Disclaimer: Characters belong to the amazing J.K. Rowling. This story is non-compliant with DH, I also lack the imagination to think of how to defeat Voldemort so just imagine he was vanquished during the trio's seventh year and Severus Snape managed to survive and his loyalty to the order was revealed. On with the story, feedback and suggestions welcomed as always. I advise it will be of an adult nature, hence the rating.
The Untamed Author and his Quivering Quill
Severus Snape stared down at his desk, willing his quill to start moving yet it stayed motionless on its side. Eight years had passed since Voldemort's downfall and it looked as if he hadn't aged a day. Retiring from Hogwarts the minute the light side had won he had moved to his crumbling family estate left to him by his Grandmother. It was a perfect secluded location and he had revealed in the peace and quiet it offered. He still had a somewhat sour disposition he surmised that would never change but he was less surly without the headache of teaching everyday. At first he enjoyed being idle, roaming around the property and planning renovations but it did become tiresome and he lacked the funds to complete his grand ideas.
A congenial visit from his former employer one Albus Dumbledore had helped with some temporary measures as the roof was leaking but major works were required. Albus had given him the name of a prominent editor who owed him a favour and suggested he might write a textbook to help students understand the basics for potions. He had joked if it stopped incessant cauldrons melting and smoking accidents he may just wish to return to the teaching profession one day. Severus had thanked the old man but had no intention of following through, until one day the spell on the roof broke and the ceiling started leaking at the slightest hint of rain. Any repair spell would always wear off and Severus knew a more permanent solution had to be done.
Penning a letter to the editor Miss Bronte, he set up a meeting and a fast friendship began. Bronte was a sharp elderly witch with similar mannerisms to Albus so Severus found it almost comforting working with her. He soon published under a pseudonym a beginners guide which proved to be very popular for wizards starting at school. An intermediate and advanced guide soon followed. It turned out to be a great income as he earned more with each publication and a royalty for reprints, however he soon found himself bored yet again.
He toyed with a defence against the dark arts general guide but Bronte suggested why not try a fictional book. They were again great money earners and it would certainly be a challenge, teasing him she suggested why not start with a romantic novel. She had brought him five best sellers to read and asked him to pen his own. Two weeks later she read his first draft a story involving a helpless virgin who is seduced by powerful wizard with a flimsy backstory and including lots and lots of detailed sex scenes. The returned edit was covered in her red corrections until halfway through where she gave up, reminding him it was not an erotic pornographic tale she had asked for.
Severus had a field day arguing with her corrections and just to annoy her he rewrote the story this time adding a romantic feel and toning down the sexual content so it just subtly enhanced the novel. Reading it to himself he thought it utter drivel, did woman really believe these fantasies could happen in real life? Bronte in turn loved it and they set about thinking up a clever pseudonym for him settling with Belladonna Bloom. He sneered every time he said it aloud so he knew it was perfect, no one would ever suspect a man and Severus Snape no less to be a popular author of romantic novels.
With Bronte's help he penned over fifteen books making more than enough money to begin restorations to the house and build up a nice nest egg for when he had enough of writing. He found he actually enjoyed the process and after successfully completing his first novel Bronte had presented him with a specially charmed lurid pink feather dictaquill. Whenever he wrote with it he did find the words just flowed and it was now an essential part of his writing process. Bronte was also instrumental to his success as an author, she was the perfect sounding board and helped keep him on track. Whenever he had writers block she would help get him started again and provided much needed insight of the workings of the female mind.
They were so friendly now they even exchanged christmas gifts, it was a running gag every year she gave him shampoo and conditioner and he presented her with socks. He was actually a little concerned they were due to have a meeting two hours ago and she had not yet arrived. She was as punctual as he was so this was most unusual. It was preventing him from writing and staring at the desk was providing no answers. He waited one more hour before using some floo powder to call her house. It was his most loathed form of communication but it was quick, calling into her fireplace he was startled when he saw a male sitting on her couch comforting another witch. It turned out to be one of her nephews who explained to Severus that Bronte had passed away peacefully during the night, she had just been found that morning and they apologised they had not looked at her diary for the day to check her schedule. The nephew promised to send an owl out with details for her funeral and Severus left the firecall asking for it to be sent to Belladonna Bloom's address.
He was in a state of shock, Bronte had honestly been his closest dear friend and he struggled to imagine life without her. She was at least one hundred and ten years old so he knew she could not live forever but the suddenness hurt. During the last meeting they had laughed at her suggestions he saunter out into society and begin dating so he could get some new material for his work. He had declined her offer to be paired up with on of her endless grand-nieces and they had gone on to play a game of chess whilst arguing about his latest protagonist.
Grabbing a bottle of whiskey his hand shook as he poured a shot, yes he would definitely miss her. Saluting the glass to the air he proceeded to drink until he felt numb. He had already decided he would disguise himself and attend the funeral, he owed her that much. The next morning he cured his hangover with a potion and tried to work on his latest novel but he struggled to focus. An owl delivered the details for Brontes funeral, she had long ago set her affairs in order and had even included Severus in her will, he was touched. He smiled to himself thinking it was probably another flashy quill.
His head felt a little clearer now and he was able to write a few chapters, he was sure his publishing house would send out a new editor to assist him but he knew he would never have the same rapport or friendship with someone new. He could give up the writing but for now he just wanted to finish his latest novel and include a special dedication to Bronte. Feeling intrigued about what she could have left him he went about the rest of his day.
Authors note: Welcome to my new story, Severus is going to be a little bit more fun! I wonder who his new editor could be? I am sure he is bound to give her a bit of trouble. Hope to finish this in 5 chapters so please check back for updates and always love receiving reviews :) I do apologise for the awful title if anyone has suggestions please let me know and I will rename it at the end. Cheers.