Severus Snape / Molly Weasley: Getting The Job Done - Always

[vampiricduck]

Post Halloween Party Interview

The party was over. As the embers faded in the fireplace of the Burrow and the last guest (a very giddy member of the Sirius campaign clutching some Butterbeer, though we’ll not say who) left, a collective sigh broke out and every member of the group flopped into a seat, a couch, or in one particular case, the cat.

We all thought the party had been an outstanding success- but there was one thing more to do. The Professor and Molly had taken a day off from talking politics and campaigning, and were currently finishing with the remaining guests outside the Burrow. They were to return to us soon, to talk to us once more before the day of days.

We could hear Mrs Weasley discussing with Neville the properties of the plant he bought her, and some of the team could see an amused Professor Snape discussing nargle infestation with Luna outside the window. Sirius was speaking with Harry while Ron chatted with Hermione, Neville and Mrs Weasley. Professor Flitwick ambled out of the yard with Arthur- off to the Hog’s Head for a quiet drink while Mrs Weasley was busy, and slowly but surely, Cedric, George and Bill also drifted in the same direction, each bidding Mrs Weasley and Professor Snape a fond farewell, waving to us waiting in the living room and passing on their thanks for the leftovers we had given out.

Just as the room dimmed to a dull grey, someone thought to poke the embers in the grate and one or two very diligent others began picking up the rubbish left over from our one week rave in the Burrow. This, it was quickly found, was a futile exercise that would require extreme magical skill to fix. As new, vibrant red and orange flames began to warm us again, we all considered how wonderful Molly had been to let us stay here, for one whole week, and how brilliant it was that Professor Snape joined in the fun. The prestigious guests that arrived were well greeted and everyone had more than enough to eat- the comment was passed by one member of the team that a certain duck suit might not fit next year- but the party was, we all felt, a resounding success.

Our eyes were glazing over slightly and there was a quiet sense of achievement in the room. The few conversations taking place were about family, and friends. Campaigning had left our minds temporarily- until, right on cue, the Professor himself re entered the front door and nodded at us all waiting. Molly followed him into the house quickly, but disappeared into the kitchen.

The Professor spoke to zgirnius and snapegirl about the importance of inter departmental cooperation for a few minutes, but when Molly came with a floating tray laden with tea, coffee and some biscuits, the conversation stopped while we helped ourselves. As soon as everyone had warm tea or coffee, we all began to relax, and the interview- the last interview with us as a team- truly began.

Boushh: Do you feel the party was a success? Did you have a good time?

MW: Yes my dear, I thought it was a wonderful success! And my Birthday was also celebrated, which was a big surprise for me! I’m glad that Severus and I took time off over the week to come to the event. I know that members of the Witches Institute came along and showed some new jumper designs and I’m quite looking forward to opening the many presents and cakes I received!

SS: I was very pleased with the party and I think it allowed everybody to make new acquaintances. It was a good way of calming down during the election process- Though Miss Zgirnius’ continuous nail biting might indicate the contrary. I quite enjoyed myself.

Sly_Lady: What were the highlights of the party for you?

MW: Well, for me personally, my highlight was dancing with Arthur, which is a favourite pastime of ours... What a wonderful surprise it was for me to see him all dressed up and ready to dance on my birthday! We haven’t had time to do that for ages, what with the elections!

SS: Speaking of dancing... I see photographs have been taken for posterity. I perhaps will not be dancing again, but I must admit that it was all quite an enjoyable experience. We were honoured with the arrival of old acquaintances too.

zgirnius: May we have an update on A Jumper for Every Child? Do you have any stories to share?

SS: It has certainly been a big success, which we are very proud of. I’m very happy to know that it will continue on beyond these elections, since the cause is such a good one to donate time to. Just a few days ago, some new designs were made up by the WI, and there are more designs coming every day. We are also receiving quite a large wave of support and there are new members joining the institute every day.

MW: And we have received many letters from children the Charity has so far helped. I love to read them- I can feel how happy they are with their small gifts. In some cases, these are the only gifts those children will receive, and I’m so happy that we made such an impact with “Jumper”. It seems that our integration programme is at work already- regardless of whether we are elected or not.

