CoF Remix Part 3
Dec. 5th, 2015 09:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dragonyphoenixEdited on 23 Dec 15 to include Red Satin Doll's most excellent images for the RSVP and the wedding invitation.
Edited on 23 Dec 15 to fix the size of the images.
15 November 2001
Anya,
If this Willow were at all competent, I'd suggest she repair your shop and merchandise, but if a mere memory charm is beyond her skills, I would certainly not trust her with Reparo.
As for your Xander's dalliance, while it can be excused by the erasure of his memories, I can not imagine any circumstances under which I would not immediately recognize the woman I love. However, Xander is not the only young man to have done something idiotic. We all have. He's fortunate in that his idiocy hasn't driven you way. Don't let the mistake of a moment ruin both your lives.
Inform Halfrek that if she ever grants another wish at Hogwarts I will transform her into a ferret and feed her to Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts.
Severus
* * *
* * *
2 December 2001
Cordelia,
None of my wedding books discuss the protocols for inviting your groom's ex to the wedding, but just to be clear, I am not trying to flash my good fortune in your face, no matter what Willow says. It's just that, well, Willow and Buffy, I know they're my friends too, but they feel more like Xander's friends. They've known him for so much longer. Hell, Willow's practically known him forever. And I understand that they're happy for both of us, even if Willow did seem wigged when Xander announced our engagement, but I want someone who's happier for me than for Xander, and I can't explain that to Xander because even I can tell is sounds petty.
I know that you've dated Xander and that makes you possibly not the best choice, but who do I have to choose from? Almost all my Sunnydale friends have been best buds with Xander from before I'd even met him. You, however, are over him which makes you the perfect person to be more pleased for me than for Xander, and also you were my first friend in Sunnydale. I know we had that whole I granted your wish and got you killed in another dimension experience, but I'd like to feel we've both grown beyond that little issue.
Please come to my wedding. I need someone there who knows Xander but likes me more. I am assuming that you do like me more but he almost got you killed, and I know I got you killed in another dimension but in this one I haven't hurt you at all so you do have to like me more, right?
Anya
* * *
6 December 2001
I'll be there. Bringing a date.
Cordelia
* * *
5 March 2002
Dear Mr. Snape,
Hi, I'm Cordelia Chase. You don't know me. I'm writing for Anya. Xander dumped her at the altar and she's in a total state. I'm taking her to LA with me so when you do that owl thing, send it to the Hyperion Hotel. It's at 1481 Hyperion Ave. but from what Anya says the owl doesn't need an address to find her.
I know you have a whole “battling the forces of darkness so you can't leave town” thing going on, but Anya needs her friends right now.
Oh, and I'm supposed to apologize for sending this with Hallie, but demonogram is the quickest way we have to get it to you, so suck it up. Who in this day and age does not carry a cell?
Cordelia Chase
* * *
From: QueenC@angel-inc.com
To: anya@themagicbox.com
Date: Wed, Mar 27, 2002 at 7:23 AM
Subject: To Hell and back again or something like that
So, we're finally back from Quor'Toth. I almost don't want to thank you for helping us get there. That fiery hell-pit of a dimension practically ruined my complexion. We're talking about massive amounts of moisturizer being required, but Angel has Connor back so it was all worth it in the end.
Tell Giles to get stuffed. If he'd wanted you to say in Sunnyhell, he should have gone to the wedding and made Xander go through with it. If Giles is that concerned, he can go back and run the store himself or interview Mike and confirm the kid can handle it. And before you go there, yes, I know you meant for Mike to handle the shop only while you were on your honeymoon, but you did say he knows his magic and after managing a Doublemeat Palace for six months, your shop has to be a step up for him. I think he'll be fine. He's definitely grown as a person. You should have seen that Goth loser look he sported back in high-school. Believe me, we are both grateful he's over that. He's almost cute now.
Speaking of hotties, how is tall, dark, and taciturn? Granted, he could go head-to-head against Angle in a brood fest but get him out of those robes and into a decent outfit, and he'd be worth being seen with. Plus, apparating into Sunnyhell in your hour of need, that didn't suck.
