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webmistresses (webmistresses) wrote in severus_sighs,
@ 2010-02-11 23:52:00

Entry tags:

event: anti-valentine's day 2010, ficlet, member: alisanne, pairing: severus/harry, rating: pg

A Fond Farewell by Alisanne
Title: A Fond Farewell
Author: alisanne
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Rating: PG
Word Count: +/-600
Warnings: Angst.
Summary: Severus says goodbye.
A/N: Written for the severus_sighs Anti-Valentine's Day challenge. Thank you to sevfan for beta-reading and, as always, nothing you recognize is mine.

~

Prompt 4: Severus took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his heart breaking.

~

Severus took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his heart breaking. Immediately, he felt Harry’s hand slip into his and he sighed, deriving strength from his husband’s touch. I can do this. I must do this.

Squeezing Harry’s hand once, Severus released it and stepped forward, facing the gathered crowd. Casting a wandless Sonorus, he began to speak. “Thank you all for coming today.

“Mother would have been pleased to see you all here, although she would also probably have scolded you for turning out in this weather.” He glanced up at the grey sky as he spoke, tone ironic.

Several people smiled and nodded at his words.

“As most of you know, she was in ill health for a long time, but she did live to see me, her only son, survive the war and receive the Order of Merlin. I believe she was proud of me, and I know I am proud of her.”

Glancing towards Harry, Severus’ lips compressed into a thin line. “I suspect she never expected to live long enough to see me happily married, so the fact that she did was a miracle to both of us.”

Harry, uncaring of the spectators, smiled and blew a kiss to Severus, making him raise an eyebrow and shake his head. “So, thank you all again for coming. That her funeral is today, Valentine’s Day, is fitting, since she loved her family and wizarding society deeply and with great devotion.”

Stepping away from the podium, Severus cancelled the Sonorus and reclaimed Harry’s hand. “Home?” Harry whispered.

Severus shook his head. “No, I need to greet everyone.”

Nodding, Harry retreated, but kept his hand on Severus’ back, and while he allowed space for people to approach Severus and give their condolences, he was never far away, his presence a solid anchor Severus could feel sustaining him.

And Severus would need it. Representatives of the Prince family were the first to approach, and, with Harry there, Severus didn’t even blink as people who hadn’t said more than ten words to him in his life suddenly wanted to reminisce about Eileen Prince. He simply smiled insincerely and nodded, concentrating on the warmth of Harry’s hand. He had long ago given up on the Princes after all.

Next came some of the Snapes. Severus had little time for them either, although he did listen politely as an old woman said she’d always known Severus would be ‘a good’un.’ As she’d been the same one to urge his father to beat the ‘oddness’ out of him, Severus wasn’t inclined to dignify her with a smile. He breathed a sigh of relief when she moved on.

Next came friends, very few of whom had actually known Eileen. He tended to keep his personal life and his career separate, after all, not the least because it made people vulnerable, although now that Voldemort was gone, he supposed that was no longer the case. Old habits died hard, however. Until Harry, he’d never entertained the idea that anyone who knew the whole of him could love him.

“All right?” Harry asked.

“I’m fine.” Squaring his shoulders, Severus greeted the rest of the people who had come to see his mother off, and as mist swirled around them he felt as warm as if he were home in bed. Harry’s influence, he realised. More evidence of his caring.

Yes, Severus thought, leaning against Harry as the faces of the mourners and their murmured condolences blended into one. My heart may be breaking, but I have the cure right here.

~

(Post a new comment)

