Oh boy most of this does not belong to me. The characters I'm borrowing' from Miss J K Rowling. The plot twists and occasional lines are being borrowed from Austen and Maybe one of the Bronte sisters. The only thing that belongs to me is the original characters.
A/N-
-I have decided to keep with my own perspective style instead of following Austen or Bronte (which is confined to one person only). I feel passionately that I cannot stifle the distorted perspective of many of the characters like both of the writes due. I will use similar plot devices and themes and that is where the parody is from, not the writing
-Concerning Book 5. If you don't think I'm going to have some spoilers from book 5 in the very near future (probably after this part) then you're dead wrong *drools over snape sadness*
Hermione sat in a very comfortable oversized armchair that was upholstered in deep purple velvety fabric. In her hands was a novel she had started reading after her exams were finished. As she read the words she half listened to the conversation about the ball she had been invited to. It was the Snape's 50th wedding anniversary and she was invited. If anyone had told her this two years ago she would have looked at him or her like they had sprouted two heads. Now she not only was sitting in a room of Snape's but she was actually enjoying herself! Regrettably that could not be said for her friend Claudia or her friend's Uncle Severus. Not that Hermione objected that her former potion's master was once again in a foul mood. It seemed as though nothing had changed with him after the war.
Now across from her sat Mrs. Bell, Claudia's cheerful mother. Next to her sat Cassius, who smiled and sent her into giddy frenzies inside her head. She had taken a strong liking to him that day. He proved he had brains and brawn with a charm. That was very hard to come by in a man. The only men she ever met like that tended to already be married, but he was not. She loved that fact, she could repeat it in her head all day. Cassius Snape was as single as they came.
On her other side sat Claudia and Claudia's uncle. They both wore a sour expression. She knew they both probably couldn't stand all this idle chitchat or overly content sprits in the room. Claudia was not very disagreeable, unlike Severus. The reason she was sour was she got bored easily with happy things. She said that they were too even and predictable. Hermione though found them to be very calming and just the right medicine to balance out her normally hectic life. In fact it was a welcomed change from her last two summers that were spent reading alone in her room with only the occasional owl for company.
She really couldn't blame her parents for distancing themselves, after all she had been doing the same thing since her 5th year really. She put her friends above her family on several occasion, she knew this was one of the reason that they were no longer on the closest terms as they had once been. She found herself longing for those days but knew that she could never go back to being that innocent. The world since those days had grown complicated and serene at the same time. She felt at ease in this house surrounded by the family. She knew if she told her friends that she was comfortably sitting in a room containing their horrible potion's professor they would have her committed. There'd be a bed waiting for her next to Lockheart's or one of the Longbottom's.
She sighed at these thoughts. So many lives destroyed by one man
Dear Hermione what is the matter? Is one of the characters in your book vexing you? Or is it getting too long winded perhaps? You will have to share with us what you are reading, Cassius stated grabbing the book from her hands.
Lets see ah here's a nice short passage in the world of run on sentences, He began to tease, Her legs, her lovely live legs, were not too close together, and when my hand located what it sought, a dreamy and eerie expression, half-pleasure, half-pain, came over those childish features.' Why what ever are you reading Hermione! Incredibly risqué!
It's Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov's Lolita! It revolutionized the world of fiction! A book like that comes only once a century! She stated trying to grab it from his hand, Honestly it's read in colleges for gods sakes! Not some cheep trashy romance novel found in the back section of a place that doesn't even sell books! Give it here!
Cassius handed the book back to the girl and took his spot next to her. He blinked a few times which she took notice of his long dark eyelashes. He was almost perfection to her.
Now Hermione, He took some time to drawl out her name in a sexy manner, What is your erotic tale about? Don't worry for I won't judge, for all of us have some perversion or another.
Hermione began slowly, trying not to blush more than she already was, It's about many things. It's about the clash of old Europe meets the naïve-unexperienced America. It's about questioning our values. I suppose the reason many read it though is for it's taboo subject. There is something very intriguing about the, excuse the phrase, darker side of life. The story, I guess you could call it, is in appearances about the seduction of a middle-aged man by a twelve-year-old girl. That though is just the basic outer coating though, in all reality it's about the abusive relationship between this man and girl. The book really works on so many levels though I'm rereading it just in case I missed something.
