Epilogue
Chapter 16 of 16
MMADfanSeverus contemplates his future, Hermione pays Severus a visit, and Minerva waits.
Epilogue
Severus closed his grades ledger with a sharp snap and put it in the warded drawer in his desk. As he did so, another parchment caught his eye, and with mixture of reluctance and a curious sense of warmth, he withdrew it from its resting place. He had put it there after Albus had handed it to him several weeks before and had not looked at it since. Not precisely true, he thought. He had looked at it each time he had occasion to open the drawer, but he had not taken it out and opened it. Yet despite seeing it almost daily, the parchment continued to catch his notice, and today, for a reason he could not have articulated even if asked, he removed the parchment and unfolded it.
A list of potions ingredients, it seemed to be, and in his hand. No doubt charmed by Minerva. Albus had said that the password remained the same. Severus raised his eyes from the parchment and with a slight flick of his wrist, he cast a Colloportus on the door, followed by an Imperturbable, not that he planned to begin talking to himself, he thought mirthlessly, nor to read the letter aloud, but one could never be too careful.
"Phoenix," he whispered, and the words on the page shimmered a moment before reforming themselves into the letter he had received at the end of September.
"Dear Professor Snape:
"I hope you are well and that you will forgive my impertinence. I was going to give this book to Professor Dumbledore after lunch, but could not find him, so I decided to give it to you, instead.
"I overlooked this text yesterday evening when doing my research. It may not be useful, but in case it holds any valuable information at all, I thought I should pass it on. The section that I found most relevant begins on page 114.
"I do hope that you have no need of this book, but in the event that you do, I hope that you have someone helping you. From what I read yesterday, the spell can affect cognition and judgment.
"I am sorry that I was unable to stop the argument before things got out of hand. I hope that you have come to no harm.
"Sincerely,
"Hermione Granger"
Gryffindor witch. Another bloody Gryffindor witch. Severus twitched a smile. There was something about certain Gryffindor witches. Lily had been one. And Minerva. Hermione Miss Granger was, of course different. She was his student. And he, he was different than he had been. Perhaps even with Lily, he had still been redeemable . . . at least until he had done the unforgivable. No, not unforgivable, perhaps, but she had never lived to forgive him. Not that it would have mattered. He had seen to that. Now, in retrospect, he saw that it had been his choices that had led to Lily's choice, and she had chosen Potter. But Minerva had forgiven him; she had said that he was redeemable. And he had worked toward atonement. That had been in the past, though . . . his "atonement" might, in the end, include the unforgivable. Even for Minerva. Especially for Minerva.
Severus shook himself. Whatever his relationships with the former two Gryffindors might have been, whatever had been left unfulfilled or would be forever unforgiven, Miss Granger would never know of all his acts of atonement, of his regrets, of his despair. She believed him a hero, and she would be sorely disillusioned. She would only know of the unforgivable. But only if it came to that. Perhaps it wouldn't.
Severus allowed himself a slight sigh. He had attempted over the last weeks to dissuade Dumbledore from the current course of action, with even greater urgency and desperation than he had during the summer. He did not understand why the Headmaster was so bent on that single course of action. With both of them working on a different solution, surely there had to be one. And if Minerva were enlisted, as well . . . but mention of Minerva in this context had only angered Dumbledore, and Severus was certain that he had discussed nothing of his condition or of their plans with the witch. That would have to change, Severus thought. He would see to it that it did. He would not do the unforgivable or if he did, it would be an act of omission and not one of commission. For himself, for Minerva, even for Albus . . . and perhaps for another Gryffindor witch.
Minerva paced her sitting room. Albus was late again. She had expected him hours before. Each time that he left on one of his jaunts, she worried that he might not return, and her worry would grow as the time approached for his return, and when he was delayed, her worry increased to intense anxiety. She normally held the wards and at his return, he would take them back. Lately, though, he would arrive tired, depleted, and he would leave the wards with her rather than taking them back as soon as he was on the grounds, so she wouldn't even know he had returned until she actually saw him. Minerva thought that the curse on his hand might be affecting his general health and his energy, but Albus claimed that it was no worse, and he was merely finally showing the signs of his age. She still wished that he would see a Healer, but he had had Severus help him as soon as the curse had struck him, and she knew that Severus was still brewing a potion for him. Albus stubbornly refused to let a Healer see him, not even Melina, despite the fact that Minerva's niece specialised in spell-damage and curses.
And the other spell that she had found in one of the books they had used when doing research to try to find a counter-curse for the Actus Adfectus Amor Verissimus, Albus would not consider that one at all. The last time she had mentioned using it trying to emphasise that it would be for the other effects of the spell, and not the primary one Albus had kissed her lightly on the cheek, told her that he knew how she felt about him, and how he felt, himself, and there was no need for any spell. He wouldn't even listen to her arguments regarding the benefits they might attain, or the possibility of a cure for his afflicted hand. Minerva simply didn't understand his attitude. After almost forty years together, she knew that he didn't doubt her love or her constancy, even if he occasionally experienced some other insecurities, so it was difficult for her to believe that he might worry that she had some other "greatest love." That, however, was the only explanation she could imagine. Why else would he forego the possibility of a cure for his cursed hand? The fact that their wands were mated and their magic so mutually resonant only reinforced Minerva's belief that they might be able to cure his hand, make him whole again, if they were to use the spell. There were recorded instances of similar occurrences, after all, though none were identical to their own situation.
She would speak with him about it again when he returned. If necessary, she would have someone else cast the spell on her, take him unawares . . . but that plan made Minerva feel ill. She did not wish to force something on Albus that he did not want. And it was possible that, despite all he had always said to her, that he did not believe that she was his greatest love, and the side effects of the spell, the ones she wished to exploit, were strongest when the greatest love was reciprocal. Perhaps he was fearful of that, or even knew it, and did not wish to hurt her by having her learn that. Minerva swallowed hard. Even if that were the case, forty years of being together, of loving one another, that meant more to her than whether there had at some point in the past been some other love of his whom he had loved more, who had been his greatest love. Dervilia, perhaps, who had died before Albus was even twenty. And even were that the case, Minerva thought they still might be able to effect a cure for his hand, since they were so close in so many other ways.
Minerva nodded to herself. She would find a way to persuade him to try it, but she wouldn't . . . she wouldn't ambush him and have the spell cast on her without his consent.
