Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot
Chapter 17 of 19
morgaine_dulacAfter Snape has been told that Lily’s son has only been kept alive so that he can die at the right moment, he leaves Hogwarts for a little Muggle town where he once spent a happy weekend with his father. Walking down memory lane he finds a shabby little pub, a memory and hope. (Sequel to His First)
ReviewedChapter 17: Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot
Standing by the window, holding the steaming cup in her hand, Hope watched the snow fall, every now and then craning her neck to see the children that were building snowmen in a front yard a bit further down the road. Snape observed her from across the room where he himself was having a cup of tea at the bar. It had taken him quite a while to persuade her to have a break before the first guests arrived for their New Year's Eve dinner. There were still things to do, Hope had argued, and when she had finally accepted the cup he had held under her nose, Snape had been satisfied with his small victory. To try to persuade Hope to sit down with him now would be a waste of time. She would keep standing and check up on her work as soon as she had finished her tea. Not that it was necessary, for she hadn't missed anything. She had cleaned the tables so thoroughly that the wood shone with polish and had decorated them with white roses and tiny silver stars. There were glasses standing on every table, both for wine, beer and spirits. There were plates and cutlery and neatly folded napkins. The counters in the kitchen were laid with plates that waited to be filled, and from the pots on the stove came the promising scent of a delicious feast. Whoever came to the pub that night would dine like a king and most certainly be treated like one as well. Hope would make sure of that. And Snape was confident that he would enjoy the New Year's party in this little Muggle pub much more than he had ever enjoyed a fancy New Year's gathering at Malfoy manor.
'What are you smiling at?' Hope asked as she turned away from the window.
'This,' Snape replied, making a sweeping motion with his hand to include the whole of the pub. 'Everything looks perfect, and you will be the perfect hostess tonight. I was just thinking that Narcissa Malfoy could learn a trick or two from you.'
'How is Narcissa?' Hope enquired, a tiny frown appearing on her brow.
'She is getting by,' Snape replied slowly, wishing that he hadn't mentioned the lady of Malfoy manor. He wasn't keen to talk about the war and the effects it had on people, and surely, Hope wasn't keen to listen either. But now she had asked, and it would have been rude not to answer.
'The war is hard on everyone,' he declared. 'But Narcissa is tough. And she is a Slytherin. She will make it through it. I am quite confident of that.'
'Narcissa has been kind to me,' Hope said softly. 'I would hate to see her come to harm.'
Then she put down her cup on the nearest table.
'You never gave me an answer the other night. About the war.'
Her voice was still soft and so was the look in her eyes, and had he wanted to, Snape could have denied her an answer even now. She wouldn't insist on him answering, he was certain about that. Most probably, she wouldn't ask a third time either. But would it be fair to leave her in the dark? Soon he would leave her and return to the world she knew so little about. Should the worst happen, should he never be able to come back, wouldn't she have the right to know what had happened to him?
'The dark powers are becoming stronger and more numerous by the day,' he began in a grave tone. 'The resistance lacks a leader, someone who will lead them into battle and who they can follow without any doubts. Dumbledore put all his hope in Harry Potter, the Chosen One. But no one has seen the boy for months, and hope is fading. The light is fading.'
'And you?' Hope asked. 'What is your role in all of this?'
'I cannot tell you,' Snape answered, sadly shaking his head. 'No one must know.'
Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, Hope nodded. The muscles at the back of her neck tightened, and from one moment to the other, her eyes came to resemble those cold, lifeless emeralds Snape both hated and feared. He couldn't bear to look at them and turned his head. His heart grew heavy, and it seemed to him as if the air around him was becoming colder. It almost felt as if a Dementor was approaching. The only thing missing was the sound of its rattling breath. Yet instead Snape heard footsteps behind him, soft and light, and felt a small, warm hand being laid upon his shoulder.
'I know you can't tell me,' Hope whispered. 'I know you mustn't. And I know that I have no right to ask, just as I know that there is no point in asking you to stay here.'
Snape swallowed and turned around, his black eyes locking onto her green ones. The look in them had once more become soft, and Snape did his best not to blink, wishing that he could look into those peaceful pools for the rest of his days.
'I would love to stay,' he said honestly. 'There is, in fact, no place on earth where I would rather be than here with you. You give me peace. You give me hope. And I refuse to give up on either of them.'
'There will always be hope. You said so yourself.'
Snape gave a weary smile. He wanted to believe it. By Merlin, he did.
