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joanwilder aka RaeWhit (joanwilder) wrote,
@ 2008-01-04 23:28:00

FIC: "Occam's Razor", Epilogue

Optional Epilogue~~Nineteen Years Later

The Hogwarts Express flew through the misty countryside, the swaying motion long ago putting the lone occupants of the compartment to sleep. Reminiscent of a pieta, the dark-haired wizard was propped up in a corner against the edge of the window, his head hanging forward, his long black hair almost touching the spectacled face of the man in his lap.

They were on their way back to Hogwarts, to darken its doors for the first time in nearly two decades, despite Harry's frequent intentions to visit, always thwarted for some reason or another. Minerva had invited both of them, and as neither of them, due to circumstances that had played out in the interim, worried much these days about recognition or repercussions, they'd decided to make the trip and revisit where it'd all begun, or ended, depending on one's point of view.

When the door to the compartment was violently thrown open, they both startled, Harry sitting up suddenly, while Snape shook his head, then rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Oh. Sorry…I was looking for…." The child stopped, terrified by the glare of one wizard and the fact that they were strangers on the train. Slamming the compartment door, hard enough to make Snape wince and cause Harry to smile, the child was gone.

"If that wasn't the spawn of a Weasley, then I'm a Crumple-Horned Snorkack," Snape muttered as he rubbed his forehead.

"Yeah, you're right, he was." Harry propped his chin atop Snape's shoulder, then ran his fingers along the line of the man's nose. "We have hours to go yet. What would you like to do?"

With a lazy flick of Snape's hand, the blinds snapped shut and the bolt in the lock slid home. He smiled for a moment, then turned his head to speak the words against Harry's lips. "I have an idea…" he said as he slipped his hand to the front of Harry's trousers. "Are you game?"

Harry groaned as he caught the hand and pressed it against himself. "I'm game."

FIN

Credits:

1. 'The Abyss', poem by Charles Baudelaire
2. 'Hollow to a Kindred Spirit', original poem by the author.

(Post a new comment)

	jennfic 2008-01-05 05:23 pm UTC (link)
	I loved this so much when it was originally posted. I still love it. I was just going to skim this time through, and I found myself reading it all over again. Snape and his 'six questions'. And Draco, so lovely as an unwitting Horcrux of a sort, and the bridge. Pity the random Weasley.... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-08 06:48 am UTC (link)
	Wow, I'm so honored that you'd read it again. I'm pleased to hear that you liked Snape's questions, and the little twist with Draco. And I like to think (probably in a pervese way) that there'll always be a Weasley on the Hogwarts Express. Thanks so much for taking time to drop me a line--it's so appreciated. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	morganlefay1958 2008-01-05 11:55 pm UTC (link)
	Oh Merlin!!! This was absolutely spectacular!!!! I do so love a good mystery and I was Not disappointed one bit! I did figure things out early and was hoping all the way that I was right--and I was--Yeah!! Wish I could write mystery like this! It was OOC and canon at the same time, as far as the characters go. Well done!! Your poem was beautiful btw. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-08 06:50 am UTC (link)
	Thanks so much--I'm glad you enjoyed the intrigue and stayed the whole looooong course of it. Glad you liked the poem--I put my heart into it. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

arynwy
2008-01-07 05:52 am UTC (link)

The one thing I have always loved about your stories is the feeling of joy that I'm left with, no matter what twists and turns the tale takes.

I found it interesting that so many of the peripheral characters felt that Harry needed to "do something more" with his life. Kind of ironic, considering he gave up his life to save them all, then helped rebuild Hogwarts - the institution that remains iconic to Wizarding folk everywhere. Just his being there probably got the project completed faster.

The slow buildup of Harry's relationship with Draco, then with Severus were both treats. You made me feel sorry for Draco at the end there.

Thanks again for sharing another wonderful story!

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joanwilder
2008-01-08 06:54 am UTC (link)

I think Harry, in no matter what the circumstances of his survival, would still have the expectations of the wizarding world on his back.

Glad you enjoyed the story--quite a few readers have commented that they would've liked to have seen what happened to Draco. Of course, I didn't go there, but I like to think that his summer with Harry taught him a few things about himself, and that he went on and found his own 'kindred spirit.'

Thanks so much for reading, and for letting me know that you did.

