Snapedom

I've been a bit obsessed with the snarry_games, and am missing my snupin rec time, so I'll sneak a little snupin and a snape rarepair into today's snarry_games-focused rec. (Must search around for other Snape slash pairing fics soon, and/or read some Snape/Hermione fics - I'm so snarry/snupin focused, that I've been guilty of ignoring other pairings. It has always been my intent to rec more than just my OTP and favoured pairings.)



Fresh from the snarry_games:

>> The Snidget by sinick and ac1d6urn.
Rating: nc-17
Warning/s: character death and violence
Summary: After the Dark Lord's victory, Headmaster Snape is living under a sword's edge, when hope flies in past his shields.

Am utterly in love with The Snidget. Initially I read it with some reluctance - I'm not fond of the Voldemort-won darkfic genre generally. To paraphrase torino10154's words, I find it distressing to see enslaved Gryffindors leashed and collared. And have little taste for torture and rape. (That's my idiosyncratic take - no criticism intended to thise with different tastes.)
But... The Snidget, although it is a Voldemort-won scenario, takes a wonderfully fresh approach - I woudn't actually classify it a darkfic myself.

I'm not going to say much about the plot and the events of the story, because I don't wish to spoil the fic for anyone. However, the plot is great, with tastes of horror and twistiness that never overwhelm, and the narrative is a perfect balance of tension and reflection. Some of the plot devices are spectacular - the use of the Sword of Gryffindor stands out as a unique and vivid image - one I'll not forget anytime soon. The balance of light and dark elements in this story is truly masterful.
Snape is wonderful; an excellently fleshed-out and ic characterization, portrayed with great subtlety. And there are so many delights to savour - the Snidget is gorgeous, and Snape's interactions with it are heart-warming and droll. Harry is a Harry I adore - which is a surprisingly rare occurence. And the romance is perfect.... in fact, this story is perfect (well, as close as it gets). Oh. there's so much I want to say, but cannot.... Please do go and read this one, I utterly, utterly adore it.


>> In Theory by dementordelta and cruisedirector.
Rating: nc-17
Warning/s: sex, profanity, first time, legilmency
Summary: Lucius Malfoy appears at Harry Potter's door to tell him that Severus Snape is alive...and Malfoy will tell Harry where Snape is, too, if Harry promises a favor in return.

I've been revealed as a fan of dementordelta here before - and dementordelta and cruisedirector create another wonderful story with In Theory.

And how embarrassing, when I reflected on the plot all I could initially think of was the wonderfully melting sex. (Lusty enough to mist the mental facuties - it really is mind-melting sex.) And it is particularly embarrassing, as this story is very plotty - with a very well-crafted story-line. It's one of those plots that really flow, effortessly pulling the reader along as they read. There are lovely twists and turns, as Lucius seeks to make a deal with Harry. All is not as it seems, and Lucius is not as he seems, in fact Lucius' motivations and machinations are a wonderful surprise as the story unfolds - there's so much more going than is initially revealed. And the sex is brilliant!
Another utterly brilliant story from the snarry_games - not to be missed, and utterly enjoyable.


>> Connecting the Dotty by igtow.
Rating: 14+
Warning/s: *Mention of past MPreg :: Kink-free unless one counts old folks feeling frisky*
Summary: A gentle tale of growing old together.

I'm really going to struggle with this review - this fic is incredibly touching and moving. The story deals with Snape and Harry in their later years - they're really quite ancient here. The treatment of old age and its effects on the mind is absolutely BRILLIANT - a deft, sensitive and tender portrayal of a very challenging topic, set within the framework of an established relationship characterized by the endurance of love, romance and caring. Am all admiration and awe for the way the scenario is handled in this story -this is so very well-written, it's astounding. !


Sneaking in a quick snupin rec, because I'm craving the snape/lupin:

This Might Take Me a Little Time by schemingreader.
Rating: nc-17
Warning/s: none I can think of
Summary: Snape begins to suspect Lupin is dating him just to get access to his fantastic personal library.

I have no idea why I haven't recced this story before as it is absolutely one of my all-time favorite snupin stories. In the top five, for sure. It has Snape and Lupin and BOOKS (my secret quirky kink is snupin + books). It contains some of the very best lines I've ever read in any fiction of any kind!

Schemingreader's divine gift for portraying a gorgeously awkward and vulnerable yet snarky Snape, and that glorious flow of dominance and submission that seems to characterize the very best snupin fics, is wonderfully handled here.*

It's touching and moving and utterly beautiful, so unspeakably sexy:
Every moment of it, the slap of Lupin's balls against his thighs, the feel of Lupin's hot breath on his neck when he leaned forward, and always, the breaks for passionate kisses, felt like a tribute to Lupin's skills as a researcher. He had created some sort of index to Severus' body, and was in the process of cross-indexing--see under pleasure, see under arousal, see under intimacy.
What this writer can do with words...

This story is one of the best pieces of erotica I've ever read. There, I can't think of any way to better convey my appreciation of this story's brilliance.
*To clarify: I don't mean the dominance/submission of BDSM, but the flow and dynamics within a relationship.



And a stealthy insertion of a snape/draco rec to leaven the snarry:

Substance of Hope by femmequixotic.
Rating: X
Warning/s: none given (infidelity and angst, perhaps.)

I'm not actually such a great fan of snape/draco, except femmequixotic's snape/draco. She writes it so beautifully, I'm actually convinced while reading that it is my OTP.

I've recced her brilliant "Iluminations de Noel" and her unbearably moving "The Years That Walk Between" here before. The Substance of Hope has a slightly different take on the snape/draco relationship than the other two fics, by placing the narrative within Snape's perspective. And he's portrayed so beautifully, gritty and worn and aching. His tone is grim, weary and so guarded, with that one vulnerability - his feelings for Draco.

But he made a vow, fool that he was, and Severus is not a man to take such promises lightly.

Severus' love continues, through all the years of pain and betrayal, anger and separation, and finally, forgiveness. Until that love comes to spiral back, and any vows taken have moved beyond foolishness.

I love, love, love the way that femmequixotic writes snape/draco. Aching beautiful and bittersweet.


NOTES:
>> If ever you feel I haven't warned appropriately, please let me know, and I'll make adjustments accordingly.

>> Please do remember to comment at the stories; comments can mean so much to a writer. I figure comments = payment for enjoyment received.

>> Some of this material may be later duplicated at my bottomsnape rec page.