Dark Roast
lady_rhian109 Reviews | 7.51/10 (109 Ratings, 0 Likes, 104 Favorites )
Runner Up, Best Het Fic, Multifaceted Awards Round Six. The war is over, and Hermione continues the final phases of her research on the English Coast. Her research causes an unexpected twist, which requires the assistance of a certain jaded war hero whose memory has haunted her ...
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About lady_rhian
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lady_rhian
Member Since 2006 | 37 Stories | Favorited by 238 | 216 Reviews Written | 1,498 Review Responses
The Tenant of Lyonesse Hall is on a temporary hiatus. Look for an update in winter 2012!
Reviews for Dark Roast
Interesting beginning.
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much. :) Glad to see you've found my other work. This was my first piece I wrote, and I'm quite fond of it. Enjoy reading!
Arrrh! Well done...really enjoyed your fic...typical Severus(actually..typical british bloke )...what an attitude. Just stumbled over this fic...glad I did. Actually this is a bit light compared to what I normally enjoy..angsty dark HG/SS...but with a little tough love....I just can't see their characters doing it any other way!...however, your fic was well written, and you kept in canon the whole way. Respect to you....
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much for the lovely compliments! I'm glad you took a reprieve from the dark, angsty side of Snermione to enjoy my story. :) Best wishes!
the conclusion to this chapter was great! I don't know if writing this chapter was a struggle, but it didn't quite have the same ease and flow the others did. I don't know if it's a helpful comment, but it was one I just wanted to add.
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
It took me a while to get this chapter out, yes, but I was very pleased with the way it ended. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story - thanks for taking the time to review!
Great ending! I'm glad that Hermione took the initiative--somebody had to! He's such an old codger sometimes. She's good for him and isn't going to take any more crap off him. Go Hermione!! Thanks for sharing this great fic! Cheers!!!!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Severus is definitely an exceedingly difficult man. :) So glad that you enjoyed the ending! Thanks for taking the time to review.
Great story. I really enjoyed the chapter. Tonks was just right.
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much. :) I'm very glad that you liked it; and that you liked Tonks' characterisation.
Oh, yeah!!!! I truly hope that he's in a position to "overhear" her story. Gah!!!! Thanks for the quick update! Please, pretty please, I hope Severus turns out to be an eavesdropper! Great job! Cheers!!!!!!!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Alas, no eavesdropping for Severus. :) I'm so glad you're enjoying the story thus far - the next chapter is currently with my beta.
Nice job, lady_r. Each of our favorite duo ends up with company for their misery. After The Scene in the prior chapter the whole thing could have veered off down some angsty, melodramatic slope until the wheels came off, but you didn't let that happen. I'm so thrilled with the possibilities you've left us to anticipate and eagerly wish for the next chapter. Congrats on the MFAs. You deserve it! ~
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
As always, thank you for a lovely review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the direction I've chosen to take it in. I see it as a Comedy of Errors sort of unfolding - Remus and Tonks as the unwitting vehicles of putting Snape and Hermione back together. So glad you're enjoying it.
Aha, nice twist on the estate. You know, I really like them not being together (yet), as strange as that sounds. The set up you've done works so well. I can imagine it may annoy the slightly more impatient, but like all good wines, the right result takes a bit of time. Gosh, I'm sounding almost poetic tonight. Oh, and nice work on Tonks - she was fun to read. Anyway, more of the gorgeous writing. I really get totally absorbed by your prose. Lovely.
Response from Chartreuse (Reviewer)
eta: so, been involved in a fic exchange lately, hmmm??
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
So glad you enjoyed the chapter, and your compliments practically make me blush! I'm so happy that I have readers who appreciate the slow buildup and the rating - a lot of people on another archive have been begging for lemons and it just doesn't fit with the overall tone of the story. I'm very pleased indeed that you appreciate it so much! As for your last note... you know us writers, we can't give away our secrets. ;)
Thank god there was no coffee in that chapter! This story always sends me running for my own stock of locally roasted brew and it's too late for me to be drinking that. Now, a Firewhisky would really hit the spot. Lovely story. And the image of Snape in Birkenstocks-surprisingly sexy.