	magialuna 2010-02-12 06:07 am UTC (link)
	Wow... so sad but really lovely. As always your descriptions are lovely and really make me see the story. Thanks so much for sharing! Clare (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 10:44 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you, hon! Yes, very sad for poor Severus, but I suspect it was her time, and she did manage to see Severus married and happy and lauded as a hero, after all, so that was something. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	accioslash 2010-02-12 06:11 am UTC (link)
	Oh, my heart can't decide if it's breaking or not. Poor Severus. Thank goodness he has Harry to help him through this. sniffle (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 10:45 pm UTC (link)
	cuddles Yeah, everything is better when there's a Harry to hold, isn't it? :) Thank you, dear! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	atypicalsnowman 2010-02-12 07:01 am UTC (link)
	This does break the heart a bit, but there's that wistful feeling too. The knowledge that someone's right next to you, sharing it makes it bittersweet. An excellent ficlet, darling. Thank you so much. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:03 pm UTC (link)
	Aww! Yeah, I suppose it does, but as you say, it's more a bittersweet feeling than full on angst, especially since Eileen did live to see her son married and settled. cuddles him Thank you, dear! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	calanor 2010-02-12 07:04 am UTC (link)
	For a moment.. I thought you kilt off Harry.. whew Lovely but sad... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:07 pm UTC (link)
	Ahahahah! Me? Dude, when have I ever done that? ;) pets Thanks, sweetie! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lemondropseven 2010-02-12 07:14 am UTC (link)
	Oh, very sad and sweet. Lovely story. LD7 (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:11 pm UTC (link)
	hugs Severus Yeah, sad. Yet he has his Harry, so all will be well. :) Thank you, my dear! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ex_lilyseyes671 2010-02-12 08:48 am UTC (link)
	I love the warm mist and Harry's quiet support - giving Severus what he needs to get through this day. sniffs Just wonderful, darling! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:17 pm UTC (link)
	hugs you Yeah, Harry and his wordless support was just what Severus needed, poor baby. Thanks, darling! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	fancypantsdylan 2010-02-12 10:31 am UTC (link)
	aww poor Severus but at least he had Harry there for strength and comfort. Beautiful honey. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:20 pm UTC (link)
	nods Exactly. Poor boy. cuddles him Thanks, sweetie! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	torino10154 2010-02-12 12:46 pm UTC (link)
	Beautifully done, my dear. Would that everyone had such a sturdy anchor at times like these. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:21 pm UTC (link)
	sigh So true. cuddles them both Thanks, honey! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hambares 2010-02-12 01:58 pm UTC (link)
	Very sweet. And so good Severus knows who will fix his heart. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:22 pm UTC (link)
	Oh yes. I suspect Harry is the only one who can. Thanks, dear! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	snarrylover 2010-02-12 02:04 pm UTC (link)
	How depressing to have that on Valentine's Day, but I love the support that Harry is showing. It's not ostentatious, but still obvious, at least to us. Love the story! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:23 pm UTC (link)
	Quiet and unyielding support is exactly what Severus needs now, and Harry is perfect for that. pets them Thank you so much! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hpstrangelove 2010-02-12 02:39 pm UTC (link)
	Both sad and happy at the same time - great job. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:25 pm UTC (link)
	Awww, thanks, sweetie! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	whitecotton 2010-02-12 03:08 pm UTC (link)
	I'm glad I have a hankie handy, as that went straight to my stone heart. Lovely! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:27 pm UTC (link)
	Awww! Is it bad that I'm smiling that I made you sniffle? :) Thank you so much! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sra_danvers 2010-02-12 03:17 pm UTC (link)
	Sometimes I wonder myself if the plots are endless, so sad and with fear, because I love fandom. But then I read your daily stories, and you ever manage to surprise me. I read some fics with Elileen Snape, but I never thought a Snape older with his mother alive. I loved to see Harry supporting him... As usual, you moved me with your words... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:30 pm UTC (link)
	blushes You are always so kind to me, dear! I do try not to be too repetitive in my stories, and it's lovely that you notice. smooches As for Harry, he lives to support his Severus, bless him. :) Thank you, honey! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sra_danvers 2010-02-13 08:33 am UTC (link)
	Thanks to you, dear, I value so much your daily gifts. When I'm blue, I know always can cheer up with your stories... (Reply to this) (Parent)

	accio_kilt 2010-02-12 03:41 pm UTC (link)
	Oh so sad!! But at the same time so warm and loving... (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:31 pm UTC (link)
	Aww, thank you so much, sweetie! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	faeryqueen 2010-02-12 04:56 pm UTC (link)
	So sad. But it's nice to think that perhaps Severus' mother was still alive and that she could see the man he became. A wonderful story. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:32 pm UTC (link)
	nods Exactly. Sad, but joyful nonetheless. :) Thank you, my dear! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sexyseverus 2010-02-12 08:15 pm UTC (link)
	Having lost family members right at holidays, this really hit home. I could completely understand Severus' feelings. And Harry's quiet support was the perfect way to show his love for Severus. Wonderful story. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-12 11:33 pm UTC (link)
	hugs I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for your kind comments. And yes, I do love depicting quiet love between these two. cuddles them (Reply to this) (Parent)

	dementordelta 2010-02-13 04:19 am UTC (link)
	Awwwww! This is so poignant and sweeet! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-13 04:56 am UTC (link)
	hugs you Aww, thank you, dear! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sweetmelodykiss 2010-02-13 04:44 am UTC (link)
	Aw, so sad and so beautiful. Just lovely! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-13 04:56 am UTC (link)
	smishes you Thank you, Melody! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	torina_archelda 2010-02-13 05:59 am UTC (link)
	bittersweet sigh This is lovely. I feel terrible that Severus is having to go through losing his mother... But at the same time you've shown so well that he's got a bright future with Harry, and that together they can overcome this. Thanks so much for sharing! ~Torina (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-15 12:29 am UTC (link)
	Yeah, it is tragic, and yet he has Harry to help him through it. :) Thank you for commenting, hon! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ex_kuro333 2010-02-17 12:04 pm UTC (link)
	To lose a loved one is hard, but on Valentines' when it was supposed to be about you and your significant other? Tragic. I'm just glad that Harry's with him! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	alisanne 2010-02-18 05:33 am UTC (link)
	I suspect Harry's the only reason Severus is still upright at this point. hugs them both Thank you! (Reply to this) (Parent)