Conversations
KingPig323 Reviews | 6.63/10 (323 Ratings, 0 Likes, 212 Favorites )
***Winner of the Judge's Choice: Best Avada Kedavra in The New Library Awards 2008******** A conversation between two friends ignites a passion, if not an obsession, to uncover Severus Snape's dark and violent past.
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About KingPig
Author
KingPig
Member Since 2007 | 6 Stories | Favorited by 48 | 539 Reviews Written | 570 Review Responses
Professional illustrator. Fledgling fanfic writer. Student. Professional freelance graphic designer. Married. 25. Slytherin.
Reviews for Conversations
Sorry to repeat the gist of my review for your last chapter, but a lot of it applies here, too. It's a compelling and plausible backstory, and it's handled with sensitivity for all the graphic nature of the descriptions. You are leaving open the difficult question of how it's possible for Snape to relate to Hermione (or anyone else) under these circumstances, however well-meant the overtures of friendship may be. But that's another thing that makes the story compelling. Tough subject matter, great chapter.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me a review, I really, really appreciate it!
I'm so moved and humbled that readers like you have not only stuck with this story thus far, through its many ups and downs, but that you also take the time to leave an encouraging note. *hugs* Without readers like you, this story would never exist. Thank you, thank you.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me a review, I really, really appreciate it!
I'm so moved and humbled that readers like you have not only stuck with this story thus far, through its many ups and downs, but that you also take the time to leave an encouraging note. *hugs* Without readers like you, this story would never exist. Thank you, thank you.
Well done little king! I can see where you have expanded on this from earlier versions and what you have done makes it even more powerful. The mantra is oh so appropriate. I will have to go searching the net for the songs as they are not from my usual listening collection, but I am curious.
You are always welcome to my assistance and in put.
Irish
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much, Irish! I do hope you find the songs. Nine Inch Nails (aka Trent Reznor) really express the perfect sentiment to a story like this.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much, Irish! I do hope you find the songs. Nine Inch Nails (aka Trent Reznor) really express the perfect sentiment to a story like this.
That was very hard to read, but I think you did a very good job on writing it.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so very much for the review, and I really am sorry that it was such a delicate and difficult chapter. I don't plan on anymore of these sorts of chapters in the future, but if one does crop up, I will make sure to set lots of warnings about!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so very much for the review, and I really am sorry that it was such a delicate and difficult chapter. I don't plan on anymore of these sorts of chapters in the future, but if one does crop up, I will make sure to set lots of warnings about!
Thanks for the warning and the chapter summary -- I much prefer being prepared for something like this and appreciate the option of NOT having to read the details if it's too much without being lost for the rest of the story.
Dealing with Ron and Harry is no preparation for dealing with a survivor of extreme child abuse, so I hope Hermione doesn't screw it up too badly. You seem to be going for realism here, so I think I'm somewhat justified in not believing that I'll be presented with a young Hermione somehow healing the very damaged Severus in a couple of months with her love. optimism, and youthful enthusiasm. Not saying there is anything wrong with those stories -- I certainly enjoy some of them a great deal! -- but they require a rather large suspension of disbelief which I don't think is going to be called upon here.
Doesn't the Wizarding World would have some equivalent of our various government agencies and charities to help prevent child abuse? If not, Hermione may have found herself a new cause! And I do hope readers who were upset with this chapter think about what they can do for children in their own communities who are suffering right now. Thanks for your work!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review!
I believe the credit for the summary and the extra warnings goes to my beta, Angel Mischa. She suggested it, and I'm so, so incredibly happy that she did.
And you're right, there won't be a sudden, overnight change where H heals S simply with love and understanding and a magical tear or anything. It will be a journey, and I promise a happy ending – it'll just take a bit of time. I agree with you completely, and I am trying to keep this story as close to realism as one can when they're writing a story about wizards and witches and such......
I wonder what H would call the government agency..
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review!
I believe the credit for the summary and the extra warnings goes to my beta, Angel Mischa. She suggested it, and I'm so, so incredibly happy that she did.
And you're right, there won't be a sudden, overnight change where H heals S simply with love and understanding and a magical tear or anything. It will be a journey, and I promise a happy ending – it'll just take a bit of time. I agree with you completely, and I am trying to keep this story as close to realism as one can when they're writing a story about wizards and witches and such......
