In Dreams
shefa99 Reviews | 6.94/10 (99 Ratings, 0 Likes, 68 Favorites )
Her dreams have haunted her for years. What will change when she finally remembers them?
Winner, Best Hurt/Comfort and Judge's Choice H/C in The New Library Awards.
Start ReadingChapters (8)
About shefa
Author
shefa
Member Since 2007 | 24 Stories | Favorited by 151 | 73 Reviews Written | 944 Review Responses
Relatively longtime reader of this OTP, fervent SSHG shipper.
Reviews for In Dreams
beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I love this story.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*blushes Thank you!
I know I started reading this before. I'm not sure if I ever finished it. I love it that I can mark stories as read now. Anyway, I am intrigued all over again. I remember enjoying it the first time. I don't know if it was complete at the time.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Hello again! This was written for the SSHG exchange, so you might have started reading it prior to all the chapters being posted, but it was complete when it went up on the archive. I'm so glad you found it again!
A really beautiful job! You started with a truly intriguing concept, taking a concept with its basis in canon and developing it in a quite interesting, poetic, and moving way. Very well written, very evocative, very lovely.If you do tackle that sequel, it would be fascinating to find out Draco's part in all this. They both owe him a huge debt for preserving Severus' physical form while his soul got sorted out (though I suppose it could be argued that he was just repaying what he owed to Severus).Well done!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reviews/comments throughout the story. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it, in terms of plot and style. It was my first fiction effort, so those comments mean a lot!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful reviews/comments throughout the story. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it, in terms of plot and style. It was my first fiction effort, so those comments mean a lot!
I love magic.And love is magic.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Exactly!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Exactly!
I adore the fact that it took a great deal to convince him that he is worthy of being loved and wanted--and that she finally had to get out some steel to get through to him. So often, this is a simple thing, acomplished in a few lines of dialogue and then an immediate physical confirmation. You have taken the time it should actually need, and that feels just so, so right!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you, my dear. I agree, it was important to me to show process and the emotional ups and downs between these two. I'm delighted that it rang 'true' for you and that it works! I'm so happy that you're reading this and thrilled that you're reviewing 
*giggles at the great emoticons
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you, my dear. I agree, it was important to me to show process and the emotional ups and downs between these two. I'm delighted that it rang 'true' for you and that it works! I'm so happy that you're reading this and thrilled that you're reviewing *giggles at the great emoticons
Exquisite.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*grins.... Thank you! I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story...
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*grins.... Thank you! I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story...
I once heard the opinion that the lyrics to a song are often mediocre poetry, words that become deeper and richer when they are coupled with the right music. Leonard Cohen always seemed to me to be the glaring exception to this. His words are really good poetry all by themselves. The music just makes that clear.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
I know just what you mean about LC's lyrics. They are astonishing. I went searching for poetry and his music was what I kept coming back to... The music just adds another dimension to what is already soul-wrenching.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
I know just what you mean about LC's lyrics. They are astonishing. I went searching for poetry and his music was what I kept coming back to... The music just adds another dimension to what is already soul-wrenching.
This is a really intriguing idea! I love it when someone explores an idea that has foundation in canon or is suggested by events there, and this is fascinating!And you're fleshing it out beautifully--just the right balance of wariness and the need for connection...on both their parts.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! I'm so glad that you're enjoying how it's unfolding so far. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! I'm so glad that you're enjoying how it's unfolding so far. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Thank you for Leonard Cohen. I have been thinking of including this enigmatic man in some songfics. He is truly amazing.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*smiles. He truly is. I hear Snape's voice when I hear him sing. Hope you enjoyed the story -- thanks for commenting!
I love the thought of a book that is so close to being sentient. Hermione's speech about souls to Severu swas perfect! Just what he needed to hear.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Hermione sure gave him a piece of her mind, there :) I'm glad that you are enjoing this! Thanks for your reviews!
OMG This is such a good story. I found a copy of the song on You TUbe and it is awesome with your tale. Keep up the good work!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! Leonard Cohen has Snape's voice, as far as I'm concerned (and looks too, actually, I think). The next chapter is in the queue... I appreciate your reviews, thank you! :)
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! Leonard Cohen has Snape's voice, as far as I'm concerned (and looks too, actually, I think). The next chapter is in the queue... I appreciate your reviews, thank you! :)
i loved this chapter!You have to find a way for Severus to come back to the real world.Thay need to be togeather in the real world,not just when thay sleep!can't wait till the next chapter.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
I couldn't agree more. Now only to find a way to figure out *how* to do that! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying this -- there is more upcoming soon! Thanks for reviewing!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
I couldn't agree more. Now only to find a way to figure out *how* to do that! I'm thrilled that you're enjoying this -- there is more upcoming soon! Thanks for reviewing!
You are very correct about those songs- they are positively beautiful and you have used them well. The magical situation you have created here is amazing.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you so much! I'm delighted that you're enjoying the magical mechanisms and the story as it unfolds. There is more to come! Thanks for taking time to comment!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you so much! I'm delighted that you're enjoying the magical mechanisms and the story as it unfolds. There is more to come! Thanks for taking time to comment!
Oh wow - how you developed the love story between them was absolutely fantastic and when they made love - it was so sensually powerful. I do hope that they can find a way to bring Severus back to the living so they can be together. Great chapter.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you :D They are working on it, they're not yet sure how to figure it out... I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the chapter!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you :D They are working on it, they're not yet sure how to figure it out... I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the chapter!
