A · Fair · Few · Fics

For the first time in what seems like months, I finally have a chance to drop in and leave a note, and forgetting that lj was giving me so much trouble signing in that I finally created another account, I type in this user id without thinking and 'wala'. It lets me sign in. How extremely odd.

Just a little bit of an update for me:
The kids are doing great for teenagers who seem to believe that they are inherently more intelligent, more cunning, and more with-it than their mom. My youngest was recently baptized and firmly believes that (at twelve) he is a man! -- Despite the fact that he often can't be bothered with the responsibility of walking the one point three feet from his video game console to the trash can to throw away his chip and candy wrappers.

My eldest is perfect as usual. Her friends love her, her teachers love her, the world loves her, and I'm just totally oversensitive and jealous when I tell her that she may actually need to keep the three way calls and text messaging under control. We received an erroneous phone bill  for over 10,000, and she didn't even blink but said that her brother uses the phone, too. It struck me totally ridiculous that she could actually believe that our bill could be so high then groused that I pester her to do her room so much that it forces her to let her brother use the phone.

As for myself, where I thought I'd have time two write, it turned out that I had just enough time in the day (and enough bills) to pick up three more jobs - none of them full time, with benefits, or other perks. So, I've been a bit out of it but the major rush at the college seems to have sagged a little bit and I've had a few minutes to pop onto the computer.

Thought I'd say hi, and that I really really really really miss everyone, and have a few pieces, primarily HP that I can post. But, I'm pretty certain that I'm going to post them to the new lj address and keep this for a personal note spot. If you're still interested in reading them, drop me a response and I'll pm you the new user id (and yes there is a reason that I'd prefer to do this, but can't discuss it at the moment.)

Hope everyone is doing stunningly.  

Title: Falling Stars

Rating: PG, Angst

Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

 

Falling Stars, p. 14

 

Harry smiled gratefully, for the change of topic, and nodded:

 “Yes, Sir, I was just wondering where’d I’d be placed.”

 

“Placed? Do you want to be placed?”

 

“No!” The boy answered sharply and immediately,

then more uncertainly, “But, I don’t want to be a burden, either.

 I know you said you’d protect me, but this isn’t exactly

 what you signed- on for.”  (Part 11).

 

 

After a second glance to his wife, who was settled into a bed with their daughter, who was sniffling piteously – still shaken by her new brother’s burst of accidental magic,  Severus turned back to the child and caught his chin in a careful but firm grip.

 

“Child, child, calm yourself!” Severus caught the child’s shoulders- tightening his grip as the child continued to shriek silently – his mouth extended in anguish and fear. He hesitated a second before shaking the child, but to no effect and finally gathered himself and incanted, “legillimens!”

 

 

Title: Falling Stars

Rating: PG, Angst

Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

 

from Falling Stars, Part 12

 

Unlike his daughter, Severus’s son had almost gaunt features that further

 accentuated the addition of Severus’s easily recognizable lips and nose –

right down to the thick bump of  cartilage at the ridge of his nose.

 The tell-tale bump, in itself, was proof of his wife’s theory.

Rather than adopting the natural structure of his new father’s nose,

 as his daughter had, the boy had apparently wished his restructured nose

 to include the thick bump that Severus’s uncle had put there when he broke

 the then fourteen year-old’s nose and refused to heal it.

 

Falling Stars, Part 13

While Juliette went to wake and dress their daughter, Severus poured his young associate another tea and waited for the young man to broach whatever subject he had been mulling over nervously. When it seemed that the young man would be unable to marshal his nerves, Severus finally spoke.

“Neville, you might prevent at least some bruising if you would cease gnawing at your lower lip and simply state whatever it is that has been troubling you. If it would be of any assistance, I can offer to restrain from casting any permanently damaging hexes for a period of … say… ten minutes.”