'Your key, do you have it?' Hope asked, and Snape nodded, producing the little piece of metal from the pocket of his trousers and holding it out in the palm of his hand.
'Keep it close,' Hope prompted him, closing her fingers around Snape's which in their turn closed around the key. 'Remember that you are welcome here whenever you wish to return. Always.'
Time seemed to stand still for a moment as they both gazed upon their entwined hands. Snape felt a tingling in his fingers, faint enough for him to forget all about it in a heartbeat. But when Hope let go of his hand and he opened his fist, the key felt warm on his palm.
'What was that?' he asked. His voice was but a whisper. He hardly dared breathe.
'Magic,' Hope replied with a smile that made her green eyes sparkle like emeralds in the sunlight. Then she turned and crossed the room to unlock the door. The first dinner guests were about to arrive.
~~~
The evening was a success. There was food and drink aplenty, the diners laughed and sang, everyone feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside, a feeling that did not come from the food and drink alone. For there was something hanging in the air, a notion of joy and happiness that no one could really explain. But it made them forget the mists that had hung over the village for the better part of the year and the feeling of gloom that had inhabited all their hearts for far too long. Every now and then, someone proposed a toast, and more than once, it was dedicated to their hostess.
'To Hope!' rang the voices through the pub.
The ambiguity of the wording couldn't have been more obvious. Certainly, everyone was cheering for the landlady who made everyone feel like royalty that New Year's Eve. But no one could deny that there was indeed a feeling of hope and optimism in the air, bathing them all in a soft, silvery light. Even Snape managed to forget his worries for a while. He was sitting in his usual booth, not really feeling like mixing with the other patrons but still enjoying the atmosphere. And while everyone else was occupied with their meal and drink, his eyes were on Hope. She was manoeuvring smoothly between tables and chairs, carrying plates and glasses, never too busy to stop and exchange some friendly words with her patrons. She was the perfect hostess, just as Snape had predicted. In fact, not even Narcissa Malfoy could have lived up to Hope's standards. For Hope had something Narcissa sorely lacked, an honest, heartfelt cordiality that made people smile and feel at ease. And she herself seemed entirely unaware of her gift.
'Is this how you normally spend your New Year's Eve? Hiding in the shadows?'
Snape looked up. He had been so absorbed in his musing that he had not noticed Hope approaching him.
'I am not hiding,' he replied. 'I am observing.'
'You might have to explain that to George. He wants you to come over to their table and have a pint with him and the lads.'
Snape turned his head to look past Hope and saw one of the old fishermen holding up his glass towards him.
'They don't bite,' Hope said. 'Come on, make an old man happy.'
For a moment, Snape hesitated. He wasn't normally of the social kind. But the old fisherman seemed to be very keen to have some new company. It surely wouldn't hurt. And indeed, they turned out to be kind men, George being the most talkative of them all. He was also the one who drank the most.
'When are you going to take our darling Hope out for a date?' he slurred out after his third pint in Snape's company.
Snape looked at him, puzzled.
'Hope and I are friends,' he explained. 'I doubt that a date would be an appropriate pastime.'
'Friends my foot!' George exclaimed. 'I've known Hope since she was a wee lass...'
'No, you haven't,' one of his companions interrupted him. 'She was almost twenty when she came here.'
'She was a wee lass,' George insisted, trying to focus on Snape again. 'Just a wee lass. I know her well. And I know that she wouldn't look at you the way she does if you were just friends.'
'And how exactly am I looking at Severus, if I may ask?'
George chuckled and accepted the cup of strong black coffee that Hope was offering him before he kindly patted her hand.
'You smile at him, poppet. Don't you try and deny it.'
'Don't embarrass the girl, George! If you can't keep quiet, we'll have to take you home,' his companions warned him, and George started laughing and telling tall tales about his latest catch of fish. Soon it almost seemed as if he had all but forgotten about his statement. But Snape hadn't forgotten, and by the looks of it, neither had Hope. For she now barely met his gaze, and when she did, she quickly turned away again.
A drunk mind speaks a sober heart, Snape thought as he watched George sway out of the pub, supported by his two companions. Could it be that the old man had seen something he hadn't? Did the little rare smile on Hope's lips mean more than he understood?
With a slight frown on his face, Snape made to return to his booth to gather his thoughts and analyse the situation at hand, but all of a sudden, the whole pub seemed to be on their feet. Coats were being grabbed and flutes filled with sparkling wine, and soon everyone was on their way out to hear the church bells ring in the New Year and to admire the fireworks the mayor had promised. The only ones staying inside were Snape and Hope.