I wonder what H would call the government agency..
I enjoyed the insight provided in this chapter. Hermione must be feeling rather guilty right about now. Looking forward to new chapter.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Oh my God. Poor, poor Severus! I want to take fucking Tobias, Lucius, Wilkes, and Bellatrix and hang them from the Whomping Willow. Those fucking bastards! (And bitch). How dare they do such horrible things to an innocent child! I cannot fathom the depravity of people who do such things; they are disgusting, twisted people who deserve...I don't know, but whenever I hear of a child who's been abused, I just want to kill his abuser. Slowly and Painfully. But even that is less painful than what that sweet child will have to face for the rest of his life: Confusion and Guilt. Fucking Guilt. That poor child will think he's the one to blame for the horrible things done to him; sometimes the motherfucking abuser tells the child that the child is to blame for his abuse! Unfathomable.
As I'm sure you can tell by my reactionary rant, you have truly captured the horrors of child abuse. I certainly hope that you do not have to rely on personal experience (although I am most certainly not asking if you are; that is none of my business). This is a horrific, yet completely plausible, childhood history for Severus. It would explain a lot about his personality and his treatment of others. I hope that he does not lash out at Hermione for her accidentally seeing his memories.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so, so much for your review! I'm so humbled that this chapter was able to illicit such an emotional response from you as it did for me writing it. Thank you so, so much for this encouraging review. And fear not for Hermione, she's a strong one :)
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so, so much for your review! I'm so humbled that this chapter was able to illicit such an emotional response from you as it did for me writing it. Thank you so, so much for this encouraging review. And fear not for Hermione, she's a strong one :)
Very powerful. I'm guessing after witnessing all that, Hermione will end up quite determined to help him eventually - to care, even if he doesn't seem to want it, from anyone. And it wouldn't be an easy task.
I'm very curious to see what will happen next. I can't see Snape letting Hermione off easily for what just happened, intentional or not.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Oh yes, Hermione would never back away from a cause such as this, I think. It will be a very difficult and long journey for them both...
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Oh yes, Hermione would never back away from a cause such as this, I think. It will be a very difficult and long journey for them both...
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Oh my, that was quite some chapter! I am impressed though, you did a good job writing this, not many authours could have managed this. If I could I would have jumped into your story and comforted Severus, though I think he will still have a long way to go before he will be able to take comfort from anyone. I am so mad at his parents, yes his mother too, how could she just stand there, betraying her own child like this. And Lucius, I want to cut of his hair, neutered him with a toothpick and served him with slow working potion that involved a lot of pain! Lucius is among those of Severus abusers that are still alive, and I think Severus deserves to at least take one of them to task. I wonder how Draco, Narcissa and Pancy would look at Lucius if they knew what kind of man he is? Argh, I am so mad! And Dumbledore, one of those who were supposed to protect him along with the other students, greatest wizard my ass, I am so mad at him that it is lucky for him that he is already dead! Though I guess that Severus is not ready for accepting Hermiones care, compassion and loyalty, I do hope that you will soon let him see that not everybody will betray him and that some people are worth his trust! Update again soon, I need to read more, and I need to see this story lead to Severus getting someone who accept him and loves him without reservation, someone who will figth his battles with him, always stand by him and help him being able to live the life he deserves; giving him happiness! And I whish I could find a way to jump into your story and hurt some people......
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
LOL, this has to be one of my most favorite reviews ever!
Yes, I spent a lot of time daydreaming of nasty things to do to the characters you mentioned, if I had been able to have been in the story. But, unfortunately, I'm just a spectator.
I do think that Lucius has had a nasty payback, though I'm not sure if that scene will make it into the story. And I'm pretty sure that Narcissa, at least, knows the kind of man Lucius is. The rape of young Severus by Bellatrix was common knowledge among the Slytherins, and the fact that rape is more about power and less about sex is something that I think the Slytherins of that era know very, very well.
And yes, Hermione will be there, by his side, eventually. They will both learn a lot from each other as the story unfolds...
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
LOL, this has to be one of my most favorite reviews ever!
Yes, I spent a lot of time daydreaming of nasty things to do to the characters you mentioned, if I had been able to have been in the story. But, unfortunately, I'm just a spectator.
