Second Life
Lariope3,012 Reviews | 7.46/10 (3,012 Ratings, 0 Likes, 1,268 Favorites )
Hermione is forced to lead a double life when she agrees to Dumbledore's plan to protect Professor Snape. Inspired by the Marriage Law. Warning for student/teacher relationship, though Hermione is of age.
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About Lariope
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Lariope
Member Since 2007 | 9 Stories | Favorited by 616 | 122 Reviews Written | 5,388 Review Responses
Grape Forever!
Reviews for Second Life
Very nicely done. If anyone had any doubt as to what the Deathly Hallows were and what they signified (well, really, more the Elder Wand than anything else), your trial helped to dispel those doubts. I believe the glimmer of hope is there; one would just hope that other members of the Wizengamot would have an open mind and evaluate all the evidence impartially (as opposed to with blinders like Ogden).I love all your characterisations ... as well as the exchange between Severus and Hermione at the end.btw - I've started up a livejournal page for myself, using my other handle, organic_chemist. May I friend you?
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Lyn_F, yes, please do friend me! I'm Lariopefic on LJ. Yes, I found in SL that I simply could only handle the Elder Wand, that to involve the other Hallows would perhaps have brought about my early demise, and so we just see them obliquely referenced. It's hard to write trial scenes without recapping ad naseum, but we're through that now, so hurrah! Onward. :)I'm glad you feel a glimmer of hope. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Lyn_F, yes, please do friend me! I'm Lariopefic on LJ. Yes, I found in SL that I simply could only handle the Elder Wand, that to involve the other Hallows would perhaps have brought about my early demise, and so we just see them obliquely referenced. It's hard to write trial scenes without recapping ad naseum, but we're through that now, so hurrah! Onward. :)I'm glad you feel a glimmer of hope. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!!
Well, I am glad she chose to remain silent at the end and chose instead to hold him. It's so important to Snape that he receive that kind of acceptance. That he did not pull from her proves that he needs it terribly.I still have hope for these two. I'm still hanging on for a happy ending.Thanks,Livvy
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I'm glad you are, Livvy. I hope you'll like it. And I think that for Hermione, too, the furture is a very uncertain place. She certainly hasn't had a "normal" childhood, and her life, too, has been overshadowed by the war. And in a way, the trial is a continuation of the war--they haven't "stood down" yet, into any kind of reasonable facsimile of everyday life. So I think she knew in that moment that there was nothing to say except to hope, and he doesn't hope out loud. :)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate it!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I'm glad you are, Livvy. I hope you'll like it. And I think that for Hermione, too, the furture is a very uncertain place. She certainly hasn't had a "normal" childhood, and her life, too, has been overshadowed by the war. And in a way, the trial is a continuation of the war--they haven't "stood down" yet, into any kind of reasonable facsimile of everyday life. So I think she knew in that moment that there was nothing to say except to hope, and he doesn't hope out loud. :)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate it!
Your courtroom hearing goes a long way to explaining Dumbledore's plan in DH. It makes more sense and is much clearer than what THAT OTHER AUTHOR wrote. There are a lot of readers who closed that book and went "Huh?" or "WTF?" that ought to read this chapter.Good move with Harry.I wonder what the standard of proof is in a criminal case before the Wizengamot? If it is proof beyond a reasonable doubt or 51% more likely to have happened than not?I hope that it is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, because this case has quite a lot of it.And now they have to wait ten days to learn the verdict.It is good that Snape and Hermione are getting their relationship back, because they really need it.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
!Sometimes I think that the problem with the plan in DH is that she didn't drive it to its furthest logical conclusion. Dumbledore says in King's Cross that he meant Snape to take the wand, but I think she meant it like Snape was just going to take it and pass it to Harry at some point like the sword of Gryffindor, ignoring the rules, that if Harry were really to take the wand from Snape, it would very much the scene that Harry imagined at the end of HBP, "So much better for me, so much the worse for him." It makes me a little crazy. It's true. I get a little crazy on this subject. :)I guess the problem with proof as far is the trial is concerned is that He DID kill Dumbledore and admits doing so. So I needed a defense that would justify it, and there are none. None! I was so upset. That blasted Dumbledore!! *calming self again*I'm really glad that you liked the chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing, and I'm sorry for my rant! :)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
!Sometimes I think that the problem with the plan in DH is that she didn't drive it to its furthest logical conclusion. Dumbledore says in King's Cross that he meant Snape to take the wand, but I think she meant it like Snape was just going to take it and pass it to Harry at some point like the sword of Gryffindor, ignoring the rules, that if Harry were really to take the wand from Snape, it would very much the scene that Harry imagined at the end of HBP, "So much better for me, so much the worse for him." It makes me a little crazy. It's true. I get a little crazy on this subject. :)I guess the problem with proof as far is the trial is concerned is that He DID kill Dumbledore and admits doing so. So I needed a defense that would justify it, and there are none. None! I was so upset. That blasted Dumbledore!! *calming self again*I'm really glad that you liked the chapter. Thank you so much for reviewing, and I'm sorry for my rant! :)
Dumbledore always manages to irk me when he's speaking. Minerva is right -- it was very indecent. Lovely job on providing the readers with a real feel of the courtroom and a very good chapter in general. I eagerly await more! :)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you very much,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
! I'm so glad that you liked it!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you very much,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
! I'm so glad that you liked it!