“Haa-hh,” the younger professor barked appreciatively. “Never one to mince words are you? Chop, shred, dice, and crush…but, never mince. Very well, to be blunt, I would like to give Harry his birthday gift, but due to the circumstances, it’s something that I will need to ask that you maintain and hold in trust for him until.”

“Indeed and what is the nature of this gift that you cannot transfer it to him immediately? A broom? A wand? I can think of very little in the wizarding world that your nature would find appealing that a child could not enjoy.”

Severus’s had rarely regretted being burdened with a harsh nature. In truth, he was rather certain that if he had been a single trace softer, he would not have survived his harsh up-bringing, much less his years of service to the order. Nevertheless, as he watched the solemn young man slip a charmed ribbon off from around the scroll that had softly slapped in his hand and quietly whisper a charm to end the birthday theme it had begun to play, he might have otherwise wished that he had the innate ability to provide comfort to the boy. After scanning the scroll, Neville slipped a page of it out and dropped it into his pocket before passing it to Severus.  

Title: Falling Stars

Rating: PG, Angst

Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

 

from Falling Stars, Part 11

 

“Harry, I can assure you from the memories that I was privy to  in

earlier occulmency sessions that you are in no way a child, whom

I would consider burdensome. Regardless of your ridiculously gryffindorish morality,

 I perceive no inherent difficulty or unpleasantry attendant with raising you.

Nor does my wife, Juliette. We have discussed the situation thoroughly,

 in fact, and are in complete agreement in that we each fully intend to raise you –

with our daughter- as brother and sister.”

 

Falling Stars, Part 12

 

Severus stared at the children curiously- wondering to himself what he had been expecting. To be certain, de-aging potions could be chancy to brew and dangerous to use, but he had carefully studied the potion, Longbottom’s brewing set up, and the modified formula before he allowed Potter and his daughter to take it.

 

Much to his surprise, though he shouldn’t have been nearly so surprised when he had, himself, endorsed Longbottom to succeed him as the Hogwart’s potions instructor, Severus found that not only had the younger professor anticipated and addressed all of the potential adverse reactions but also had used several uncommon catalyzing agents to make the most benefit of these reactions. The annoying boy had actually improved the potion in a number of ways that Severus had long suspected could be done- though never without the resentment that he could not, on his own, test the improvements himself due to his unwillingness and inability to incessantly simper and coo around the fairies inhabiting the fairy lace. Not even to speak of his frustrating inability to foster the overly sensitive hestia’s lace plant.

 

Yet, despite his irritation with the fates that it would be none other than the very student - whom he had for so long considered not only his worst student, but also hopelessly inept – who would be the first potion brewer to test his theories in a manner that would have a direct and chief impact on his future… Severus had been relieved to see the improvements that would make the children’s transition smoother, quicker, and less painful. So, perhaps, he should not have been entirely surprised to note that, barely two hours after they had ingested the potion, its recipients had almost completely transformed in their charmed sleep without showing even a single trace of pain.

Title: Falling Stars

Rating: PG, Angst

Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

 

from Falling Stars, Part 10

 

How dare he interfere. As if being able to brew the blasted potion

gives him the right to…pry into my affairs.

Speaking as insufferably as if he were the headmaster.

 What I tell my child… my child is to my own discretion, and I’ll not have him

or anyone chastising the girl as if he knows what she’s suffered, what she’s lost.

 

He was barely seconds away from chasing after the boy

when his daughter’s pitiful voice cut through his anger.

 

““Mama, is it true? Did I po-ison the boy who lived?”

 

Falling Stars, Part 11

 

Severus followed Juliette quietly until they were out the door and out of sight.

 

“Well?” She asked turning ti face his expected ire, but was stunned to see him wearing a wry smile.

 

“Your description of her choices were very disparate.”

 

“Yes.” She grumbled.

 

“Jule,” Severus had to stifle a surprised laugh as her head shot up, allowing him to see the anxiety, frustration, and no little anger roiling behind her eyes.  He had forgotten how long it could take for her to drop her defensiveness when they disagreed.