Snape cleared his throat.
'You have dazzled them all,' he pointed out. 'They will talk about this feast until midsummer.'
'It has been my pleasure,' Hope replied, filling two glasses with sparkling wine. 'It has been lovely to see so many smiling faces.'
She handed Snape a glass, but instead of accepting it, he tilted his head to look at her, narrowing his black eyes.
'You do not look very happy,' he stated.
Forcing herself to smile but failing miserably, Hope drew I breath through her nose.
'It is almost midnight, and the New Year is less than five minutes away,' she said. 'This means you will be leaving soon.'
Snape's mouth fell open.
'I wasn't planning to leave tonight.'
In fact, he had not been planning anything. During the course of the evening, he had even managed to ignore the fact that he would have to leave at all. But it was true. The first of the students would return to Hogwarts in time for dinner on the first of January. As headmaster, Snape would be expected to be there.
'What's the point of delaying your departure?' Hope asked, lowering her eyes. 'It won't hurt any less if you wait until the morning. On the contrary.'
She had been speaking quietly enough for Snape to pretend that he had not heard her, and he was grateful for it. For he did not know what to tell her, and the more he thought about it, the clearer it became that she was right. Him leaving would hurt. It would hurt immensely.
Hope set the glasses on the counter and took her shawl and a worn winter jacket from a hook on the wall.
'It belonged to Edmunds,' she explained, handing the jacket to Snape, still avoiding his gaze. 'Will you come outside and watch the fireworks with me?'
She didn't join the crowd that had gathered on the street outside the pub but lingered on the doorstep, her shawl tightly wrapped around her shoulders, and Snape came to stand behind her, close enough to smell the scent of her hair, close enough to see the muscles at her neck tense up each time she took a shuddering breath. She was holding back tears, and Snape, too, felt a lump form in his throat. He did not want to leave. Not now, not the next morning, not ever. He wanted to stay at the pub, close to the woman who had been nothing but kind to him, who had accepted him with all his flaws and shortcomings without asking for anything in return. But he knew that he could not stay, knew that he mustn't, and he realised that Hope had been right: him leaving would hurt even more if he stayed another night.
'Happy New Year,' he whispered into her ear as the church bell struck twelve and the fireworks started to go off. His left hand was resting on Hope's shoulder, and it took all his willpower not to lean in and brush her cheek with his lips. For he knew that a peck on the cheek would not be enough. If he kissed her on the cheek now, he would come to claim her lips, her body and eventually her very soul. She would willingly surrender to him, and he would offer himself to her in return, and when he left in the morning, he wouldn't be able to do so without breaking both her heart and his own. And so Snape withdrew, pulling his wand from the back pocket of his trousers, and with a crack which everyone except Hope believed to be part of the fireworks, he Disapparated.
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 There Will Always Be Hope
64 Reviews | 7.31/10 Average
What a lovely final twist. The way you maintained canon was perfect. The fact that you still manage to give us a happy ending was absolutely brilliant. You're a very talented Author and I wish you the very best on your original works. The story earns a 10+
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
I just could not kill him off again. Just. Could. Not. (I'm getting soft, haha.) The Muse is lurking around with a part three to Severus and Hope's story, but we will have to work out some details before I even consider sitting down to write it. Thank you VERY MUCH for reading! I''m thrilled that you ejoy my stories. :)
That was truly heartbreaking. How devastating it must've been for Severus to learn about the elder wand and the dark Lord's need to master it. Reading this discovery as well as his journey leading up to and including his death of the shrieking shack was absolutely heart wrenching.
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
*hands over hankie*
As I have cried often and long when reading your stories I waited until this one was finished before I read it. The wait has been worth, it is simply a heartbreaking tale, thank you!
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
I need to stop making people cry. :P The ending of this story was nothing like I had imagined it in the beginning. Actually, both Hope and Severus stopped following the original plot around chapter three. As an author, I sat back and let them play. It is THEIR story, afterall, not mine. I think they did well. Thank you very much for reading and leaving a review. Both are very much appreciated!
When I first began reading this epilogue I wasn't completely clear about where all these students were and why they were there, but then it dawned on me that it was a group from Hogwarts and that they had to be at Hope's pub. But where was Severus? Had she managed to save him or not?