Hermione Granger sat in the Gryffindor common room, ostensibly reading a large old tome on Arithmancy, knowing that no one would bother her if it appeared that she was engrossed in something they found dull. She had come down to escape the boys again. They had all been up in the sixth-year boys' room, and the conversation had once again turned to Snape Professor Snape, she reminded them. Harry still unreasonably blamed Professor Snape for his godfather's death and, it seemed, for just about every other ill that had befallen him since he had arrived at Hogwarts. Hermione had tried to point out each instance in which they had thought that Professor Snape had been up to no good and it had turned out that they had been wrong, but neither Harry nor Ron would listen to her. She agreed that he was not the most pleasant person, nor the most agreeable teacher, but he was in the Order, and Dumbledore trusted him.
Neither of the boys had listened to her arguments, and she had finally left, feeling somewhat sick. She knew more of Professor Snape than they did, and she knew of more reasons to trust him, but she could share none of them. And, Hermione feared, even if she were to break confidences and tell Harry and Ron, neither of them would believe her or they would turn it around somehow and make it one more reason he shouldn't be trusted. They would likely make fun of him, too, and she couldn't bear that thought. She knew that Professor Snape was more affected by their jibes than he let on and more than she would have thought a grown wizard would be. They were just two stupid schoolboys.
What had finally made her leave their company, though, was the sudden desire for her to yell at Harry and tell him that if it was anyone's fault but Voldemort's that his godfather had died, then it was his fault. He had rushed off and done something completely mad of course, she had gone with him, how could she not? and he had not done anything sensible. Harry never stopped to think. Professor Snape was right about that, at least in the case of some Gryffindors: they didn't think, they just acted. And sometimes it turned out for the best. But sometimes, it did not.
Hermione turned a page, her eyes not seeing the words or symbols, but remembering the things she had done to help Harry. She wanted to help Harry primarily because he was her friend and he was a great wizard, or would be, someday, but as she got older, other motivations became equally strong: to fight Voldemort, to prove herself to the wizarding world, to shake off that last tiny shred of doubt that she had that perhaps she wasn't as good a witch because she was Muggle-born though she would never voice such a thing. But she had helped Severus Snape, too . . . and when Hermione thought about that, she shoved her thoughts aside. It was bad enough that one of the last things out of a red-faced Ron's mouth was the taunt that soon she was going to get a crush on the greasy git if she weren't careful.
She didn't have a crush on him. Her reasons for helping Professor Snape had been complicated, but primarily, she couldn't bear to see someone suffer, regardless of who they were. After Pansy had cast that spell and she saw the sparks fly from Professor Snape's body, she had been horrified, first because someone had cursed a teacher (not that she hadn't done the same thing once, and on the same teacher), but also because he had been an innocent victim of someone else's argument. It later turned out that he hadn't been quite as innocent as she had thought, but even so, he hadn't deserved to have that spell placed on him, nor the accompanying humiliation. He had let her help him, though, this wizard who seemed so disdainful of any help from any quarter, and particularly disdainful of Gryffindors. She had actually believed that he would hate her when the spell was lifted and he remembered his behaviour and that she had witnessed it. Nonetheless, she had gone to see him, hoping that perhaps he wouldn't despise her for having seen him at his weakest, and wanting to see for herself that he was truly freed from the spell.
Much to her surprise and delight, Professor Snape had not been nasty to her. He hadn't even tried to pretend that nothing had happened. Her face grew warm as she remembered how he had wished her the enjoyment of her chocolates, the ones he had given her. She still had some, their Charmed box keeping them fresh. She couldn't very well explain where she had received a heart-shaped box of sweets, so she hadn't shared them, taking them from her trunk only when her roommates weren't present. She rationed them, each time she had one, remembering how Professor Snape had given them to her: he had tears in his eyes when he saw that she had put thought into the purchase, trying to do for him what he himself could not. And when he left, he had paid her a compliment. It was a compliment coming from him, anyway. She was not as big a dunderhead as the students he usually taught. Hermione smiled to herself and turned another page.
When she had gone to see him after he had supposedly returned from China Hermione supposed that they had Polyjuiced someone to go in his stead, since he had been seen coming and going, and she was quite sure it hadn't been he Hermione went with a bold and hopeful heart, though completely believing that he would turn her away, that he might even be cruel to her. She remembered again how he had once said he had "seen no difference" when she had been inadvertently cursed with the Densaugo spell, and a slight knot formed in the pit of her stomach at the memory, but then she thought of how he had allowed her to visit him in his office, warding the door behind them so that they could not be overheard. The knot evaporated completely, replaced with a growing warmth.
He had even thanked her, more or less, for her help, and even given her an apology of sorts. And he hadn't been afflicted by the curse when he had done so. And, she thought, her warmth growing, he had called her "Hermione." More than once. He had said that they couldn't see each other again like that, and that he would have to return to treating her as he always had. Indeed, he seemed even more distant than usual, scarcely looking at her, and never seeming to notice when she performed a spell well. But that didn't bother her. She knew that she had his approval. Somehow, those few occasions when their eyes met, she could tell that she still had his approval and his acceptance. Perhaps even some affection.
Hermione snapped her book shut. Now that was ridiculous. If she went on this way, Ron would be right, and she would have a crush on him. Not that that was a possibility. She was too sensible to have crushes, particularly on teachers. Particularly on not-very-good-looking teachers with bad hair and teeth worse than her own used to be, teachers who were Death Eaters. But he wasn't a Death Eater, not really. He was a hero.
Hermione stood and went up to her room, bringing her book with her. Fortunately, no one else was present, and she went to her wardrobe, pulled out her heart-shaped box of chocolates, and ate one. A lovely truffle. She looked at them, her gaze going unfocussed for a moment, then she Summoned some clean parchment and carefully wrapped a half dozen of the sweets in it, folding the parchment like a small envelope or packet.
She closed up her wardrobe again, opened her book bag and carefully placed the wrapped chocolates on top. She always readied her bag the night before, so the next day's books and supplies were inside, including her Defence Against the Dark Arts essay. If she required an excuse, that would be it.
Hermione left Gryffindor Tower as quickly as she could. No one called to her or wondered where she was going. They likely all thought she was headed for the library. There was still an hour and a half before curfew. She had time. And she would go to the library if he wasn't in his office.
She went down several flights of stairs, trying not to think about what she was doing. Catching herself, she almost laughed. Another Gryffindor acting without thought. She wouldn't seek him in the dungeons, of course, but if he were in his Defence office, there was no harm in stopping by. If he seemed displeased to see her, she wouldn't leave the chocolates. That was silly, anyway. But if he didn't seem to mind . . .