 

“Jule, I agree with your little tirade in there and felt it was particularly well done, in fact.”

 

“Really?” She asked with archy skepticism.

 

“Then, perhaps you could explain why you persisted in interrupting me.” She demanded, her pique leaving her voice high-pitched and harsh even though she was whispering.

Title: Falling Stars

Rating: PG, Angst

Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

 

from Falling Stars, Part 9

 

“No, he’s not ill…” Neville’s voice dropped to a tight, half-swallowed whisper,

“At the moment, he’s trying to survive the effects of dragon’s blood poisoning.

 He’s descending into more pain than I can even imagine, and he’s got a very

small chance of coming out of it. I can-t talk about him – not now, not with you.

 I’ll get your mum, but I – I need to be with Harry.”

 

Escaping her side, Neville turned and stumbled to a halt in astonishment and distress. Professor Snape and his wife were standing in the doorway staring at him

with mixed looks of alarm, resentment, and anger.

 

 

 

Falling Stars, Part 10

 

Seething anger wrapped itself around Severus’s throat as he let Longbottom pass.

 

How dare he interfere. As if being able to brew the blasted potion gives him the right to…

pry into my affairs. Speaking as insufferably as if were the headmaster. What I tell my child… my child is to my own discretion, and I’ll not have him or anyone chastising the girl as if he knows what she’s suffered, what she’s lost.

 

He was barely seconds away from chasing after the boy when his daughter’s pitiful voice cut through his anger.

 

“Mama, is it true? Did I po-ison the boy who lived?”

 

The pain on her face tore through him as he tried to gauge how much of the truth she should be told.

 

“Well, isn’t that what you wanted?” he was astonished to hear his wife nearly snarl.

 

“Jule,” he warned softly, “She’s …” … but his wife was ignoring him as she stared angrily into her daughter’s face.

Title: Falling Stars

Rating: PG, Angst

Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

 

from Falling Stars, Part 8

 

Neville waited barely a second as she shared a glance with her husband

 to see if he thought they were interpreting his statement in the same way

 before he chimed in, “Barely two minutes before Harry summoned me,

I finished decanting the finished potion…enough for two recipients.”

 

Falling Stars, Part 9

 

Leaving his suggestion to settle in, Neville quietly turned and headed back up the stairs. As he reached the top, a soft sound caught his attention and drew him to the door of the room next to Harry’s. Celeste had woken and was sitting up as far as the sticking charm would let her, softly sobbing into fists curled tightly against her lips to stifle the sounds she was making.

 
“Here now.” He murmured softly, “What’s this? Are you in pain?”

 
Seeming almost oblivious to his approach, until he was standing beside her, she finally shook her head no, but the fists remained pressed just as tightly to her lips and the sobs, if they let up- did so only enough to let her catch her breath before another round.

 
“Harry said you had quite a bit of it in your system, so it would only make sense if you’re feeling off – even emotional, things like that can mess with your magical core and make it difficult, if not impossible, to balance your emotions. I could get you a calming drought if you’d like.”

 

A month away from email: Free

The time it will take to read through the 2,375 personal messages I received during the month away: rough guess 20+ hours.

My gratitude that Gmails has automated spam filters and message rules: Timeless.

Hadn't really thought about that or the fact that I would be some 18 updates back on at least one story. 7 or 8 on some others. They're HP for the moment, as I still haven't had much Clex inspiration lately, but have kept writing at some of the ones I hope to update soon. Aside from that, it looks like I'm going to be a bit of a busy girl. Thank Heavens. I cannot even describe how bored I got.

It sounded simple enough. I went and spoke with someone about how I was feeling last post. Her thoughts: I'm addicted to the net - that it was causing my stress, and that I should try a small experiment: cut out all net activity for a month. Emails. Fics. etc. Everything went on hold.