I do think that Lucius has had a nasty payback, though I'm not sure if that scene will make it into the story. And I'm pretty sure that Narcissa, at least, knows the kind of man Lucius is. The rape of young Severus by Bellatrix was common knowledge among the Slytherins, and the fact that rape is more about power and less about sex is something that I think the Slytherins of that era know very, very well.
And yes, Hermione will be there, by his side, eventually. They will both learn a lot from each other as the story unfolds...
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Your story is absurd. Not in a bad way trust me. I really love the way you talk about the abuse...actually I can see Snape as an abused child (even if Rowling didn't write anything specific)but in this story of yours I'm afraid there will not be an happy ending. Not an easy one at the least(please, tell me I'm wrong!!!!)...anyway, is your next chapter ready yet?I'm waiting!!!!!^_^
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Fear not, a happy ending is on the horizon! It will be a painful, difficult, and long journey, but it is there nonetheless!
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Fear not, a happy ending is on the horizon! It will be a painful, difficult, and long journey, but it is there nonetheless!
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
well, that was pretty gut-wrenching. the thing that bothered me most in this chapter is that, given the amount of abuse that severus has been through, and given that he already felt like hermione had assaulted him, for her to force herself on him as she did, even though she was trying to apologize, was not a good idea and just makes her seem to me like an insensitive clod. i mean, i understand that her intentions weren't bad, and maybe i just have to say, well she obviously doesn't know what it feels like to have been on the unwilling receiving end of really bad stuff, but the last thing someone who has been traumatized in that way needs is someone else forcing themselves on them. then you throw in the unintentional legilimency on top of that, and things definitely seem on a downward spiral at least for the near term.
very intense story. i can only hope that things start to turn around before too long. if this story eventually has a happy ending (and i really hope it does), these characters (and you!) will certainly have earned it!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Hermione does have a bit of a history of blundering about when trying to help, doesn't she? I mean, S.P.E.W. wasn't exactly a success by any measure...
I agree with you, the Legilimency, the botched-up healing, the taking of the shoebox, all of this is an invasion to a man who has survived horrific abuses... but please, please stay tuned, I do promise things will work out in the end.
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from kittylefish (Reviewer)
believe me, there's no chance i'll stop following this story. i'm too invested in the characters as you've written them here. i need to see how you eventually get it all sorted out! i'm happy you are sticking with it, even though it must be a hard story to write sometimes.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Pssst! If you want a sneak peek at the next chapter, I've posted the working, un-beta'd draft on my LJ account (http://kingpig.livejournal.com/). If you have the time to drop by and make any suggestions or comments, I'd be very, very grateful!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Hermione does have a bit of a history of blundering about when trying to help, doesn't she? I mean, S.P.E.W. wasn't exactly a success by any measure...
I agree with you, the Legilimency, the botched-up healing, the taking of the shoebox, all of this is an invasion to a man who has survived horrific abuses... but please, please stay tuned, I do promise things will work out in the end.
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from kittylefish (Reviewer)
believe me, there's no chance i'll stop following this story. i'm too invested in the characters as you've written them here. i need to see how you eventually get it all sorted out! i'm happy you are sticking with it, even though it must be a hard story to write sometimes.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Pssst! If you want a sneak peek at the next chapter, I've posted the working, un-beta'd draft on my LJ account (http://kingpig.livejournal.com/). If you have the time to drop by and make any suggestions or comments, I'd be very, very grateful!
uh-oh..... well, Hermione should be a WHOLE lot more patient with Severus from ow on. not sure what you'll do with Pansy next. poor Severus, having his darkest most personal secrets revealed to Hermione. yikes! thanks for the new chapter; please give Severus something nice soon, he needs it.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review! The next chapter make take a
while, as I'm a bit wrapped up in homework, but I'll try to get it
written and posted as soon as I'm able!
It's a wonder that your Snape isn't more broken with all the abuse he had to go through. Did Hermione perform some kind of Legilimency without meaning to? There all the ingredients for the shit to hit the fan in the next chapter indeed.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review! Yes, it was unintentional Legilimency of a very powerful sort, and it will be explained further in depth in future chapters. I hope you stay tuned!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so much for the review! Yes, it was unintentional Legilimency of a very powerful sort, and it will be explained further in depth in future chapters. I hope you stay tuned!
Was what occurred something like Legilimency? If that's what it was, I would have expected Severus to be able to push her out a lot earlier. Why would Severus pay a prostitute for sex? It doesn't seem like he gets much from the experience.
