Chapter 8
Chapter 9 of 13
MinervaZelko finally meets Draco.
Author's Note: Thank you all for your lovely reviews. And special thanks to my wonderful beta, Dreamy_Dragon, without whom my stories would not have been posted, and to all the people behind the scenes at TPP. Virtual chocolate-cakes to all of you!
Chapter 8
Opening his pantry door, Severus beheld a confused young man. With a slight nod Malfoy Senior Disapparated.
“Hello, Draco.”
The young man’s eyes narrowed, and he went into a defensive stance. Severus didn’t know whether to mourn what a war had done to his friend’s son or whether to be proud of Draco’s ‘constant vigilance’.
“Professor Snape?”
“I think it is appropriate for you to call me Severus now, although here I am known as Zelko Princip.”
Severus led the still shell-shocked visitor to his settee. Draco’s expression showed amazement, confusion, worry, anger and pure joy in short order.
“It’s truly you! You can’t know how often I have wished you were still alive!”
“Draco, I think I know. I have felt that I have abandoned you and all the other Slytherins at the worst possible time, but I saw no other way. Even without the snake-bite, I was a wreck. I am sure I would have lost my sanity completely had I not given myself the time to heal – body, mind and soul.”
The young man held up a hand to forestall any more confessions.
“You don’t need to explain further. I was a complete mess too. Don’t tell Mother and Father, but I even went to a Muggle therapist Granger recommended.”
Draco proceeded to talk about his family, his business and his surprising friendship with Granger (“She’s a Ravenclaw at heart, which makes her bearable for us. And she talks about you a lot.”)
Since he was the CEO of Draconian Measures, Draco had to leave for London the next day while his parents stayed for another week. After they had taken their farewell with a sumptuous dinner at the resort, Severus returned home. Two days later, he received an e-mail waiting from Hermione.
30-11-2012 13:32
Subject: Draco
Dear Zelko,
You must have made quite an impression on Draco. He talks about you all the time, even if he is very closed-lipped about the reason for his sudden trip. While I do not remember the Malfoys’ hospitality during the war fondly, I hope there’s nothing wrong with my friend’s parents. Although if it were something serious, he wouldn’t be in such a good mood.
I am rambling. We finished the project at 3 a.m. this morning, and I haven’t had any sleep yet. Hopefully, Draco didn’t pester you too much. For all his pure-blooded suaveness, he does behave like an eager puppy when he is on to something. Don’t tell him I said so.
Alas, I am not too tired to notice that you have neatly avoided answering my questions. Please answer me this one: Are we at a point in our friendship that such questions become important?
I am thirty-three, unattached and all my previous relationships have failed either early on because I will not play down my intelligence to assuage a wizard’s insecurity, or the relationship dawdled into oblivion because we were both workaholics.
Fond regards,
Hermione
Well, she was forcing his hand with that question.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Being Muggle-born
239 Reviews | 6.31/10 Average
Why the name zelko princip?
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Princip sounds like Prince (and meens it too, at least according to my internet dictionary) and Zelko was the only Slovenian name starting with an S-sound save for Savo which is too close to Severus (I could not have Hermione suspecting something too early in the story). I have thought of Gavrilo Princip but as the name is common enough I thought to use it anyway.
Brava! I have been completely charmed by reading this story and Hallelujah. I'm kind of glad I read Hallelujah first, because it put me in the mood to emotionally enjoy Being Muggle-born. Thank you for sharing this story which was obviously a labor of love. Your gift for telling a story has given me a truly awesome afternoon of SSHG goodness!
Hugs, Beth
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Thank you very much for your reviews. I am working on a few stories right now and two are in queue.
Oh, that meeting went beautifully! It was everything I could have hoped for!
Beth
I loved Severus' reference to the Mayan calendar. When he and Hermione finally meet I wonder if they'll recognize each other right away?
Beth
A cross between Mr Darcy and Colonel Brandon... That sounds about right. *sigh*
I can't wait to see how their meeting goes.
Beth
Well done, Hermione! She is being very proactive without being pushy. Her email had just the right tone to nudge a man without making him feel panicky. And she signed it with "Fond regards."
This is getting SOOOO good. Be still my heart.
Beth
Severus also watched a YouTube clip of a BBC version of Sense and Sensibility in which Colonel Brandon looked like a fairer-haired and slightly heavier version of himself.
I adore his observation here. Well done, you! And I hope the reunion with Draco will go well.
Beth
I love that Severus finally showed his therapist some of his returning magic. Zelko Princip was a clever persona to have created. And now I want to know what Hermione wrote in her second email.
Beth
OH! I am SO glad Severus finished that bottle of wine!!!
Beth
This has got me hook, line, and sinker. I just finished reading Hallelujah and had to come check out this story!
Beth
...a stall selling local headscarves caught his eye. They were made of wool, black with floral motifs in muted colours. On a whim he bought one.
I wonder if he is aware of some subconscious thought that led him to buy a headscarf? Could that thought be named Hermione?
Great story!!!
Beth
And Hermione Granger is definitely Severus' intellectual equal. I'm loving the direction his thoughts are taking.
Beth
I would love to have been a fly on the garden wall when Lucius saw a strange man deeply hugging his wife! Will he even recognize Severus without him speaking?
Beth
Aww, what a cute ending! And Hermione is right, you don't get uninterrupted time once kids come, so make it like bunnies while you can! Lol. Very cute story though, I really liked it. Thanks for sharing it with us all. :)
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Thank you!
Yes! Whether he knows it yet or not, Severus is getting closer and closer to Hermione and the Malfoys. *iz grinning*
Beth
Yay! This outcome is far better than any I could have imagined, AND it's perfectly natural. It's no wonder that S is a bit... unsettled at just you right it all seems.Beautiful as always, Minerva. Thank you so much for Being Wonderful at this!
Response from TeaOli (Reviewer)
Oops! The second part of that comment makes little sense.I'd meant to write: It's no wonder that S is a bit... unsettled at just how right it all seems.
Response from TeaOli (Reviewer)
Oops! The second part of that comment makes little sense.I'd meant to write: It's no wonder that S is a bit... unsettled at just how right it all seems.
Bah! I thought they were actually meeting this chapter. Pooey. Well, I eagerly await the next chapter, with the meeting of the two I hope! I still think she suspects something. :)
I continue to enjoy this story a lot. (A transgender Bellatrix--now that's a scary thought.) But I find it moves really slowly. Or perhaps that's just because I'm looking forward so much to their meeting?
Stretching it out, stretching it out! The anticipation is enough for me to begin to feel anxious/nervous. This chapter did a good job helping the reader feel what the story's subjects feel. Thanks.
When they do meet, she will look back and see all the subtle hints, that he has been dropping. The question is, when that happens will she be angry with him, or herself, we just have to wait and see.
I loved her Bella comment as well. Can't wait to see how that meeting goes. Will she hit him with a thousand questions or be stunned silent?
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Neither. And much worse ...
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Neither. And much worse ...
He could gve her hints... ;)
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Where would be the fun in that? (For us, that is)
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Where would be the fun in that? (For us, that is)
More, more, more please! And soon? Pretty please with lemon drops on top? This is getting more and more exciting. I'm really looking forward to the meeting and subsequent hexing.
I, too, am nervous about the reveal. But also can't wait to see it.
The suspence is killing me, please end my torment asap. I did like this chapter it showed how well they can comunicate with each other. PLEASE PLEASE UP DATE SOON.
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Everything is either in queue or in administrative hold.
Response from Minerva (Author of Being Muggle-born)
Everything is either in queue or in administrative hold.