Dear Lariope,I just have to say that I don't care at all if you butchered the law a little during this trial. The fact that you seem to have researched this so thoroughly to KNOW that there would be no way out without the butchering is enough for me to compliment you on this wonderfully written chapter. Now I'm very eager to see how you'll manage to get Severus to see a future worth living for once he is free. Right now, he just seems so depressed. I am really looking forward to reading the next chapter already, if could make as quick as this one, I'd be delighted!Love, gab
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Dear Gab,Thank you! I'm really glad you liked it. The law is tricky here, but I did the best I could with it. I'm so looking forward to writing life outside the trial; you have no idea!Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!Love, Lariope
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Dear Gab,Thank you! I'm really glad you liked it. The law is tricky here, but I did the best I could with it. I'm so looking forward to writing life outside the trial; you have no idea!Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!Love, Lariope
You've done a really formidable job on this chapter. I have to be honest - I FREQUENTLY skip trial scenes in HGSS fics because authors tend to repeat the same information ad nauseum and then they make it a foregone conclusion as to who will win. This is original and cleanly-written and very engaging. I'm on the edge of my seat!I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks again for such a lovely fic, Lariope.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you so much, dressagegrrl! Being repetetive during a trial is really, really hard to avoid. Recap is kind of the name of the game, and I'm so happy to hear that you found it engaging despite the fact that we SAW all those things happen and now have to hear everyone tell about it. Thank you very much for such a lovely review. I'm really touched. :)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you so much, dressagegrrl! Being repetetive during a trial is really, really hard to avoid. Recap is kind of the name of the game, and I'm so happy to hear that you found it engaging despite the fact that we SAW all those things happen and now have to hear everyone tell about it. Thank you very much for such a lovely review. I'm really touched. :)
ooo you evil, evil little girl...posting this in the middle of the night.I think at this point Severus is trying not to give up, but he also feels the guilt weighing heavy on his heart for what he was forced to do. How can the wizarding world forgive him for what he has yet to forgive himself. As angry as he is with Dumbledore for all his manipulations this is still the man who he saw as a father figure... there is a fine line between love and hate and in regards to Dumbledore Severus is a tightrope walker. Hermione's grace continues to baffle his battered heart he loves her and yet is afraid to love her because should all be lost (as he believes it already is) admiting his love for her he sees as one more burden to haunt her life.This is an expertly woven chapter we hear little from our couple yet at the same time it is their emotions that form the glue holding words together. Hermione's tears, Severus baffled expression, her reaching for Minerva's hand, he kneeling before the fire and finally their hands clasped over the "invisible line" all emotions depicted through action.Lovely as always.Irish
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
muhahahahah! So, I survived the storm (obviously) and the greatest irony is that I had the internet through the whole thing!! Enough to post a chapter! Bizarre!I do think Snape worries a great deal about Hermione's future. The line I see him walking is between what he needs and what he wants for her. I am very glad you liked it, Irish. Thank you so much. And thank you, as always, for your beautiful reviews.Love, Lariope
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
muhahahahah! So, I survived the storm (obviously) and the greatest irony is that I had the internet through the whole thing!! Enough to post a chapter! Bizarre!I do think Snape worries a great deal about Hermione's future. The line I see him walking is between what he needs and what he wants for her. I am very glad you liked it, Irish. Thank you so much. And thank you, as always, for your beautiful reviews.Love, Lariope
Another amazing chapter. Thanks again for such a wonderful, heartfelt tale. ~Brena
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank YOU, Brena. *hugs*
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank YOU, Brena. *hugs*
