New Chapter for King of Swords
King of Swords
shefa440 Reviews | 6.8/10 (440 Ratings, 0 Likes, 125 Favorites )
It was only after Snape followed her into the neglected shop, moving furtively between the shafts of sunlight that pierced the gloom, that it occurred to him to wonder why, ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione Granger was running. And why, in a world with magic, real magic, she should be seeking the counsel of a Muggle Tarot reader.
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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 King of Swords
Very interesting premise, very believable.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you... that's good to hear!
A fascinating beginning. You have drawn me in.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
*grins... rubs hands together :)
Oh, this is excellent! I love the atmospheric nature that you've set the characters into, and Hermione's fear along with Snape's suspicious nature works very well. The old fortune teller with a closeted past - hidden and unseen - makes this an addictive read.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
*grinsI'm so happy that you're enjoying it! Chapter 3 is nearly completed, so I hope to feed your addiction to this story quite soon! Thank you for taking time to review, Oz!:D
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
*grinsI'm so happy that you're enjoying it! Chapter 3 is nearly completed, so I hope to feed your addiction to this story quite soon! Thank you for taking time to review, Oz!:D
Cool story. Update soon!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
So glad you're enjoying it! I happen to be working on Chapter 3 right now, in fact :) Thanks so much for reviewing!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
So glad you're enjoying it! I happen to be working on Chapter 3 right now, in fact :) Thanks so much for reviewing!
i was so excited to see chapter 2 of this very suspenseful tale! well, at least now we have some idea of what's going on. i love your use of the fortune teller with her tarot cards and that just because she's not a witch, doesn't mean she doesn't have some understanding of magic. : ) i hope that you are able to update with more frequency! i'm really looking forward to seeing where this goes.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you so much,
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
! I'm delighted that you're enjoying this and so happy that updating made you happy :) I'm working on Chapter 3 right now and have every intention of posting it soon. Thanks again for your review!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you so much,
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
! I'm delighted that you're enjoying this and so happy that updating made you happy :) I'm working on Chapter 3 right now and have every intention of posting it soon. Thanks again for your review!
Well, with her magic weakening for years, she was used to put more and more energy into her spells. Now her spells seem to explode - too much energy, for her magic is back thanks to whatever is going on now he has found Snape.Oh gods, you had me rushing on, even as I reread the first three chapters. Sop much emotion, so much angst!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Hooray! So sorry to take so long to reply, but I'm delighted you're reading and enjoying :)
Wow that was really intense! I like the style of this, so much is said in the fewest possible words. I didn't need a full description of the surroundings to be able to imagine it perfectly. I wonder how Severus could hide himself so well, though, that neither of them noticed he was there. Although I have a suspicion that there is more to the tarot reader than meets the eye. I like to think that she knew he was there too somehow...
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
I'm so glad that you like its style and that the emotional tone is coming across. Severus is accustomed to the shadows, and slips between and behind them well. *zips lip about tarot reader. I'm hoping to post the second chapter soon *crosses fingers. Thanks so much for the review and for the reflective comments!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
I'm so glad that you like its style and that the emotional tone is coming across. Severus is accustomed to the shadows, and slips between and behind them well. *zips lip about tarot reader. I'm hoping to post the second chapter soon *crosses fingers. Thanks so much for the review and for the reflective comments!
This story is so heart-crunchingly ethereally lovely (yes, that's a lot of -ly words, deal with it, LOL) that once again reminds me of the liquid beauty of your way with words. I will eagerly await the next update.Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
I'm *finally* catching up on review responses (peers at calendar and flinches). I can't tell you how much this review means to me. I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the story, and your kind words about my writing really made my day when I first read them, and make my day again rereading them! I so appreciate you taking time to read and especially to comment. Chapter 19 is up and 20 is already in the works. I'm estimating 3-4 more chapters until we're done... *hugs
I'm concerned that Ron doesn't have his partner...
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Sharp eyes :) But the cure won't be predicated on pairs, so, it's ok :)
I have to wonder if the images don't reflect the time the other four were last "truly happy"?
