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December 30th, 2008
08:48 am - 12 Days of Christmas Day 5 Character Deaths Post 1/4.5
Written for 12 Days of Christmas Challenge
Title: Blessed are The Dead
Author: Localfreak
Fandom: Harry Potter
Ship: Gen, though can be read as implying SS/LE and/or SS/RAB.
Summary: 31st October , 1985 (All Hallow’s Eve). Snape performs his yearly ritual
Warnings for Randomly!Catholic!Snape.
31st October , 1985 (All Hallow’s Eve)
Severus Snape sighed tiredly as he was finally permitted to leave the hall, Filius and Minerva were assisting the house elves in taking down the last of the orange and black streamers whilst Pomona aired the suggestion that they should all go for a night cap in the staff room when Severus took the opportunity to slip away. The quiet of the stone hallways was soothing to his stretched nerves, but did nothing to ease his weariness. The night was not yet over.
Entering his rooms, Severus undid the tight smocking of his outer robes and requested a tea tray from the kitchens. Pouring a cup, he took a fortifying sip before going to his bedroom. His quarters, although small, were compactly built and neatly furnished with dark wood fixtures and numerous book cases. From behind a small collection of travel guides he never used, Severus removed The Box. Bringing it into the living room he set it on the table and opened the catch. With precise movements, he removed a small white candle in a silver holder, a silver Miraculous Medal, that had been his mother’s pride, and three photographs. The first, of Regalus, was a newspaper clipping, a mere scrap of a possession already showing signs of its age; the other two photographs were framed and he set them upright on either side of the candle before lighting it. From one the tired, careworn face of his mother, Eileen Snape (nee Prince- ”and don’t you ever forget that, my boy!”) smiled sadly out at him, from the other a fourteen year old Lily potter, sunlight streaming behind her waved exuberantly, grinning and laughing.
Trying, as usual to ignore the cynical part of him that told him that this was all embarrassing dim-witted drivel and he should stop wasting his time on echoes and go to bed, Severus made the sign of the cross, “In nominee Patris, et fìlii, et Spirìtus Sancti.”
“Lord, I am not worthy to come before you, I am a sinner and I do not believe well or often. My mother had the faith that I could not….could not grasp, through my own faults. You know my heart, you know my faults and I ask that despite these you accept my commendation and prayers for the souls of those who I have loved. For Eileen Snape, Regalus Black and Lily Evans. In your mercy and love blot out the sins they committed through human weakness, and let them be enfolded into your grace and love, to live with you in your eternal kingdom.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei qui tollis peccáta mundi: dona nobis pacem.”
He looked at their different faces, lit by the candle and wished he had more words to give to them, instead of dog-latin and empty silences. The sorrow built up in his throat as he thought of them, all three, and what they had each been to him, and how he had failed them.
“Miserere mei.” he whispered to them, before blowing the candle out.
“In nominee Patris, et fìlii, et Spirìtus Sancti, Amen.”
The smell of hot wax was a small comfort, as Severus drained his tea and headed to bed.
Disclaimer: I don't own them and...yes... I don't know why I decided to make Snape Randomly!Catholic...
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 4.5
Edit: Edited for wrong latin. I entirely blame ms word's automatic spellcheck. Angus Dei indeed. *headdesk* my own fault for my betaing failures!
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Comments:
what they had each been to him, and how he had failed them.
Meep. I hope the Catholicism (random or otherwise) consoles him a little...
I hope the Catholicism (random or otherwise) consoles him a little...
I like to think it does, it might be half-lip-service and dog-Latin but personally I think God would read his intentions well :)
*sees nothing wrong with randomly!Catholic!Snape* I really like this - the way that he cares and yet this is the only way he can show it. Also, the image of the candle flames and the dog-Latin seem very Snape-like, and the prayer is really moving. Great!
:) thank you! Glad you like it.
The Agnus Dei- every time I read it like that I start singing it in Gregorian chant, if you wish I will demonstrate at some point. lol. But yeah, the dog-latin I pretty much nicked off my own prayers and emphasised the latin (as until the end of the 60s-i.e. when Severus was going to hogwarts anyway all masses were in latin,)
Oh. Oh, oh, poor Snape. That was lovely and I love the idea that he was a Catholic - I can totally imagine that for Snape actually, it really makes sense for him. Great fic.
Sometimes I think it does. And then I blame my egotism (they all get to be catholics 'cos I am). I'm glad you liked it! |
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