Annielogic: How have your stops on the campaign trail been going?

SS: We’ve found ourselves talking to many people in many different walks of life over the past few weeks and in our travels, we’ve also found new contentious issues and a lot of support for our team, most notably when we have spoken to many teenagers going to Hogwarts School, to see what they think of the developments in the campaign.

MW: That’s true. It’s been an absolutely pleasure to get to know them better- and don’t think we stopped there! We have spent a lot of time with the elderly witches and wizards who are not to be underestimated or undervalued within our society. These are the people who know our history because they saw it happening, and they are to be valued rather than forgotten. We also took trips through Diagon Alley and through Hogsmeade talking to the man on the street to get to know more about those people we most seek to serve. The questions we answered were difficult but very thought provoking, and we were more than happy to receive them.

SS: We also spoke with other magical beings during the campaign, which proved very beneficial for us, and I hope, for them too. Our decision to break up the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures has been met with wide acceptance among other species- and we are more than pleased to provide more rights for other beings than have been provided before. Notably, our decision to set up the Department of Inter Species Cooperation has been applauded on every front, which we are very pleased with. In addition, we met with very knowledgeable conservationists who spent time talking to us about the magical creatures and plant species that they care for. These species are unable to directly tell us what they require so the conservationists information is valuable to us, to ensure the protection of such species for future generations.

MW: Absolutely. It was a pleasure to meet every single being we could during the last two months and I like to believe that we have the right ideas for the right time.

SS: That is also true- I think we genuinely have what it takes to make our society an even better place to live in.

snapegirl: Would you do anything differently?

MW: Not a thing in the world.

SS: I don’t think we could have worked with a better team- or chosen better partners- for this election. I am always open to advice, but I also trust my own instincts. I believe we have formulated everything to fit into a refreshed and ready society- a society that needs more development in a time of improvement. As far as I am concerned, we did the best job we could have done. There is nothing I want to change- and so nothing I would.

vampiricduck: Now that the elections are drawing to a close, if you were to go back in time and make the decision again, would you still run for Minister of Magic?

SS: Without doubt, yes. In the years since my passing beyond the veil, I have thought of ways to make the world I left behind a better place. It was, quite frankly, an awful time to survive in, and each day was a battle, as Molly will attest. It seems only fair that I can give to the world what it lacked so often during my time living in it. I am more than pleased to serve the people of Wizarding Britain, if they should choose to allow it. It seems fitting that our ideas and the ideas of our co candidates might be taken into consideration by a new administration. I know that if it were I and Molly who received the positions, we would do just this. If I were to go back in time and think about it again, knowing what the future would hold, I would still run for Minister- with Molly Weasley- regardless of the outcome of the election proper.

MW: I completely agree. I know that the biggest and most important thing to me is being a mother and a wife- my family mean everything to me, and so I desire to help them. The dark times, as Severus has mentioned, are past us. But it is the job of the future Minister to ensure that it is in the past they stay. I ran for Minister in order to provide the children of our society with a brighter future- and I picked the right man with which to do it. We are already fighting for this aim- which tells me that I have begun to achieve what I set out to do. This is for the children- the ones who’ve known no sadness or pain. I want their lives to be as happy as possible. I have no doubts at all. If I were to go back and choose again, yes, I would choose to run- and yes, I would choose to run with Severus Snape.

And there we left it. Mrs Weasley assured us that she was well able to clean the Burrow herself- and so we left. The group of us who had remained during the interview spilled into the yard as the last spark of sunlight disappeared from the sky and the clouds started to roll in for the night.

And I think we all felt very, very proud of our candidates, the decisions they made, the people they helped, and the things they achieved during the course of this election. We said our goodbyes, some of us heading for bed, some going back to HQ- but all of us very content.

Harold McAlindon once said “Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

That is what these candidates will do.

[Klio]

I am not sure whether I should dare venture here, but I wrote little feedbck posts on all the other team's comprehensive threads, and I think fairness dictates that I do the same here..... especially because there are good things to say. And I don't know about you, I think hearing reactions to one's work is almost always satisfying.

