The Lesson
Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart
Chapter 2 of 20
SquibstressIf war is hell, Severus Snape and Minerva McGonagall are in the Ninth Circle. During Snape's awful year as Headmaster, he and Professor McGonagall draw closer as they are forced into a desperate arrangement.
ReviewedChapter Two: The Lesson
Minerva felt acrid bile rise in her throat and swallowed hard to keep from vomiting. This cannot be happening, she told herself.
Harsh reality, in the form of her former student and colleague, intruded on her panicked thoughts. He was now right in front of her, inches away. She saw his lips moving, but heard nothing.
If he tries to kiss me, I'll tear his tongue out with my teeth, she thought savagely. Good, anger was good. If she could focus on her fury, she might survive this. She focused her gaze over the heads of the assembled students, unable to look at them.
Her ears told her that many of the girls—and a few boys, she thought—were sobbing. Be strong for them, Minerva told herself. Show them how to face down tyranny. She clenched her jaws, hoping she looked strong as the stone on which the castle was built. Inside her head, she was screaming.
Snape parted his outer robes and unzipped his fly. He grabbed Minerva's left leg and wrapped it around his waist, pulling her towards him. He held her thigh in place with one hand while the other disappeared inside his trousers. She felt a hand on her right hip, and suddenly, he was inside her.
Minerva had been bracing herself for the pain of his first thrust, but she was curiously numb. She felt only pressure and a vague warmth between her legs as Snape moved rhythmically against her. Her body jerked with each thrust, and she concentrated on maintaining her footing. She silently willed her assailant to hurry his release.
After a minute she heard Snape grunt as he sagged against her, releasing her leg and withdrawing his penis. He adjusted his clothes and stepped away from her.
Minerva was bitterly thankful for the magical chains that held her; her legs would not have supported her. She bit down hard on her tongue to keep the nausea at bay. She tasted blood and focused on its metallic saltiness. One moment at a time… inhale… exhale…
She heard the loathsome, high-pitched voice: "Now that you have all seen what disobedience can bring, I expect no more resistance from you or your families. Remember this lesson well. I trust you will not need another. Severus, you may dismiss your students." With that, Voldemort swept from the dais, closely followed by his Death Eaters.
As he passed Minerva, Amycus Carrow sneered, "Ta, love. Maybe next time, eh?"
Once the Dark procession had disappeared through the doors, Snape announced evenly, "Everyone will return to their Houses immediately. Staff may adjourn to their quarters. Your wands will be waiting for you there."
The students filed out, some weeping, some in shock. The staff, still at the back of the dais, did not move. Snape glanced at them, then pointed his wand at Minerva. "Finite Incantatem," he intoned, and silently walked out of the hall.
As soon as Snape had released the spell, Minerva felt the tension in her wrists release and sank to the floor. A moment later she felt a cloak drape gently over her shoulders and heard the voice of her friend, Poppy Pomfrey, murmur next to her ear, "It's all right now, they're all gone. Come on, Minerva, let's get you out of here."
She felt strong arms under hers, helping her to stand, and looked up at Pomona Sprout, who was gently supporting her as they dismounted the dais. "Thank you," she whispered, not trusting her voice with more.
As the three women made their way out of the hall, the male staff members, who had stayed back, not knowing what to do or how to help their comrade, set to work carrying the still-unconscious Hagrid out, followed by the other female staff and Professor Slughorn, who made no move to help.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart
59 Reviews | 6.08/10 Average
I hope they both got what they needed from this encounter. I'm glad, too, that she stayed.
The situation seems so hopeless, especially when you aren't seeing any of it from Harry's POV. And the end ... It's a lovely idea. I hope it turns out okay.
It's too bad she doesn't have a girlfriend who is safe to confide in. I hope they leave her be as she really is dealing with it in her own way.
I love the honesty that continues to occur. And, them sitting down to a game of chess almost seems as if they are leading normal lives. Almost.
Interesting how different Albus and Minerva view their situation. And these two having to play act at sex ... I hope they can persevere.
Very well written & engaging. Love your Minerva, stalwart, compassionate, unbelievably strong. Excellent characterisation.
This seemed an unusually brutal and depressing sort of story, when I read the first few chapters, so I haven't been following it. (I'm a rather unsophisticated reader and usually prefer there to be at least some fluff.) But today it was rainy and dark, and I started your again and read it straight through. It's really brilliant--full of all sorts of wonderful bits, including particularly Minerva's sermon to her Gryffindors about rape, her friendship with Rolanda and Pomona, her conversations with Severus, the fact that Severus's memories of her faked subjugation distracted Voldemort enough to thwart Nagini's capture of Harry and Hermione, and her testimony before the Wizangemot. Your final chapter from Harry's viewpoint, illustrating the effects of her and Severus's many sacrifices, was a wonderful way to wrap the story up, and Minerva's transfiguration of her Order of Merlin was the perfect final note. Very nicely done indeed--it was truly a bitter story, but full of the sweetness of comradeship and honor.
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
It's certainly a brutal story in many ways, so I quite understand your reluctance to continue with it. Thanks for giving it a chance. I'm glad you enjoyed the remainder of the story, and thanks for the kind words.
An amazing story! Great job!
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This is the first time that I have read MM/SS pairing that didn't disgust me. Usually, it seems so improbable and contrived due to the age difference, personality and other factors. Your excellent writing has made it seem a possible story development that is more than readable--it was very well handled.
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Thanks for the kind words.
Wow, this is really heavy stuff. You are doing a great job of dealing with the characterization.
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Thanks. Heavy indeed.
OMG--this is SO INTENSE! I can hardly believe you packed so much emotion into each chapter! Very well written--especially since it is such difficult subject matter.
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Thanks. The story ended up being longer than I anticipated, so there was a lot of ground to cover.Thanks for reading.
I used to read nothing but HG/SS Fanfiction. I finally started branching out to other pairings and (not that this was a typical pairing story) it was one of the best ones I've read. Thanks!
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Thanks for the kind words.Thanks for giving this a try. I tend to read mostly Minerva-centric stories, and it's always fun to branch out and read something a bit out of my usual circle.
Awsome safe word. Absolute genuis!
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Why, thanks!
Love the fact that they are able to be reasonable...affectionate even, after. And that he stopped. And that he found out she defended him.
Sounds like he had a crush on her when he was younger. :)
Hmm. Dumbledore needs to learn a little tact. :)
Well done. What a visual in my minds eye.
Thank you again for sharing~Elou
Holy mother uh pearl! Go Minerva! Damn, she 's one tough broad. *giggle* I'm not sure I could be as accommodating without developing an attachement for someone she obviously has respect for.
Thank you again for sharing~Elou
Now she is in charge it will help both of them cope, I suspect. :)
Poor Severus is a bit out of his depth! :)
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Severus is young and hasn't had much in the way of opportunity to develop normal relationships. I really feel for the poor blighter! Hope that comes across.
I wasn't sure about reading this story, but I'm intrigued. And reading. It's a difficult theme, and I can't see where it is heading, but hope travels with me, and I do hope that Severus wins out in his battles in your universe.
She's tough, perhaps even tougher than he is. :)
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Minerva is very tough--veteran of two previous wars, don't forget. Also, she's older and has a far broader experience of the world than has Severus, at least in my Potterverse.Thanks for reading and commenting!
Great chapter. Keep it up! :)
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Thanks, and thanks for reading.
Just what she needed. :)
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
I think the students love her a lot more than they ususally let on.
Aha. Knew he'd done something clever. :)
Response from Squibstress (Author of Because it is Bitter, and Because it is my Heart)
Yes. Magic is very useful, isn't it? ;-)