LP HP: Second Dose- A Story in Twenty-Eight Snippets
by Tavalya Ra
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J. K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Rowling is a goddess; may she have mercy on my soul for writing this.
Author's Notes: Thank you to Mawkish for putting me up to the challenge of writing this and to everyone who read and commented upon the story in April- especially Skip, who never failed to make me laugh.
Thank you to vita brevis, Tonic, CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur, Alla, Exwhyzed, Elendil Snape, sar-spasm, Achintya, and melodie for reviewing Snippet #14.
To vita brevis- LP SD is already finished. Posting delays have been due not to writing delays, but limited time on-line and problems with FF.net. Unfortunately, OotP has made LP HP not only AU but also OOC, otherwise I would consider using only up to GoF as canon. I agree with your assessment of Rowling's characterization. Dumbledore's excuses were thin and Harry's behavior extreme. I don't blame Snape for his actions, however. His reaction was irrational, but very human. Unfortunately, Rowling dictates canon and my integrity as a fanfiction writer demands I do not violate it. I personally feel that AUs should tamper with events, not characterization- unless, of course, the changed event alters the course of a character's development. To Achintya- the reason lies in Chapter Twenty-Six, appropriately titled "Snape's Worst Memory." To Alla- most of my appeal for the Snape/Black pairing came from the fact that I assumed they were, in a sense, equals. That in the past, Snape and Black antagonized each other. The evidence in OotP contradicts that assumption. My problem is not so much that Black was a jerk as that Snape was not also a jerk- he was a victim. If future canon evidence proves this otherwise, I may return to the pairing. Overall, I adored the book. Who loves Tonks? To PotterOfBorg- I am considering alternative pairings, but none include Sirius. Snape is the character of my affection. I do not consider myself limited to slash, although I admit it is the only thing I have written so far; I base pairing choices upon characterization, not gender. If Snape or Sirius had been a woman, LP HP would have been het.
If anyone wishes to archive this story on his or her site, please contact me at clearbluedelphia@yahoo.com.
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Snippet #15: An Abnormally Large Melon
"Everyone is staring at me," Severus groused as he navigated the crowd in Diagon Alley.
"Well, you are a pregnant man," Remus reminded. "And you are standing next to the one person who's had his face printed all over the papers last week."
The day after Sirius's official pardon, newspapers and magazines had begun clamoring for interviews. The Animagus was selective in accepting offers. While he spoke quite candidly about the events leading to his imprisonment, he did not reveal how he had escaped Azkaban nor what had occurred afterward and he refused to make any statements about his personal life other than that he was "very happy." Still, Sirius was hardly covert in his displays of affection. Severus had been far from ecstatic to find a photograph of his eight-months-pregnant self- belly and all- gracing the front page of The Daily Prophet.
Sirius put his arm around Severus and squeezed him slightly. "Come on, love, let's get lunch."
Dragging Harry away from the window display of Quality Quidditch Supplies ("As if he could find a broom better than his Firebolt!" Severus sniffed.), the quartet headed back towards the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius insisted upon referring to their group as the "new Marauders," much to the annoyance of Severus, who had never warmed to the nickname "Venomtongue." The Animagus and Remus had spent part of the morning trying to create a name for the baby and had quickly decided that both "Padtongue" and "Venomfoot" sounded incredibly stupid.
They had already purchased several packages, most of which had been owled ahead to Hogwarts. Their first item of the day had been to select wedding bands. Afterwards, they had gone baby shopping, first for a cradle and toys, including a large stuffed dog. ("Aw," Severus quipped. "Looks just like Daddy.") Next came clothes. Severus had originally intended to leave his child's gender a surprise for the delivery room, but had cracked under the suspense and asked Pomfrey. She had informed him that he was carrying a girl. Eschewing pastels, the Potions Master had selected several tiny dresses in violet, black, blue, magenta, and green.
"Naturally, she'll be a Slytherin," Severus said confidently.
"How can you be sure?" Sirius asked. "Your family is all Gryffindors and Ravenclaws."
That comment earned Sirius a whack over the head with the stuffed dog.
They ate a tasty lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, then went to Fortescue's for desert. Sirius confiscated the vial of bat blood Severus had smuggled to pour over his sundae. Severus tried to retaliate with the dog again, but Remus took the bag away from him first. After dessert, they headed to Gringotts' so Sirius and Severus could combine their accounts.
"It will be under the name Black-Snape," Sirius told them. "That's what we're going to take at our wedding."
"Black-Snape?" Remus repeated. "Severus, you're really putting Sirius's name first?"
"I decided I should do my child a favor and allow her to move up the alphabet," Severus replied.
Harry's brow furrowed. "But won't that make her initials 'BS'?"
Severus gave Harry a very long, dark, penetrating stare.
They approached the doors at the same moment a family of three stepped outside: the Malfoys. Lucius's lips began to curl unpleasantly and he stiffened at the sight of Severus. Narcissa coiled her arm around that of her husband. Draco stepped forward with a contemptuous sneer. His intent was clearly to stare down Harry and he failed completely. The Gryffindor surpassed his challenge; he was two inches taller than Draco and took advantage of his height to examine the heir of Malfoy from the tip of his nose.
"Severus!" Lucius exclaimed with a bitter and disdainful smile. "Well, don't you look as if you've swallowed an abnormally large melon."
"My melon, Lucius," Sirius warned, placing his arms protectively around Severus. "And I will hold nothing back to protect it."
"I'd expect nothing less from you," Lucius answered curtly. "Enjoy yourselves. You may not have much longer to do so."
He began to side step around Remus when Severus said, "A word, Lucius. I have a message for your Lord."
Lucius's pale eyes narrowed. "You're bold to speak so in public. What is it?"
With a malicious smirk, the Potions Master said, "Tell him 'thank you'."
Everyone knew immediately that he was referring to the Aphrodilus.
Lucius's steely eyes went cold. "Perhaps you'll be able to tell him yourself!"
With a contemptuous sniff, he threw back his cloak and strutted away. Narcissa followed, but Draco lingered behind to smile nastily at Harry before departing.
Severus shuddered and pressed his hand against his forehead.
"Are you alright?" Sirius asked.
"It's not over," he said. "Just because you're free doesn't mean our problems are over. I'm… I'm sorry to cut this short, but after Gringotts, can we go back to Hogwarts? I really think we should tell Dumbledore about this."