Cassius was smiling at her confession of the materials she was reading. Her flushed manner only added to further his amusement. He could tell she was not very open about the subject matter and almost certainly was exceedingly prudent, more than likely to be saving' her gift for marriage. He thought that was awfully noble of her, if not juvenile. Then again one could never tell with that sort of thing. Which brought a smile to his face. He could picture the self-conscious looking girl with another self-conscious looking boy being embarrassed while they attempted to express their feelings.
That was the thing about Hermione Granger who sat next to him. She was not overly appealing. She was a moderately tall skeletal girl, with hardly any hips to talk about and even less breast matter. Her coffee colored hair was a bit frizzy. The only redemption to her looks was her deep chocolate colored eyes and her luminous smile.
Yet still he was fascinated with her for some small reason. Perhaps it was the manner in which she held herself, or the passion that burned in her eyes. Just maybe it was the way his brother looked at her through her explanation of whatever sort of novel she was reading. Apparently he had recognized the title of the novel judging from the guarded shocked expression on his face.
Once again the moment was spoiled when Severus got up abruptly.
Seeing as we have accomplished nothing for the past half an hour I must depart. As much as it amuses me to watch you try to squirm your way into Miss Granger's knickers, Cassius, I'm afraid to tell you not to bother me ever again unless you have something to say. Which is less and less frequent as time progresses, Severus stated in a malicious tone.
That was low, even for him,' Cassius thought.
With that his brother departed, but most of the party had not thought it quick enough due to the reaction. Hermione looked infuriated, while his sister looked a bit uncomfortable about what just transpired. Cassius wore a sour expression for a few minutes. The only one who had not spoken a word that whole evening felt responsible to do so.
Well that was just lovely, Claudia declared sardonically.
Mrs. Bell looked at the time, being her husband told her he would be back before 10. He had to go finish some things up at his work. Hermione sat engrossed in her book, without comment. Cassius looked indifferent, holding his wine glass filled with a white wine. Claudia sat absorbed with staring at her uncle and her friend.
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He sat in the stiff chair near the fire. It was not excessively grand as he was usually accustomed to in furniture yet it was unbelievably comfortable piece from the late 1700's. It was the only thing he kept from the extreme house he grew up in. He had not wanted to think about that era though. He had put it all behind him, everything his father had done to him and his mother. His father had broken the two beyond repair. It was the only way, to give everything in the house up.
It seemed so long ago he left his ignorance and naivety to come to this quaint, but noble estate. He found afterward everything he once knew was wrong. He found himself questioning his morals and beliefs. He found himself at a crossroads that he would have never come to if he had not been left in the care of this severe man, who now sulked in the corner with a glass of brandy in his hand.
Before his 16th birthday he became this man's ward. His mother had vanished, his father thrown in Azkaban. The man who was more of a father these past few years than his own true father had been since he was born! The most disturbing part was no one could have expected Severus Snape to be fatherly in any way.
He lifted some papers.
Now pray tell me, how is it that a society that is so called advanced needs to have such restrictions on education? Every year there are these damnable papers to be sent off in the right order before the right dates with the right codes. Why in Circe's name do they always have to add a second and third zero onto these class numbers?! Would it also destroy them to add a narrative that was longer than a sentence? A poorly constructed sentence at that! He scoffed.
Draco, now is not the time for these incessant questions about things that don't matter! I cannot see the reasoning behind complaining about something so simple, The older man groaned.
It's just tedious is all! Furthermore I really don't see the point of visiting your relations if you despise it so much. It would do us all a bit of good if you were to cease these visits I would assume, Draco drawled.
He had gown up reasonably a bit over the years. His blond hair was cropped to mid-ear length and styled in a fairly straight manner. He had grown up slender but yet at the same time possessed somewhat of a build from all those quiddich practices and games. His height was average but his ridged posture made him look taller and significant. His gray eyes were as unexciting and dead as ever but his masculine features with fleshy lips created a Victorian ideal of a man. He looked like he belonged in the paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites.
Severus made a snorting sort of noise before speaking, Unfortunately it's not that easy! This time though it was that ill-fated girl. After I thought I was rid of the torturous triumvirate! Why should I be liberated of them? And that damnable girl, she's in more trouble than she is worth. Why is it that I must feel bound to enlighten her of her foolhardy mistake?
