Vishuddha
Chapter 3 of 8
JunoMagicHermione Granger and Severus Snape enjoy a cordial working relationship, specialising in an exclusive branch of magic as journeywoman and Master of the ancient alchemists' guild. When a secret obsession interferes with Hermione's goal of reaching her Mastery and Lucius Malfoy takes an interest in her, her relationship with Severus is put to the test ...
ReviewedoooOooo
III. Vishuddha
Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless things to joy, and makes right royal kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods.
Robert Green Ingersoll
~~~
From Hermione Granger's perfume notebooks:
Magical perfume making is nothing less and nothing more than a special branch of Alchemy.
Alchemy as in Nicolas Flamel, as in turning stone into gold, creating a Philosopher's Stone, producing the Elixir of Life, and reaching immortality.
However, for most alchemists that does not mean actually producing a Philosopher's Stone and the Aqua Vitae. For most of us the aim is a transmutation of our magic and our self, to reach a higher level of understanding of the world and ourselves, or to purify ourselves and our magic.
Just as there are potions masters and Potions Masters, there are perfume makers and Perfume Masters.
(Let's hear it for capitalisation of Important Titles.)
Perfume Masters, like Potions Masters, are alchemists alchemists with a specialisation.
They have both, in some manner, undergone the three (or four, depending on which lodge of the Guild they belong to) stages of alchemical transmutation of their magic:
nigredo the blackening or putrefaction; to allow knowingly the corruption and dissolution of self; cheerful Muggle psychologist Carl Jung believed that a moment of ultimate despair is necessary to fully develop as a person
albedo the whitening or purification; to allow all impurities of magic or self to burn away; to submit to the waters of life, allowing them to wash away all corruptions
citrinitas the yellowing or spiritualisation; enlightenment is achieved the quantum leap of magical power kicks in; one's magic is no longer influenced by 'outside' factors (like health, weather, menstrual cycle ...) but only the soul they are tied to; and
rubedo the reddening or the mystical union of the human element with the divine, the magical marriage of male and female, the fusion of spirit and matter, the unification of the limited with the unlimited.When Severus Snape, Potions master, taught and wrought at Hogwarts during the war, he had already successfully undergone the first stage of alchemical transmutation. Partly by choice, partly by destiny or cruel coincidence. Whether he displayed the colours associated with his stage of initiation to mock the process or to show his true colours remains unclear.
Through his darkest deed, the deed that pained him beyond all others by killing Albus Dumbledore Snape reached the next stage of enlightenment, the albedo ... nicely ironic, that. Of course at the time it was impossible for him to display the colours of his new status as an adept.
The final stage of transformation citrinitas and rubedo occurred after Voldemort tried to kill him with Nagini's bite.
I provided the female element, and Harry the male.
The idea that the male/female powers at work during that final stage are the ones of the adept and his lover cue Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel are (as far as I can tell, at least) nothing more than sentimental fairy tales. It could be just as well the male and female aspects of the adept himself. Or, as in Snape's case, a woman and a man magically and mystically connected with him.
I did my part by wrapping my scarf just tightly enough around his neck and throwing that self-made stasis spell over him.
Harry made it back to the Shrieking Shack after the Final Battle just in time to get Snape to St Mungo's. As luck, fate, or the gods would have it, Harry's blood and magic are compatible with Snape's, so he could have a transfusion of Harry's magically augmented blood to replace what was poisoned or simply burned up by Nagini's venom.
And Snape's soul cruising in limbo during his coma ... that took care of his spiritualisation. Literally.
When he woke up, he wasn't the Snape we knew anymore.
He was a Perfume Master.
The big difference between perfume makers and Perfume Masters is power, and control of that power.
A maker of magical perfume will use magic on the raw ingredients of perfume or during any part of the production process. They need some good, solid, non-magical objects to work on. And what they do is fairly down-to-earth. They manipulate characteristics that are already present in nature.
A Perfume Master, however, is a very different kind of wizard.
He enchants the very scents of perfumes.
Molecules.
Atoms.
Basically, he uses magic on thin air.
~~~
2 January 2009
'I can't believe I said that,' I exclaim once more.
'"Especially to Severus of all people",' Draco provides the refrain of my litany. 'Now hold still. You're beautiful today, all flustered and flushed, with that silly hair of yours frizzing all over the place.' He concentrates on the thick sheet of artist's paper resting against a wooden board on his easel, where a pencil, an eraser, and a quill with ink are engaged in a complex dance.