Severus replaced the charm on the parchment, returning it to a list of potions ingredients, then put the letter back in his drawer. He was just closing it when he heard someone knock. He closed his eyes. He was not there. The door was still warded, so he rose and went to it, listening. He heard shuffling feet. Just one pair. A female, he thought. He sighed. Umbridge was no longer at the school. The person could be no more dreadful than she had been. Probably a first-year Slytherin missing home. Hardly anyone else sought him out in his office. There was one more light, very tentative tap on the door, then he heard footsteps begin to walk away. He shook his head, and against his better judgment, he opened the door.
Hermione turned around and saw him. She smiled brightly. One of the few people ever to smile when they saw him, and the only student to do so without some ulterior motive. At least he doubted she had an ulterior motive.
"Miss Granger. It is late. What are you doing lurking about outside of doors?" he asked, a chill in his voice, though it was more of an effort than usual.
"I came to see you about the essay, sir. If you have time. I took a different approach, and I wasn't sure whether it was all right. If it's not, I will have to rewrite it tonight."
"Hmmph. A little late to be worried about that now, isn't it, Miss Granger? But get in here."
When Hermione was in the room, he closed the door behind them and, without thinking about why he was doing so, he recast the Colloportus and Imperturbable. Odd that she should have appeared just when he was thinking of her, and of his own lost soul. He sat back down behind his desk.
He gestured to a chair. "You may be seated."
"Thank you, sir." Hermione perched on the edge of the seat.
"You wished to discuss your essay?"
Hermione, emboldened by the fact that he had cast the wards, said, "Not exactly, sir. I did take a different approach, but I don't want to rewrite the essay. I just . . ." She was suddenly overwhelmed with nervousness. What had she been thinking? She had even just abandoned her only plausible excuse.
"Yes?" Professor Snape just stared at her, waiting.
"I was just . . . well, someone mentioned your name, and I was thinking about you, that's all. I just . . . wanted to see how you are."
Snape's eyes narrowed. "You see me every day, Miss Granger. Do I appear unwell to you?"
Hermione blushed and stammered, "No, no . . . not at all, no, I just . . . I'm sorry, sir "
She began to rise.
"Sit back down." He didn't want to think about why he was asking her to stay. He had no need of friends, particularly not another Gryffindor, and most certainly not a student. But she was better than some, both Gryffindors and students. "I am well, thank you, Miss Granger."
Hermione nodded. She really had no idea what had possessed her to believe this was a good idea. Simply because she had been thinking about him, remembering when he had behaved toward her in a way that was not typical for him . . . . And he had told her, firmly, that they could have no more conversations of a personal nature. He hadn't even used those terms. But he had been clear that they were to behave as they always had, and she had agreed. It was the only way to behave. And it wasn't as though they were friends, even if she did happen to know some things about him that almost no one else did, even if she had seen tears in his eyes. Professor Snape had been kind to her, generously so, even if it was perhaps out of his own self-interest so that she wouldn't turn on him and betray his secrets. She would never do that, but she could understand that he might not trust her. He had so few people whom he could trust. Suddenly, as daft as it still seemed to her, Hermione was glad she had come, whether it was wise or not, and whether he wanted her there or not. She met his gaze.
"I doubt that it was the mere mention of my name that brings you here tonight, however," Severus said. "May I gather that your . . . friends were discussing me and my general sweet nature?" He tried to keep the sarcasm from his voice, but did not succeed.
"Some people were talking about you, that's all. I just wanted to see you." Hermione picked up her book bag. "And I brought you a little something. I thought . . . everyone likes a little surprise, after all." She took the small packet of sweets from her bag and placed them on his desk. "They're from what you gave me. Ones I thought you might like."
The corner of Severus's mouth twitched. "Are there any of those chocolate-covered coffee beans?"
"Three. Three of those, two mocha truffles, and one dark chocolate truffle, sir."
Severus nodded. "Thank you, Miss Granger."
They sat in silence for a few moments.
"Yes, well, I suppose I should go," Hermione said. "I just wanted to see you." She kept repeating herself, she thought. Professor Snape must think her one of the bigger dunderheads he had to teach.
"It is nice to see you, as well," Severus said softly.
"I wanted you to know . . ." What had she wanted him to know? "To know that I still appreciate all you do, and that knowing you are in the Order gives me hope every day." He was still listening, looking at her expressionlessly. "And that you have friends." Hermione blushed.
Severus lowered his gaze and looked away from her. "Thank you."
"I wish . . ." Hermione summoned every ounce of Gryffindor courage and continued. "I wish that I could remind you every day that you have friends, and I wish I could offer more friendship than just some chocolates. But I wanted you to know. And it doesn't matter what happens later. I know that appearances can be deceiving."
She stood as Severus looked up at her again. "Perhaps you should shout at me after we open the door, sir. Just in case there's someone around. Or for the sake of the portraits."
Severus nodded and stood himself. "Your visit was welcome, Hermione. Today. For today."
Hermione agreed. "Yes, today. I won't make a habit of this. Thank you for seeing me, Professor."
"Thank you for the chocolates, Hermione . . . and the other."
When Severus opened the door, he shouted at her about being a bothersome little know-it-all who couldn't write an adequate essay if her life depended upon it. Before Hermione turned and left, she gave him a cheeky wink, just as she had done weeks before, then she turned and left, looking morose and dejected, a slump to her shoulders, and the door slammed behind her, causing her to jump.
Perhaps one day, she would be able to visit him and truly offer him her friendship. Perhaps . . . one day.
Note: That's the end of An Act of Love, but the sequel, Death's Dominion, is up here at TPP. What changes has this ill-cast spell wrought, and how will they affect the future of Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall, and Albus Dumbledore and the wizarding world?
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Latest 25 Reviews for An Act of Love
194 Reviews | 4.51/10 Average
Loved this! Very mature reading, well thought out & handled with great care. The characterisations are sublime - all of them. Kudos!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Thank you,
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
! I'm very glad you enjoyed it so much, and I appreciate your letting me know. :-)
I love this line: “No, no. I am quite cheered. This is Severus Snape, cheered.” I sooo need an Eeyore dressed like our beloved Potions Master.2nd read thru--great as before.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
LOL! Yes, Severus is rather Eeyore-ish here!I'm glad you're enjoying the story a second time around. Thanks for letting me know!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
LOL! Yes, Severus is rather Eeyore-ish here!I'm glad you're enjoying the story a second time around. Thanks for letting me know!
