‘The Apprentice and the Necromancer’ by JunoMagic
Epilogue
Epilogue—Da Capo Al Fine
‘Ginny sent new pictures of James-Hermes. And Harry threatens to err…’ Hermione blushed.
‘Hex my bollocks off and serve them to me for lunch if we don’t attend the very same occasion next Sunday?’ Severus supplied with a snort.
Hermione laughed. ‘Something like that.’
‘All right. We’ll be there. Now, where are those ridiculous plants that you absolutely have to show me?’
‘Here.’ Hermione pointed at a meadow overflowing with blooming daffodils. ‘Look how many of them there are! Do you remember what that means?’
Of course he did. He would never forget their wedding day. ‘Joy and happiness,’ he replied, his voice very soft.
‘One day,’ Hermione said, her eyes filled with quiet determination, ‘maybe not tomorrow or next week…’
How Severus regretted the lines in her young face. How he mourned the lack of sparkle in her eyes. The absence of the shrill lilt of enthusiasm in her voice.
‘…maybe not even next year.’ She offered him a wry smile.
But she reached for him. Her almost spidery thin, always cold fingers curled around his hand. Her smile turned wistful. It was too bitter yet to be called hopeful, but there was a new hint of sweetness to it that had been missing since her rescue.
Hermione stepped into Severus’ embrace, her face turned up, her eyes never leaving his. ‘But I do believe that one day, one day, we’ll be fine.’
She drew his hand up to her lips and kissed his fingers.
‘Just fine.’
oooOooo
FINITE INCANTATEM
oooOooo
Honestly, this was probably THE greatest Hermion/Severus story I have read so far. I loved the plot – the perfect balance of happy and sad moments, the way you managed to convey feelings, the twists and turns that never ceased to surprise me (in a good way), in depth character developement, great OCs… simply just about everything. I have read your story literally in one breath, which is quiet unussual for me nowadays. You’re a great writer and this story has made the top of my list without breaking a sweat.
The only question remains – what shall I do now? As of late my free time was dedicated to your story and now I’ve come to an end. *sobs* Perhaps I’ll start again from the beginnig to enjoy finer details? What can I say you’ve got me hooked. I have to at least returt to some of the more tender moments – absolutely beautiful. *hearts*
To make this short – thank you for this beautiful piece of art, for I don’t know what else to call it.
Thank you for spending time with my story and for leaving such a kind comment. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed it so much!
I just spent an entire night (and then some) reading this absolutely amazing story. I apologize right now if this has any atrocious spelling errors, or stops making sense at some point in time. When I first looked at how many chapters it had, I was amazed, and couldn’t wait to finish it. It’s really difficult to find a good Severus and Hermione piece of fanfiction that is longer than a few chapters.. 🙁 Yours however, was all that and more. I’m absolutely going to read everything eles that you have on this site. Keep up the amazing writing, and I hope your original novel finds itself a good home with some publisher. 😛
Thank you so much for spending time with my story, and wow, reading the night away, too! That’s a truly wonderful compliment. I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed my story. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind comment. 🙂
Oh.My.GOD!
What a ride…I’ve read the entire story over the past two weeks and even though real life has been kind of hectic, it’s all what I’ve had on my mind all along. Since the last HP movie came out, a terrible melancholia gripped me and I started going through the books all over again and got into HP fanfiction for the first time. What I discovered is that it’s truly difficult to find a ‘real’ good story post-DH, that follows canon characters and could come to complete JK’s work. I didn’t enjoy the 19-years gap at all at the end of DH, and I truly and completely hated the fact that Severus wasn’t given a second chance in life, it seemed so unfair. Also,a HEAs didn’t seem too fitting in the original work. Going through what they went through, and then having a happy life does not come easy, and I love how you developed that and brought a whole new story and plot to life. And, how you gave the character Severus Snape a chance to develop and become really multidimensional.