Well, I thought why not. Nothing else seemed to be improving it. I made sure my work knew my phone and dropped a note to the staff secretary that my email would not be available for awhile. (Not explaining anything else there as you might imagine). Left my hp updates with my co-worker/beta. And simply stopped signing on.

I did things I haven't done in years: went to Starbucks and read; went to the beach, which is only blocks away; ate breakfasts of wine and cheese; changed my sleeping schedule; and discovered that not a bit of it made any difference. I wasn't any more or less anxious for the lack of the net only absolutely, totally, completely, BORED OUT OF MY FRICKIN MIND.

Went back to her: "Oh, I'm sure that it must make some difference. Why not try it another month?"

My thoughts: Why not find something that makes any sort of NOTICEABLE difference and try that for a month. If the net was really the issue, I'd think it might have had some effect at least by week 2. But, nothing. No improvements. No tough spots (i.e. no cravings and teary moments). Nada.

So, while I'm not certain what the next step will be, I guess I am back.

I don't really know what's been going on with me lately or why. Things just haven't been right, felt right, or made sense for months. Outside of a few dribs and drabs of HP, I haven't been able to write much of anything (including my lesson plans and lectures - so I've been practically lecturing straight from the book: something I hate doing).

I'd like to thank everyone who's tried to keep in touch with me. It is deeply appreciated. I do want to get back into the swing of things, but just haven't had anything that I felt was worth saying and a note of well "Hi, I guess I'm still alive sort of" seemed like it wasn't enough content to even spend the time typing. But, Hi, I guess, I'm still alive - sort of. Not that it really feels like it most of the time.

What frustrates me the most is that as hard as I've tried to figure out why, I can't. For the most part things are no better or worse than they usually are. Except for the fact that getting out of bed half the time just doesn't feel worth it, and I can't seem to enjoy the classes I'm teaching which are actually going better than last semester, and the necessity to make pleasant chit chat at work is infuriating me.

Anyway. I just wanted to - what? ... Whine a hello... is the closest description I can think of to this post. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the new year.

Title: Falling Stars
Rating: PG, Angst
Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

Falling Stars, Part 7

After a second, bizarre but remarkable, display of young man’s healing abilities Juliette watched as her husband and daughter slipped into unconsciousness. The young man that her husband had been referring to as Longbottom stepped forward ran his wand over their throats, temples, hearts, and lower abdomens. Within moments, his tight concerned expression softened and he looked up at her comfortably.

“It looks like they will recover just fine. What do you think, Hare?”

“Yeah, I cleared it all. She had a lot more than he did, but I didn’t let go until I was sure the poison was out of both of their systems. As long as it didn’t cause any other damage, it should be okay.” Mr. Potter turned reassuringly to her and swayed as he nodded.

“Harry!” The young… healer, judging by his familiarity with healing spells and techniques jumped forward and caught his friend.

“Don’t quite feel quite right, Nev.” ( Read more... )

Title: Falling Stars
Rating: PG, Angst
Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

Falling Stars, Part 6

“Celeste!!!” Juliette screamed startling the room as she jumped toward her daughter, grabbed the girl, and shook her fiercely.

“What have you done? Oh, what have you done? What. Did. You. Think. You. Were. Doing.” Each word punctuated a shake. Each shake punctuated her horrified sobs until her daughter finally answered with childlike simplicity.

“I killed off the Snapes, Mom. That’s all. At the manor and here. No more Snapes anywhere. Poof. They’re gone.” Something in her slurred voice sounded off to Severus as he bent over the table gasping at the pain in his stomach.

“Juliette,” he gasped realizing what the child must have done. “Help me.” ( Read more... )

Title: Cursed, Part 4
Fandom: Stargate 1
Warnings: R for violence and disturbing content. AU. H/C Implied child molestation (of Daniel) but no graphic depictions events that occured well prior to the adult Jack/Daniel relationship. This update is a wee bit od for me, and I'm not really certain where it came from, but...

