Two.
Chapter 2 of 15
SS LupinIt had started off as an ordinary night for the girl and him, until he received the news that threatened to erase ten years of quiet joy.
ReviewedDisclaimer: The following characters and places you recognize do not belong to me and are the property of JKR and her affiliates. The book Marie's reading in this chapter is the same as in Chapter One - Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. I do not own that, either.
~*~
It seemed that as soon as Snape rested his head on the pillow after Hermione’s unexpected arrival, he was being brought back to consciousness by an insistent push to his shoulder.
“Wake up! Hermione’s here!” Opening his eyes, Snape could see that Marie was already dressed with half of her wild black hair gathered into a neat braid.
“You took your time before informing me.” Snape ruffled the side of her unbound hair and reached for his robe. The past ten years must have softened him if he’d slept through half the morning. And while he was sleeping, that interfering woman could have been poisoning Marie’s mind about the glories of Saint Potter.
He had one arm in the sleeve of his robe when Hermione stood in the doorway, smiling with a brush in hand.
“Hello, Severus.”
Snape put on the rest of his robe in haste, feeling that he must look horrible after just waking up. Tying up the robe, he said, “What are you doing here?”
“I’m in your home because I said I’d be here, and I’m in your bedroom because Marie was worried about how long you’ve been sleeping.”
“You’d said that you would come in the afternoon.” Retrieving his wand from under his pillow, he set his bed to rights with some furious jabs of his wand.
“And I kept my word.” Hermione pointed to the single window in Snape’s room, and he saw that the sun was high in the sky. “Relax, Severus, it’s not like I haven’t seen you in your nightgown before.”
Snape glowered at Hermione, shooting a quick glance at Marie before speaking. She was staring at the both of them with a speculative look on her face. Time to retreat. “I’ll keep my word as well.” He headed toward his chest of drawers, searching for the clothes he needed. “I’ve always thought the shower to be a good place for rumination. And Marie?”
“Yes?”
“Make sure your godmother uses that brush on her own hair.” A smirk played across his lips as he brushed past Hermione to head for the bathroom.
~*~
He was stuck.
Matters of morality wouldn’t have stopped Snape. With a swish, flick and wave of his wand, he could be off with Marie in a country where Harry Potter’s name was an unpleasant memory that wizards had forgotten. He had killed a man, after all, though that action also came from circumstances almost identical to the problem Snape had now.
Damn Draco Malfoy.
So, he had to take care of the child. Serve the best interests of the child. And no matter how much Snape thought about it, he knew there was only one solution, the same blasted outcome he knew was in store for him the moment Britain’s Hero woke up.
With a loud curse, Snape punched the tiled shower wall, water droplets gathering on his face as if he were crying.
~*~
Dressed in jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt, Snape peered into the sitting room. Marie was sitting in Hermione’s lap, her hair done into braided pigtails. She was reading to Hermione from her book, happily going over the chapter in which Jo and her sisters were producing a newsletter for the Pickwick Club. She closed the book and looked up at Hermione.
“I’ve helped Severus do research for the Potions books he writes. That’s sort of like what the March sisters are doing, right?”
“Sure it is, dear.” Hermione leaned over her and kissed her cheek with the simple affection only a mother could have.
Snape strode into the room, not caring to see any more of the Madonna and Child act.
“Are we going to visit my sleeping dad now?” Marie asked.
Snape looked to Hermione, searching for evidence that she’d revealed anything to the girl while he was in the shower, but Marie spoke up again.
“I heard you and Hermione fi – I mean – discussing while I was sleeping.” Damn it, he’d forgot the Silencing Charm last night. “So is it true? Can we visit him?”
He had made his decision. He would stand by it, even if he could feel his chest tighten and a headache begin. Even if he could lose her.
“Yes. We’re going.”
He would have to make sure such a thing would never happen.