The relationship between Severus and Hermione seemed very real to me. Although I don’t like marriage law fics and I usually don’t read them at all, something made me want to go on with the story at the beginning and I was very surprised to find out that this was not a marriage law fic at all. I loved the slow burn and the way you let them know each other and really fall in love before anything. I loved the elegant way you wrote the erotic parts, I usually read fics that are strongly m rated, but in this story I wouldn’t have liked it. My heart goes out to both of them, and even if I wish they had it more easily, I still couldn’t have enough of you vision of things.
The necromancy idea is a great one, I loved the way you used symbols and myths and what JK gave you and made everything make sense. It also shows that bou have a lot of knowledge on the subject and you made a lot of research for this. The fact you put so much work into this and your commitment to write this story makes me admire you very very much. It’s not that everyday someone writes 250.000 words stories.
I am so very glad to read a story where the author shares my opinion on Dumbledore. The first time around when I went through the books, I was swept away with the awe of the characters towards him and I adored him as much as all the kids of Hogwarts did. I don’t know, maybe it was because I was younger than I am now, but the second time around, I couldn’t help but feel the books so much different. I found that Harry annoys me so much at times that I just wanna shake him into sense, that some of the teachers are just irresponsible, and Dumbledore…just, he could have found a better way. The fact he dies still saddens me so very much, but not as much as what his death did to Snape. I would have liked to see him twinkle again in your story, and I surreptisiously hoping that you’ll give him a voice when they met him again.
Thank you for Hedwig and Dobby, the reunion made me cry, I was so sad when they too died in the original books, it was heartbreaking to see Harry losing almost everything, from his family to his familiar. When Hedwig died it was like Harry was ripped from every piece of his too short and unhappy childhood and that really broke my heart so I was happy that Harry could meet them again.
I was sorry for Draco’s end, and also I felt for all the characters and what they had to go through, I’m sorry that Harry is blind, after all he’s been through, I feel like he does deserve a break, I was also sorry for Alina, she’s so young and I wish that Hermione didn’t have to go through all the trauma. But somehow your story fits in with the canon, with adult age, wizards have to face even more difficult challenges. No one ever said that living in the wizarding world was only charmed taffees and every flavored beans. 🙂
What else can I say…you are a very accomplished writer, I love your words, how you play with them, how the jumps in pov’s and time make sense and how everything flows. I’ve been reading Half-Blood Prince for the second time in paralell to your story, and it didn’t cause any discordance, at some points even the stories started to blend in my mind. That’s how good you came to complete the original story. 😀 Thank you for your story, I know I’m a late bird, but I really wanted to know how much I enjoyed reading this.
I should conclude, unless I want my owl to be mad at me for this heavy parchment :))
Thank you and now I’m going off to ff.net to read The Book of Dead.
Andreea
Thank you for reading, and most especially for leaving such a long, detailed, and thoughtful comment for my story. That really made my day! I’m thrilled that my story appeals to you so much … I had so much fun writing it, and it means so much that it’s still being read and enjoyed. I’ve had a thoroughly crappy year 2011, so I don’t know when I will be able to return to Book of the Dead. However, the story is by no means abandoned, merely on hiatus.
What a wonderful story! I really loved the way you pulled all the different elements of the story together (Necromancy, Alina, Umbridge, Inquisition, Church, Deathly Hallows… an incredibly complicated plot) and created such a gripping and fun to read story. I loved how you wove and mostly resolved the issues of Dumbledore’s ‘death’ (it was that extra moving the way you used Dobby and implied his presence rather than have him come out again) and that bit about the Elder Wand ownership being transferred to Percy through the story without us readers realizing what was going on- genius! I really envy your plotting/writing skills.
Must say the saddest part for me was that you killed Draco… I soooo didn’t want him to die the way he did and it was so sudden, but I sort of adjusted to this by the end of the story, I think. And then having him come back as a ghost… actually, that made me feel slightly better AND more guilty/sad for him. And Hermione being rescued but both her and Severus remaining unhappy at the end of the story… that was tough for me to read because I wanted them to be HAPPY so much… but everyone has been irrevocably changed by their experiences in Death.
Anyway, thank you so much for writing this story, and all the best for the rest of this year (sounds like it’s been tough on you!) and keep writing!