I wonder what's going to happen next chapter. Now that Hermione has seen what Severus's past was like and he knows that, he is probably going to make her regret that fact. Hopefully nothing too terrible happens.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
It was an unexpected, unintended, Leglimency. A very powerful, unorthodox instance that will be explained in depth later. The main reason that he couldn't push her out sooner was more due to the fact that he was overwhelmed by the memories as well, and could not focus to effectively push her out.
And he paid a prostitute for sex just for the release of sexual tension, no pleasure. He has yet to have had a truly pleasurable sexual experience.
Thank you so, so much for the review! I hope you'll stay tuned!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
It was an unexpected, unintended, Leglimency. A very powerful, unorthodox instance that will be explained in depth later. The main reason that he couldn't push her out sooner was more due to the fact that he was overwhelmed by the memories as well, and could not focus to effectively push her out.
And he paid a prostitute for sex just for the release of sexual tension, no pleasure. He has yet to have had a truly pleasurable sexual experience.
Thank you so, so much for the review! I hope you'll stay tuned!
I wonder, was that the first time Snape had ever been truly apologized to?
By someone absolutely DETERMINED to make things as right as possible?
Severus will never believe he let her in, talk about feeling under seige!
Would it have happened at all if Hermione had not found the shoebox?
It would be so satisfying to think that Nature abhors all vacuums, even those in the human heart, and never tires of trying to fill them.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
You raise some very interesting points and questions! I think the shoebox does play a definite role in this chapter, and I don't think Severus ever intentionally let her into his mind... but we shall see!
Thank you so much for the review!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
You raise some very interesting points and questions! I think the shoebox does play a definite role in this chapter, and I don't think Severus ever intentionally let her into his mind... but we shall see!
Thank you so much for the review!
Very powerful chapter. The emotions swirling around like a vortex. Made me slightly ill.
Stuck like a deer in headlights, i will await the next chapter.
Though i hated the subject matter; i gave you a 5 rating due to you successfully conveying the emotions of abuse.
Reminds me of one of my favorite movies, one that is also my most hated movie. Bastard Out of Carolina. enough said.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
I do apologize that it made you ill, truly I do. It is a nasty subject, but one that had to be explored in this story. Thank you so, so much for your encouragement and review.
Response from chyara (Reviewer)
I have to give you many kudos for how well you wrote this chapter.
Don't worry about me, i am made of sterner stuff. :o)
I hope Hermione can help him heal.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
I do apologize that it made you ill, truly I do. It is a nasty subject, but one that had to be explored in this story. Thank you so, so much for your encouragement and review.
Response from chyara (Reviewer)
I have to give you many kudos for how well you wrote this chapter.
Don't worry about me, i am made of sterner stuff. :o)
I hope Hermione can help him heal.
I remember a SVU episode where an adopted 15 year old girl, who had suffered sexual abuse as a child from her birth father, sexually abused her adopted little sister, gave her an STD, and ended up killing her. At the end of the episode, after they could finally prove what she had done, she was informed she would be getting the death penelty. She looked at the detectives and the camera caught the dead look in her eyes. She was so calm and she said, "Go ahead, kill me. I'm already dead."
I don't know how Snape is going to deal with Hermione knowing these things? I would be terrified to come near him for a long time. There is so much rage and shame there.
So very sad, but unfortunately so very realistic.
Livvy
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
I remember that episode too! Perhaps I was subconsciously channeling it when I wrote that scene.
Thank you so much for the review, I really, really appreciate it now. I'd love to answer your question regarding how S will deal with H now, but I cannot :( You'll have to wait and see, and I'm going to be even more evil: I'm in a mammoth, time-draining, emotionally draining class, so the next chapter might be a few weeks. I'm sorry!! (Don't hate me, please!)
Response from livvy6 (Reviewer)
Oh no! Don't worry. Because your story is not one that will just "slip through the cracks". It's original and gut-wrenching. It will take time for readers I think to process what has happened, so I think it's actually good to space out chapters.
I shall beg the muse to grant you her favor!
Livvy
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Oh thank you so incredibly much!! *hugs*
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
I remember that episode too! Perhaps I was subconsciously channeling it when I wrote that scene.