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Ahh, good thought, that :)
Hmmm, that almost sounded Goetic!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Ooh! Thank you (I think :)).
that was a powerfully written chapter. totally worth waiting for. thanks so much
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thanks, Kimjo :) Chapter 5 is nearly ready... it won't be long! I appreciate knowing that you're reading :)
I've only just come across this story & have read it through from the beginning in one hit. All I can say is WOW, just WOW! This is exquisite writing, quite beautiful in fact. I just love the tenderness expressed between the two and how they are both now feeling 'safe'.I'm so glad I've found this - it's gone straight to my favourites so I don't miss out on any updates! I realise you have only just come back to continuing to write this fic so I've caught up at the right moment it seems; simply can't wait to see where it goes now! Top marks for what appears so far to be a top story - thank you! :-)
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you,
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
! You found the story at the right time. I'm getting back to it now after months of delay because of the SSHG exchange and other stories interrupting the writing. I've regained momentum, so you can expect regular updates. I'm delighted that you're enjoying the emotion and style of the story. :)
Welcome back! Lovely interactions. They certainly need each other and get some relief from their pains and sorrows by being together.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thanks! They certainly do need one another, and have both been through so much that finding relief with one another and hope in the burgeoning connection is something they welcome. :)
How interesting. I'm looking forward to more.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thanks, Stephanie! More is coming soon. :)
i am so glad you are back with this story. i had to reread the previous chapter to remember where we were and might have to go back and reread the whole thing just because - well, because this is one of my all-time favorite stories so far, and this chapter has certainly only added to that feeling. you are an amazing writer. your language is so evocative and atmospheric so that i really get totally caught up in this other world. one thing i find interesting is how with the others, somehow proximity made it worse, but with him, their being together is a balm to their spirits. another reason i probably need to reread the beginning - i think there may have been something that shed light on that, but i can't remember it now.i really hope we will be seeing more regular updates to this story now! i can't wait to see how it unfolds. if i could give you ten stars, i would.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
I'm so happy to hear this! It means so much to know that you're still reading and how much you're enjoying both the content and style of the story. :) You are honing in on very important elements here -- the questions about touch and what it means and why it's helpful to them but wasn't with the others. I'm almost done with Chapter 5 and feel some definite momentum with the story. There aren't any more stories pushing it out of the way (no more exchange story of doom to write :)), so you can expect regular updates! Thank you so, so much for your wonderful comments!
Well, that explains why the others haven't been helping Hermione get to the bottom of their symptoms. Denial is a dangerous thing. Watching Severus and Hermione helping each other through their difficulties has been very rewarding. And I love the forture teller's mysterious line of coming back to her 'Later. You will know when.' So good!!!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Denial is dangerous, and what the Horcrux exposure did magnified the polarization between them all. I'm delighted that you're enjoying how this is unfolding and really appreciate your chapter by chapter reviews! Chapter 5 is in process and I'm hopeful that there will be regular updates to this story moving forward. :)
I am so glad to see you had a new chapter! I hope there's more to come, I'm intrigued.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you! I'm back :) There is more to come--Chapter 5 is half done and the story is gaining momentum. I appreciate the review.
Thank goodness they're going to tackle this together. What a powerful, emotional, revealing moment for Severus to realise that he actually needed someone and more importantly that the one he needed didn't turn him away.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Yes -- it's a huge turning point for him. I'm relieved that they're going to do this together and aren't resisting that... Thanks so much for reviewing. :)
Fantastic chapter. All of them damaged and dying by the Horcruxes rebounding into them. No wonder he was drawn to her. On to the next part.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Precisely... he's always been drawn to the shadow side... and he recognizes something here... thanks for reviewing -- I'm so glad you're enjoying this!
Fantastic beginning. The tension in this piece is incredible. Very powerful.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you! *grins... I'm so exited that you're reading. Four chapters are up and the fifth is coming... Can't wait to hear what you think so far :)
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you! *grins... I'm so exited that you're reading. Four chapters are up and the fifth is coming... Can't wait to hear what you think so far :)
Welcome back, I'm glad to see a new update. This story is intense and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you! I'm glad you're still reading :) Chapter 5 is half done and the story is outlined. Momentum is happening here... so stay tuned.
Yay! your'e back. I am so glad this story has not been abandoned. It has so much potential.
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
I'm so glad you're happy to have it back! *grins I'm halfway done with Chapter 5 and have the rest of the story outlined (more or less). Definitely not abandoned! :D Thanks so much for commenting!
Very intriguing start. I look forward to reading more!
Response from shefa (Author of King of Swords)
Thank you for reviewing, DreamyD. I'm glad that you're intrigued. I am working on more *glares at story menacingly. I hope that you enjoy it as it unfolds!
Combing through old bookmarks and boy, was this a pleasant way to spend a Sunday morning! Utterly amazing - great plot, wonderful characterizations, the journeys they all go on are perfectly thought out and brought to fruition. Wonderful job.