After Hogwarts, after the war, Draco decided he'd had enough of serious business for a lifetime and proceeded to become what he calls 'a Bohemian', which means nothing less and nothing more than that he spends his days painting, hanging out in galleries and art museums, and his nights sipping Absinthe and smoking hookahs, twined around beautiful wizards and witches, dress optional.
The most useful activity he engages in is painting labels, brochures, cards, and posters for Severus' perfumery ... and not for his father's big-bang cosmetics companies. That's how we've become friends, strange as that may seem.
Just friends at first. Until, one drunken night, it seemed like a good idea to go to bed together. I'm not in love with him, of course. At the ripe old age of twenty-nine, I've had my share of affairs boyfriends, lovers, partners but I've never been in love. Looking back, I don't think I was even in love with Ron Weasley. Way back then, I guess I was in love with the idea of love, of falling in love, of being in love, of kissing and having sex, of marrying my Hogwarts sweetheart, of dancing at a beautiful wedding like Bill's, and of getting a precious baby daughter like Victoire. That is not love. It's not even infatuation. It's ... narcissistic self-indulgence. If you're lucky, you grow out of it.
What I have with Draco is much healthier. When we have time, we meet up; I talk, he paints, we get drunk; now and again we go out together, to opening nights at galleries or to see the newest W.A.D.A. production in the Wizarding West End, and sometimes we spend the night together. Luna has been hanging around with American witches too much: she calls him my 'fuck buddy'. Personally, I prefer the term 'friend with benefits'. Surprisingly, Harry is okay with our relationship ... or maybe rather unsurprisingly. We're just not close enough anymore. At least Ron has expressed his disgust for my choice in friends adequately by not speaking a word with me since he heard about it.
'I should have said "emotion",' I go on, probably for the hundredth time. 'Or something like that. I mean, that's what I'm really looking for, right? The connection between magic and emotion. Just look at that project with St Mungo's or the scent photography you and I have been working on ... "Love"! That just sounds so so corny. Cheesy. Melodramatic. Over the top! And as if ...' I wince. 'As if I am as if it's uh... about ... him. You know like ' I throw up my hands in exasperation.
'And you're not?' Draco quirks an elegant golden eyebrow.
'Of course not!' I jump up and start pacing.
Not enough that I'm in danger of losing my my
I stop walking and stand in front of the glass doors of Draco's studio. He lives in a huge attic flat in London. The front is all glass, opening to a roof terrace surrounded by brick walls. He has a little formal knot garden out there, herbs and perfume flowers, surrounded by tiny hedges of box tree. Some of the box trees are Charmed into odd shapes, depending on his mood. At the moment, cats and mice are chasing each other around his garden.
In danger of losing what?
My job?
Or my calling?
Suddenly I am close to tears again and sniffle noisily. Severus is right; if I don't know that, I don't deserve to be his journeywoman.
Aspiring to mastery means embracing the mystical and mythical aspects of magic. Striving for mastery in alchemy means a life-long search for wisdom and transformation.
Spiritual transformation, that is, not Animagus transformation. (Or I would never have considered the whole thing; I'm hopelessly stuck in my human form, as are most witches and wizards I know. The ability to become an Animagus is really very rare. Not even Harry can do it, in spite of his Dad being one of the youngest Animagi in wizarding history. Of all the people I went to school with, only two have managed to become Animagi: Luna is a white cockatoo, and Draco a white ferret. The others don't have the mental, magical, and spiritual flexibility necessary. And Draco got lucky; if Moody hadn't Transfigured him into a ferret that time, he wouldn't have accomplished the transformation either.)
'Didn't I ask you to hold still?' Draco complains, but turns his easel around. Frowning slightly, he tilts his head. 'Actually, that's even better. NOW hold still. And don't you dare start crying, you know what that does to your face.'
I ignore him but stay where I am, staring across his garden at the roofs of London and the muddy winter sky pressing down on us.
Not enough that I'm in danger of losing my chosen profession, I also made a fool of myself before the one man I
'Maybe I should just give up on the whole thing,' I mutter crossly, 'and admit that I'm just not cut out for transformation, transcendence, and a life-long passion for mystical truths.'
'... says the woman who has already spent twelve years trying to solve one of the great magical mysteries of all time.'
