A Subtle Art
Chapter 1 of 1
OwlbaitSubtle and bewitching, the taste of a rare brew commands memory.
ReviewedBeads of sweat ran down Minerva’s back beneath her cotton dress as she slipped out of the Majorcan sun, through the door Rolanda held for her, and into the cool shade of the odd little coffee shop.
Rolanda ordered the coffee while Minerva fanned herself gratefully. She didn’t really want anything hot, but it was their last day of holiday and their last chance to experience the coffee which had been described as absolutely not-to-be-missed.
She looked doubtfully into her black coffee—the server had insisted it was best appreciated this way—and took a careful tiny sip. Noting the temperature was ideal to release the volatile flavors without burning, she dared a larger taste and dropped her eyelids to focus on inward sensations.
The dark, smoky, bitter flavor rolled over her tongue, and her first impression was one of regret. In the moment before swallowing, the coffee reached the back of her palate, and its subtler agencies took effect. Fragile aromas rose up the back of her throat to meld with the tendrils of steam entering her nose. Now, she thought of the hidden forest places where wood and stone shelter minute flowers and fruits.
The contrast between the immediate flavor and the subtle ensnaring of her senses which followed struck her suddenly, bringing to mind a friend long departed. If he had brewed coffee instead of potions, he would have made this. Opening her eyes, she discovered the same reminiscence in her lover’s face and recognized her shared hope.
AN: With thanks to my charming, unnamed beta reader.
Prompt: A determined search for the perfect cup of coffee leads to an even more satisfying discovery.
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Latest 25 Reviews for A Subtle Art
22 Reviews | 4.09/10 Average
I am amazed at your descriptive ability. If I had had your gifts, I would have been a professional writer instead of a professional mommy. (but mommy is a great job!) But the sensory descriptions do not overshadow the thoughts of Severus, their old friend, and the hope he might be alive.Like Minerva's coffee, this tale is a perfect brew, a prefect combination.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
~squees in delight~I'm a techie in my day job, so writing is stress relief and coffee is my lifeblood.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
~squees in delight~I'm a techie in my day job, so writing is stress relief and coffee is my lifeblood.
Do you run your own hip foodie blog? The coffee itself becomes a character here, and a beautiful one at that. But the thought of Severus lurking in the Majorcan sun, appreciated by old friends? Lovely all around.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
You've made my morning with such a lovely complement, thank you :o)
I love the way the flavor is described, though as a non-coffee drinker I have no idea if such subtlety is possible. Little bit squicked by Minerva/Rolanda, though.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
It may only be possible if the brewer is a wizard. I can't explain why I thought it was important to the story Minerva and Rolanda be a couple, it just seemed right.
I love the things hinted at here. Dare we hope that the brewer is none other than the Potions master?
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Minerva and Rolanda are certainly hoping it's him. They never did figure out what happened to the body ;-)
A lovely little piece, and amaying what you have done with so few words
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
thank you! I was aiming for that and I'm so happy that it's working. thank you for reading and reviewing!
It always amazes me when someone says so much in so few words. This was very nicely done!
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
~happy dances~ Thank you, I'm delighted that worked for you. I really loved this prompt.
Too bad we don't get to meet the brewer.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
I considered going there, but the story felt stronger for leaving it implied. I imagine he's trying to decide whether he wants them to discover him or not. Thanks for reviewing!
Lovely, poignant... love the detailed sensory description! Lovely work!
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it. :-)
Sounds like the perfect brew.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Wish I could find coffee that good. If I did I'd, look for Sev in the back ;-)
Like the implication. :)
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you, implication is everything. ~grin~
A lovely slice from the life of Minerva and Rolanda. It would be lovely if Severus was the barista, but maybe hope is enough.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Sev doesn't serve, but he might be hiding in the back roasting and brewing ;-)
What a lovely discovery!
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you, I like to think they'd have discovred him about five minutes later, if he wanted to be found. Thanks for reviewing!
Oooh, I can see Snape as a coffee roaster and proprietor in Majorca. Nice!
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
And insisting people take his coffee black! So glad you liked it, thanks for reviewing!
I love the way you wove that trace of canon into this. It's a beautiful scene.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you so much, glad you liked it!
The dark, smoky, bitter flavor rolled over her tongue, and her first impression was one of regret. -- love tthis line :-)
Response from Owlbait (Reviewer)
me too, thanks for reviewing!
This was very poignant. Well-written and quiet and enviably concise. good job!
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you, usually I have trouble finding enough words, so this was a bit of a relief. Thanks for reviewing!
A very moving piece. Well done.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
So glad you liked it, thanks for revewing :)
One could only hope. Nicely done.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
If he's alive, he'd be kown by his coffee :o)
Way-hay-hay-hayt....Minerva and Hooch are LOVERS??!?!?!?!?Since I'm drinking my coffee, you are really lucky I didn't do a spit-take over that!
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Heh, I took the opportunity to dabble my toesies into femmeslash, clearly I'm ignoring new pottermore canon. Thanks for reviewing :)
What evocative imagery. Love the focus on the coffee specifically, on its tastes and its effect on the drinker.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you. My personal opinion is only one person could have made coffee like that ;-)
I love your evocative description of the coffee flavour here.
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
Thank you. So glad you liked it, and thank you for reviewing.
bittersweet
Response from Owlbait (Author of A Subtle Art)
You are encouraged to believe that Sev is alive and well, and hiding in the kitchen ;-)