Let me bring you love from the field:
poppies red and roses filled with summer rain.
To heal the wound and still the pain
that threatens again and again
as you drag down every lover's lane.
Life's long celebration's here.
I'll toast you all in penny cheer.
(Jethro Tull - Songs from the wood)

Tales from the Wood:
•What is this about?• •A Most Important Element in Water• •Exorcism• •Arachne• •Climate Change• •The Vibrator, the Witch and the Painting• •Drabbles• •Master of Deception, My Own Snape Backstory• •Gen Stories• •Tags•
History of Magic
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Jun. 4th, 2008 @ 03:49 pm A map of the Appin Underground area
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Here's a map (sorry, I made it meself and that shows)of the Underground refuge and how it's hidden. Start in the upper right and follow the arrows. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 31st, 2008 @ 01:54 pm AMIEW - Background Info
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This is the place where I'll sum up all the background info for AMIEW. There will be links to maps from Scotland (the route to Thurso, locations of the caves etc.), a map from the Nan Guthan Underground refuge, and more. I'll post them as I make them and sum everything up here.

Here's a map of the Appin Underground area.

And here's a link to a picture of an ice cave. Look at these blues.
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:27 pm AMIEW II - 13. Tactical Dispositions
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.



4.11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins,
but excels in winning with ease.
4.12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.
4.13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes.
Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.
(Sun Tzu, The Art of War, IV. Tactical Dispositions)

"I am quite certain that you are surprised to see me, Mr. Malfoy. Listen to what I have to say, and then I will release you. Do not attempt to escape or harm me in any way; that would not be to your advantage." ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:26 pm AMIEW II - 12. Attack by Stratagem
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.




1. Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.
So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.

2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence;
supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. (Sun Tzu, The Art of War, III. Attack by Stratagem)


Hermione cast stealthy glances at the sleeping man who sat beside her in the passenger seat of an old and battered VW van. His long legs were stretched out as far as the legroom permitted; the seat was pushed back as far as possible, the seatback set to a reclining position. He had his arms crossed over his chest; his face was relaxed, and from time to time, he snored softly.
( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:23 pm AMIEW II - 11. Waging War
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.


5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war,
cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.
7. It's only one thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war
that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.
19. In war, then, let your great object be victory,
not lengthy campaigns.
(Sun Tzu, The Art of War, II. Waging War)



After walking in silence down the passageway for some time, Snape and Hermione reached another underground river and walked along its shore. It had become warmer; the air was very sticky, and although her hair was still damp, Hermione was sweating. The passageway was very narrow now, and more than once, Snape alerted Hermione to a low hanging stalactite or a rock overhang where they both had to stoop not to bump their heads. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:21 pm AMIEW II - 10. Laying Plans
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.



Part II – Initiation

Chapter 10 – Laying Plans

18. All warfare is based on deception.
19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
when using our forces, we must seem inactive;
when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
(Sun Tzu, The Art of War, I. Laying Plans)


"Rennervate!" ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:14 pm AMIEW I - 9. What is right and what is easy
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.




Hermione tumbled out of the fireplace in St. Mungo's and looked around, feeling numb. She wasn't quite certain if anyone else was injured, or worse, but she had heard the Killing Curse and seen Mrs. Weasley fall.

Harry was standing at the side of the room, looking as shocked and horrified as she felt. Her eyes searched for Ron, who stood in a group with his brothers, Ginny, and Fleur. He stood slightly stooped and looked at something in his hand. Hermione walked over and put her arms around him. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:10 pm AMIEW I - 8. It's not much, but it is home
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The usual disclaimers apply

"Oooh, it's another letter from Viktor," Ginny gushed when the owls delivered the morning mail in the Great Hall. Harry continued laughing and joking with Ron and tried to ignore the inquisitive stare from Luna Lovegood. A group of sixth-year Gryffindor girls were grouped around Ginny, oohing and aahing about the frequent mails Ginny received from the Quidditch hero.

Harry could afford to be very relaxed; he was meeting Ginny in the Room of Requirement every day, and no one suspected anything. To the rest of the school, it seemed clear that both he and Ginny had moved on after their break-up. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:07 pm AMIEW I - 7. How Fools Who Love Act
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big thank you goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.


When Hermione was released by Madam Pomfrey the next day, Harry and Ron were already waiting impatiently for her.

"Hermione, do you know where the Marauder's Map is?" Harry threw at her as soon as the door to the hospital wing had closed behind her.( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:06 pm AMIEW I - 6. Expecto Patronum
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.