Great chapter - I think that they are slowing developing an appreciation of each other and I loved the way you ended the chapter with:
"Perhaps it is time to ask for more, she said softly.
He was silent, fingers stroking the binding of the small amber book, hypnotic in their rhythm, eyes still locked with hers. Perhaps it is, Miss Granger, perhaps, it is.
So intense in meaning with so few words.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Ooh, thank you! I'm thrilled that the emotion that I felt writing it (and that they felt making me write it) comes tnrough!
Interesting chapter - so when she conjured the container and gave it to Harry to collect Severus memories somehow she collected his soul. Original concept - never saw this one before. I cannot wait to see where you take this and what happens to Severus in the end.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! Yes... she somehow collected his soul... stay tuned for more! I'm delighted that you're enjoying this -- and appreciate that you took time to comment.
OMG, did you have to end there? I so look forward to more. I like this Snape, his hard edges softer than before, making him more like a quartz- hard but workable than obsidean.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*grins... more is coming soon! I'm delighted that you're eager for more, that makes me so happy! Snape has certainly changed with time... can't wait to hear what you think of what comes next... *grins some more...
That is a beatifull mealody and it actually does sound like Severus.To bad Severus couldn't talk to Hermione like this when he was alive,I hope thay get a connection going so strong that maybe it can bring Severus out of the land of inbatween(please,please,please)Can't wait for more updates.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*smiles.. thank you! Severus has spent years alone, they both have changed a great deal over time. I'm glad that you are enjoying the story, the next chapter is in the queue, so stay tuned!
Lovely story and very original premise. Severus seems to inspire thoughts of Leonard Cohen's songs for many of us! :)
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! Oooh, Leonard Cohen has (for me) Severus' voice... *swoons.. :D And one inspires the other, indeed! Thanks so much for commenting -- I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story as it unfolds.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
ETA: I finally had a chance to peek at your profile and see the title of your story -- Anthem. *sigh. One of my very favorite songs from LC. I am so far behind on reading fanfic, but am eager to get started and your story is on my list! The first chapter is stunning! (should review that :D)
Response from emmeline33 (Reviewer)
Oh! Squee! I am so glad you caught the Leonard Cohen title of the story, and thanks so much for your kind words! I felt that the idea of "cracks in everything" being the way the "light gets in" was a perfect summation of Severus and Hermione post-war. Thanks for stopping by my story!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
YES! YES! YES! Those are THE WORDS that I adore from that song! LOL. We should go onto LJ or somewhere to talk more :) But have you read No Loyalty in the Moonlight by Ariadne? I went around humming that song and quoting lyrics from Anthem to her -- it works for that story, too. :)
Wow, you've got a great premise here-- and its so plausable its mind blowing. I love how you have Hermione tell him the difference between empathy and pity, something that while I'm sure it occured to Snape before, never impacted him.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! I hope that you enjoy the story as it unfolds *grins... And thank you so much for taking time to comment!
I'm so glad that you appreciated the dialogue between them about the difference between pity and empathy. For someone as wounded and prickly as Snape, he would not have had much experience with the latter... until now.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you! I hope that you enjoy the story as it unfolds *grins... And thank you so much for taking time to comment!
I'm so glad that you appreciated the dialogue between them about the difference between pity and empathy. For someone as wounded and prickly as Snape, he would not have had much experience with the latter... until now.
This is a realy good story./i haven't read a fan fic like this one before,and it's a new change for me.Hopefully Severus and Hermione can figure out whats going on.Can't wait for more updates!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you so much :) I'm delighted that you're enjoying it. The story is completed and chapters will be uploaded regularly. I appreciate that you took time to comment!
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you so much :) I'm delighted that you're enjoying it. The story is completed and chapters will be uploaded regularly. I appreciate that you took time to comment!
Interesting chapter - good rendition of Severus and Hermione - you captured their personalities.
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
Thank you... I'm glad that you feel they're characterized well... read on... I appreciate that you took time to comment :)
Dear Machshefa,Yes, I had read this before, but am so glad I've come back and reread it just now. I was very aware of our conversation about your writing, the overall feeling of the story. Because the story focuses more on feeling than action, I have been very moved by the depth of emotion expreienced. I never really felt Severus' dismay or fear, but every time he started going in that direction, I could practically taste Hermione's desperate need to pull him back to her. And I absolutely adore the redemption Severus finds through Hermione, the acceptance and the worth. In Dreams has been my break activity, my reward for getting some other work done, and a very rewarding reward it has been! Now I'm off to read (finally) Tree of Life!Thanks again for lunch the other day. I can't wait to do it again!Love,Christev
Response from shefa (Author of In Dreams)
*hugs I'm so glad you enjoyed this on a second read.I suspect that b/c I wrote this from Hermione's POV (and b/c I was still figuring out all sorts of writerly things since this was my first fic) Severus's emotional state felt far more distant. In most of my other writing, I started to flip POV's with scene changes... but that came with more confidence :) I'm glad that Hermione's desperation and fear came through, and that the redemptive arc worked :) I hope you enjoy Tree of Life--it's a far more complex story. Lunch was wonderful -- still need to post about it to LJ. *hugs