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much for the lovely review! I confess - when I'm writing the story I always have an urge to go down to my nearest coffeeshop... one I think I'll indulge tomorrow, as it's about time for me to get started writing the final chapter. And yes - Snape in Birkenstocks... okay, maybe a stretch, but damn I could go for that too! :)
ohhh they will be at the same place! hehe god Stubborn old sev hehe such a prat sometimes makes me want to slap his face *giggles* can't wait for an update! :D
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you! Yes, Severus is a stubborn old prat, although a few stronger words could probably be used to describe him. :) Thanks so much for reading.
Clever way to get them together. Now they both need to get wasted so their inhibitions will be three sheets to the wind too!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thanks for the review! I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the fic.
Perfect! Can't wait to see what happens when they both figure out that they ended up in the same house for the same purpose! Wonderful!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thanks so much for the review! I'm so happy you enjoyed the chapter.
Oooooo... now we're waiting for Remus and Snape to arrive!!! Arrrrggghhh!!!!!
Love the twist - get 'em together on neutral territory - love it!!!! Tonks cracks me up constantly.. she's such a nutter!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
I agree - Tonks is absolutely insane (but so much fun to write!). I'm so glad you're enjoying the story, hon. :)
OMG. Misunderstanding after misunderstaning. Well, hell, I hope she follows him this time! And she sure as hell better be wearing something sexy for HIM! He's got some trust issues and she needs to be a little more aggressive. Just my opinion. Great job!! You made me feel so frustrated. Cheers!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
I promise, the frustration will be over in a few chapters! :) I'm glad you still enjoyed it despite being so annoyed with the characters' behavior. :) (they can be a bit dodgy, can't they?) Thanks for reviewing!
DAMN, DAMN, DAMN, AND OH MY GOD!!!!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Why, thank you very much! :) Glad to be of service in the damn-damn department. The next chapter is with my beta and will hopefully be up soon!
Oh damn! The STRESS, rhian! I wanted to shout "NOOOO" at the end of the first bit, then my heart lept as I realized there was more, only to be DASHED again at the end with another "NOOOOOOOOO"
I enjoyed both their points of view on this one particular meeting... it's very telling from Severus' angle in that he cared so deeply for her.. that he was prepared to aplogise. What I found also interesting is that Hermione forgot about everything she'd bought, everything she'd done that day once she was face to face with him. She was hurt and demanding and I can't believe you / she threw the 'coward' bit at him! We ALL know how he gets when people do that!!!
I hope that another chapter is right around the corner! I became so spoiled when I got to read all the previous chapters in one go ... and now I have to suffer along with the rest of fandom! *wails*
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much for the lovely lengthy review! :) I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I really worked hard to convey the emotions properly in this chapter. And yes, the 'coward' thing was on purpose...it just came out, what can I say? The next chapter is with my beta right now so that should be up within a week or so.
Well, now that my heart is squeezing in my chest and I've been holding my breath through most of your chapter--update, dear, or call 911 for me! ;) Excellent "confrontation" so far. Can't wait to read the next!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
*calling 911*Thank you so much for the review, dear! I'm glad you're enjoying it. The next chaper is with my beta right now, so it all depends on when she gets it done. :) Hopefully it'll be up soon!
Wonderful chapter that definitely leaves me craving for more. That is just so typical Severus. It doesn't occur to him that a woman likes nice underclothes for herself entirely...
Oh, the Birkenstocks made me laugh out loud!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Glad you liked the Birkenstocks. :) That seems to be practical enough for Severus...Someone needs to just let Severus be a fly on the wall at the Deeses - or at any lingerie store - so he can see how many single women go shopping there just for themselves! (fun little plot bunny...) As always, thank you so much for the lovely review.