I turn around, frowning, possibly even scowling at him. 'Is it? Or is it a silly by now rather sick! schoolgirl's obsession?'
Slumping down in the pink and gold wingback chair Draco has positioned just so to catch the rosy glow of dawn, I hide my face in my palms. 'Sometimes I wonder if it was just my imagination. That it wasn't even Amortentia but some other draught, that I've built my life on an illusion.'
'You? Mistake some kind of bogus brew for Amortentia? In sixth year? Not to mention that I was there, too, and not exactly a failure in Potions, either ... or the fact that our dear Slughorn wanted to impress wonderboy Harry Bloody Potter. Only the best was good enough for that.' Draco rolls his eyes and with a wave of his wand sends his painting tools back to his worktable. 'Oh, come here already, Granger, you silly hen.'
With a moan I get up and join Draco on his chaise longue, allowing him to pull me into his arms until I lie spooned in his embrace. He just holds me close, sensing instinctively that I'm not in the mood for sex.
After a while, my breathing eases, and my eyes stop burning. My head still hurts, but panic and hysteria recede. I relax.
'What did you smell?' I mumble.
'Hmm...' Draco inhales pensively. 'Let's see. A head note of London smog. The good kind, getting high on exhausts on your way to a theatre. A heart note of butterflies.' The essence distilled from the powder off the wings of magical butterflies is a beautiful ingredient for magical perfumes, golden and sweet and flighty. Draco twirls one of my curls around an ink stained finger. 'And turpentine. I don't think what I smelled then was a person. It was the kind of life that I'd love. And I do.'
'You still haven't told him, have you?' Draco murmurs into my hair.
'Merlin, no! He'd throw me out on my arse before I can say "Amortentia"!' I shudder as nausea twists my stomach all over again. The situation is bad enough as it is; I can't bring myself to imagine what it would be like to end up the object of Severus' unbridled ridicule.
'Why would you think that?' Draco asks gently, stroking my shoulder in soothing circles. 'Severus is not exactly unfamiliar with the trials and tribulations of the human heart. And he hasn't asked you to pack up and leave yet, in spite of yesterday's altercation.'
'But he was at least infatuated with a real person! I'm obsessed with with a phantom, a chimaera I don't even know with what,' I complain miserably. I shake my head, tickling Draco's nose with my curls and making him sneeze. 'Which brings us full circle. Even if the journey is the reward, as long as I can't define what I'm looking for in my mastery, I'm stuck in place. I can't even begin that bloody mythical journey. I've been at it for a year now, and I'm not a single step further! And when I asked him about Amortentia, he told me I already know everything I'm supposed to, what with Slughorn's love fest in sixth year ...'
Draco sighs and tightens his hold on me. 'My stubborn little hen. Has it ever occurred to you that the idea of having a Master as a journeywoman is that you don't have to take every step all on your own? That you have a spiritual guide at your side? Hmm? How is Severus supposed to guide you if he doesn't know where you're coming from?'
I know Draco is only trying to cheer me up. And theoretically, his advice has merit. But practically Severus' words sound rather irrevocable as if I'm journeying on borrowed time already. At least we'll still be travelling to the May Fair together. A Great Horned Owl (the preferred messenger bird of the alchemists' guild) arrived with the confirmation of our registration three days ago. I was so thrilled!
... and now I wonder if the end of the May Fair will also herald the end of my time as a journeywoman with Master Severus Snape.
oooOooo
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Scent of Magic
82 Reviews | 7.62/10 Average
If I could only chose one thing from this chapter to comment on it would be this: "I have always liked men with striking features, and there's an intensity to his expressions that is more attractive to me than conventional handsomeness." That describes my likes, too. And a sharp intellect is very, very sexy.
I am beyond happy that they weathered the sensous and sensual storm of emotions and need and reached that perfect marriage of mind and magic. It's such a beautiful story, and I can't thank you enough for posting it here where I do a lot of my fanfic reading.
And last but certainly not least, the fact that it was only after their night of lovemaking that Severus could see the blooming lotus flowers... well, I had no idea! Such a splendid and thrilling comfort it must be to both of them that they can see Luna's gift.
Beth
My god! It is breathtaking! I am so swept up in the emotions of this chapter, and all I can think of is that for all these years, since Hermione first came to Hogwarts, Severus Snape has known that she was his soul mate.