Anwyay - sorry that it comes so late, but I have now finally managed to read everything properly.

As always - your work is extremely professional, thoughtful and in character. I like the clear way in which the thread is organised, with the beautiful 'chapter heading' icons and the brilliant table of contents at the beginning.
In terms of design, it's the elegant 'less is more' approach that has especially characterised your promotional material during the campaign, and I think it works well here.

It's nice to see some of your best material presented all in one place - the videos are well worth watching (I am still particularly impressed with the 'TV commercial' one.

I particularly enjoyed reading the policy summaries. these really give a clear overview - neat touch to return to the main issues again in the end in the economy post. That's a thoughtful touch.


All in all - brilliant work... as always.

[boushh]

Thanks for the comments! They are always welcome.

I hope everyone enjoys reading the interview posted above. It was wonderful to get some quiet time with Severus and Molly after the excitement of the party.

And to all who haven't voted. Please consider voting for Severus Snape and Molly Weasley!

[Tweedlidam]

I must congratulate your team on making me almost like Severus Snape!

Congratulations also on being in such a tight race with the Hermione team! Good luck to you!

[Annielogic]

Originally Posted by Tweedlidam

I must congratulate your team on making me almost like Severus Snape!

Congratulations also on being in such a tight race with the Hermione team! Good luck to you!

Thank you for your positive words, Tweedlidam. They're appreciated!

[PureBloodGirl]

Anyone liking our new usertittles? I rather like being called an assistant to Professor Snape.

[Klio]

Congratulations on a wonderful and well run campaign. There is a reason why the vote was so close!

You were fantastic!

[vampiricduck]

This is a copy of the Conceding speech from the Snape/Molly team.

Conceding Speech We have come to the day of days, and I am here to speak on behalf of the Sev/Molly group. We come second in the election- but this does not bother or dishearten us. On the contrary - we held our own for two months in order to legitimise the image of Severus Snape as a hero; unsung and unrealised, but a hero nonetheless. To this end, it is we who have achieved the moral victory. We have finally proven that Severus Snape has something to say- and along the way, we shone a light hitherto unseen on Molly Weasley. We can only hope to have done them proud, to show dignity and integrity in the face of adversity, and to have served them as best we could have. Our team came into this election as outsiders- which is precisely how we leave them behind us. Regardless of the outcome, we have proven our strength and our worth when placed against some truly brilliant teams who invested just as much time as we did in this game. It was an absolute honour for some of our team members to get involved in the Cedric/George campaign. The people we worked with there were wonderfully genuine, kind and so inviting. For the Cedric/George team, we offer our commiserations that such admirable candidates were underestimated in the course of this game. You guys were brilliant to work with. For the Harry/Ron, Arthur/Filius, Sirius/Bill, Luna/Dobby and Voldemort/Lucius team- there were so many skills on display in each of these campaigns. We were provided with fun, socks, tattoos, Pygmy Puffs- and a brilliant array of policies and hopeful lines of electoral compassion that were a real credit to all involved. The graphics work, statements and characters you all shared with us were simply wonderful. I know that these are, as such, the smaller teams involved in the election. By remaining until the end and investing just as much time as the rest of us in this game, you all deserve major kudos. This was a huge undertaking, and anyone taking part should be hugely proud of what they have achieved. Finally, to the Hermione/Neville team, we offer our warmest congratulations. Though we were mostly in contention, this was a fight and you guys offered great opposition. We all saw the quality of your campaign, the clever graphics and external communication making sure that your campaign thread was active and colourful at all times. It was a pleasure to work in opposition to you, and we are genuinely so pleased that our candidates came second to you, when your team was such a popular choice. It was an honour to be a part of the entire process, and so we also extend our thanks to the moderators and Administration who made this game so readily accessible to all forum users. For Jessica, RemusLupinFan, SusanBones, NadineTink, kala_way, gertiekeddle, Hes, alwaysme and chparadise- thanks guys. We know how tough it must have been at times for you all too, and so we want you to know how much we appreciate it. As a spokesperson, it is only fair of me to point my thanks to all members of the forum who voted for us- and not just the members of our team. We are delighted with the response to Sev/Molly, and we were only too pleased to donate the Spotlight thread to a Halloween party for everyone, and not just to benefit ourselves. It is up to those of us who voted for the Professor in Black to retain the knowledge that he was a good, strong and brave man- no one can take these things away from our campaign. We only hope that we have done both he and Molly Weasley justice. We accept our loss with pride and wish the best to the winning team. Congratulations to all teams on the vast amount of work and sleepless nights that created this game. In my opinion, every single person who partook to such an extent deserves a reward- all I can offer is the respect and kudos of the Snape/ Molly team. Thank you for going the distance with us, even in opposition to us, because that was what made it so much fun. We made new friends, learned more about old characters, and best of all, learned the merits of teamwork, revealing skills new and old along the way. We were honoured to serve Professor Snape- and we will continue to do so as his most loyal supporters. We are grateful for the opportunity we received- to make sure he is recognised in a broader circle, and in so doing, to present him as the hero we believe him to be. I feel we have achieved that aim, and so we depart the election with smiles on our faces and the gratification of a moral victory. We are, as a team, so proud to have been a part of this- and even with the gift of hindsight, we would not change a single thing. We leave you now with the words of Theodore Roosevelt- It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Severus Snape was, and still is, our choice for Minister of Magic.

