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mini_fest_mod ([personal profile] mini_fest_mod) wrote in [community profile] mini_fest2009-12-08 01:50 am

fic: Auld Lang Syne

Title: Auld Lang Syne
Author: [livejournal.com profile] torino10154
Disclaimer: The characters in this fic are not mine. They are the creations of JKR.
Rating: G
Warnings: None.
Characters/Pairings: Minerva McGonagall; Severus Snape
Prompts: 16: Gift giving at midnight, 51: Auld Lang Syne
Summary: Minerva receives a surprise Christmas gift.
A/N: Thank you to my betas, J and J. Happy Holidays!

Indulging in her years old Christmas Eve ritual, Minerva took a sip of her whisky, the amber liquid burning its way down her throat.

This Christmas was different, though, from the last few. This would be the first in the new era, finally without the threat of Voldemort hanging over their heads. Just cause for celebration, to be sure, but so many had been lost...on both sides. The ache was still fresh, even though it had been over six months since the final battle. What was six months when you'd known some of the casualties for six years or sixteen or even sixty?

She was so proud of Potter, her Gryffindors, and the rest of the houses.

Even Slytherin.

Especially Severus.

She thought back on the previous year, when he had served as Headmaster. Oh how she had despised him, how she'd defied him. Even during the battle, the words Potter had spoken in Severus's defence hadn't registered; it had been too much to take in all at once. Potter later confirmed it for her, although he'd refused to allow anyone to see memories in a Pensieve. It was all true—the man had had a brave heart.

If only she'd known.

She sighed as she recalled the holiday tradition they'd begun his second year teaching. She'd bought him a bottle of Ogden's Old. He'd claimed to have personal reasons for preferring it to her usual Glenlivit, but never explained what they were. He'd bought her a bottle of the aqua vitae and a tin of her favourite biscuits.

Even last Christmas, he had bought her the customary gift, but she'd refused to accept it. His face had remained inscrutable; although, his eyes had flashed with emotion for only a moment.

Looking up at the clock on the mantel, Minerva noted it was very nearly midnight. She refilled her glass, intending to drink to her former colleague.

Just as the clock struck its final note, a house-elf popped into her presence.

"Headmistress," the elf squeaked. "Mipsy is meant to give this to you on Christmas." The creature handed her a bottle of whisky and a scroll of parchment. With shaking hands, she unrolled the scroll.

Minerva, it began, and she gasped—she knew that handwriting. She was fortunate her armchair was directly behind her or she might have ended up on the floor. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, then opened them and began again.

Minerva,

I believe you have been looking for this for some time.

Unbeknownst to you, I have always remained,
Your humble servant,

Severus


Looking at the label more closely, her eyes widened. A forty-year-old Bruichladdich. She and Severus had argued over many a glass about which was the best whisky, with him always favouring the Glenfiddich and her, the Bruichladdich.

"Is there anything else mistress requires from Mipsy?" She shook her head, unable to speak, and the elf popped away.

Clearly, one of Severus's very last acts had been to arrange this gift for her. He knew he wouldn't live to see this Christmas, she thought, overwhelmed with emotion.

She wrapped a blanket around herself, settling down on her sofa, glass in hand, to drink to the memory of a brooding but brave young man she'd once had the honour to have known.

[identity profile] veritas03.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Very moving. I really liked this. *raises glass*
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[identity profile] forest-rose.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
This is lovely, really bittersweet and moving. I love both Minerva and Snape, and you've captured them really well here.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I do love to imagine the sort of relationship Severus and Minerva might have had.

[identity profile] asnowyowl.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
*sniffle*

I hope wherever Severus is in his afterlife, he knows Minerva would never again turn down a present from him.

Beautiful, sad, and moving.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
Aw, thank you. I can't even imagine how difficult that last year was for both of them.

[identity profile] keppiehed.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I can't stand it! It just kills me, it is so poignant! Very well done. I still feel the prick of regret from McGonagall, even now...
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much for the lovely comment. I do think Minerva would carry a bit of regret with her-their parting was certainly not amicable to say the least.

[identity profile] kellychambliss.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I love MM/SS as a pairing -- romance, friendship, whatever. I like the way you show that their relationship, however difficult, was based on mutual respect. What's so powerful is the sense of how much of a loss Severus is. I feel like raising a glass to both of them.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you for your kind comment. Especially as I think of you as nearly an "expert" on the pairing. :) I'm so glad this little piece worked for you.

[identity profile] werewolfsfan.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I enjoyed this bittersweet tale very much. It feels in character for both professors.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I'm so pleased you found them to be IC.

[identity profile] flaminia-x.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, very bittersweet indeed. I love the dynamic between these two characters more and more these days, and this was especially lovely.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I, too, am finding these two very intriguing-whether in a gen piece or as a pairing.

