My heartfelt thanks to Loten for both the inspiration for this short piece of work and the permission to post it. This is a short one-shot that came to me after the death of the wonderful Alan Rickman. The scene links to Loten's amazing "Post Tenebras, Lux (After Darkness, Light)", and for those unfortunate people who haven't read it, I suggest having a read because it's brilliant.
I imagine the two to be sitting on the steps of the caravan in the summer of 2015, not long after publishing some incredible new potion.
This is my first ever posted fanfiction, and I would love to know what readers think, whether positive or negative.
I hope you enjoy!
A New Project
"Severus? You know that famous muggle actor, Alan Rickman?"
"The Sheriff of Nottingham, yes. Why?"
Hermione leant back against him.
"Apparently he's in hospital with cancer. Do you think we could...-"
"-No."
She scowled up at him, which he ignored. Impressive though it was, it held no candle to his own scowls. "Hermione, you have never been stupid, and I demand that you do not start now, or I shall throw you out. Think. What about all the questions that would come of his sudden and miraculous recovery? They would never let it go."
Hermione was silent.
"What if we made it slow-acting? It would have to be undetectable, but might that be possible?"
He sighed, realising she wouldn't let it drop. "It might be... But why? Why him? So many Muggles die from cancer Hermione. Why suddenly him?"
"I..."
"Hermione. Why?"
She shifted uncomfortably, unsure how he was going to react. "He... He reminds me of you." Severus blinked in surprise, and she rushed on," I think, if for example you were a character to be played in a film, he would be the one person who could depict you as you are, with all your facets. He even looks like you a lot."
"Are you describing him as ugly?"
"You're not ugly Severus, you're wonderfully striking. As is he, and his voice is nearly as divine as yours, though you'd probably deny any compliments on your voice, too.
"But really, Severus. He's dying - so many people are dying. Isn't there something we can do that's undetectable? It could change the muggle world, even though it would never be known that it was us. But you're a master of 'it would never be known', and I think we could do it," she enthused, her words tumbling out increasingly quickly, as they always did when she had a new idea.
He looked at her impassively for a long moment, but she could see the thoughts whirling in his mind.
"What if he doesn't want to live anymore? Some people don't; they've lived the life they did, and they're ready to move on."
"Like you" she completed his sentence in her head. Out loud, she responded slowly," But what if they've given up because they know there's nothing that can be done? What if they were to fight again if they knew there was a chance again?"
I could take this further, I think, but I'm not entirely sure I want to. I just wanted to share my imagination and dreams with you all.