fic rec: A Time for All Things

Why haven't more people recced A Time For All Things yet? Have I really been almost the first to find this story? (Is there such thing as a "first rec dance"?)

A Time For All Things, by Meri, is a post-Hogwarts Harry/Severus fic that, while making use of several cliches--the story begins with Snape rejecting Harry on the grounds that he needs to grow up and experience the world--manages to rise above them, also knows when to avoid them; Ron's initial reaction is as startled and disbelieving as I'd expect, and he's more willing to criticise the man's actions, but no more than Harry is-- for once he's not cast as the homophobic berk. Too, Harry really does grow up during his years away: he goes from hurt acquiescence to actually understanding Snape's position, Snape's reasons, and eventually takes up the battle actively instead of merely reacting to Snape's decrees.

Aside from a few tiny errors, the sort one makes in typing a long document, and the fact that I'd like to see a bit more of Harry's Auror days the way we get a glimpse of his stint in Quidditch, it's a very enjoyable way to spend some time.

Fic rec: Prefatory

All right, I know I've read this before, and I loved it, but somehow it never reached this journal.

Well, here I am, ready to fix that. "Prefatory" is one of the most lyrical, emotional stories I've read; it's right up there with "The Rain Keeps Falling" and "Fidelius." In short, it's Severus, and Harry, and a future that might be; a future that, if bleak, still has brightness in spite of loss. It's brilliant, really, and trying to describe it is rather like attempting to summarise Romantic poetry.

Here is Isolde's author page at Skyhawke; you can find Prefatory (and her other works) there.

Fic Rec: "Cursed Artefacts for Sale"

In honour of tinderblast's birthday, Icarus has finished and posted a little story set in her "Primer to the Dark Arts" universe: "Cursed Artefacts For Sale" can be found in her LJ. It's not beta-read yet, but other than the odd missing word there's certainly nothing the matter with it! Sweet in an understated way that speaks of long familiarity with each other's peccadilloes tempered by love, and with a leavening of humour quite evident to anyone with a collecting hobby (or collecting friend!), this is a future Severus and Harry I can love.

If you haven't read Primer, of course, be sure to do so!

Fic Rec: "The Heinous Scriptures of Our Bodies" (drabble)

Ever wonder what Severus Snape and Harry Potter could possibly have in common? imochan has managed, with The Heinous Scriptures of Our Bodies, to explain just that. One hundred words that leave me with a tight, sweet ache in the middle of my chest. Read it now.

Fic Rec: "Scratch"

I stumbled across a marvellous fic I haven't seen recced yet, and thought I should hurry up and post it-- as soon, of course, as I manage to stop re-reading it. Scratch, by Aucta Sinistra, is one of those Snape-tutors-Harry-in-Defence fics, but unlike the others which all too often feature bizarrely-out-of-character Snape or some sort of ridiculously obvious couple-forming gimmick, "Scratch" is wonderfully free of such things, relying on good storytelling and character interaction. As an added bonus, Harry does a bit of maturing; it is he who requests the lessons, rather than the more common "for your own good" pronouncement from Dumbledore.

Sample:

He said, "Teach me."

Snape blinked. "Why?"

"So I won't die," Harry said.

"I meant, why should I teach you?"

Harry held Snape's gaze. He'd long thought those eyes cold and full of hate; he'd never really compared them, before, to Voldemort's.

He repeated, "So I won't die."

See? HP/SS goodness. And Aucta Sinistra somehow manages that most delicate of balancing acts, that of using Harry's perspective while still subtly revealing Snape's as well. In addition, there's lots of magic, and I love Snape's version of a microwave. One warning: not Brit-picked.

Fic Rec: "Twelve"

Ooh, spanking smut! "Twelve", by Isis, is complete and total Snape-punishing-Harry smut--and it's utterly delicious. Definitely read it: it's delightfully steamy.

Edited to add: It can also be found here, on Isis's website; the link above is to the Pornish Pixies post where I found it. :D