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alliekatgal
2008-01-08 04:23 am UTC (link)

Wonderful, wonderful story. I loved Draco as a piano player, and all the details of Harry's life at Hogwarts and his duties. And Snape. I love that he set up his contigency plan for selfless reasons, and that although he wanted nothing more than to have a second chance to live, and a chance to be with Harry, that he really did nothing to push Harry toward that end. And the poetry!! You own me!

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joanwilder
2008-01-08 06:58 am UTC (link)

Thanks for such thoughtful comments! Since DH sort of tainted Snape's motivations for helping Harry (IMHO), it felt good to paint him a bit more sympathetically. That this time he'd choose to 'die (stay dead)' because it would be for Harry and Draco's good. Of course, being a Snarry writer....

Ah, I'm pleased you mentioned the poem. I wanted so much for it to put across what Harry longed for, but had to hide on paper.

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katbirder
2008-01-08 03:35 pm UTC (link)

I have just finished this story for the second time. I really enjoy long stories that take the time to build characters and show change and growth. This story does that beautifully. I was so disappointed with the treatment of Snape in DH, so I absolutely loved the way Harry needed to apologize to Snape when he first started talking to the portrait. And Snape's difficulty time in doing the same after being brought back to life. The one thing that stuck a slightly off note for me was how easily Harry accepted Snape's killing and the making of the Horcrux. At any rate, a great story - thanks for writing and sharing.

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joanwilder
2008-01-14 09:11 am UTC (link)

You've hit on it exactly--what really disappointed in DH is that Snape has very little actual 'real' time at all. I wanted 'more' of him in the present, and I suspect I wasn't the only one.

I may not have got it across as well as I would've liked, but Harry was fairly horrified over what Snape did in making the Horcrux. Remember that he actually had resigned himself to this being the case before he and Draco actually confronted Snape--their reserach and discussions had just about brought them to the conclusion-- and even then, hearing the explanation from Snape's lips, he was horrified all over again. He understood it, though, but still was distraught over it--one of the reasons that he felt they had to try to 'reinstate' Snape: in a sense, to not have it been in vain, as it turned out that making the Horcrux had been for nothing. Hope that explains it a bit more.

I'm pleased you enjoyed the story, and am humbled that you've read it twice. Thanks so much for that, and for taking time to comment.

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from Kat Denton
(Anonymous)
2008-01-09 04:09 am UTC (link)

Joan, this was such a nice, long, satisfying read! I so enjoyed it. In the insane pace of the holiday season (and Smutmas), I often don't get a chance to savor people's work or give reasoned feedback.

This Harry, more pragmatic than the Harry we know from the books and more introspective, struck a real chord with me. I can see how canon Harry could grow up to be your Harry.

Your Severus is how I wish canon had portrayed him, still harsh and suffering fools not at all, but more thoughtful than bitter.

I feel for your Draco and was hoping (despite the headers) for a threesome - for Draco to make his way back to Harry and Severus - both of whom he has affection for. I do hope he got his happy ending, too.

Again, kudos to you for several lovely nights of reading.

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Re: from Kat Denton

joanwilder
2008-01-14 09:21 am UTC (link)

Hi Kat--so nice to hear from you. Thanks for reading--I felt a bit guilty over the length of this, to be honest, given that there were so many fics being posted, but as is usually the case, unless it's a PWP, my word count is a viral phenomena.

I enjoyed writing a more mature Harry, and a Severus who's had some time to think, to reflect on his life, which he believes is over with no chances left in it.

From the outset, this was a Snarry. I did consider a threesome, but as I developed the relationships, especially the one between Harry and Severus, I knew it wouldn't be possible--Snape would be monogamous, and although Harry might be a bit more experimental, for him, finding his soulmate would make any other sexual partner redundant. I do think, and it was my intention to impart this impression, that Draco's having known Harry would give him a confidence in himself, especially in his chance for finding that kindred spirit of his own. Harry convinced Draco that he could be loved, I imagine.

Thanks so much for reading--I'm glad you enjoyed the long trip--your thoughtful comments are appreciated more than you know.

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magic_helmet
2008-01-11 09:16 am UTC (link)

FINALLY had a chance to sit down and read this to completion.

WHAT a beautiful story!

You know, for some reason, I can totally see Draco being a piano player and Jazz being his tastes. Jazz is the playground of many a young rich man who wanted to scandalize his parents.

