Six, Five, and Four
The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas
Chapter 3 of 4
sshg316Severus takes drastic measures to secure Hermione's love. Response to the Twelve Days of Christmas challenge at GS100. This is not a Christmas story.
ReviewedSix Slices of Hellebore
Having regained control over his volatile emotions, Severus returned to the worktable and calmly began to slice the freshly harvested hellebore. “I realize that I have betrayed your trust,” he said conversationally, “and for that, I do apologise. However, surely you can now see how imperative the Amortentia is to our future happiness.” He added the plant to the cauldron.
He had to convince her that this was the best, the only solution. It wasn’t necessary that she be a willing participant, but he could not alienate her affection. Without her love, everything he had done would be for naught.
*******
Five Pomegranate Seeds
Hermione watched in horrified fascination as the man she loved brewed the destruction of their future. He clearly wasn’t thinking—something in his mind had obviously snapped. A Potions master of Severus’ calibre was well aware that Amortentia was temporary. The man wasn’t stupid—he knew that when the potion’s effects dissipated, she would remember what he had done. The result of his treachery would be the very thing he was attempting to prevent—she would leave him.
Her eyes filled with angry tears. How dare he do this to her—to them? It was unconscionable.
She had to escape.
*******
Four Escape Attempts
Hermione felt the Body-Binding Curse begin to weaken. Her eyes flitted to the door. There were anti-Apparition wards inside the lab, but if she could get into the hallway, she could Apparate. It wasn’t an ideal plan, but without her wand, it was her only option.
Her heart pounded within her chest as she waited, until at last, the Curse released. She held herself still, watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity….
Severus walked into the storeroom.
Now!
Hermione bolted for the door and yanked on the knob, panicking when it would not open.
“You should not have done that.”
A/N: Tomorrow, the conclusion.
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas
56 Reviews | 5.23/10 Average
I don't know about 'maniacal', but are you having him drink the potion because he'd bound himself hopelessly to the memory of Lily, and now he's looking at Hermione?Enjoyable, anyways.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Somehow I missed these reviews. So sorry it took so long to respond.Lily had nothing to do with this story, so I'm not sure where you got that from. ;) He bound himself to Hermione because he thought he would screw it up somehow. He really had become quite unhinged after Hermione had declared her love for him. I hope that explains it a little. If not, there were a few similar questions in previous reviews, and I gave more info there. :)Thanks so much for reading.
Oh, yes.
Four.
I can hear that voice saying, "You should not have done that."
Nine is great; eight and seven are less successful, I think - maybe because I can't imagine Severus wishing to explain himself?
Oh, yes - whatever could they do?
Or rather, whaatever would Snape do, as Hermione is helpless?
Loving it so far.
Just read this earlier today (via the award nomination), and I have to say it is amazing. I love the creepy desparation, and the wonderful twist at the end. And then there's the open-ended angsty little problem he leaves her with now (which begs a sequel, hint hint). You've got my vote! *grin*
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you very much for your lovely review! Creepy desperation ... what a perfect description! That is exactly what it is. And I'm so glad you liked the twist at the end, as well as the open-ended conclusion. There is no good ending for Hermione. It does beg for a sequel, doesn't it? It makes me all nervous to think about, though! LOL Thanks again! :D
*shudders* That was twisted. I admit I was completely taken in by all the red herrings, thinking he would forcefeed her the potion. All in all, a thought-evoking and REALLY creepy little tale. But o! so well done.Poor Hermione loses no matter what she does now. She knows that staying would be rife with doubt (and unhealthy obsession and probably jealousy), but that leaving him would utterly destroy him.I can also see him doing something like that... as much as I adore Snape's complexity, his is a fierce, dark, and compulsive nature.Thanks for sharing :D
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much for your insightful review. You got it exactly right, which just thrills me to no end! Hermione is really stuck between a rock and a hard place. I can't imagine the turmoil she would be in with such a decision. Thanks, again! I'm so glad you enjoyed my little journey to the darker side of things. :)
Wow, a very intense story. I usually don't go for such abusive relationships (force feeding potions comes under that catagory, no matter how well meaning) but you really did do a good story. I do think it's a rather mean way to end though did she take it? What happens if she does or doesn't? Very thought provoking!