Author's Note: Beta'd by the illustrious Southern_Witch_69.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Recovery
55 Reviews | 5.95/10 Average
I just discover this story and I like it very much! I can't help but see it has been a while since who write it... Hope inspiration strike one day, until then I will wait I guess!!
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thank you! As of yet I haven't been able to continue, but I still have hope to finish, too.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thank you! As of yet I haven't been able to continue, but I still have hope to finish, too.
Glad to see the update. Looking forward to the next.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thank you very much! :-)
I loved the comment about Julie having a girl's name. LOL I've b een thinking that since I first saw it. Ahahaha
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I'm glad you did... I wanted him to have a 'distinguished' name, but to still keep the feel of him being a little boy. =]
The point is that I'm not getting this story. It seems like a slow, increasing agony for Severus. In the beginning, he had found a reluctant hapiness with a girl he 'almost' calls his own, then things become more complicated and he suffers. With each new introduced character (Harry, Julius, Ron, Millicent (oh, my!)), Snape's grip of his life is slipping ever so slightly more. He does not only have his new social interactions to deal with, he is threatened by some Dark organisation. What you set up in store for him is frankly astonishing. I sincerely hope you plan a happy ending, although I can't phanthom one just now.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Yikes... I think the one word that hit me was slow - I hope it isn't getting boring... First off, I hate angst or anything that has a character anguishing in horrible circumstances. I'm just thinking of Snape adjusting to post-war life in the Wizarding world, after being for the most part isolated for so long. It can't possibly be perfect, so this story is working with a flawed world that Snape is trying to make his own. Although, yes, Millicent is on the random side. If you have any other questions, please let me know. :-)
Well it was worth the wait. Your writing of the everyday happenings in a very crowded house is sublime.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thank you very much! The next chapter is being written.
Haha and wow! The laugh is for the arse comment and the wow is for being able to spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Glad you liked the arse bit... silly humor has to enter my fics one way or another. ;-)And I take no credit for being able to spell it; I got up to 'fragilistic' when I gave up and looked it up online. Thanks for the review!
Fun chapter! This is quite an intriguing story. I'm looking forward to more.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Yay! It was fun writing it. More is up soon; thanks for the review!
I'm really enjoying this, especially the getting along.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thanks so much - the relationship between Marie's fathers is an important part to this story, and I really want to 'get it right.'
My, my, Snape seems to be softening towards Harry - are you setting this up for some spectacular row or something? :D
I had been wondering how you would handle things once Harry was released, and must say I really like the way you have them interacting.
More, and soon please :)
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
lol, they aren't out of the woods yet - more rows are up ahead. :-) The next chapter is in the works. Thanks for reviewing!
hehehe. I'm with Severus! At least it wasn't the whole Weasley lot! Now, I wonder what's next?!
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I really couldn't write them all with poor Snape... that will have to come later. I think I will be going back to the attack on the house in the next chapter.
Snape a father figure? - the poor girl! Nice start though. I look forward to the rest of it.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
He's definitely not the best choice, but it was part of the challenge. Thanks for the review!
Hey there!
I found this story over Southern witch's fic rec, and I love it - I like your characterizations, like Severus and Maries interactions and am definitely looking forward to more! Oh, and I can SO see Hermione doing what she did - for one cause she's overjoyed about Harrys recovery and then to help Marie - even if living with Potter sucks for Severus, I think it's a real chance for Marie.
Thanks for sharing!
Fran
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I was recc'd! :-)Thank you so much for your review; the next chapter should be finished soon.
Poor Severus. I feel so bad for him, and I'm rather upset at Hermione. Nice of her to tell Severus Harry was staying there until after he'd already moved in. I'm not much of a Harry fan, and I can only imgaine how Severus must feel, to know he's going to have to live under the same roof of Harry - who he definitely isn't fond of.Again, poor Severus. I'm almost hoping he leaves...But either way, I simply can't wait to see what happens next. Please update again soon! :)
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I really am writing Hermione as a she-demon, and I hate that - but I can see her being so excited about Harry's waking up that she'd become a zealot in trying to reconcile everyone. Besides, there may have been some deception on her part, so that Snape could move there in the first place. :-)Thanks for your review; the next chapter is in the works.