I’m happy you enjoyed the story so much, and that you didn’t mind the sad parts too much. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment — it means a lot to me that this story is still being read and that it’s still “alive” for people out there!
It was so good!!!! I really loved it *hearts* it made me laugh so much ROTF but it also made me sad *sobs* I hope you end up doing some real writing because your are definitely good enough to be published!! w00t *claps* It definitely made me love Snape and Draco *adores* Amazing job!!
Whoops, I’m sorry I only reply now … time simply got away from me! Anyway, I’m really glad you enjoyed my story so much, and I would like to thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I really appreciate that! *hearts*
You weave a powerful tale. I’m not sure exactly how I stumbled upon this story, but it was definitely worth my blurry eyes and lack of sleep. The plot was engaging and the characters superb. I am left with a hint of bittersweetness at the end, so much sadness but hope as well.
Here’s to the sequel!
Thank you so much for coming to my website to read my story, and even more for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m thrilled you enjoyed the story so much!
That was BEAUTIFUL!!!! I read it all in one go. It still took me three days! Oh my Gosh what a RIDE!
That was just ahmazing!!!! What I loved is that I felt every jolt Hermione felt! I felt every emotions the characters felt and THAT is the true talent of writing. You conveyed emotions perfectly.
And very realistically. You dont just walk away from stuff like the Battle with Voldemort to everything that happened in your amazing story without consequences. I hope Draco will find peace someday. All your adventures had me holding my breath and nervous for them! Those are all signs of a well written story.
Snape and Hermione are going to be just fine :))))))))))))) AW!!! Now Im crying a mix of happy and sad tears, You are AMAZING! Lots of love! Thank you for the amazing ride
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed my story so much. 🙂
Excellent story. I really enjoyed it. Especially the connection to the Garth Nix stories.
Thank you for the experience!
Roberta *hugs* [img]http://ashteldar.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=96#/d1llzv8[/img]
Thank you for reading and for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, and that the Garth Nix connection worked for you. 🙂
I have reached the end of “The Apprentice and the Necromancer.” You wish for me to comment? Very well. I will give you three.
1. I do not read romance stories. They do not have enough action. The focus on the relationship bores me, and it is rare to find an author who can write them well.
2. I do not read stories with short chapters. They often denote an undisciplined writer, and the total story never has enough chapter to make up for the short length per chapter.
3. I rarely read Harry Potter crossovers. They can be done well, but few are. I certainly don’t read Harry Potter crossovers involving relatively obscure books!
These were the unspoken rules of my reading habits. Yet like young Harry, you break all the rules. The Apprentice and the Necromancer has taken on every preconception I walked in with and smashed it. The story is incredibly well written with a captivating plot that stays true to the original sources. With writing like this, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that I’ve read other stories of yours… pulled off a Borders bookshelf in hardback edition.
You have my congratulations and my kindest regards. I leave you now to collect the shattered pieces of my cynicism.
-Mark Reed
Thank you for reading, and for taking the time to leave a comment. I must confess, you really made my day! It’s a thrill to hear that my story could overcome your reservations. 🙂
Sorry for my terrible, terrible english and my not at all cheerful review, but it’s 5:30 in the morning here, I’m not an english speaker, I finished reading like 15 minutes ago (and i’m reading since friday, pausing just for food, sleep and work), and I have pharyngitis. I’m not in my best mood right now.
Your history is probably the best SS/HG I ever read (absolutely original with all the necromancy thing, well written, slow developement of the relationship…) but the end just hit me like a pan in the head. I was expecting a fluffy end. And I found this. Is wonderful in it’s own way (i mean, it’s painfully realistic) but so… depressing. He literally goes through the nine gates of hell and come back just to (eventually) find a pale ghost of his wife was. Sad. Really.
And then I read that there’s a sequel… in hiatus. I feel like someone is mocking on me lol
And i’m completely in love with the format,so visual, much better than the ffnet plain text. And looks not easy to do even if you know html.
Wonderful job.
Your English is not at all terrible! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed my story so much. And I promise that the sequel is not abandoned, I’m just patiently awaiting the return of my Muses!