clearing and dropped the leaf’s remainder to the grass, Ron flew across the cabin’s roof with a cheery greeting. To protect that smile, she thought as she answered it, previous limits would have to be redefined. Casting Dark spells here was one thing, but she would find her boundaries on the battlefield. Fucking Snape… could be useful. And enjoyable. And possibly something to keep in mind after the war, if they were both there for the after.
For now, lunch and a nice, long reading session were in order. Perhaps a bath afterward.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Paradise Forsaken
34 Reviews | 8.74/10 Average
Argh! No next chapter button! This is brilliant, so brilliant in fact that I've read it in one day, and I've not done anything but read! I can't wait to see what happens next - I love how there's no 'camping and being depressed and not much else' storyline :D Yay!!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Thank you very much!
What is that old saying?"This will not end well."--??I have a feeling more than one fire is about to hit the fan.Oh Lord, he's drunk....and here it comes....
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
I love, love, love writing Severus drunk. Talk about yer loose cannons...
Severus hoped that the scar on Potter’s head would prove to be the last of them, and that it would have to be removed from his head prior to destruction. Possibly with a blunt knife.Ha! One guess as to who he envisions on the handle end of the knife.Bellatrix Lestrange? I would have never guessed her to be the administrative type :) I'd think even Voldemort isn't insane enough to put her in charge of the school, but I suppose he has his reasons. It isn't going to be pretty, anyway.Drunken Snape? Well, that's a good thing in my book, so long as he sets himself to planning the post-Horcrux-destruction-shag, and leaves the casting of Fiendfyre to Hermione. I sure hope you will be back with the next chapter soon *flashes you my pathetic eyes*
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Bella might not be the administrative type, but if anyone's going to keep order through sheer terror, it's her. And Voldemort likes to play these little games with his minions. I love writing drunk Snape--it's such fun. :)
Response from HBAR (Reviewer)
I love writing drunk Snape--it's such fun. :)You're such a tease!
Oh wow. What a chapter. I could never have dreamed of mad Bella as Headmistress.
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Hee. Ebil, ebil me. :)
Hermione is a more competent duelist than I had predicted and is remarkably skilled with Dark Arts, which I pray gives you a heart attack when she boils Dolohov’s blood in his veins.Ha! I'm certainly not a Dumbledore hater, but it does amuse me to think how much pleasure Snape would get from flaunting his corruption of the star Gryffindor in front of the Headmaster.Ron seems to be taking their non-relationship in stride. I hope for both of their sakes, it lasts.It occurred to her, as she turned to him, that hers were not the only hands that could, hypothetically speaking, of course, end up in her knickers. *soaks drool up with towel before keyboard shorts out*
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
*non-hating high-five*I think Dumbledore gets a lot of undeserved hatred in this ship. I love, love, love that you're differentiating between "Snape hates Dumbledore" and "Dumbledore is the root of all evil." Character perspective: it makes a difference. 
What a chapter! There is really no explicit content and yet it was very steamy. Which is something that you always excel at, by the way. When he finally does get the girl, look out.They have a fantastic dynamic here. He is clearly in a position of power over her, and yet as he has noticed, she is gaining on him a bit. Just a short time ago, he was cold and harsh and she was intimidated by him. She is getting bolder, he is getting softer, and soon they will meet somewhere in the middle and sparks will fly (in a good way, I hope).I especially liked the part where she was using the boiling spell. Her immersion into feelings- fear, curiosity, and desire- along with his fascination in watching her experience such a thing was wonderfully done.But my favorite line has to be:And if you drool on the books, I will hex you all around this blasted fairy-tale forest, is that clear?”Ha! Does he know her or what?
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
The power dynamics in this fic were a blast to write--always changing, shifting, never quite solid. I'm so glad people are picking up on that. I am rather proud of that line. And it's not kindofsortofwhatIwoulddo. At all. Nope. :PThanks for reviewing! New chapter is in the queue.
an extremely interesting story...oh sev! give in now while you still can! you will be hers before you know it, not the other way around!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Sadly, Severus isn't the giving in type... He's more the self-torturing type. Thanks for reviewing!
Response from keske (Reviewer)
^^ yes i s'pose he is!
Yes, the cold hard plan of seduction is quickly turning into something more. And Severus, even though he keeps telling himself that he is in control is loosing it rapidly. Beautifully done.
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
There's always something more, if you know where to look. The question is, how will that something be resolved? :)
She is so ready for a challenge. :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
She always is. :)
Poor, clueless Ron. Of course. he'll be wanting sex every five minutes now, so perhaps I should save my sympathy for Hermione. :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
My sympathies lie with Ron, actually. He's the one who got used. Poor man.
