Interview
Chapter 2 of 3
sarabladeShe could feel the physical heat emanating from him. And his inherent malevolence. He smelled of Firewhisky, expensive leather and dark coffee, over something… unhealthy. "You have some nerve, Malfoy Breeder..."
A/N: Not mine, the known characters.
Please review...
_______________________________________________________________________________
She stood in the corner of the gothic high window of Snape's unheated cavernous antechamber, blindingly staring at the rain outside, mindful not to touch any of his furniture, as the elf had sternly warned. From the inside Snape's home looked gloomy and grand, hollow in spite of the heavy, mildewed centuries-old furniture and tapestries. An abandoned museum.
She tried to concentrate on the way her feet hurt in the old Azkaban-issue shoes — and on the job interview Bill had arranged for her this afternoon — to avoid thinking of the upcoming confrontation. Her head swam with hunger, stress, and the after-effect of the crying bout she'd had after leaving Emery.
Five days left, meaning it may have been the fourth time before last she ever kissed her baby good-bye in the morning. She grimaced, opening a wound on her lip again, began to chew it mindlessly.
The huge, menacing clock was ominously ticking away. One hundred and six. Back when the world looked as if it only needed some idealistic young dedicated people, however few were left of them, to be set whole and good again, she'd become an Unspeakable. Some part of her trained brain still automatically logged in that kind of peripheral knowledge. Time elapsed, surroundings...
And now it suddenly warned her of an approaching presence.
She'd lost her edge though — or the intermittent crybaby sniffling she'd been afflicted with since last spotting Emery's too-thin, too-pale small hand waving her good day through Azkaban's gate had messed with her senses — because she didn’t get to whip around or even compose herself before his voice, thin and nasty, cut through her ears.
"Don't turn around. If you turn around or look at me without my express permission, it'll be the last time you enter this house. If you speak without my express permission… it will annoy me."
She dipped her head in acquiescence, did not bother to bring it back up.
His steps – soft, menacing – creaked closer on the ancient floorboards, closer… until she could feel the physical heat emanating from him. And his inherent malevolence. He smelled of Firewhisky, expensive leather and dark coffee, over something… unhealthy. Something that reminded her of the emergency medical care part of the training.
"You have some nerve, Malfoy Breeder."
She pinched her broken lips and concentrated on not shaking. Really? She felt as if all her nerve had left her so long ago… She sensed him looming nearer, his hair and nose brushing her skull. Unwillingly, her breath hitched.
He chuckled. A low, self-satisfied throaty laugh, sure of the man's power over the woman standing right before him.
"Do you know, Breeder, do you have any idea what I'd look for in a wife? Are you so far gone from your previous persona that you didn't research the meaning of being married to a Snape?"
Although she'd grown taller during her pregnancy, he had to stoop so his mouth was flush with her left ear. The weird smell got stronger.
"Look ahead, Breeder. Keep looking ahead. Do you know how the last six Snape wives died?"
She willed herself silent, although her mind screamed answers. Nodded dumbly as her hands fluttered to her throat.
His hands firmly circled her wrists from behind, putting them back down to her sides, and went back to her throat, barely touching it.
"Right. They were either strangled… or slowly smothered to death." His voice took a violent quality, ringing in her ear. "By their husbands. Did you know that, Breeder?"
His hands were roughly massaging her throat, squeezing her trachea, causing her to cough and send her hand to the wall not to fall. Color spots were flying before her eyes as she struggled for air. She knew better than try to fight back.
Suddenly, he took his hands away, stepped back. His voice was calm again, his school voice. "Except one. Can you tell me which?"
She nodded between the coughs, careful not to look at him.
"Take your filthy hand away from my wall," he hissed. He took a step back. "You smell, by the way."
She complied as if burned, taking in rough bursts of air spasmodically, hugging herself for balance, coughing. She was blinded by the tears coming out of her eyes.
"Put your hands on your head. Stand straight." He stepped close to her again, his left hand at her throat, going down to the chest, grazing a nipple, up again to the buckle of her robe, to her throat. His fingers slid inside the robe, probing the hidden skin. She fleetingly asked herself if she'd rather be… had, or strangled, before realizing he'd probably do both.
But her breathing stopped by itself when suddenly her robe fell at her feet, and she felt the rough abrasion of a very thorough Scourgify. The hair, the skin, under the nails like with a rough pocket-knife… internally. She closed her eyes against the intrusion and the thought of her grey, Azkaban fraying underclothes (grandmother's sagging bra, granddad's ripped undershorts) and ungainly shoes, her skeletal body and the marks on her skin.
