I don't know why, but those last two paragraphs made me tear up a bit. I guess it just strikes me as so awful that Snape would have to be this heartless to his own son. :(
On the other hand, several parts made me smile as well, especially the first paragraph. :) I also like the fact that Snape pulled one over on Bellatrix; what outrage she must have felt carrying Snape's child to term, lol! Anyway, for both their sakes, the child's and the father's, I hope canon!Snape didn't have children. (We'll leave that to fanon!Snape. :)
I've got Ophiuchus on the brain, which is why I wrote this letter, and I keep wondering why Severus didn't just brew an abortifacient as he very easily could have. Was it to torture Bella in his turn, or did he really give a damn about any child of his? It's interesting to think about that now, after canon's close, because it makes me remember how I felt when I wasn't certain of Snape's character.
To echo one of arynwy's comments during beta, I think he's done the kid a favor, even though I can't imagine Ophiuchus will think so at ten.
Oh, I do like the idea of this boy and his conception, and despite his denial, Snape still feels enough responsibility to try and protect the boy having been instrumental in his being brought into the world.
one of Bellatrix's sisters As Andromeda would already have married Tonks and given birth to Nymphadora, would Bellatrix have allowed her to be present when she gave birth, especially if she planned infanticide? Was it Narcissa that saved the child? It would give another aspect to how swiftly Snape accepted the Unbreakable vow in front of Bellatrix, wouldn't it?
Hmm, does that make Ophiuchus too young to have accompanied the Durmstrang contingent during the Triwizard competition, or would a tall but younger boy have gone unnoticed in the shadow of the champion? Apart from the Dark Lord, what else had Snape and Karkaroff hissing angrily at each other?
I'm still thinking about why Severus would have allowed his son to be born; I'm fairly certain that he doesn't know, himself, and that the answer is complicated.
arynwy and I were talking about this, and in my mind, I think it's Andy; there are several ways by which she would have been known to him, and I don't see a young Narcissa, whose husband is in charity with the Dark Lord, helping Severus as much as I do an Andromeda who knows what it is to have a child hunted, as her daughter (and she and Ted) must have been-but part of me can wrap my head around Narcissa helping to shield her nephew, as well.
I don't know that anything could have compelled Igor to bring young Ophiuchus to Hogwarts during the tournament; Severus persuaded him to take Ophiuchus in and keep him safe upon pain of something, after all, and Igor has never struck me as being particularly brave
( ... )
I now read that it was one of Bella's sisters that helped him, but not that she was present at the birth. So another (not so fanatical) relative or someone that grew up with the sisters acting as midwife and agreeing to 'remove' the child, but instead passing it to a fondly-remembered Andy perhaps? Timing-wise, wouldn't Narcissa be pregnant or a new mother herself? Her mothering instinct seems to far outweigh her fear of the Dark Lord later in life.
I was thinking more that Igor could have brought Ophiuchus as a bit of pressure to make Snape protect him (Igor) to ensure the boy was safe. A distant, unknown child is less leverage than one you have met.
Whatever, I hope you haven't entirely worn out the Ophiuchus bunny, I'd be interested in knowing a bit more about him (or his effect on other characters)
Timing-wise, wouldn't Narcissa be pregnant or a new mother herself? Her mothering instinct seems to far outweigh her fear of the Dark Lord later in life.
Excellent points. I'll think on them. It's possible that the Black sisters worked together (even married, I doubt that one ever ceases to be a Black).
I like your idea about Igor; I was thinking something like it, myself, in terms of the idea that neither Severus nor Igor would do anything without getting something in return. Canonically, neither one of them is selfless.
The bunny is hopping healthily along. I just wish it weren't such a big bunny, you know?
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On the other hand, several parts made me smile as well, especially the first paragraph. :) I also like the fact that Snape pulled one over on Bellatrix; what outrage she must have felt carrying Snape's child to term, lol! Anyway, for both their sakes, the child's and the father's, I hope canon!Snape didn't have children. (We'll leave that to fanon!Snape. :)
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To echo one of arynwy's comments during beta, I think he's done the kid a favor, even though I can't imagine Ophiuchus will think so at ten.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. :D
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one of Bellatrix's sisters As Andromeda would already have married Tonks and given birth to Nymphadora, would Bellatrix have allowed her to be present when she gave birth, especially if she planned infanticide? Was it Narcissa that saved the child? It would give another aspect to how swiftly Snape accepted the Unbreakable vow in front of Bellatrix, wouldn't it?
Hmm, does that make Ophiuchus too young to have accompanied the Durmstrang contingent during the Triwizard competition, or would a tall but younger boy have gone unnoticed in the shadow of the champion? Apart from the Dark Lord, what else had Snape and Karkaroff hissing angrily at each other?
I like the ideas this generates :)
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arynwy and I were talking about this, and in my mind, I think it's Andy; there are several ways by which she would have been known to him, and I don't see a young Narcissa, whose husband is in charity with the Dark Lord, helping Severus as much as I do an Andromeda who knows what it is to have a child hunted, as her daughter (and she and Ted) must have been-but part of me can wrap my head around Narcissa helping to shield her nephew, as well.
I don't know that anything could have compelled Igor to bring young Ophiuchus to Hogwarts during the tournament; Severus persuaded him to take Ophiuchus in and keep him safe upon pain of something, after all, and Igor has never struck me as being particularly brave ( ... )
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I was thinking more that Igor could have brought Ophiuchus as a bit of pressure to make Snape protect him (Igor) to ensure the boy was safe. A distant, unknown child is less leverage than one you have met.
Whatever, I hope you haven't entirely worn out the Ophiuchus bunny, I'd be interested in knowing a bit more about him (or his effect on other characters)
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Excellent points. I'll think on them. It's possible that the Black sisters worked together (even married, I doubt that one ever ceases to be a Black).
I like your idea about Igor; I was thinking something like it, myself, in terms of the idea that neither Severus nor Igor would do anything without getting something in return. Canonically, neither one of them is selfless.
The bunny is hopping healthily along. I just wish it weren't such a big bunny, you know?
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Thank you for sharing.
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