*kicks self*I can not beleive I did not review this chapter the FIRST time I read it - I was needing some tender AD/MM lovins and was looking back through this fic, and found this sweet, sweet chapter and just had to remind you how much I love how these two adore each other - such a perfect, soothing, pick me up on days when I'm not at my best, to read some delicious AD/MM love.I just love how these two treat each other, how you write them. 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Thank you! Yes, there was some sweet Albus & Minerva lovin' in this chapter -- he took very good care of her after her ordeal with the potion! I'm glad that it gives you a nice pick-me-up when you need it! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I do so love that sweet, sweet, silly wizard in the purple robes! And here, I can love him via Minerva - so perfect!
*sniff*The end, and I'm sad! Sad chapter but of course, we all know what's coming in HBP - or the time period this chapter takes place... *sighs*Curious about the spell Minerva is trying to get Albus to agree to try... though I imagine it has something to do with binding to another and his extream aversion to binding to her in any way... still... any possible glimmer of hope to save his life.... *sighs* I guess I'll always wish HE could be the next Flamel or Dippet - who lives into their third or even sixth century... Dumbledore.... well.... there is nothing better than that, is there? I think not...Onward to Death's Dominion
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Now,
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
dear, you know I'm very fond of you, so if you need any hand-holding during Death's Dominion (which does take place during that very fraught time period of HP Yrs 6 & 7), just let me know! I lend you a cyber-hand! Or something of the sort! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, despite some of the difficult moments in chapter 10!I think you can enjoy Death's Dominion if you don't try to swallow the story whole! LOL!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snorts* What's the point of reading if you can't just DEVOUR the story?!?*chuckles* Aye... likely I'll need someone to wipe my bleeding nose as I wade through more pain and anquish... you sadist.... *grins*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I have often felt that way, myself -- about devouring a story, I mean!BTW, I was wondering where you got the impression that Dippet was so old? I never thought of him as being immensely old, but I may have missed something somewhere.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip from HP wiki*Professor Armando Dippet (October, 1637—late 1992) was Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the predecessor of Albus Dumbledore in the post. He was a "nearly bald and a somewhat feeble" man in his elderly years.He was Oooold!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
The HP Wiki doesn't distinguish between stuff from the books (which is what I consider canon), stuff from the video games (am not at all familiar with them), stuff from the various wizard card collections, and the stuff from the movies, so I don't use it. I have a feeling that must come from one of the games or card collections. In RaM, he dies in his 130s, so he didn't beat Albus. Not by a long shot! 
I think the only RaMverse character, canon or OC, who has a longer lifespan that Albus is -- whoops! Almost gave that away! haha! 
*innocent whistling*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I also have him dying in 1956, which seems reasonable, given that it appears that Albus became headmaster very suddenly and Minerva had to take his Transfiguration position in the middle of the school year. (Of course, this is given the info in the books, not anything JKR has said since then, which just may contradict stuff in the books, or stuff she said while writing the books, such as, during GoF, Minerva's 70 years old -- hence her being born in 1924 in the RaMverse -- and in all my future fics -- JKR just changes the goal posts way too often to keep shifting the "reality" of my fanfics to match her statements.)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I can't remember exactly when I read about Dippet - but it was at least two or three books back - I was surprised as well, that he was over 300 - and I have no idea how he managed to live that long - but he's not the only one - the Bagshots have lived a very long time, as have some few other characters without something as amazing as the Sorcerer/Philosopher's stone.And oddly, he died due to a broom accident - though his age was catching up to him - Dippet that is. I am doing something similar as you in Lioness... logic with that.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Yeah, I have a feeling that none of those dates are actually from the books, though. So I don't feel at all obliged to use them. Yeah, and there was no Dippet in a broom accident in the books. I couldn't have forgotten anything that big. Unless it was in DH -- my Self-Obliviate is working quite well there! lol!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Actually - there is - in CoS - Dippet was first believed to be behind the flying car that Harry and Ron took to get to Hogwarts.... I think that is in the book - but don't hold me to it - just working on memory, which mine has proven to fail from time to time. Odd though, that far more witches and wizards die young - but I would guess that magical accidents would be common.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I will check out CoS, then -- I think it would have to be in the chapter where Snape confronts them & they see the paper.Anyway, as I always say, anything that's not in the books specifically, if it inspires me or fits in with one of my stories, then I enjoy using it, but I don't feel that it's canon -- especially since some stuff from outside the books (particularly from the movies) is certainly not canon. For example, canon!Snape wears robes, and this is pretty clear from most descriptions of him, particularly in CoS, where his gouged leg is showing. But because the whole "buttoned-up-in-a-frockcoat"!Snape has become fanon, and he wears those suit things in the films, I found that fun to play with in AAoL. Who knew I'd be stuck with that manner of dress for a gazillion more chapters of sequel(s)! lol!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
The very first mention of Dippet that I can find in CoS is in "The Very Secret Diary," when Tom mentions him to Harry.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Hrm... well then perhaps I read the bit about the car on a Wiki or something.... can't remember. Its not that important really - while I do feel magical people could and logically should live longer than non-magical folk, living for over three centuries is certainly... a stretch without something like the Sorcerer's Stone - so it works either way really. And since we're stealing and twisting someone else's world and characters, we do have artistic license to do what we like - right?
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Indeed!
I adore Albus. I adore Minerva as well.... so I guess... 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Gee, I'd never have imagined that! But seriously, I'm glad that you like these two together here! Thanks!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Smart arse.... *snorts*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Well, you did kinda hint that you sorta liked Albus . . . hee!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*ponders* Did I? *chuckles*
*snip*Albus smiled as he remembered how their playtime had begun, her tracing the little heart-shaped mark he’d left her on her breast. His smile broadened. That was something he could do for her . . . Something a bit more artistic than his last effort, perhaps. Something that might indicate that he belonged to her as much as she to him. If Minerva wanted, it would be something playful that she could share with her friend . . . and if Minerva didn’t want to share it, she could cover it up, if she wished. I think I missed this last night in the heat of the rest of the chapter.... that is just so SWEET! 