Three days later, Harry went into the Room of Requirement to retrieve Snape's old Potions book for Hermione. After they had come back from Malfoy Manor, almost all of their time had been spent with Professor McGonagall and other Order members. Everyone had been surprised and disgusted by the careless attitude with which the Ministry had treated the search of Malfoy Manor. The Aurors among the Order had promised to keep a closer eye on such operations in the future, but Harry hadn't been convinced. Order members were powerless when dealing with the wishes and demands of those who frequently made financial 'contributions' to the Ministry. Putting a stop to that preferential treatment of certain individuals would mean that the Minister would have to admit that things like bought favours were rather common. Harry thought that it was more likely that Snape would be spotted tap-dancing on a table in the Three Broomsticks than the Minister admitting that corruption in the Ministry existed. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:03 pm AMIEW I - 5. His talented friends
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.



The next day after lunch, Hermione met Harry and Ron in the common room. They had to start searching for the remaining Horcruxes; as yet, they didn't have anything even remotely resembling a lead.

“Let's go over what we know already one more time, shall we?” Hermione suggested. “Let's try to do it systematically this time; maybe we'll find something we overlooked in the past.”

“You mean, in order of Horcrux creation? Good idea,” Ron said. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 02:01 pm AMIEW I - 4. The Ministry's Mascot
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The usual disclaimers apply

Harry didn't want to make a scene. That's why he let himself be dragged to the dance floor despite being angry and confused. But then Ginny started to explain.

“Harry, do you trust Viktor Krum?”

Harry scowled. “You're not asking for my blessing to go out with Viktor Krum, are you?" ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 01:53 pm AMIEW I - 3. A Little Bit More Love in the World
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A/N This chapter is dedicated to lunafish, who wrote the part between the asterisks (***) for me. It was part of a prize I won from her for a [info]snapeartcontest. Thank you, lunafish!

I also thank excessivelyperky for a roasted plot bunny, which is served in the last section of this chapter.


The next morning, everyone got up late and had a big breakfast in the kitchen. There wouldn’t be lunch, and before the reception in the early afternoon, no other food would be served.

After breakfast, Hermione and Ginny helped each other to get ready because Ginny refused to be assisted by Fleur's relatives. Although she had finally agreed to be one of Fleur's bridesmaids, Ginny had confessed to Hermione that she would rather hex the whole lot than let them help her get dressed and made up. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 01:49 pm AMIEW I - 2. Knew an Awful Lot About the Dark Arts, Snape did.
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.

A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie, and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.


August 10th, 1980

My dear Harry,

This diary is for you. Look at you, how tiny you are. This wizard photograph was taken when you were two days old. Look at your little fists, waving at the camera. And your tiny footprints. Such a handsome little boy.

I will record all your little triumphs and tribulations here, and when you are older, we can look at these pictures and stories together and laugh.

Your mother, Lily Potter ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 01:36 pm AMIEW I - 1. Frogspawn and Teacups
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Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.
A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.


"So, you are interested in magic, too?" Sabrina said with a bright smile. She was a rather pretty girl with long brown hair that was tinted red with henna. Her fashionable jeans and top were decorated with a multitude of necklaces and with tiny pearls of semi-precious stones, crystals and silver amulets. The silver bracelets on her wrists were jingling with every movement, and her perfume had slight patchouli overtones; it wasn't unpleasant, but persistent. She looked like a Muggle version of Sibyll Trelawney. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 28th, 2008 @ 01:30 pm AMIEW I - Prologue
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While hunting for Horcruxes with her friends, Hermione learns surprising facts about Snape's past. Will that change the way she thinks about him?


Disclaimer: Nothing you recognize belongs to me. Just borrowed. Will be returned. Snape is welcome to stay, though.
A big Thank You goes to my beta-reader, Maggie and my beta-reader and brit-picker, Melusin, who both are always encouraging, helpful, and thorough.



A Most Important Element in Water

Part I - Separation

Prologue


The night was warm, quiet, and very dark. The salty air felt sticky, and no sound was heard except for the occasional hoots of ship sirens and the soft lapping of the waves against the rocks of the shore. A multitude of holes covered these rocks like pockmarks; some were large, some small, and some gaped like the toothless mouth of an old giant. Some of these mouths were barely more than rock overhangs, but others opened up to cave systems formed by labyrinths of passageways and large cavities.

In one of these large cavities, a tall, thin man with a bald head, red eyes, and a flat, reptilian nose stood motionless, staring at a man in black robes laying prostrate in front of him. Other people, wearing hooded robes and silver masks, surrounded them keeping a respectful distance. ( Read more... )
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Mar. 19th, 2008 @ 01:50 pm AMIEW Chapter List
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Summary: While hunting for Horcruxes with her friends, Hermione learns surprising facts about Snape's past. Will that change the way she thinks about him? May contain DH spoilers. AU after HBP. **Winner** Order of Merlin, Third Class, OWL Awards 2007 for Action/Adventure.

This is my version of book 7. It was plotted after HBP and should have been finished before DH, alas, I only have limited time for writing, and so this story now is firmly AU.

AMIEW won an OWL Award in 2007. I'm so proud... :D





( Read more... )
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