[identity profile] lurkerfromoz.livejournal.com 2009-12-08 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, how sad.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] rebism.livejournal.com 2009-12-09 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, this is sweet but sad. Poor Minerva. Poor Severus.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. *cuddles them*

[identity profile] therealsnape.livejournal.com 2009-12-10 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
How absolutely perfect.
Snape's final gift ...
I love SS/MM stories, and this is a particularly fine one.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
What a lovely comment! Thank you so much. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it.

[identity profile] bylby.livejournal.com 2009-12-14 07:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Very beautifully written!
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:19 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much.

[identity profile] red-day-dawning.livejournal.com 2009-12-23 12:37 am (UTC)(link)
This is wonderful - I wish I had written it. It says so much in so few words, without flourish or excess - it really is beautifully written and very evocative.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, Red, you have no idea how much I wanted to reply to this comment!! You are far too kind. But thank you so very much. *hugs*

Re: mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[identity profile] red-day-dawning.livejournal.com 2010-01-03 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I feel like a twit - I had no idea who the author was! And it was sheer luck I read it - I didn't have the time to read all the min-fest entries.
I'm particularly bad at guessing who a writer might be. Unless the writer has a *really* obvious trait repeated through all their work, I never have a clue! It makes me pleased that it was your story I liked so much, though. I was so envious after I had finished reading it - so much contained in so few words.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (Pink Lotus)

Re: mini_fest: Auld Lang Syne

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't feel bad, hon! How on earth could you have guessed? I think it's quite different from the sort of thing I normally write (it's gen, it's angsty). I too am terrible at guessing authors (I never do those guessing games as I just fail completely).

I am totally thrilled you enjoyed it. :D I knew right away what I wanted to write for this fest and finished it before I started the other longer fics I did this season.

[identity profile] joanwilder.livejournal.com 2010-01-03 06:18 am (UTC)(link)
I really loved this. There's just something about Snape's entire last year, knowing the only people (few that they were) who'd ever half-believed in him finally thought him a traitor. That reminiscence where Minerva refuses his gift put a lump in my throat. And I do like it when wizards 'speak' from beyond the grave. How satisfying, and bittersweet, for Minerva. Well done!
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-03 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much. It really is almost too hard to think about-I just know Minerva would regret their parting once she knew the truth. I think of everyone, Severus really did get on with Minerva better than most and so she would be the one he'd single out for a posthumous gift.

fan-girling you...

[identity profile] red-day-dawning.livejournal.com 2010-01-16 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Because I loved this story so much, I've recc'ed it here at IJ's snapedom (http://asylums.insanejournal.com/snapedom/257164.html).
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (Good Book)

Re: fan-girling you...

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-16 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much, Red! *hugs*

Re: fan-girling you...

[identity profile] red-day-dawning.livejournal.com 2010-01-16 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome!
ysilme: Close up of the bow of a historic transport boat with part of the sail. (Default)

[personal profile] ysilme 2010-01-23 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Well done! Quite a sad and moving story.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-24 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you.
drachenmina: (bipolar)

[personal profile] drachenmina 2010-01-23 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Waaaaaaaahhh! *bawls*

No. No, he is alive, and sent it himself. *nods vigorously, and takes another dried frog pill*
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (Afterlife)

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-01-24 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
I take such pride in knowing I've reduced you to tears. *g* Thank you!

[identity profile] conzieu.livejournal.com 2010-05-14 09:45 am (UTC)(link)
I was just looking for something short to get my Minerva/Severus fix.
This is so much more.
In a few sentences you open a window onto what that last year must have been like for Severus, alienated from anyone he ever cared about, and fairly certain that he would die without being redeemed in their eyes.
"Unbeknownst to you, I have always remained,
Your humble servant,"
It broke my heart, and I can only empathize with Minerva,whom I believe would feels this so keenly.
Lovely writing, marvelously kind to the characters.
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (abandoned boys)

[personal profile] torino10154 2010-05-14 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I really feel like especially between Severus and Minerva that last year would have been so magnificently painful and I always wonder how both of them felt about it. This scene really wrote itself, just flowed out of me as I imagined how Minerva would feel once she knew, and perhaps, she might have been the one person Severus would have regretted not being able to make amends with in life.

[identity profile] paulamcg.livejournal.com 2020-11-30 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
It's so beautiful how you let Minerva get this gift and message, and let us mourn the brooding but brave young man together with her. A very belated kudos!
torino10154: Cropped Hufflepuff crest (Hufflepuff)

[personal profile] torino10154 2020-12-01 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, thank you so very much for the lovely comment as well as reminding me of this wee ficlet. I have such a soft spot for Minerva and Severus's relationship and I can only imagine how difficult that last year was for both of them.