Cordy
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Mar 28 at 7:17 AM
Subject: Re: To Hell and back again or something like that
Severus is pleasant to look at even if I do get to see him only once a week because he thinks it isn't safe to sneak out of Hogwarts. I think he'd make an excellent father, even if he isn't fond of the children at school. They sound like a bunch of troublemakers to me. Severus' children would be quite intelligent, which I do realize would make them more difficult to raise, but I believe it would be worth it.
Not that I'm likely to find out. Severus is still in love with Lily, or he believes he is which amounts to the same thing. I think he's under a curse or maybe not a curse exactly, but he was in a highly emotional state when he was holding Lily after she'd been killed, and there was all that magic running around the room. I think some of that magic zapped Severus, enhancing his love of Lily to protect her son. I'm pretty sure the spell will remain in effect until that Harry Potter boy is safe, which means until their big bad is dead.
I believe that Dumbledore – he was the Headmaster of Hogwarts before Severus – anyway, I believe he knew about the spell but left it in place because it made Severus do what he wanted. I'm glad that Dumbledore is dead. He was very manipulative.
Anya
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Mar 28 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: To Hell and back again or something like that
Maybe it's just as well that Severus thinks he loves Lily. I'm not sure I could handle another wedding, getting my hopes up only to have them dashed like that. If I went through something like that again, think I'd do something desperate.
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Jun 12 at 11:16 PM
Subject: Wizards are stupid. Well, not all wizards. Severus isn't, but most of the others are
I know I haven't written for weeks but it's been so hectic here that it made living on the Hellmouth seem dull. You know how I've been wondering why no one from the wizarding world has come to see how Severus is doing? They all thought he'd died in the battle. Not one of them was smart enough to realize he'd been inoculating himself against cobra venom. Granted, when he apparated to my door – well, his door since I'm renting his home – Severus did look rather dead, but wizards have a high amount of stamina so they should have at least checked. If I hadn't been here to treat him with the anti-venom he'd stashed in his quarters, he would have died. Those idiots weren't even looking for him. They only came because they'd finally traced this house as one of his properties and wanted to assess it.
Well, as you can imagine, I didn't let that miserly little accountant into the house. Do you know what he did? Called the cops on me, wizarding cops, Aurors they're called. They crashed through the doors and wouldn't believe me when I told them Severus was alive. They did apologize afterwards and repaired the doors. Several of those Aurors have been guarding the house night and day because not everyone thinks Severus is a hero. That is distinctly not fair. Severus almost gave his life to defeat that Riddle baddie and people still think he's a traitor? That is so not going to stand and I have made my opinion known to several of these Aurors. I would go directly to the Minister of Magic, but I'm not leaving Severus alone until he's strong enough to defend himself.
Anya
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Jun 17 at 1:31 AM
Subject: Thanks for Buffy
Thank you for sending Buffy. Severus should be much safer with a Slayer in the house. But did you have to send Willow? Not all of those Aurors believe that Severus is a hero and Willow's gone all fascinated with the wizarding world, which should work to protect Severus since he's a wizard, but he's weak and irritable and not making a good impression. I'm afraid she's going to team up with those wizards against him.
Anya
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Apr 18 at 8:15 AM
Subject: I think we'll be okay now
I don't get wizards. Apparently all it took was the word of one young man and now everyone believes, or at least pretends to believe, that Severus is a hero. Obviously he is a hero and the huge snakebites should have convinced anyone but those idiots took so long to find us that the wounds had mostly healed.
Anyway, Harry Potter came to visit. He's the son of Severus' Lily. I didn't get to stay in the room, but Severus looks as if he's let something go or maybe as if something has let him go. Either way, he's better. That Potter boy should have come much sooner. I mean, I'm glad Severus isn't as ill as he's been, but he didn't have to be suffering all this time. He's sleeping now, Severus I mean. Whatever was said between him and Potter, it definitely drained Severus.
Anya
* * *
From: giles@themagicbox.com
To: wrosenberg@sunnydale.edu
Date: Mon 10/21/2002 6:30 AM
Subject: Help!
Willow,
Would you do me a tremendous favor? I'm looking for a text, the definitive work on magical energies, Wilson's The Raising and Dispersal of Sorcerous Forces. I'm specifically looking to determine how long magical forces might remain in effect after a specific spell has backfired. The spell in question would have been cast about seventeen years ago so I'm not holding out much hope.
