Chapter Twelve - Handover
Chapter 12 of 59
FaradayKeeping a dangerous object at arm's length can still get your hand blown off if it's not treated carefully.
ReviewedLupin was starting to panic. He’d been standing by the wall for just over twenty minutes, and there was still no sign of them. It was difficult for him to appear inconspicuous because he wanted to pace back and forth as an outlet for his anxiety. He stuck his hands in his pockets to stop himself from chewing his nails. It certainly wasn’t for warmth; his pockets had so many holes in them that they let in the chilly air like a welcome guest, and the worn material was soaked from the rain.
Lupin had questioned Dumbledore’s decision to let this meeting go ahead in his absence. Surely it could be left for another time, Lupin had asked, but Dumbledore assured him that there would be no problem and that Parr would be at the pre-arranged meeting place at the allotted time. When Lupin found out who was bringing Parr instead of Dumbledore, his sense of foreboding only strengthened.
Snape. Why did it have to be Snape? Lupin had asked as much.
“I don’t have any other option, Remus,” the Headmaster had replied from the fireplace, more than a little exasperated. “I need Minerva here to help me with this latest development with the Tournament, Alastor has to keep an eye on Harry, and no one else here is strong enough to keep Chara in check. Severus is the only one from the Order here who can do it.”
“But what about Kingsley or Tonks?” Lupin countered. “They know as much about Chara as–”
“Remus, stop fretting,” Dumbledore had interrupted. “It’ll be fine. Chara will be fine.”
“It’s not Chara I’m worried about,” Lupin had muttered after Dumbledore’s head had disappeared from the fire.
He snatched his hand away from his mouth, realising that he had been chewing at one of his nails unconsciously, and stuck his hand back in his pocket.
Snape. Damn it, he’d turn up late just to annoy the spit out of Lupin. And then there would be the inevitable smirks and snide comments when he did turn up, and Lupin’s patience was running short with only a week left until the full moon. He checked himself as he started to pace back and forth. At least the laneway was empty, thanks to the rain. He pulled his ratty coat a little tighter around him in a futile effort to stay dry.
Where the hell were they?
A thought occurred to him. Maybe Chara had lost her temper and given Snape a new scar to add to his collection? Lupin’s mood brightened noticeably at that possibility. She knew that Snape had deliberately let slip about Lupin’s lycanthropy so that he would have to leave Hogwarts, and it had taken Lupin some hours to convince Chara not to snap Snape’s fingers backwards in retribution.
The Potions master could never resist a vicious dig at someone if the opportunity arose—perhaps he’d made that mistake with Chara.
There was a movement off down the dark end of the laneway that caught Lupin’s eye, and he turned towards it hopefully. Sure enough, there was Snape striding along looking like he’d mow anyone down who had the misfortune to get in his way. Lupin saw Parr trotting easily behind him and immediately relaxed. In the back of his mind, he’d had the unsettling thought that she might’ve gone AWOL, leaving Snape with no idea why or what he should do.
“Where have you been?” Lupin said through clenched teeth. “I’ve been waiting twenty minutes!”
Snape stared at him sourly. “You’re one to talk about punctuality. You’re half an hour late, and now I’m soaked!”
“I got held up,” Lupin stressed back.
“Lamp-posts to sniff?” Snape sneered at him, flicking his head to get his damp hair out of his eyes.
Lupin stared at him stonily. “Don’t be fatuous, Severus.” The man was looking even paler than usual, which usually meant he was especially angry about something or ill. Lupin honestly believed Snape ironed those lines into his face deliberately. Being out in the rain had no doubt soured his mood beyond the usual rebarbative manner. “You look unwell. Not had any trouble with your fingers, have you?”
Chara laughed quietly behind Snape.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Nothing,” Lupin replied with a tight smile. He turned to Parr. “Chara, are you all right?”
Parr brought her gloved right hand up to her opposing shoulder, first two fingers extended.
“Yes, Remus, I’m fine.”
Lupin mirrored her gesture to his right shoulder, bringing a suspicious look from Snape. Lupin held out his hand to him.
“What do you want, a tip?” Snape challenged.
Lupin exhaled heavily. "Dumbledore gave you something to give to me,” he stated in as calm a voice as he could.
Snape’s eyes glittered at him as he brought the pouch out of his pocket slowly and held it out just short of Lupin’s outstretched hand. Lupin’s temper broke, and he snatched the pouch off Snape.
“I’m sorry, Chara, I know that was rude, but the playground antics will go on all evening otherwise,” he apologised quietly.
“It’s all right, Remus, I quite understand,” she replied, drifting over to him smoothly. She turned back towards Snape and crossed index and middle fingers of each hand over each other, fingertips pointed to the ground. Lupin wiped away a flash of surprise across his face while Snape just looked at Parr with an unreadable expression.