I'll glamour myself, she wanted to scream. I'll turn into the very embodiment of your fantasies. I'll open to you, and suck you, and massage your feet with my—
"Kindly stop the cheap come-ons, Granger," he snapped.
He'd been in her head.
He snorted. "You want to be my wife, Breeder. A good wife shouldn’t want to keep any secrets from her husband, should she?"
She tried to wet her desiccated lips with an equally dry tongue. Where were all the tears when one needed them? Had he just alluded he'd be ready to marry her? Indeed? She tried to calm the wild beating of her heart, the images of Emery growing near her, the sudden elation, the —
"Of course not," he sniggered again. "But I must thank you for the amusement which infused the very nice chat I had with Narcissa yesterday evening. She and I found ourselves in agreement and separated in good cheer." The icy bitter tone of his voice belied the words.
She pushed her nails into her palms to overcome the urge to turn and look at him, to decipher his face.
Of course not marry, Narcissa and he had said in agreement.
Suddenly the tears were not hard to come by. Her stomach churned painfully and she feared she'd be sick. She had lengthily debated the risks of going to him, known there was a possibility he'd turn against her and help Narcissa, but in the end she'd refused to believe it. She still saw the war hero in him, the—
"Refreshingly candid," he drawled. He chuckled at the flash of anger in her head at finding him lurking there, aware of her thoughts. "I have a proposal, though."
"Are you listening?"
Story Actions
To follow, favorite, like, and more either log in or create an account.
Leave a Review
Log in to leave a review.
Latest 25 Reviews for The Heir
17 Reviews | 5.06/10 Average
I love this story so much and I'd very much like to read more of it but it looks as if you haven't updated it recently which makes me very sad. It's so well written, altough very dark, but it's dark in a very compelling way. I so want to know the backstory and more than that-how this will unravel in future chapters.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
I'm very sorry for the long absence. But Im back, and I hope for good (I waited to be sure). Thanks for the great review!
i like it.. don't know why, the plot is not my usual cup of tea? must be because its thursday and i am watching the tv show, beauty and the beast!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
WOW!! I've written more than 60000 words in this story (another good 40000 planned), and never stopped to think it did have some high resemblance to the B&B... at least in the premise. Well, she's NOT beautiful, and he's not... whatever. Thanks for your review, and thanks Heaven H was raised not to be so dependent like the Beauty of old.
Response from roni0811 (Reviewer)
I totally agree with your response, on not being dependent on Beauty!!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
WOW!! I've written more than 60000 words in this story (another good 40000 planned), and never stopped to think it did have some high resemblance to the B&B... at least in the premise. Well, she's NOT beautiful, and he's not... whatever. Thanks for your review, and thanks Heaven H was raised not to be so dependent like the Beauty of old.
Response from roni0811 (Reviewer)
I totally agree with your response, on not being dependent on Beauty!!
I gotta tell you, I really don't care much for darkfic. There is the occasional one that is so well written that I make it through and am glad I did. This has me cringing a lot, but on the other hand, I read all three chapters without stopping to review because I wanted to find out what would happen next. So, you've got good quality writing and intrigue on your side. I do hope this turns out to be one of the fabulous ones.The one thing that has me most perplexed is the when and where we are at here. I don't believe (although I read this at an obscenely late hour, so I could have missed it) that you have let on to when this takes place. Or, more importantly, the state of the world. If Voldemort won, shouldn't Harry be dead, and people who were on the side of the light be gone or locked away? But, if Voldemort lost, why are there Death Eater types out roaming freely with the ability to get what they want from Hermione? Did the good guys win, but the govenment went bad? What the heck is going on?!?! I do hope this updates regularly because I truly want to know more.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you very much. The beginning of the story is dark indeed, and H's fight out of the darkness is its backbone, so... no much fluff to be expected in the short term, but more glints and light-and-shadow games...Harry and Ron are dead, as H. is forced to repeat in the first chapter. For the rest - SPOILER ALERT: all in all you're right "the good guys won, but the govenment went bad", more or less, or at least there's a risk it will go bad if our heroes don't succeed.Hint- the story is called "the Heir"...I promise to work hard on updates- I've got many chapters written, and the story is clear in my head. It's only I took other writing assignments, and my RL is quite crowded at this time.Thanks for your interest. I'll be happy to know if the Heir lives up to your expectations...