Thank you so much for the review, I really, really appreciate it now. I'd love to answer your question regarding how S will deal with H now, but I cannot :( You'll have to wait and see, and I'm going to be even more evil: I'm in a mammoth, time-draining, emotionally draining class, so the next chapter might be a few weeks. I'm sorry!! (Don't hate me, please!)
Response from livvy6 (Reviewer)
Oh no! Don't worry. Because your story is not one that will just "slip through the cracks". It's original and gut-wrenching. It will take time for readers I think to process what has happened, so I think it's actually good to space out chapters.
I shall beg the muse to grant you her favor!
Livvy
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Oh thank you so incredibly much!! *hugs*
Wow, what a dark and intense rollercoaster of a chapter. I am very much looking forward to reading more, just to see if their various universes can possibly right themselves at this point.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Aaaw thank you! They will right themselves, slowly but surely.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Aaaw thank you! They will right themselves, slowly but surely.
I want to applaud your craftmanship on this chapter. It must have been as difficult to write as to read.
As I am myself am more of a contemporary of Minerva in real life, I tend to react to the antics of my two favorite “Children” like she does, with a very strong desire to shake some sense into them, both of them, particularly the man-child. But with the back story you're building of his childhood being stolen from him, his school days being filled with terror and abuse, and the advent of Voldemort, the manipulations of Dumbledore, and the knife’s edge he has lived on for literally all his life, you just have to cut him a little slack. He is after all a fish out of water what with no one really wanting to kill him for perhaps the first time in his life. He has no frame of reference.
Unfortunately, the only way to get experience to experience it and the main thing that’s bad about life is you have to live it chronologically.
That all being said, my Perverse Self does like watching train wrecks. Hark! Do I hear a siren in the distance? ^_^
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so, so much! It was a difficult chapter to write, and this next chapter that is in the queue ("Non-Verbal Communication") was probably the hardest to write to date.
I am really glad that you identify with Minerva. I really love her role in this story, she's quite stern with them, but there is an undercurrent of matronly love, and she would do anything for either of them.
Thank you so much for the review, and I'm truly sorry that it took so long for me to respond. I'm in the middle of a hectic class/homework-load, so I'm popping in and out at random moments. Thank you so, so much, and I hope you enjoy the next chapter, you rubbernecker, you!
Now that McGonagall told Severus that he's not allowed any more apprentices, I wonder what he is going to do about Pansy. If he does get rid of Pansy, then he might have the Malfoy anger turned towards him, though Draco should be happy. I am curious to find out what "quid pro quo" Severus plans.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Have no fear! Pansy will not be dismissed so easily! Where would be the fun in that, if Snape just bowed to Minerva's "one-apprentice-only" rule? Lol!
Thank you so much for the review!
Warnings? Without warnings how is one to find the more interesting stories!
True, this chapter did not require a warning, but in the way Severus acted in the hallway and the promise of Quid Pro Quo whispered, it was actually darker in feel than more blatant actions might be. Which natually, makes it a cool chapter! Kind of creepy, but leaves me wondering what he's going to do to or be like with HG in revenge.
And just how much more will there be to be avenged for?
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
*cackles* Ah, it's only just begun!
The retaliation between the two will spike at least a few more times before we can begin to see a somewhat stable relationship forming.
Thank you so much for the review!
Excellent chapter! I especially loved the interaction with Poppy and Severus. The matter-of-fact method she had employed from his childhood on through adulthood that made him feel more at ease; safe, in her care.
What was awful, and this is a compliment to your writing that you draw these feelings and opinions out of your readers, was Hermione taking and rummaging through Severus' box of photos, etc. Curiousity will hardly be an excuse as there is no excuse for pilfering and perusing anyone's private papers, photos or memories. What would be worse ... getting caught putting them back!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Yes, i felt that Severus deeply needed someone he could truly trust, and I think Poppy is in the best position to offer this. I think Severus subconsciously puts the older women in his life (Minerva in addition to Poppy) in maternal roles, and naturally regresses around them (as you will see in the next chapter), which I think is particularly realistic to his situation.
Thank you so, so much for your reviews! I truly look forward to them, you offer invaluable insight! Hermione will (*spoiler alert*) ...
...
...eventually get caught with the shoebox, but I can't tell you any more than that! I do agree with you, it's a horrible breech of privacy, but in that situation, I don't think I would be able to resist searching through the box, myself. My curiousity would never leave me be when faced with such an opportunity! A moral dilema, indeed, but one I, myself, would be willing to face.