DAWWWWw
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I'm glad you liked the sweetness there! thanks!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh......... *melts into a puddle* oh I so love that silly, bearded, purple clad wizard... *swoons*. Minerva has the blessings of David... lucky swot! *winks*Daw, I love Minerva too - Albus deserves the best, after all! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Thank you!That was one athletic and exhausting chapter, if I remember right, but ending on a sweet note. I'm glad you liked it! Minerva is the best! I alternate between Minerva being my favorite canon character and Albus. I still can't choose. So it's nice to have them together in my fics!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Mmmmmm *concurs*
*snip*I would love to hear what folk think of this chapter – I know it may not be everyone’s cuppa, but I hope that some enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!Short version answer? *dies of heat exhaustion* THat was FREAKING AMAZING.... my CUPPA! YES YES! more! I have rarely missed the presence of my X-husband, this morning, I DID IN TOO MANY WAYS! Long version of why I loved this chapter is coming - but short version was it was VERY EROTIC AND SUPER FUN! Dirty work fore play is sooooooo 
OH BABY!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I do gather that you enjoyed it! (I had a reviewer on another site complain rather harshly about the ADMM lemons chapters, I remember, and basically said I ruined the fic with the "PWP," as I recall she called it, in these last chapters -- even though, in addition to wanting to give my ADMM fans some nice MMADness, I wanted to show the huge difference between the mechanical sex, the lovemaking-out-of-compassion, with Minerva and Snape, and the total freedom, love, and passion experienced between Minerva and Albus. I believe I told her that there were warnings, and if she didn't like the ADMM lemons, she could have skipped or skimmed them, but I doubt that appeased her! lol)Looking forward to the long version! (And I loved your illustration at the bottom, emphasizing your point! hee!)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
(Did you now? *smirk*)PWP? The hell is that? And, well, you do illustrate the difference between mechanical sex and well, what ever you wish to call Albus and Minerva sex - explosive, maybe? Volcanic? Enrapturing? Consuming? Intoxicating? Guesses.... I'm an amateur.OK, long version is coming up in an email - so I don't push the limits of the reviews ratings too much - perhaps later tonight! TA!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
"PWP" = "porn without plot" or "plot, what plot?"
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snorts* PWP.... the woman should be shot... just ignore her...
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I did -- particularly since she was on a high horse, and I generally avoid folk like that. ;-)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*smirks* I seem to remember a wee
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
getting on a high horse at one point, thankfully the Benevolent and Saintlike MMADfan forgave her of her missteps! *winks*Aye, I promise, I'll only ride the Morgans, they're short... no high horses for me! Unless I'm playing boot kicker for you, then I will choose a Clidesdale... *nods*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
LOL! Percherons are good, too.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Aye, but I'm Scottish descent... Morgans and Clidesdales! RAR!
*snip*“Tell me, Albus, say it to me, please.” She gazed up at him imploringly. He knew what she wanted to hear. But this time he did not protest and barely even hesitated before saying the words he so seldom uttered, and never of his own accord. “You are mine, Minerva.” And he kissed her again.Minerva deepened the kiss before pulling back slightly and whispering, “Again, please, Albus, please.”“You are mine, Minerva, you belong to me,” he repeated as he held her close, kissing her neck, then breathing the words again into her ear, “You are mine, and mine alone, Minerva. You are my love, my dearest one, my beloved, my heart, my wife, and,” Albus paused, suckling her earlobe, before continuing, “you are mine. Mine. My Minerva.”Oh.... delicious.... and so perfect...
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I'm glad! Thanks very much!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I was needing a dose of Albus love and this chapter is one of the most endearing, benevolent kindness - whilst being romantic, I have ever heard a man performing for anyone, save for the woman he loves.Anyway - enjoyed it once again - well I've read it probably a dozen times in the last year, and I never really do get enough, but I wanted to second what Hogwarts Duo says - because she/they are exactly on the money!This is absolutely beautiful, sexy, intense and very, very emotional - sheer beauty to behold.Wuvs you Madam Raven! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Awww, thanks! I'm glad that it has given you so much enjoyment!
The Hermione and Severus exchanges were fun - and I am so glad Albus has returned to the normal, sweet, adorable, witty and confident wizard.And, doubly glad that Albus and Minerva are going to take some time away for themselves.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
It was fun to write the Hermione - Severus scenes in this fic, and to change the way each related to the other as they each saw more of the other's inner character.Yes, they certainly needed it after what they went through!
Oh thank God - and poor Albus, and poor Minerva and poor Severus.... so glad this whole ordeal is over.... and so thankful that Minerva and Albus could work through this - that would just be so difficult. That would take trust, respect and communication in the upmost of any relationship - those being the three pillars of any successful relationship.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
They have all three in abundance! (Except when it comes to the war & what he's doing, then Albus still keeps things from Minerva in order to try to protect her.)Yes, and poor Severus -- although, as you could see from his reaction in the previous chapter, he's changed. Even when he acts the bastard out of habit, he suddenly discovers he can't behave that way any longer, not toward Minerva, certainly. But as Minerva says, strange things happen when self-loathing meets true love. ;-)Poor Albus, who tried so hard not to feel what he was feeling, in order to spare Minerva (and Severus, too), had a bit of backlash there from those pent-up emotions, but he and Minerva healed each other!And poor Minerva, though she will come through this even better than she was before, and much of that due to Albus's love and commitment.I'm glad you liked the chapter!
*snip* The paragraph that Minerva explains the first option - which I can't quote for obvious reasons - LOLOLOLOLOLAnd this...“You are Minerva McGonagall.” Severus croaked, as though that would explain his entire position on the matter.Minerva laughed. “Yes, I do know my own name. You needn’t remind me.”*dies laughing*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Yes, even in the dire situation they're in, there's some humor to be found! I'm glad you got a good laugh about it! :-)
*snip* Idiots. Gryffindors were all idiots. Except for Minerva, of course. And Albus. Severus looked at Hermione, who was now heading toward the front of the classroom. Hmmpf. And perhaps Miss Granger.*snip*“Your personal honour guard is likely waiting outside. You should probably look dejected. Oh – five points to Gryffindor for excellent and imaginative spell use in class this morning. Your Confundus was particularly well done . . . Do not tell anyone, or I will have to remove twice as many in order to maintain my reputation!” He actually quirked a slight smile.“Yes, Professor.” Hermione’s smile became brighter, if that was possible, before she put the appropriate unhappy expression on her face and prepared to meet her friends.That was fun!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I told you there was some fun, enjoyable moments coming up for you! I'm glad you enjoyed that! :-)
*snip*Bleary-eyed, Severus staggered into Albus and Minerva’s room. In the darkened room, he could just make out their figures on the bed. Albus was lying on the side closest to the door. Severus, unable even to think of their need for sleep or for privacy, or of anything but his love, came around the foot of the bed. He could now see that Albus was wrapped around Minerva again, much as he had been the previous day, his withered hand resting on a small pillow in front of her. Their heads shared the same pillow, and with Minerva’s head tucked slightly under Albus’s, his face partially buried in her hair, one had the impression that Albus was kissing the top of her head even as they slept.*smiles and gets all fuzzy feeling* AWWWWWWWWWWWWWw
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I'm glad you liked that image! :-)
Have I mentioned that I absolutely adore that white bearded wizard? NO? YOu didn't realize? *feigns being agast* Well.... that glorioius man, that beautiful wizard, truly has been elevated to sainthood in this fic... as if he wasn't already... but he totally is - so you best treat him well! *mutters*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Minerva and I will both treat him very well! Promise! I love him myself, or I wouldn't have ever begun writing fanfiction! He definitely is very good, warm, generous, devoted, and a host of other wonderful qualities, which show up in this story. So I'm glad you like him! (Well, adore him!)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Mmmhmmm... like can't encompass it... I imagine you understand quite well. 
