The Redemption Charm
Proulxes18 Reviews | 7.11/10 (18 Ratings, 0 Likes, 1 Favorite )
She held still, caught by his expression.
He ducked his head and muttered, "There's a charm... it—it reminds me... and helps me to focus... I need it so that I can feel...."
"I understand," she said, her eyes serious, and although it surprised him, he rather thought she had.
Chapters (1)
About Proulxes
Author
Proulxes
Member Since 2011 | 7 Stories | Favorited by 116 | 65 Reviews Written | 1,736 Review Responses
Anima Mea has been a featured story on TPP, and All Hallows' Reckoning was a featured story on The Petulant Poetess Quiz in July and November 2013!
Anima Mea has won Third Place in the Best Drama / Angst category of the HP fanfic Fan Poll Awards for 2013 - thank you so much to everyone who voted for it!
Reviews for The Redemption Charm
I feel that they have both found redemption, and so much more. Thank you a very lovely tale. 
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you, mick! This is my favourite one so far. I was trying to explore the idea of two jaded souls together and I was really pleased at how it turned out. Thank you for your kind words! Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you, mick! This is my favourite one so far. I was trying to explore the idea of two jaded souls together and I was really pleased at how it turned out. Thank you for your kind words! Pxx
Loved it! I especially loved your inclusion of Tennysons poem.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you! I am thrilled that you enjoyed it,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. Best wishes, Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you! I am thrilled that you enjoyed it,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. Best wishes, Pxx
What a truly fine piece you've written here. And Tennyson to boot. I am a happy woman. I liked the take on the charm being what kept him focused all these years as opposed to an unchanging love. Not saying that he wouldn't still love Lily but the truth is, time DOES heal, and it had been a very long time.Excellent characterization and loved seeing things from Snape's POV as so few stories are. Very pleased to know there is going to be more.Thank you for sharing such a lovely piece.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you very much for your kind words, and for taking the time to review! I'm glad you enjoyed the story,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! Best wishes, Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you very much for your kind words, and for taking the time to review! I'm glad you enjoyed the story,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! Best wishes, Pxx
My first review on this site and it's all yours. I review seldom (how terrible of me, I know), but this was simply too wonderful for me not to give you the praise you deserve. And trust me, 'wonderful' is a term I use very sparingly. I don't even know where to begin praising this piece of perfection... Characterisation is great - they both seem so real and I love that they have been affected by their past (too many writers simply brush away any effects the war and all of their struggles would have on them), and yet there's hope that the future will be better. The plot's original - love the idea of the charm and the setting. Your writing style is fluent, the dialogue so true to the characters. But it's the feel and the emotions of the characters that really resonate within me. That rush of emotions once the charm took effect was so vivid and powerful - through your choice of words and images you managed to make them feel almost tangible. There's really no words for how much I love that particular part of the story. Now, another thing I rarely, that is, never, do is needle an author to continue a one-shot. But in this case I can't help but hope that there is more to come. While this story is perfectly lovely on its own (more than that), there are more than enough questions open to make me eager to read more. *crosses fingers* But either way, this is one of my favourite SSHG works I've read so far. Oh, and I have to commend your choice of the poem. Perfect.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Dear
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
, Thank you for your review! I wanted to consider how resilient humans can be despite the debilitating effects of war. I was trying to mirror the two characters' experiences, even though they have actually been very different. In addition, it has always felt... not quite believable that Severus would cling on to the depth of his devotion to Lily for SO LONG - and that is where the idea of the Redemption Charm came from. I am so pleased that you liked my characterisation and felt that the choice of Tennyson was a good one. This short fic will be linked to a big muti-chapter that I am in the process of planning shortly after finishing Anima Mea - you will note that it is exclusively from Snape's POV.... I wonder how Hermione felt during this experience...? Thank you for your review! Best wishes, Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Dear
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
, Thank you for your review! I wanted to consider how resilient humans can be despite the debilitating effects of war. I was trying to mirror the two characters' experiences, even though they have actually been very different. In addition, it has always felt... not quite believable that Severus would cling on to the depth of his devotion to Lily for SO LONG - and that is where the idea of the Redemption Charm came from. I am so pleased that you liked my characterisation and felt that the choice of Tennyson was a good one. This short fic will be linked to a big muti-chapter that I am in the process of planning shortly after finishing Anima Mea - you will note that it is exclusively from Snape's POV.... I wonder how Hermione felt during this experience...? Thank you for your review! Best wishes, Pxx
This is wonderful. Just wonderful. It leaves me with all sorts of questions--not only what Hermione experienced, but whether the fulfillment of Severus's mission had anything to do with the changed effects of the charm, whether Lily's spirit had anything to do with it, and of course what happened next. But you've given us the essential story, and it's perfect. Thank you so much.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you for taking the time to review,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! I am delighted that you enjoyed it. I was keen to allow some ambiguity in the writing, and deliberately kept the narrative solely from Severus' POV so we might read in to her perspective. There is a new multi-chapter coming and this is an element of it.... Department of Mysteries.... Snape's sentence.... Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you for taking the time to review,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! I am delighted that you enjoyed it. I was keen to allow some ambiguity in the writing, and deliberately kept the narrative solely from Severus' POV so we might read in to her perspective. There is a new multi-chapter coming and this is an element of it.... Department of Mysteries.... Snape's sentence.... Pxx
*sigh* Marvelous!
