Heaven Bend to Take My Hand

If it takes a whole life, I won’t break, I won’t bend

It’ll all be worth it, worth it in the end

Cause I can only tell you what I know

That I need you in my life

And when the stars have all burned out

You’ll still be burning so bright

Cast me gently into morning for the night has been unkind

Answer -- Sarah McLachlan

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The last chapter of Madame Potion!

I just had to share this. protowilson did it for me as a belated birthday gift. She calls it "Beta The Devil You Know." Don't anyone tell Logical Quirk or southernwitch69 that HE is looking over my stuff after they are done. (Don't I wish).




Also, I hadn't planned on posting this fic here since it is not Snape-centric and it is VERY fluffy considering my normal style. But Sycophant Hex awarded me the "Featured Story for December," so now I have to crow a bit about it. (The Burrow doesn't get a lot of submissions, I realize) Proceed only if you are a fan of Fred & George fantasies.




Paid In Full

Good businessmen rarely bargain. But when there is so much to gain and such an easy mark, how can they lose? However, their bluff gets called, and aren't they surprised!
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The idea for this ficlet was created by my dear friend Ginny and I as a way to deal with some of the astounding revelations that were illustrated in Deathly Hallows. She wrote her own version at her Live Journal account (friend only), and I wrote mine, which ended up being strikingly similar! So I will dedicate this to her (Gin-Gin) and thank her for her wonderful beta services, too. (DH spoilers to follow, of course!)



"No honor was given to the fallen heroes of the war. But one lays alone and forgotten and deserving of so much more. She will see to it."
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Year Eight: Cut Loose the Fire

When the world stopped spinning and Snape’s feet found solid ground, he knew his battle was only half over. But there would be no rest yet. There were still services to be rendered and groveling to be done. Pressing forward at least kept him from mulling over the events that he had just witnessed.
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Year Seven: Witness of Darkness and Doubt

It is time again to bestow special thanks upon my most talented and lovely betas, Logical Quirk and Southern Witch. Also I want to express how much I deeply appreciate my few, albeit loyal, fans who keep sticking with me. If you find yourself becoming a fan, please let me know. Post a review!

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Christmas morning dawned cold and blustery. Snape woke to find something pressing against his feet at the foot of the bed. Instinctively he kicked and sat up only to catch a glimpse of a brightly wrapped package going over the edge. He groaned and got up to retrieve whatever ridiculous thing McGonagall or Dumbledore had decided to get him this year. He had a stock of black socks, mufflers, and gloves that seemed to only get added to and never used.
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Year Seven: A Misery More Beautiful

what ravages of spirit
conjured this temptuous rage
created you a monster
broken by the rules of love
and fate has lead you through it
you do what you have to do
...
every moment marked
with apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving
trying to escape this desire
the yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
...
but I have the sense to recognize
that I don't know how to let you go
Do What You Have to Do -- Sarah McLachlan
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Year Six: The Shadows Unravel {continued}

Snape sat on his knees, his nose pressed to the cold wood floor of what was once an orphanage. He could smell the mold, decay, and rodent droppings in its porous texture. For some time he stayed curled into a position of subservience at the feet of his Dark Master, waiting to be told his exaltation was adequate enough so he could rise. But he was kept on the floor as the Dark Lord sat by a dim fire, lovingly fondling the giant snake that wrapped around the chair.( Read more... )

Year Six: The Shadows Unravel

“I don’t have to talk to you,” Snape muttered distractedly as he kept his eyes focused on some third-year Potions essays and attempted to pretend that the two-way mirror on his desk didn’t have Remus Lupin’s scowling face staring at him.
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The Lake View

It was a nice Sunday afternoon. Too nice to stay cooped up inside. Ron and Harry had prowled the grounds talking and exploring until the sky began to turn gray and the wind threatened hostility. ( Read more... )

Year Six: A Flash of Eden in Hell

“Severus, Harry has to learn Occlumency; it’s the only solution.”

The Headmaster sat at his desk looking at Snape with a serene ferocity. Snape sat in the chair across the way looking horrified.
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Year Six: The Truth Enslaved

The reprieve was only a couple of days. Only a few short days for Snape to sequester himself in his house and see and speak to no one. He spent hours upon hours lying in bed thinking and periodically dozing. Dumbledore, the Dark Lord, Davindra, and Madame Collins floated in and out of his consciousness. ( Read more... )

Year Five: No Fury Nor Rage Denied

Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned
Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.
The Mourning Bride (1697) by William Congreve.


Snape found himself in a dark, eerie graveyard under a starless sky. Himself shrouded in black, he blended into the night and shadows perfectly. But he knew that his presence had been immediately sensed, so there was no hiding or turning back.
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Year Five: A Raging Cold Fire (Continued)

With Davindra now pacified and more than compliant to his wishes, Snape felt his days were less stressful. He didn’t round every corner with dread, fearing she was on the other side awaiting him. She kept to the agreement and never approached him outside of class and even rarely in class. Though often they exchanged carefully hidden glances in passing or across the Great Hall.( Read more... )

Year Five: A Raging Cold Fire

Every day was a full-blown war for Severus Snape. A battle raged inside him that nearly equaled anything the Dark Lord could have inspired. An innumerable amount of times in every day he would find himself standing before the Vision Well. One voice would be saying, ‘use it,’ another would say, ‘destroy it.’ He couldn’t bring himself to do either. So he did nothing but pace, rage, and wallow in utter misery at his own cowardice and weakness. ( Read more... )

Year Four: Sights Best Unseen

The letter came before Snape had left Hogwarts at the end of the term. He had been pacing his office, nursing a still-smoldering rage about Black’s escape and the now dashed promise of an Order of Merlin from the Minister of Magic.
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