Again, thank you for the review, and I'm terribly sorry it took so long to respond, I'm bogged down with homework :(
I do feel sorry for Minerva, having to deal with staff like that... as if the students weren't enough!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Lol, I know! Thank you so, so much for the review!
I can't believe the way they acted. Adults? Pff! But I still side with Hermione rather than with Severus. Let her show him what she's made off.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Lol! Thank you so much for the review!!
I'll explain their childish behavior here in an excerpt from another review I received with sentiments like you have expressed (and I'm not trying to disagree, I very much value your opinion and your reviews! I'm just trying to explain why Snape and Hermione might've acted so immaturely):
________________________________
I agree, Hermione had every right to be very angry.
However, from the POV of someone like the Headmistress, no matter how much you may secretly agree with the action, you can certainly not encourage the behavior from any of the staff to be physically violent towards another. Unless, say, Snape turned out to be Voldy in disguise. But, since these are supposedly two adults, I have to agree with Minerva that situations this tense must use words to convey emotion. And yes, Hermione's judgement was clouded. And so was Snape's, but he didn't retaliate physically. We must remember, he was drugged too. I'm not advocating or condemning either behavior, really, as I'm sure I would have acted just like Hermione did in that given situation.
Now, about Severus... A lot of traumatized children, without psychological help, will hit a roadblock emotionally at a young age. Some freeze at the time of their first trauma, some continue to grow, but rarely ever will they graduate into adult emotions – again, if they've never had a support system or help. If they have had someone in their life to help them overcome their trauma, and resulting psychological issues, then yes, they usually are able to attain a cognitive ability to rationalize, forgive, empathize, etc. In this story, Snape has had no one to guide him through this, so he is, in fact, stuck at a teenage-like emotional state. Possibly even younger. But it can be overcome, with a lot of encouragement and support. If he's willing, at least.
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Plus, it was fun to write a pouting Snape, lol! And don't worry, even as it is a very heated power struggle between the two, Hermione will end up on top, and she will definitely have more chances to show him what she's made of! Thank you so, so much, again, for the review! I always look forward to your reviews!
well, it did seem a tad harsh when he was being taken to task for missing the dinner, given the circumstances. but i guess he wasn't completely blameless for what happened. i agree that you are doing a great job of depicting the kind of emotionally stunted behavior likely to result from the backstory you provided. you are writing a very compelling story. as always, i'm looking forward to the next complication!
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Thank you so, so very much for this encouraging review!
Lol, I just finished responding to a review that wondered if it were too harsh to have had Hermione taken to task for her involvement in the whole fiasco... I think, in this case, when Minerva first inquired about Snape's absence at the dinner, she was, of course, unaware of the circumstances. But upon being informed of the situation, it could be said that he could have avoided the entire catastrophe by not dragging Hermione to the Malfoys. Either way, in some form or another, both are to be blamed for their childish behavior and subsequent actions.
*hugs* Your review is inspiring, thank you again!
Well, well. Is there a Nanny 911 for the wizarding set? The scene in Minerva's office is darkly amusing even if I did gulp at Severus' use of the term "molested." I have just caught up on the last few updates of your story -- nice work on a backstory for Snape that is very vivid and plausible, despite (because of?) the difficult subject matter.
Response from KingPig (Author of Conversations)
Lol, I'd love to write in a Nanny 911 scene! "Severus, please go to your 'cool-off' spot. Hermione, every time you do something naughty, 5 minutes gets taken off your allotted reading time!" Yeah, well, you get the point.
The word "molested," thrown out by Severus, was a little ...strong. But, it does actually reflect his feelings in an offhand way, without revealing his true apprehension about the subject. If that made sense (it's late, my brain's fried from homework...). I think Severus actually did feel as though he was molested by Hermione. He has very strict boundaries, and he, I believe, feels threatened and violated to suddenly awake in manner that he did. And probably a little ashamed of how his body reacted.
But he would never publicly admit such a truth, not fully. Which is why he used such a potent word – to wound Hermione, to shock Minerva, and to test the waters, so to speak, if he would have even been believed or validated.
Again, hope that made sense! Thank you so, so much for the encouraging review, I really appreciate it!!