“Thank you, Professor. The inconvenience to you has not gone unnoticed.” She bowed slightly in his direction before moving to stand behind Lupin on his right side. “Come on, Remus. Let’s go and get drunk.”
“Maybe after the lesson, Chara,” he suggested with a smile and a sidelong glance at her. He nodded once at Snape. “Severus.”
Snape narrowed his black eyes at him and said nothing. Lupin and Parr walked away from him, leaving him standing in the rain that had just begun to lessen to a Scotch mist.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Orion's Pointer
135 Reviews | 5.6/10 Average
An excellent encounter Lucius - Severus! Usually Licius is depicted as the stronger one, but this is refreshingly different and wonderfully elaborated. Severus so enjoys annoying the aristocrat with working-class manners. And he doesn't reveal anything at all.
I love this story! I can't wait until the next chapter comes out!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks so much! I confess that the next chapter is taking me ages to sort out. Real life has expanded into a huge monster that takes up all my time, but I shall do my best.
Great story! I find it very original, and Snape is very well characterized. I wonder what he will do when/if he remembers where he saw the knives before (the dream, right?) And six hours seem too little time! I wonder what will happen... Please update soon!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thank you, I appreciate the review and the rating, and I apologise for both the time it took to respond, and the time it's taking me to get the next chapter done.Yes, Snape did see the knives in the dream.
SOooo sensuous! I love!
“You’re supposed to use it for sex, not to drill a core sample through the tundra.” and “How would you like a sharp poke in the eye with my foot, Severus?” are the best lines ever. I am also really loving the exchanges between these three. Your dialogue is uproariously great at times, causing me to laugh aloud, especially the two examples above. Keep it up, I am loving it!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
The aggravation between these three characters seemed to work particularly well. In many ways, it wrote itself!
This is an impressively constructed, intriguing story! Excellent! I'm really enjoying your little hints and allusions!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks you very much for bother reading and reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the story and hope that you continue to do so.
You write beautifully. I am looking forward to their little adventure. And I can't wait until he saves the Handler. But I'm still worried about those other women who pop up every now and then. And what about this little girl...she's got to play a part in here somewhere. I look forward to more. Thanks for the update.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
They're all threads. Some go nowhere, and others make a pattern. But which is which?
Nice fight scene. don't know why, but they have been my favorite bits from this series so far.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
They were fun to write.
Usually I have no taste for OC's/Snape pairings, or for OC's all together. Consider yourself lucky that you've charmed me with a truly original character so far! *g* Seriously. This might be the first fic I've read in over two years involving an OC. Enjoying the mystery.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Then I hope I don't disappoint! Parr's not the most well-behaved OC and for that some don't like her. Thanks for taking a chance on my fic - it's greatly appreciated.
Wow, I never would have though of Folter as a main character, but she's coming in as one. How does she have info? I want to know!I can't wait to see what Snape can do now that he knows he's a seevy and the options in life are opening up. But I'm worried about those women that he's run into, Hagrid's "friend."Anyway, great job. I look forward to the next update.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
One of the few advantages of taking a terribly long time to write chapters is that the story has a chance to grow along its own pathways. Folter's character has proved to be quite an important one, which I hadn't anticipated. I'd like to think the story is better for her presence.Glad you're still reading!
I love this story!! You are a wonderful writer!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thank you very much. I'm glad you're enjoying it!
I'm so glad you updated. I needed a fix pretty bad and when I got on, your story was here to save me! I am exicited to see where this goes. I still have so many questions. For every answer you give, I find myself wondering more and more (in a good way). Keep the chapters coming!
this is scary!
Oh, the story continues...I always wish there were more to each chapter. I am still stumped on so many things. But you leave me quite intrigued. I look forward to another installment.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks for reviewing!I'm going to try and answer a few questions next chapter.
Thank u for the update, another puzzle to work over - just what has she done in untying the knot - has she tied another between them? love your story
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I appreciate the time you take to review.The next chapter will give you a few answers, but of course, not all!
O rly?I do wonder what that last bit was about!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Let us say an unintentional Side-along Eroticisation.
who's sycorax?this is fantastic fantastic FANTASTIC!!! i can't wait for more!! you just keep blowing my mind again and again and again!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
I'm glad you're still enjoying the story!Sycorax is the witch from Shakespeare's 'The Tempest'.
As convoluted as this story can get sometimes, and this chapter was one of the most convoluted, still I enjoy it. What an interesting chapter! I think this is finally a turning point in Snape's and Parr's relationship - perhaps they'll like and trust each other a little more now. But please, I hope something happens with Parr's Handler soon.
my god my god my god. I think I'm going to cry. this is fantastic. I mean, I mean, if this wasn't fanfiction, you should publish this. or maybe I'm just overly emotional. but I don't think so.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thank you. Alas, I've told my story in someone else's world, but without it, this story would never have been.
