Tweak

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Tweak says, "I am sad for I have no arms."

snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games,
@ 2008-04-20 10:56:00

Entry tags:

cruisedirector, entry, team phoenix

TEAM PHOENIX ENTRY: CruiseDirector "A Pastoral Interlude"
Title: A Pastoral Interlude
Author: cruisedirector
Team: Phoenix
Genre(s): Romance
Prompt(s): Career Change, Time Capsule
Rating/Warnings/Kinks: R; Mild adult language, fairly discreet offscreen sex. Drag mouse over space if you wish to know more: *Past-tense minor character death.*
Word Count: ~12,000
Summary: On an unhappy Christmas Eve in Somerset, Harry finds the last person he expects to see cooking in the kitchen of an inn.
A/N: Betas: The wonderful dementordelta and the amazing celandineb.
Disclaimer: Some ideas for recipes came from Maxime de la Falaise's Seven Centuries of English Cooking, though I borrowed mostly lists of ingredients. The King's Arms Inn is a real place in Shepton Mallet, but to the best of my knowledge, wizards must make reservations there the same way as everyone else.

"A Pastoral Interlude by Cruise Director"

Don't forget to review!

Mod note: POLLS ARE NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE SNARRY GAMES.

Mod note: If you rec this story, please link to this POST, not the story itself, or the author/team will not get their proper vote tally or feedback. Thank you.

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(Post a new comment)

	(Anonymous) 2008-04-20 06:03 pm UTC (link)
	ack! if I didn't have to change for my softball game right this second I would be going crazy over this story! I shouldn't have refreshed when I knew I would be able to read anyway! (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:16 am UTC

	keyairreem 2008-04-20 07:37 pm UTC (link)
	Very nice! I love the controlled attitude of Snape with shy!Harry. (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:18 am UTC

	japonicastar 2008-04-20 07:43 pm UTC (link)
	You came up with a very impressive and original way to keep Snape alive, reminded me of Futurama in fact, though it was better as he healed along the way. I enjoyed this, and adored Harry and his weepy onion slicing. :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:20 am UTC

	meri_oddities 2008-04-20 07:50 pm UTC (link)
	This was very enjoyable. I liked seeing older Harry with Snape nearly the same age. Very plausible way for Snape NOT to have died. I'm always looking for another good reason, and you've added to my collection. g I'm kind of hoping this is going to be a series because I would dearly love to read what happens next. (Reply to this) (Thread)

medawyn, 2008-04-20 08:27 pm UTC

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:29 am UTC

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:28 am UTC

meri_oddities, 2008-04-21 09:55 am UTC

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 08:34 pm UTC

	svartalfur 2008-04-20 07:51 pm UTC (link)
	I love the unusual take on the epilogue generation and the way you interwove Snape's personal history with the history of the place. A thoroughly enjoyable read! (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:36 am UTC

joanwilder
2008-04-20 07:57 pm UTC (link)

I've loved all the ways writers manage to get Harry and Snape together post epilogue, and you've written one of the most original ones to date. The tragedy of James and Teddy was poignant, Harry's 'fall' just one more injustice in a life filled with so many. And the setting on Christmas Eve, which has a magic all its own, for him to find the one person who might understand and with whom he'd be able to pour out his anguish, was a perfect one.

I liked the notion of magical hibernation too. I wonder if they package that for Muggles like me? :)

Really enjoyed this--it made me want to bake cookies, and I sighed, satisfied, that fate sometimes smiles when it's darkest.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:41 am UTC

	kookoolaka 2008-04-20 08:05 pm UTC (link)
	Poor James and Teddy. The inn setting was nice change. Little things in the story made me smile; Scorpius being the good guy for one. Good Story. (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:43 am UTC

	centaury_squill 2008-04-20 08:07 pm UTC (link)
	A most enjoyable, feel-good fic! (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:44 am UTC

themadscriptor
2008-04-20 08:07 pm UTC (link)

Very interesting! I have wondered how much of their experiences the 'war veterans' would impart to the next generation and how it would affect the children. This version had me shivering -- when I picture Teddy smiling as he asks about his father, it's disturbing and a little sociopathic.

I liked Harry here: still himself, still a bit oblivious, but also older, more desperate, in many ways a better match for Snape than he could have been without some of his recent experiences.

I enjoyed this -- thank you. :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:49 am UTC

themadscriptor, 2008-04-21 07:15 am UTC

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 08:29 pm UTC

	amorettea 2008-04-20 08:10 pm UTC (link)
	Original, well-written, evocative and just plain wonderful. (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:50 am UTC

medawyn
2008-04-20 08:10 pm UTC (link)

Oh, I want more! You've created so many wonderfully complicated elements in this fic - Teddy and James' tragedy, Harry's sexuality, the fickle nature of the Wizarding public, Harry and Snape's past, the future of everyone... you balance them all so well within the scope of what you've written, but I want to know more about everything. You've whetted my appetite!

I think I particularly like the way Ginny and Harry's children are an organic part of Harry's story; they don't overwhelm the fic, but they are a reality of his life. This makes your Harry a nicely three-dimensional character and particularly suited to entering into a more balanced relationship with Snape. I also like the way you've retained Harry's insecurity. He is so relieved to find Snape, to find, for a moment, someone who can understand and solve some of his problems. It's not that Harry isn't an adult in this story, but he's wonderfully vulnerable.