The Draco/Harry aspect of it, you had me, yes me, and unrepentant Snarry lover absolutely loving the interactions between these two - and Harry's surfacing back from being a recluse, and actually looking forward to Draco's visits.

I must admit to a tiny bit of confusion in one part though, and that was the resurrection of Snape - did Draco only have to touch the water in order for the soul to be freed? I guess I assumed, because the bat had to die, that any other Horcrux would have to as well. *feels a little sorry for the poor wee bat*

Loved the ending!!!! Loved how the two of them just removed themselves from the hubub, and retired to a seaside cottage. That seems so fitting! They really are well matched, and there was a sense of serenity between them (after the marathon sex, that is)

Poor Mrs. Norris, I bet she missed Harry after he had gone.

This was so YOU! And I'm glad I waited until I had an entire day to just sit and read this from first word to last.

PS - did you finally see Pan's Labyrinth?

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joanwilder
2008-01-14 09:33 am UTC (link)

Heya! I'm so glad you read it and liked it! Yeah, I've had quite a few Snarry people tell me they were initially wary--hell, I was even wary, and I was writing it! When I told my beta reader there would be H/D, I think she might've been sick for days... Hee.

Hmm, Bat didn't have to die--it was Snape's Horcrux, but remember that for the Dark Lord to come back in the ritual in GoF, none of his Horcruxes were affected. Bat was only there because Harry and Draco mistakenly believed that's where the part of Snape's soul resided. Draco wasn't a Horcrux, he was a 'host', much like the Dark Lord took up residence in Quirrell without making him a Horcrux. So in the Forbidden Forest, Snape came to the front of Draco's mind at that precise moment in the ritual, to make him move into the circle, and near enough to the cauldron so that Snape's soul could make that small leap at the critical time.

If Bat hadn't died, Snape would've had to 'undo' that Horcrux at some point. All that was needed was remorse, so it was really economical that the dark magic of the ritual destroyed it for him.

You crack me up--you feel bad for Bat and Mrs. Norris! Me too, though, I'm an 'animal' person.

I really appreciate your review--I figured that a lot of people wouldn't be reading this until after the fest was over, so it's really nice to hear from someone I know who's liked it.

(No, I haven't seen it yet--I'm still waiting for it. I did get to see 'December Boys' which made me cry. Have you seen it? Dan Radcliffe did a nice job.)

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magic_helmet
2008-01-14 10:41 am UTC (link)

No, I haven't seen December Boys. I'm no longer in a city - so we don't get the indy's... I'm DYING to see it though...

I might have to take a little jaunt over to Vancouver. I've heard nothing but good things about it.

Thanks for explaining that about the resurrections scene. That makes perfect sense.... *still feels sorry for poor Bat* I bawled my eyes out when Hedwig died... my eyes were dry for Sirius, but when Hedwig got AK'd I almost fell to the floor in grief screaming "Why JK... WHYYYYYYYY!!!" I once killed a moth in a story I wrote, and I still feel guilty...

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	joanwilder 2008-01-14 10:43 am UTC (link)
	Hey, I once ran over a squirrel with the car, and it wrecked me for a week. Awww, don't feel bad about the moth--you probably saved it from a praying mantis and getting eaten alive.... (we're a sick pair, aren't we?) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	magic_helmet 2008-01-14 10:44 am UTC (link)
	LOL Yes, true, true!!! In the story, Harry squished it. wipes a tear I shouldn'ta made him do that, I should NOT'VE made him do that!!! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-14 10:46 am UTC (link)
	You sound strangely like Hagrid.... Btw, I ♥p your icon. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	magic_helmet 2008-01-14 10:48 am UTC (link)
	Ah thankee, I stalked the icon making crowd begging someone to make it for me... finally they took mercy upon me.... Gosh, are you just going to bed or getting up for work? It's 3 am here so it must be 6 or so your time! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-14 10:51 am UTC (link)
	looks lazily at clock Oh yeah, it's almost six. I'm unemployed now, so there's nothing driving me to go to bed anymore, unless I'm watching the Chinglet. But I should go to bed, I'm starting to get fuzzy. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	magic_helmet 2008-01-14 10:56 am UTC (link)
	I'm actually employed... I start Thursday - just a part time thingy - but oooh is it going to be hard getting up on Thursday morning. Don't have any Pepper-Up you'd be willing to give me, do you? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-14 11:19 am UTC (link)
	Pepper-Up? Double java is my rec. (Reply to this) (Parent)

stellamoon
2008-01-13 10:20 pm UTC (link)

I didn't have time to read this during the fest, and I saw it recced quite a few times, as I'm sure you know. But something in what someone said led me to believe it was sad or angsty in some way, and so I decided not to read it at all. Maybe the need for tissues was mentioned, and perhaps that's what scared me off. However, a couple of online friends urged me to read it anyway, and so I decided to give it a shot.