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you! I am so pleased you enjoyed it,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. :) Pxx
I am sorry that I missed this lovely story when it was first posted. Thank goodness for One_bad_man! What a lovely story of the end of one life and the beginning of another. And such hope. It was so very moving, and I know I'm not the only person who's read it with a tear in their eye. Thank you for sharing such a touching story.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you, Teddy. I must admit that I loved writing this story and I am delighted that you enjoyed it. I was trying to capture a mood, as well as tell a short story from only Severus' point of view. I am very proud that it moved you. Best wishes, Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you, Teddy. I must admit that I loved writing this story and I am delighted that you enjoyed it. I was trying to capture a mood, as well as tell a short story from only Severus' point of view. I am very proud that it moved you. Best wishes, Pxx
Wow, this was stunning. I don't even know what else to say. The emotion was powerful in its simplicity. I think my favorite moment is when she understands his desire to avoid magic and offers to do the spell for him without any of that being said in the moment. This had such a sad feel to it, and yet somehow you come away knowing that no matter what happens, these two are going to be okay. I'm not very good with what I want to say tonight. Just know that I thought this was fantastic.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you. Really. I enjoyed the discipline of writing from Severus' POV very much and tried to convey the sense of a turning point in this short story. I am delighted you enjoyed it,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you. Really. I enjoyed the discipline of writing from Severus' POV very much and tried to convey the sense of a turning point in this short story. I am delighted you enjoyed it,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. Pxx
Thank you for a poignant, wonderfully written story.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Oh thank you,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! Squishes. I loved writing it and it means a lot that it moved you. Best wishes, Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Oh thank you,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! Squishes. I loved writing it and it means a lot that it moved you. Best wishes, Pxx
Absolutely lovely! I really hope this is not THE end of it. This was completely inspiring, and though it was all set in such a cold and dark enviroment, you can feel -really feel- the purge and the freedom of the emotions after the spell. I would really love to read more...a sequel if possible. Thanks for sharing!
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Dear
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
, thank you for your review! I am really pleased that you think I have captured the correct mood of the moment when the old year dies and the new year is born. It was by far the most challenging thing I have written so far and I was VERY nervous posting it! Thank you again for taking the time ot review. Pxx (ps... it's not the end...;) )
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Dear
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
, thank you for your review! I am really pleased that you think I have captured the correct mood of the moment when the old year dies and the new year is born. It was by far the most challenging thing I have written so far and I was VERY nervous posting it! Thank you again for taking the time ot review. Pxx (ps... it's not the end...;) )
Happy new year to you too!I like the way you have framed this with the poem. And that you have included the poem as part of this! And the idea of redemption coming in with the new year; brokeness repaired and a fresh start. For both them and us.I
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you so much
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. I came across this poem in conversation with my local Rector (I was hanging around the churchyard at night in my village to try to catch the right mood) - and he quoted part of this poem to me. It seemed so perfect to accompany the story. I'm glad you liked it. Happy New Year! Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you so much
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
. I came across this poem in conversation with my local Rector (I was hanging around the churchyard at night in my village to try to catch the right mood) - and he quoted part of this poem to me. It seemed so perfect to accompany the story. I'm glad you liked it. Happy New Year! Pxx
Such a lovely and bittersweet story. Thank you. ^_^
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
My pleasure,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
; I am delighted that you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to review! Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
My pleasure,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
; I am delighted that you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to review! Pxx
Even though Severus entered the cemetary with a bittersweet sense of duty and solemn intent, I am overcome with joy that his ritual resulted in the return of joy and a new freedom. This could not have happened without Hermione's willingness to protect him from the Aurors' contempt and judgement. Because of their shared experience both of them face a new future and a new chance at a happy life.What a lovely gift for nagandsev!Beth
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Hello Beth, and thank you! I'm glad you liked it. This one is actually tied to the next multi-story that I'm planning after I finish AM.... Pxx
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
This one is actually tied to the next multi-story that I'm planning...Great News! I'll still be able to get my Proulxes fix. 