I really like the way the charmed key had brought Severus back to the pub. It was a brilliant bit of magic by a witch who hadn't routinely plied her craft for decades. But the Apparition to St. Mungo's with Severus was even more impressive! I don't know if "doing magic was indeed like riding a broom" or if it was an indication of just how powerful a witch Hope really is, but save him she did, and she erased the memory from the healer who had so skillfully applied the Phoenix tears, the bezoar, and the potions he had found in Severus' robes. Hope is damned good at memory charms, isn't she? She's very clever that way– no one is mortally damaged, and yet her purpose is accomplished.
When she went for her walk down to the lake, I was champing at the bit. Surely Severus would be there... YES!!! When a voice said, ‘Swans mate for life. Did you know that?’ I finally breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't realize I'd been holding my breath. I have come to associate Hope and Severus with the mated swans so much, and it was especially sweet to see that the lovely birds had their place in this epilogue, too. I sometimes think of Severus as a black swan, so when she looked toward the willow and saw him– "Black clothes, black eyes and black hair streaked with strands of silver"– it seemed perfect to me.
I love knowing that Hope and Severus are together. I love that they can tame each other's demons and wraiths with a gentle touch. And I love that both know that There Will Always Be Hope.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift for story telling with us. I have completely enjoyed this journey together, and "hope" to see more of these two sometime in the future. Likewise, I'm thrilled to know your first novel will soon be out and that you're working on a second one. Go, You!!! Of course I'm interested in finding out more about them, so be on the lookout for a PM from yours truly.
*sending loads of hugs and bouquets*Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Dear Beth, First, I'd like to offer my sincerest apologies for taking so long to reply. The last couple of weeks have been filled with editing and re-writing and sitting at the computer almost felt like a punihsment. I am ever so thankful to be able to count you among my most loyal readers. Your reviews and your willingness to share your thoughts with me have been ever so appreciated. I am quite sure that I will never be able to leave the Harry Potter fandom completely. Also, writing for me is like breathing, and sometimes writing in someone else's universe is easier than creating one of your own, so I am pretty sure I will return to fanfic sooner or later. When I do, Hope and Severus will be high up on my priority list. Their story certaintly isn't finished yet.Once more: many, many thanks for being there through the years! Hope to see you again!
When you told me there would only be two chapters left, I expected something like this, of course. But you write it so emotionally, eloquently and elegantly that it didn't matter the least. I absolutely adore your empathy with your heroes and how you keep the plot focussed on them and yet tell a whole story also on side characters. Even the village came to life before my inner eye.Would love to bestow a dozen or three more stars on your story!Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us and all the best for a career as a pro!
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Dear
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
, Thank you for making it through yet another story with me. Your continued support means the world to me!Hopefully I'll will be able to visit Severus and Hope one day and hope you'll come along. Maybe Hope will make her famous Shepard Pie for us?
Wonderful story! Thank you. I hope your imminent novel is successful
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Thank YOU for reading, for leaving a lovely review and for your best wishes.
Severus' conversation with Dumbledore' portrait and his return to his private study afterwords was heartbreaking. I cannot begin to imagine the soul-withering emptiness that must have claimed him as he sat before his cold hearth and watched the small candle flame in the wooden frame.
Reading his thoughts during his brief meeting with Lucius and Narcissa put tears in my eyes. And when he was finally able to cast his Patronus to guide them to Draco, I latched onto that beautiful Swan with all my mental might. I hope that the symbolism of the Swan, that they mate for life, would mean that Severus might somehow get lucky and find his way back to Hope. But then he was in the Shrieking Shack, and Nagini's attack was swift and vicious.
I hope it was a fortunate happenstance that led him to use his right hand to try to staunch the bleeding so that he found the key in his left pocket. "A spasm went through his body, made him convulse and involuntarily close his hands to fists, and in his left pocket, his fingers closed around a little piece of metal."
Oh, dear god, please let those emerald eyes he saw at the end have been Hope's eyes. Please let the key she had charmed have brought her to him. Please let her save his life. Please, even as Severus falls into nothingness, please let him awake to find himself alive and his love there with him.Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
*hands over hankie and big girl panties and sends Beth to read the epilogue* Come on girl, be brave. You can do it!
When I'd finished reading this chapter I thought back to what Severus had noticed about the preparations Hope had made for the New Year's Eve feast. The simple fact that she couldn't make herself sit down, and the fact that "She had cleaned the tables so thoroughly that the wood shone with polish and had decorated them with white roses and tiny silver stars," spoke volumes about how tense she was. By the end of the chapter it was very clear that she was dreading the moment when Severus would have to leave, worried about him because of the things he'd told her about the light fading, and afraid she would never see him again.