YAY! MASSAGES! THE BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE ON EARTH! *grins* And completely innocent!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Massages are wonderful! And yes, this is a nice, innocent massage. :-)
*wipes a tear* I so love Hagrid.... my fuzzy, wuzzy bear... okay I'll turn off the melodrama.... Severus is bringing it out in me in this fic... *sighs*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Severus is more than a little melodramatic here, so maybe that's it! lol!I love it when I can fit Hagrid into a scene easily and naturally. And he does respect and like Severus -- and, oddly, though he doesn't even realize it yet, Severus likes Hagrid, too. Hagrid is pretty much a "what you see is what you get" sort of person, and it's a relief for Severus, especially since what you see with Hagrid is sweet and decent, which is a far cry from so many of the other people Severus has to associate with.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Aye! Hagrid is .... well, Hagrid... *snuggles in the beard* and I have to admit, maybe its my own bias, but I simply love "what you see is what you get" people... can't imagine why...
*sighs*Last night, while I read through Albus trying to talk Minerva into enjoying her 'time' with Severus - talking her into enjoying being intimate with him, I had a major SQUICK factor .... not entirely sure what the cause is, but for what ever reason - I'm having a really hard time with coming to grips with M and S having to get to that point - and having a really hard time with Minerva's feelings for her husband/lover here - whome she's been devoted to for ages and who is, quite honestly, so wonderful - I'm not sure if I will be able to continue yet... I'm going to try - because, this was the most hilarious thing i've read - the begining anyway, in AGES - absolute had me rolling on the floor *love that!*Maybe I'm appologizing for wigging out on you - I know I do it often - just something about Minerva and Albus - especially with him coming so close to crossing over and leaving Minerva forever.... that this 'blunder' with Severus doesn't sit well with me... I sowwy! Kick me... I need it... 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
*kick kick kick*Better? I think there will be tons of stuff in upcoming chappies that you will still find hilarious or heart-warming or goofy. And of course it does have a bit of a "squick factor" for Albus, too, which is the way it should be -- after all, as you say, the two of them are in love & have been together for decades, and this is an unnatural situation. But I do think you'll enjoy the fic overall, even if you have to skim the bit where Severus is cured. But there have been people as wed to ADMM as you are who, by that point, managed -- and then you get to all the rewards for Albus and Minerva (trust me on the ADMM stuff! ), so that will be very, very good, and you'll love that.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*groans* I've decided you are truly a sadist.... you love the torture you cause us.... *mutters*ok, so maybe I'm stretching my feelings a bit, but were you ever employed as a torturer in an alternate life? 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Nope! But I did once ask my surgeon a similar question, and he was a healer . . . 
(Actually, I think I mentioned the Inquisition . . .)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
I once accused my chiropractor for being one of the water boarding torturers in Quantanimo... I know that feeling quite well... moving on to a massage therapist now... figure if I'm paying out my ear for therapy, I may as well enjoy it! Perhaps that is what you are lacking.... Minerva needs to give poor, sweet, CURSED Albus more massages... then I'd feel better. *nods*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
He'll get even more than massages before the end of the story, don't you worry about that!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
He bloody better! Poor man... all you're putting him through! *snorts*
I am so loving this chapter - only got to this point*snip*Minerva stopped stroking his erection, but maintaining her hold on it as she leaned back. “Stop? You want to stop? You never want to stop, Albus,” she said huskily. “Even that time in the staff room when there was a meeting in ten minutes, you didn’t want to stop . . .”And i am soooo loving this - oddly, it seems so incredibly familiar.... to someone else's first lemon *whistles innocently* You're stealing my butterflies! Er, well you wrote this first - so I guess I subliminaly stole yours? Forgive meeeeeee 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Well, it is Albus & Minerva, of course! (And sex.) Maybe it's "great minds," and all that? (This is only the hint of lime, you might say, and the lemon is later in the chapter. )
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Oh yes, Albus and Minerva sex is always yummy.... groans - okay*snips*A few hours later, the two woke to an extremely loud rendition of a Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor for organ. Minerva scrambled for her wand, thankful when the music stopped as soon as her hand touched it.Albus was sitting bolt upright in bed. “My God, Minerva, you could have warned me!”LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *spit milk on my monitor actually, laughing so bloody hard*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Don't mess up your keyboard, dear
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
! I'm glad it gave you a good laugh, though! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
Still laughing!!!!!!!!!!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*“If my adrenaline level will allow me to,” Albus grumbled, dousing the light and rolling over.*dies again* OMASDFLKASDJFLASKDFJ
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Okay, now you have me laughing! And I'm supposed to be getting to bed -- hopefully not to be awakened by an extremely loud Bach Toccata! LOL!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*She left Severus’s bedroom and Flooed back to her own rooms. She really was too old for this. And poor Albus. He opened his eyes when she entered the bedroom and lit the bedside lamp again. “How was he?”omg - this is just like it was when my kids were babies - only it was every 45 minutes - LOLOLOL - in three days of broken sleep and zombie mechanics - you turn into the nastiest witch ever.... I think I lived like that for the first 3 years of each of their lives - and I so feel for Minerva and Albus! 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*“Severus, you are almost as much of a fool as the man lying beside me.”OMGLFMAOMYEYESIAMCRYINGZOMGAnd then.... if that wasn't hilarious enough...*snip*Minerva just looked at him a moment, her eyes widened. “You can’t possibly be suggesting . . . Albus, that’s just . . . ”LKJDF:ODSIUFOIHesfkldsnfkjasndklfjhaskldfjhaskldjfhklasdhfkasjdhklfjashdkfjahskldjfhkdsfja
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*Albus obligingly rolled out of bed, picked up his wand, and added another two feet of space to Minerva’s side. He then padded to the door and went out to the sitting room to talk to Severus. Minerva rolled over and closed her eyes. She really was too old for any of this. Albus seemed to be dealing with it all much better than she was . . . and better than she would have thought he could. He had a flexibility of mind that was a rarity in anyone, let alone someone of his age. Sleeping with two men, though . . . That was not something that Minerva McGonagall had ever believed she would do, even if all they were doing was sleeping and one of them was Albus.*falls over and absolutely dies*