[Voldemorts8thHorcrux]

Although you guys came in second place, the quality of your work was no less than Hermione and Neville and you can be extremely proud of all the hard work you put into your campaign

[arithmancer]

Thank you, Klio! Your campaign produced lovely work as well...this contest was an amazing display of the dazzling asoortment of talent people on this board have.

V8, thank you as well. I love your new Voldie-free sig - what a lovely painting! (Not that I object to Voldie-sigs, mind you...you had some great ones. "Bow down to the king!" ))

[lilyrose]

I LOVE YOUR NEW USERTITLES!!!!
Infact, a little envious...anyway

Your team is one of my favourite teams, I'm sure you know that by now. I think you did a throughly professional job throughout the elections and I'd tell you that regardless of the election results, you guys are winners in the sense that you were true to character, very professional and polite to all other competitors.

I loved your charity, video and the speeches. Thank you so very much for the Halloween Party too- that was a wonderful gesture!

Wonderful job, regardless of the result

[Olwen]

Congratulations to the Snape/Weasley for Minister of Magic team for running an incredible campaign - from the graphics, campaign ads, signatures, speeches and choice of charity. I've never seen anything so amazing. You did Severus Snape and Molly Weasley proud, and you gave the fans who always believed in Snape something to treasure. Thank you all for an inspiring two months.

[snapegirl]

Thank you, lilyrose!

I really enjoyed the Sirius/Bill campaign, especially your charity.


And thank you for supporting Snape, Olwen! I hope we did the Professor proud.

[Marina]

Cheers for the excellent campaigning, Molly/Snape! Glad to see you're not disheartened that you have not won the vote.

OT: Oooh, this is my 666th post...the evil number.

[Muggle_Magic]

Congratulations on coming in second, Snape & Molly team. That is no mean feat, and it's no embarrassment to lose to that very professional Hermione & Neville team. You did awesomely well.

Congratulations also on your new usertitles. Very impressive!

Once again, a big warm thanks to the two of you who were so kind and unstinting in the help you gave us. We couldn't have gotten through the last couple of tasks without you.

[wickedwickedboy]

Congrats on second place.

[vampiricduck]

Thanks Wick. .

[silver ink pot]

Olwen: You were on the team too and I'm sure you helped us get votes last week!

Lilyrose and Muggle_Magic: Aw, thanks to you both.

Originally Posted by Marina

Glad to see you're not disheartened that you have not won the vote

Why should we be disheartened? We have the best friends in the world and we still have Snape.

[twinsrule26]

Congrats to the Snape/Weasley team for running a great campaign . It was really great competing with you .

twins

[silver ink pot]

Originally Posted by twinsrule26

Congrats to the Snape/Weasley team for running a great campaign . It was really great competing with you .

twins

Thanks, I hope we can compete again someday.