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you very much. The beginning of the story is dark indeed, and H's fight out of the darkness is its backbone, so... no much fluff to be expected in the short term, but more glints and light-and-shadow games...Harry and Ron are dead, as H. is forced to repeat in the first chapter. For the rest - SPOILER ALERT: all in all you're right "the good guys won, but the govenment went bad", more or less, or at least there's a risk it will go bad if our heroes don't succeed.Hint- the story is called "the Heir"...I promise to work hard on updates- I've got many chapters written, and the story is clear in my head. It's only I took other writing assignments, and my RL is quite crowded at this time.Thanks for your interest. I'll be happy to know if the Heir lives up to your expectations...
Geez, is this ever bleak. Not at all what I thought from the summary. I hope some glimmer of something positive occurs for Hermione's sake.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thanks for reviewing. There will definitely be "glimmers", and although the premise is definitely dark, the story, in essence, is one of a hero/in overcoming darkness. Not to promise an HEA, of course :-)
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thanks for reviewing. There will definitely be "glimmers", and although the premise is definitely dark, the story, in essence, is one of a hero/in overcoming darkness. Not to promise an HEA, of course :-)
Wow....this is so creepy and gothic.....I am overwhelmed yet it does say romance in the description....Is that correct ?
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
"Gothic" is exactly the atmosphere I was trying to recreate, more historically than trend-wise, so... thanks. Severus, like the wounded animal he is, lashes out. But that's not all he is. And you saw already in chap.1, once he did want her "that way"... Did he really stop? In next chapter (queued) there will be more about his inner thoughts, about her also.Thanks for reviewing.
Response from pansycat (Reviewer)
Not sure if you want to answer this, because maybe this is meant to unclear still. It says that Hermione defended Snapeso my guess is that despite Hermione's situation, Voldemortdidn't win. Not sure if we were supposed to know this yet or not :). Seriously this is a great beginning !!!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
You read right. She saved him in the Shrieking shack, and testified for him when all seemed to be going in the right direction after the War... only all the baddies haven't been eradicated, and... well, I'm sorry, but Stroll in the Park (next chap) will answer you better than I can here (sorry if it sounds like a cheap come-on :-) it's exactly that.)Thanks a lot for your interest
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
"Gothic" is exactly the atmosphere I was trying to recreate, more historically than trend-wise, so... thanks. Severus, like the wounded animal he is, lashes out. But that's not all he is. And you saw already in chap.1, once he did want her "that way"... Did he really stop? In next chapter (queued) there will be more about his inner thoughts, about her also.Thanks for reviewing.
Response from pansycat (Reviewer)
Not sure if you want to answer this, because maybe this is meant to unclear still. It says that Hermione defended Snapeso my guess is that despite Hermione's situation, Voldemortdidn't win. Not sure if we were supposed to know this yet or not :). Seriously this is a great beginning !!!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
You read right. She saved him in the Shrieking shack, and testified for him when all seemed to be going in the right direction after the War... only all the baddies haven't been eradicated, and... well, I'm sorry, but Stroll in the Park (next chap) will answer you better than I can here (sorry if it sounds like a cheap come-on :-) it's exactly that.)Thanks a lot for your interest
What an intriguing backstory you're tantalizing us with!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you... I did choose to begin in the middle, but the background is ever so oresent during the whole story.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you... I did choose to begin in the middle, but the background is ever so oresent during the whole story.
I feel as though I've been given some dark potion that leads the mind down strange and twisted paths. You have us all helpless to turn away from whatever torments you choose to show us - I'm in awe. Your Snape is brilliant !!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Wow. What a brilliant review :-). Snape, as I see him if he survived, would be one of the most tragic characters, nasty, but totally committed to a moral code of his own (as we'll see in next chapter, too), and irremediably bowed under the weight of his own past. Thank you for following in the "strange and twisted paths" of our characters!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Wow. What a brilliant review :-). Snape, as I see him if he survived, would be one of the most tragic characters, nasty, but totally committed to a moral code of his own (as we'll see in next chapter, too), and irremediably bowed under the weight of his own past. Thank you for following in the "strange and twisted paths" of our characters!
This is very chilling, but compelling, so many questions still to be answered. Looking forward,to the next chapter.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you so much. There will be answers, but more questions, too. Not a nice world to live in, all in all. But I took it all from our history books and newspapers.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you so much. There will be answers, but more questions, too. Not a nice world to live in, all in all. But I took it all from our history books and newspapers.