I have to say it was one of the most beautiful and moving stories I've ever read in my life. And yes, tissues were needed, but I was never sad. Time and time again, the sheer beauty of the moments you descibed on the page were what moved me to tears. This was just an incredible story, and I'm grateful to you for sharing it.

Also, I really loved "Hollow to a Kindred Spirit". That was just beyond lovely. I'm going to save it to read again and again.

On a lighter note; I got a real kick out of your epilogue being titled, "Optional Epilogue~~Nineteen Years Later". JKR should have titled hers the same, as that's how many of us feel about it.

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joanwilder
2008-01-14 09:38 am UTC (link)

(Sniff). Well, your thoughtful words have almost made me cry. The story seemed to strike readers in many different ways--not everyone liked it, I think because it contained two relationships whose strengths lay in different directions.

As magical as their world is, for me the touchpoint of a story is always in its humanity, and how we identify with it. So for your tears, I'm grateful. I did something right, I think.

I'm pleased you liked the poem--it doesn't come as easily to me as prose, and I labored over that one, so thanks.

I'm so glad you ended up back here to read--and thanks so much for taking time to let me know you did--it means so much.

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lalaith_niniel
2008-01-14 07:41 am UTC (link)

This was so lovely. I love the journey of self-discovery that Harry takes here, from lost and adrift to, if not having his feet firmly planted on the ground, to at least being well on his way.

I've been waiting until I had time to properly enjoy this, especially after the reveal when I found out that you were the author, and I'm glad that I did. The hours spent reading this were a joy.

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	joanwilder 2008-01-14 09:42 am UTC (link)
	I'm so glad you ended up here to read, and then stuck with it. This was a new experience for me (smutmas seems to have a way of doing that to me), so it means a great deal to hear that readers who know me liked it. If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be writing Harry/Draco.... Thanks so much for stopping by and letting me know you read--it's appreciated! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	milady22 2008-01-14 09:06 pm UTC (link)
	A magnificent read, thank you! I have no idea how I've managed to miss it before! After your fic and Sansa's I'm definitely developing a kink for portrait!Snape. And even though I'm a OTP person, a fic like this makes me want to get into some Harry/Draco, just to even things out:-) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-17 05:07 am UTC (link)
	The Harry/Draco was new for me, too, and I found, like Snarry, that the dynamics between the two of them would be intriguing. So much potential there, and no age difference or family history to deal with. But I remain true to teh Snarry! I'm pleased you enjoyed it; thanks for sticking through to the end, and for letting me know you read it. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	verdenia 2008-01-15 04:31 am UTC (link)
	Ye gods, this was amazing. I will certainly be cherishing and re-reading... I have a bunch of notes to comment with, but wanted to get this initial praise out to you! ♥! Definitely getting memoried~! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-17 05:08 am UTC (link)
	Hiya! I'm so pleased you took the plunge and read it! And liked it too! Thanks for stopping by, and btw, belated Happy Birthday! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	(Anonymous) 2008-01-16 06:29 am UTC (link)
	Brilliant. I read it all in one setting without even meaning to. Couldn't tear myself away. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	joanwilder 2008-01-17 05:09 am UTC (link)
	Whoa, all in one sitting is quite a feat, and not being able to tear yourself away is one of the nicest things you could tell me. Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for taking the time to tell me. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	szefi 2008-01-22 08:15 am UTC (link)
	I loved it from first word to the last. It was everything I love in fic: brilliant plot, well-written characters, nice length. Thanks you and I'm awaiting your Snarry games fic. Oh and this epilogue was much better than canon, I have to say. (and now I understood your Bat ficlet better, as well, after reading this fic:) (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder
2008-01-22 08:26 am UTC (link)

I must confess that I bit off a bit more than I intended with this story; as time went by and I was writing, I realized how much I had to develop, line up my ducks in a row, for it to be believable and solid. So, it ended up a tad...longer than I initially planned. Oh well, what can I say? Except that I'm gratified by a review like yours, where it's obvious that you appreciate how it all came together.