He had now taken to pacing near the fire and in a short while threw his glass in it out of anger. If Draco had any criticism of the man it was that he had a violent temper. He was lucky though that the temper was never directed toward any living thing. Draco believed he went out of his way to keep it like that. Not that he was one to pry in the man's life. He was not one to reopen wounds that have long since stopped bleeding if not healed.
What are you talking about? Draco asked grouchily.
That Granger girl was there, Severus hissed, The slip of a girl in fact befriended my niece, and regrettably caught the eye of my brother! I spent most of the evening watching the girl virtually throw herself at him. For some reason I feel it necessary to scare her away from the fiend!
That grave, he joked, So what is it to you if she's attracted to him? It really doesn't matter if she's foolish enough to be ill-used, she should have known better.
Partly I feel no one deserves to be so horrifically crushed as I know with her imprudent optimism! Another reason is I do wish to see his attempts to fracture her to be thwarted. Furthermore I feel I am still responsible for her somehow, that old man has gotten to me finally! He scoffed.
Draco highly doubted it. If Snape could have shown favoritism to any person outside his own house back when he was in school, he was sure it would have been bestowed on the Mudblood. Granted he would have not showered her with praise or house points but he would have given her higher marks than she did get.
Yes Severus that's it, a sense of obligation. Why can't you just concede to the fact that you're attracted to her intellect? Or is that too hard to admit?' Draco thought.
Draco was becoming frustrated with the delusional man. He knew it would take forever for the man to succumb to his feelings, and the man was unquestionably not used to being told what he wanted or did not want! The whole conversation was making him a bit angry, and a bit jealous as well. He was after-all envious of the Granger girl. She always managed high marks and steal any glory he could have had in an academic setting. That was why he did not choose to attend the only wizarding university in Europe. He opted for the small satellite in America. It was in Massachusetts, but he resided in New York City. He had the financial means to sustain him for decades in that expensive area. Every summer though he came back to this estate out of apprehension for Severus. He had kept in touch through the school years with Albus Dumbledore and who expressed his growing concern for Severus who seemed too deep into a depression year after year. In fact this was the first time in 3 years the man was not skulking around the house.
If he could only permit himself these feelings maybe he would be more sufferable!' Draco reflected.
It is a hopeless matter, you should not worry for her sake. I'm sure the infatuation will pass. She will eventually realize his true nature, Draco ventured.
Highly doubtful, Severus sighed, He is too cunning to allow his façade to be breached at this time. He'll dispose of her when he gets what he wants. I've seen it before, but the only question is what can he possibly want from her! Not at all the usual type he tends to bring around during holidays. The very few that I've allowed myself to be present at anyways. No, not at all the type.
Hm how so?
No he likes them the perfect ideal of womanhood except without any sort of mind. It's easier for him to seduce them into doing what he wants them. She might be attractive to others but not to him. She is too plain for him, Severus stated slumping back into his chair.
Attractive to others or to you?' Draco mused.
Well maybe this is the real thing? Who knows maybe he figured out the type he's really been wanting. Maybe it will last, who knows. Anyways I tire of talking about Granger, I've been spending years trying to forget about her and her assets, Draco sneered.
Severus had a startled look on his face.
I never knew you to be interested in her assets, He managed to get out.
Not those type of assets. I am not your family, my mind is not always in the gutter, Draco scoffed, I was talking about her wits. She was always a little too smart for her own good. I loathe the fact that she could and would at will rub in the fact that she was the only person to get an O on her Arithmancy O.W.L.
Academic rivalry, I should have assumed as much, Severus stated.
The conversation was dropped after this statement. Each man was at ease with the stillness that consumed the room. They were both lost in their own thoughts. The hours passed and soon the fire wilted within the hearth. Draco left the room only to return with more paper work for the college he was attending. Severus eventually dragged his fatigued body up the stairs and into the door at the end of the hall, passing two rooms on each side. His room was by far the largest in the house, originally a sort of nursery for children of the youngest child. The way the estate was divided now was very much different. Many of the estates had gone out of the family name through marriages. There were now only 4 different houses to be divided up between the last remaining decedents with the Snape name. That was the catch in the wills of his deceased relations. There was never anything left to the females of the house. They were to be properly cared for by brothers or sons or husbands. They only came into ownership of property through dowry gifts of long ago and even then it was given to the husband. Unfortunately he knew that his niece would never receive any of the benefits of being a descendent of Snape until his father had died and changes could be made within the future wills. This was the only time he was glad of being the first son. Really though he didn't want to think about that. Having those thoughts tumble in his head on a weekly basis was enough, let alone having them tumble on a daily basis. Yet every time they had these family gatherings, once every red moon, they tended to come back more vigorously. They tended to be more dramatic and invade his dreams for a few days or weeks depending on the severity of the visits.