EXCELLENT!!!!!!I am looking forward to reading future chapters.....
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you, Two chapters are queued, and i'm patiently waiting to see how they'll be received.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thank you, Two chapters are queued, and i'm patiently waiting to see how they'll be received.
Oh my, what a chilling start. How did it come to this? Looking forward to finding out.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
It took a long time to come to this, but I promise everything shall be clear (dark, but clear :-)) in time...Thanks for the R&R, it's very important to me...
Response from mick42 (Reviewer)
My pleasure, I don't mind dark, if it's as well done as this seems to be.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
It took a long time to come to this, but I promise everything shall be clear (dark, but clear :-)) in time...Thanks for the R&R, it's very important to me...
Response from mick42 (Reviewer)
My pleasure, I don't mind dark, if it's as well done as this seems to be.
This looks very promising! I'm anxious to read more.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
New chapters are queued for publication. Thanks a lot. I hope you'll tell me how the next chapters make you feel, too.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
New chapters are queued for publication. Thanks a lot. I hope you'll tell me how the next chapters make you feel, too.
wow what a start! I understand that Snape isn't looking or feeling any better than her--if he allows himself this honesty, which obviously he does not.
Response from Bettina (Reviewer)
just reading the first review: The son for a son is Draco being saved by Snape due to the UV. I think this is quite clear. But where he is and why his heritage is not subject of the dispute/will is open to me, too.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Nice insights. Indeed, he's such a master at deception, it even works on himself. The fate of the Malfoy heritage is going to shape our world. I suggest we mortals give it its due respect :-)Thanks a lot for R&R, I hope you continue to share your impressions for the next chapters.
Response from Bettina (Reviewer)
just reading the first review: The son for a son is Draco being saved by Snape due to the UV. I think this is quite clear. But where he is and why his heritage is not subject of the dispute/will is open to me, too.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Nice insights. Indeed, he's such a master at deception, it even works on himself. The fate of the Malfoy heritage is going to shape our world. I suggest we mortals give it its due respect :-)Thanks a lot for R&R, I hope you continue to share your impressions for the next chapters.
Intriquing - I suspect the backstory on this is going to be most interesting, not to mention the continuation. Where, pray tell, is the first Malfoy heir? A son for a son? What's that about? OK, I'm hooked...
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
The first Malfoy heir... oh it hurts not to be able to give spoilers. But on the other hand I want you hooked so bad. And it's only the beginning of the questions. At least, the "son for a son" was answered by Bettina. Hope you continue to like the story. Next chapters queued.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
The first Malfoy heir... oh it hurts not to be able to give spoilers. But on the other hand I want you hooked so bad. And it's only the beginning of the questions. At least, the "son for a son" was answered by Bettina. Hope you continue to like the story. Next chapters queued.
i saw this on ff its not compleat.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
You're right, it's a WIP. I don't think I'll be posting on FF anymore though, so you're welcome to follow it here. thanks for reading and remembering.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
You're right, it's a WIP. I don't think I'll be posting on FF anymore though, so you're welcome to follow it here. thanks for reading and remembering.
Good update. I have one question... or two...How and why was Hermione involved with Lucius? and why did she kill him?
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thanks for your questions, really, but it would be a major spoiler if I answered them, as the whys of this are part of the story backbone. I promise full answers by the end,though. I always enjoy a game ofQ&As, and any hypothesis from you shall be duly responded to, if without spoilers.Thanks for playing along.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Thanks for your questions, really, but it would be a major spoiler if I answered them, as the whys of this are part of the story backbone. I promise full answers by the end,though. I always enjoy a game ofQ&As, and any hypothesis from you shall be duly responded to, if without spoilers.Thanks for playing along.
You've, oh so skillfully, put us on a knife edge - just like Hermione herself. This is brilliantly nerve wracking !!
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Well, from you it means something extra... I hope I wrack your nerves just enough to get your Muse acting again. I'll really appreciate your thoughts on this story, if you'll be so kind...
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Well, from you it means something extra... I hope I wrack your nerves just enough to get your Muse acting again. I'll really appreciate your thoughts on this story, if you'll be so kind...
Severus seems to be playing, cat and mouse with Hermione. 
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Right, all along Severus will be playing a lot, and enjoying it only a little. Thanks for R&R.
Response from sarablade (Author of The Heir)
Right, all along Severus will be playing a lot, and enjoying it only a little. Thanks for R&R.