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Hi! Hermione does not take the potion, and Severus did not make it for her, although as the writer I did lead you to believe that until the very last hundred words. Severus actually took the potion himself, believing it to be the only way to keep Hermione's love. It's sort of twistedly romantic in a way, but obviously he wasn't thinking clearly to make such a stupid decision. I saw it as a man who wasn't used to dealing with his emotions making a decision that was solely based on emotion ... and this drastic measure is what he came up with. He felt he had to change himself permanently in order for her to love him forever.
For me, the biggest question is what will Hermione do now? He's under the permanent influence of a love potion ... does she stay with him knowing that or does she leave him due to his actions? It's a horrifying decision for her, no matter what she chooses.
I'm glad you gave this one a try. I know it's very different from what I normally write, so it really means a lot to me that you gave it a read. I think the dark, angsty stuff is out of my system for a while now. It was so depressing! :)
Thanks so much!
Response from sinbad (Reviewer)
Ok, I'm glad you explained that little misunderstanding. Still, a very good job!
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you! :D
Whoh. That wasn't the ending I'd anticipated, but I suppose that was the point. It's twisted. I like it. Dark, as you say, and twisted, yes, but sweet, somehow.
Interesting that Severus, in his madness, never thought to tell her that it was for him to consume, not her. Hm.
Excellent story, though. Thank you for writing.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you! Yes, it is a bit twisted, and the ending is supposed to be unexpected. I think that Severus never thought to tell her the potion was for him because he never considered giving it to her. If that makes any sense. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, again.
deliciously dark
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Wow! You rock!
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Aw! Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
awesomeness! so true to Snape, to give everything of himself away in his pricky, obsessive style...
Just curious as to how you see the Amortensia affecting Snape's personality and habits in the long term...? assuming there's a long term. ok so, i'm not "just curious" about just that. ;)
but that's cool... of course i'd be down to read a story about the aftermath of this, but... it's just as cool to let all the different possibilites collide.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much! Im so happy that you found it true to Snape. :)
That is a fabulous question, and I wondered if someone would ask that! Love potions enhance the feelings someone already has, so it's possible that he would become even more obsessive. But in my mind, I was visualizing that he would be more open, more expressive with his feelings, and so concerned with Hermione that he wouldn't be able to feel his own insecurities. Really, it could go either way, and I think both are scary.
:D
Hi, Actuallly, I don't get it. He takes the potion in order to what? Make himself love her more, love her forever? Doesn't he already? Sorry, maybe I am dense but could you please explain the ending?Thanks, Kat
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Hi! No problem. :)
Severus is emotionally stunted in this fic. He is a logical thinker, but as we saw in DH, have him deal with emotions, and he becomes obsessive. He didn't see himself as worthy of Hermione's affection and was certain that she would at some point see him for what he believes himself to be (unworthy) and leave him -- much like Lily did. He was willing to do whatever it took to make himself worthy (in his eyes). It's sort of romantic in a twisted way. He certainly wasn't thinking clearly.
I hope that helps!
wow, I'm totally blown away. Dark, scary in a way, and very suspenseful!
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much! Your review has me grinning from ear to ear. I was very worried about this piece, so I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it. :)
This was so amazing. So wonderfully poignant, with such heart wrenching feelings. While his decision was wrong by normal standards, in the world of Severus Snape this was the only way to show her he meant it. But, oh, why did he just assume that Hermione wanted a love-sick romantic? Hopefully, the potion won't take away the edge, just the worst spikes.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much for your lovely review! This was so different from what I normally write -- I was a bit worried about it. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :D
Response from nata (Reviewer)
No need to worry. You did such a marvellous job as if angst was your domain.