Summary: Daniel and Jack meet earlier than expected- over and over; but, no matter how much Jack tries help him heal, Daniel seems cursed and cares about Jack too much to let him share the curse.

Cursed, Part 4

"Hi Major," Mrs. Cable, Daniel's latest foster mother greeted Jack through the screen door as she passed.

"Come in."

"Thanks, Jan." Jack nodded as he opened the door. He'd given up trying to get her to call him 'Jack', when he began to agree with Daniel that the Cables were likely to be another temporary foster placement. ( Read more... )

If you feel like you're not quite certain what's going on, up to this point: congratulations – you're right where you're supposed to be, no one in the story really has tied things together yet. But, here's where things should start to make sense.

Due to it's size, I've had to cut it into two parts.

Title: Clear Conscience
In series: Part 11
Rating: PG 13, AU after OOTP, H/C
Summary: The Dursley's abused Harry, Voldemort tortured him, but Dumbledore destroyed him, and Severus Snape wants to save him?

Part 11

Alastor, quite expectedly, demanded to go through the floo first, which Albus only reluctantly agreed because he wanted to determine absolutely whether Severus could be alive.

"Elspeth, is there even the slimmest possibility that Severus survived?"

The master healer's lips thinned as she studied his hopeful expression.

"Hoping for yet another last minute reprieve?" Elspeth's voice was as caustic for its lack of emotion as her slap had been for the reverse. ( Read more... )

Title: Clear Conscience
In series: Part 12
Rating: PG 13, AU after OOTP, H/C
Summary: The Dursley's abused Harry, Voldemort tortured him, but it was Dumbledore who destroyed him, and Severus Snape who saves him?

Part 12

Fisting Harry's robes, Christopher shook him violently. The prat was faking it out of spite and just letting his father die because Severus hadn't simpered and fawned like the rest.

"Harry Fucking Potter, I know you're faking it. I heard Madam Pomfrey. She said that she'd healed you. There's no fucking excuse for you to just lay there and let Severus die. So, you can just drop the farce and answer me.

Damn it. You can't just let him die. Don't let him die. No matter how much you hate him. You can't … you just can't let him die. Please Harry. He's my father. Don't let him die." Christopher was bitterly aware that he had slipped into begging, but for Severus he would have been willing to sacrifice his pride even if he had never learned that the man was his father.

"Stop. Being. Such. An. Arrogant. Prick. And. Help. Him." Christopher punctuated each word with a stiff shake that had Harry's head flipping back and forth like a crucio'd house elf.

"You. Petty. Prat. You're. Supposed. To. Be. A. Bloody. Fucking. Gryffin…" Christopher choked as the last shake forced him to meet Harry's eyes and find emptiness instead of the malice and smugness that he'd expected to find there.

"…dor." He finished quietly as he laid Harry back as gently as he could. ( Read more... )

Title: Falling Stars
Rating: PG, Angst
Summary: The war's finished, the good guys won, and it's time to live. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that were true?

Falling Stars, Part 5

“And you say that he was willing to do that?” Juliette stared at Severus with a look that was equal parts irritation, mystification, and sadness.

“He was willing to simply throw his life away on a single interpretation of a prophesy? How dim is this child?”

Chuckling at her mildly irreverent wit and amused that she’d make a comment like that about the cherished boy-who-lived, Severus stared at his diminutive wife, feeling somehow relieved that she had not falsely improved her appearance in the intervening years. The early gray that dimmed her once ebony hair felt familiar to him as though he had been with her to watch each hair turn. It mattered not that crows feet and age spots finely decorated the skin beneath her eyes; he still found her handsome. The sharpness in her eyes had not faded a twinkle, though it did have a taint of worry and sadness. The creases in her forehead, too, were new and spoke of worries and stresses that he would ask her to share if she could come to terms with how their life would have to be if she joined him in his new duty.

A life on the run ( Read more... )