Ah, what a twist. ~snicker~ Can't wait to see how things work out. :)
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I do love my plot twists... hopefully, the next chapter should be finished soon.
I love Snape's response to Rita's question about being back in the wizard world.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I love the snark, too - thanks for reviewing. =]
hahaha. the image of severus running in the grass in a grey nightshirt (my mind added grey socks and the dew) is priceless. HAhaha 
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
lol, I'm glad you liked that image; I wanted a slightly a humorous contrast to Snape's escape in HBP. Thanks for reviewing!
I have my suspicions about these people. I must say that I feel so badly for them to lose their home and all the special things (like him reflecting on the loss of her first little artwork and such...). That would be what I'd hate to lose, too.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I know... my mother still bemoans the fact that she had lost/threw away some of my childhood creations :) Thanks for reviewing!
I've just finished reading all six of the chapters that are currently posted. I've enjoyed it because it reminds me of one of my favorite episodes of Masterpiece Theater, Silas Marner with Ben Kingsley as Silas. I just checked it out on IMDb and found out it was first shown in 1985, it certainly doesn't seem like I first saw it over 20 years ago.I had found the novel extremely boring when we were required to read it in 10th grade, but now it has become a favorite. Severus is a perfect Silas, and Marie has him wrapped round her finger just as Eppie had Silas. I love what I've seen of the relationship the two of them have.I'm hoping desparately that you won't turn the story into an SS/HG pairing. Not only do I hate that pairing, but it doesn't go with the story the way you've written it or the way George Eliot/Mary Anne Evans wrote it. It's a love story about a man and a child, about how that child changed the fundamental character of that man with the truly paternal love he developed for her. That's exactly what you have Marie doing for Severus.
I will be waiting for your next update.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Wow. This review was so amazing, and I had to look up Silas Marner because of it (I'm familiar with the book but didn't know much about it). I really do not know if I will write any 'pairings' in this story - characters and plot changes as I go along WIP style, but I do know that the main focus of this fic is the development of Snape's love for Marie. Thanks again for reviewing. =]
It was nice to have some background. What will happen now?
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thanks, I thought I was boring everyone to death with flashbacks... chapter 7 is being written; thanks for reviewing!
Strange ending. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
I know... it was a bit abrupt, but it will be further detailed in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Psychological suspense is what you're giving us, and I like it. Marie is very perceptive, isn't she?
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Psychological suspense? (squees at such an elaborate term for my fic) Thanks for your review. Marie is quite a perceptive character, but I imagine she's been seing Snape and Hermione interact quite a bit in her lifetime. =]
Ah, Hermione always trying to serve justly, without taking into consideration the consequences thereof. Harry really didn't need that shock and Severus shouldn't feel as if he needs to be on the defensive to save his relationship with Marie. Good thing that Marie doesn't have any of the hang-ups her two fathers have. Looks like she will be the glue to cement the future.
I like this story so far, very original. Looking forward to more.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Yes. I'm afraid Hermione might be keeping up that in the future.Thanks very much for your review - the next chapter's in queue.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this story plays out, so far i'm quite enchanted.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Aw, thanks alot! And I know this is random, but I love your username. =]
Response from lupinschewtoy (Reviewer)
Thanks. Now I just have to become inspired enough to get past the starting stage of two stories so other people can see how cute my name is. lol. Your story is still quite wonderful and I am looking forward to more chapters.
I like this beginning. I'd really like to see where you're going with this.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thank you for reviewing! =]
Your description of Snape's flight with Marie had me as breathless as he was. Well done job! now, I wonder what that phoenix was for.
Response from SS Lupin (Author of Recovery)
Thanks alot! As for the phoenix... I'm not telling yet. ;)