Bravo!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:41 pm UTC

	knkgrrl 2008-04-20 08:31 pm UTC (link)
	Beautifully drawn, and I loved the way you revealed what had happened throughout the story. And I really liked yummy!Snape, and Harry was just perfect. And now I'm hungry, too! (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:42 pm UTC

	klynie1 2008-04-20 08:42 pm UTC (link)
	I found the sort of dreamy, other-worldliness of the story to be intriguing. It was as if Harry and Snape had stepped out of the rest of the wizarding world and were in a bubble all to themselves. Excellent backstory involving the next gen characters - I would love to see more of it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:45 pm UTC

84trillion
2008-04-20 08:48 pm UTC (link)

This felt very complete to me - I have read so many "and then Ginny and I separated for no reason" stories that this was like a breath of fresh air. I liked that the next generation had issues - that Teddy did grow up to be fucked up, though it would've been interesting to delve a little more into what exactly James was attempting to do. I love the idea of Snape as a chef, and the ending was lovely.

Your characterization of Snape, by the way, was absolutely perfect. Thank you for writing this - I really enjoyed it!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:51 pm UTC

telwyrd
2008-04-20 08:57 pm UTC (link)

A fascinating and well-written story! Hugely enjoyable! I was riveted by your slowly unfolding tale of Harry's fall from grace and the tragedy of how Teddy and James ruined their own lives in such a terrible way. Gads, so very sad.

Snape was well-portrayed in the story. He was sharp, smug, and oh so snarky. A good balance to a miserable Harry. And I loved how he was able to save himself via magical hibernation - most original!

Kudos for a wonderful story of endings and new beginnings!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 03:54 pm UTC

fbowden
2008-04-20 09:10 pm UTC (link)

I love how much calmer older Harry is, and how Snape hasn't changed at all, despite the passing of time. Harry's story is so sad, and I love thinking that now he and Snape have found each other, he will be happy again, or perhaps, for the first time.

It was great to see Scorpius as a good guy too, and I have to say I was glad it was James and not Albus Severus that was the troublesome child, because I &heart; Al!

Wonderful start to the games, congratulations!

Flic x

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:32 pm UTC

	calico_sky 2008-04-20 09:14 pm UTC (link)
	Unique take on the post-war lives of Harry and his family! I also love the idea of Snape as inn cook. ;) (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:33 pm UTC

	lethelynn 2008-04-20 09:17 pm UTC (link)
	Nice work! Intersting take on Teddy. I remember thinking that it was a good possibility that Teddy would be resentful that his parents left him to go get themselves killed in a battle. It's amazing what those kind of emotional scars can do to a person. (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:35 pm UTC

	gina87 2008-04-20 09:38 pm UTC (link)
	Wow, fantastic story! Your Harry is great...he is still the same but has matured. And I really like the idea that Harry and Snape are the same age...thats something you don't see every day. I really love how you used the next generation. Harry's son in Azkaban and Teddy dead because he wanted to create an Horcrux! I soo love the idea! Great story! Thanks soo much! (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:39 pm UTC

	kabbers 2008-04-20 10:15 pm UTC (link)
	Interesting story. I am curious about what exactly happened before Harry ended up at the inn. You eluded to it and I am pretty sure I know what happened, but it might make an interesting oneshot. (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:40 pm UTC

ziasudra
2008-04-20 10:18 pm UTC (link)

This is such a fascinating exploration of raising children in the postwar generation! My heart goes out to Harry. He's obviously trying so hard to make his children's generation as happy as possible, but the sad fact is the the shadows of the war still loom over them all.

I have so much love for chef!Snape :) Great to know that he's still his snarky self. I'm glad now that Harry's older, he's able to see past his childish hatred and realize that he and Snape share a connection that no one else does.

Seeing them come together as two lonely souls on Christmas Eve just about melted me. There's just something magical about the Christmas season :)

Go Team Phoenix!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:43 pm UTC

boussole
2008-04-20 10:31 pm UTC (link)

Waaaaa~ *flails* Lovely! This was just wonderful! >______< ~♥ Gah~ I loved it all so much! The mess that Teddy and James got into was eerie and slightly chilling, and i love that Harry's family isn't this picture perfect thing the epilogue makes it out to be. You Snape was perfect and so in character for me! And Harry as well! Ahhh~ Just fantastic~ I need to reread this~ ^____^

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:46 pm UTC

	gin_tonic 2008-04-20 10:39 pm UTC (link)
	Go Team Phoenix! I really, really liked this story and it's quite original take on what happened after the epilogue. I also love how you worked in your prompts - I can totally see Sev as a cook! (Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:47 pm UTC

foliageink
2008-04-20 10:50 pm UTC (link)

It was a truly enjoyable read, thank you.

The most memorable part of this story for me, aside from being exceptionally written, was how well you mastered the constant co-existence of two groups of conflicting emotions: hopefulness, surprise, comfort vs. disappointment, guilt, helplessness.

"Even though it was ridiculous, since Harry was a paying guest, he felt guilty. Lately everything made him feel guilty, even those things completely beyond his control." There were multiple places like this that left me both want to laugh and feel sorry about the characters.

Perhaps the lighthearted humor further amplified the cold and bitter occurrences in their lives, which in turn made the story larger than the words let on.

Wonderfully done, it felt very solid and complete.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:49 pm UTC

whitestar
2008-04-20 11:01 pm UTC (link)

Wonderful! I was mesmerized by this story. I had to tell my hubby all about it when I finished reading, about how intriguing this story was with it's different story line. The idea that the next generation had failings and weren't all perfect.

If you ever decide to, I would love to see you continue this story further with Severus teaching James and Harry being Severus's partner. Great job! ^_^

(Reply to this) (Thread)

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 04:50 pm UTC

whitestar, 2008-04-21 10:27 pm UTC

cruisedirector, 2008-04-21 10:59 pm UTC

whitestar, 2008-04-21 11:11 pm UTC

cruisedirector, 2008-04-22 01:45 am UTC

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