I'm very happy that she used her magic to charm the key to the pub that he always carried with him. I hope she turned it into a Portkey that it will bring him back to her if he should be injured or unable to Apparate on his own.
George tickled me when he started giving Severus the third degree: ‘When are you going to take our darling Hope out for a date?’ Yes, I imagine many of the village folk have noticed a change in our Hope– she smiles when her friend is around.
I totally understood that Severus not staying another night was the right decision, but it broke my heart when he Disapparated. I had read this chapter the day it posted, but I just had to live with it a while to let my feelings sort themselves out. As always you have so entangled my emotions with those of Hope and Severus that at this moment my heart is trying to beat its way out of my chest.
When I came back to this chapter to reread it, I saw that the final chapter and the epilogue had already posted. So I'm going to put my big girl panties on and go find out what happened. Whatever it is, I know I'll love it because the way you write your stories it all makes sense. ~Lots of hugs~Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Oh, this was a tough chapter to write. I really wanted Severus to stay. I really wanted him and Hope to have a sweet night togethe. But nope, no sir, no way Jose. The Muse wouldn't have it. She really kills me at times!
It's good that they have at least addressed their feelings. And I hope her charmed key will somehow be essential in his survival.
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
*sits back and waits for you to read the two last chapters* :-)
Oh, she's reconnecting with magic and shows an interest in the wizarding world! I guess it will be a while until we know what spell she used on the key. So good for Severus to know there's a place he's welcome to visit any time, even if he cannot risk it. Once again a great chapter!
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
*sits back and waits for you to read the two last chapters* :-)
My gracious, so much has happened in such a short time. Edmunds' death came as a complete shock! I felt so sad for Hope and for Severus. It seems that how ever long it's been, things will happen that remind each of them of the sorrow, loss, and sadness they've known... separately and together.
Thank goodness they both had gotten a goodnight's sleep the night before because the day would be a difficult one to navigate. Laying Edmunds to rest seemed to open the lid on all those closely held memories for both of them, and I'm amazed that Hope was able to stay strong for all the friends who had come back to the pub to have a drink in his honor. These loving neighbors were people that Edmunds cherished and looked after just as he had looked after Hope.
I completely understand why Hope would want to be alone for a while to gather her thoughts. And even though she had asked Severus to be there when she returned, I became just as worried as Severus when she hadn't come back by ten. When he saw the crack in the ice on the lake my heart jumped to my throat. Whew! I'm very happy she was just standing on the shore looking out over the water.
I wondered what she was thinking when she asked him about what was happening in the Wizarding world, and it made me breathe a sigh of relief that she said she needed to know 'whether or not there is a chance that you will come back to me once you’ve left. I need to know if there is hope.’
‘There will always be hope,’ he said quietly, and for the duration of a heartbeat, he managed to believe it himself.
I think sharing Hope's bed that night lead to a wonderfully redemptive moment that I'm sure scared the pants off Severus when it began... 'How do you know? What did you lose?' By choosing to answer her question, I believe Severus finally allowed a deep festering wound to finally open so it could then heal. Even though it was painful, I think being able to talk about Lily to someone who obviously cares about him and to be able to shed the tears and say 'I loved her more than life itself' was immensely healing. The most beautiful thing about this scene was Hope's response: ‘I know,’ Hope whispered, bringing his hand to her chest and cradling it like a little child. ‘I know you’ve loved. And I pray that you haven’t forgotten how to.’
Thank you for such a lovely, sad, tear-filled, heart rending, and loving chapter!!!
Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Dear Beth, Imagine my surprise when the Muse looked at me with her head tilted to the side and an ever so innocent smile on her face, saying: "We're gonna kill someone today." My Muse is bat-shit crazy, I tell you. Needless to say, the crack in the ice made me wet my pants a little as well. :P They have a lot to work through, Severus and Hope, and none of it will be easy. But they'll manage... I hope. To more chapters and the epilogue to go. All written and beta'd. Should all be posted soon. Thank you, as always, for reading and your lovely words. Have a great weekend.