Upon reading some reviews here and your replies to them, in my opinion, Hermione's only remotely happy ending could be to drink the same potion too. What a way to go! But sincerely, I hope you will leave this story as is. It is so great in this form.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you, again! :)
Well, that was indeed what I was thinking, as well--that Hermione would choose to take the potion. Really, it's the only way it would work. But, after mulling it over, I agree with you, and I'm leaving this one alone. It ends as I originally intended, and I'm very pleased with it. Best to leave it alone! LOL
Response from nata (Reviewer)
Definitely! It is great the way it is. Did I say it was wonderful, marvelous, and all that? Well, I say it again!
And thus, fear doth make cowards of us all. Here endeth the lesson...or does it?I must be showing my age, I feel so sad. 
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Ah, isn't that the question?
Is it bad of me to be happy that this made you feel sad? ;) Thank you!
I liked it very much. Good work. :)
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much, Southern! This was quite a departure for me. I'm glad you liked it! :)
wow, what an interesting twist! brava and thanks
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thgank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)
Okay, so now add weird to creepy. Kinda like a train wreck. You can't bear to look and can't bear to look away. Most assuredly the ending I was NOT expecting.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
It is sort of like that, isn't it? The repercussions for Hermione stayed with me for a few days after finishing this. Does she stay or go? What should she do? No good answers. It's just horrible for her no matter what she does.
Thanks for reading and commenting all the way through! It's much appreciated. I'm returning now to my more typical happy, fluffy writings. LOL
Response from nightshift (Reviewer)
I think the guilt and the sense of obligation/responsibility would keep her there, but I don't think she'd be particularly happy about it.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Oh yes. That is certainly possible and sounds like something Hermione would do.
Ah, goddess, what a twist. Er, I really think you should write more about how they work through this latest development...
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you! Well ... someone on LJ mentioned something today that had me thining of a short epilogue ... we'll see. LOL ;) Thanks again!
Response from amsev (Reviewer)
Oh, please do! I felt bad for both of them, but I did very much enjoy this series of drabbles.
He, he, I actually guessed that it with be Snape to take the potion and not Hermine. Oh, the foolish man! Probably thinking that only like that he would be good enough to deserve her love, really foolish. Doesn't he know that Snape without the snap is not the same. Lol. Original and well written, I actually liked this small piece even if I had my doubts along the way.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much for giving this a go. It's very different from usual writings (light and fluffy romance), but I had to get it out of my system. LOL
Well that was a twisted little tale...I quite enjoyed it.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you! It was quite different from the light and fluffy romances I usually write. It was fun to go a bit darker for a short time, but now I'm ready to return to the happy side of things! LOL
Thanks, again!
Then again, if she wants uncomplicated, she should stick with Ron. After all this is Severus Snape.
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
ROTFL! That is so true! :D
You do know how to build up tension, don't you! I liked this story, both theme- and write-wise (counting on everyone's ability to understand my creative/strange English, here :)). It had me wondering, it made me think and it sheds a nice light on the concept of everlasting love (do we wish for everlasting love? Is potion-induced love better then knowing that there is a chance for a great romance to end in tragedy? Poor, poor Hermione! - I'm afraid Severus is a bit to deluded for me to be feeling sorry for :))
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Thank you so much! You have some very good questions. I really feel for poor Hermione. It's a tough decision she has to make, to stay or go. Neither will be a happy ending for her.
Thanks, again!
Very interesting. It was fun, a little unnerving at times and ultimately kind of sweet. I think he really loved her before he took the potion, but he didn't have enough self confidence. Which is also sad in a way. Thanks for sharing, JoAnne
Response from sshg316 (Author of The Twelve Dark Days of Christmas)
Yes, it's very sad no matter how you look at it. He had to love her before takign the potion, or it wouldn't have worked. Love potions don't create emotion, merely enhance what is already there. Very sad. Thank so much for reading -- I know it's a departure from what I normally write! :)