Thanks so much for staying the course, and for taking the time to comment. It's really appreciated.

I'm outlining my

snarry_games fic right now. A little pimping is in order, I think. GO TEAM DRAGON. ROAAAAARRRRR!!!! See you at the Games!

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tsujton
2008-01-29 01:06 am UTC (link)

You had me at "Pairings: Harry/Draco." ;)

Yes, that is my MOTP (Mostly OTP), but I do love a good Snarry fic and this one was sublime.

I usually review after each chapter, but somehow, I just couldn't. I think that it was because I wanted to BE in the fic (perhaps in the way Harry wanted to be in the portrait), and stopping to think and review would have pulled me from the fantasy. Oh, and what a wondrous fantasy this was!

I also had no idea this was a chaptered fic, but upon reaching the end of chapter 2, I just kept hoping for more an more. I was not disappointed.

This Harry seemed so real and so right to me. Thoughtful, bit of a loner, directionless -- well who wouldn't be after having to live up to and fulfill a Prophecy?

Your Draco made a lot of sense, too. And the things he taught Harry...GBHG! (great big honkin' GUH)

I really LIKED your Snape. He was still his canony, snarky self, but you humanized him -- and in a portrait, no less! Brava!

Yes, I did wish for a threesome, though Draco was so together, I didn't feel too sad for him. You made it clear they loved each other but were not in love. *sigh* (let it go, tsuj...)

I loved that Harry felt Hogwarts wouldn't let him go until the time was right.

I really hated that they killed Bat. I don't say 'needlessly' because when you're an ecofeminist, that's a given.;) At least Harry did express remorse several times over Bat's fate.

Harry's last minute anxiety felt so right. Here he was, about to have that which he most desired. Sommat that had never really worked out so well for him in the past. Fear that he was making undue assumptions speak perhaps to his underlying fear of unworthiness. He carries the weight of those who were lost in the war, despite the fact that it was he who saved everyone else.

If it isn't already obvious: I formally fangirl thee!
*goes to look for other fic by this supremely talented author*

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joanwilder
2008-01-30 03:22 am UTC (link)

Wow, thanks so much for the thoughtful comments! So many of the things you mentioned were things that I worked so hard on--keeping Snape Snape despite his flat existence, building a mature Draco, establishing two believable relationships for a Harry who must come to terms with who he is and what he wants, in the end.

Sorry about Bat, but he had to go anyway, being a Horcrux; you're not the first reader to tell me they were sad about him, though.

I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story, and stuck through till the end. Again, thanks for letting me know!

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torino10154
2008-03-29 03:50 pm UTC (link)

There aren't words of praise high enough to tell you how lovely this story is. I did hope Snape was alive somehow, somewhere although I didn't realize it was a Horcrux until later. I thought the relationships-both Harry's with Draco and Harry's with the portrait were believable-I feared that Draco's transformation wouldn't be complete and he would somehow be a problem rather than the solution he ended up being in the end. The poem was just beautiful and I throughly enjoyed the questions, the last at the perfect moment. I did wonder if Severus influenced Draco more than he let on as you have him repeating Draco's words. Anyway, to make this very long comment short, you've written another excellent and beautiful fic.

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joanwilder
2008-03-30 06:19 am UTC (link)

Yeah, you caught that--his repetition of Draco's words...voicing a thought here and there, was intentional, although I never planned on addressing it. What I wanted to plant in the reader's mind was the possibility that even Snape didn't know...if he'd somehow remotely 'transferred' something to Draco...or vice versa!

I'm so pleased you liked the story. When this was first posted, the reviews were mixed. Some Snarry folks thought it wasn't 'Snarry' enough; some Drarry folks were outraged that Draco and Harry didn't end up together; some folks complained that it was too long. (still scratching head over that one). So your thoughtful comments are really appreciated. This was my first post-DH Snarry, and I'd decided to not ignore the (so-called) fact that Snape was dead, and that took some time....

Thanks for reading!!

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