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
Imagine my surprise when the Muse looked at me with her head tilted to the side and an ever so innocent smile on her face, saying: "We're gonna kill someone today."While she may be bat-shit crazy, she clearly takes her job seriously. The proof is in the pudding, m'dear! I'm excited to know the story is complete, but I'm beginning to suffer from separation anxiety myself. I can't find the words to tell you how much I look forward to each new chapter!!! ~hugs you lots~Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
I know all about separation anxiety. Spent the whole day yesterday feeling "hung over". The day after finishing a story is always totally weird.
This is a beautiful chapter. I suspect the next time Severus casts his patronus, it will have changed--released to Harry, on some level. And the spoken and unspoken in their discussion about sharing a bed was beautifully done. Except the imperative of the verb lie is "lie down." The past tense is "lay," as you correctly have it in your last sentence ("he lies down," "he lay quietly," and "he has lain still for hours.") The verb is intransitive. "Lay down" is the transitive verb and expects a direct object: "I lay the book down on the table at this moment," "I laid it there yesterday," and "I have laid it there every evening for weeks." The difference is the same as that between sit (intransitive) and set (transitive). Sorry to be pedantic, but from your writing you obviously care about such things, and a slip in this lovely story is unusual and distracting.
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Thank you for finding and pointing out my typo. Lie and lay confuse me. Alway have, always will. Which annoys me because if I think about it, it's actually pretty easy to understand. So again, thank you for being "pedantic". And thank you for reading, of course.
I am so damned glad that Severus has never found himself in the land of the of the fairies. I couldn't have borne it. And as painful as it was for him to send his Patronus to call Harry, I'm so glad he was able to call forth his Doe to guide the young wizard to the Sword of Gryffindor. He's going to need it...But the thing in this chapter that totally blew my socks off was the exchange between Severus and Hope. Thank goodness he was able to return to the village because I don't know what would have happened to him if he hadn't. The minute I read the last part of this chapter I realized how much it reminded me of Chapter Nine in His First!!! Except his and Hope's roles were reversed... he was the one whose lips had turned blue, he was the one who was shaking uncontrollably, and he was the one who was afraid that he would freeze to death. When I read this part I was so glad I had read the first story. It is a great feeling when an author ties part of a sequel to something so vitally important as this in the original story. Although there was no love making here in Hope's bedroom, I can't help wondering what the morning will bring. I have no idea what these two will tell you write in the coming chapters, but I guarantee I'll be here waiting with bated breath.Brava! Well done! Here is a lovely bouquet to show you my appreciation for all your hard work, my friend. Ten stars, not even twenty stars would be enough.Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Allow me to give a lovely bouquet to you too. Or how about some nice chocolate? You are spoiling me, dearest Beth. With flowers, your wonderful reviews and rec'ing my stories. Thank you SO MUCH!! Bit speechless right now, really. Chapter 16 should be up withing the next few days, and I just sent chapter 18 off to my beta. Now there is only the epilogue left to write. Need to buy chocolate tomorrow. And tissues. Seperation anxiety, here I come. Smooches!
As much of an interferer as Dumbledore can be, I was delighted that he interfered on Hallowe'en night so that Severus, his colleagues, and the students and ghosts can enjoy the evening without fear of the Carrows wreaking havoc far and wide. I don't know that the Carrows deserved to get a good night's sleep, but everyone else in the castle deserves that they have one... but that's not exactly how the evening turned out for Severus.
I went back to "His First" and reread Chapter 9 (The First He Cried With) so I could refresh my memory about what happened that night, and I have to applaud your gift for so seamlessly merging the two in this chapter of "There Will Always Be Hope." Take a well-deserved bow, m'dear.
When Severus and Hope were talking in the pub everything about her spoke volumes about her frame of mind, but I had no idea of what was about to happen– until she told him to speak to Dumbledore and tell him that she had sent him and that he needed to use the Pensieve, and then I knew what was going to happen.
I'm very sorry that Severus couldn't watch the entire memory, but I damned well understand why he didn't. But if he had, he would have seen something of monumental importance: '... Nadezhda understood. She knew you would blame yourself for what had happened. She knew that you wouldn’t be able to live with yourself. So she did the only thing she could think of at that moment. She used a Memory Charm on you.’
My heart is breaking for both of them. In the review I left for Chapter 9 in "His First," I said "...it is the passion we feel that gets us through the impossible times. Their passion didn't have to follow this particular path, but in the aftermath, in thinking about what has happened in these last few chapters, it just seems like the right path."