WHAT a chapter. I am almost speechless. The confrontation between Lupin and Snape in the dungeon was perfect, and as for Chara and Snape in the sodden, lightening-struck grounds - that was an exceptional chapter. Well done. More soon! Please! 
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks for such a lovely review! I hope to do a bit of writing on the next chapter this weekend, but often I can never predict when the time is right to do it. We'll see!
It's all starting to come together. I cannot wait to see what happens. You do a great job at keeping the tension high! I am addicted.I find this whole facinating. You've done a great job creating a whole new world out of JKR's existing one.I always love your updates. Keep them coming.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks! Should be another one along very soon.
THANKS FOR THE NEW CHAPTERand the "christmas spirit" joke is fantastic. and the art ones.ooooohh!!! this is POWERFUL. I love it. I absolutley love it. it's been a while since I read the earlier part of this fic, and I can't remember if it was all this powerful...but I do remember that it was fabulous and I cannot wait for more!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks for the review.To be honest, the earlier chapters were much lighter. The story has aquired a gravitas I hadn't really expected. I still try to keep the humour, though.
I have been devouring this story at every spare moment possible for the past three or four days. I would grab fifteen minutes in the car as my husband drove on my blackberry. I would stay up late at night, tucked in to bed and reading by the light of my screen. I even passed up movie-time with my family on Christmas, just to get in one or two more chapters. I feel a bit barren, now that I have run out of chapters. The pace you have set at revealing the story's secrets is maddening, but in a most pleasurable way. Often times I'd find my hands fisted into my hair, snarling at the screen with confusion, only to be slowly eased into enlightenment throughout the chapter, to the point that when I reached the end I'd laugh at myself for ever doubting you, for ever having thought you wouldn't supply me with the information I needed.
Your story - the type, the style, the prose - is a rare thing in the world of fanfiction. I've never encountered a nonprofessional piece that strings the reader along quite like yours. This maddening feeling I have reminds me of the months I read and reread Stephen King's Dark Tower series. It's deliciously agonizing! Now, all the more so, being as this is a Work In Progress. I don't know how to adequately express just how enthralled I am. I would pay good money for this story so that I might read it over and over, and give it a deserving spot within my library. There are still so many unanswered questions, and probably questions I have yet to think of asking. Do you plan on answering them? I do so hope, as nothing leaves so noxious an aftertaste as an ambiguous author with a story of this caliber.
It has been a joy, reading all that you have currently posted. Your vocabulary sometimes has be running for a dictionary, but you are never so verbose that I grow weary from thinning the reference pages. This is a mature, intelligent piece that I cannot praise highly enough. Your characterization and balance of humor and darkness is just right, leaving me guffawing at one turn before seamlessly quickening my spirit the next. I do so hope that I will one day see the conclusion of this magnificent story, as so often great pieces find themselves abandoned. I look forward to the road before us - it seems we have many miles to go before that final chapter is posted, and I eagerly anticipate every turn and bend in that long road.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
This is one of the longest and most complimentary reviews I've ever received - thank you so much!Yes, my beta often half-jokes that I'm very adept at stringing things out! She claims I'll be 80 and saying "Just one more chapter!"I try not to leave too much unanswered, and if it hasn't been answered, it's usually because I do so further on down the track, and that there's a reason for witholding the information. However, I'm always more than happy to answer questions people have, as long as I don't feel it gives away any important piece of plot. I did think about putting a thread on the TPP forum for just such use, but my story isn't that widely read so it seemed a touch extravagant. So if you have any questions you can always e-mail me, or attach them in a review - I'll try not to be too evasive. 
And there's no way I'm NOT finishing the story! It just takes me a long time to get the chapters out.With luck and the grace of my beta and validation queue, there'll be another chapter before the end of the year.My thanks once again.
New chapter!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!
Lovedit...especially the end, this just gets better and better =)
thanks for the update!!!!!!
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Sorry it took so very long! I'm hoping to have another chapter out before the end of the year.
Oh you have not disappointed me! This was a great chapter. I loved the first scene. My favorite line: "He vacillated as Parr started listing euphemisms for illegal forms of copulation and Snape’s involvement in them."I was laughing so hard.I am intrigued to see what happens once Snape's mind is out in the open. Even though he's decided upon doing the exercise, I don't know how he'll handle having her see everything as she trains him to put up his guard.I wonder how Lupin will react if he were to find out. I think he'd be a bit miffed since he considers Parr his territory.Thanks for updating! I had sorely missed your story. I look forward to future posts.
Response from Faraday (Author of Orion's Pointer)
Thanks for the review! I'm estimating there'll be another chapter after Xmas but before New Year. It's half-done at the moment, so taking into account writing the rest, my beta checking it, the Xmas break, and the validation queue...