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*The three of them settled down together, Severus lying on top of the covers next Minerva, a tartan afghan draped over him. Minerva didn’t think she would be able to sleep with him lying there stiff as a board beside her, but sometime later she became aware of a hand gently stroking her face, Severus’s voice calling her name, and she realised she must have slept. She opened her eyes to see Severus’s face hovering above her.“Minerva, my sweet, how lovely you are when you sleep, all waking cares fled and nought but pure beauty to be seen in your countenance!”Minerva blinked. Her life had taken some strange turns, but this had to one of the strangest. She pulled her arm from beneath the covers and offered Severus her hand. He looked at it reverentially before raising it to his lips and kissing it.*chokes in a fit of hysterics*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
They do say that laughter is the best medicine! But I hope you recovered from the choking; that is not as healthy!I have to say that when I read this myself yesterday, I had a good little laugh, myself: “Minerva, my sweet, how lovely you are when you sleep, all waking cares fled and nought but pure beauty to be seen in your countenance!”Minerva blinked. Her life had taken some strange turns, but this had to one of the strangest.I'd forgotten those lines -- can you imagine waking up to that in the morning! hahaha!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
After being married twice.... no... I can't imagine ANYONE saying that to me under any circumstance ever... and at the first moment you blink your eyes awake and are gaining some semblance of normalcy? I can't imagine how bizzare Minerva must feel.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Definitely a weird situation, overall, but sometimes it gets even stranger!
*snip*Severus sighed, almost sobbing. Wasn’t his life difficult enough? There was no escape for him, no reprieve. It mattered not what he did, nor how much he attempted to atone for his previous mistakes – no, not mistakes. Not simply mistakes, although they had been that. He had done evil and continued to do evil, although supposedly in service to the Light. How could that be, to do evil and hope for good? Dumbledore always said that there were difficult choices that no human being should be forced to make – the choice between a lesser evil and a greater evil – and yet what mattered was the triumph of the good. Severus could see that even Albus was not altogether comfortable with this notion. Better to do no evil at all. Better to thwart every evil that one could. But Severus knew, with the instinct of a canny Slytherin and the despairing soul of a repentant Death Eater, that sometimes evil would triumph if sacrifices were not made. The sacrifice of the good for the greater good. Severus shook his head. “The greater good.” He did not know what that was, only that it could not include Lord Voldemort’s existence. And Severus knew that he would be one of the sacrifices; willing or unwilling, one way or the other, he would be sacrificed. He would sacrifice himself and, paradoxically, even his redemption, for this greater good that he did not comprehend and would never live to see.*sniff* I want to hug him and love him.... really odd for me...
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*Severus gently pressed the back of Minerva’s hand to his cheek. “You are a very fortunate man, indeed, Albus, to have found the love of such a witch. She surpasses all others in beauty and talent, in grace and wit, and in strength and loyalty. You have been blessed,” he ended in a whisper. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against her hand.beautiful - pure beauty
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
We see a lot of Severus's soul in this story -- and he sees a lot of it, as well, things he had closed off from himself.I'm glad you're feeling in sympathy with him.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*Severus dropped his spoon again. Tears welled up in his eyes. Once more, the small, detached part of him that maintained some sense of rationality watched, scornful, as he wept over his breakfast. How could this be? The man who had joined the Death Eaters, then betrayed them and rejoined as a spy, how could he be crying into his berry bowl?This is both sad and hilarious - the first chapter was hysterical - this chapter is painfuly sad.... you just JERK us all over the roller coaster of emotions, don't you! 
ok..... I know.... breathe..... Albus has everything under control.... Minerva is perfectly logical - even Hermione is perfectly logical.... Draco can suck eggs but.... meh... still - the emotional Yo-Yo you're creating is just...... WOW... and now I'll hush.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
I've been having internet connectivity issues tonight (blast!), so my other response was to your first comment. :-)Thank you -- I'm glad that you liked that bit. Severus can express things well that he would never even think, let alone say aloud, if he had not been cursed -- and simultaneously freed, in a way.
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
This is both sad and hilarious - the first chapter was hysterical - this chapter is painfuly sad.... you just JERK us all over the roller coaster of emotions, don't you! There are a lot of emotions going on in this fic, for the readers and for the characters -- and I'm glad that you could feel the pain and the humor simultaneously there. It's a tricky thing, and yet . . . human. Albus has everything under control.... Minerva is perfectly logical - even Hermione is perfectly logical.... Draco can suck eggs but.... meh... still - the emotional Yo-Yo you're creating is just...... WOW... and now I'll hush.Yes, Draco can suck eggs. Nasty boy that he is! (Although he was genuinely concerned about Snape here.)I hope you're feeling immersed in the emotions of it in a "good way" -- and there are some genuinely light and amusing scenes coming up, too. Promise!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*“Oh, Minerva. You are truly the most deserving of all women! You have once again saved me. Your perspicacity and foresight are surpassed only by your loveliness and femininity!” Severus shuddered and dropped her hands.*blinks* Are you sure this is Severus Snape?
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*Albus chuckled. “Oh, Severus, I trust Minerva even more than I trust you. More than anyone, in fact. And as to her personal taste . . . she chose to be with me, and she has remained with me for decades. You could look like Gilderoy Lockhart, and it wouldn’t make a difference to me. In fact, I am glad that she is fond of you. If you were someone whom she disliked or had difficulty tolerating . . . well, her decisions in this situation are her own, but I would be unhappy if she felt she had to endure such a person’s attentions. But come, we need to have breakfast and return you to Minerva before the spell overtakes you again.”And - OMGSdflasjdkfkladsjf I love Dumbledore.... this is exquisit!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
*blinks* Are you sure this is Severus Snape?Severus Snape completely without inhibitions and with his reason impaired, open to his emotions, but most especially open to his feelings about Minerva. I love Dumbledore.... this is exquisit!I am glad you're loving Dumbledore here!