And it still seems like the right path to me. I don't want either of them to needlessly suffer, but I hope that Severus will go back to the village. Tonight. And I hope the fact that Dumbledore smiled after him when he turned and left will mean that he won't go off half-cocked. I hope he remembers what Albus said about Nadezhda understanding and that he will remember that Hope had told him that she was sorry: ‘I am sorry, Severus. Unspeakably sorry. And I’ll understand if you decide to never come back here. But please know that I never meant to hurt you.’ I hope this means that Severus will remember that the underlying meaning of this last thing Hope said to him, at the pub, on this night, is that she will understand if he doesn't come back, but that she hopes with all her heart that he will.
And I'm wondering when Severus will remember that Hope gave birth to a son.
This is one of the best chapters I've ever read. You've answered some questions and posed more. Now that we've reached this point, I'm already trying to guess how the rest of the story will read. What will happen? Will they both survive? Is their son still alive? If so, where is he?
A Thousand Point to your House! Perhaps I should just say "to Our House" since both of us are Slytherins. Thank you for this story! Thank you for hanging in there when I know there might been times when you could have thrown up your hands and walked away... and that would break my heart... so thank you from the bottom of my heart for this amazing gift.
Hugs, Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Dear Beth, sorry you had to wait so long for a response. For being off work, I have been ridicullously busy this week. But hey, I wrote the next chapter which will be posted in a few days, so I'm forgiven, right? ;-) Hm, Dumbledore... You've read a few stories of mine, and you know that I don't like the old man. But he is a good plot device. And he does have his students' best at heart. His means, however... Anyway, while you're on the edge of your seat waiting for the next chapter, I promise you that Severus WILL go back to the pub. I can also tell you that the Muse has decided to NOT follow the original plans for this story and that I am considering to take away some of the warnings I posted in chapter one. Curious yet? Hopeful? ;-) "See" you in a couple of days. /M
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
*fist pump* I am totally curious and filled with hope!!! *big grin*
omg, I didn't expect her to let him know... and just now! Poor Severus!I wonder if she has used the wand by now.Loved also the fine notions like trading chocolate frog cards and feasts. It is a relief that Severus can remember simple habits like these!
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
There is no gentle way to roll in a hand grenade, and Snape needed to be told at some point. I figured Haloween was as bad a night as any other. Buckle up for the next chapter. Thanks for reading and leaving a review!
I love the way you described life in the village in the opening paragraph. The townspeople "had no idea, of course, why the fog made them miserable, why it made them feel as if every ounce of happiness had been sucked from their hearts." But Severus and Hope "knew that the fog was the result of Dementors breeding and that the risk of the world plunging into eternal darkness was more imminent than any Muggle could imagine."Hope and Severus have so much in common. Both were treated horribly by their fathers, both of them had had to lie and pretend to be someone else under circumstances that no child should have to endure. It gives me a feeling of comfort knowing that each of them carries with them something that belongs to the other. In his pocket Severus keeps the key Hope pressed into his hand so many months ago. And Hope now has the larch wand that had belonged to Eileen Snape. I like knowing that the key can symbolize "safe haven," and that larch bestows courage and confidence to its owner. In folklore the wearing and burning of larch was said to protect against enchantment and evil spirits. I have a feeling that before everything is said and done both of them will have need of a safe haven and protection against evil. I think Severus' discovery that when Hope lights her comforting candle he can see her and watch over her was one of the most important things to happen in this chapter– other than Hope agreeing to accept the wand.Thank you for another wonderful chapter.*hugs you*Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Dear Beth, I am - as so often before - impressed and honoured by the way you write your reviews. So detalied, so deep. And I love that you understood the larch reference! Well done! 10 points to your house! As you can imagine, there are hard times ahead for Severus and Hope, and they will need each other more than they can imagine. I'm hoping to have a new chapter for you soon. It's my last workday today, so I should have time to write. Yay! Take care and see you soon!
I am so glad Snape was able to change her self image and encouraged her to take back her strenght.
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
And strength they will need, both of them! Thank you very much for reading and reviewing. Just sent chapter 12 off to my beta.