Another wonderful chapter! I didn't think it was possible for this story to get better. The first parts were so unbelievable, I really expected there to be a letdown as we approached the end, but there hasn't been. Each chapter is as good, if not better, than the one it follows. While I'm hoping for a happy ending, or at least as close to one as these folks get, I've realized I'll be able to accept whatever ending you choose. Because that ending will be the proper conclusion to this story, everything fits so seamlessly there simply isn't room for the reader to engage in what ifs or "I wish they had done... " speculation. I used to envy your betas, because they got to see the story first. But I don't anymore. I can't imagine triying to read this story with enough distance to allow me to spot typos or missed punctuation. I get to be pulled along by your wonderful words with no other purpose in mind but my selfish enjoyment of Second Life. Thank you.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you, Makaem!! I'm so honored by your review, and so happy that the story is still working for you. Thank you for trusting me with the ending. I hope I don't let you down.I have stories myself that I can't stand back from, and so I'm even more flattered that you feel that way about Second Life. Thank you so much. :)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you, Makaem!! I'm so honored by your review, and so happy that the story is still working for you. Thank you for trusting me with the ending. I hope I don't let you down.I have stories myself that I can't stand back from, and so I'm even more flattered that you feel that way about Second Life. Thank you so much. :)
Lariope, you did heroic work on that defense, even so! It could be worse, sugar overload has been used as a defense, after all, and at least Snape had something more substantial. :) To me Minerva's testimony and Hermione's reaction to it were so powerful, and they were what the trial was really about: giving Snape's fellow wizards a chance to understand what he was really going through. Beautifully written, too, as always.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
. I'm really glad that you liked Minerva's testimony in particular! I felt like she spoke my heart in this chapter, and I shamefully admit to crying a little as I wrote that, so I'm very glad you liked it. Yes, I was afraid of sugar overload, so I'm very happy to hear that you felt I avoided it. Of course, this is the story of DOOM. :)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
. I'm really glad that you liked Minerva's testimony in particular! I felt like she spoke my heart in this chapter, and I shamefully admit to crying a little as I wrote that, so I'm very glad you liked it. Yes, I was afraid of sugar overload, so I'm very happy to hear that you felt I avoided it. Of course, this is the story of DOOM. :)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
Great wrap up to the trial. Hopefully the Wizengamot does ther right thing!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you, Sunny33! I'm so glad to be done with the trial! You shall know all soon.... xoxox
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you, Sunny33! I'm so glad to be done with the trial! You shall know all soon.... xoxox
I love your ending A/N. :-) DD screwed him very thouroughly indeed. LOL. Good work! I'm proud or you.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Heh! Thank you,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
. I'm so glad you liked it. And President Shacklebolt thanks you as well. :)
Response from RedOrchid (Reviewer)
President Shaklebolt is welcome anytime. How is his campaign doing, by the way? ;-)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Heh! Thank you,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
. I'm so glad you liked it. And President Shacklebolt thanks you as well. :)
Response from RedOrchid (Reviewer)
President Shaklebolt is welcome anytime. How is his campaign doing, by the way? ;-)
Kingsley is awesome.And Minerva's testimony was wonderful. Especially the bit about Dumbledore's machinations and it not being decent. No, it most certainly wasn't. I hope Harry was right and that did help to turn the tide!Poor Severus. I just keep wanting to hug him, and I'm not even a hugging type of person.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Hurrah! I'm so glad you liked it, Kribu, thank you! I'm so happy that you liked McGonagall's line--it's one of my absolute favorites, so I'm doing a little dance of joy. Severus will grudgingly accept your hugs. ;)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Hurrah! I'm so glad you liked it, Kribu, thank you! I'm so happy that you liked McGonagall's line--it's one of my absolute favorites, so I'm doing a little dance of joy. Severus will grudgingly accept your hugs. ;)
Love this fic!!! 
Loved the part where Minerva testified: “It is not decent.” 
And then where Harry offered to be Hermione's eyes so she wouldn't have to show the court that she was crying. 
I think, with him having taken (two) Unbreakable Vows to do Draco's task for him, that one could almost argue self-defense in Severus' case, because if he broke the Vows he'd die. That is canon and not fanon, right? There also must be something for deaths caused in wars/battles... 