Am I crazy? Can this possibly be true? OMG! I've got to take a moment to get my thoughts under control. What an awesome chapter, Juno! The ultimate reveal!
Beth
At first I was wondering what sort of trouble Lucius and Mystery de Medici could be planning, but after reading the ending of this chapter, I tend to hope that only Misty was conspiring and hopefully Lucius wasn't having any of it.His choice of scent for the evening, Darkest Kiss, has me rethinking his motives... perhaps he has gifted Hermione, not with a new perfume of his own company's making, but enough Amourtentia for her and Severus to realize that they are each others' one true love. Wouldn't that be wonderful??? I'm such a romantic.I loved it when "paranoid" Severus happened upon Hermione's nude self all rolled up in a towel with Draco. That was priceless!Beth
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
This ambiguity was exactly what I wanted. So I really love your reaction!
A resounding round of applause for you fandom friends! Delightful ladies one and all!
May Fair is filled with so much promise for both Severus and Hermione. Can I just say how much I adored it when Severus' joined Hermione on the terrace? That scene is so magically written that I could see through Hermione's eyes, hear Severus's words when he spoke, feel what Hermoine felt when she leaned back into his warm embrace.
Why can't each of them see that they care for each other so much! It's as clear to me as the moonlight falling over them as they sit looking out over the lake.
Beth
Somehow Hermione needs to be faced with the very real prospect of an end to her time as a journeywoman with Master Severus Snape.
As I read this chapter, and thought about the last one, I couldn't help wondering if Severus didn't already know that Hermione's scent is what he smells when he is in the presence of Amourtentia. Although he loved Lily with all his being, he is no longer the man he was. He has been transformed, and I think he may already know that Hermione is his own true love... but he will not try to persuade her that he is hers... she must come to that realization on her own.
Well, now that I've got that out of my system I'll just go along to the next chapter and find out what you have in store for our Hermione next.
Beth
I think it's time Hermione shares with Snape how and why she came to be obsessed with Amortentia... she is looking for the truth, and she doesn't trust herself to know it when she "smells" it.
I love this weaving of obscure threads in this search for her heart.
Beth
Getting to know Hermione and Snape post-war, particularly through Hermione's eyes, is a wonderful treat. Beth
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Thank you. <3
YAY! Everything about their wedding–location, guests, flowers, grasses–echoes their magical marriage. The detail you infused into this story is amazing. By the time I had finished chapter three, I had a brain-niggle that I had read this on the SSHG Exchange when you first wrote it, but regardless, every single word of every single chapter brought me pleasure.
You are amazing!
Beth
This beautiful story has left me breathless with the emotion and imagery you've conjured. I also love all the detail and research you've put into Hermione's journals. Am I right to assume from this last chapter that Hermione is pregnant, her parents affections restored, and Lucius & Mystery are a couple? What happened with Draco? I think a oneshot involving Boho Draco would be marvelous.
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
What can I say? I have a thing for happy endings! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story so much. Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to leave such kind comments.
Part one of this chapter had me hooked and wrapped around your finger within the first few sentences. I am enthralled by your writing and the plot of this tale is very intriguing.
Many thanks for a fascinating read. I'm not sure what I expected; I was just cruising around checking to see if you had given any indication of writing anything new/updating. I hadn't read this one, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I truly enjoyed all the background work you put into researching this. I loved the approach - I haven't seen anything like it. I think the closest thing was the alchemy approach in Around Midnight. I loved the sheer quality of the writing and the way you kept the story moving forward on the theme.
Such a unique story and an enjoyable read. Imagine waiting that long for someone. Bravo to Lucius for once. Great story!
*melts into a puddle* Juno, you have a gift for words. The lush and grand May Fair was a treat for all the senses, so colorful and evocative. And through it all, there was Hermione, feeling like an inadequate poseur... until she met Nip and Rikki. Then it seemed that all signs pointed to success... well, until that Medici woman barged in. So glad Severus cleared that up. And I adored the fangirl cameos. What fun!
Juno, your description of Severus' transformation to Perfume Master was so lush and mythical, a joy to read. As was Hermione's 'session' with Draco. He's one part therapist, providing a safe environment on her way to self-discovery, and one part hedonistic bad influence. I love Bohemian Draco, a one hundred eighty degree departure from the pure-blood wretch of his youth. He's a man that understands emotions quite well.