And I suppose if I've told you that much, I should explain completely. Apparently Severus – Anya's friend. I believe you've met him? – has proposed. Normally this would all be well and good. That girl needs to get back to having a sex life of her own so she can stop criticizing mine. Damn, I can't believe I wrote that. How do I erase on this infernal machine? It just took me seven minutes to get back to this e-mail. Never mind erasing. Not trying that again any time soon.
Anya is concerned that Severus will leave her at the altar as Xander did. She believes that Severus has been loyal, to some woman named Lily and for a good number of years actually, only because he'd been bespelled. If the magical forces are still extant, it's possible I could determine if the spell created Severus' loyalty to this Lily or if the spell only acted up an extant loyalty. If I can prove it is the latter, then I have a chance – I hope! – of convincing Anya that this Severus wouldn't abandon her at the altar.
If you do find my book, get it here as quickly as possible. Anya has not yet acted on her threat to leave Severus and make a home on my couch, but I live in daily dread.
R. Giles
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Oct 23 at 3:19 PM
Subject: Bit the bullet
If you'd meted out as much vengeance to scorned and lovelorn women as I have and then been dumped by your fiance on top of that, you would never have given me that idiotic leap of faith advice. I'm just supposed to assume Severus is unlike every other man on the planet? Do you know what happens when you assume? Never mind. As unlikely as it seems, it turns out you were right.
I had a long talk with Dumbledore. Yes, I know he's dead, but look at how many people we know who've come back, and no, I didn't perform any kind of dark magic. Wizarding portraits and photographs contain the memories of the people they represent. Honeyduke's makes these chocolate frog candies that come with images of famous people, and I found one of Dumbledore. He was very nice to talk to. I learned a lot.
For example, I hadn't known that Dumbledore had told Severus to shop at The Magic Box. It had something to do with a spell and tracking something called a deluminator. I didn't follow it completely but Severus needed Hellmouth-energized herbs to locate that Potter boy and make sure he ended up with some sword. That's hardly the important part. Naturally, since you weren't there, you have no idea how many times Severus insulted The Magic Box and said that I should be grateful he deigned to shop there at all. Well, all the time he was saying those things he had to shop there because he needed herbs energized by my Hellmouth. As you can imagine, after I'd learned that I was ready to move onto Giles' couch right then and there, but Dumbledore told me to stay – not specifically to stay with Severus but to stay and continue our conversation. I'm not sure why I obeyed. I mean, I'm glad I did because what Dumbledore said next means I can marry Severus, but Dumbledore is merely an image on a small trading card. I wish I knew how he manages to be so persuasive. It would be very useful in selling products.
I'm sure I've told you that Severus' obsessive and long-term devotion to Lily was the result of a spell. Ha, I was right. Dumbledore confirmed it. I was worried that the spell had forced Severus to be loyal, which means he wouldn't necessarily be loyal to me or at least that he might not be loyal to me without having another spell put on him, and of course I can't put a spell on the man that I love. Severus is very good at magic. He'd be sure to notice. But Dumbledore said that the original spell, the one that had made him so devoted to Lily, had worked with Severus' existing personality. This means that Severus is naturally loyal and devoted to the woman he loves. So we can go ahead and get married because Severus would never abandon me or cheat on me. Dumbledore didn't put it exactly that way, but that's what he meant.
Anyway, with that and your advice, I have agreed to marry Severus. He was a bit huffy at first because I hadn't accepted him immediately but did understand when I said I was sure I loved him but not if I could trust him. Severus did look a bit askance when I said Dumbledore changed my mind, I'm not quite sure why. I do wish Dumbledore were alive. I'm sure he'd bring a wonderful wedding gift.
I'll talk Severus into apparating me to LA so you can see the ring. Would you be a bridesmaid? We're thinking of having the wedding at the start of Christmas break so we can take our honeymoon during the vacation.
Anya
* * *
From: QueenC@angel-inc.com
To: anya@themagicbox.com
Date: Thu, Oct 24, 2002 at 8:03 PM
Subject: Congrats, but finally!
You bet I want to see the ring. Awww, and thank you for asking me to be a bridesmaid. Of course I will, but only if I get to pick the dresses. You aren't doing to me what you did to Buffy and Willow.