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
*Bows low*. It'll take a while, Beth. I am aiming ot begin posting the next one in March. But there will be a one-shot or two before that, I imagine! ;) Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Hello Beth, and thank you! I'm glad you liked it. This one is actually tied to the next multi-story that I'm planning after I finish AM.... Pxx
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
This one is actually tied to the next multi-story that I'm planning...Great News! I'll still be able to get my Proulxes fix.
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
*Bows low*. It'll take a while, Beth. I am aiming ot begin posting the next one in March. But there will be a one-shot or two before that, I imagine! ;) Pxx
Lovely and bittersweet. I like the hopefulness of the ending, too. Very nicely done!
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you, lin! I am so pleased that you like it *blushes*. Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you, lin! I am so pleased that you like it *blushes*. Pxx
I liked this a lot. very bittersweet. :)
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you so much! I'm delighted you enjoyed it. Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thank you so much! I'm delighted you enjoyed it. Pxx
Dearest Proulxes, you'll never quite know, perhaps, how very much this gift means to me... Thank you from the deepest recesses of my heart
Something indescribable has happened this 2013, something is happening, and I have you & others in this wonderful world of fandom to thank for it, along with the higher powers that be... Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam? You do know how to reduce me to a tearful puddle: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.Absolutely! Thank you for striking and capturing the mood and tone, like an arrow in my heart, magically, stunning, in the second: "... There's a charm... it—it reminds me... and helps me to focus... I need it so that I can feel...." Severus' unquenchable need for atonement and redemption is so very tangible and moving, his suffering for the burden(s) he has carried around, ongoing, so palpable. So when Hermione replies, "I understand," and he believes her, this act of union with a kindred soul, the gift of understanding, is so very powerful. The intertwining of the bittersweet with the twists of a true miracle:'... something extraordinary happened. He was suffused with love.'Yup, naggie poo in a puddle of happy tears--this moment is just beautiful!Ring out false pride in place and blood,The civic slander and the spite;Ring in the love of truth and right,Ring in the common love of good.For Severus to be free, to truly experience this and have good, free to truly experience the purity and freedom that is true goodness is such a wonderful, uplifting divine state of being--what a wonderful tale you've written!It is Just. So. Indescribably. Perfect. Thank you, again and again and again!xxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
I'm so glad you liked it, nag. In fact, that is an enormous understatement -- I am hugely relieved you like it,as this is by far the most emotional short story I've written with no tricks and little humour to balance the mood. *Wipes forehead in relief and grins*. Best wishes, Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
I'm so glad you liked it, nag. In fact, that is an enormous understatement -- I am hugely relieved you like it,as this is by far the most emotional short story I've written with no tricks and little humour to balance the mood. *Wipes forehead in relief and grins*. Best wishes, Pxx
Très joli, merci !
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Je vous remercie pour vos aimables paroles! Pxx
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Je vous remercie pour vos aimables paroles! Pxx
Cute little story. I'd expected it to be darker/more depressing than it was from the authors now, but I'm glad it wasn't bad. I'm sure it will likely stay as a one shot, but I'd love to know more about where they go from here!
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
Thanks,
Response from Proulxes (Author of The Redemption Charm)
! I am delighted you didn't find it too angsty. I don't think I could easily write Dark!Fic becasue its not really in my own nature. Don't mind a bit of angst though, particularly in the dead days between Christmas and New Year! I am working on a new multi chapter (rather like Anima Mea) right now which is set around the Redemption Charm - although I don't want to mess about with this story as a one-shot! Happy New Year! Pxx