Once again, she has proven brilliant with the clinical and intellectual portions of her studies, but she's lacking that certain spark. I see why she's pushed herself through this journey for twelve years. Because without the potion, how will she know that her love, when she finds him, is the real deal. She seems not to trust her own heart.
And Snape underestimates himself with regards to love. He may not have been loved, but he knows love and probably shuts himself off from love because it shattered his heart before.
I glossed over this rich story during last summer's Exchange, making a mental note to revisit it when I could devote the proper amount of time it deserves. I love what you've done to the characters, Juno.
I can easily see a tenacious Hermione, her studies and career choice guided by the obsessive memory of that one exposure to Amortentia. To learn chemistry and alchemy and gain mastery of magical potions to one end - to recreate that uber controlled potion. It seems so illogical for the witch who was always the voice of reason amongst her friends. Perhaps that is why she has drifted away from Harry and Ron.
To make Snape the only Perfume master in Britain... sheer genius, especially with a nose like his. Scent is forever bound to memory and emotion, and that's so ironic for a man who never allowed his emotions to be seen by all and sundry. I just love the comparison of Snape to the phoenix: he is the same in body in appearance, but with a different soul.
And for Hermione to succeed, she must speak with total honesty of emotion. It seems strange for the two of them, but how fortunate are we to know what's going on inside their hearts and minds.
Lucius is wearing BPAL's Darkest Kiss. The scent of grief and lost souls. He's wearing it for Narcissa, who loved jasmine though it was not even ‘her’ scent. And who died of the after-effects of an old curse nine months ago. -- this is just so... it tells so much. It's heartbreaking. You do a flirtatious, widowed, still aching Lucius very well. (And ah, this reread is hitting just the spot...)
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Thank you so much for your kind words. I was so pleased how that scene turned out, it's great to see my readers enjoy it, too.
Umbra. Now, that is a scent I may have to try...
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
It's a beautiful, very woodsy scent on me. Hmm...
Mm, coming back to reread this story, and this chapter was as searing as ever...
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Squeee! I couldn't hope for a better compliment! :-) :-) :-)
In that case, you have chosen the wrong master...oh shivers
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Severus is not likely to make this easy on her ... and of course the poor man wouldn't see himself as someone who can teach about love. :(
It's odd, usually stories written from Hermione's POV fing false... but this one doesn't. Love that.
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Oh, thank you so much for your kind words. I often feel the same about stories written in first person from Hermione's perspective. So I'm thrilled to hear that this works for you. :)
Color me impressed! This was such a unique, lush story - beautifully woven, plotted - and so utterly believable! I wish I were coherent enough to list everything there is to love about this fic, but I must simply say that this was one of the best reading experiences I've had in recent memory. Thank you!
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm thrilled that such an accomplished author as you are enjoyed this story so much.
What a lovely tribute to those ladies! And this chapter was positively enchanting. I tell you, this is such a sensory experience - as no doubt it was planned to be, but it comes off as effortless. ~runs to next chapter~ Oh - quickly - Severus at the end here? Guh.
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
Another chapter that was oodles of fun to write. When I got the prompt for the Exchange, that was the first idea I had -- that I wanted to write a magical fair. Since it's rather lush writing, I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it so much, that I got the balance of it right.
First, the reference to Jung made me hoot with laughter. And then the description of alchemical stages and how Severus achieved them - positively fantastic. Also, Draco as a Bohemian? Holy goodness, how fitting and how delightfully entertaining. And his relationship with Hermione is sweet. Oh - my favorite detail? That what Draco smelled was the ~life~ he loved, not necessarily a person - a nuanced take on Amortentia.
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
I'm thrilled that you keep enjoying the bits about alchemy and magical lore. And yay for Draco as a Bohemian. :D That was so much fun to write!
Mm. What a rich chapter. And how fitting, that Hermione has still privileged documentation over, perhaps, a genuine emotional/spiritual/magical search... and how intriguing, that Severus should be attempting to pull that out of her. Until, of course, those last few, gut-wrenching lines.
Response from JunoMagic (Author of The Scent of Magic)
I think even in the worst imaginable circumstances, Hermione would retain her natural intellectual curiosity. And as a journeywoman, she *must* use that to good purpose ... Of course that chapter presents her as very much standing in her own way. *g* But I think that's often the case -- that we make our own lives much more difficult than necessary, that we just cannot admit our most painful secrets even to ourselves ...