‘If I left you a wand,’ he started, deeming that there was no point in waiting any longer. ‘Would you use it to protect yourself?’When Severus offered her a wand, Hope reacted just like I thought she would. But what truly surprised me was the gentle argument, the purest illustration that he employed to break through Hope's fears. May I just say that was one of the most gifted bits of writing I've ever read. You done GOOD, my friend!Thank you for this beautiful chapter. I feel much better about Hope's future in these coming weeks and months. If push comes to shove, I do think she will fight like a tiger. Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Dear, dear Beth, your words make me blush and smile and believe that there is hope for my writing. Smooches to you! Just sent chapter 12 to my beta, so it should be up soon. Hope you'll enjoy it.
omg, there's a horrid year ahead of them. Your Snape is almost nice, and you've created such a uniqe and loveable own character. Now pulling them through this hell is sheer terror for us as well! Nevertheless, keep going with this excellent story!
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
*giggles at "Snape is almost nice"* He's about to get a whole lot nicer! Well, not ooey-gooey-nice, but Snape-nice. Bit, scary, I know, almost as scary as the year that lies ahead! Thank you for reading and reviewing. I hope you won't have to wait too long for the next chapter.
I was afraid this would be what happened when Severus was Summoned. The nightmare has truly resumed, and all I can think about is what's to come:•How can Severus protect Hope and Edmunds while still playing his role as a spy for the Light? •How will they keep Edmunds from finding out that Hope is a witch and that Elisabeth was a Squib?•Will Hope be able to master her fear and depression to be able to aid Severus in his efforts to defeat the Dark?•What will Severus do if and when he finds out that he fathered Hope's child?•What about their son? Is there any chance that he is still alive?There is so much roiling beneath the surface, and I'm looking forward to seeing where you take this story!Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Your review looks almost like my check-list for the next couple of chapters. Great minds think alike, they say. :-) I've answered two questions with no, have ignored one and put a maybe on the others. Haha! Oh, I do wish that my muse would follow the original plot line just once!
I was afraid this would be what happened when Severus was Summoned. The nightmare has truly resumed, and all I can think about is what's to come:•How can Severus protect Hope and Edmunds while still playing his role as a spy for the Light? •How will they keep Edmunds from finding out that Hope is a witch and that Elisabeth was a Squib?•Will Hope be able to master her fear and depression to be able to aid Severus in his efforts to defeat the Dark?•What will Severus do if and when he finds out that he fathered Hope's child?•What about their son? Is there any chance that he is still alive?There is so much roiling beneath the surface, and I'm looking forward to seeing where you take this story!Beth
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
Arrrggghhh! Please ignore this... I posted it to the wrong chapter.Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
And here I was, thinking that the story had become immensely popular. ;-)
I was so glad that Severus had been able to spend time in the Muggle village with Hope and Edmunds. Being able to feel rested, relaxed and utterly at peace would be a true blessing, one he probably hadn't known in any number of years, if ever. I also believe (with all my heart) that having Severus there was a blessing for Hope, too. Both of them have led such hectic and unpredictable lives that any peace and serenity would be gratefully received as the precious gift it was.When Severus felt himself being Summoned by the Dark Lord, my heart sank. Why couldn't he and Hope and Edmunds have had a little more time to enjoy each other's company. But one thing that stood out clearly was that Hope had felt his summons, too. That tickled some of my memory cells and I just had to go back to His First to recall that Voldemort had given Hope a silver bracelet on her seventeenth birthday... and this bracelet had turned into a silver snake with emerald eyes and had buried its fangs into the flesh at her wrist. It functioned the way Severus' Dark Mark did and she felt the summonds the same time he did. Thank goodness Severus didn't have any dangerous tasks being asked of him by th Dark Lord, and both Lucius and Narcissa should be grateful that he friend was there to help them. Bella is a right nasty piece of work. I hope she ultimately gets her just desserts.Will Severus go back to the village before going back to Hogwarts? I hope so because it would be nice if he and Hope could have a few minutes to be assured that the other hasn't come to any harm. I can't wait to see what happens next!Beth
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
I do believe that Hope and Snape are good for each other and that they are able to see things in each other that other people can't see. And I promise that I will give them some more time together. It will not be as carefree as before, but... Well, you'll see. Chapter 10 is posted. :-)
Oh, you're giving Narcissa a bit of spine here, although unwisely displayed. I'm very curious how you lead us through the seventh book!!
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
I'm quite curious about that, too. The muse hasn't been sticking to the original plot for quite a while. ;-)
I haven't been reading for quite a while and caught up a few chapters right now. This was a most touching and well-written chapter. You've given also the side characters a true story and their own backgrounds in so few words. Amazingly well done.Now I'll read on, although, considering, I should leave the story for a night to give Snape more rest.
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
Welcome back to reading,
Response from morgaine_dulac (Author of There Will Always Be Hope)
!