What, Albus, no chaperone? How remiss of you! :p
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
All part of the Great Plan for the Greater Good. How can they fall in epilogue-destined love if they have a chaperone? :p
Okay, I snorted at the last line. Just as well no-one was passing by my office just then! :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
*giggles* Tonksinger: getting people odd looks since 2008.
Like the trick with the sand. Smartass that he is. :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Hee. I stole that from somewhere. It seemed like a nice Slytherin move. When in doubt, use the landscape.
Minerva's pride could be her undoing. Hopefully, she eventually realises Severus just saved her life. :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Oh, she'll realise it. Won't get him off the hook, though, wonderful woman that she is.
Now she finds Snape preferable to Ron. Which, of course, was his plan. ;)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
All things according to plan... for now, anyway.
Really enjoy the detailed inner-thoughts of Hermione -- her being troubled by events and surroundings, along with her awareness and sensing that some unforeseen things are amiss, as well as having to deal with a randy Ron, on top of everything else!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Thank you! Hermione's got such a wonderful mind; writing it is a lot of fun.
Haha, I loved the part where the Dark Lord is saying how Bellatrix reacts to torture. :p Reminds me of Titus Pullo in the TV series Rome, counselling Lucius Vorenus to give Niobe a warm beating heart of an enemy...he claims it will make her "wet as October". :pAnd also: what HBAR said.
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Good old pure, psychotic sadism. Bella is such fun. :) Thanks for reviewing!
Love your dynamics with Draco & Severus, and the trio, all the indepth details and nuances; and Severus, as always, in control and steps ahead of everyone else; love the banter and humour between Dumbledore and Severus!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Thank you very much! These characters are such fun to pit against each other, with very different personalities and goals.
Nice to see Harry is faring well (although he doesn't think so) and that Ron and Hermione are on the mend. The scene with Snape and Minerva, and Voldemort was a little unnerving, but thank goodness it all worked out ... for now. Looking forward to more.
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
*hugs Minerva* I hated doing that to her. I love McGonagall, but that was the natural progession of Voldemort's thought process. Poor Severus didn't come out of it unscathed, either.
wow - this is great! Ron's "performance" in the last chapter reminded me of a boy long long ago in my life. Ugh. Poor Hermione. Can't wait to see what Severus is up to!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Heheh... yeah. Been there, sister. Poor Ronnikins. I'm mean to him. Thank you!
Poor Hermione! Left with more questions than answers...I did enjoy Snape's remark of "No, I will not tell you which books contain the procedure for creating golems." And how much of what he told her regarding Albus' plans for her is actually true? Is she correct in her hypothesis regarding Harry's whereabouts? What will Severus' next move be? I do so love this story! Look forward to the next chapter (soon, please?)!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Soon, I promise. And I apologize for the wait for these; life hit me like a tornado. But the final chapter is being written at the moment, and then after some retroactive smoothing, we can get back on track. Thank you for your patience!
Another great chapter! I really enjoyed the description of Voldemort's mercurial mood-swings and its parallel to the mutability of the Dark Arts; also Hermione's decision to have sex with Ron simply because she was bored. It's not pretty or admirable, but it is so very human. And I almost feel sorry for Lavender if Ron's less-than-stellar performance was what she had to put up with while they were together!I can believe that Severus would laugh until he cried hearing Ron's attempts at pleasing a partner--what a meanie! Hermione is just a tool to his mind right now, but I sincerely hope that he winds up getting more deeply invested in the planned seduction than he counted on. The look on his face when he does so is always priceless.Off to read the next chapter!
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
"It's not pretty or admirable, but it is so very human."That was exactly what I was going for--in bad situations, anyone can make stupid decisions. I hate it in fanfic when Hermione never sets a foot wrong; she's a flawed character and those flaws go farther than being a know-it-all. Thank you very much for your thoughful reviews!
Great start, looking forward to more :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Thank you! I'll be posting more soon, I promise!
Promising very Promising :D eagerly awaiting the next partsCheers :)
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
Thanks!
Uh oh! The plot thickens...and this time, Hermione gets some brilliantly snarky lines/thoughts, which is fabulous. My faves were: without her there to solve puzzles and provide walking dictionary service, he probably wouldn’t get very far and Pushing Dumbledore into an oven was looking better by the minute. Poor Dumbles--even "dead" he manages to royally irritate others. After her near heart attack, Minerva might very well assist Hermione with the pushing!This is great--looking forward to the next chapter to see how things progress with all our intrepid heroes...
Response from tonksinger (Author of Paradise Forsaken)
LOL! I love writing snarky inner thoughts for her and Snape. And the third chapter is being submitted to the queue tonight! Sorry for the wait--college has that affect.