Cordy
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Oct 24 at 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: Congrats, but finally!
What I did to Buffy and Willow? But they loved the gowns.
* * *
* * *
From: anya@themagicbox.com
To: QueenC@angel-inc.com
Date: Jan 29 January at 3:13 AM
Subject: Settling in
You know those Gryffindor students who've been treating me so horribly? It's not that I'm a Muggle at all. It's not even because they think Severus is a traitor. That Potter boy came to the school and gave them all a good talking to. He was very convincing. No, they didn't like me because they think Severus is too difficult an instructor. Given the recent wizarding war, you'd think they'd take Defense Against the Dark Arts more seriously. Well, that was easy to fix. I've let them know that I'm an ex-vengeance demon and that Severus listens to my input when deciding on punishments. They are much nicer to me now.
That's just as well because I'm thinking of opening my main branch of The Magic Box in Hogsmeade. Did you get into the village at all while you were here for the wedding? It's quite charming and full of wizarding shops. Obviously the herb shop in Diagon Alley will sell to the crowd that picks up their supplies before school starts, but I am hoping Professor Slughorn might agree to disclose the Potions supply list after the students arrive at school. I've also been suggesting to Headmaster McGonagall that The Magic Box could be Hogwart's official school supplier. She's very stubborn. I'm sure Dumbledore would have agreed. I have succeeded in convincing Professor Slughorn to teach an advanced class relating to the inclusion of Hellmouth-energized herbs in potions. No shop in London can keep up with me on supplies for that class.
Do you think you could convince Angel to come to Hogwarts when Severus is teaching the students to defend themselves against vampires? Maybe it would work better if you suggested to Angel that he'd be an assistant instructor rather than just a demo. Let me know.
Anya
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2015-12-05 07:23 pm (UTC)Bravissima!
Gabrielle
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Date: 2015-12-05 07:48 pm (UTC)I'm so glad you liked it. *grin*
no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 02:33 am (UTC)I thought
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Date: 2015-12-06 02:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-07 02:18 am (UTC)And, however unusual it may be for you, you’re doing pretty darn well at it.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-07 02:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 05:03 am (UTC)I liked your Snape and how he came through, even once he was no longer writing. Having Hallie deliver messages the few times was a really nice touch; once to have him not like it, the second time to demonstrate how important getting it to him as quickly as possible was.
I do love the fact that Snape completely understands loving someone but not being sure if you can trust them. If anyone can understand that kind of paranoia, it would be him (and Moody).
I honestly really like this.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 02:05 pm (UTC)Cordy came about because, since this is all letters, I needed someone not-in-England once she moved there. *grin*
I also think the first time Anya sends a message with Halfrek it represents a level of frustration. She knows something's wrong, Snape won't admit it, and he's limiting their communication.
Thanks again. I'm really pleased you like it.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 07:46 pm (UTC)P.S. Could you add links from the first chapter to the next, for convenient navigation?
no subject
Date: 2015-12-06 09:41 pm (UTC)Good idea with the links. I've added them in.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-23 06:02 am (UTC)And the graphics look great if I do say so myself; it was a brilliant idea to incorporate them into the story!
I noticed some typos in the story but I don't know how fussed you are about them? the date you added the graphics is given as "23 Jan 15" when you mean December.
and I know I got you killed in another dimension but in this one I haven't hurt you at all so you do have to like me more, right?
*GIGGLESNORT* This line sold me on the story.
I'm afraid she's going to team up with those wizards against him.
That actually sounds like a completely plausible fear.
That girl needs to get back to having a sex life of her own so she can stop criticizing mine. Damn, I can't believe I wrote that. How do I erase on this infernal machine?
AHAHAHAHAHA.....
What I did to Buffy and Willow? But they loved the gowns.</i Keep telling yourself that sweetie. Will there be further chapters or is this the end?
no subject
Date: 2015-12-23 03:52 pm (UTC)Yes, I would want to know about any typos. I'm still posting it on AO3, ff.net, and twisting the hellmouth.
Thanks for pointing out specific lines you like. That's always great to see.
This is the end of the story.
no subject
Date: 2015-12-23 06:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-12-23 08:19 pm (UTC)