Holy cow.... there is a man under all those black robes.... a real, human being! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Quite a shock for him to discover it, too!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
So it seems - poor fella.... of course, having to profess your love to a mentor, who just happens to be your biggest mentor's other half, would be very difficult, I think.
Severus finally reached his destination and rapped decisively on the portrait frame. A moment later, the door opened before him. He wanted to speak, but couldn’t. He took one gasping breath before a tingling and tickling crawled over his skin and into his body, much as when Pansy had first cast the spell. His vision went dark but for the stars that swam before his eyes. One step forward, and he collapsed into the astounded witch’s arms.*snip* Oh ho ho! Not a 6th year Gryffindor Know it All..... oohhhh, this is too delicious..... *grins*
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Yes, even a bit more complicated for the poor man than that!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*giggles* soooooo fun! I can't wait I can't wait!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*He would try . . . for her. He knew it would cause him pain, but he would open his eyes. He forced them open. On seeing her face, genuine concern written in its features, Severus cried out and closed his eyes again. He tore his hand from hers and covered his face. “Oh, gods, no!” he moaned, unconcerned at that moment that he was as inarticulate as Pansy Parkinson.“Severus, what happened? Please tell me! Has something happened? Are you ill? Were you cursed? Please, Severus!”As much as he wanted, he could not tell her; he could not speak. If he were to speak, he could only tell her of his love for her, the love that had burned in him for so many years, banked over, but still there. Dismissed, ignored, unacknowledged, but true. His true love. Severus rolled over on the tiny couch, turning his back to his love, almost shoving her off onto the floor in the process.He felt her rise up off the couch. So graceful. She was always so graceful. Severus groaned, but it brought little relief. He turned over fully onto his stomach and buried his face in his arms. He felt her hand gently touch his shoulder. Oh, how he needed her!HOOOO! I actually feel so sorry for him! How bloody awful! Truly, how terribly awful.... oh I don't envy him in the slightest.... *shakes head* poor lad.
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*Uttering a loud moan, Severus lifted his head and began banging it rhythmically against the arm of the settee.“Stop it, please, Severus! Stop it! Please,” she begged, desperate.*snip*lololzzzzzzzzz omg that is so awful...... i can so relate to being unable to do anything useful but literally, bang your head into a rock/furniture/floor
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
It's one of those awful-poor-Severus-I-feel-for-you-but-omg-it's-funny! moments in the story!Glad you're enjoying it! I've decided to reread it, myself. It's been ages since I've looked at this fic, and I can see where my RaMverse!Severus began. ;-)
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*“Oh, Albus, you will hate me. She will hate me. I will die,” Severus ended with a dramatic wail.*snip*OMG, its truly awful what happened but the melodrama of Severus is so FREAKING HILARIOUS I can't stand it - I am laughing my ARSE off here and my kids are looking at me like I've lost my mind! ASDLFKJASLKDFJ so freaking hilarious!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Yes, melodramatic Snape is a real hoot! I'm glad it's giving you a nice laugh! Laughter is very healthy!
Omg, i am laughing so hard and i'm only down to the line - *snip*“The book! You are beginning to sound like this Know-It-All Gryffindor. You can’t learn everything from a book, can you, Miss Granger?” Severus asked, turning to the sixth-year Gryffindor who was one of the three banes of his existence. Well, one of the five banes, actually, but when you were as baned as he was, who counted?LOLOLZZZZZZZZZZZDaskerijhaileuhfksajdhfklzdsjfh 
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snip*“But, sir, you glowed when the spell hit you,” the Slytherin prefect replied, his brows knit with worry. He really did seem concerned for his Head of House. Snape would have to reward him for his acting skills later.“Clearly, that was a side-effect of the spell.”“Professor Snape –” Oh, gods, the Gryffindor had found her voice! Now he wouldn’t be able to shut her up.LLLLLLLWEREWORIWPERIJLSDKNGFLSDKFADSLKFNASLDKFN 
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Hahaha! Yes, there is quite a bit of humor in that chapter. There's more to come, interspersed among the less humorous bit, although sometimes they actually occur at the same time.I'm glad that you are enjoying it!
Response from Fishy (Reviewer)
*snorts while laughing so hard**snip* Severus wanted to get out of his chair, run from his office, and find . . . find . . . find he-didn’t-know-what. He also just wanted to stay there behind his desk, lay his head in his arms, and pine . . . pine . . . pine for he-didn’t-know-what.OASMDGLsizdfaiuehyrakjdshfksajdhfkljadshfklajdshfkljadshfkjadsfhkjadshjfkjzeshfkjzshdf
Beautiful! And knowing what Severus has to do to Dumbledore, also deeply tragic... I will now immediately check out the sequel! Thank you for writing!
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
You're welcome! And thank you very much for the reviews. I appreciate them! :) I hope you enjoy the sequel!
this is a truly amazing story! I have cried so much...
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
Thank you! I'm very glad you've enjoyed it. There's a sequel, Death's Dominion, which offers an alternate Years 6 & 7, which you will probably enjoy, too. It's Snape-centric, and let's just say that there are a lot of ups and downs, but I don't like to write Dark fics or tragedies . . . I personally think it's much better than An Act of Love, overall, but if you like Severus in AAoL, you'll like him in Death's Dominion, I think.Thank you again! I'm very glad you enjoyed it.
I am absolutly certain that I have read this somwehere before.I do love it though and it was well worth a re-read.It is terribly well balanced, the charaters and their different prespectives played really well against their others.The only thing I wold have liked to see was perhaps Minerva's re-introduction to society - I'm asuming that there would have had to be some measures taken to give the impression that she had been genuinely ill (as apposed to very relaxed and contented after her mini-break :) )In any case, it's always the same in that there are more little adjuncts than can be fitted in to any reasonable fic.Thanks as always for sharing what is a novel and well executed piece.I loved it!Linds
Response from MMADfan (Author of An Act of Love)
"In any case, it's always the same in that there are more little adjuncts than can be fitted in to any reasonable fic."Don't I know it! LOL! I actually discard stuff, or cut it and keep it as a possible separate fic to write "someday." It's quite possible that you read it when I first wrote it, either here or when I posted it over on Sycophant Hex Lumos and Occlumency. Glad you loved it! :-) Thanks for the review!