I sure hope Kingsley pulled it off this time! I'm not sure if Severus would survive long enough for Hermione to appeal. He seems so...fatalistic...he might end up thinking she would be better off without having to worry about him or needing to put on a brave face everytime she goes outside... 
Don't want her to lose him just as he's slowly inching his way back to humanity! 
Looking forward to the next! 
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you, Aura! You're naming my favorite part of the chapter, and it's so great when that happens, when what really meant something to me is what you liked also. It makes me want to do a little dance. I wish there were a dancing smiley, so I could give you one back. 
Ooh, look what I found! :)Well, the thing about self defense is that he undertook the Unbreakable Vow willingly. He wasn't forced, and so.... that's kind of the problem with all defenses for Snape. :(More as soon as I can get it right. We're almost there now! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! oxxo
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Thank you, Aura! You're naming my favorite part of the chapter, and it's so great when that happens, when what really meant something to me is what you liked also. It makes me want to do a little dance. I wish there were a dancing smiley, so I could give you one back. Ooh, look what I found! :)Well, the thing about self defense is that he undertook the Unbreakable Vow willingly. He wasn't forced, and so.... that's kind of the problem with all defenses for Snape. :(More as soon as I can get it right. We're almost there now! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! oxxo
Ah, but you see in Wizengamot legal history there is indeed precedence for his defense. (See Brown, Black, et al v. the State, case #666-666, for instance....) I mean, if British law has a thing or two that we Yanks could learn from, then why not Magical law?And since I'm not a lawyer (but have played one on TV!) all I care about is does this make dramatic sense? Can I believe it? And my answer is, "You betcha! Lariope's hit another one out of the ballpark!"When will he learn to stop saying goodbye? This passage was so absolutely, painfully true: “I do not know how to get on with it,” he said so softly that she strained to make out the words. “I have spent my entire life in Voldemort’s shadow.”But I think he will learn....Love Kingsley, adore Minerva, and that old fraud actually went a long way toward redeeming himself with his testimony. Good on you, Albus!I actually loved all the testimony---though if the court was truly able to follow the convoluted trail of what was planned, what actually happened, and why... well, I guess they read DH and then read this amazing account that shows it all in such a different light.Brilliant, as always.But argh! the end is near, and I don't want it to end ever!!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Hehehe, yes, copies of both Deathly Hallows and Second Life were distributed among the Wizengamot. LOL! It's so hard to write trial scenes, because there's so much recap, so much the reader already knows and yet it has to get expressed--and then the added bonus of trying to make it clear and logical. Yeep. So glad this trial is over. I'm very happy that you loved Minerva--I loved writing her. And though I am so mad at Dumbledore I could spit, at least he didn't make anything worse or try to defend himself.Bastard.Thank you for your wonderful review, my friend. oxxoxoo
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Hehehe, yes, copies of both Deathly Hallows and Second Life were distributed among the Wizengamot. LOL! It's so hard to write trial scenes, because there's so much recap, so much the reader already knows and yet it has to get expressed--and then the added bonus of trying to make it clear and logical. Yeep. So glad this trial is over. I'm very happy that you loved Minerva--I loved writing her. And though I am so mad at Dumbledore I could spit, at least he didn't make anything worse or try to defend himself.Bastard.Thank you for your wonderful review, my friend. oxxoxoo
Dumbledore was a right bastard to Severus.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
You can say that again.
Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)
Er, okay, if you insist. Dumbledore was a right bastard to Severus.>.>
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I knew the MINUTE I saw a response alert from you in my mailbox that this is what it would say! :)
Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)
Heh. ;)And ignore the third one; that was a browser restart and not my fault I SWEAR!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
You can say that again.
Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)
Er, okay, if you insist. Dumbledore was a right bastard to Severus.>.>
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I knew the MINUTE I saw a response alert from you in my mailbox that this is what it would say! :)
Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)
Heh. ;)And ignore the third one; that was a browser restart and not my fault I SWEAR!