Oh, what a delightful surprise, another chapter! Well, what to say? You have pegged Severus' emotional self-preservation perfectly; I can only imagine him acting exactly as you portrayed him here. He wouldn't wait for explanations or excuses, he would simply build the walls and fire shots from the safety of the ramparts. It's nice when angsty moments like this are written without it seeming false and forced, telegraphing to the reader, 'here is obligatory angsty misunderstanding' if you know what I mean.Excellent. Oh, btw, again the dialogue was spot on - voices are perfect.
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much for that lovely review. Have I mentioned how much I thoroughly enjoy your reviews (lol)? :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter - it took a bit for me to get Severus exactly right in that last part, and I'm glad it came through. The next chapter is currently with my beta, so I'm just awaiting her corrections before I submit it to the site. Best wishes.
Response from Chartreuse (Reviewer)
I came back and re-read my comments - didn't quite mean to make the so bald sounding! It was borne from reading one too many angst-ridden fics. This is my way of jumping up and down saying, this is how it's done! LOL. I hope you understand my geriatric ramblings.
I love this story, please update soon
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much. :) The next chapter is in the queue, so it should be up for you soon!
god explosive!!!!! silly Sev always putting his foot into it without waiting for an explanation!!! god now you have to update quickly!! :) great chapter :D
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying it - and yes, Severus is a bit of a stubborn arse, isn't he? :)
I love it! You know, I must admit that I'd seen this story on the Recently Updated list a couple of times, and always passed it over because nothing about the summary hooked me. However, I'm glad I decided (after reading your other stuff) to check it out. I like your writing style--the settings are nice, the characters fairly realistic (they're not perfectly canon, but I feel like there's ample justification for it, I hope that makes sense). I like that everything is described well, but you don't get bogged down with details. I'll be glad now every time I see it pop up on the Updated list. 
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thanks so much for the lovely review. I admit to being rather drab at writing summaries; I know this one needs some spicing up but I have yet to get around to it. :) I'm glad you're enjoying the story; I try to keep things as IC as possible, but with the HG/SS pairing a perfect characterisation is hard to achieve. Thanks for the compliments! Best wishes.
Whew! Just read the lot, and it's 2.30am! I couldn't stop. I'm dyyyyying for some Sev/Herms interaction but can only guess it's not far away.Can't type, it's too late, but the story is lovely! Descriptions, dialogue - just everything - is done really well. Looking forward to the next bit.BTW: since when is fabo lingerie a losing bet??? My absolute fav thing!
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Yet again, you leave a lovely review. I really love intelligent reviews like this! And I do agree - fab lingerie is *always* a great thing, but I think Hermione is far more practical. She's very much a white undies/simple bra kind of lady. A bit hard to write that, seeing as how I'm a Victoria's Secret junkie! Anywho: I can promise you some HG/SS interaction in the next chapter. :)
I've seen the name of this fic around but for some reason obviously not read it! It was the drabbles that made me come look.There are so many things to love about this chaper. I love the way you've described everything - you've a very poetic writing style (well, to me). You've given us all the pertinent info without overdoing it, and the end was the clincher - very intriguing! Now onto the next bit.
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Thank you for the lovely compliment. *blushes* I'm glad that you've found DR - this was my first piece of fanfic I ever wrote (well, I'm still writing it!) and it holds a very special place in my heart.
Well, LR, for you I break my vow of only reading completed stories. Your prose is magical, as is your creation of Serra Dulce de Lunga. Your characters are very well developed and I love how you slip in character insights. Severus is angsty and conflicted and wonderful. You weave a wonderful story! Can't wait for more,
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
Response from lady_rhian (Author of Dark Roast)
*grins, blushes, feels overall ecstatic that my internet connected at the condo* You are absolutely wonderful. Your reviews, your drabbles - you are entirely incapable of NOT making me smile in some way! I am very glad that you are enjoying Dark Roast. And I confess a similar wariness of WIPs, though I'm quite happy that you broke your vow to come over and read mine. :)