Severus Snape found it very rare to not wake up with sweat dripping down his temple. It was an affliction that he had suffered since his adolescent years. That was when all the repugnant recollections inside him piled up to become almost intolerable at time. Unlike his sister though, he was not as enthusiastic to store his emotional attachments to his memories, to forget about them as they collected dust. He was always hoping they would fade, but he would not make them fade with force. That was a disadvantage of his, his obstinate will. He would never succumb to allowing himself take his own attachments to memories away. Occasionally when they started to overwhelm he would empty them into the pensieve, but he would always put them back. He would never just leave them there, or lock them in a cabinet. That is what she did, granted he could see her logic in it, but at the same time it wounded him to know that he couldn't even talk about what he felt the first 10 years of his life with her! The one who should have understood, the one who had been there, and he couldn't discuss these violent feelings.
Severus was doing it again. He was thinking about the past, and making himself ill while doing it. The queasiness of the whole remembrance of memories was not as brutal as a decade before, but it did not lull him into a profound sleep either. No he would not get to sleep that night without some sort of aid. Regrettably he had used up the last of his stocks of dreamless sleep on Tuesday. He knew he would have to make more or find some other way to fall asleep.
Warm milk?' He mused, No, too disgusting. Uses of dragon's blood? Useless. Reading? Not such a bad idea'
He reached over to the side table, and pulled out the drawer. Severus then proceeded to feel for the hard cover 300-page book that he was nearly finished with. He had picked it up on a whim, a suggestion he remembered that came from a university professor a few years back. The woman had described it with such interest and intensity he bought the book on one of the few days he went out into the muggle world. He also found it fit to buy some of the books talked about within the book. That day he picked up Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books; he had picked up the book miss granger was reading, along with a few Austen and Fitzgerald books. It would have surprised anyone he was sure to see such a range of fiction in his possession, let alone muggle. No, no one would have even guessed Severus Snape had such fiction in his possession. It was one of his hidden secrets that he had taken a liking to the wording of Austen, and the plots of Fitzgerald. While Reading Lolita in Tehran, was a combination of many things, a story, a social criticism, and a critique on books. He thought there was something in there for the avid reader, which he also was considering the reader a dying breed.
That, though, he did not share with anyone. Not with his parents, or siblings, his ward, or his employer. No one knew about his fetish for muggle fiction. He did not feel the need to boast about it but if ever asked he wouldn't deny it. It was not entirely uncommon for the wizarding world to delve into good muggle fiction as some of their own good prose and written satire was lacking.
His thought then ventured back to the granger girl and her love of all things with pages. She was not quiet as annoying as when she was in school he determined, though he would never admit it to her or anyone else. No he could sense the frustration in the upcoming weeks with that girl and his brother. He knew exactly what was going to happen to her by his brother's hands, and that unnerved Severus. He had a good 7 years of when she was at school watching over her and her friends making sure they did not get themselves killed. Now he was back to watching over her making sure no harm came to her. He knew he could forget about the girl but he didn't for he felt it was his fault that his brother was such a cruel person. It didn't matter any more though; he knew his brother's real character was far from salvation by any means. He just hoped the girl had enough common sense to get away from the man while she still could. He had hoped those two years of college had made her less inexperienced about men, as she was no bell of the ball at Hogwarts. He considered it such a disappointment that such a remarkable mind would go unobserved among her peers. With those thoughts in his head he was lulled into one of the deepest sleeps he had in the longest time.
Severus Snape had not slept that well on his own since he was a child
6/30- Finished. I needed this part to be more descriptive. I needed the perspective of Severus. I think it's more fun when the reader knows more than the characters. Oh yes, and expect more Claudia and Hermione's perspective next.