You portrayed Kingsley exceptionally well here. I have to believe that the Wizengamot will find him innocent after the Minister's masterful handling of the trial. There were so many moments that gripped me here: Minerva breaking down and apologizing, Draco signaling to Hermione, and Harry telling Hermione what was going on in the courtroom when she could not look up. Far and away, though, the most poignant moment for me was seeing Snape as Hermione saw him, trying to build a fire without magic. That one scene conveyed so much symbolism and emotion. You rock, Lariope. This story is a beautiful agony.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
*squeezes you so tight*Thank you, Emmeline. From you that just means the world to me. I'm very happy that you liked Kingsley, and glad that you have hope for the end of the trial. Your favorite parts were my favorite parts too, and that's the best feeling ever. Thank you so much. :)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
*squeezes you so tight*Thank you, Emmeline. From you that just means the world to me. I'm very happy that you liked Kingsley, and glad that you have hope for the end of the trial. Your favorite parts were my favorite parts too, and that's the best feeling ever. Thank you so much. :)
You've done an amazing job with so little to work with Lariope. Whether you butchered the law or not... sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. Let's hope the Wizengamot sees fit to free him. ~
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I don't think Jury Nullification is too much to hope for... :)Thank you so much,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
. I'm really glad that you liked it. xoxox
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I don't think Jury Nullification is too much to hope for... :)Thank you so much,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
. I'm really glad that you liked it. xoxox
All in all I think that the Wizengamot deffinitly must free Severus thus revard him for his role in batle .He had so much dificulty , betrail ,injustice and sadness in his life. He is worthy for thrue second life whith true love and happines. Dumbledore is the same laying prik as it is Voldermort .
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I agree, of course. And not just because of how much he suffered, but because he was such a hero. The bravest man I ever knew, indeed. I hope you will like the next two. We're almost there now! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, Lora!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I agree, of course. And not just because of how much he suffered, but because he was such a hero. The bravest man I ever knew, indeed. I hope you will like the next two. We're almost there now! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing, Lora!
OMG! An END AN!!! hahahahahahh I loved it! Screwed Royally by Dumbledore. Of.course. Fucking Bastard.I hate this Dumbledore. I really do.
You should invent a way to bring him back to life, just to kill him again!
heheheheh...
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I wish I could find a way to kill him again! An ancient rite that raises the dead?Thank you for reviewing, Shell. :) Love you.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I wish I could find a way to kill him again! An ancient rite that raises the dead?Thank you for reviewing, Shell. :) Love you.
I think I will die before the next chapter is posted. I feel a terrible sense of dread---and not only about the outcome of the trial. What worries me msot is that the heart seems to have gone out of Severus---and a man who thinks he has nothing to live for inevitably DOES die, slowly, from within. I am most anxious to see not only how (if?) you get him out of the legal quicksand in which Dumbledore left him to sink (as you said, he was thoroughly screwed), but how you will help him see that he does have, indeed, a hope of a true "second life" and becomes convinced enough of that truth to act upon it and live it. Bravo! And update SOON, please!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Ok, it is totally illegal for you to die before the next chapter. Then I would have to be tried by the Wizengamot!No dread,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
! No! :) I really do think that his ability to touch and converse and speak up for himself in the courtroom are postive things. There has just been nothing in his life up to this point (other than Hermione, of course) that has taught him that he will be rewarded for anything (or at least not punished), so he doesn't know how to hope for that. More as fast as I can get it right. No dying in the meantime!! Thank you for reviewing, my dear! xoxoxoxx
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
Ok, it is totally illegal for you to die before the next chapter. Then I would have to be tried by the Wizengamot!No dread,
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
! No! :) I really do think that his ability to touch and converse and speak up for himself in the courtroom are postive things. There has just been nothing in his life up to this point (other than Hermione, of course) that has taught him that he will be rewarded for anything (or at least not punished), so he doesn't know how to hope for that. More as fast as I can get it right. No dying in the meantime!! Thank you for reviewing, my dear! xoxoxoxx
Beautiful. Powerful. Heartening. Thank you for sharing this story.
Wow, this is Dumbledore at his finest if I do say so myself. Nasty git doesn't even think Severus will live long enough to make a ripple in Hermione's life. I hope Severus enjoys killing him.
Fantastic!!!I really like this chap, I love your Severes but he has to be so blind!!!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
He is so blind. It comes with the Snapey territory, I think. :)Thank you so much; I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
He is so blind. It comes with the Snapey territory, I think. :)Thank you so much; I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderfully written court cross examination of the witnesses. However, it looks like the Wizengemot might not be falling in line to clear Severus.
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I'm not saying anything yet...Thank you! And thank you for reviewing!
Response from Lariope (Author of Second Life)
I'm not saying anything yet...Thank you! And thank you for reviewing!